Jen Tilly Chooses Poker Over Oscars

Oscars, Schmoscars says 2005's poker queen, Jen Tilly. She told the AP, "This is the first time in 15 years I haven't attended the Oscar parties or gotten swept up in Oscar fever." Instead, she headed to Vegas to join 63 other poker stars, including her boyfriend Phil "Unabomber" Laak, for the 2006 National Heads Up Poker Championship.

Tilly could have made the show, as she was knocked out Saturday, but stayed on to watch the action. Only 8 remain in the tournament to compete for the heads-up championship title and the $1.5 million prize. The tournament will be televised on NBC over six Sundays starting April 16. Learn more at the official site.

Small spoiler: The eight remaining today are Daniel Negreanu, James McManus (Who wrote Positively 5th Street, a great poker book), Huck Seed, Barry Greenstein, Sammy Farha, Chris "Jesus" Ferguson, Ted Forrest, and Sean Sheikhan.