Celebrity Poker Player: Nicolas Cage

He’s Sexy! He's Famous! He’s mysterious! His voice, it drives you crazy, you want to hear more, you’ll want to know what he’s betting on. And now... He's a great poker player!



In 2007, An Oscar winner Nicolas Cage has been signed to play legendary poker player Amarillo Slim Preston, in a movie about the gambler's life.


Nicolas Cage is slated for a new role, this one in the gambling world, where Cage would be betting on, and playing out a bit of poker history in his character Amarillo Slim, a professional gambler that was born in Arkansas, and is known as an icon in the poker world.


Amarillo Slim was made famous by both his skills at the poker table, and his reputation with proposition bets. The real life Amarillo Slim, four time World Series of Poker winner, was inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame in 1992.



Nicolas Cage, who will play Slim in the movie, also met with the legendary gambler. After meeting Cage at the actor's home in Los Angeles. Amarillo Slim seemed convinced Cage was right for the role. "We hit it off good, we've become buddies,". The film was launched last December 25, 2008 and got poker players allured in the movie.


About Nicolas Cage: Cage's first film role was in his uncle's film Rumble Fish, in 1983. After being taunted by envious cast members who would refer to famous movie lines from his uncle's films, Cage decided to change his last name.


He chose Cage in honor of comic book superhero Luke Cage and the composer John Cage. His first audition as Nicolas Cage was for the movie Valley Girl, in 1983. Most of his financial successes have come from his forays into the action-adventure genre.



In his highest grossing film to date, National Treasure, he played a neurotic historian who goes on a dangerous adventure to find treasure hidden by the Founding Fathers of the United States.


His intense performance, which was helped by the fact that he had just recently broken up with his fiance, Kristen Zang, earned him an Oscar for Best Actor. After his Oscar win, Cage wanted to take on more of a superhero role and starred opposite Sean Connery in the 1996 summer blockbuster The Rock and the Ghost Rider.


The trend of summer blockbusters started at this point with Cage's role in 1997's Con Air and Face/Off, where Cage and John Travola switched identities.

Cage's producing career has seen more success. Shadow of the Vampire, the first film produced by Saturn Films, the company he founded with partner Norm Golightly, was nominated for an Academy Award. He also produced The Life of David Gale, a death penalty-themed thriller with Kevin Spacey and Kate Winslet.



Nicolas Cage admitted hes a poker shark: “I am not a demon, I am a lizard, a shark, a heart-seeking panther, I want to be Bob Denver on acid playing the accordion.”

Now, who wants to play poker with him?

Photo Courtesy of: CelebrityWonder | Google


Source: 4FLUSH

Celebrity Poker Player: Danny Masterson

Danny Masterson has quite a number of achievements in the entertainment industry. But what is surprising is that for someone who is not a professional poker player, Danny Masterson has already experienced remarkable achievements as a celebrity poker player.





Although known to millions of TV viewers as the Brillo-headed proto-punk Hyde on Fox’s mega-successful That 70’s Show, Danny Masterson is also one of the hottest club promoters on the Hollywood scene, the half-brother of Malcolm In the Middle’s Chris Masterson, and the co-owner along with Ashton Kutcher & Wilmer Valderrama of the Los Angeles restaurant Dolce.



He recently co-hosted and won the Phat Farm Stuff Casino Weekend Poker Tournament at the Palms Casino and Resort, winning $3,000 after besting Jeff Shulman, CEO of Card Player, and ER’s Mekhi Phifer. He is also a member of the Unabombers poker team seen on GSN’s Poker Royale series, and appeared on the second season of Celebrity Poker Showdown in Tournament Game 1 and 2.



Danny Masterson also played in such poker event and emerged victorious, taking home US$3,000. He defeated Mekhi Phifer, an actor who stars in the show "ER," and Jeff Shulman, chief executive officer of Card Player.

DANNY MASTERSON TALKS ABOUT POKER

In the Complex.com Danny Masterson opens up about his poker career and as a poker shark:

You're known for being a poker enthusiast. How good are you?

Danny Masterson: I'm really f****ng good. I have no problem saying that.



What's the most you've won and lost?

Danny Masterson: I don't really lose that much. The most I've lost is a couple of grand and the most I've won is a lot more than that.



I assume you play with a bunch of actors. Is it tougher against them?

Danny Masterson: As actors we get paid to lie, and poker players get paid to lie, so that works pretty well. But I play a lot with professional poker players and that's a different ball game.



You see certain players that can just read you. Like, is your raise a bluff raise? They just know. Kathy Liebert has my number really bad.

Danny Masterson: As actors we get paid to lie, and poker players get paid to lie, so that works pretty well. But I play a lot with professional poker players and that's a different ball game. You see certain players that can just read you. Like, is your raise a bluff raise? They just know. Kathy Liebert has my number really bad.



About Danny Mastersons: Danny Masterson started his career in show business as a child model when he was 4, and went on to start making commercials after that, but he was so popular in these commercials that he had to drop out of school so he could take all the acting jobs he was offered! He started appearing on shows like "Roseanne" and "Cybill" and "NYPD Blue," before moving into movies like "Face/Off" and "the Faculty."



He also appeared in other shows while being an active cast member of "That '70s Show," including "Robot Chicken," "Punk'd," "Entourage," "MADtv," "How to Make a Monster," "Grounded for Life," and "Strange Frequency."

Together with his brother Chris and Laura Prepon has invested in Card Player Magazine. And a member of the Unabombers poker team seen on GSN Poker Royale series.

Photo courtesy of: http://cm1.theinsider.com | http://www.exposay.com | http://images.google.com

Sources: http://www.complex.com | http://www.pokerroom777.com | http://www.launchpoker.com

Celebrity Poker Player: Lacey Jones

Lacey Jones is a multi-talented actress, model, commentator and a great poker player! Not according to the hordes of poker enthusiasts who follow her every move. To them, she is the poker goddess.

Lacey Jones started playing poker as a kid while on family vacations to South Carolina. The whole family, otherwise known as The Jones Clan, would spend evenings at their beach house playing poker games all night long.




She first made it into the mainstream poker while playing in a tournament on ESPN, originally been hired as a model for the tournament, but due to her play she was contacted by Absolute Poker to represent them in many events.



When she is not at the poker tables, Lacey spends a lot of her time modeling or doing film work.

Outside of poker, Jones has also appeared on hits like HBO’s “Entourage,” “Las Vegas,” and Fox’s “The O.C.”




Lacey Jones has been in the poker limelight before, but this is the first time she is getting attention because of a room sponsorship.



Online poker rooms sponsor high profile poker players as a way of marketing their brand, and that is just the case with Absolute Poker, which recently signed up the poker player as a sponsored pro.

Lacey Jones will be representing the online poker room at live events and online, wearing their gear at big TV events like the World Series of Poker, and generally serving as an advocate for Absolute Poker.

LACEY JONES TALKS ABOUT POKER

In Poker News Daily, Lacey Jones talks about her signing up with Absolute Poker as well as a poker player:

PND: Do you play online poker now?

Lacey Jones : I was living in Los Angeles and modeling. I was playing in a lot of home games with directors and producers, which was good networking. I was doing it for fun and my agent called to say that she had an opportunity for me. It was to play in an ESPN Mike and Mike in the Morning charity event for cystic fibrosis, which my uncle died from. I did well in the tournament and a week later, Absolute Poker called my agent and wanted to book me. I met with Mark Serif in Las Vegas and he asked me if I would go pro if they gave me the right tools.


PND: You were voted the Hottest Girl in Poker by Wicked Chops in 2008. Is that flattering or disturbing?

Lacey Jones: It’s totally flattering and it’s cool that they said I won by a landslide. I’m so honored to have great fans and friends. When I first started, it was a weird reception. Then, people started seeing how I play. It’s been a long uphill battle.




PND: Do men still treat women differently at the poker tables?

Lacey Jones: It’s starting to change, but you still get guys who don’t want to lose a pot to a girl. They will make hero calls or do things they wouldn’t normally do. Other guys will say things like, “Honey, you missed a bet on the turn.” If I know someone will pay me off or raise me, I’ll bait them.



PND: To what degree has reporting on poker improved your own game?

Lacey Jones: The best thing about being a reporter is that I’m also asking questions that I want to know the answers to. I am a student because I’m watching from the sidelines. I’m doing my own research to figure out how a person won, what their style is, and how it suits them. Then, I make that part of my game. A lot of people just want to copy one style and that’s not the right way to go.

Lacey Jones has a taste for enjoying life to the fullest. And she was recently nicknamed "The Poker Barbie”.

Photo courtesy of http://www.bluffmagazine.com | http://www.totalgambler.com | http://images.google.com



Interview courtesy of: http://www.pokernewsdaily.com

Celebrity Poker Player: Sara Rue

Some stars leave TV for the notable movie scenes, and leave the big screen for the poker table or turned back to regularity of TV after having been in the movie mill for a while. But so far, Sara Rue has kept dealing in each world.





In 2005, Sara Rue took part as Hollywood Poker celebrated its one year anniversary, the event appealed to numerous celebrities including Vince Van Patten, Rebecca Romijn Stamos, Allison Janney, Deborah Gibson, Dennis Quaid, Dick Van Pattern, Maxwell Caulfield, Paige Peterson,Paris Lastis, Patricia Rae, Rex Smith, Rodney Carrington, Roger Cross, Ronny Cox, Rosalie Ward, Samm Levine, Sarah Kozer, Scott Baio, Shannon Elizabeth, Steve Valentine, Susan Blakely, Willie Garson, Tom McGowan, Michael DeLorenzo, Pamela Gidley, Jimmy Van Pattern, Anthony Anderson, Ashley Peldon, Bai Ling, Becky Boger, Chris Jones, Christi Shake, Darcy Donovan, Ian Gomez, Janel Maloney, Jeffrey Ross, Jessalyn Gilsig,Joe Santos, Jon Henson, Josh Malina, Joyce Van Patten, Katie Lohmann, Keira Chaplin, Kelly Hu, Kirsten Storms, Thea Andrews, Tiffany Holliday, and Tracey Scoggins.



The poker tournament boosted nearly $50,000 for charity through online tournaments and a silent auction. A $290,000 bid was placed a 2005 Porsche Carerra GT, donated by Porsche North American Troy Hanson.


Sara Rue was doing really well when he was on Celebrity Poker Showdown. Playing against Sean Astin, Lauren Graham and Matthew Perry. However, before finally being toppled in a heads-up match with Lauren Graham when he unwisely bluffs all-in with an unsuited 7-2.


Sara Rue participated at the 6th Annual World Poker Tour Invitational held at the Commerce Casino in Commerce, California. Moreover, last July 2 opened Ante Up For Africa poker tournament that held as part of the 2009 World Series Of Poker.


Sara Rue participated the event with other co-stars Danny Masterson, Ben Affleck,Jason Kidd, Mekhi Phifer, Shawn Marion, Cedric The Entertainer, Cheryl Hines, Tia Carrere and Rob Schneider.


The event will become part of ESPN’s coverage of the 2009 World Series Of Poker, joining the $40,000 buy-in tournament celebrating the Series’ 40th running, the Champions Invitational, and the Main Event. Viewers can catch up into ESPN on Tuesday, August 11th to catch all of the action from the Ante Up for Africa fundraiser.


About Sara Rue: Sara Rue began her own acting career at the age of 9, performing in the film Rocket Gibraltar. Her second acting endeavor was an appearance on the television comedy Grand with celebrity poker player Cheryl Hines. She won critical acclaim for her television series debut, starring in the comedy Grand, before going on to work on The Division and Popular. She also had a regular television appearances on many shows including, Phenom, Minor Adjustments, Zoe, Duncan, Jack & Jane and Popular.


Also, she made an appearnce as a guest on television shows such as ER and Will & Grace.


She has appeared in several films like A Map of the World, Can't Hardly Wait, A Slipping Down Life, Gypsy 83 and had a bit part as a babysitter in Gore Verbinski's adaptation of The Ring, and so amazed director Michael Bay that a role was written into the Pearl Harbor movie for her.

Celebrity Poker Payer: Laura Prepon

It seems that the gambling habit can affect anybody! Celebrity poker players have been spotted all over Las Vegas in the run up to this years WSOP – some happier to be spotted betting on the turn of a card than others! But, who are the A-List celebrities that possess more than a passing interest in gambling?

Former star of the sitcom “That 70’s Show” and totally obsessed with poker. Laura Prepon is the host of “Hollywood Hold’em” on the E! Network. She is also a frequent player at big Hollywood home games and the Bicycle casino in LA.


Prepon's enthusiasm for poker led to her role as an executive producer of E! Hollywood Hold'em. She also hosted the program's first game.

Laura Prepon participate in the first Annual Head to Hollywood Celebrity Charity Poker Tournament and Auction at The Joint inside the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino June 3, 2006 in Las Vegas, Nevada.



The charity, founded by actress Carmen Electra and Us Weekly editor Ken Baker, provides brain tumor survivors and their families a VIP celebrity experience in Hollywood, California.

LAURA PREPON TALKS ABOUT POKER

Poker Night?

Well, I created the show. It's awesome. Basically, I play a ton of poker. We have a home game at my house almost every night. I watch a ton of poker. I watched Celebrity Showdown. I watched World Poker Tour, and those shows are rad. I love them. But I always wished they would show what really happens in a home game – the trash talking, the fighting and the laughing and everything that goes on.



I always wished I could see that, so I created it myself and here we are. So we go into a celebrity's house with him and his friends and they play for $10,000.

Winner takes all. It's not for charity. It's good because you get to see the regular Joe, so to speak. Most celebs don't need the money as much as their friends do. I have friends who come to my house and gamble their tip money to make their rent. One of them slept at my house for about two weeks. But, you know, whatever. It's all in good fun.





Who else is playing?

There's a bunch of people. I'm hosting a game. Macaulay Culkin, Mila Kunis and Seth Green are doing a game. We have Andy Dick hosting a game with Sara Rue. I want to get really cool, fun people because it's not just sitting around a table hibernating like bears and not talking. It's actually an amazing game. It's super fun and I just want to show that.



Do you beat all of them at poker?

Well, they named me the Red Dragon, so I guess that says something. You know, you can't name yourself in poker; your name has to evolve. I can definitely hold my own against them. I have taken their money many times.

So why are you the Red Dragon?

They say it's because I'm scary at the table. But it's only because I can hold my own and I can play.



Her interest in producing extends to her interest in poker. This female celebrity poker player also became an executive producer of the television game show "E! Hollywood Hold'em." And because this female celebrity poker player wanted more participation in the show, she was also given the chance to host the first game it has ever featured.


Prior to such involvement in the poker world, this female celebrity poker player has already been visiting casinos quite often. She is also a regular at the Bicycle Casino with Chris Masterson. Moreover, this female celebrity poker player has experienced playing at the World Series Of Poker in 2004.

Photo courtesy of http://www.celebritywonder.com | http://www.maxim.com

Interview courtesy of http://www.people.com | http://www.womenshealthmag.com