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Celebrities came out to do their part during the World Series of Poker Wednesday during the Ante Up for Africa poker tournament. The charity event brings some of the best players in the business to play for charity and donate their winnings the people of Darfur, Sudan. The tournament lasted five hours and included celebrity players as well as professionals. Actor Don Cheadle and professional poker player Annie Duke hosted the event at the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino where the World Series of Poker is held every year. Participants included celebrities like Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Adam Sandler, Ray Romano, and George Lopez. Professional players included big names like Doyle Brunson, Phil Ivey, Daniel Negreanu, Howard Lederer, Chris Furguson, Andy Bloch, Phil Hellmuth, and Phil Laak. The players took time out of their busy schedules to compete and win money to donate the 2.5 million people in Africa who have been uprooted because of ethnic warfare. The tournament has a $5000 buy-in and winners are asked to donate at least half of their winning to charity. However, last year both final players donated 100% of their winnings. This year the event is projected to raise almost $1 million to be divided among several charities.
The winning money will be sent party to ENOUGH, a joint initiative of the International Crisis Group and the Center for American Progress. ENOUGH’s main aim is to end the crisis in Darfur as well as in Uganda. Part of the money will also be given to Not on Our Watch, this celebrity founded organization is aimed and stopping atrocities like the Darfur crisis all around the world. Celebrity founders of the organization include: George Clooney, Don Cheadle, Matt Damon, and Brad Pitt.
Also among the players this year was notorious gambler Charles Barkley. After a recent interview with ESPN, Barkley admitted that he has probably lost an estimated $10 million since he’s been gambling. Barkley was recently ordered to pay $400,000 to the Wynn Las Vegas for pent up gambling debts. After paying the debts, Barkley vowed to quit gambling altogether. However, he decided to go back on his vow to abstain from gambling in order to compete in the Ante up for Africa event this week. Thinking that he wouldn’t be criticized since he was playing for a good cause, Barkley competed in the event. However, he was eliminated early on in the tournament. Many believed he may have either quit on purpose or been distracted by the media that was hounding him about his gambling habits.
Over 300,000 people have lost their lives due to the crisis in Darfur and celebrities are taking the time to fight back against this kind of warfare. Ante Up For Africa is currently one of the largest celebrity Darfur initiatives. Watch out for the Ranting Redhead report of who was on the red carpet at this event.
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