The classic card game of poker has been in regular play for centuries. It’s always had a certain appeal to it, from being associated with the raucous saloons of the Wild West to its present status as a lucrative mind sport. Little wonder, then, that quite a few celebrities have taken to playing the game.  

Matt Damon 

A-list actor Matt Damon has been an avid poker player for quite some time now. He even portrayed poker pro Mike McDermott in the movie Rounders back in 1998. Damon is considered to be a skilled player and has competed in several World Series of Poker tournaments. The same year he filmed Rounders, he made an appearance in the WSOP Main Event, although he was sent to the rail by the legendary Doyle Brunson.  

Ben Affleck 

Like his close friend and Dogma co-star, Matt Damon, Ben Affleck was a regular at the poker tables during the 2000s and 2010s. No stranger to tournaments as well as low-key cash games, Affleck took first prize at the 2004 California State Poker Championship, netting a cool $356,400 in the process.  

Jennifer Tilly 

Known for having one of the most distinctive voices in the business, Jennifer Tilly has enjoyed an extraordinary acting career that’s spanned four decades to date. Alongside her stellar career on the big screen, she’s also carved out a name for herself on the poker felt. Tilly is one of the world’s most highly-regarded female poker players, regularly playing in televised poker games and winning the 2005 WSOP Ladies Championship.  

Poker

Pamela Anderson 

Canadian actor and writer Pamela Anderson has been a poker enthusiast since the early 2000s. She even married poker player Rick Salomon not once, but twice – although we’re sure that was for more than just his card-playing skills.  

Pamela Anderson’s not the only Canadian celebrity to enjoy the game Friends star Matthew Perry is also a dab hand at the game. Who knows, now that online poker Canada sites are up and running in Ontario, these famous actors may appear in digital tournaments.  

Kevin Hart 

Funny man Kevin Hart has always positioned himself as a Renaissance man, and, in recent years, he’s attempted to add the game of poker to his arsenal. Even as a celebrity player, he may not have had the best run at times, but Hart’s enthusiasm for poker has always won out – even if his performance on the felt isn’t quite up to par.  

So deep is Kevin Hart’s love for poker that he partnered with a high-profile online poker brand as an ambassador in 2017. And, regardless of the outcome, he’s been known to jump into numerous high-roller events in Hollywood against some pretty elite players.  

James Woods 

Veteran actor James Woods is a legend on-screen, off-screen and even on the felt. Wood’s passion for the card game is perhaps more profound than any other of the celebrities on our list – he’s been playing cash games and tournaments for decades now. A regular at leading tournaments like the EPT, the World Poker Tour and the WSOP, Woods has picked up over $392,000 in live winnings.