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Ben Affleck’s Career in Gambling
Ben Affleck is a two times Oscar-winning filmmaker and actor who has 71 other winnings and 110 nominations. He is well known for his affection for card games, especially blackjack and Texas Hold’em poker. Affleck has been playing in cash poker tournaments for over a decade and has tried his luck several times in the World Series of Poker (WSOP). Read more if you wish to deep dive into his gambler’s career.
Card Counting
Ben Affleck was backed off for card counting at the Hard Rock Casino in Las Vegas in April 2014. He was simply asked not to play blackjack by casino staff. The reason – just because he got really good at it. He used a method of so-called advantage play that has been an industry obsession for over 50 years – card counting.
Counting cards is probably the best-known advantage technique in the casino—it’s certainly the well-known advantage gambling technique in blackjack. But how does it work? The reality is that it’s a lot easier to count cards than most people think. That’s because you don’t have to track exactly which cards have been played and which ones are still in the deck. You only have to track the approximate ratio of high cards to low cards.
History with Blackjack and Poker
Allegedly, the movie star has “a habit of going missing in Vegas for days at a time”. Before being booted out for counting cards at the Hard Rock Casino & Hotel, he made nearly $1 million in two trips, as reported by the New York Times. According to The Post, in 2000 The Oscar winner won about 125 000€ in a single sitting while playing with friend Matt Damon. A year later, he won over 710 000€ while playing three simultaneous hands at 17 785 euros each.
He hasn’t had the same luck with poker. Affleck ran into trouble when he hosted a regular Hollywood poker game for A-listers in a posh cigar bar in Beverly Hills. “Ben’s Game” was high stakes and drew celebrities such as Matt Damon, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Tobey Maguire to the Grand Havana Hotel.
The star had luck in 2004 when he won the California State Poker Championship. He took home 316 585€, which qualified him for the 2004 World Poker Tour final tournament. He has since competed several times but has never won any cash, despite top-notch training from poker superstars such as Iranian-born poker whiz, Amir Vahedi, and his personal coach, Annie Duke.
Does He Still Gamble?
After the divorce from actress Jennifer Garner and turning down a role in “Batman” due to drinking problems, he has been trying to get his life back on track. So far there is no information if he still gambles. His recent highlight in his acting career was starring in “The Way Back” (2020). He received praise for his performance as a recovering alcoholic – a topic that has felt “close to home” for him. Affleck relapsed during pre-production in 2018 and the movie was shot in the days after he left rehab. David Sims of The Atlantic praised the “subtlety”, “vulnerability” and “lumbering physicality” of his performance, describing it as “the rawest and most natural” work of his career.
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TCSJOHNHUXLEY Captivates at ICE Barcelona 2025 with a Showcase of Innovative Solutions
TCSJOHNHUXLEY, a global leader in live gaming products and solutions, was delighted with the successful outcome of its participation at the recent ICE Gaming Expo, held from January 20-22 at the Fira Gran Via in Barcelona. The company showcased a range of innovative products and technologies, captivating the attention of industry professionals and reaffirming its position as a leading force in the live gaming sector.
A key highlight of the event was the launch of the Supernova Progressive Jackpot System on the new Qorex 2 Electronic Gaming Terminals. This groundbreaking feature marks a significant advancement in the gaming industry, offering players the chance to win life-changing jackpots across both live and electronic tables. Qorex 2 itself, featuring enhanced multi-game functionality, customisable side bets, and a strong focus on player experience, proved a major draw, showcasing TCSJOHNHUXLEY’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge electronic gaming solutions.
Further enhancing the digital gaming experience, Roulette Xtra was introduced to the Qorex 2 platform, bringing the thrill of this popular live table game to the digital realm for the first time.
Demonstrating its commitment to innovation across its entire product portfolio, TCSJOHNHUXLEY unveiled Velocity, its latest automated Roulette wheel. Inspired by the success of its predecessor, Velocity sets a new industry standard for speed, enabling casinos to offer more games per hour, maximising table turnover and revenue. Powered by powerful brushless motors, it ensures continuous, reliable operation without the need for noisy air compressors. First showcased at G2E Las Vegas 2024, the Velocity Auto Wheel incorporates the user-friendly Wheelmate console, empowering casinos with effortless maintenance and peak performance.
TCSJOHNHUXLEY also showcased the next generation in chip handling technology with the introduction of Chipper Champ 3. Featuring an updated aesthetic and a space-saving design, the Chipper Champ 3 boasts a groundbreaking innovation with the ability to sort clay chips, a feature unmatched by any other chipper on the market. This revolutionary capability will significantly enhance efficiency and streamline casino operations. Intelligent chip recognition, intuitive software, and real-time performance data translate to faster processing, reduced errors, and enhanced productivity. The Chipper Champ 3 generated significant interest from attendees, demonstrating the strong demand for innovative solutions that enhance operational efficiency and player experience.
The new Blackjack Display captivated players with its real-time data and insights. Seamlessly integrated with TCSJOHNHUXLEY’s acclaimed Ora Luxe Winning Number Display, this innovative solution utilises advanced camera technology for automatic card recognition, eliminating the need for manual entry. By showcasing key game information, including dealer hand history, live dealer odds, and historical stats, this new dynamic Blackjack Display empowers both novice and experienced players to make more informed decisions and enhance their gameplay.
Furthermore, TCSJOHNHUXLEY showcased its unparalleled craftsmanship with a stunning display of custom Roulette Wheel Turrets, demonstrating the company’s ability to create truly unique and captivating gaming experiences.
“We are incredibly pleased with the response we received at ICE Barcelona,” says Tristan Sjöberg, TCSJOHNHUXLEY Executive Chairman. “The show provided a valuable platform to showcase our latest innovations and engage with industry leaders and the feedback we received on our new innovations was particularly encouraging. TCSJOHNHUXLEY looks forward to continuing to push the boundaries of gaming technology and delivering innovative solutions that enhance the player experience and drive success for our valued partners.”
The post TCSJOHNHUXLEY Captivates at ICE Barcelona 2025 with a Showcase of Innovative Solutions appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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ONE MONTH LEFT TO SUBMIT NOMINATIONS FOR SELECT CATEGORIES AT THE CASINO GURU AWARDS 2025
Time is running out! Casino Guru is reminding industry professionals and stakeholders that there is just one month left to submit nominations for select categories in the prestigious 3rd annual Casino Guru Awards 2025. As the deadline of February 28, 2025, approaches, we encourage all eligible participants to seize this final opportunity to be recognized for their contributions to the iGaming industry.
This year’s awards bring added prestige with the introduction of an exclusive live ceremony at the Hilton Hotel in St. Julian’s, Malta. As always, Casino Guru remains committed to honoring transparency, social responsibility, inovation and ethical leadership within the industry.
Categories with open nomination
Nominations remain open for a range of categories, including our two newest additions that emphasize public engagement and individual industry impact:
- Players’ Choice – This category gives players the power to vote for their favorite game provider from a handpicked shortlist, ensuring a winner truly selected by the public.
- iGaming Changemaker of the Year – Recognizing individuals who have demonstrated exceptional influence and leadership, driving positive change through innovative projects and initiatives.
The complete list of award categories includes:
- The Fairest Bonus Policy
- The Fairest General Terms & Conditions
- The Most Impactful Social Responsibility Initiative
- The Best Implementation of Responsible Gambling Tools
- The Most Transparent Casino
- The Most Effective Handling of Complaints
- The Most Ethical Approach to Marketing
- Players’ Choice
- iGaming Changemaker of the Year
- Voice of the People
A night of celebration in Malta
Following the nomination period, voting for the “Players’ Choice” and “Voice of the People” categories will open as shortlisted nominees move forward. The final awards ceremony on June 6, 2025, will be a night to remember, bringing together top industry professionals, esteemed judges, and media representatives at an invite-only gala at the Hilton Hotel, St. Julian’s, Malta. The evening will feature a three-course dinner, complimentary drinks, and a grand celebration at Level 22, a stylish wine lounge and club with stunning city views.
Submit your nomination today
With the deadline fast approaching, Casino Guru encourages all industry players to put forward their nominations before February 28, 2025. Don’t miss this opportunity to be recognized among the best in iGaming!
The post ONE MONTH LEFT TO SUBMIT NOMINATIONS FOR SELECT CATEGORIES AT THE CASINO GURU AWARDS 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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At Least $5M To Be Won In GGMasters 5th Anniversary Edition
GGPoker, the World’s Biggest Poker Room, today announces details of its upcoming GGMasters 5th Anniversary Edition, a $150 buy-in tournament running February 23 and boasting a guaranteed prize pool of $5M. The 5th Anniversary Edition is the highlight of an entire series celebrating the success of GGPoker’s signature freezeout events, with the festival running from February 9 through February 24.
In the five years since their introduction in 2020, the GGMasters freezeouts have become firm favorites of the GGPoker community; daily and weekly events with buy-ins starting from $25 and each featuring a juicy prize guarantee. Headlined by the weekly $150 GGMasters tournament, players appreciate the simplicity involved – each participant has one shot at winning the event and knows that once all their chips are gone, there are no rebuys available.
Players can satellite into GGMasters 5th Anniversary Series events or snag tickets via the $200K GGMasters Ticket Drop, which takes place throughout the series. Tickets will be randomly awarded to players participating in GGMasters 5th Anniversary Series events, with a total of $200K in tickets valued at $15, $25 and $150 awarded.
“The GGMasters 5th Anniversary Edition is all about taking that one shot at a mouth-watering prize pool,” said Sarne Lightman, Managing Director of GGPoker. “This unique single entry-only event is one of the highlights of our annual tournament schedule – buy in directly or win your way in and play for a share of at least $5M!”
Players can join the action by downloading the GGPoker app, creating their account and registering for their favorite tournaments or playing their favorite cash games. New players can also claim GGPoker’s Welcome Bonus and join the rewards-rich Fish Buffet loyalty program.
The post At Least $5M To Be Won In GGMasters 5th Anniversary Edition appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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