CelebPoker Takes Back The Live Poker Circuit

"I've lost count of the number of people who have asked us to bring back CelebPoker's live poker tournaments," -David Donovan, Chief Executive Officer of CelebPoker.com.

A growing poker site on a popular network with monstrous competition all the way up to the higher limits has re-launch its highly popular live poker tournaments series across the UK and Europe after years focused exclusively on its online poker site. Famous for their flashy attractions, The CelebPoker is returning to live poker.



The live events put forward an indistinctly fun and dexterity with fantastic after-show parties where massive renowned celebrities like the former Westlife member Brian McFadden, a soccer star player Teddy Sheringham, an appointed CEO of Galway United FC and the most in-demand conference and after dinner speaker Nick Leeson and many more!

"I've lost count of the number of people who have asked us to bring back CelebPoker's live poker tournaments, the game's become too serious. We want to bring back the fun into the live arena. Imagine this: one minute you're playing against your mates in the pub, the next minute you're sat next to rogue trader Nick Leeson trying to work out if he's bluffing. Now that's what I call poker!" said David Donovan, Chief Executive Officer of CelebPoker.com.

David Donovan also added, "We don't do things by halves, so when we announce the schedule, it will feature a series of tournaments that poker players want to be part of. We believe you can have a great time playing poker without taking life so seriously. And we're looking to put a smile on the faces of our players; apart from when they need to be poker-faced of course."

Moreover, the negotiations with more or less of the Europe's outstanding casinos and scenes with established scheduled set to be announced next month.

All interested players can absolutely look forward to be entertained as players can taste the celebrities' lifestyle from the industry of sport, film, music, and poker.

All the players can also look forward to an intoxicating competition and the fairness of these leading online poker room and a chance to win huge cash prizes!

The commencement plan is directed by the company's own team to make sure that the place are thoroughly settle upon to go over the limit of the required standards.

All interested casino owners are apprised to contact Julian Bewley, the Head of the live events while the planning is still in progress at julian@celebpoker.com or the CelebPoker's hotline.

The CelebPoker event schedule will be divulge shortly, and to those casinos who are already clinch on the circuit, they are weighing up the possible casinos and venues all over Europe.

About these renowned online poker room-CelebPoker, on the part of their name hang together with their motif of patronizing some of Europe's semi-celebrity-status actors and sports professionals. Undoubtedly,CelebPoker is a financially-secure poker network, and a hand well payouts. Using NETeller, the withdrawals was about 24-36 hours, that is why it is voted for 2007's Best Poker Room by gambling Online magazine with deep-dyed license and systematized online poker room.



Images: CelepPoker.com and images.google.com

Cameron Diaz, On Playing Texas Hold'em Poker

One of the prettiest faces in Hollywood model turned versatile actress, Cameron Diaz.

She signed a contract with elite model and became an international model and working for such clothing companies as Levi's and Calvin Klein and became a cover girl in 1990 of the “Seventeen” magazine.

However, after her success in the modeling industry, Cameron Diaz tried her luck in the Hollywood motion picture industry. And Luckily, she come up to scratch in the audition for a role in the movie “The Mask” with a great comedian Hollywood actor Jim Carrey that made her an immense super star!

Her other movies are: My Bestfriend's Wedding with Julia Roberts, Shrek as Princess Fiona, Charlie's Angels with Drew Barrymore and Lucy Liu, Vanilla Sky with Tom Cruise, Minority Report, In her Shoes, What Happens in Vegas with Ashton Kutcher.

She even experienced being nominated as Best Supporting Actress at several award-giving bodies for her stellar performance in the movie Being John Malkovich.

And apart from modeling and acting, Cameron Diaz is also a good poker player. Yep! How did that started? Well, it was celebrity Ellen DeGeneres of the famous talk show “Ellen” who introduced this female celebrity poker player to poker. Cameron Diaz was invited once by Ellen DeGeneres to the latter's place to play Texas Hold'em.

Cameron did not want to come because she did not know how to play such game. But with Ellen DeGeneres' insistence forced her to come and play. This female celebrity poker player must be very grateful not to miss such chance because she won and took home all her opponents' money.

Cameron Diaz may also be seen in casinos playing poker. Whenever she has free time, she makes it a point to visit the nearest casino she can find in order to relax, have fun, and take a break from her busy schedule as a celebrity.

Ever since that escapade, this female celebrity poker player reveals to become obsessed with poker. And such admission has only made Cameron even more attractive and famous.

Cameron Diaz said in the interview of Ellen introducing her to play Texas Hold'em, "I remember the fateful night as well. I remember the phone call: 'Come on over and play Texas Hold'Em.' I said, 'I don't know how to play Texas Hold'Em.' She was like, 'None of us do, come on over."

And now, Cameron seeks poker all the time! "I'm addicted to it. I do like the casino a bit. I find myself at a casino every once in a while just walking through going, 'What am I doing here?' That's so desperate - I'm in Tunica, Mississippi."

Cameron Diaz has shown some propensity for the game, winning a 2nd place in a recent re-buy event. Regardless of being a novice, Cameron Diaz recognizes she has a blaze for the game. "I took 2nd place, but I actually won because I never bought back into the tournament. The guy who beat me bought back in like five times."

Only time will tell if Cameron Diaz can beat the World Poker Tour and World Series of Poker titles owned by another Hollywood celebrity poker player, Jennifer Tilly.

The Most Feared Female Celebrity Poker Players

Poker has shoot up the number of celebrities who have taken up the game for partly for fun and partly for real.

Likewise the poker Reality TV shows like Celebrity Poker Showdown, Celebrity Apprentice, Ultimate Poker Showdown, CelebPoker Club and even the World Series of Poker Tournament.

As poker is mount the barricades to its popularity not only among to the land-based or online casino players but also to the Hollywood industry. When it comes to professional poker players, only people will absolutely not foreseeing the existence of some extremely talented female celebrity poker player professionals.




Here are the top female celebrities combine with their tight and never-bluff eminence, and their ravishing poker profile:


The younger sister of the Heiress Paris Hilton, Nicky Hilton. Nicky has come out in the wash frolicking around the town as she was invited as co-host of poker tournament at the new Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. Nicky is also a part with the final seconds countdown to midnight and the emergence of the New Year and played but unfortunately she was knocked out after going all-in and Shannon Elizabeth take home the jackpot!



Shannon Elizabeth has been playing in the Main Event of the WSOP since 2005. A winner of the 2005 Nicky Hilton New Years Eve Poker Tournament at Caesars Palace, outlasting 91 other players. She also placed 6th in Calvin Klein’s 2nd Annual Celebrity Charity Poker Tournament and won in a recent charity tournament at the Playboy Mansion. In 2006 she had 3 cashes at the World Series of Poker. Beating out 83 celebrities and poker professionals to win $55,000!


Next is the Vietnamese who migrated in the US Liz Lieu is playing poker since she was at the age of 13. Lieu handle both 2006 and 2007 Los Angeles Poker Classic and won! Lieu is renowned for her fashion while playing in a tournament, she was fondly calling her the “Poker Diva”.


The cast of Gilmore Girls and an avid poker player, Lauren Graham successfully won game 4 of the Celebrity Poker Showdown, and went on to take 2nd place in the final tournament.



A professional model Erica Schoenberg a.k.a “Blackjack Babe” although is a member of the prestigious MIT Blackjack Team, Shoenberg compete in The World Series Of Poker No-Limit Hold'em.


One of the strongest woman in the poker world is Cyndy Violette, her major win happened when Violette won in a World Series Of Poker 7-card Stud Hi-Lo Split Tournament in 2004 and at that time, it is the most money ever won by a woman!


Jennifer Tilly soared after 2005 as that was the year that she won both a World Series Of Poker WSOP bracelet in the Ladies' No-Limit Texas Hold'em event, beating a field of 600 and the third World Poker Tour Ladies Invitational Tournament.


The Queen of poker Mimi Rogers compete in some poker tournaments in 2003, and she wrap up the money in her major tournament at the World Poker Tournament WPT 240 player Shooting Stars main event No-Limit Texas Hold 'em tournament in San Jose, California in 2004.



An avid poker player, Sarah Silverman has appeared twice in a Celebrity Poker Showdown but unfortunately, Silverman was knocked out by Paul Rudd.



In the season 4 of the World World Poker Tour Championship event in 2006, a young poker player Vanessa Rousso won $5,000 in No-Limit Hold'em and Rousso won $285,450 in Borgata Casino in Atlantic City.


Jennifer Harman holds 2 World Series of Poker bracelets in open events. In 2000 She won in the Deuce to 7 Draw event and in 2002 she won Limit Hold'em event.



Lastly, the most renowned female celebrity poker player, Annie Duke. Duke won $ 2, 000,000 in gthe World Series of poker Tournament (WSOP). Duke also entertained a lot of publicity like teaching Ben Affleck, Celebrity Apprentice project manager, launched a book called, “Annie Duke’s Beginner’s Guide To Texas Hold'em” and “Annie Duke’s Girl’s Guide To Texas Hold'em” .


Infused with a strong intuition, women are now in the perfect timing to look into more possibilities in poker gambling. So even if poker have at all times been dominated by men as masters of their own tricks and games, breaking into this new trend was no surprise at all for female poker players.

Lou Diamond Phillips On His Poker Career

You probably recognize him for his appearances in such programs as Twilight Zone, Spin City, Route 666, Miami Vice and the movie Bats.
It is not only the acting inoculate that has put in Lou Diamond Phillips. When he is not acting he is in a tour with the band called The Pipefitters and a serious poker player.

In fact, Lou Diamond Phillips is a great poker player









The focus of the instructional video is the Texas Hold'em. The video include tips offered by Lou Diamond and perceptions on his favorite poker skills and betting strategies. He explains in an articulate manner how Texas Hold'em is played.

Lou Diamond Phillips plays on the World Poker Tour in the Hollywood Home games and plays for the Sierra Canyon H.S. & Santa Suzanna Montessori charity.


that's why he did not have any second thoughts when he was asked to partner with CelebPoker.com and create an instructional video about poker.How long he's been playing poker?

Lou Diamond start playing poker since college, together with his friends, they play a typical dealer's choice: 7 card stud and 5 card draw. And when he started his first movie La Bamba and moved to Los Angeles near with his friends and co-stars, there were a lot of his friends and have a weekly poker game, also Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Brandon Leeand Jason Priestley drops by at his house to play poker with the and it was a celebrity home game.


How he falls for the game: poker?

Lou Diamond play kitchen poker over 2 decades with his friends, however, he never had a chance to play Texas Hold'em, until he was invited to play and he accepted it!

Unfortunately, with his first Texas Hold'em trial, he got busted out. He is now hooked in the game Texas Hold'em because he love the style of the tournament that he started going to the commerce and play a lot!

How many times he played poker?

Lou Diamond plays poker twice a month but unless if there’s a big tournament on at the Bike or the Commerce with $ 100 buy-in.


Does he got a poker room at home?

As a serious poker player, he got a poker table in one of the rooms at home separated in his living room where he and his friend can smokes, tell jokes and whatsoever which Lou Diamond don't want to expose his 3 kids.

Does he asked for some poker techniques to poker professionals?

Lou Diamond sought some poker advices and playing with Doyle Brunson, TJ Cloutier and Amarillio Slim in a World Poker Tournament in Los Angeles.





What is his best weapon at the poker table?

Since he is an actor, it's his best weapon. He is a quite tight player, where he kept acting cunningly.


A lot of celebrities are playing poker and just like Lou Diamond Phillips well, it does seem like this celebrity poker player will not make an international name in the poker industry, because this celebrity poker player has already take the plunge to make a name worldwide.

Jennifer Harman Holding Her Poker Charity Tournament

The most feared woman in the world of poker and with a soft spot in her heart for animals, Jennifer Harman is hosting her 3rd Annual Jennifer Harman Charity Poker Tournament. Harman's Charity Poker Tournament helping the Nevada Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), a nonprofit organization operating a no-kill sanctuary for stray animals in Las Vegas, is looking forward to raise a lot of money, partly because of her celebrity connections, and partly for players love for both poker and animals.




With the help of her co-host, Matt Savage, many of the poker players will surely stopped by The Venetian to play, to present and give their support. Typically, the contest was constructed professionally by Kathy Redmond the Director of Poker Operations, and her efficient staff to make sure that everyone is enjoying the event!

This is a great opportunity to all interested poker players, you have the chance the mingle with some of the poker's most renowned poker professionals and celebrities. Jennifer Harman's Charity Poker Tournament is available to all interested poker players ages 21 and up. The buy-in for the Charity Poker Tournament is $ 330 with $100 rebuys during the player's first hour and a $ 100 add-on. And the grand prize is a $10,000 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event Seat, and a Curtis and Co.

Also included the top 10 finishers that will win a valuable sponsored prizes.

The 1st Place is a $10,000 World Series of Poker Main Event seat, Legacy Alliance custom designed crystal trophy, Curtis & Co. sports watch, Life’s A Bluff autographed Limited Edition Lithograph.

The 2nd Place and 3rd Place are World Series of Poker (WSOP) Academy certificate, Legacy Alliance custom designed crystal trophy, Curtis and Co. sports watch, Life’s A Bluff autographed Limited Edition Lithograph.

The 4th Place is a 2 nights luxury accommodations at the Venetian, dinner at a Delmonico Steakhouse, certificate to Venetian’s Canyon Ranch Spa Club, Life’s A Bluff autographed Limited Edition Lithograph.

The 5th Place is a complete autographed home poker chip set, tickets for 2 to David Spade Live at the Venetian, Quad Queens all-in-one cushion backpack, Life’s A Bluff autographed Limited Edition Lithograph.

The 6th Place is a tickets for 2 to Phantom at the Venetian, autographed complete home poker chip set, Quad Queens all-in-one cushion backpack, Life’s A Bluff autographed Limited Edition Lithograph.

The 7th Place is a tickets for 2 to Wayne Brady at the Venetian, autographed complete home poker chip set, Quad Queens all-in-one Cushion Backpack, Life’s A Bluff autographed Limited Edition Lithograph.

The 8th Place is a tickets for 2 to Madame Tussauds, autographed complete home poker chip set, Quad Queens all-in-one cushion backpack, Life’s A Bluff autographed Limited Edition Lithograph.

The 9th Place is a tickets for 2 to Jersey Boys, autographed complete home poker chip set, Quad Queens all-in-one cushion backpack, Life’s A Bluff autographed Limited Edition Lithograph.

Lastly, the 10th Place is a tickets for 2 to Blue Man Group, SuperSystem leather-bound autographed by Doyle Brunson, Doyle Brunson autographed cowboy hat, Quad Queens all-in-one cushion Backpack, Life’s A Bluff autographed Limited Edition Lithograph.

All the confirmed celebrities and poker professionals renowned names are Nancy Cartwright the Voice of Bart Simpson, Poker professionals Doyle Brunson, Todd Brunson, Phil Hellmuth, Tiffany Michelle, Eli Elezra, Davis Singer, Andy Bloch, Lacey Jones, David Williams, Lon McEachern commentator of ESPN, Karina Smirnoff of Dancing with the stars and a lot more!

The Charity Poker Tournament started at with a red carpet walk at 4:00 pm and the event started at 5:00 pm at Venetian Poker Room.

About Jennifer Harman: her first real successes at the poker table happened in Los Angeles, When she began to buy into major tournaments in the mid 1990s and in 2000, This is not just the first time Jennifer Harman held a prestigious events, In fact, she has been a professional poker player for over 10 years. Harman has 2 World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelets in open events.

In 2000, Harman won the Deuce to Seven Draw Tournament and it was her first time to played that event. And in 2002, Harman won the Limit Holdem Tournament. Harman once won $1.7 million in a single pot, and at the time, $ 1.7 million is the most ever won in a single hand of poker.

Harman on being a woman poker player: “It probably helps me to be a woman. In general, most men don't think women can play. So, what often happens is that they try to run over me. They bluff their money off to me. I guess they see me as a meek little girl and think that I'm easily bluffed. I'm not. ”

Celebrity Poker Moments at Celebrity Poker Showdown

Everyone knows that these famous poker reality TV show is a big smash where in each week, there are 5 celebrities competing for a No-Limit Texas Hold'em to win $250,000.

Whoever wins with every winners in the previous games donates the money to his chosen charity. As I watch some of the episodes, I've been watching them how the celebrities fold, raise, bluff, hand the cards too seriously and so much more!

Celebrities' Quirky Moments

When the comedians appeared on the show, it's like that you are watching a comedy show and not a poker show with hours of laughing and teasing on each players. Usually when their cards runs out, they usually take a quick exit to the Loser's Lounge!

Celebrities' Bluffing Moments

This is when The host of Celebrity Poker Showdown, Phil Gordon convinced the 5 celebrity players namely; Nicole Sullivan of 17 again and the MadTV writer, Willie Garson of CSI Miami and Sex and the city, David Cross of Arrested development, Paul Rudd of the TV series Friends and Richard Shiff of the West Wing. They are all agreed to go all in on the first hand no matter what. Only these 5 players at the table and the host were in on the joke.

During the game, when Nicole Sullivan re-raise, Willie Garson raises, David Cross calls, Paul Rudd calls and Richard Shiff also calls. Each of the tables calls all in! The audience are stunned and the productions don't know what to do. All the actions in the shows are paused, the producer wants to start the show again. After about 5 minutes of bluffing them on, the 5 celebrities stand up and shouted, “Gotcha!” at the producers. It took almost an hour to sort it out and telling to the legal department that everyone was just joking.

Best Celebrity Poker Player Moments

Some of the celebrities who appeared in the show are competed and won at World Poker Tour, Online Poker and even at home games. The celebrity best poker players are Ben Affleck, Paul Rudd, Seth Meyers, Sara Rue, Mena Suvari and Mimi Rogers.

Worst Celebrity Poker Player Moments

Yep! There's still a worst celebrity poker player at the the table and it's Scott Stapp of the band Creed.

Improving Celebrity Poker Player

There are many celebrities appeared first and went home with nothing, and when they returned, they've learned and strengthen their poker ability, and the person who is improving his poker ability is Matthew Perry of the TV series Friends.

Celebrities' Horrifying Moments

The show is so entertaining, until celebrity poker showdown's guest is Dennis Rodman a basket ball superstar made a championship into the final table.

Dennis Rodman and his opponent Mekhi Phifer of the TV series ER checked both the river and Mekhi showed a pair while Dennis Rodman hurled his cards face down.




The dealer jiggled the cards and started dealing the next hand. Dennis Rodman went hot under the collar and said to the dealer that he is trying to turn the cards up.

Alarmed, the director explained to Dennis Rodman that the dealer did the right thing and he folded his cards face down. Dennis Rodman got up from the table, lash out the microphone.

However, the production crews whose watching the players cards said that Dennis Rodman doesn't have a pair.
The director convinced Dennis Rodman and decided to resumed the play gain. Just a few minutes Dennis Rodman busted out , lose, and came to the Loser's Lounge.



Whether if we watch our favorite celebrity won, lose, went ballistic, laugh at their bluffs, the good thing is that with the help of Celebrity Poker Showdown they give more than a hundred charities and they maintain the fairness of the game and the popularity of a skilled game-poker.

Ben Affleck Smashed The Poker Limelight

Before making it big in Hollywood, Ben Affleck appeared in small feature films like Kevin Smith's "Mallrats" in 1995 and "Chasing Amy" in 1997. After a few years, Ben and his best friend Matt Damon, won an Academy Award for the screenplay of Good Will Hunting which Ben is the co-writer.

It was not only Ben’s movies that were bombing, his success at the poker table was also about to explode. Unlike most other celebrity poker players, Ben Affleck has had professional poker teachers train him to be a skilled poker player.

Tutored by Annie Duke, Ben has been smashing the poker table than he has at the theaters, he latterly won 1st place and $356,400 in the $10,000 buy-in tournament at the Commerce Casino.

Ben won by riding some well timed pairs to victory. Before finishing the match heads-up against Stan Goldstein, he had to get through a couple other obstacles: namely Chuck Pacheco.

Ben also beat fellow star Tobey Maguire and nearly 90 other poker players to win nearly $300,000. The actor went home with the money after winning the Commerce Casino's tournament in California. It qualifies him for a seat at the World Poker Tour Championship.

Ben and Matt Damon teamed up for a good cause, the 2nd Annual Ante Up For Africa Texas Hold'em Poker Tournament at the Rio Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas last July 2008 and they took time out of their lives to help the less fortunate.




Last August 2008, Ben had a democratic convention plan for poker where in he renowned more than one political party. Among his official duties are performing at a round table event for SeaChange Ideas Forum, packing food for the needy and playing poker to benefit paralyzed veterans.

Together with pros Andy Bloch and Barry Greenstein, he sits down and play poker at the Ballpark, with the proceeds going toward the Paralyzed Veterans of America.

Some Hollywood celebrities such as Paul Rudd, Jessica Alba, Oprah Winfrey, Anne Hathaway, Sarah Silverman,Montel Williams and Seth Meyers are also expected to ante-up at the VIP tournament sponsored by the Poker Players Alliance. The tournament held at the Club Level section of Coors Field, with a new Washington lobbying outfit that works to protect the right to play poker.

Where Ben Affleck won and outlasted over 100 other players in a 6 hour tournament that ended around 4 a.m. In the morning. With the results inconsequential Ben is holding an Ace-10 and chopped the pot, the organizers would say the key to the event was the $100,000 that was raised for the Paralyzed Veterans of America. He also beat the 2 professional poker players, including Andy Bloch, who won more than $1,000,000 million with a second-place finish in the 2005 World Series of Poker.

Ben also appeared at the first poker reality TV show, Celebrity Poker Showdown, but unfortunately, he did not take home the jackpot.

Jason Alexander To Host A Charity Poker Tournament

Seinfeld actor and pokerstars.net ambassador Jason Alexander will be the host of the 3rd Annual 1736 Family Crisis Center's Poker Tournament on May 9th, 2009, at the Hollywood Park Casino in Los Angeles, California. The festivities starts at 2:00 pm.

This charity poker tournament’s sponsors include Toyota Financial Services, All In Magazine, and Webexposure.com. A press release announcing the event discloses that it presents a unique opportunity “for a fun-filled day of poker, laughter, food and celebration and the success over domestic violence. Each hand played will be a strong step towards ending domestic violence and helping youth who have been abused and abandoned.”





All proceeds from this tournament will go towards benefiting 1736 Family Crisis Center, Los Angeles' largest domestic violence agency for the last 36 years.

The 1736 Family Crisis Center operates 5 shelters in Los Angeles County, including 4 domestic violence shelters and 1 emergency youth shelter. The Family Crisis Center also operates 3 outpatient clinics, f5 24-hour emergency response stations and educational/outreach services at the shelters. The Family Crisis Center support 100% on donations to provide its “free” services to victims of violence.



You can buy your tickets through the 1736 Family Crisis Center’s website using Paypal or by calling 310-543-9900, Extension 210. The donations and buy-ins can be mailed directly to the facility. Further opportunities available consist of an All-In Sponsor for $25,000, a Royal Flush sponsor for $10,000, a Straight Flush sponsor for $5,000, and a Table sponsor for $3,000.

The program advertising varies from $100 for a quarter page ad to $500 for a full page spread. And for those who would rather take a quick look of the Hollywood and poker world meeting heads-on rather than actually play, spectator passes are available for $75. The first place comes with a $10,000 cash prize, the runner up will receive an “eco-friendly” poker table, while the 3rd place will take home a World Series Of Poker (WSOP) Boot Camp package presented by “Celebrity Apprentice” candidate and the duchess of poker Annie Duke and the 4th place will be given a cruise for 2.



Since Jason Alexander is a serious poker player as he is about raising awareness for putting an end to domestic violence. He stated to his interview last year at the Ante Up For Africa Poker Tournament,"All the tournaments I've ever won have been for charity," Alexander said. "When there's no actual money for me, I'm very good."

Many Poker Champions will come such as: the 2004 World Series Of Poker Champion, Greg “the fossilman” Raymer, 2006 World Series Of Poker Champion, Jamie Gold, World Series Of Poker veteran Chip Jhett. Also Hollywood celebrities will participate to this prestigious charity event.

Jason Alexander made into the poker field when he try his luck on the Celebrity Poker Showdown. Unfortunately he was not fated to go home with a Texas Hold’Em Championship. Alexander is a regular player on the online poker site and participate in the 2007 World Series of Poker Main Event. He was knocked out the second day.

Alexander returned and appeared for the second time on ‘Celebrity Poker Showdown’, making it once again to the final table and win the Championship. He won $500,000 for the Unite Way of the greater New Orleans area during that game, which was the final game of the 8th season.

“The Duchess Of Poker”

How far would you go if you played at World Poker Tour for the first time?

When Annie Duke made her first major public appearance in the poker scene, she showed the world that females can play poker too. Many years of experience with cards and competition made her last until 14th place, and a total of $70,000 richer.






She spends 16-20 hours at a poker table making a living, all while being a full time mom of four and a yoga and health fanatic, hence, Duke is known as the world’s most successful female poker player!

Before Duke concentrated herself in poker, she is focused on her career in college where she excelled in academics and was studying for her PHD in Cognitive Psychology at the University of Pennsylvania.

With the suggestion of her brother, renowned poker player Howard Lederer, Duke tried her hand at the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas. She ended up placing 13th in her first tournament, knocking her brother out of play. Duke won 70K in her first month of competition.

Since Duke began playing tournaments,she won over $3 Million dollars in poker tournament profession. Duke has 1 World Series Of Poker bracelet and has finished 2nd place twice.

In 2004, the stardom of her poker career, Duke won the $ 2,500 Limit Hold'em Bellagio Five-Star World Poker Classic/WPT Championship, and Las Vegas winning close to $150,000. Duke also won the very impressive tournament, Tournament of Champions for $2,000,000.





Duke generally does not attend ladies only events. She stated in an interview with CBS, "Poker is one of the only sports where a woman can compete on a totally equal footing with a man, so I don't understand why there's a ladies only tournament." Duke wants to beat only the best at the game whether they are male of female.

In 2005, Duke launched her first book called, “Annie Duke: How I raised, folded, bluffed, flirted, cursed and won millions at the World Series of Poker”. Written by herself and her co-writer David Diamond. The book includes from Duke's personal life to her poker career in achieving her first WSOP bracelet. Duke also launched her DVD’s, which include “Annie Duke’s Advanced Texas Hold’em Secrets: How to Beat the Big Boys”

Duke also launched “Annie Duke’s Beginner’s Guide To Texas Hold 'em” and “Annie Duke’s Girl’s Guide To Texas Hold 'em” both released in January 2006, and in February 2006, she launched, “Masters of Poker: Annie Duke’s Conquering Online Poker”.

In addition, Duke also engage in the Team Ultimate Bet,and is a sought after poker coach, teaching celebrities like Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Ashton Kutcher and Charles Barkley. She has a reputation of taking on the poker regulatory affairs in televised tournaments. She is also a member of the Mob on NBCs 1 vs 100. She also appeared on NBCs Poker After Dark thrice, without a win.




Duke was also featured in GSN premiered special Annie Duke Takes on the World appearing as an amateur poker player. She has also made an appearance on Deal or no Deal by supporting a contestant.

Annie Duke is one of the most famous names in the tournament circuit! In 2208, Duke holds the women's record for most "in the money" finishes at the WSOP.

Annie Duke routinely raises funds to benefit charities and frequently offers a private poker lessons with herself as a charity auction item. She is involved in various charitable organizations including the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Ante Up for Africa, Children’s Hospital, and many others. That is why Duke is chosen to be a project manager on Celebrity Apprentice.

Celebrity Poker Showdown: The Celebritie's Poker Obsession

How many times have you found yourself at the movies or sitting in front of your television just to watch your favorite celebrities in action? How about watching your favorite celebrities in front of your television playing poker?

Yes! In fact, The celebrity poker tournament has achieved in popularity! Big name celebrities are also playing poker. And even Hollywood could not resist the influence as more and more stars are going to the poker tables.

Definitely, celebrity interest in the game of poker has encouraged public interest in the game of poker. And because poker is so popular, and many people like to watch their favorite celebrities compete on the popular television show, Celebrity Poker Showdown.



Celebrity Poker Showdown is a series of tournaments that match against 5 celebrities against each other when they play for their favorite charities. Airing its first show in December 2003 with Gordon and actor Kevin Pollak announcing a star packed table that included David Schwimmer of comedy series Friends, Ben Affleck, and Academy Award nominee Don Cheedle and actor Dave Foley.

The winners of each of the tournaments play one another in the season finale for the largest part of the prize pool of money used. The show is so popular in fact, that Bravo now averages more than one million viewers per episode. Bravo aired the series for five seasons and it was a very simple assumption.

On the brighter side, celebrities that have appeared on the prominent game show demonstrate the interest that not only average people have for celebrities and poker, but shows the fascination celebrities have with wagering their money for a better cause. It was very much like The World Series of Poker (WSOP), where people are eliminated through a series of rounds to get to the championship game.

The card game played was Texas Hold'em and the stakes went as high as a million dollars. The winner from each week's game will advance to the championship sixth game finale. Bravo viewers will have the inside track on the hands the different players hold through hidden cameras. They will also be able to hear commentary from the eliminated players, who will watch the rest of their respective matches from the “Loser's Lounge” through closed circuit television (CCTV).

The first 5 winners of the Celebrity Poker Showdown tournaments are Nicole Sullivan of "King of Queens", Maura Tierney cast of "ER", Seth Myers of "Saturday Night Live", Mekhi Phifer cast of "ER" and Brad Garrett cast of "Everybody Loves Raymond".

Some celebrity names that have appeared in Celebrity poker Showdown are Jason Alexander, Jennifer Tilly, Mena Suvari, Mimi Rogers, Dennis Quaid, Shannon Elizabeth, Kevin Nealon, and Lauren Graham. Together, they have driven a new public awareness of poker and helped to bring it from backroom poker tables out into the limelight.

Unfortunately, Celebrity Poker Showdown is no longer being aired on Bravo. There were eight tournaments held and Bravo elected not to have a 9th tournament. All told the tournaments traversed 5 seasons, which is not a bad run on today's television viewing list. But don't fret, there is still celebrity poker showdown, just wait for my other post for another Celebrity Poker Showdown update!



Images: ruthless.com, celebritypokershowdown.com and images.google.com

The Hottest Celebrity Poker Babe: Shannon Elizabeth's Poker Stats

Remember Nadia who teased a pie-humping Jason Biggs?

The Euro-vague accent in American Pie series and Scary Movie hot chic is spending more time playing poker than acting! Behind the beautiful brown eyes, sexy curves and a great assets is a true card sharp.

Shannon Elizabeth got her first tournament poker taste when she signed on to do a little show “Celebrity Poker Showdown”.





Since then, Shannon, who was previously married to actor,director and part-time poker player Joe Reitman, and now, Annie Duke’s current fiancé, has fallen in love with the game.


She’s become a fixture at cash games, charity poker tournaments and World series Of Poker Tournament (WSOP).

Her recent play has raised her status from mere celebrity poker player to serious pro. Shannon goes to Vegas almost every week to play against the best poker competition in the world.

Shannon has been playing in the Main Event of the WSOP since 2005. A winner of the 2005 Nicky Hilton New Years Eve Poker Tournament at Caesars Palace, outlasting 91 other players. She also placed 6th in Calvin Klein’s 2nd Annual Celebrity Charity Poker Tournament.


Shannon has also found a way to include poker in her day job. She is one nokf the cast in 2006 movie, “Deal”, along with Burt Reynolds. She played the apple of the eye of a young gun who winds up heads-up at the World Poker Tournament (WPT) championship against his mentor. Shannon take part in an actual tournament.

She has one a few tournaments including a recent charity tournament at the Playboy Mansion. In 2006 she had 3 cashes at the World Series of Poker. Beating out 83 celebrities and poker professionals to win $55,000!

According to Terry and Alex interview with Shannon Elizabeth about her poker career goes:





“Your game has evolved quickly. You started playing for the first time when Bravo did their “Celebrity Poker Showdown.”

Shannon: And I just did that to raise money for my charity. But I kept playing different events like that to raise money. Eventually, I just started to understand what the game was all about, and started really liking it.

“You had more of an affinity for it than your typical beginner. Did you quickly feel like you could be great at it when you started playing?”


Shannon: No, I was horrible in the beginning! (She laughs). The first time I played, that time on TV, I didn’t know what I was doing. It was once I started to understand the psychological aspects of it, that there was more to it than just the cards…that’s when I really began enjoying poker. When I first played, I never understand what was so much fun about a game where you just get two cards and you just play it out. How is that competitive? But there’s so much reading of what’s going on at the table, reading other people, through their actions, and their betting patterns. You’re always gathering information. That’s kind of what the game is all about.



At 2007, Shanon's most memorable run was earlier this year when she shocked the poker world by making it to the semi-finals of the NBC National Heads-Up Poker Championship,taking home $125,000.00 . She finished in the Semifinals, tied for 3rd. Shannon as her second career is one of the leading celebrity poker players. She defeated many notable professionals during the tournament including Paul Wasicka, Barry Greenstein, Humberto Brenes and Jeff Madsen.

She also makes an appearance in the video game World Series of Poker 2008: “Race for the Bracelets”, won the first Nicky Hilton Poker Tournament at Caesar’s Palace on New Year’s Eve 2005, taking home $55k. She’s cashed four times at the World Series of Poker in the past two years, each time in No-Limit Hold’em, her favorite brand of the game. She sits in 67th position on the top female money-earner’s list so you know she’s got to be good.

The online poker room Full Tilt Poker once had a sponsorship agreement with Elizabeth.

Want to be like Shannon Elizabeth? You can practice playing poker now and click this link to start playing!

For sure,your next opponent at the table will be Shannon Elizabeth.

Meet and Beat Affleck and Damon: Play Poker Now!

How would you like the chance to meet Matt Damon and Ben Affleck? Or better yet a chance to defeat Ben Affleck and Matt Damon in poker? This is not a dream, you can actually meet them and beat them at the same time with Pacific Poker and 888 Ladies are offering an opportunity to play against Hollywood celebrities and Oscar winners Ben Affleck and Matt Damon at a special Cannes Poker Charity Event!



The Cannes Charity Poker adventure is a privately trace by reflection business and the final 60 places have a mind esteem been severely vetted by the organizers in some attempt to bring into proximity only the very top ‘A’ list celebrities in addition to the richest donors from encompassing the World.

A special freeroll will take place on May 9th where the winner will receive a package to the Cannes Film Festival. There are two ways to qualify for this freeroll. The freeroll tournament takes place at Villa Oxygene in Cannes on May the 19th and amongst the prizes on offer is a $250,000 Villa in Durban, South Africa.

The players who earn 1,200 points between March 1st and May 6th will be automatically entered. Anyone who does not accumulate that many points have another chance. On May 7th, a special $150+$10 tournament will take place where the top 3 finishers advance to the Cannes freeroll.




Also, to seat in the 60 player celebrity poker tournament, 6 other A list celebrities at the event which will take place on 19th May. The Cannes package winner will receive 3 nights in a five-star hotel with costless airfare. The lucky winner of the Cannes Charity Poker event will walk away with a $250,000 beach house in Durban, South Africa.

All you have to do is sign up to 888 Poker and accumulate 1,2000 FFPs between April 1 and May 6 to play in the freeroll on May 9. For those who may have not receive joined 888.com state a little later by way of a buy-in forward May 7th into the promotion, there choose an opportunity to procreate onto that final part.

Once you either opened an account yourself or registered a poker playing friend, you will first of all find a nice sum of 3,000 Ladies Points in your account as a reward. If you are determined to get to Cannes any time soon, you or your friend better participate in the 888 Celebrity Challenge tournament.

The Cannes Charity Poker Event Final hold 7 tables with Matt Damon or Ben Affleck. The lucky 888.com winners not only get a chance of tempting $250,000, and has the opportunity to mingle in contrast with a certain number of of the biggest celebrities onward the planet and you will also be in Cannes for their world famous film festival, which is a great prize in itself even if you don't go deep in the Celebrity Challenge.

This event is sponsored by 888.com and will accord with the Cannes Film Festival and being held to raise money for Ben Affleck's and Matt Damon's charities - "Not On Our Watch" in Darfur region, and "One Voice For Freedom" the children's anti slavery charity.

Montel Williams: From An Emmy Award Winning TV Talkshow Host To A Revolutionary Poker Reality TV Host

Who does'nt know the longest running talk shows in the history of television?

An Emmy Award winning host and the Executive Producer of the Montel Williams Show.

In September of 2009, the show completed its final season, but it can still be seen around the world in a Best of Montel series. Although bittersweet, the finale of the “Montel Williams Show” marked an important juncture for Williams.

Montel Williams has signed a multi-year deal with radio syndicator “Air America” for a daily 3-hour talk radio program entitled Montel Across America slated to begin on April 6th, 2009.

He knows what it takes to make and continue a successful television program. Now, Montel Williams has decided to fuse his love of TV with his passion for poker in a new show said to be broadcast in the late months of 2009.


Montel Williams has working out a new poker TV show called "International Team Poker League", their press release statements announced that it will revolutionize poker on television in 2009, as the show will combine poker with reality television.

Williams reveals that his series was made possible through the advancement of poker in the Internet and part of Williams' new show will take place on the Internet. Online satellite tournaments will be held online and at land based casinos for the poker series. The show will run much like a conventional talent show.

The concept includes of thousands of poker players fighting it out in both land-based and online poker tournaments with the winners moving to the next round and the possible to become part of the ITPL poker team for 2009 and 2010. That will result in the best players in the tournament being selected for 6 respective teams, which will then be condensed, through more tournament play, to 6 winners who will become the ITPL team for the season, and will receive more perks that just the title. They will also be taped playing pros and living the poker lifestyle.

International Team Poker League (ITPL) will start in March with a number of satellite tournaments and build up to the televised segment from November 2009 which will take in both game play and reality TV style elements covering the major names in the poker industry and the poker community.


As the Creator, Commissioner and CEO of International Team Poker League admits, “ I love poker, it's a game that has everything! Played by the kings and leaders and regular Joes alike. It crosses boundaries and boarders, now, thanks to technology and the Internet, a global phenomenon that brings people of different ethnicities and origin together around the world.”

International Team Poker League is designed to fit a one-hour TV slot, the show will air each week for a season and offers high profile strategic partnerships and affiliate activity for both the casino and remote gambling industries. A number of global brands have already shown interest in taking part, although no announcements of partnerships are being made at this stage.