The poker world has seen its fair share of celebrities over the years, but nothing quite like what’s happening now. Blake Wynn, the 25-year-old CEO of the Celebrity Poker Tour (CPT), is bringing big names to the felt like never before. After a successful first season in 2024, CPT is back for Season 2, and Wynn is ready to shake things up even more.
The Celebrity Poker Boom Is Back
Poker and celebrities have always had a complicated relationship. Sure, a few big names played in the early days—Gabe Kaplan and Chill Willis made waves at the World Series of Poker (WSOP), and the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas used to host charity games featuring Dionne Warwick and Mr. T. But things really took off in the mid-2000s during the “Poker Boom.”
That was when actors like Jason Alexander, Kevin Pollak, and Jennifer Tilly took a serious interest in the game. TV shows like Celebrity Poker Showdown (2003-2006) made poker accessible to mainstream audiences, turning casual viewers into dedicated fans.
Then came Black Friday in 2011. Online poker took a massive hit, sponsorships dried up, and televised poker nearly vanished. Celebrities who once had the chance to shine at the table suddenly had nowhere to go.
That all changed in 2024 when poker saw a sudden resurgence among famous faces. The PokerStars Big Game kicked things off by bringing in players like Arden Cho, Michael Ian Black, and even NFL legend Rob Gronkowski. But it was the CPT that truly took celebrity poker to the next level.
How CPT Became the Hottest Ticket in Poker
Blake Wynn didn’t plan to launch a full-fledged poker tour—it just sort of happened.
“When we threw the first tournament, which was the Enclave Celebrity Invitational in August 2023, that was when we realized this wasn’t just a one-off event,” Wynn explained. “There was a hunger for it. People wanted to see big personalities at the table.”
The response was overwhelming. The first CPT season, held throughout 2024, featured eight major events, each packed with a mix of athletes, comedians, TV stars, and modern internet celebrities.
Some big takeaways from Season 1:
- Traditional celebrities weren’t the only draw—streamers, vloggers, and influencers had just as much star power.
- The games needed to be both competitive and entertaining.
- Fans wanted more access to behind-the-scenes content.
With those lessons in mind, Season 2 was officially launched on February 7, 2025, with plans to be bigger, bolder, and even more star-studded.
What to Expect in CPT Season 2
Wynn and his team aren’t just repeating what worked last year—they’re making major changes to keep things fresh.
One of the biggest differences? Bigger buy-ins and higher stakes. Celebrities love competition, and while Season 1 focused on making poker fun and accessible, Season 2 is turning up the heat. Expect some serious money on the line.
Another shift is in the player mix. While Season 1 had its fair share of traditional stars, Season 2 is looking to pull in even more unconventional names from the world of gaming, social media, and sports.
For fans who want to follow the action, CPT is also investing heavily in content. More live-streamed events, behind-the-scenes clips, and exclusive interviews will be available online.
The “Hawk Tuah Girl” Moment and Other Wild CPT Highlights
If you thought celebrity poker was all about serious play, think again.
During CPT Invitational IV, one of the most talked-about moments involved the viral internet personality known as “Hawk Tuah Girl.” She had flopped two pair, a strong hand, but somehow got distracted and folded. The internet had a field day.
Moments like that are exactly why CPT works. It’s about fun, personality, and unpredictable action. While poker purists might scoff at celebrities making blunders, there’s no denying that it brings in new audiences.
The Future of Celebrity Poker
So, what’s next?
Blake Wynn isn’t stopping at just making CPT a success. He wants to redefine how poker is presented to the masses. The ultimate goal is to blend entertainment, competition, and social media in a way that makes poker as mainstream as it was during the mid-2000s.
“The poker world is changing, and we’re just getting started,” Wynn said.
One thing’s for sure—CPT Season 2 is set to be even bigger, wilder, and more unpredictable than ever.
