Celebrities At The 3rd Annual Ante Up For Africa Poker Tournament

A crowd puller by the media in the red carpet as the Rio Convention Center became the center of the universe for both the celebrity world and the poker world last thursday, July 2, 2009.

The celebrities at the 3rd Annual Ante Up For Africa Poker Tournament at the Rio Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas. Some celebrities spotted in the event were:

Actor Ben Affleck arrives at the 3rd Ante Up for Africa celebrity poker tournament at the Rio Hotel and Casino last Thursday, July 2,2009.

Actor Matt Damon arrives at the 3rd Ante Up for Africa celebrity poker tournament at the Rio Hotel and Casino last Thursday, July 2,2009.

Actress Jennifer Tilly arrives at the 3rd Ante Up for Africa celebrity poker tournament at the Rio Hotel and Casino last Thursday, July 2,2009.

Actress and comedian Sarah Silverman arrives at the 3rd Ante Up for Africa celebrity poker tournament at the Rio Hotel and Casino last Thursday, July 2,2009.

Actors Dean Cain (L) and Jason Alexander arrive at the 3rd Ante Up for Africa celebrity poker tournament at the Rio Hotel and Casino last Thursday, July 2,2009.

Actor and a former WBF boxing champion Mike Tyson arrives at the 3rd Ante Up for Africa celebrity poker tournament at the Rio Hotel and Casino last Thursday, July 2,2009.

Actor and event host Don Cheadle arrives at the 3rd Ante Up for Africa celebrity poker tournament at the Rio Hotel and Casino last Thursday, July 2,2009.

Poker Icon and the Duchess of poker Annie Duke arrives at the 3rd Ante Up for Africa celebrity poker tournament at the Rio Hotel and Casino last Thursday, July 2,2009.

NBA analyst and former NBA player Charles Barkley (Left) and Actor and Comedian Brad Garrett (Right) arrive at the 3rd Ante Up for Africa celebrity poker tournament at the Rio Hotel & Casino last Thursday, July 2,2009.

Television personality Montel Williams (R) and his wife Tara Williams arrive at 3rd Ante Up for Africa celebrity poker tournament at the Rio Hotel & Casino last Thursday, July 2,2009.

Comedian and Actor Doug Benson arrives at the 3rd Ante Up for Africa celebrity poker tournament at the Rio Hotel & Casino last Thursday, July 2,2009.

Rapper and Actor Nelly arrives at the 3rd Ante Up for Africa celebrity poker tournament at the Rio Hotel & Casino last Thursday, July 2,2009.

11 time World Series Of Poker Tournament Phil Hellmuth arrives at the 3rd Ante Up for Africa celebrity poker tournament at the Rio Hotel & Casino last Thursday, July 2,2009.

"When we first conceived of the charity, we were thinking we'd just do a little event and raise like 20 or 30 thousand dollars," said Duke.

But Jeffrey Pollack, the Commissioner of World Series Of Poker Tournament had a vision for this event that we didn't have and he made us part of the World Series Of Poker Tournament.

"It's an amazing platform where not only are poker players involved here, at one place at one time, but media is also focused on poker this time of year right before the Main Event. It's so exciting to see everyone come out."

At the end of the day, Alex Bolotin won the $176,449 first place prize and promptly donated half of it back to charity.

Proceeds from the tournament will directly benefit Refugees International’s efforts in Darfur and Sudan. The 3rd Annual Ante Up for Africa Poker tournament has raised more than $2 million for the cause since its conception.

“It is important to me to show people that it is possible to make a difference for the people of Darfur, I am thrilled that this event has become such a success and that it will generate support for efforts by Refugees International, the Enough Project and others to end the crisis in Darfur.” said Duke.

"I am very pleased that we have raised almost 2 million to date and appreciative of everyone who has participated and donated to help us on our mission of bringing the plight of the refugees of Darfur to the forefront of people's minds," said Cheadle.

The event will also be televised in part by ESPN on August 11 from 8 – 10 pm ET.

Celebrity Poker Player: Eva Longoria-Parker

Celebrities don't have to be a poker pros to get attention playing it. Some go a step or two further and have people come to them, such as the case of Eva Longoria-Parker, one of the Desperate Housewives cast, together with her San Antonio Spurs point guard husband Tony Parker and their night of charity poker.

The charity named Eva’s Heroes,- celebrated the Parkers' First Annual Tony and Eva Parker Celebrity Casino Night. Eva’s Heroes is an organization that seeks to benefit children with developmental challenges and young adults with special needs.

The Tony and Eva Parker Celebrity Casino Night took placed August 9 last year at Pedrotti’s North Wind Ranch in San Antonio, Texas, with a buy-in of $300. They gave the players a 10,000 in starting chips, and $100 additional rebuys for 5,000 in chips available throughout the first hour once players dip below 5,000 with other casino games that ran during the tournament, including blackjack, roulette, craps, slot machines, and a money wheel.

The evening included a dinner and silent auction, each of the dozen celebrities in attendance played in the tournament including the Parkers, Jennifer Morrison of the television show “House,” Adam Rodriguez of “CSI: Miami,” David Zayas of “Dexter,” Ricardo Antonio Chavira of “Desperate Housewives,” Leeann Tweeden of NBC's “Poker After Dark” and current and former Spurs' Tim Duncan and Sean Elliott among others.

The tournament drew a capacity crowd of 280 players spread throughout 28 tables in the banquet-size playing area. Some of the prizes for the players fortunate enough to make the final table included signed Tony Parker basketball jerseys, plasma-screen television sets and a seat at the 2009 Main Event of the World Series of Poker.

Ultimate Bet is collaborating with the First Annual Tony and Eva Parker Celebrity Casino Night benefiting charity organization "Eva's Heroes." Completed with a poker tournament which will be emceed by 11-time WSOP bracelet winner Phil Hellmuth Jr.

"I'm incredibly excited that the popularity of poker is able to help such an important cause and I'm unbelievably honored to be associated with this charity." Phil Hellmuth said.

To help raise additional money for Eva’s Heroes, UltimateBet has also donated an Aruba Poker Classic prize package to the casino night’s live auction. The prize package includes a seat in this year’s Main Event plus a head-to-head poker game and a lesson with Phil Hellmuth in his personal suite in Aruba. The 2008 Aruba Poker Classic gets underway on September 27th and several celebrities have already confirmed their attendance including actor Don Cheadle and Anthrax guitarist Scott Ian.

Eva Longoria established Eva’s Heroes after watching her sister grow up with an intellectual disability:

“She has given me so much inspiration and hope to face everyday with the strength and courage she has had her whole life. She has never seen herself with a disability and only sees the good in everyone and everything.” Longoria stated.

The Eva's Heroes is an organization dedicated in enriching those with developmental challenges by providing an inclusive interactions, grow and love.

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