Which Celebrity Has Won the Most at Poker?
Poker attracts many different people, and its appeal transcends cultural barriers. For that reason, we should not be surprised to learn that some celebrities are fans of the game. It makes sense that the rich and famous would embrace poker – after all, they can afford the high-stakes games. Playing for real money is less of a worry when money is no object.
Of course, you do not have to be a wealthy celebrity to enjoy poker. It is just a matter of finding the best online casinos to play at, learning the game and its strategies, and setting a budget. Picturing the top stars at the poker table is fun though – and some of them are very good at it. Keep reading to find out which celebrities have won the most money.
Ben Affleck
Ben Affleck is one of the biggest stars in Hollywood, but he is also a very talented and successful poker player. His exploits at the tables have included actual tournament victories. Affleck won the California State Poker Championship back in 2004, which netted him a cool $356,400. He has chosen to compete at the World Series of Poker too, which pitted him against the very finest players from around the world.
He has credited those experiences with improving his game; stating that professionals Amir Vahedi and Annie Duke taught him valuable lessons. Affleck has since taken what he learned and applied it, with triumphant results. His love of poker is so great that he even organised a competition of his own. This was celebrity-only and it was designed to raise money for Feeding America.
Among those who took part were fellow actors Adam Devine and Tobey Maguire, as well as NFL star Tom Brady. It brought in $1,750,000 for the charity.
Jennifer Tilly
Jennifer Tilly is more famous for her gambling than her acting these days, but that was not always the case. Back in the day, she was nominated for an Oscar on two separate occasions. There is no question that she is a skilled poker player though, as her earnings at the table attest. Tilly has won a total of $1,048,903 from live poker tournament play.
It could be argued that this record is enough to qualify her as an elite player, but it is not the only evidence of her skill. She is also the holder of a coveted World Series of Poker bracelet.
Tilly won that prize twenty years ago, along with cash winnings of $158,000. The event in question was the Ladies No-Limit Texas Hold’em one and she was it’s first-ever celebrity winner.
Since those days, she has gone on to compete in numerous other top-level poker tournaments. In 2025, she is a familiar face at the tables and in live televised contests, such as the National Heads-Up Poker Championship and Celebrity Poker Showdown. Tilly has never revealed what sparked her love of the game, but she is certainly a true fan.
Teddy Sheringham
Sheringham is a figure that all football fans will be aware of, as he had a glorious career in the game. The high point came in 1999, when he was a member of the Manchester United side that won the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League. He played a key role in the last of those, scoring one goal and assisting the other in the final. Now he is a poker player and one of the best celebrity players.
He has won a total of $329,477 from playing in tournaments and has distinguished himself in several of them. Sheringham has cashed out in twenty tournaments, including the World Series of Poker Main Event. On that occasion, he walked away with $28,530. His most impressive cash tournament win was in 2010, at the EPT Vilamoura. Competing in its Main Event, he won $118,347 with a fifth-place finish.
Shannon Elizabeth
The model and actress Shannon Elizabeth rose to fame in the late 1990s, thanks to roles in hit movies like American Pie. She has faded from the acting spotlight since then but has forged a new career as a poker player. She achieved an impressive second-place finish at the $5,000 Ante Up For Africa tournament, which was a charity event in 2010. It was also part of the World Series of Poker though.
When it comes to her biggest win, we have to look to the $25,000 No Limit Hold’em NBC National Heads-Up Championship. That took place three years earlier and Elizabeth won $125,000.
She also beat many top-class players along the way, including Barry Greenstein and Rene Angelil, before losing the semi-final on the last card. If you want to follow in the footsteps of these celebrities, there are always events where you can try your luck.
