The Most Famous Musicians Who Play Poker

06/11/2017

Given the often high stakes in poker games, it's no surprise that it attracts the thrill-seekers among us – who can resist the rush of revealing that winning hand, or staying as cool as you can as the tensions rise? This is even more true when you're playing at an international event like the World Series of Poker Championships. Poker is a game that often goes hand in hand with late nights, stiff drinks, camaraderie and rock’n’roll – and there are plenty of famous musicians (and not so famous ones, too) who've shuffled a few decks in their time. The fact you can play a few hands anywhere is ideal for musicians, whether they're killing time on the road, or winding down after a gig. Here are a few names you might recognise who’ve been known to go all-in:

Steve Albini

Although probably best known as a recording engineer, American Steve Albini is also a guitarist. He started his career playing for a number of rock and experimental bands, and still performs with Shellac. A major influence on the post and alternative rock scene, he is said to have engineered more than 1,000 albums. Some of the bands and artists he has worked with include PJ Harvey, Robert Plant, Mogwai, Nirvana, and the Pixies. The 55-year-old has been an avid poker player for many years, and ranked 12th in the 2013 World Series of Poker Seniors Championship. He's participated in the Championship three other times, too, playing no limit hold 'em and seven card stud.

Scott Ian

New York-born Scott Ian, 53, is one of the founding members of thrash metal band Anthrax. Along with other bands of their time like Metallica and Slayer, they essentially created the genre. He’s become known for his fast, alternate picking guitar style, which led to guitar makers Jackson and Washburn releasing signature models in his name. He's also a huge hip hop fan, having collaborated with Public Enemy and Chuck D, and is one of the most well-known celebrity poker fans, having played for fun since childhood. He started playing seriously after winning a charity poker match for VH-1 in 2006. This opened the door to the poker world, and he went on to take part in the Aruba Poker Classic. He also played in the 2008 and 2009 World Series of Poker Championships.

Nelly

Rap star Nelly shot to fame with his solo album Country Grammar in 2000, which went on to sell more than eight million copies in the US alone. He used his success to found a number of ventures, including a non-profit organisation and energy drink. The St Louis, Missouri-born star also appeared on a number of TV shows, including CSI: New York. His passion for poker is also public knowledge. Nelly, 42, has competed in a number of tournaments, including the 2007 World Series of Poker, PokerStars Caribbean Adventure, and the PokerStars European Tour. His poker travels have even taken him to Monte Carlo. He's known for being a cool customer on the felt.

Glenn Frey

A founding member of the legendary American rock band The Eagles, Glenn Frey was also responsible for writing many of the band's biggest hits. Tequila Sunrise, Already Gone, and How Long are just some of the titles he penned and sang with Don Henley. Frey, who died in 2016, had a real love for poker. And the band used to play games so frequently during touring, he came up with his own name for their often hours long sessions: 'Eagle Poker'. He played frequently in a house he lived in LA, which came to be referred to by his friends as the Kirkwood Casino and Health Club, and was often packed with other musicians and songwriters, such as Joni Mitchell.

Joni Mitchell

Canadian singer songwriter Joni Mitchell, 73, is next on the list. She shot to stardom after humble beginnings busking in Toronto. A true trailblazer, Mitchell self-produced, wrote and performed all her work. She even designed her own album covers, and has described herself as a painter first, a musician second. Joni was a regular at Glenn Frey's Kirkwood Casino in the mid 1970s, heading over every Monday evening to play cards after watching the football games. Poker matches often went on until the early hours. Her love for the game is hinted at in the lyrics for the song Taming the Tiger, where she mentions: 'Every disc, a poker chip.'

If celebrities playing poker is your thing, be sure to check out our list of the top athletes who love to gamble!