Celebrities and Poker Pros Ante Up for Darfur Awareness

Annie Duke and Don Cheadle combine forces to create the Ante Up for Africa poker tournament. (Courtesy lasvegasvegas.com)

A number of Hollywood celebrities are expected to join some of poker's best to help raise funds and awareness for the crisis in Darfur in a special "Ante Up For Africa" tournament at the 2007 World Series of Poker. The brainchild of acclaimed actor Don Cheadle and lady poker pro Annie Duke, the Ante Up For Africa tournament will be held July 5 at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, just a day before the Main Event begins.

Celebrities rumored to be participating include 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.

Poker pros who have committed to the event include Erik Seidel, Howard Lederer, Phil Hellmuth, Phil Gordon, Joe Hachem, Chris "Jesus" Ferguson, Barry Greenstein, Phil Laak, Doyle Brunson, Phil Ivey, Mike Matusow and Clonie Gowan.

The blind structure for the tournament has been set like a WPT final table with organizers expecting the event to be completed within five hours. The $5,000 buy-in tournament is open to anyone, and participants are also eligible to attend a private party at the Voodoo Lounge at the Rio beginning at 10 p.m.

Money raised from the event will go to support two non-profit organizations, The International Rescue Committee and The ENOUGH Project. Both dedicated to raising funds and awareness for refugee and humanitarian issues.

Give yourself a reason to be in Vegas this summer to bluff a celeb and raise awareness for Darfur. Head over to the Bodog Poker Room for a chance to win a $12,000 prize package to the 2007 WSOP.