Poker is not a niche game that only a minority are exposed to. In contrast, poker is something that many people, whether they like card games or are encouraged by friends and social media, are exposed to.
That's why it's no surprise to us, and we don't think it's a surprise to you, that world-famous personalities - athletes, musicians, actors, etc. - sit down at the poker tables.
"PokerioMokykla.com presents its new entertainment section, where we will tell you about celebrities who have made their mark in the poker world.
Matt Damon (actor)
The 46-year-old actor is known for his many films and roles, but in the poker world he is known for his "Rounders", a 1998 poker movie in which Damon played the main character Mike McDermott. You can find out more about the film by clicking on the title.
Perhaps you've heard that actors like to empathise with their future roles? Some start meditating, others go through extreme body changes, and some just try to experience what the character is supposed to experience. That's what Damon did when he lost as much as 25,000 USD at the WSOP poker tables trying to get into character. However, there is no evidence of this anywhere and this information is more like a myth.
On the other hand, Damon has been an active poker player until recently, although he tries to hide this information and has even removed his information from The Hendon Mob's poker player database. The actor avoids the cameras and the attention of bystanders when he competes in an event.
Gerard Pique (footballer)
The footballer, who has been wearing the jersey of the famous Barcelona FC for almost a decade and also represents the Spanish national team, is also an adventurous player outside the sport.
Although Pique doesn't need poker to earn money (he is reported to earn ~€150,000 per week), he is an enthusiastic poker competitor. Maybe it's because he's busy, maybe it's for other reasons, but he only plays in the Barcelona EPT.
Well, he's doing a pretty good job of it too - he's managed to win a total of around €110,000 in 3 tournaments (he's 137th in career winnings among Spaniards). Last year's EPT was a rare success for him, finishing in 3rd place and winning almost €32,000.
Ben Affleck (actor)
Another actor attracted to high-stakes games at the poker tables. In addition to acting, the film industry star also produces and writes Hollywood films and is known for such famous works as "Argo", "Good Will Hunting", "Gone Girl", "Armageddon", etc.
But is that enough? Of course not. On top of all this, Affleck is certainly not averse to poker. He has only played officially once, when he won a $10,000 buy-in game in Los Angeles in 2004 for just over $356,000.
Since then, he has not been seen in any official poker events, but it is often heard that he has not forgotten poker for a while and has regularly participated in and hosted high-stakes games in Los Angeles. Damon, Leonardo DiCaprio and Tobey Maguire are also said to have participated.
In fact, Affleck is one of the most passionate people in the entertainment world. He is known not only for poker, but also for blackjack. The actor has been blacklisted by the Hard Rock Casino in Las Vegas for counting cards in this game.
Blackjack was even better than poker (although the actor hired Amir Vahedi and Annie Duke as his poker coaches), as he managed to win several million. However, it was not the money that mattered most - the actor gave away all of his $140 000 to the casino staff after one of his wins. Even the waitresses and doormen got 5 000 each.
He was also caught up in an online poker cheating scandal. When Affleck used the Ultimate Bet website, he lost a lot of money because one of the owners of the website was playing poker himself and took advantage of the ability to see other players' cards, thus making large sums of money. However, he was later reimbursed the amount he had lost.
It seems that Affleck's gambling history is worthy of a film in itself.
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