We like to believe that celebrities are just like us, and in many ways, they are. Like us, they enjoy a good casino game’s thrill, risk, and excitement. Many celebrities have made headlines over their wild gambling escapades, with some going as far as winning notable tournaments. In this guide, we look at five games celebrities love and why.
Poker
Over 100 million people plan online poker, so it’s natural that many celebrities do too. This widely popular game is available at virtually all physical casinos and most online casino sites with a wide selection of games. People love poker because it requires skill, strategy, and luck. The most notable names of the famous people who play it include friends and actors Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, record-breaking Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps, and former NBA star Allen Iverson.
Former American Pie star Shannon Elizabeth also enjoys a good poker game and frequently attends the World Series of Poker competitions. 90s actress Jennifer Tilly, who started playing poker as a child with her dad, is so good that she has won a WSOP bracelet.
Blackjack
Next to poker, blackjack is one of the most popular casino games in the world. Several professional athletes, musicians, and actors have played the game over the years, with some even winning large payouts. Ben Affleck again makes an appearance on this list. Affleck is so good at blackjack that he has been kicked out and banned from casinos. This is primarily due to his card-counting habit, which casinos frown upon, but still, he’s good enough to have won $800,000 once in one sitting.
Celebrities who enjoy blackjack include NBA legend Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley, Paris Hilton, 50 Cent, Matt Damon, Jay Z, and our girl Jennifer Tilly.
Craps
Craps is another popular game with celebrities. Famous people who’ve been known to shoot dice every once in a while include Toby Keith, 2Chainz, Flavor Flav, US Senator John McCain, Drew Carrey, Allen Iverson, Impractical Joker’s Joe Gatto, and Michael Jordan. Young Thug once lost $800,000 in a craps game.
Baccarat
While not as popular as blackjack or poker, baccarat is still a famous game with celebrities. You may have seen it (or read about it) in the original James Bond movie. Ian Fleming, author of the James Bond novels, was reportedly a massive fan of the game. Gladys Knight, Phil Ivey, Kerry Packer, and John Wayne Gates are well-known baccarat patrons.
Roulette
The roulette table is the most famous motif in casino movies and scenes. That green-felt wheel with red and black sections is almost as popular as the game. If you’re ever in front of one, you might look around to see DJ Tiesto, Tiger Woods, or musician and heartthrob Harry Style.
You Can Play These Games Too
The internet has democratized gambling. Thanks to online casinos like Betway, you, too, can play poker, blackjack, craps, baccarat, roulette, and all the other games your favorite celebrities enjoy. Create an account, set a budget, pick a game, and test your skills against the most famous names in the business.
