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.
Part I of the series of articles
Part II of the series of articles
Part III of the series of articles
Part IV of the series of articles
Michael Phelps (athlete)
The US swimming legend not only has friends from the poker world, but also tries his hand at it from time to time. With over 80 medals at the highest level of competition, the American has now retired from his career as a professional athlete. It's not surprising, then, that Phelps is more and more often seen at the poker tables.
This year alone, he competed in two events in Las Vegas. Unlike other celebrities, Michael doesn't seem to have any money on the line and doesn't (at least for now) get caught up in expensive competitions. This year, for example, he spent USD 260 on buy-ins and won USD 740. However, this is not entirely true, as there is no cash game in the results database.
The swimmer's highest finish (in the official database) was in 2008, when he finished 9th in the Caesars Palace Classic, winning just over $5,000. In 2012, at the same venue, the athlete is said to have won USD 100 000 playing cash games with friends.
However, the truth about this person's career is hard to come by. Although official records do not show it, in 2012, information emerged that people close to the athlete were worried about his attraction to poker and the possibility of losing the money he had earned during his career.
At the time, it was said that Phelps's attitude was reflected in the phrase "don't stop until you've won". The 31-year-old athlete started playing online poker at $1/$2 before leaving school. It is not clear what it is like now, but in 2012, he and his friends used to play games with a buy-in of USD 25 000.
Indeed, poker occupies a significant place in Phelps' life. The athlete himself said that he played poker on his phone all the time on his way to the Rio Olympics.
"I like to play poker, it's fun. It became a way for me to take time for myself - to relax, be myself and have fun. It's a place where I can be me. I've met some of my best friends at the poker tables. Some of them I'm with all the time, I'm in touch with them all the time," he said a little earlier about his passion for poker.
Nick Cassavetes (film-maker)
Across the Atlantic, the well-known actor and film-maker is mostly based in Hollywood, but he is also a gambler. As he says, poker is not his life, but he loves the game and understands the big difference between professional and amateur players.
He has also achieved some notable successes himself, being part of the latter. For example, he came second in one event in 2006, winning $34,500. In total, his winnings in the official database amount to more than 130,000. However, it does not include his WSOP winnings when he managed to win more than 70,000. It is not for nothing that this film professional highlights the most attractive aspect of poker for many - the fact that, as an amateur, you can sometimes win against the best player in the world.
However, Cassavetes has also achieved other truly remarkable successes. He has won 73 000 from a US businessman alone, who refused to pay and presented a bad cheque. Cassavetes even took legal action after learning of this.
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