Scott Ian to Play Poker With Kirk and Slash

"It's basically a way for me and my friends to try and take each other's money," laughs Anthrax's bald 'n bearded guitarist and poker buff Scott Ian. Ian, who is prepping for the summer release of Anthrax's 'Worship Music,' has devised an ingenious way to play a virtual round of Texas Hold 'Em with Metallica's Kirk Hammett, Guns N' Roses' Slash, Alice in Chains' Jerry Cantrell and Pantera's Vinnie Paul, all of whom are rarely in the same time zone.

Ian tells Noisecreep, "I have played separately with all of these guys for the past few years. We needed to figure out a way to play together, have our own private table online and to log in whenever we wanted, since the five of us don't see each other often. We could try to get together and play cards, but our schedules never allow it."

As a member of this metal online poker team, Ian has set up an exclusive match for his aforementioned friends, scheduled for March 11 at 8:30 PM. Perennial World Series of Poker champions Phil Hellmuth and Annie Duke will join the rockers. There are currently 20 out of 27 slots remaining, where fans and other poker pros will be able to bluff, raise and chat live with the players.

Ian admits that it will be a cool experience for fans, reminding us that "it's not every day that you get to chat with Kirk or Slash."