Poker Funnyman: Jack Black

The last time most of saw Jack Black, he was introducing a big Gorilla who would eventually run amok through the streets of New York. No, we are not talking about "Larry the Cable Guys" last vacation to the Big Apple. Jack recently starred in the Blockbuster remake of the 1933 film, "King Kong".

Kong was Jacks first headlining role in a film that had high expectations and a budget that was equal to the GNP of some of the more prosperous Banana Republics. Before that, he spent most of his career playing the comedic second fiddle in a number of well-received films that didn't have nearly the hype or financial resources that were put into Kong. Besides his obvious talent for snappy comebacks and impeccable timing, it seems Jack also has a way with the game of poker.

Like many of his celebrity brethren, we started seeing Jack display his talent with a hand of cards when television cameras started being installed in places where celebrities play Texas Hold'em. Jack was able to take his game out of the casino and bring in television for all to see.

Jack Black appeared on the World Poker Tour's "Hollywood Home Game". He sat at the table with Drew Casey, Steve Harris, Mimi Rogers, Fred Savage, and Aisha Tyler and competed for the $10,000 first prize. Jack came in last place in this game, but considering the fact it was all for fun and charity, everyone was a winner.

Jack's appearance on the World Poker Tour was commercial success and fans of the game found him highly entertaining despite his last place finish. We look for more appearances by Mr. Black at any poker table that comes equipped with its own television camera.

About Jack Black: Jack Black's acting career began primarily with prime time TV. He played roles on several hit shows; such as The Golden Palace (Taxi Driver), Life Goes On (skinhead), and Northern Exposure (Kevin Wilkins, prom king). Black later took on small roles in The Cable Guy, Bob Roberts, Mars Attacks!, Waterworld, The Jackal, Bye Bye Love, Dead Man Walking, Enemy of the State, and I Still Know What You Did Last Summer before a breakthrough role as Barry, the pretentious co-worker to John Cusack's record store owner in High Fidelity.

His career soon led to leading roles in films such as Shallow Hal, Orange County, School of Rock, and King Kong. Black starred in two films in 2006: Nacho Libre, where he plays a Mexican friar following his childhood dream of wrestling and pursuing true victory by fighting for the children of an orphanage, and "Tenacious D in: The Pick of Destiny", a fictionalized account of the band's formation and their quest to obtain a "suprenatural" guitar pick. "Nacho Libre opened on June 16, 2006; "Tenacious D: The Pick of Destiny" was released November 22, 2006.

Jack Black is the lead singer for the rock comedy band Tenacious D, which perhaps owes much of their popularity to Black's unorthodox, humorous lyrics.

Source: launchpoker

Celebrity Poker Player: Adam Sandler

Big name celebrities are also playing! Not only are they playing, but they're responsible for spearheading the revitalization of poker, by coming up to big time charity-poker tournaments and wearing logo laden gear from big name online poker sites. The Hollywood's glamour has mutated poker from nook hobby to a world-wide obsession.




Some celebrity poker players are better than others, of course, but everyone loves watching their favorite TV star or movie actor laying down a low pair with hilarity and certainty, only to bust.

With the advent of celebrity poker tournaments, now we can watch and play with a bunch of stars get together and fumble their way through a poker game on a tournaments.

Like these featured celebrity poker player gifted with remarkable versatility, especially a natural flair in comedy which he presents in his own unique way to draw people's big laughs while also warm their hearts.

Adam Sandler, from a comedian, actor, musician, screenwriter, film producer and a poker player! After becoming a Saturday Night Live cast member, he went on to star in several Hollywood feature films that grossed over $100 million US dollar at the box office.

Adam Sandler showed up and hit the poker tables when he joined in 2007 World Poker Tournament to benefit the overwhelming social, economic and humanitarian crises in Darfur, Sudan Africa together with Ben Afleck, Matt Damon, Don Cheadle and other A-list celebrities and poker pros.

In 2008, Adam Sandler showed up in the 2nd Annual Ante Up For Africa Celebrity Charity-Poker Tournament hosted by Don Cheadle and Annie Duke took place on Wednesday, July 2nd at the 2008 World Series of Poker held at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.

Celebrities like Ben Affleck, Jason Alexander, Hank Azaria, Charles Barkley, Don Cheadle, Matt Damon, Shannon Elizabeth, Brad Garrett, Willie Garson, Cheryl Hines, Kevin James, Mekhi Phifer, Ray Romano, Kevin Smith, Martin Sheen, Donnie Wahlberg, Montel Williams with other poker pros like Andy Bloch, Doyle Brunson, Miami John Cernuto, Annie Duke, Antonio Esfandiari, Chris Ferguson, Ted Forrest, Rafe Furst, Jamie Gold, Phil Gordon, Clonie Gowen, Barry Greenstein, Joe Hachem, Russ Hamilton, Jennifer Harman, Phil Hellmuth, Phil Ivey, Howard Lederer, Mike Matusow, Daniel Negreanu, Kevin O’Donnel, David Singer, Katja Thater, Robert Williamson III, Paul Wolfe, Steve Zolotow. played with him.

Last March 2009, Sandler also took part in the PokerStars' European Poker Tour (EPT) Grand Final week with the first ever Ante Up For Africa Europe Celebrity Charity Poker Tournament, where he played with Ben Affleck, Montel Williams, Matt Damon, Don Cheadle, Jason Alexander, Charles Barkley, Ray Romano, Shannon Elizabeth and top professional poker players such as Team PokerStars Pros Joe Hachem, Daniel Negreanu and Barry Greenstein and to date Ante Up For Africa has raised closed $2 million for the cause.

A lot of these celebrity poker players aren't very good - most of the time it's their first game. Sometimes they'll surprise you though!