The 2009 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Ante Up for Africa tournament was chalk full of poker’s top names, including Phil Hellmuth, Andy Bloch, and Howard Lederer. Poker News Daily was on the scene as the game’s elite made their way into the charity poker tournament.
Eleven-Time WSOP Bracelet Holder Phil Hellmuth
On the cast of celebrities in attendance:
“I love it. The bigger the better. It’s such a great event. Look at all of the media here. To have all of this media tuned onto charity and poker is fabulous. I’ve emceed almost every Ante Up for Africa, whether it’s been in Europe or here in Las Vegas. It’s great to raise $1 million in one night.”
Ultimate Bet Star Player Tiffany Michelle
On the tournament as a break from the WSOP grind:
“As a professional poker player, it’s exciting to sit down and play with celebrities. There are bragging rights to say, ‘I knocked Montel Williams out.’ It’s a lot of fun. As professional poker players, we get so sucked into bad beats and being stuck in casinos all day. To remember that there’s another world beyond ours means a lot.”
On the marriage between charity and poker:
“There are a lot of people who have skills. They can go overseas and work with the Red Cross. Sitting in Las Vegas or Los Angeles, if you don’t feel like you have nursing skills or political skills, you can donate money. It’s something that we throw around like crazy. We’ll spend a few thousand dollars on a table at a club or we could be potentially winning millions of dollars. I love that the WSOP is behind this event, but also Annie [Duke] and Don [Cheadle]. It’s probably one of the most fun charity events I’ve ever played in.”
Team PokerStars Pro Member Humberto Brenes
On turning out for Ante Up for Africa:
“I feel good and today is more relaxed. I’ve played for the last 30 days here in tournaments with thousands of people.”
Former MIT Blackjack Team Member Andy Bloch
On being among Hollywood’s elite:
“This event was great a couple of years ago when Annie [Duke] got the idea. She was able to bring in A-list celebrities and lots of money to the event. Every year, it seems to grow and get better. This year, with the television coverage they’re going to have of the event, I’m really looking forward to not just raising money, but also raising a lot of awareness.”
2009 WSOP Dual Bracelet Winner Greg “FBT” Mueller
On whether the Ante Up for Africa event is a good break from the WSOP:
“It’s fun. It’s a lot of crazy and exciting people. Ante Up for Africa is a great cause and I’m always happy to donate to good causes, especially when things are going well.”
Full Tilt Poker Pro Jennifer Harman
On the Ante Up for Africa atmosphere:
“It is a wild event. It’s nice to see people come out and support this cause. It shows that poker is a way of giving and we all really love that part of it.”
On her fundraiser for the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals:
“That went really well and we raised about $150,000. The most important thing is raising awareness and we did that. I did another charity event for the National Kidney Foundation in Reno and it had the largest turnout ever for a poker tournament in Reno history. I’m proud to be part of the giving and to help people in this world.”
Professional Poker Player Barry Greenstein
On being surrounded by celebrities:
“It’s pretty interesting. It shows you how much poker is a part of everyday life. These people play poker around the kitchen table like the rest of us. They’re happy to come out and make fools of themselves for a good cause.”
On celebrities’ games:
“Some are better than others. I’m not really intimidated by anyone’s game, professional or amateur. I’m certainly not thinking, ‘That guy is coming from Hollywood and he’s really going to show me some moves.'”
Professional Poker Player Robert Williamson III
On lending his name to the Ante Up for Africa tournament:
“With the WSOP being such an international tournament, it’s only right that we champion such a great cause. It’s shining a spotlight on an international catastrophe that needs more exposure and attention. It’s a fantastic event to be involved with. I look forward to many more years of supporting it.”
On whether he’d raise Mike Tyson’s blind if they were seated at the same table:
“He may be a champion boxer, but I’m one of the champions on the green felt. He’s going to have to call me down because I’ll be moving on him. I know he’s an aggressor too, so it should be an interesting match.”
2005 WSOP Main Event Champion Joe Hachem
On how important his attendance is:
“I think being at this sort of charity event with the amount of publicity it’s getting is fantastic.”
Bracelet Winner Howard Lederer
On the WSOP Main Event’s longstanding appeal:
“It’s the original event. It’s the most important poker tournament of the year. It’s the tournament everyone thinks about. It’s just a poker tournament, but the history, anticipation, and money make it something way beyond that. Everyone who sits down in the Main Event is connecting in some way with everyone who has ever played and that’s electrifying.”
ESPN Announcer Norman Chad
On sitting next to Allen Cunningham in a WSOP Stud tournament:
“When I play in a tournament and sit next to someone like Allen Cunningham, it’s a thrill. You know that they’re the best in the world. I would never yell out, ‘It’s Allen Cunningham’ because he’s such a quiet and classy guy.”
On ESPN covering the Ante Up for Africa event:
“It’s tremendous. It can do a lot of good for this cause. To have this for two hours on ESPN – we know we’re going to be able to raise so much more money than we would have otherwise.”
On his pick to win the Ante Up for Africa event:
“Even though he doesn’t speak to me, I’m going to say Phil Ivey. He’s the best poker player in the world. I expect him to win the Main Event every year and I expect him to win this.”
On his future:
“You never know. Things change, but this has been like an angel dropping out of the sky for me. It’s great work and it’s fun work. I’d love to do it as long as I can.”
