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This was the decade when everybody started to play poker. Many celebrities were attracted by the game and went to Vegas to take down some money and possibly to boost their careers. The majority of these celeb players are not particularly skilled, but here are nine who actually can play the game.

9. Jason Alexander

Georgie Boy has played poker for quite some time but is still waiting for that big money finish. In this year’s World Series of Pokerit looked like it was going to happen. For part of the event, Alexander was among the chip leaders, but the poker gods laughed Alexander right in the face when his opponent hit that miracle six on the river. Next year, Alexander just might climb to the first place of this list – he has shown that he really can play poker.

8. Scott Ian

He has not won the most money among these celebrity players, not by a long shot, and I strongly doubt that he earns a place on the list when just comparing poker skills. Having said that, Scott Ian is a member of Anthrax, one of the Big 4 thrash bands, and since Tom Araya or Kirk Hammet doesn’t play the game, Ian must be here to provide the list with some metal class.

7. Lou Diamond Phillips

While some celebrities make a big spectacle of being a part of the poker community, Lou Diamond Phillips has a more laid back approach to the game. He is a recognized face at Las Vegas casinos and L.A. card rooms where he has grinded it out for years. In the 2009 WSOP, Phillips played a great game but was unfortunately knocked out in 186th place holding a pair of kings.

6. Michael Phelps

He’s the best swimmer in the world, he eats 12,000 calories per day, and he doesn’t mind smoking a doobie once in a while. On top of this, Phelps loves to play poker and is, according to himself, quite successful online. To me he sounds like a true poker junkie and deserves a place on this list.

5. Tobey Maguire

The characters Tobey Maguire portrays on the silver screen are often quiet, sensitive types.  At the poker table, however, he’s is somewhat of a shark (at least by celeb poker standards). In total Maguire has won $218,000 in tournaments and he regularly hosts a semi high stakes game at his Hollywood Hills home.

4. Michael Greco

If you say: “Michael Greco, who the hell is that?” I bet you don’t live in Great Britain. He is best known for his role as Beppe di Marco in the forever running soap opera EastEnders and he also joined the celebrity B-list people in the reality show Celebrity Love Island. In poker he has been very successful and has won close to a $1 million in tournaments.

3. Shannon Elizabeth

Although being a true Texas girl, Shannon Elizabeth is one of the few celebrity players who can handle more games than Hold’em. She has money finishes in Hold’em, Seven-Card Stud and Omaha Hi/Lo under her belt. Elizabeth’s biggest accomplishment is the third-place finish in 2007 NBC National Heads-Up Championship where Paul Wasicka sucked out on her on numerous occasions and Barry Greenstein gave her a kiss (see video).

2. Jennifer Tilly

Jennifer Tilly has one World Series of Poker bracelet, one victory in WPT Ladies Night No Limit Hold’em, and a little over $500,000 in tournament winnings. Together with her boyfriend Phil Laak they make up one of the best poker couples around. Unfortunately, among poker players Tilly is most famous for her boat check against Patrick Antonius (watch the clip here:  the 16 sickest hands of the decade)

1. Gabe Kaplan

Gabe Kaplan is the undisputed heavyweight champion of celebrity poker players. It’s even a bit degrading to put him on such a list. With over $1.5 million in tournament winnings, and being the only TV commentator that actually can analyze the game, Gabe Kaplan is the #1 celebrity player.  To be honest, second place should probably start at #54 or something.