"Converge is my cash cow," said Ben Koller of his role as the drummer for the hard-core metal band Converge. The real winner last night, though, seemed to be Kev McKeown, whose mountain of chips across the poker table from Ben proved that straights can be cash cows, too.

This was the scene last night in the studio of artist Tom Billings, where for nearly a year Brooklyn-area musicians and artists have converged weekly to play in a top-secret (and men's only) game of Texas Hold 'Em.

Alongside Ben and Kev, the Belfast guitarist for the Hypocrites, were Joseph Plunket and Johnny "Pockets" Carpenter, members of The Weight. As Kev collected his chips amidst a chorus of "douchebag!", he told me of his most recent work as the construction artist behind "all the pretty bars in Williamsburg", including Union Pool. A new bar on N.9th and Berry that will feature his work is set to open Dec. 14, and Kev assured, it will "blow people's minds." "I get this neighborhood drunk," he boasted.

While Kev cashed in, Plunket and Carpenter described their roles in The Weight. Carpenter currently plays pedal steel guitar and the organ for the country-infused rock group. Rustin Nichols, a self-described "retired scumbag" and the official merchandiser/bartender for the group, was also present. Anyone who lives in Greenpoint will know that The Weight are in good hands with Rustin, a former bartender at Coco 66 when it was one of the only watering holes around.

At the end of the table Wes Duvall and Davey Pockets/Frank Lover (giving out real names to cootie-carrying girl bloggers is such a pain, isn't it?) contemplated their next move. While Duvall wasn't too stoked about his Jack/Three pair, he was interested in talking about his artwork and upcoming cover on the Village Voice. Pockets/Lover meanwhile, is the guitarist for Animal Money. Rounding out the poker players was Paul Peffer, whose only comment on the match was: "I lose a lot of money." Luckily there was a lot of Budweiser for that.

Artist Tom Billings doesn't seem too upset by the mess these guys make in his studio once a week.

Guitarist and vocalist Plunket in a moment of intense focus.

Photos taken by Vanessa Liberati, of Gitana Rosa Gallery.