Kevin Hart got a new gig “as global ambassador for PokerStars” and he talked to US Magazine about it, and about how much he enjoys gambling. He sounds like a rich guy who turned an expensive hobby into some cash on the side, and he kind of defended his gambling. I don’t know what the context is for these quotes, like maybe US asked him specifically how his wife feels about it, but if he talked about it out of nowhere he does sound a little defensive. It’s not bad though.
Game time! Kevin Hart spoke with Us Weekly about his new role as global ambassador for PokerStars and how cash games have kept him out of trouble.
“It keeps me from doing stupid things,” the Central Intelligence actor, 37, told Us. “I’m not a partier. I’m married, I have kids now, so this is something my wife — she’s OK with it.”
“She knows where I am. I can sit there and I’m out of trouble. It’s been a hobby for quite some time and I think now, seeing the game and understanding the game at this level, it’s just been a different piece of added fun,” he says. “To rub elbows with these guys I sit at the table with, the quote-unquote ‘pros’, for me has been a bonus. I say ‘quote-unquote’ because I’m mixing it up. I made it to day two, that’s a big deal for me. Technically, in my mind I won. Something I’ve been doing probably about 10 years.”
Hart added, “I play poker and I do it with friends. I do it with my family. I do it with my wife’s girlfriends just to have fun. I do it and I’m silly with my kids when we play.”
I think of gambling similar to drinking in that some people can drink/gamble occasionally or moderately without getting into trouble while others get addicted and it takes over their lives. Hart is probably a moderate gambler without a problem, but can you imagine someone like Ben Affleck or Johnny Depp becoming a spokesperson for a poker organization? Both have addiction issues and if Affleck got a job like this and made excuses about it a lot of people would be side eyeing him. We haven’t heard about Kevin having those type of issues, and as long as he’s not gone all the time and losing millions it sounds like his wife is ok with it.
Kevin of course just got married to wife Eniko Parris last August and now there’s news that she’s pregnant! They made the announcement on Instagram on Mother’s Day, with Kevin writing that this time next year Eniko would be a mother. If you click through the slideshow below there’s a little bump pic and a sonogram with the news that they’re expecting a boy. That’s a really sweet and unique way to break the news of a pregnancy and congratulations to Kevin and Eniko!
photos credit: WENN, Getty and Instagram
Eniko is one of those girls that Instagram loves to hate or hate to love. But she’s never offensive to anyone, seems to be in love with Kevin and very comfortable in the lifestyle he can provide. I like her and want them to do well. I don’t know much about Kevin Hart, only started to read about him when he married Eniko because I love looking at wedding pictures online and since celebrities have the budget to splurge, most of them make for a nice visual.
Congratulations to the happy couple. Blessings for their new bundle of joy.
That’s how it always starts as a fun little hobby then years then 20 years later you read on TMZ such and such is broke and owes the IRS. It’s cool as long as his hobby doesn’t become a addiction.
Gambling keeps him out of trouble…. *inserts Sure Jan gif* I guess he’s trying to be faithful to this wife since he wasn’t to the last one.
Not saying it won’t happen but kevin hart is about his $$$ and seems to have a solid head on his shoulders about his career. Some people can handle a little gambling.
My problem is with his characterization of the other players. No air quotes are needed — these men and women ARE pros, whether you’re lucky enough to have made it deep into a tournament with them or not. It doesn’t diminish their status. It is their profession, not a rich man’s hobby or actor’s way to blow off steam (and cash). Thus, they are pros. Sheesh.
Really? This seems like a shallow relationship for a shallow man.
Congratulations.
My ex employers nephew is a professional gambler (poker player) & some of the stories he’s told me about people who do it “recreationally” is heartbreaking & devasting. I hope he doesn’t fall too far down that rabbit hole
I’m sure that he wouldn’t be picked up as an ambassador if he didn’t have a good head on his shoulders, and if PokerStars thought he was someone who could slide into that kind of gambling. That isn’t the kind of publicity they need.
Mr. Fanty is a *big* poker player, and to my understanding, there are people who do it because they like the thrill of gambling and then there are poker nerds. Poker is about understanding stats and how to read other people. Mr. Fanty loves thinking about the probability of cards coming up (sadly, he’s not enough of a genius to actually card count), and is amazing at reading other people. He goes in with a set amount of money he’s willing to lose, and knows well enough to walk away when that money is done. He can play for seven hours, and come home stone-cold sober, happy, and at worst, $75 out of pocket. I get what Kevin Hart is saying.