Sportinglife's Liezl van der Merwe searches the web for this week's best quotes from the electrifying world of poker.

"I haven't even seen Brokeback Mountain. I don't even know who's nominated," said actress-turned-poker-star Jennifer Tilly who has become so infatuated with high stakes Texas Hold 'Em, that for the first time in more than a decade, she's skipped the red carpet of the Oscars for the green felt of the poker table.

"Poker has exploded over the last few years. Once they figure out the best way to televise blackjack, I think it will become as popular as poker," said author Ben Mezrich, an analyst on the GSN broadcast.

"When you get down to it, everybody is dealt two cards, so I think I've got a good chance. People are saying I'm the 'Chris Moneymaker' story right now," said 19-year-old American University student Jeff Williams who has won more than $1 million and a top spot in the European Poker Tour's Grand Final in Monaco.

"Poker has really taken off the past couple of years, and I'm glad we're able to take advantage of its popularity to raise money for those in need. While it's for a good cause, I'm sure you'll see our competitive side come out when the cards are dealt. There are some similarities between poker and racing. In both, you must be patient but attack at the right times. And a little bit of luck never hurts either," said four-time NASCAR Cup Series champion, Jeff Gordon, who hosted and competed in a charity poker tournament at Caesars Palace.

"The players here are all super-high calibre so it means a lot. I've kind of seen what my opponents were willing to give me and adjusted at the table," said Ted Forrest who won the National Heads-Up Poker Championship, beating an elite field of pros and sending Chris "Jesus" Ferguson to his second defeat at the final table in two years.

"It really isn't that much pain. I would have absolutely loved, loved to win this. It's a very, very important championship, in my opinion. But you can't do it every year. I'm really proud of finishing second two years in a row. That's way harder than winning it once," said Chris Ferguson, known as "Jesus" for his long brown hair and beard, said he was disappointed, but had no regrets about his play, including calling Forrest's all-in bet before the flop with a queen of clubs and jack of diamonds on the last hand. Forrest held a king of clubs and seven of diamonds, but had a commanding 5-to-1 chip lead to support the bet.