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: Sarah Silverman

Female celebrity poker players are not a new phenomenon; Let's face it, over the recent years poker has become a phenomenon driving people crazy all over the world.



Many poker enthusiasts would tell you that poker is not just a game of luck, but a real sport requiring its followers to develop certain intellectual skills and capacities.

Funny, irreverent, fearless, hardcore: all were used at one time or another to describe actress and bawdy comedienne Sarah Silverman and her unremitting style of humor.

Silverman's first career break was as a writer on Saturday Night Live during the 1993-94 season, but none of her satirical sketches were aired. She later had a featured role in HBO's comedy show "Mr. Show with Bob and David", and a guest appearance in a two-part episode of "Star Trek: Voyager". Appeared in several movies including "There's Something About Mary" with Ben Stiller and Cameron Diaz and "The School of Rock" with Jack Black and Joan Cusack.

Sarah Silverman's career as a poker player started with her premier appearances on the popular Celebrity Poker Showdown, appearing on two shows. The first show she played against poker celebrity Shannon Elizabeth, and in her second appearance against Hollywood's celebrities Matthew Perry, and Christopher Meloni.

Her poker dexterity were good, her sense of humor at the table greater, but neither were able to carry her to the Final Table of either show.

Sarah Silverman has appeared on Celebrity Poker Showdown - and she played quite well - though she lost both times. Sarah is an avid poker player, though: don't let the loss fool you. In fact, she's in a regular game with Paul Rudd, the guy that knocked her out of the Celebrity Poker Showdown game.

At the end of her run on Celebrity Poker Showdown, Sarah Silverman climbed at the top of the poker table and begged the dealer for a helping river. The dealer burned and turned the river into the small of her back. Shortly thereafter in the Loser’s Lounge interview:

Dave Foley said, “And there was a river flowing down the small of your back.”

Sarah Silverman quickly replied with “Yeah, if I only had a nickel…”

So, it is no wonder that a wide variety of Hollywood celebrities, world class super models and notable sportsmen alike, have gladly embraced poker as well. We believe that the game of poker is not only very exciting, but is also highly glamorous and challenging. And, celebrities are always attracted to glamor and challenge of poker!

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