I know that the purpose of this presser is to attract more people to the charity poker tournament raising money for the victims of Darfur, but I have to admit that I am posting it as an excuse to put half naked pictures of Shannon Elizabeth and Gina Gershon on the site. What? Did you want the Willie Garson pics instead?
This is actually a great cause and if you are in Vegas for teh WSOP, I recommend taking some time to hob nob with the celebs and help raise some money.
Las Vegas - Stars Gina Gershon, Shannon Elizabeth, Willie Garson and Brad Garrett and top poker professional Jennifer Harman have joined the growing list of celebrities who plan to play in the Ante Up For Africa charity tournament July 5 at the 38th annual World Series of Poker.
The Ante Up for Africa tournament is designed by Oscar nominee Don Cheadle and poker pro Annie Duke to raise awareness about the humanitarian crisis in Darfur. It will begin at 4 p.m. July 5 at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino, home of the World Series of Poker, and will be followed by a private party for tournament participants at the Rio's famed Voodoo Lounge.
The tournament is open to anyone 21 years of age or older. Seating is limited, and those who want to participate are encouraged to pre-register for the event at www.worldseriesofpoker.com/anteup/anteup/pdf.
Gershon, Elizabeth, Garson and Garrett have joined a list of Hollywood stars that includes Cheadle, Ben Affleck, Brad Pitt, Jason Alexander, Jennifer Tilley, Hank Azaria, George Clooney, Matt Damon, George Lopez, Danny Masterson, Mekhi Phifer, Ray Romano, Adam Sandler and James Woods, all of whom have expressed plans to play, subject to availability.
They will be competing with poker pros and sports celebrities including basketball greats Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith and poker pros Erik Seidel, Howard Lederer, Phil Hellmuth, Phil Gordon, Joe Hachem, Andy Bloch, Chris Ferguson, Barry Greenstein, Robert Williamson III, Phil Laak, Doyle Brunson, Phil Ivey, Ted Forrest, Mike Matusow and Clonie Gowen, who've also said they intend to play.
While donations are not required to participate, Ante Up For Africa participants are being asked to contribute half of their tournament winnings to the ENOUGH Project and the International Rescue Committee, organizations whose goals include raising public awareness and providing aid to the survivors of Darfur.
"Interest in this event is rapidly gaining momentum," said Jeffrey Pollack, commissioner of the World Series of Poker. "We encourage anyone who wants to enjoy a very special evening with some of the biggest names in entertainment and gaming while helping to ease the suffering of more than 2.5 million Darfur refugees to pre-register before the event is sold out."
Cheadle, an accomplished poker player, and Duke, 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.
