There was a time when poker tables, roulette wheels and gambling in general were considered activities that went on in back alley drinking dens but not anymore.

Now the world’s most beautiful people are rolling those dice and playing those hands of poker hoping to hit the jackpot.

To be fair the motive probably isn’t money but rather sensing the buzz of beating the banker.

In the UK Michael Owen hit the headlines in 2005 when it transpired the Newcastle United hit man was something of a whiz when it came to poker. Apparently his England striking colleague Wayne Rooney owed him over £70,000 in gambling debts at one stage.

However in the gambling world Owen is a light weight compared to legendary striker Teddy Sheringham.

The 41 year old who is still plying his trade in football (now with Colchester United) is a regular on the celebrity poker circuit. When he finally hangs up the boots Sheringham is expected to become more involved in the world of poker and he has already been made an ambassador for online giants VC Poker.

From the big screen the likes of George Clooney, Brad Pitt and Ben Affleck have also taken a gamble recently.

Clooney and Pitt, stars of Casino themed films Oceans 11, 12 and 13, have invested $3 billion in a Las Vegas Casino complex.

Affleck prefers to sit at the poker table than dabble in the shares market and the star of films such as Good Will Hunting, Armageddon and Pearl Harbour won over $356,000 in the Californian State Poker Championships in 2004.

Friends co stars Matthew Perry and David Schwimmer are also known to fancy a gamble while singer songwriter Macy Gray recently made an appearance on Bravo’s Celebrity poker showdown.

These are the celebrity poker players and gamblers we know about but what about the ones playing online!