If you step into the Nou Camp expecting to have a deep conversation about life's quirks with Neymar, you're likely to end up speaking with his bodyguard instead.
But poker is different.
Poker is a great class equaliser.
Poker fosters connections, breaks down social barriers, and encourages interactions among individuals from diverse backgrounds. Honestly, it's the kind of game that could bridge discussions at the United Nations.
Perhaps this is the reason numerous stars in the entertainment industry favor it as a cherished hobby? Tired of the superficial glamour and charades that surround them, they may find the poker table to be the only arena where they can unveil their true selves.
While I could easily name over 50 celebrities who have been seen at poker tables over the years, this selection highlights thirteen prominent figures from sports and entertainment that stand out as frequent players.
Best 13 Celebrity Poker Players Are:
1. Michael Phelps
Michael Phelps, known as the Phil Ivey of the Olympics, has amassed an impressive collection of 28 medals, 23 of which are gold. As a natural champion, he took up poker while living in Baltimore with professional player Jeff Gross.
“Mike is undoubtedly one of the top celebrity poker players out there,” Gross once shared with Card Player magazine.
With Phelps now retired from professional swimming, we might expect to see him more frequently at poker events.
He has already been seen participating in tournaments in the Bahamas, as well as at the World Series of Poker (WSOP) in Las Vegas.
His notable achievement thus far was a fifth-place finish in a $1,570 No-Limit Hold'em event during the 2008 Caesars Palace Classic, where he was among 187 competitors.
2. Kevin Hart
Kevin Hart, a highly acclaimed comedian and actor, caught everyone off guard when he showed up at a live poker event in the Bahamas earlier this year.
Was it a one off?
He seems to have embraced the game, as he also appeared at the tables in Monte Carlo, where he revealed a partnership with Stars. Hart envisions uniting the world through laughter, seeing poker as a prime example of a community where individuals from varied backgrounds can enjoy each other's company.
Having played in Dan Bilzerian's home games and mingling with the high-stakes players on the global circuit, Hart may not have cashes to his name yet, but with his dedication, it's surely only a matter of time.
3. Aaron Paul
The prestige of poker received a boost when the Global Poker League (GPL) Team Manager Maria Ho successfully persuaded Aaron Paul to join the LA Sunset team.
Though the former Breaking Bad actor only played two matches and won both, he demonstrated an unprecedented commitment to the game by associating his name and likeness with our premier league.
Aaron Paul has also appeared in a poker commercial alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and has shown up at the WSOP and live events in the Bahamas.
I anticipate he'll be competing in more events in 2017, bitches!
4. Gerard Pique
It’s no surprise to learn that Gerard Pique enjoys poker. The former Manchester United defender honed his skills while playing alongside teammates like Darren Fletcher and John O'Shea at Old Trafford.
Now representing Barcelona and a key player for the Spanish national team, Pique is among the elite in football. Moreover, he enjoys personal moments with Colombian superstar Shakira at home.
Pique has been seen participating in the WSOP as well as the now-defunct European Poker Tour (EPT). What distinguishes him from many athletes is that he plays poker while still at the pinnacle of his football career.
5. Neymar Jr.
Both Neymar Jr. and Cristiano Ronaldo have endorsed a well-known online poker brand, but Neymar's active involvement at the tables stands out in comparison to Ronaldo's marketing-focused appearances.
While Ronaldo has largely engaged in orchestrated digital promotions, Neymar Jr. has shown a genuine passion for poker, supporting players like Bruno Politano and Felipe Ramos, and making visits to events such as the WSOP and EPT in Barcelona.
6. James Woods
James Woods earns a spot on this list due to his reputation as the most prominent celebrity grinder in poker. The Academy Award nominee is a familiar face at the WSOP and frequently partakes in cash games at the Commerce Casino, where he openly shares his enthusiasm for poker and interacts with professional players via social media.
In contrast, many celebrities who arrive at the Rio for the tournament tend to disappear after their short-lived participation ends, but Woods can often be found battling it out with fans in the cash game area, regardless of the hour.
7. Stephen Hendry
Stephen Hendry is widely regarded as one of the most accomplished snooker players ever. The Scotsman holds multiple records, including being the youngest professional player at the age of 16, the youngest World Champion at 21, and achieving the most World Championship titles in the modern era with 7 wins.
Hendry has been prominent in the celebrity poker scene since the early 2000s, joining the ranks of players like Steve Davis and Jimmy White (who won the Poker Million), and he remains the only one of the three to make recent appearances, such as a high-profile event in London.
8. Rick Salomon
Rick Salomon may be well-known for his relationships—dating Shannon Doherty, marrying Pamela Anderson, and creating infamous tapes with Paris Hilton—but he’s also a notable figure for having earned substantial winnings in live tournaments.
A high-stakes poker player, Salomon has reached the final table of the $1 million buy-in Big One for One Drop twice. He claimed $2.8 million for a fourth-place finish in 2014, and won $3.3 million finishing third last year. He also had a deep run in the 2006 WSOP Main Event, finishing 196th, and nearly made the final table at the Season 9 WPT World Championship at the Bellagio, placing ninth.thJennifer Tilly is one celebrity who can confidently be said to devote more time to poker than film work. She even boasts a WSOP bracelet earned from winning the Ladies Event in 2005.
9. Jennifer Tilly
In a long-term relationship with Phil Laak, Tilly has also celebrated victories at the WPT Ladies Night Invitational, the Bellagio Cup, and regularly participates in high-stakes cash games.
The youngest male Wimbledon champion has traded his tennis racket for a deck of cards in recent years, landing sponsorship agreements with various online poker platforms.
10. Boris Becker
Boris Becker's credentials include impressive performances in both WPT and EPT events. In 2016, he placed 13th in the inaugural Devilfish Cup, and with a fresh sponsorship deal secured, he is anticipated to make appearances at poker tournaments worldwide in the coming years.
Teddy Sheringham is one of the few athletes who transitioned a growing interest in poker into actual accomplishments. He placed 14th in the 2009 World Series of Poker Europe (WSOPE) Main Event, earning £40,481, and in 2012, he finished 388th in the WSOP Main Event for $28,530.thSheringham's most remarkable poker performance came in 2010, when he navigated through 384 entrants to reach the final table of the European Poker Tour (EPT) Main Event in Vilamoura, finishing fifth for €93,121 among distinguished players like EPT Champions Toby Lewis and Frederik Jensen, WSOP Main Event victor Martin Jacobson, and the biggest tournament winner in British history, Sam Trickett.
11. Teddy Sheringham
Sheringham is a natural competitor, having netted 289 goals across 755 matches for clubs like Nottingham Forest, Spurs, and Manchester United, alongside 11 goals in 51 appearances for England. He has also secured three Premier League titles, won the FA Cup, and scored in the 1998-99 Champions League Final, contributing to United's treble win.thIn the London area, Sheringham is a regular at poker events, including 888 gatherings held at Aspers Casino in Stratford.thMario Basler, a former European Champion with Germany, has a remarkable history as a winger. Throughout his career, he made 413 appearances for clubs like Hertha Berlin, Werder Bremen, and Bayern Munich, scoring 85 goals, and he represented Germany in 30 matches, netting twice.
When not engaged in his role as Sports Director for FC Lokomotive Leipzig, Basler can be found placing aggressive bets at poker tournaments such as 888Live Barcelona.
The former Brazilian World Cup champion is also making his mark on the poker scene, thanks to his role as an ambassador for 888Poker.
Denilson scored 31 goals in 332 matches for teams including Sao Paulo, Real Betis, and Bordeaux. His transfer to Betis in 1998 made him the most expensive player in the world at that time, with a transfer fee of £21.5 million.
12. Mario Basler
Having won the World Cup with Brazil in 2002 alongside a Copa America title in 1997, Denilson is currently competing at 888Live events around the globe, including those in Barcelona and his native Brazil.
Lee Davy is a poker journalist and live reporter who has contributed to leading names in the poker realm, including the WPT, WSOP, and 888poker.
13. Denilson
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