Top 5 Celebrity Picks to Cash in Main Event

Every year, a handful of world-famous celebrities pony up the $10k to take a seat in the World Series of Poker Main Event.

As of yet, the results have been as expected. For the most part, squadoosh.

No celebs have ever really made a deep run in the Main Event (save Telly Savalas back in 1992) and most have packed up their belongings and left very early in the proceedings.

With the pool of celebrity players growing each year, though, it's likely only a matter of time before that changes.

So in honor of the Ante Up For Africa Celeb event today at the Rio, here's my list of the most likely celebrities to make it in to the money this year:

5. Jason Alexander

Alexander seems to be a staple at the WSOP Main Events and Ante Up for Africa charity tournaments.

Although he hasn't had much success on the felt, despite his PokerStars pedigree, I feel this might end up being the summer of George.

Most notable poker finish: 2007 Ante Up for Africa (10th) $12,174.

4. Norm MacDonald

Turd Ferguson.

Not only is Norm MacDonald one of the funniest human beings alive, he also is a semi-regular degen poker player.

MacDonald at a poker table has become somewhat of a common sight during WSOP months, and all that experience has to amount to something.

Most notable poker finish: 2006 $1,000 NLE Weekly Bellagio tournament (3rd) $20,915.

3. Michael Phelps

When Phil Hellmuth tells the world that you're a "very good young player," and offers to introduce you around the poker community, you can feel pretty confident that you're somewhat legit.

Michael Phelps.

Phelps, Olympic medal record holder, also knows what it takes to be the best. If he's capable of using his intense focus, determination and competitiveness at the felt, he should have no problem out-swimming the rest of the fish.

The best news of all: there's no such thing as a drug test to compete in the WSOP.

Most notable poker finish: $1,500 buy-in Event 2 at 2008 Ceasars Palace Classic (9th) $5,000.

2. Ben Affleck

When Ben Affleck started getting into poker, he had some of the world's most respected poker professionals tutor him on his game.

Unlike many poker amateurs, Affleck has never had a problem being aggressive at the tables. This, along with his multi-million-dollar net worth, helps him compete with the best at the felt.

Plus he was the bomb in Phantoms.

Most notable poker finish: 2004 California State Poker Championships (1st) $356,400.

1. Tobey Maguire

All bets on Maguire.

Even though he doesn't like to talk about it, Tobey Maguire is a regular poker player with the best tournament record of any other non-professional celebrity.

Not only has he cashed in a dozen tournaments, Maguire has made the money in a previous WSOP Main Event, coming in 292nd in 2007.

If you can only pick one celebrity to make it deep in the WSOP Main Event (assuming he does play), Maguire is a solid pick.

Most notable poker finish: 2004 $2,000 Phil Hellmuth Invitational (1st) $95,480.

If you don't like the odds of someone on this list making a splash in the Amazon room, you can almost count on Montel Williams, Hank Azaria, Brad Garrett, James Woods and Ray Romano all to make an appearance.

Keep your hopes low for the Everybody Loves Raymond duo though. They kinda suck.

For more from the Ante Up For Africa event, check the WSOP section.