Sara Underwood: Poker Hottie Playmate

While some of the poker hotties mentioned here are genuinely great poker players, others are merely involved in the game in some manner or another. Some would argue that the words “sexy” and “poker” don’t really go together. Just think of your old man’s weekly games in the basement with his cigar-toting, beer-bellied crew of misfits and plumbers.

Sara Jean Underwood is a model, actress and TV host who is now focusing heavily on poker. She was the 2007 Playboy Playmate of the Year after featuring as Playmate of the Month in 2006 as the Pac 10 girl from Oregon State. She has appeared in several movies and hosts various projects on G4 TV. She is now representing Victory Poker, and being trained by their high powered pro team to fast track her poker education. Originally from Scapoose, Oregon, she now splits time between LA and Las Vegas.

She first modeled for VictoryPoker.net in an advertising campaign and soon became a member of Team Victory. After playing in a Texas holdem charity tournament, the model and actress decided she wanted to learn the finer points of the game. She is currently training with Team Victory members Keith Gipson, Andrew Robl and others.

Sara Underwood placed fourth in her first online poker tournament. “I obviously had very good teachers, because I’m doing very well.”

Poker playmate Sara Underwood, who needs a few credits for her bachelor’s degree in business marketing from Oregon State University, said she relishes the challenge of playing poker against world-class pros, and the chance to put her brain to work. “I want to be known as a professional poker player who can hold my own at the top with some of the best,” she said. “I think the key is just really hard work. I’m just going to throw myself in it. There are no short cuts.”

When she’s not playing poker, Sara Underwood pursues a burgeoning film and television career and she recently co-founded hottiegram.com, a site that allows visitors to send customized video messages from Sara and other models. She’s frequently seen on the G4 television network, where she recently hosted a behind-the-scenes special called “Women of Ninja Warrior,” in which athletes compete on a grueling fitness course. She even tried out the course herself against female Japanese athletes.

In October 2009, Sara Underwood wrapped up filming her starring role in “Zellwood,” a horror movie set in the Florida Everglades. Her previous film credits include “House Bunny” and “Epic Movie.” Her favorite charity is the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, or ASPCA.

In an interview of PokerCurious.com, Sara Underwood talks about her new passion and how dealt with dozens of guys at the poker table:

In terms of poker, can we expect to see big things from you in the future?
Sara Underwwod: Big things in the poker world are definitely in my future. You don't get the top notch training I have been getting, and put in the time that I have put in, to be unsuccessful at poker.

Have you been able to learn a thing or two from the pro players on the Victory Team?
Sara Underwwod: The Victory Poker team has been training me like crazy, specifically Andrew Robl, Keith Gibson, and The Maven. I owe everything I know to them.

Any useful tips you can share for other aspiring players?
Sara Underwwod: Just that there is so much to learn, and that it can seem overwhelming at times, but don't give up it will all become clear with time and LOTS of practice. I have been reading the volumes of Dan Harrington's Harrington on Hold'em. They are great books and I recommend them to aspiring players as a jumping off point.

Do you find other players intimidated by you at the table or perhaps distracted? Can you use this to your advantage?
Sara Underwwod: I think guys definitely play different against me, but the advantages I have as being a young women at a poker table are just as great as the disadvantages, so I think it evens itself out. Some guys like having me around I think, simply because you spend so much time at that one table and it's nice to have someone of the opposite sex around, so they might be less likely to call me and just fold. But on the other hand guys also feel like they can push me around with big raises or re-raises (which they can't :)) so being me definitely has its advantages and disadvantages at the poker table.

Sara Underwood's Photos

Celebrity Poker: John Mayer

There's something about a man and his guitar that makes women take notice, but that's not the only reason John Mayer comes off as a ladies' man. He also possesses the poetic skills to woo any lady. His songs frequently deal with love, loss and other mushy things that the fairer sex soaks up.

Celebrity poker player John Mayer is having a concert here in the Philippines with the sponsorships of Channel V and Metro Card Club which is a texas hold'em poker club at the MOA (Mall Of Asia) Concert Grounds.

After displaying an impressive repertoire of original songs and melodies, several music labels offered John Mayer recording deals in 2000. He eventually signed with Aware/Columbia Records and released his debut album, Room For Squares, one year later. With his blues-influenced sound and deep lyrics, the album was received like no other in recent memory. Tracks like "Your Body is a Wonderland" and "No Such Thing" became instant hits and helped Room For Squares go triple platinum in two years.

Amazingly, the album stayed in the Billboard Top 200 for 80 weeks straight, thanks partly to a resurgence in sales after John Mayer won a Best Male Pop Vocal Performance Grammy for "Your Body is a Wonderland" in 2003.

Before his success in the music industry, John Mayer's parents hired a guitar teacher. However, they soon discovered that lessons had become more like informal jam sessions. Disappointed, they discontinued the lessons and John Mayer had to revert to playing guitar by ear. This turned out to be a good thing though, as his love for music only grew. By age 15, he was playing at local blues bars and fine-tuning his talent. 

 

In the meantime, John Mayer toured extensively in America and Europe, gaining acclaim as an excellent live performer. He penned new tracks while on the road and once the touring was done, he compiled the work into a second album, entitled Heavier Things. The track "Bigger Than My Body" became a radio staple and ensured John Mayer's longevity through 2004 and beyond. Most recently, he has returned to the stage, playing shows in the U.S., Canada, Europe, and even Japan.

All is set for the May 16, 2010 John Mayer concert Live in Manila until today, It was cancelled. Since last week, rumor has it that the Manila tour will not be pushed through due to some circumstances. I called Channel V to confirm if this was true and they said they are still confirming on Mayer’s team about it. But an interesting information just came in when I check my twitter account and found out that Tim Yap is confirming the cancellation of the concert.

On John Mayer’s website, they pulled out the Manila schedule which is supposedly MAY 16. Ticket holders may opt to keep their ticket or refund–landline is 9292151. However, John Mayer concert in Manila is moved from May 16 to October 1, 2010 8:00 PM at MOA Concert Grounds.

With more tours on the way, John Mayer has shown that he is a man on a mission. This fresh face in music has grown right before our eyes and has become one of the biggest names in the biz. Let's hope it's only uphill from here on in.