Los Angeles, CA (WFN) -- Vince Van Patten has a lucky streak when it comes to gambling -- he's been doing it since he was nine.

Van Patten says that even though he's been acting since he was a kid, his father, Dick Van Patten, always wanted him to prepare for the slow periods.

In his words, "When I was nine, he taught me how to read the Racing Form so I'd have something to fall back on."

Van Patten has been an avid poker player ever since and admits that, as a teen, he would put on fake beards in order to get into poker clubs and play against the pros.

Van Patten's gamble has paid off in spades: He currently hosts the "World Poker Tour," which airs Wednesdays on The Travel Channel.

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