PokerStars and 888 stage celeb-heavy events in Monte Carlo and Barcelona

Online poker behemoths PokerStars and 888 have invited a bevy of stars to their Monte Carlo and Barcelona tournaments.

PokerStars’ continued use of celebrities is interesting given that last month they seemed to have called time on the marketing technique.

However, while they might have bid farewell to Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo and Barcelona’s Neymar Jr, the companies still keen to use star power when appropriate.

As PokerStars’ communications chief Eric Hollreiser explained to CalvinAyre’s Lee Davy, PokerStars hasn’t changed tac. Indeed, the company is very keen to work again with big names from sport, film and television.

Kevin Hart set for PokerStars Monte Carlo event

For proof of this look no further than the fact that comic actor Kevin Hart will attend the PokerStars Championship in Monte Carlo.

Hart previously collaborated with the company at the PokerStars Championship in the Bahamas. He did pretty well, actually – Hart made it to Day 2 before losing out to Dan Colman.

This time around, the star of Get Hard and The Wedding Ringer is taking part in the $100,000 Super High Roller three-day event.

Football greats liven up 888’s Barcelona bash

Meanwhile, 888 is staging the 888Live Barcelona next month. With over $700,000 up for grabs top pros such as Patrik Antonius, Cate Hall, Ema Zajimovic and Michael Mizachi on hand. And Brazilian World Cup winner Denilson will be present, together with European Championship victor Mario Basler.

Not that the celeb-related action is solely restricted to the continent. On the contrary, former world tennis number one Boris Becker recently paid a visit to Nottingham. The nine-time grand slam winner took part in the partypoker-sponsored LIVE MILLIONS Dusk Till Dawn tournament. Former world middleweight champion Carl Froch also took a place at the table.