In some circles, famous poker players are genuine celebrities.

They don't attract the same level of attention as their silver-screen pals one state over - that much was evidenced by the animalistic wail of the crowd along the Ante Up for Africa charity tournament red carpet when Ben Affleck made an appearance, while Victor Ramdin breezed by like the rug was a moving sidewalk.

Nonetheless, the pros spend plenty of time at the World Series of Poker posing for photos with fans in the hallways, enjoying the affections of poker groupies (Gus Hansen and Devilfish, I'm talking about you) and, if you're a legend like Doyle Brunson, sending lifelong poker fans away and wiping tears following a hug.

Any fan of poker could make a game of spotting pros at the Rio, or at any of the number of parties and side events running concurrent with the prestigious tournament each year.

For a poker fan but relative newcomer to pro-watching, my first World Series was packed full of possibilities for rubbernecking.

Away from the Amazon Room, one of the best places for picking off players & women poker pros was at the Full Tilt Poker-sponsored World Series of Barbecue.

The barbecue was hosted by Howard Lederer but held at Full Tilt Poker Pro Steve Zolotow's Las Vegas home. Packed with pros, the evening included plenty of free food and drink, fireworks and the so-called World Series of Karaoke.

Some were talented, but none more memorable than Annie Duke's boyfriend, poker player and actor Joe Reitman. His frizzy hair in two pigtails and shirt knotted under the chest to reveal abs worthy of a seasoned rounder, Reitman offered an enthusiastic rendition of Sir Mix-A-Lot's "Baby Got Back."

A short while later, Duke responded with rousing version of "Love Shack." At midnight and the arrival of the Fourth of July, poker pro Phil Gordon hit a patriotic note by singing the Star Spangled Banner a cappella.

Just seeing so many professional poker players in one place was a sight to behold. The hallways of the Rio were like a breathing Full Tilt ad as players streamed out of the Amazon Room on breaks. Most told bad beat stories or grabbed a snack at the Poker Kitchen - so not a highlight - while the most famous (and rich) pros ducked across the hall to the VIP lounge. Download poker wallpapers.

Escorted into the room to do an interview with David "Devilfish" Ulliott, I came as close as I likely ever will to speaking to Phil Ivey (he walked by quickly) and caught a glimpse of Chris "Jesus" Ferguson sans his omnipresent cowboy hat.

More pros and some celebrities - Jason Alexander and Shannon Elizabeth - were up for ogling at the PokerStars.com media tournament and roundtable with the pros.

The media event was interesting, if only to see professional players being forced to interact with the press. Seated at the table with three PokerListings.com players was Chris Moneymaker, who warned players repeatedly not to raise his blinds as Noah Boeken dealt the cards. Online poker.

As PL.com reporters Owen Laukkanen and Jesse Clark advanced to the final table - Jesse thanks to following the suggestions of Moneymaker to the letter - Arthur Crowson hit the bricks to join me at the rail where we chatted with a fellow reporter from a rival site. He suggested we play Chinese poker - a game Vicky Coren would later describe as "the best game in the world" as she walked by.

None of us knew the game, so we enlisted the help of Bill Chen whose Ph.D. in mathematics couldn't save him from busting from the media event.

He taught us the basics and, no doubt, shook his head at our ineptitude at Chinese poker strategy. I after several embarrassing gaffes, I managed what I thought was a decent hand.

"That's actually okay," he said after inspecting my cards. His lukewarm praise was enough to make my day.

Chen was friendly and helpful with the game strategy and - although reluctant to discuss the rumors of a possible think-tank with like-minded poker pals - he was happy to learn we were from Vancouver, British Columbia, the hometown of his friend, Terrance Chan. Play $500 match poker bonus.

"I heard he got f*@#ked at the Playboy Mansion," said the reporter to Chen.

"Well, that's the point when you're there, isn't it?" the math whiz replied.

Poker's most unlikely candidate to show up at a Playboy party, newly minted world champion Jerry Yang, might not have been a celebrity three days ago but he is now and one suspects he'll enjoy it.

Yang took the microphone with the confidence of a seasoned public speaker at press conference prior to the final table Tuesday. His words sent the media into a storm of scribbles as he gave a buttery rendition of his days as an impoverished child in the mountains of Laos, to his years doing God's work as a missionary to pinching pennies as a father of six to afford buy-ins at poker games over the last two years.

"If it is God's will, I will win this poker tournament," he said. The Lord responded in the affirmative several hours later when Yang took down the championship title. He'd later tell ESPN that he prayed for a set and God gave him one.

But that doesn't work for everyone in Las Vegas. If it did church bells would rival the chiming of the slot machines on Sunday morning and the pews would be the best place to spot professional poker players.

Poker News Source: Poker Listings