Media personalities who aren't poker pros also contribute greatly to the game's popularity. When Ben Affleck or Neymar Jr sit at a table, interest in poker surges and eyes turn to the sport. In the end, this is fantastic for the game and boosts the player base.
Here are the best poker players among celebrities, in no particular order.
Hollywood Actors and Actresses Playing Poker
Among movie stars, Ben Affleck, Jennifer Tilly, James Woods, Tobey Maguire, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Kevin Hart are the most avid poker players. Let's explore these celebrities and their poker achievements.
Ben Affleck: Known for roles in "Pearl Harbor," "Dogma," and "Gone Girl," Affleck's biggest poker success was winning the 2004 California State Poker Championship, earning $356,000. While he has no other major recorded wins, playing poker in private games may be more lucrative for Ben. Affleck also enjoys other forms of gambling, like blackjack.
Jennifer Tilly: Famous for 90s films like "Bullets Over Broadway" and "Liar Liar," Tilly became a serious poker player in the 2000s. Her career winnings exceed $1,000,000, including a WSOP bracelet from the 2005 Ladies Only Event. Tilly continues playing poker professionally, recently winning a charity tournament in Las Vegas.
Jennifer Tilly tops the Poker and Celebrity list. No other actress has surpassed the million-dollar mark in official tournament winnings
James Woods: The "Once Upon a Time in America" and "Casino" star has career winnings of $430,468. While lacking WPT or WSOP victories, his largest win was $39,859 for 24th place at a 2006 WPT event. At 77, Woods still plays actively and made it into the money in at least two tournaments in 2024.
Tobey Maguire: The beloved SpiderMan has earned $218,858 in live MTTs. Many consider him the strongest celebrity player, reportedly winning tens of millions in private games. Maguire's poker skills are matched by his controversial personality, as revealed in Molly Bloom's book about organizing celebrity poker games. The Hollywood film that followed was a reasonable portrayal of poker. Molly’s Game mirrored reality in several ways and is definitely worth the watch.
Kevin Hart: The comedian is closely associated with poker through endorsement deals with PokerStars and partypoker. The multi-talented business mogul and "Jumanji" star regularly plays in major live MTTs but hasn't secured any big wins yet. He once famously knocked out pro Fedor Holz in a $300,000 buy-in tournament. Whenever he graces the felt, entertainment is guaranteed. Check out the smile he put on Daniel Negreanu’s face during a bluff.
Leonardo DiCaprio: One of today's finest actors developed a poker passion through his friendship with Tobey Maguire. However, Maguire significantly outplays his friend. Molly Bloom revealed that DiCaprio often acted as bait for wealthy businessmen, while Maguire reaped the rewards.
Sports Celebrities at the Poker Table
Many sports stars also enjoy playing poker. Here are some of the most notable:
Neymar Jr: Brazil's all-time top scorer has long been interested in poker. As of July 2024, the footballer has won $32,131 playing professionally. PokerStars recognized Neymar's passion and offered him an endorsement deal. His main contribution has been popularizing poker in Brazil, attracting numerous players to online poker rooms.
Ronaldo: The football legend took up poker after retiring. While his total winnings of $45,760 aren't staggering, Ronaldo's association with poker is cemented through his PokerStars partnership. Nowadays, he’s clearly focused on his business over poker. He recently sold his stake in Cruzeiro, the club which gave him his start.
Michael Phelps: The 23-time Olympic gold medalist has had some poker success. In 2012, Phelps won over $100,000 at Caesars Palace. However, his tournament results are less impressive, with total winnings of $11,401. Still, for someone who’s career required most of their waking hours, Michael Phelps is doing just fine as a poker player.
Boris Becker: The Grand Slam tennis champion began playing poker before retiring. Becker represented PokerStars, partypoker, and Good Game but never achieved significant wins. His total poker earnings barely exceeded $100,000. In 2017, Becker faced bankruptcy, owing creditors over 50 million pounds.
As you’ve seen, many of the top poker brands love to align with celebrities, especially athletes. PokerStars is the leader in this regard, pairing with top stars like Neymar Jr to build their brand and player base.
Choosing the Right Poker Site
GipsyTeam's Online Poker section helps players choose the best platform. All listed rooms have operated for over a year and earned user respect. Reviews, feedback, and ratings guide your choice, with current players highlighting the practical advantages and disadvantages of each site.
If you need a less expensive way to begin learning and playing – freerolls are here for you. They cost nothing to enter, but you’ll be competing for real money. Use them to polish your skills and slowly build up a bankroll.
