Poker, is all about timing and reading people - two arenas where comedians excel. The poker experience can be hilarious at times, especially with the right treatment delivered by comedian poker players. This may be one of the reasons why there are comedians who play at the poker table like it's second nature. It's the perfect arena for a bit of levity.
Poker has become a popular game among celebrities. Some prefer gaming websites like partycasino.com, while others prefer playing it live. Some professional comedians play poker and win millions of dollars - and not just on sheer luck. A humorous approach in concealing and drawing out bluffs helps get a read on their opponents - partially by measuring responses to jokes. Comedians like Gabe Kaplan, Rob Schneider, and Kevin Pollak are just some of the comedians who play poker professionally. And while it takes years of practice and skill to be called a master (and even then, winning is not a guarantee), the process can be a great deal of fun.
Gabe Kaplan became involved in playing poker in the midst of his starring role on Welcome Back Kotter; his first appearance at the WSOP was in 1978. Two years later, Kaplan was considered as one of poker's elite when he won the main poker event at Amarillo Slim's Super Bowl of Poker. In the next five years, Kaplan's reputation in the world of poker was solidified as he made it to the final table at the Super Bowl's main event two more times. In the World Poker Tour no-limit Texas Hold'em event held last July 2004, he finished third and earned more than $250,000. His latest big win was last 2010 at the Poker After Dark tournament.
Some comedians, like Rob Schneider, play for charity. Schneider appeared at the Rio All Suite Hotels and Casino in Las Vegas where he competed with other celebrities and professional poker players. The event was for a notable cause: Ante Up For Africa - A 3rd Annual Celebrity Charity Poker Tournament. The proceeds of the tournament were donated to charities that help survivors of the Darfur, Sudan crisis.
For Kevin Pollak, playing poker gives him a surreal experience. "Poker mirrors life. Your time runs out - and this can happen during any hand, whether you're in the top 500 or in the final nine," Pollak said during an interview. Being a long time poker player, he does not rely on luck alone. Pollack never sits still at a poker table - possibly a metaphor for how he's continuously moving through film.