Poker is a far cry from other casino games, which can be finished in 30 seconds, with no strategy or skill involved, poker is the polar opposite. Prize pools can also extend into dazzling seven-figure territory. It may vary depending on the type of game, the number of participants and the budget they are working with, but these are the main reasons why the card game is one of the most popular gambling games around the world.
As the popularity of the game increases online, winning a guaranteed 200,000 in a poker tournament is not too out of the ordinary for top players.
Online poker was not one of the areas of casino gaming that developers and casino bosses thought would translate well to the digital world, given the amount of strategy and psychological trickery involved in land-based games. However, it has proven to be a success.
This includes celebrities who like a game without the headache of being recognized by a physical provider or those professionals who want to hone their skills before entering some of the most revered tournaments on the poker calendar. Here are five celebrities who are passionate about the game.
Michael Jordan played several tournaments and high-roller poker games during his career, but even in retirement, he is known to play high-stakes games. Who knows if it’s more about the competition and mentality than the game itself, but Jordan’s competitive edge will never leave him. He dedicated himself to business during his outstanding NBA career and continues to do so when he sits at the poker table.
The Chicago Bulls legend put the NBA on the world sports map. I remember the 1990s (almost) and how Jordan was everywhere, breaking into the fashion world with his remarkably successful Air Jordan sneakers and guest starring as himself in the hit animated film Space Jam.
His constant drive for success and competition is the reason why he is one of the richest athletes of all time. It also explains why he is a big fan of playing poker, outwitting his opponents and cheering them on at the table.
For those who may not remember the early 2000s, Curtis Jackson might be an affable meme known for his funny tweets, clever inversions, and funny jokes about rap culture. However, there was a time when 50 was the biggest rapper in the world, under the tutelage of his close friend Eminem, and while he probably isn’t famous for his love of poker, he is a celebrity who enjoys playing it more than most.
Of all the celebrities who enjoy poker, Affleck probably surprised me the most. I have no idea why. He just didn’t seem like that kind of person to me. However, I couldn’t have been more wrong about that. Affleck is one of the biggest names in Hollywood and first burst onto the scene when he co-wrote and starred in the iconic ’90s film Good Will Hunting alongside his friend Matt Damon, another celebrity who enjoys a Texas game or two. Hold’Em.
Ben has his own Wikipedia section about his exploits in the game. Although his awards pale in comparison to what he earned for some of his biggest films, he once won over $350,000 in a poker tournament and qualified for the World Poker Tournament. So we would say that Ben is definitely a celebrity who enjoys poker.
Given her extensive career in professional poker, including her on this list might be unfair. However, Jennifer is a celebrity who likes poker. She enjoys it so much that it is now her full-time job and has traveled the world, testing her skills against some of the biggest names and championing the idea of ​​more women-only tournaments and tables.
Still, given that she first rose to fame as an actress and then went on to pursue her love of the game as a full-time job, she is one of the most notable celebrities and a recognizable face on the poker circuit, fully deserving of her place on our list.
For many of us, Aaron Paul will always be Jesse Pinkman, the bumbling lab technician who co-starred in Breaking Bad, considered one of the best television dramas ever created. It’s hard to think of him like anyone else.
Still, Aaron is obviously very different from Jesse in real life, and it’s a challenge to imagine Albuquerque’s finest sitting down for a few hours and playing poker with Badger and Skinny Pete – the man behind the character is a big fan and He even took on soccer icon Cristiano Ronaldo in a charity poker game in 2016.
There are many more celebrities who enjoy poker. As we said at the beginning of the article, it will still find a market because it combines strategy and skill and is not an instant change like slot machines or roulette; There is a real structure to the game.
It’s also intriguing, because the celebrities we’ve mentioned today haven’t made a passing comment about enjoying poker; There is plenty of evidence that they continue to try to improve their game, participating in tournaments and seeking advice from some of the game’s top professionals.