Top 5 Celebrity Poker Players Who Are Surprisingly Killer at Cards

With Beyonce’s new country single, Texas Hold’em, we’re thinking about the crossover between celebrities and poker players. What once was a niche game is now a global sensation that plenty of A-listers just can’t resist. We understand. We know a thing or two about the call of Texas Hold’Em ourselves.

So, which celebrities are poker sharks? Take a look below and you’ll see some of the biggest names who just love to shuffle up and deal.

1. Jennifer Tilly

She might as well lead the list. She’s as eye-catching as she is deadly at the poker tables. She has the distinction of being the only actress on this list with a WSOP bracelet to her name.

Introduced to the intricacies of poker by her gambler father, Tilly quickly embraced the challenge, transitioning from virtual tables to real-life tournaments. Her breakout moment came in 2005, clinching a World Series of Poker bracelet in a fiercely-contested Ladies’ No-Limit Texas hold ’em tourney.

Tilly’s strategic acumen and undeniable charm made her a fixture on televised poker circuits, where she utilized both wit and wiles to outmaneuver opponents. Despite a brief hiatus, Tilly’s love for poker endured, marking her as a living legend in the vibrant realm of high-stakes competition.

2. Jason Alexander

George Costanza (his iconic role in Seinfeld) he will forever be, but if you see him at a card table, take him seriously.

Jason Alexander showcases his skills on televised tournaments and charity events. His adeptness at the table shone on Bravo’s Celebrity Poker Showdown, where he emerged victorious, securing a hefty sum for The United Way. He also played in the World Series of Poker in 2007 and 2009.

Under the pseudonym “J. Alexander,” he continues to play poker online. If you really want to beat him, just think of what you want to do, and then do the exact opposite. Works like a charm.

3. Aaron Paul

All in again? He can’t keep getting away with it!

Breaking Bad’s Jesse Pinkman is also an avid poker player. When he’s not throwing a dash of “chili p” into homemade batches of crank, he can sometimes be found with sunglasses and a beanie on, working his way through the crowd of a poker tournament.

Perhaps his most memorable poker moment came when he took on soccer player Cristiano Ronaldo in a heads-up duel. Ronaldo took the win, but Paul definitely took back some lessons to his crew as a member of the Global Poker League’s LA Sunset team.

4. Tobey Maguire

Tobey Maguire’s story is so unbelievable it deserves its own post on our blog. After all, if the stories can be believed, it has already lead to its own movie (Molly’s Game) and more.

He was allegedly a key player at exclusive underground poker games where millions exchanged hands. These star-studded gatherings, frequented by luminaries like Leonardo DiCaprio and Matt Damon, unfolded in legendary locales like The Viper Room. Despite the glamour, tensions simmered beneath the surface, with Maguire’s meticulous nature and penchant for control often overshadowing the games. The stories coming out of these games unveil the perils of gambling at the highest level. Do NOT trifle with Tobey Maguire at a card table. ‘Nuff said.

5. Kevin Hart

Funnyman Kevin Hart is no stranger to the card table. Participating in numerous games and tournies, one of his most famous was a Super High Roller Bowl game held at the Aria.

In a monumental clash, Hart ousted the legendary Phil Hellmuth (a 16-time WSOP bracelet winner) with a remarkable display of skill. The pinnacle of the showdown, immortalized in a live stream, saw Hart flopping a top set to trump Hellmuth’s hand.

Despite his triumph, Hart’s journey ended prematurely. He ultimately bowed out before reaching the money. His spirited performance, however, punctuated by memorable moments, cemented his status as a formidable contender in the fiercely competitive realm of high-stakes poker.

And when you want to get in the game yourself, come check out some of the biggest April poker tournaments at Ignition.