On Saturday, July 3rd, the annual World Series of Poker (WSOP) Ante Up for Africa charity tournament will kick off from the Rio in Las Vegas. Already announced for the festivities are actors Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. This week, Harrah’s officials unveiled additional attendees.
In addition to Damon and Affleck, fellow actors Ray Romano and Brad Garrett will head to Sin City to play in the $5,000 charity tournament. Garrett is a regular on the charity circuit and will participate in Thursday night’s After School All-Stars fundraiser hosted by Annie Duke at the Commerce Casino in Los Angeles. Romano and Garrett co-starred in the popular sitcom “Everybody Loves Raymond.” Romano took eighth in the 2008 running of the Ante Up for Africa tournament for $18,000.
Representing the world of animated comedy in the Ante Up for Africa charity poker tournament will be Hank Azaria, voice of Chief Wiggum, Moe Szyslak, and Comic Book Guy, among other characters, on “The Simpsons.” Azaria is a fixture in the WSOP Main Event and his movie appearances include the poker film “The Grand,” “Dodgeball,” and “Along Came Polly.” Joining Azaria will be fellow thespian Sara Rue, whose credits include “Less Than Perfect,” “Popular,” and “The Big Bang Theory.”
If you’re a sports fanatic, then look forward to New York Knicks star Tracy McGrady being in the house. The former Raptors, Magic, and Rockets star was a first round draft pick in 1997 and is a seven-time NBA All-Star. At 6’8”, he’ll likely be the tallest person on the red carpet, making photo opportunities easy to come by. Flanking McGrady will be fellow basketball player Kenny Smith, who attended last year and serves as an analyst for TNT. Smith won NBA titles with the Houston Rockets in back-to-back years in 1994 and 1995.
Don Cheadle, Norman Epstein, and Duke founded Ante Up for Africa in 2006. This year will mark the fourth tournament benefiting the charity to play out during the WSOP. Last year, the festivities aired on ESPN and ended with Alex Bolotin coming out on top for $176,000. According to Harrah’s, Nevada gaming laws do not allow prize pool money to be given directly to a charity. As such, many players who have cashed in the event have graciously donated half of their winnings to benefit the victims of the crisis in Darfur.
Poker News Daily was present on the red carpet last year, when attendees included “The Hangover” star Mike Tyson and basketball legend Charles Barkley. Sadly, Tyson’s now-famous tiger did not make an appearance, although fellow players like former “Best Week Ever” star Doug Benson were afraid of crossing the boxer. Benson jokingly told Poker News Daily last year, “My friend Sarah Silverman is here, as is my new friend Mike Tyson.”
Scheduled to represent the world of poker at the Ante Up for Africa fundraiser are Duke, Howard Lederer, Erik Seidel, Phil Gordon, Andy Bloch, Chris Ferguson, and event emcee Phil Hellmuth, with more to be announced.
On her poker brethren, Duke commented in a press release distributed by Harrah’s, “It is an honor to be working with the WSOP and the Rio for the fourth year of Ante Up for Africa. We created this event to make a positive impact on the lives of those in Darfur and throughout Africa. I am delighted the event continues to grow every year boasting more celebrities, more players, and more poker pros.”
Daniel Shak took down the inaugural Ante Up for Africa charity event in 2007, defeating Brandon Moran heads-up. In 2008, John “World” Hennigan trumped Michael Degusta; Shak reappeared at the final table and finished in third place. Last year’s gala attracted a field of 137.
