Celebrity Poker Players

Topic

High-profile actors and public figures who participate in poker games. Their presence was a key attraction of Molly's Game.


First Mentioned

11/27/2025, 7:28:12 AM

Last Updated

11/27/2025, 8:06:32 AM

Research Retrieved

11/27/2025, 8:06:32 AM

Summary

Celebrity poker players are prominent figures, often from the entertainment industry, who engage in high-stakes poker games, sometimes achieving professional recognition. Notable examples include actress Shannon Elizabeth, who was recognized as one of the leading celebrity poker players in 2006, and actors like Tobey Maguire, Ben Affleck, and Leonardo DiCaprio, who were known participants in Molly Bloom's exclusive high-stakes poker enterprise. These individuals often bring strategic thinking, emotional control, and a competitive spirit, honed in their primary careers, to the poker table, achieving various successes in tournaments and private games.

Referenced in 1 Document
Research Data
Extracted Attributes
  • Skills Required

    Cunning, perseverance, luck, emotional control, improvisation, strategic thinking

  • Common Primary Profession

    Actor/Actress

  • Notable Win (Ben Affleck)

    €1,650 No Limit 2-7 Lowball Draw event at the WSOPE in 2013

  • Reported Win (Ben Affleck)

    $400,000 on a single round

  • Reputation (Tobey Maguire)

    Best poker player in Hollywood

  • Notable Recognition (Shannon Elizabeth)

    Named 'one of the leading celebrity poker players' in 2006

Timeline
  • Shannon Elizabeth was named 'one of the leading celebrity poker players'. (Source: Wikipedia)

    2006

  • Shannon Elizabeth was a semi-finalist in the NBC Heads-Up Poker Championship. (Source: Web Search)

    2007

  • Tobey Maguire joined the World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event. (Source: Web Search)

    2007

  • Ben Affleck won a €1,650 No Limit 2-7 Lowball Draw event at the World Series of Poker Europe (WSOPE). (Source: Web Search)

    2013

Shannon Elizabeth

Shannon Elizabeth Fadal (born September 7, 1973) is an American actress, activist, and poker player. Her roles in the Scary Movie (2000) and the American Pie film series (1999–2001; 2012) solidified her status as a sex symbol of the 1990s and 2000s. Elizabeth's film credits include Tomcats (2001), Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back (2001), Thirteen Ghosts (2001), Cursed (2005), and Night of the Demons (2009), and supporting roles in Love Actually (2003), The Grand (2007), Jay and Silent Bob Reboot (2019), and Plan B (2024). In television, she had a recurring role in the Fox sitcom That '70s Show (2003–2005) and a main role in the UPN sitcom Cuts (2005–2006). Elizabeth is a professional poker player, and in 2006 was named "one of the leading celebrity poker players." She is also noted for her activism.

Web Search Results
  • 16 Most Famous Poker Players in the World

    Their level of success may vary, but poker remains an engaging game for many, and that can even include celebrities. to athletes to celebrities. Learn about their achievements and contributions to the poker world. # Most Famous Poker Players of All Time — Hollywood Celebrities Some of the most famous poker players in history may not always be the best at the game, but that hasn’t stopped big-name celebrities from trying their hand. [...] Another celebrity rumoured to have been part of the Molly’s Game poker scene is none other than Leonardo DiCaprio. While his poker skills are far less publicised than his legendary acting career, DiCaprio's love for the game is no secret in Hollywood. Known for iconic roles in films like Titanic and The Wolf of Wall Street, and his Oscar-winning performance in The Revenant, DiCaprio's mystique also extends to the poker table. [...] He is one of the best poker players in history by status and allure. Poker legend Chris Moneymaker, who famously won the 2003 World Series of Poker as an amateur, once recalled a memorable moment at an exclusive Hollywood party. “I’m a big fan of your work,” someone said to him. When Moneymaker turned around, he found himself face-to-face with Leonardo DiCaprio. Occupation: Actor, producer Achievements: Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role | |

  • From Jennifer Tilly to Ben Affleck, 5 of the Best Celebrity Poker Players

    Poker is a game that requires some level of cunning, perseverance, and luck. Everyone loves to play poker, especially celebrities. Poker appeals to their sense of style and glamour. Poker’s popularity has increased significantly in the last decade or so, with television shows and movies dedicated to poker. So it’s no surprise that even Hollywood actors and actresses try their luck at this classic table game where fortunes can be won or lost on one turn of the card or roll of the dice. These [...] stars love poker because it’s fashionable and fun, but also for another reason: They love to win! [...] Batman-actor and Oscar winner Ben Affleck is one of the most famous poker players in Hollywood. Affleck has played against well-known poker pro’s like Annie Duke and Amir Vahedi, both well known for their educational books about Texas Hold’em specifically targeting beginners. He has been playing in cash poker tournaments for over a decade and he has tried his luck several times in the World Series of Poker (WSOP). In 2013, Ben Affleck won a €1,650 No Limit 2-7 Lowball Draw event at the WSOPE in

  • Top 10 Celebrity Poker Players | Gambling.com

    We've picked the cream of the crop, these are some of the very best celebrity poker players out there. They all love the game, but don’t let their status fool you; they are no mugs, they are poker players with sharp card skills and they’re looking to ruthlessly take your stack, even if they are kind enough to sign an autograph for you as they do it. Assuming otherwise may cost you dearly! ## 1. Victoria Coren Mitchell [...] Whether they are paid to represent an online poker room or not, some have more than enough skills required for poker and many have gone on to prove it, with great results in major international poker tournaments. Often armed with huge bankrolls, these celebrity poker players challenge themselves to learn the game and become masters of Texas Hold’em Poker. [...] In 2006, Shannon admitted her love of poker, describing the game as “her second career”. She regularly visited Las Vegas to mix it with the best poker players and was a semi-finalist in the NBC Heads-Up Poker Championship in 2007. This result and other tournament poker cashes proved her credentials as a top poker player.

  • 7 Hollywood A-List Actors Who Love Poker and Their Impressive Net ...

    Interestingly, while his acting career became secondary, Maguire was busy living the life of a highly competitive celebrity poker player . His passion for the game earned him a reputation as the best poker player in Hollywood. He joined the 2007 WSOP Main Event and went on to play in several high-stakes games. Unfortunately, the latter got him involved into some sort of controversy that pushed him to settle a lawsuit over his poker winnings. ## [...] Woody is well-recognized for his acting prowess, having starred in “The People vs. Larry Flynt,” “The Messenger,” and “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.” He also wowed audiences when he worked on the 8-episode HBO show “True Detective.” However, he went into semi-retirement in the 1990s to focus on his environmental activism. Additionally, he also developed a fondness for poker. Hence, even though he’s not the most successful celebrity poker player, he is well-known in the community,

  • From Screen to Poker Table: Actors Who Compete Seriously

    This connection between big-name celebrities and poker players actually makes sense when you dig a little deeper. There are some shared skills between serious poker players and actors. Think about it. In both acting and playing poker they need to perform, control their emotions, improvise in the moment, and quickly think of a strategy that leads to success. ## Jennifer Tilly [...] Another huge Hollywood star who has openly spoken about his love of poker is Ben Affleck. Affleck is the kind of guy who has been known to walk into a casino and, without blinking, wager a huge stack of chips on a single hand. Supposedly, he’s not just a decent player but a pretty amazing one. Reports claim he once won $400,000 on a single round. A simple Google search will also produce many pictures of Affleck engrossed in a game of poker over the years. [...] While not fully Canadian, there is a bit of a Canadian angle on the list of actors who are serious poker players. Jennifer Tilly is an award-winning actress with both American and Canadian roots. Some of her standout movies include Bullets Over Broadway, The Fabulous Baker Boys, Liar Liar, and voicing the receptionist in the animated film Monsters, Inc. Sure, she’s a talented actress, but she’s also a talented poker player.