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Hellmuth gets the VIP treatment

Being a top poker player can lead to a life alongside the rich and famous, one notable star has shown.

Phil Hellmuth, a member of the poker hall of fame and one of the most decorated professionals in the sport, discussed some of the celebrities he rubbed shoulders with last week in Los Angeles.

Included in the list were basketball legend Charles Barkley, who allegedly called Hellmuth his "hero" at a Los Angeles Lakers game, Eva Longoria and Heroes star Greg Grunberg.

Longoria invited Hellmuth to dinner at her restaurant along with her husband Tony Parker and a number of other players from the San Antonio Spurs, who had been the Lakers' opponents in the match.

Commenting on the meal, Hellmuth remarked: "The food there was amazing (try the steak tacos appetizer) and Eva was the perfect hostess."

Hellmuth is not the first big poker name to have attended a major sporting event in recent weeks.

Shannon Shorr was at Chelsea's last game of the Premier League season against Bolton earlier this month.