During the recent filming of the fifth season of GSN cash game show “High Stakes Poker,” several so-called recreational players were invited to attend. One of the most high-profile part-time players to take to the felts of the Golden Nugget in Downtown Las Vegas was actor and director Nick Cassavetes. He is best known for directing the 2004 movie “The Notebook,” which starred Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams. Additional directing credits include “Alpha Dog” in 2006 and “John Q” in 2002. The latter screen production starred award-winning actor Denzel Washington.
Acting credits include the Nicholas Cage and John Travolta hit “Face/Off,” “The Astronaut’s Wife,” and “Backstreet Dreams.” According to the Internet Movie Database (IMDB), Cassavetes is set to release “My Sister’s Keeper” in 2009, a movie that he directed. It stars Cameron Diaz, Abigail Breslin, and Alec Baldwin and is described by the site as follows: “A former attorney returns to the courtroom after a young teen learns the truth behind her conception and looks to be emancipated from her parents.”
In the poker world, Cassavetes finished 93rd in the 2005 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event, pocketing $77,710 for his efforts. He also has recorded in the money finishes in the Ultimate Bet Aruba Poker Classic as well as the World Poker Tour’s Festa al Lago stop. Poker News Daily spoke to the “High Stakes Poker” competitor just a few minutes before play began.
Poker News Daily: Talk about the mood on the set of GSN’s High Stakes Poker.
Cassavetes: I feel like I’m on a press tour right now. They point me to someone and then they point me to someone else. I was surprised that High Stakes Poker was a sort of organized machine. I expected to walk into a poker game. It’s a well-produced show and I’m happy to help.
PND: How did you get started in poker?
Cassavetes: The first hand I ever played was at Hollywood Park Casino. I made aces full and lost to quad sixes in a $1/$2 game and thought I misplayed the hand. I didn’t even win the jackpot. Now, I play in Los Angeles where there are a lot of opportunities to find a game. Poker is a real good game in that it’s something that you can practice for a long time.
PND: You made a deep run in the 2005 WSOP Main Event. Are you primarily focused on cash games or tournaments?
Cassavetes: That was the first tournament I played in. I have a day job, so I can’t spend a week playing in major tournaments. I try to play in WSOP tournaments and at least the Main Event every year.
PND: In “High Stakes Poker,” you’ll be facing some of the toughest names in the industry and are filming under the bright lights. Does that phase you or change how you play?
Cassavetes: I don’t know. At the end of the day, if I flop a straight and someone else flops a good hand, we’re going to get it all in. I’ll just sit around and play my game. I have played in big games and little games. Money isn’t the issue for me; players aren’t the issue for me.
PND: Are there any aspects of film making or acting that carry over to the game of poker?
Cassavetes: It’s helpful for reading people. I’m constantly watching people try to make something happen and sell you something on screen. Certainly, there are things that translate there. It’s not an exact science. Poker is an excuse to gamble and at least you get to look at your cards first.
