Beth Shak

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) for The Children’s Hospital of Pennsylvania’s Palliative Care program. She is on the board of the Wish Upon A Hero Foundation, the advisory board of ShoeRevolt.com, and is on a committee at Gift of Life. She supports the Make-A-Wish Foundation and attended the LeSean McCoy celebrity charity weekend.

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.

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.

Shak was married to fellow poker player Dan Shak, but they divorced in 2009. A civil suit for a portion of her shoes was brought against Shak by her ex-husband, but was dismissed. 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. She has three children. On June 9, 2016, Beth Shak married Rick Leventhal in Las Vegas. In April 2017, Beth filed for divorce after nine months of marriage citing "irreconcilable differences".

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. Shak was also mentioned in the NY Times for her role in a documentary about high heels.

Mila Shak is a brindle teacup Yorkshire Terrier owned by Beth Shak. 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.

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

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." 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.

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, P.A.W.S., Redlight Children Campaign, Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, and ASPCA.

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.