Ben Affleck is often considered one of Hollywood’s most serious poker players. He has competed in World Poker Tour competitions both in Las Vegas and around the world, with a few notable wins. What sets Affleck apart from most actors who play the game is that Affleck doesn’t just play in the celebrity tournaments, he plays in the championship tournaments as well. In other words, he is a real poker player—he doesn’t just play one on TV.

The Academy Award-winning actor received most notable fame for his screenwriting role in the film Good Will Hunting. He has since starred in large-budget films and has grown to become one of the highest paid actors in Hollywood, as well as a media favorite when it comes to his personal life. After getting national acclaim for his work with childhood friend and co-star Matt Damon on Good Will Hunting, Affleck went on to appear in films such as Armageddon, Forces of Nature, and Pearl Harbor. After his success with action flicks, many critics questioned whether or not he could star in any other genre. Affleck received much negative attention after appearing in the box-office flop, Gigli which starred Affleck and ex-girlfriend Jennifer Lopez. However, their relationship got much better publicity than the poorly rated movie. Known as “Bennifer” the Hollywood power couple was swarmed by paparazzi until their break up in 2004.

In response to this, Affleck was quoted as saying:

“Yeah that’s kind of the modern form of typecasting, you don’t get typecast as a certain character you get typecast as yourself…they couldn’t see past the Superman character. Nowadays the danger is that people don’t see past what they read in the tabloids and that can be as damaging if not more so than the other type of typecasting. I certainly can tell you from experience it’s bad. It’s bad psychologically, bad for your career” (According to an interview with www.femail.com).

Soon after the break-up Affleck started dating Alias star Jennifer Garner. The couple was married and had a baby in 2005.

Affleck is an avid poker player and he has often said in interviews that the reason why he and Jennifer Garner maintain a good relationship is because of the fact that she lets him leave for competitions and completely supports his poker playing. Affleck has been mentored by professionals, such as Anne Duke and Amir Vahedi. In 2004, Affleck won the California State Poker Championship. He won a total of $356,000. He also played in the 2004 World Poker Tour final tournament.

“I am as proud of winning that tournament as anything I've ever done,' said Affleck. Though he says that he felt bitterness from some players who have devoted years to the game, Ben scoffed, 'I'm used to it. There was certainly a ton of pissed off lifetime writers when Matt and I wrote Good Will Hunting, so that's something I don't worry too much about” (According to www.lasplash.com).

Affleck and best friend, Matt Damon have been spotted playing poker in the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino on a regular basis. Last July Affleck decided to give back by playing in the charity Ante up for Africa poker tournament. Affleck has also been spotted at the Palms Casino Resort and Body English at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. When traveling to Las Vegas, don’t forget to keep an eye out for Affleck at the card tables, he can often be seen playing for fun in between tournaments and he is fast becoming a regular face in the Las Vegas scene.