Poker Anorak / Editor / 20 March 2008 /

WOODY Harreslon, the actor, plays poker.

He is, accordingly, a celebrity poker player.

And - shock of shocks - Harreslon is starring in a new film in which he plays One Eyed Jack Faro, a poker player.

As a sign of how popular poker has become, and how mainstream, the Poker Anorak spots a new comedy from writer/director Zak Penn. The action is set around an international poker tournament.

And the star is Woody Harrelson, whose character goes all-in to save his dead grandfather's hotel-casino from a property developer.

Can you guess how Woody's going to win the day? Go on... Guess. Try.

Oh! You guessed. That's right. His master plan is to win the world's most famous high stakes tournament, the Grand Championship of Poker in Las Vegas.

As any poker players knows, to win a tournament requires more luck than skill. Tournament play is not a cash game.

But Harreslon has read the script. And he is in conversation with Reuters.

The actor is quick to dismiss any cynical claims that his love of poker is rooted in a need to market his new film.

It is The Third Rule of Hollywood that states: The actor should say how they connected with their part and became in tune with their inner chef/dancer soldier/cowboy/serial killer/president.

So here's the question: "How much of you is in your character, One Eyed Jack Faro?"
Harrelson: "Way too much. Or maybe way too much of him in me. He's a guy who's dancing with his demons, so in that sense I feel a real connection."

Thankfully, unlike many possessed stars, it would not be giving too much of the plot away to say that One Eyed Jack does not end up in rehab...

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