More than a dozen celebrities and athletes are returning and expected to join poker’s most notable players to raise public awareness and funds to support the victims of the humanitarian crisis in Darfur, Sudan, at the 2nd annual Ante Up For Africa tournament at the 2008 World Series of Poker presented by Milwaukee’s Best Light.Created by Oscar nominee Don Cheadle and poker pro Annie Duke, the Ante Up for Africa tournament will begin at 2 p.m. July 2nd at the Rio® All-Suite Hotel & Casino, home of the World Series of Poker (WSOP).
Last year’s Ante Up For Africa (see picture) event featured more Hollywood celebrities and poker professionals than any other charity tournament ever and raised more than $700,000.
“After the success of last year’s tournament, we are looking forward to another exciting year while raising awareness for an ongoing crisis,” said poker pro Annie Duke. “It is exciting to bring the world of poker and entertainment together and we are once again asking players who win prize money to donate half of their winnings to our charities.”
Among those confirmed to participate, subject to availability, are Hollywood stars Cheadle, Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Adam Sandler, Ray Romano, Charles Barkley, Jason Kidd, Kevin Pollack, Cheryl Hines, George Lopez, Joe Trohman (Fall Out Boy) with many more expressing their interest to play. Also playing, subject to availability, will be poker professionals Doyle Brunson, Phil Ivey, Daniel Negreanu, Howard Lederer, Chris Ferguson, Andy Bloch, Phil Hellmuth, Phil Laak, Erik Seidel, Phil Gordon, Rafe Furst, Barry Greenstein and others.
The tournament will feature a fast-paced structure designed to complete the competition within five hours. Seating for the tournament is limited and anyone who wants to participate is encouraged to pre-register at:
"The poker community has a unique opportunity to help ease the suffering in Darfur," said Jeffrey Pollack, commissioner of the World Series of Poker. "The stars are coming out for this special event once again and we encourage everyone to register early before we sell out.”
“I was elated that we raised over $700,000 last year,” said Cheadle. “I am so grateful for everyone’s participation and generosity in helping us continue to bring the plight of the refugees of Darfur to the forefront of people’s minds. I hope we can raise even more this year.”
Cheadle, an accomplished poker player, and Duke (right), who has more than $4 million in tournament winnings, are committed to raising both public awareness about the tragedy in Darfur and funds to aid its victims. As the world’s richest sporting event, the WSOP is covered by more than 600 journalists from around the globe each year and attracts players from more than 85 countries.Proceeds from this year’s tournament will go to two charities: ENOUGH, www.enoughproject.org, a joint initiative of the International Crisis Group and the Center for American Progress, which aims to end crimes against humanity in Darfur, northern Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and to prevent future mass atrocities wherever they occur and Not On Our Watch, www.notonourwatchproject.org, founded by actors George Clooney, Don Cheadle, Matt Damon, and Brad Pitt, which has endeavored to focus global attention and resources towards putting an end to mass atrocities around the world. The group has adopted the crisis in Darfur, Africa, as its inaugural campaign. Drawing on the powerful voices of artists, activists and cultural leaders, NOOW generates lifesaving humanitarian assistance and protection for the vulnerable, marginalized and displaced.
More information about Harrah’s and the tournament is available at www.harrahs.com and www.worldseriesofpoker.com, respectively.
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