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We are living in a world where sometimes just being known for one thing isn't quite good enough anymore. In the world of entertainment and show business, it seems hard for an individual to just stick to what they became famous for in the first place. We have basketball players rapping, rappers playing basketball, actors singing and singers acting. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, as some of these stars have crossed over so well, you forget what their initial forte was. A new trend breezing through Hollywood are famous actors now trying their luck at the game of Poker. While many have tried, few have actually succeeded.
Ben Affleck
Ben Affleck was first known for his roles in movies such as "Dogma," "Good Will Hunting" and "Pearl Harbor". While some of his movies have bombed, his success at the poker table has exploded. Affleck first jumped into the poker scene in the summer of 2004. He won the 2004 Commerce Casino's California Stake Poker Championship and netted $356,400. At the final table he knocked out poker pro Stan Goldstein to prevail. Ben Affleck often credits poker pro Annie Duke for getting him over the hump and being able to play with the best players in the world. To date, Affleck hasn't won any other major tournaments, but he plays in some of the biggest cash games.
Affleck has played in the World Series of Poker the last four years, but he has yet to place in the money. Maybe this is the year Affleck can make some noise in the main event of the WSOP that starts at the end of this month.
Jennifer Tilly
When introducing our next poker-playing actor, one can make the argument she's not only the best actor playing poker, but she may be the best female poker player, period. Jennifer Tilly, who is the girlfriend of poker pro Phil "The Unabomber" Laak, obviously has a great teacher. Laak, however, probably never expected his girlfriend to do better in major tournaments then he has.
Tilly, who's voice was used in the hit Disney movie "Monsters Inc", is the only actor to have won a WSOP event and the bracelet that goes with it. In June 2005, Tilly defeated the best female players in the world in the WSOP $1,000 buy-in ladies-only no limit hold'em event. With the win she pocketed a cool $158,335. Her success didn't end there, however. Only four months later she won the WPT Ladies Night of Poker and proved she was the real deal, walking away from the event with $25,000.
Last month, Tilly also showed she can play with the boys. She took first place in the Poker Superstars Invitational where she defeated former WSOP champion Greg Raymer, Antonio Esfandiari and Chris "Jesus" Ferguson. Tilly will also be playing in the WSOP Main Event, and if her recent results are any indication, she might be making a lot of money.
James Woods
There are other well-known actors that spend a lot of time playing poker. Among those are James Woods, who won a major tournament in November 2005 and also plays in the same big cash games Ben Affleck frequents. For an actor, Woods keeps a poker schedule that resembles a pro. He plays in just about every major tournament available and often places around or near the final table. It's hard to imagine there are many other actors who practice their poker skills more than Mr. Woods.
Other actors you may see sitting at the poker felt are Jason Alexander, of Seinfeld acclaim; Dule Hill, who is often seen on Bravo's "Celebrity Poker Showdown"; and Mena Suvari from the hit movie "American Beauty." But, if you are an actor and you are hoping to become a hit poker player, you would likely be best off trying for the help of a one Mr. Ben Affleck or Miss Jennifer Tilly.
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