The Secret World of Hollywood Poker

They are among the highest of the high-stakes players in this moneyed town: A-list actors, Hollywood hangers-on and businessmen who can shell out $50,000 just for a seat at the table. With eight or nine gathered, they play no-limit hold 'em into the night at one another's multimillion-dollar homes in Beverly Hills, Bel Air, Brentwood or Malibu. Hundreds of thousands of dollars are won and lost -- sometimes in a single hand. They order in dinner from Matsuhisa or Madeo or tuck into filet mignon prepared by private chefs. They catch up on their busy lives, maybe discuss a business opportunity. All the while, the cards keep coming. When they tire, masseuses dole out massages. And at this level, the game is no longer simply about a group of buddies getting together for friendly bonding over cards. Indeed, this game -- and much of the world of high-stakes Hollywood poker -- is an intoxicating mix of competition, power and ego.