Poker seems to hold an appeal for celebrities. For years actors, musicians, models and athletes have been going to Las Vegas for the opportunity to play in the prestigious WSOP tournament at the Rio Hotel and Casino. Some are there for fun, some for the media and some because they simply can’t get enough.

This year there was an interesting collection of celebrities in the hunt for the $9.1 million first-place prize at the WSOP main event. Former light heaveyweight champion Chuck Liddell was in the field as a PokerStars-sponsored player at Phil Hellmuth’s table. Fellow Ultimate Fighter Forrest Griffin also played, even though less than 24 hours earlier, just down the street, he had fought and won against Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson for the UFC light-heavyweight crown. He played, battered and bruised, against doctor’s orders, but neither of them were tough enough to stay in and both were eliminated on Day 1D.

The usual suspects also made an appearance at 2008 WSOP including Jason Alexander, Shannon Elizabeth, Sam Simon, and Jennifer Tilly. All have become regulars at WSOP over the last couple of years though sadly, both Simon and Tilly failed to advance to Day 2 this year. Jason ‘Seinfeld’ Alexander has been one of the most enjoyable celebrities to cover but unfortunately he also did not progress to day 2. Shannon Elizabeth has been spending the majority of her summer in Las Vegas playing preliminary events at the WSOP and it’s proved a good move as she was one of the few celebrities to advance to Day 2.

Athletes were also out in force. Several former Major League Baseball players were in the 2008 WSOP including Orel Hershiser, David Wells, and Jose Canseco. Australian cricketer Shane Warne, is a friend of WSOP champion Joe Hachem and this year is trying his own luck at the tournament and made it to Day 2. He has participated in various tournaments at the Crown Casino in Melbourne, including the PokerNews Cup and the Aussie Millions. Also playing in the 2008 WSOP main event were professional golfer Paul Azinger, and actors Mekhi Phifer and Ray Romano. Azinger and Romano also moved on to Day 2.

Some celebrities who have previously tried their luck at WSOP but who decided not to this year include Nelly, boxing champion Antonio Tarver, Hank Azaria, Janet Jones, Brad Garrett, Norm MacDonald, Montel Williams, and Swedish pop star Dilba Demirbag. Spiderman was also a no show. In previous years Tobey Maguire has played in the WSOP Main Event but he was noticeably absent this year.