Last night, the lush Empire Casino in Leicester Square kicked off the inaugural World Series of Poker Europe in style by hosting the latest Antes Up For Africa event.
Heavily supported by well-known celebrities such as Hollywood actors Don Cheadle, Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, Antes Up For Africa is a flourishing charity that rolls hot off the success of the rewarding Darfur Event that was held in Vegas.
This time around, amateurs and pro’s alike joined forces to raise money for the worthwhile charity by stumping up £500 for a quick, but highly entertaining 2-table freezeout. With 15 minute blinds and 2k starting stacks, this was never going to be a world class structure, but this was about raising money, not poker, so it wasn’t surprising when the likes of Annie Duke, Howard Lederer, Tony G, Devilfish, Andy Bloch and co all took their seats in preparation for a few hours of poker fun.
Sadly missing from the felt was Phil Hellmuth, but fear not, as he held the unenviable post of compere, wittering throughout and generally keeping onlookers entertained. With Tony G and Roland de Wolfe in the vicinity, the banter was rife, and it didn’t take long for the Poker Brat to mention topics such as ‘Russians’ and ‘bikes’.
Chris Ferguson was the first to drop, but the free bar will have been a welcome consolation, and one that was being fully utilised by the majority of the crowd. As well as the Elvis Presley waiters offering champagne, sushi, samosas and whatnot, the Empire suavity continued throughout the casino with dances from feather-headed performers, girls perched in giant Martini glasses and even a quite spectacular cocktail juggling show from the barmen downstairs. Quite a sight for those who are yet to see Tom Cruise’s ‘Cocktail’ outing.
Back to the tournament, and although the tables were infested with an array of smartly attired stars from the poker world, it was an accountant from Vegas who took top honours, Marissa Chien the proud winner of the charity’s latest event.
A big thumbs up to Marissa, but an even bigger thumbs up to the organisers whose continual social awareness of goings on in countries less fortunate than us is helping to raise copious amounts of money within a game that is swamped in spondoolies. The money heading to war-torn Sudan is sure to be of great aid.
Images courtesy of devilfishpoker.com