Benjamin Géza Affleck-Boldt is an American actor, film director, screenwriter, and producer.
He was born in Berkeley California on the 15 August 1972.
Blackjack and Counting Cards
Ben Affleck started gambling in the early 2000s when he started playing Blackjack and Poker, his two gambling games.
He learnt how to count cards from the early days and had many winning nights at Las Vegas. At one point he was requested by Casino Management to refrain from playing Blackjack at the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas. This after he made $1 million in just two trips. They suspected that he was counting cards and did not appreciate it.
It is not illegal to count cards at casinos, but it is frowned upon, and if casino security notices it, they will generally ask the player to leave.
In 2000 the Oscar winner won $140,000 while playing with his friend Matt Damon and won $800, 000 a year later.
Playing Poker
Ben Affleck is also a regular poker player, and in 2004 he won $356,000 by winning the California State Poker Championship. This also qualified him for the 2004 World Poker Tournament. He has competed in many tournaments but never took home any meaningful cash, despite being trained by poker Pros such as Amir Vahedi and Annie Duke.
He once organized a Hollywood Poker game with celebrities and actors such as Matt Damon, Leonardo DiCaprio, Ron Meyer and Tobey Maguire. Affleck lost $400,000 to Ron Meyer.
He plays for the Adrenaline
Ben Affleck has a net worth of over $75 million, so he does not need to gamble to make money, but some sources say he does it for the adrenaline rush he gets. For example, Once in 2000, he gave away all of his $140,000 chips to the casino staff.