Who are some celebrities that have participated in the World Series of Poker?

Every year, the World Series of Poker draws in thousands of enthusiasts, including Hollywood celebrities who are unable to resist the game’s appeal.

CHRISTOPHE SIMON

Gidget Alikpala

Gidget writes for the latest news section of AS USA, covering breaking news and current affairs. She previously worked for TV for many years, both on and off-camera, as anchor, producer, and writer, reporting on topics from international to lifestyle news. She earned her master’s degree in journalism from the University of Missouri-Columbia.

Update: Jun 16th, 2023 06:25 EDT

The World Series of Poker has grown in popularity over the years, with last year’s event seeing 120,000 entires over 88 tournaments. Professional players aren’t the only ones who join the competition- a number of the most popular celebrities have also taken seats at the table.

Here are some famous faces who have tried their hand at WSOP.

Matt Damon

Matt Damon starred in Rounders, a 1998 movie about the underground world of high-stakes poker, that enjoys a cult following. The actor acquired knowledge of the game because of his role, and joined the WSOP the same year. He also took part in 2009, in the $5,000 buy-in Ante Up for Africa Charity Event. Damon is known to participate in live tournaments and underground high-stakes contests.

Watch Matt Damon give away his huge World Series of Poker hand with a bad acting job https://t.co/IVRhf7GcxE pic.twitter.com/x9PxGF98rg
— For The Win (@ForTheWin) November 25, 2017

Edward Norton

Award-winning actor Edward Norton also starred in Rounders, and like his co-star, also developed a competitive interest in poker. He also entered the WSOP championship event in 1998, but exited early as his co-star did.

Matt Damon, John Dahl and Edward Norton on the set of 'Rounders ' - classic 1998 poker movie pic.twitter.com/ZWItaaqfsx
— Sports & Betting History by BestBettingSites (@CDCHistory) January 23, 2020

Ben Affleck

Ben Affleck and Matt Damon have a celebrated friendship that dates back to childhood, and poker is one of the interests that they share. Affleck is also friends with Norton, and among the three, he is the most serious competitor at the WSOP, having joined it at more instances than the other two.

Ben Affleck and Don Cheadle talk as they participate in the World Series of Poker at the Rio Hotel & Casino July 5, 2007.

Caption this picture!

The best one gets $50 to spend at The Rail and $20 to use on our EGDs.

We’ll announce the winner on Monday July 1, after 5PM. pic.twitter.com/3uPpC6dZOr
— Playground Poker (@PlaygroundPoker) June 25, 2019

Jennifer Tilly

The price of this poker paradise

Poker

Who has won the most bracelets in WSOP history?

Academy Award nominee Jennifer Tilly is a very successful poker player who has one WSOP bracelet to her name. She won the WSOP Ladies No-Limit Hold-em in 2005, with winnings of more than $150,000. She is said to have won nearly a million dollars from poker tournaments over the years. Tilly acted in the 1989 comedy Let it Ride, a movie about horse betting which supposedly led to her interest in gambling.

"The first year I went to the WSOP I won a gold bracelet in the Ladies Event (2005) and was hooked."
― Jennifer Tilly (@JenniferTilly) (born this day, September 16, 1958) pic.twitter.com/ellV2vZfyT
— MacCocktail (Mastodon: @MacCocktail@zirk.us) (@MacCocktail) September 16, 2019

Toby Maguire

Toby Maguire, best known for his role as Spiderman was also a highly competitive poker player. He is reputedly the best player in Hollywood, and joined the 2007 WSOP Main Event. Maguire was involved in some poker controversy some years ago, and had to settle a lawsuit for money he allegedly won in secret high-stakes games in Hollywood.

Toby Maguire reportedly won up to $40 million playing poker in Hollywood over 3 yr period: http://t.co/mdz8PUxW (h/t @pier0)
— RJ Bell (@RJinVegas) August 14, 2012