Beth Shak

Beth Shak (born November 8, 1969) is an American professional poker player, who has been playing professionally since 2004. She is also an entrepreneur and philanthropist as well as a shoe and handbag expert. Shak ran a private vintage designer clothing business for 10 years. Her most recent project is a custom designed poker chip set currently on pre-order at her website.[1]

Beth Shak
Born (1969-11-08) November 8, 1969
World Series of Poker
Bracelet(s)None
Final table(s)3
Money finish(es)8
World Poker Tour
Title(s)None
Final table(s)None
Money finish(es)4
European Poker Tour
Title(s)None
Final table(s)None
Money finish(es)1

Listed as one of the most attractive poker players[2] Shak has appeared in the World Series of Poker, CBS, Playboy's Poker Tournament, "Aces & Angels" at the Playboy Mansion, YRB Magazine's "Rock It" fashion spread, Social Life magazine, Shoeholics magazine, Good Morning America, The View, AOL.com's You've Got, The Today Show and MTV Cribs.

Shak has been featured on several television programs, including 20/20, Celebrity Nightmares, Millionaire Matchmaker, Poker After Dark and NY Ink. She has been a contributing writer to Cosmopolitan and PhillyMag and has been featured several times in the Huffington Post. In 2012, Shak was listed by Philadelphia Daily News in their Sexy Singles for 2012.[3] Shak was also mentioned in The New York Times for her role in a documentary about high heels.[4]

Most recently she has released a poker chip set, featured on The Ellen Show 12 days of giving.[5][6]

Poker career

Shak initially learned to play poker by logging on to Full Tilt Poker and using “play money” until she felt comfortable enough to start playing with real money. When she started playing live, she found it to be “very different” and had to learn not to let men intimidate her. She has said she wants to be known as a good player, not "a good player...for a woman."[7] In 2007, Shak signed on as a Red Pro for Full Tilt Poker.

Shak has made 3 World Series of Poker final tables and has thirteen tournament cashes to her name. At her first final table, she lost to Jennifer Tilly. She placed 8th in the 2005 World Series of Poker Ladies' event, which was only her second live tournament. At the 2007 World Series of Poker Shak placed 2nd (out of over 800 players) in the $3K No-Limit Hold ‘em event.[8]

Shak made it to the final day of Season 5 of the European Poker Tour (EPT) finishing in the top 30 out of over 500 players, according to the European Poker Tour season 5 results. Her most recent win was in Johannesburg, South Africa playing 7 card stud.

As of 2009, her total live tournament winnings exceed $450,000.[9] Of those winnings, $363,118 have come at the WSOP.

Shoe collection

Shak owns approximately 1,200 pairs of shoes, including 700 pairs by designer Christian Louboutin.[10] Her shoe collection has led to her receiving no small amount of media attention. Her shoe collection has been written about in many articles and she has made several TV appearances to talk about it. She was featured next to other celebrities such as Fergie and Kelly Rowland in the documentary God Save My Shoes, directed by Julie Benasra.[11][12]

Handbag Collection

Beth Shak has an extensive handbag collection. She started it when she was 16 years old and added many unique handbags during her vintage clothing business and while traveling around the world playing poker and added to her collection while she was traveling. It was both a passion and an investment [13]

Personal life

Shak was married to fellow poker player Dan Shak, but they divorced in 2009.[14] A civil suit for a portion of her shoes was brought against Shak by her ex-husband, but was dismissed.[15] Shak appeared on a November 2010 episode of "reality" television program, Millionaire Matchmaker, as a "millionairess" seeking professional dating help to find a life partner.[16] She has three children. On June 9, 2016, Beth Shak married Rick Leventhal in Las Vegas.[17] In April 2017, Beth filed for divorce after nine months of marriage citing "irreconcilable differences".

Shak has developed a clothing line which includes hoodies and tank tops with plans for a high-end shoe line and a line of lingerie.[18]

Philanthropy

Shak is the founder and chair of the Deal Me In For Jed Poker Event[19] benefitting The JED Foundation (founded by Phil and Donna Satow in memory of their son Jed), a non-profit organization working to promote emotional health and prevent suicide among college and university students. The event is hosted by Beth Shak and Jamie Gold. She comments, "I picked The JED Foundation to work with because what they stand for really resonated with me. My daughter has had a few challenges and it warms my heart to know that JED is out there to help and support kids like her." Celebrity guests include Zach Brown and DaQuan Jones and from the Tennessee Titans, Garry Gilliam and Jordan Hill from the Seattle Seahawks, Rick Leventhal, Constantine Maroulis, and Montel Williams - amongst others.[20]

Shak is a philanthropist, playing in many charity poker tournaments, raising money for various charities, most notably the "All in" for Kids Poker Tournament (which she co-founded)[21] for The Children’s Hospital of Pennsylvania’s Palliative Care program.[22] She is on the board of the Wish Upon A Hero Foundation,[23] the advisory board of ShoeRevolt.com, and is on a committee at Gift of Life.[24] She supports the Make-A-Wish Foundation[25] and attended the LeSean McCoy celebrity charity weekend.[26]

Shak has created the " Beth Shak Charitable Foundation" in order to support charitable organizations that give back to communities. “Shades of Greatness Foundation Inc.” - The LeSean McCoy Foundation[27] and the M. Night Shayamalan Foundation[28] are among the organizations that she supports.

Having made a five-figure donation to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, she was allowed to host a private screening Hampton Arts Cinema in Westhampton in honor of her Yorkie (Mila Shak)’s birthday.[29]

Shak co-chaired the Pink Tie Ball in 2005. She is on the committee of ONEXONE and she is also a supporter of American Red Cross,[30] P.A.W.S.,[31] Redlight Children Campaign,[32] Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation,[33] and ASPCA.[34]

Other charitable events/foundations Shak has supported include:

  • 'Ante Up for Africa'[35]
  • The annual 'Sunflower Children Texas Hold'Em Celebrity Charity Benefit'[36]
  • 'Poker Jingle' for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society[37]
  • 'Celeb Hold'Em' event benefiting the Miracle Foundation[38]
  • Pledges towards the Pennsylvania Vet Working Dog Center[39]

Media appearances

Movies / documentaries
Year Title Notes
2009 God Save My Shoes Documentary on the intimate relationship women have with their shoes[40]
Television
Year Program or media outlet Notes
2008 Poker After Dark Season 3 Episode 46[41]
2009 Access Hollywood Shopping with Eva Longoria
2009 myfoxla.com "Gambling Secrets from the Pros"[42]
2009 MTV Appearance on MTV Teen Cribs
2010 Whatever with Alexis & Jennifer Appearance on October 2010
2010 Fox News Channel "Poker Face"[43]
2010 NBC 10 Philadelphia "Poker Champion Gives Back"[44]
2010 Asylum "Poker Player Beth Shak"[45]
2010 RTL Deutschland Shak featured on a Dutch television series.
2010 Fox News Channel "Is Taxing Poker a Bad Play?"[46]
2010 Fox Business Network Segment:"Buy Sell Hold 9/2/10"[47]
2010 Stars and Stories Shak featured on a German television show.
2010 Millionaire Matchmaker Appearance on November 2010.
2011 Shoes.tv "Ankle Breaking News: Beth Shak, Justin Bieber, Adidas, Lady Gaga"[48]
2011 AOL.com "You've Got Beth Shak"[49]
2011 The Today Show "Poker queen antes up 1,200 pairs of shoes"[50]
2011 Vine Talk Appearance on Vine Talk with Stanley Tucci[51]
2011 Cosmo TV Appearance on Series: Oh So Cosmo
2011 Fox News Channel "God Save My Shoes"[52]
2011 Inside Edition Story on Shak's shoe collection.
2011 The Daily "High on Heels"[53]
2011 The Wendy Williams Show Appearance on the Wendy Williams Show[54]
2011 Celebrity Nightmares Decoded Episode 3[55]
2011 One on One with Steve Adubato Appearance on November 12, 2011
2011 God Save My Shoes - Webisode "Beth Shak's Shoe Closet"[56]
2012 NY Ink Season 2 - Beth Shak: Poker Hottie[57]
2012 Fox News Fox Philly - Deals on Boots and Bags[58]
2012 Good Morning America Shoe Addicts' Obsession Revealed in Documentary[59]
2012 Fox News Fox Philly - Daily News Sexy Singles on a Good Day[60]
2012 The View (U.S. TV series) The View - Episode 714
2012 20/20 (U.S. TV series) 20/20 - I'm Obsessed With...[61]
2012 HLN (TV channel) HLN - Evening Express - Suit Dropped Over Woman's Shoe Collection
2013 Million Dollar Shoppers Million Dollar Shoppers Season 1[62]
2014 Fox Friday Night Live Fox Friday Night Live, August 29, 2014[63]
2014 The Real Story with Gretchen Carlson Fox News - October 23, 2014[64]
2015 CBS Sports CBS Sports, Poker Night in America - November 9, 2015 and November 10, 2015[65]
2015 CBS Local Media CBS Local, Seen at 11: Investing in Handbags... - December 9, 2015[66]

Mila Shak

Mila Shak is a brindle teacup Yorkshire Terrier owned by Beth Shak.[67] Mila was born in Greenbrier, Tennessee, on July 12, 2012, and was adopted by Beth when she was less than four months old. She spent her formative years at a home in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, with Sabine, another Yorkshire Terrier. Later, she moved to New York City, where she resides today with Beth.[68]

Mila is a model who has been featured in multiple publications, including In Touch Weekly, the NY Post, Hamptons Pet[69] and Shoeholics Magazine.[70] She was on the summer cover of Hampton's Pet magazine.[71] In early June Mila's instagram account was hacked as part of an attack on Beth and the case was featured in the New York Post.[72]

In honor of Mila’s 4th birthday, Beth hosted a private screening at Hampton Arts Cinema in Westhampton after making a five-figure donation to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.[73]

References

  1. "Beth Shak Poker Chip Set". Archived from the original on December 10, 2015. Retrieved December 10, 2015.
  2. Most Attractive Player
  3. Philly.com
  4. Lidz, Franz (March 23, 2012). "Funny, You Don't Look Fetish". The New York Times.
  5. the ellen show
  6. "beth shak poker chip". Archived from the original on December 10, 2015. Retrieved December 10, 2015.
  7. West, Jeff. "An Interview With Beth Shak - Part I". Poker Pages. Archived from the original on February 17, 2009. Retrieved June 8, 2009.
  8. "Beth Shak". Full Tilt Poker. Archived from the original on June 18, 2009. Retrieved June 8, 2009.
  9. Hendon Mob tournament results
  10. Rosen, Daniel Edward (July 27, 2011). "It's a whole lotta 'sole'". New York Post. Retrieved August 1, 2011.
  11. God Save My Shoes - God Save My Shoes, Officieal Website
  12. "'God Save My Shoes' Gives Stilettos the Documentary Treatment". September 8, 2011.
  13. CBS Local
  14. Behan, Tara (August 19, 2008). "What's It Pay?". Main Line Today. Retrieved June 12, 2009.
  15. Levin, Bess (August 7, 2012). "Woman Whose Ex-Hedge Fund Husband Demanded A Cut Of Her Shoes Just Rubbing It In His Face At This Point". Main Line Today. Retrieved August 8, 2012.
  16. House of Cards - Bravo TV website, Millionaire Matchmaker
  17. Robin Leach (June 15, 2016). "Rick Leventhal and Beth Shak's L.V. wedding is no longer a secret". LasVegasSun.com. Retrieved April 8, 2017.
  18. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on July 2, 2014. Retrieved June 13, 2014.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  19. "Deal me In for JED event". Archived from the original on January 31, 2016. Retrieved February 13, 2016.
  20. "Deal Me In For JED press release". Archived from the original on March 1, 2016. Retrieved February 13, 2016.
  21. All In Poker Tournament Archived April 25, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
  22. Katie, Lindsay (July 10, 2009). "The Round Table – Beth Shak the Charitable Poker Playing Mother". PokerWorks. Retrieved June 8, 2009.
  23. Wish Upon a Hero Archived July 24, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
  24. Gift of Life
  25. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on July 14, 2014. Retrieved June 19, 2014.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  26. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on July 14, 2014. Retrieved July 8, 2014.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  27. "LeSean McCoy Foundation". Archived from the original on July 8, 2014. Retrieved June 10, 2014.
  28. [ww.mnsfoundation.org]
  29. Page 6
  30. Philly2Philly
  31. Paw Nation
  32. RedLight Children Archived June 17, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
  33. Pedaids Archived August 21, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  34. StarPulse Archived June 8, 2015, at the Wayback Machine
  35. "Ante Up For Africa". Archived from the original on October 9, 2015. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  36. Sunflower Children Benefit
  37. Benefit for the LLS
  38. Miracle Foundation
  39. Working Dog Center Annual Report
  40. God Save My Shoes
  41. Poker After Dark#Season 3 .282008.29
  42. Gambling Secrets
  43. Poker Face
  44. Poker Champion Gives Back Philadelphia
  45. Poker Player Beth Shak
  46. Is Taxing Poker a Bad Play?
  47. Bill on the Buy Sell Hold
  48. Ankle Breaking News Archived January 10, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
  49. You've Got Beth Shak
  50. Poker Queen Antes Up 1200 Pairs of Shoes
  51. Vine Talk
  52. God Save My Shoes
  53. High on Heels
  54. Wendy Williams Show
  55. Celebrity Nightmares Decoded
  56. Beth's Shoe Closet
  57. NY Ink on TLC Archived January 11, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
  58. MyFoxPhilly
  59. Good Morning America
  60. FoxPhilly
  61. 20/20 Archived August 17, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
  62. "Lifetime TV Shows".
  63. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on September 3, 2014. Retrieved September 1, 2014.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  64. "Real estate agents carrying guns for protection".
  65. "Poker Night in America Weekly Recap (November 9) | Poker Night in America".
  66. Seen At 11: Investing In Handbags Is A Solid Financial Bet, Experts Say
  67. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on July 4, 2017. Retrieved July 25, 2017.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  68. http://milashak.com/ Milashak.com
  69. http://milashak.com/hamptons-pet-issue-no-9-2016/ Hamptons Pet Issue No. 9
  70. http://milashak.com/shoeholics/ Shoeholics
  71. http://www.hamptonspet.com/ Hampton's Pet
  72. http://pagesix.com/2017/06/20/poker-queens-private-info-compromised-in-home-invasion/ Page6
  73. http://pagesix.com/2016/07/25/beth-shak-throws-over-the-top-puppy-party-to-screen-movie/ Puppy Party
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