Kevin Hart is best known for his lightning-fast wit, blockbuster movies, and sold-out comedy shows—but beyond the spotlight, he’s carved out a surprising side career as a respected figure in the poker world.
From his first live cash win in 2008 to rubbing shoulders with elite players in private high-stakes games, Hart has proven that his talents extend far beyond the stage and screen. With a genuine passion for the game and appearances in prestigious tournaments and televised events, Hart has become one of poker’s most beloved celebrity players.
Kevin Hart: Early Life
Kevin Darnell Hart was born on July 6, 1979, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Hart had a tough childhood and used humor as a coping mechanism. He studied at George Washington High School and briefly attended the Community College of Philadelphia before dropping out and moving to New York City.
In New York, he worked as a shoe salesman before pursuing his dream of becoming a stand-up comedian, starting with performances in his hometown of Philadelphia. While his early work was full of setbacks, he gradually developed his skills and refined his comedic style.
His stand-up comedy success eventually opened doors in Hollywood. Starting in the early 2000s with small roles and cameos, Hart soon began receiving major movie offers and rose to become an A-lister in Hollywood.
Introduction to Poker
Kevin Hart was introduced to poker through his fellow comedians and professional poker players. He fell in love with the strategic and psychological aspects of the game and quickly became quite good at it.
Since the mid-2000s, Hart has appeared in several live tournaments and numerous televised poker shows, becoming a fan-favorite celebrity poker player among enthusiasts.
Kevin Hart’s Poker Career Highlights and Winnings
Hart’s first recorded live cash came in 2008, when he finished 2nd at Mo’s DeepStack Tournament ($335 NLH) for $16,330. Two months later, he placed 4th at Larry Flynt’s Spring Fever $255 Tournament, earning $5,375.
The following year, he finished in the money at the 2009 Ho Ho Hold’em $545 NLH Championship, winning $1,075. In 2010, he won his maiden live tournament at Larry Flynt’s Challenge Cup $170 NLH for a notable $20,265.
Hart’s next cash came four years later when he finished 7th at the WSOP Circuit $365 NLH Re-Entry for $4,783.
Other Endeavors in Poker
His passion for poker led him to become a PokerStars Ambassador in 2017. In collaboration with PokerStars, Hart appeared in several televised poker shows.
One of his most notable appearances was at the 2018 Super High Roller Bowl in Las Vegas—a $300,000 buy-in tournament. Another memorable moment includes winning $40,000 on a PokerStars cash game despite misreading his hand.
His journey with PokerStars ended in 2020, after which he joined Partypoker as their Global Poker Ambassador. This partnership lasted for about a year before both parties amicably parted ways.
Private Cash Games
Although Kevin Hart has stepped away from the live poker and televised scenes, he reportedly continues to play in private high-stakes cash games. These games often include notable names like Bill Perkins, Andrew Robl, and Antonio Esfandiari.
In July 2024, during his birthday celebration in Greece, Hart hosted a multi-day event attended by close friends and celebrities. The celebration featured a high-stakes cash game, during which lawyer Tom Goldstein reportedly lost millions—an incident that drew attention from the U.S. Department of Justice amid tax fraud investigations.
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