Vegas baby, Vegas

Born to a Syrian/Lebanese father and a French/English/Cherokee mother in Texas, USA, Shannon Elizabeth was destined, it would seem, to be rooted in diversity. The actress first caught the world’s attention in 1999 as the precocious exchange student Nadia in that summer’s hit comedy movie American Pie, but even as a youngster there were a number of paths she could have chosen to follow. 

 

Shannon initially trained in dance, but at high school showed an aptitude for tennis, so much so in fact that she even considered turning pro – a flirtation with the sporting arena that would return to in later life. Instead, it will come as no surprise to learn that Shannon’s sultry good looks drew her into the world of modelling and subsequently acting. As with so many vices, Shannon’s introduction to the lure of the deck was initially fuelled by only the best of intentions. “I learned how to play Texas Hold’em so that I could raise money for my charity, Animal Avengers,” explains the avid animal-lover. “At first I hated it. I couldn’t believe the cards you got – that was it! There was no drawing, no discarding, nothing.” 

 

Not the most auspicious of opening gambits, then. However, those who expected the actress to emulate the compliance of her American Pie character Nadia at the poker tables had read her game all wrong. Shannon has proved herself more than capable with the cards, and has gone on to establish herself as one of the mainstays of the celebrity poker circuit. Even more impressively, she has also fronted up for the past two years at the World Series of Poker – getting her first taste of chip success at the notoriously brutal event this year.

 

“I really enjoy the game. I have a lot of fun with it,” she admits. “I’m really very competitive, so I hate to make amateur mistakes. I love the psychological aspect of it. A lot of acting is involved. When they say it takes a lifetime to master, it’s really true. I’m always learning and stretching that muscle when I play.”

 

Indeed, while the world of celebrity poker is stacked with jokers and band-wagon jumpers, no such criticism can be levelled at this movie star. Shannon’s poker skills are about more than lady luck, as she proved in winning style at the start of the year, cleaning up at the Celebrity Poker Challenge at Caesars Palace in Vegas. The big-money event, hosted by Houston socialite Nicky Hilton (sister of the infamous Paris) was held over New Year’s Eve and marked the opening of the venue’s new, glittering poker room. The roll call of 92 runners and riders was no less starry, featuring a good deal of poker pros, such as 2004 WSOP runner-up David Williams and the following year’s champ Mike Matusow, along with a veritable firmament of famous faces.

 

But Shannon’s biggest scalp on the night was the Oscar-nominated actress Jennifer Tilly who, along with the likes of American Beauty stunner Mena Suvari and movie A-lister Ben Affleck, has managed to make the transition from red carpet to green felt celebrity status. A star of such movies as Bullets Over Broadway, Tilly can stake a claim to being the leading lady of Hollywood’s high rollers, last year winning the coveted Ladies’ No-limit Texas Hold’em bracelet at the WSOP, along with a cool $158,625.

 

“I won a gold bracelet… I think that makes me a professional poker player, I don’t care what the other poker players say,” announced the feisty actress who, like Shannon, has faced doubts from some corners of the poker world about her card-playing credentials. “I felt like I was suffering from the imposter syndrome, I had these niggling self-doubts,” she admitted after sealing the World Series deal. “But now I know I can really play. I’m hooked on poker. I’m not going to stop playing until I lose back all the money I won!”

 

For  the full version of this article, see NOX02.