How Anthrax’s Scott Ian Became a Sponsored Poker Pro

My journey in the world of poker (and later casino, sportsbetting) started more than 20 years ago, when I first attended a low-stakes live tournament. I’ve never looked back since, and have been active in several fields, including being a poker player, a live tournament director, writing online and offline articles about poker, and managing the localization of one of the world's largest online poker rooms. Poker is my home ground, I could never imagine doing a job that is not a part of it. I hope someday I’ll have more time to play live; that's something I've missed in the past few years. A game where luck meets skill - what would be more interesting?

Updated: 2026.05.27

Learn about Scott Ian poker pro experiences during the poker boom era

When you think of heavy metal legends, you probably picture loud guitars, wild mosh pits, and sold-out stadiums. You usually don’t picture them quietly staring at a computer monitor, multi-tabling high-stakes online poker tournaments.

But that is exactly what happened with Anthrax founder and rhythm guitarist Scott Ian. For a few wild years, this thrash metal icon lived a double life. From 2008 to 2011, the world got to know the Scott Ian poker pro persona.

Let’s dive into how one of music’s most famous faces stumbled into a side career as a sponsored poker grinder, and how a few famous friends helped him crush the tables!

Laying the Godsmack Down: How It All Started

Before the world knew the Scott Ian poker pro story, he was just a rockstar who barely knew how to play Texas Hold’em. Other than playing a little Seven Card Stud with his mom as a kid, he was a total newbie to the game.

That all changed in 2006. Ian was invited to play in the VH1 Classic Rock ‘n’ Roll Celebrity Poker Tournament at the Flamingo in Las Vegas. He sat down at the table alongside huge names like Ace Frehley from KISS and Dusty Hill from ZZ Top. He figured he would bust out in five minutes, go grab a drink, and hang out with his wife.

But the cards had other plans! Ian watched as the other rockstars got knocked out one by one. Eventually, it came down to him and Godsmack frontman Sully Erna. Erna was a seasoned player who would later win over $300,000 in a major poker event.

The two battled it out “heads-up” (which simply means a one-on-one poker game). Ian was down four-to-one in chips, but he knew one simple rule: if you have an Ace in a heads-up game, you bet hard. Ian switched gears, played aggressively, and took down the tournament! He won a cool $25,000 for Lifebeat Inc., a charity that helps prevent HIV among youth.

The Journey of the Scott Ian Poker Pro

Winning one celebrity tournament is fun, but turning that into a profitable side hustle takes real dedication. In 2008, Ian took things to the next level by signing a sponsorship deal with the online poker site Ultimate Bet.

At the peak of his run, this Anthrax guitarist poker star was putting in massive volume. He played as much as 90 hours a week online, even while touring the world with his band. He was making thousands of dollars, famously calling the online poker games his personal “ATM machine.”

He became what we call a “grinder” – a player who puts in long, consistent hours at the tables to grind out a steady, reliable profit. He was even multi-tabling, meaning he was playing several online poker games simultaneously on his computer screen.

Annie Duke Poker Coach: Turning a Rockstar into a Winner

You don’t become a winning poker player overnight by yourself. When Ian signed his big sponsorship deal, he was hooked up with some of the best minds in the game. He received elite training from poker legends Phil Hellmuth and Annie Duke.

Having an Annie Duke poker coach was an absolute game-changer. Fellow professional players at the time noted that Ian absorbed her poker strategy “like a sponge.” Duke taught him how to read opponents, calculate pot odds, and manage his chips like a true professional, turning the Scott Ian poker pro dream into reality.

Here is a quick look at the timeline of his epic poker career:

Year	Poker Career Milestone
2006	Wins the VH1 Classic Rock ‘n’ Roll Celebrity Poker Tournament against Godsmack’s Sully Erna.
2008	Signs as a sponsored pro with Ultimate Bet and begins serious online grinding.
2008-2011	Receives elite training from Annie Duke; plays up to 90 hours a week online.
2010	Cashes in the World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event, placing 634th out of nearly 6,500 players.
2011	Steps away from the poker grind to focus on his growing family and music career.

The Legacy of a Heavy Metal Grinder

By 2011, the online poker world had undergone major legal changes, and Ultimate Bet eventually shut down. Around the same time, Ian’s wife gave birth to their first child. With a new baby and new albums to write, he officially stepped away from the full-time Scott Ian poker pro lifestyle.

Looking back today, he considers his time in the poker world a crazy, amazing anomaly in his life. He proved that with the right coaching, a solid work ethic, and a little bit of luck, anyone can master the felt.

If you want to read more about the intersection of poker and celebrities, check out our article about celebrities with remarkable poker appearances . Rest assured, this list will see significant additions, as poker remains a favorite pastime and a thrilling experience for those in the spotlight. You can also follow Scott Ian on Instagram to see what the heavy metal legend is up to today.

Why not try your skills and luck at the tables? Register to any of the poker sites on our reviewed list , use the bonus code SMPBONUS, and start your very own poker journey!

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