Hollywood Hits Up Vegas

Published: Saturday, July 02, 2005 Online-Casinos.com

HOLLYWOOD HITS UP VEGAS

Movie star is a poker champion

Movie star Jennifer Tilly (46) won poker fame too, following her victory in the World Series of Poker Ladies No-Limit Texas Hold 'Em event at the Rio in Vegas this week. It was the first time that a Hollywood celebrity has achieved a winner's bracelet in the globally famous tournament.

Tilly's skillful play earned her $158,625 as she beat 600 players to capture first place in the gruelling two-day event that featured some of the top female professional poker players in the world. The buy-in was $1,000.

"I think she showed an incredible amount of talent," WSOP media director Nolan Dalla said. "She had an enormous chip lead and never looked back."

Tilly said she's learned plenty of pointers from her boyfriend, poker player Phil "Unabomber" Laak.

An Oscar nominee for her role in the 1994 film, "Bullets Over Broadway," Tilly is the first woman in this year's WSOP to win a bracelet.