Look To The Stars News: Annie Duke

Ante Up For Africa To Hit Las Vegas Tomorrow

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 15:33:00 -0000

Ante Up For Africa will support Refugees International’s efforts for the displaced people of Darfur and all of Sudan as part of its charity celebrity poker tournament in Las Vegas on July 2, 2009.

The event is hosted by WSOP Bracelet Winner and Celebrity Apprentice Star Annie Duke and Academy Award nominee Don Cheadle, with Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, and Brad Garrett planning to attend. Professional poker players and Refugees International supporters Howard Lederer, Andy Bloch, and Phil Hellmuth will also be participating.

“We are grateful to Ante Up For Africa for shining a spotlight on the ongoing crisis in Darfur and generating such significant support for the people who have been forced from their homes by this conflict,” said Ken Bacon, President of Refugees International. “An event like this makes it possible for Refugees International to continue to demand action from the world’s leaders to provide basic assistance and protection to refugees in Sudan and around the world.”

Ante Up for Africa is a non-profit organization that raises funds for the survivors of the humanitarian crisis in Darfur, Sudan and to support activism dedicated to resolving this crisis. Its successful charity poker event has raised over $2 million since it began in 2006. Beneficiaries of this year’s tournament include Refugees International, the ENOUGH Project and others. ESPN will televise the 2009 Ante Up For Africa Celebrity Charity Poker Tournament on August 11.

“It is important to me to show people that it is possible to make a difference for the people of Darfur,” said Annie Duke, one of the founders of Ante Up for Africa. “I am thrilled that this event has become such a success and that it will generate support for efforts by Refugees International, the Enough Project and others to end the crisis in Darfur.”

In 2009, Annie Duke played for Refugees International on NBC’s hit reality show “Celebrity Apprentice.” As a contestant on the show, she raised $700,000 for Refugees International.

“We have been privileged to work with Annie Duke and her friends and to witness the incredible generosity of the professional poker community,” continued Bacon. “We can’t thank Annie enough for her commitment to refugees around the world and for her work for peace and justice.”

Refugees International is a Washington, D.C.-based organization that advocates for lifesaving assistance and protection for displaced people and promotes solutions to displacement crises. The organization does not accept any government or UN funding to strengthen the independence of their advocacy. For more information, go to www.refugeesinternational.org.

Ante Up For Africa is a non-profit organization founded in 2006 by Don Cheadle, Annie Duke and Norman Epstein dedicated to raising money and awareness for Africans in need. For more information about Ante Up For Africa, please visit www.anteupforafrica.org.

Affleck, Damon and More To Ante Up For Africa

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 16:30:00 -0000

Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Brad Garrett, Mekhi Phifer, and top poker professional Phil Hellmuth have joined the growing list of celebrities who plan to play in the Ante Up For Africa charity tournament July 2 at the 40th annual World Series of Poker.

Some of Hollywood’s biggest stars are expected to go all in for the 3rd Ante Up For Africa (AUFA) Celebrity-Charity poker tournament.

Annually, the largest celebrity poker tournament in Las Vegas, the event is accessible for the public to play with their favorite stars or watch as spectators. A full house of celebrities will join Academy Award Nominee, Don Cheadle and “Celebrity Apprentice Star” and WSOP Bracelet winner Annie Duke at the event taking place during the 2009 WORLD SERIES OF POKER® (WSOP) at Rio in Las Vegas on Thursday, July 2 at 2 PM.

This No-Limit Hold’em poker tournament has an entry fee of $5,000 and provides entrants the opportunity to walk away with a six-figure payday. The event allows players to rub elbows with top Hollywood stars, athletes and poker professionals while contributing to a great cause.

Celebrities and athletes will join poker’s most notable players to raise public awareness and funds to support the victims of the humanitarian crisis in Darfur, Sudan.

Among those confirmed to participate, subject to availability, are Cheadle, Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Brad Garrett, Cedric the Entertainer, Charles Barkley, Danny Masterson, Hank Azaria, Herschel Walker, Jason Alexander, Kenny Smith, Marlon Wayans, Montel Williams, Reggie Miller, Tia Carrere, Sarah Silverman, Jason Kidd, Shawn Marion, Cheryl Hines, Mekhi Phifer, Rob Schneider; Poker Professionals Howard Lederer, Andy Bloch, Tiffany Michelle, Erik Seidel and Phil Hellmuth with more to be confirmed.

The tournament will feature a fast-paced structure designed to complete the competition within five hours. Seating for the tournament is open to anyone age 21 or older.

This event, as is every World Series of Poker tournament, is open to the public for viewing and admission is free. The event will take place in the famed Amazon Ballroom in the Rio Convention Center, just one day prior to the start of the WSOP Main Event, the game’s most prestigious poker event.

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. As the world’s richest sporting event, the WSOP awarded more than $180 million in 2008 and attracted participants from a record 124 nations.

In the previous events, many of the in the money finishers volunteered to donate half of their winnings to the charity. Proceeds from the event will go to the ENOUGH Project and Refugees International, organizations whose goals include raising public awareness and providing aid to the survivors of Darfur.

More information about the tournament is available at www.worldseriesofpoker.com. If you would like more information regarding the organization, please log onto www.anteupforafrica.org and follow us on twitter at www.twitter.com/anteupforafrica.

ABOUT THE WSOP
The World Series of Poker (WSOP) is the largest, richest and most prestigious gaming event in the world awarding millions of dollars in prize money and the prestigious gold bracelet, globally recognized as the sport’s top prize. Featuring a comprehensive slate of tournaments in every major poker variation, the WSOP is poker’s longest running tournament in the world, dating back to 1970. In 2008, the event attracted 58,720 entrants from 124 different countries to the Rio in Las Vegas and awarded over $180 million in prize money. The creation of the new delayed Main Event final table more than doubled ratings on ESPN year-over-year. In December, 2008 the WSOP was named the 7th most admired sports brand in North America by the Turnkey Team Brand Index trailing only the more established NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, NASCAR and PGA Tour among sports properties. In addition, the WSOP has formed groundbreaking alliances in broadcasting, digital media and corporate sponsorships, while successfully expanding the brand internationally with the advent in 2007 of the World Series of Poker Europe. For more information on the World Series of Poker, please visit our website at www.worldseriesofpoker.com.

ABOUT ANTE UP FOR AFRICA
Ante Up For Africa (AUFA) is a non-profit organization founded in 2006 by Don Cheadle, Annie Duke and Norman Epstein. We are dedicated to raising money and awareness for Africans in need. To date, Ante Up For Africa has raised close to $2 million for the cause and has donated to organizations such as Not On Our Watch (NOOW), ENOUGH and The International Rescue Committee. For more information, please log onto www.AnteUpForAfrica.org.

Annie Duke To Join Joan Rivers Impersonators For Charity Poker

Fri, 22 May 2009 12:00:00 -0000

Fans of NBC’s Celebrity Apprentice may need to do a double take on May 27th after seeing Annie Duke join forces with archrival Joan Rivers at a charity poker tournament in Las Vegas… well, kind of.

Leading online poker site UltimateBet.net has announced the sponsorship of the Sucking out on the Rivers charity poker tournament in support of Refugees International. UltimateBet.net’s own Annie Duke will be hosting the event alongside Frank Marino, a well-known Joan Rivers impersonator, and nearly all of the top poker pros in Vegas are already on board to play in the charity tournament.

“I think that after this poker tournament, the real Joan Rivers will quickly realize that poker players are good-natured people – professional people with respected occupations and families – who really want to change the lives of those less fortunate,” stated Annie Duke. “As poker players, we’re all banding together, not just to prove a point to Joan, but to actually change the world.”

While the charity poker tournament will be co-hosted by a Joan Rivers impersonator, the real Joan Rivers went head-to-head with Annie Duke on the most recent season of Celebrity Apprentice. The often abrasive and brash comedienne told Annie, on camera, that all poker players were white trash and that none of them had last names, suggesting that those who love poker are automatically linked to organized crime.

Rivers’ opinion has drawn the ire of virtually everyone in the poker world, which is made up of doctors, lawyers, accountants, astrophysicists and other professionals. The world’s top poker players and several Hollywood celebrities are slated to play in the charity poker event to show that there’s a lot of good that comes from poker. Over 20 Joan Rivers impersonators will also be playing in the event and each one will have a bounty on his or her head. Poker fans can secure their spot in the tournament for $200 and the No Limit Texas Hold’em tourney features rebuys and add-ons to help the prize pool grow even higher.

100% of the prize money will go to the winner with half of it being directed to charity. While Nevada gaming laws prohibit money being given directly from the prize pool to charity, the winner may volunteer to donate half of their winnings to the charity, in keeping with what has been done in previous charity events hosted by UltimateBet.net.

The Sucking out on the Rivers Charity Event, sponsored by UltimateBet.net, DeepStacks University, Hard Rock Poker Lounge, and WSOP Academy, gets underway on May 27th at 6pm at the Hard Rock Casino Poker Lounge. The event will be preceded by a Red Carpet ceremony at 5pm.

For tournament information and registration contact:
Hard Rock Poker Lounge at 702-69FLUSH.

Kim Kardashian Hosts Charity Poker In The Playboy Mansion

Fri, 01 May 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Delinda Lombardo

On Saturday, July 11, the Playboy Mansion and the Kardashians will host the ‘Aces & Angels Celebrity Poker Tournament’ to benefit Aces and Angels, an organization which raises money for families of Southern California firefighters who were either injured or killed in the line of duty.

Kim Kardashian will host the event alongside sisters Khloe and Kourtney, and their mother Kris, as dozens of Playboy bunnies, playmates, top models, Hollywood celebrities, and the poker stars attend the highly anticipated event being held at the Playboy Mansion.

The event, which is being emceed by 11-time bracelet winner Phil Hellmuth, has already received RSVP’s from: Nicole Richie, Jayde Nicole (2008 Playmate of the Year), Sara Jean Underwood (2007 Playmate of the Year), the Ikki twins (featured in Playboy and MTV’s Double Shot at Love), actress Shannon Elizabeth, recording artist Ryan Cabrera, Jerri Manthey (of Survivor and Playboy fame), retired baseball player Jose Canseco, and poker professionals Jamie Gold, Annie Duke, Greg Raymer, Nenad Medic, Isabelle Mercier, Marcel Luske, Gavin Smith, David Williams and Steve Dannenmann.

Ticket prices for the event range from $1,000 to $3,500, but even the most basic package includes access to the Playboy Mansion grounds, pool area, and grotto, along with a gourmet dinner and an unlimited amount of premium liquor. More than $50,000 in prizes will be distributed at the poker tournament, with a grand prize of ‘the ultimate Vegas fantasy giveaway’ which includes a four-day, three-night stay in a high-roller suite in Vegas, a VIP foursome at a Golf Gone Wild golf tournament (featuring 150 nude body-painted models), a helicopter tour of the Vegas Strip and the Grand Canyon, a skydiving trip, and more.

For more information please visit Aces-Angels.org.

Jason Alexander To Host Charity Poker

Thu, 09 Apr 2009 11:30:00 -0000

Written by Delinda Lombardo

Jason Alexander will be hosting a Texas Hold-Em Poker Tournement on May 9 at the Hollywood Park Casino with proceeds going to charity.

Alexander will be joined by celebrities and Dianna Donofrio-Trigatzi (Celebrity Guest Tournament Director and Nevada State Director of the Poker Players Alliance), and Special Honoree, Leyna Nguyen (KCBS/KCAL Anchor), and poker stars such as Greg Raymer, Jamie Gold, and Chip Jett.

Cards hit the felt at 2:00 PM on May 9, with each hand representing a strong step towards ending domestic violence and helping youth who have been abused and abandoned. All proceeds from this tournament will go towards benefiting 1736 Family Crisis Center, Los Angeles’ largest domestic violence agency for the last 36 years.

Spectators are welcome to watch as celebrities and poker stars compete for prizes such as cash, an ECO friendly poker table valued at $5,000.00, donated by Eric Hansel, founder of EGM Green. And poker star Annie Duke, currently seen on Donald Trump’s “The Apprentice,” has also donated a WSOP Boot Camp Package as one of the prizes.

1736 Family Crisis Center operates 5 shelters throughout Los Angeles County, including 4 domestic violence shelters and one emergency youth shelter. Through the Center’s shelters, three outpatient clinics, five 24-hour emergency response stations and educational/outreach services, over 25,000 abuse victims and their children were helped in 2008. The most severe cases were taken in 1736 Family Crisis Center’s care. The Center relies 100% on grants and donations to provide much-needed services to victims of abuse and abandoned youth. These victims do not pay a penny for any of the services they receive for up to 2 years. In this uncertain economic climate, the nonprofits have been hit the hardest, and sadly, an unstable economy statistically fuels domestic violence.

Please help us by joining in to play poker with Jason and his friends, as we become part of the solution to end domestic violence.

Tournament tickets and donates available through the website.

Annie Duke Blogs About Celebrity Apprentice 2

Tue, 10 Mar 2009 12:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Poker star Annie Duke is currently appearing on Celebrity Apprentice 2 to raise money for Refugees International, and she is blogging about her experiences.

Every week Duke writes about what goes on behind the scenes of the show, which sees celebrities such as Dennis Rodman, Brian McKnight, Joan Rivers, Melissa Rivers, Clint Black, Tom Green, Khloe Kardashian and many others raising money for charities such as the Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs of America, the Lili Claire Foundation and StandUp For Kids.

As well as writing about the show, Duke is also guest blogger for Refugees International.

“I find it kind of shocking that there is more attention to the poker tournaments I participate in than in the tragedy ongoing in Darfur,” she wrote. "Since 2003, nearly 2.5 million people have been forced out of their homes, living in makeshift huts in large, sprawling camps in this western region of Sudan. Up to 400,000 people have been killed according to some estimates.

“A few years ago, [”Don Cheadle":http://www.looktothestars.org/celebrity/447-don-cheadle] and I were having lunch in Los Angeles and started talking about the crisis in Darfur. He had just released his book Not on Our Watch and was actively campaigning for more attention and meaningful action on Darfur. I felt that what was happening in Darfur was so horrible, and just said, “Nobody knows what’s going on in this part of the world. We should do a poker event for them.” At the time I thought it would raise around $25,000 or $50,000. This small idea turned into Ante Up For Africa — a hugely successful celebrity-studded series of charity poker events that has raised $2.5 million since July 2007.

“This year, I have added Refugees International as one of our partners. Why? Because organizations like Refugees International affect lasting change. Governments can do more to help refugees in Africa and around the world, but that’s not going to happen without pressure.

“It makes me even more excited to be supporting Refugees International knowing that the organization is celebrating its 30th Anniversary. For thirty years, the organization has demanded that policy makers save lives and respond to crises that the world is neglecting. Their work on Darfur is one powerful example.

“In 2004, the fighting in Darfur had barely registered on anyone’s radar. However, Refugees International knew that hundreds of thousands of people had fled Darfur and crossed the border into neighboring Chad. They traveled to Chad where they discovered that some of these Darfur refugees were near starvation. Agencies had underestimated the number of people in need and were distributing too few supplies. “Tell the world what is happening to us,” one of the refugees said.

“Refugees International did as they were told. They immediately called on the United Nations and aid agencies to address this problem. Within weeks, the number of refugees receiving assistance rose from 110,000 to 200,000.

“Since then, through op-eds, media interviews, and meetings with elected officials and aid organizations, RI has continued to urge more action in Darfur. They’ve convinced agencies to increase reproductive health care services for Darfur’s women. They’ve successfully called on Congress to fund a stronger peacekeeping force that can protect people living in desolate camps from more attacks. And today, they’re working to make sure that the U.S. does not forget about the people of South Sudan with their fragile peace agreement – there will never be peace in Darfur if another region of Sudan returns to war.

“This is why Refugees International calls itself “a powerful voice for lifesaving action.” And this is why I’m proud to help strengthen that voice."

Annie Duke’s blogs can be read here.

Celebrity Apprentice 2 To Feature Annie Duke

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 12:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

NBC will aim to repeat the success that was Celebrity Apprentice when a new series of the show premieres in January 2009.

Although most of the contestants cannot be named or have yet to commit, professional poker player Annie Duke confirmed her involvement during the weekend.

According to a statement made on www.ultimatebet.com on Friday, ""Annie Duke wasn’t able to attend… the Aruba Poker Classic because, as you may have heard, she was selected to be on NBC’s Celebrity Apprentice this season. She had to fly to L.A. for the premiere party and she’ll be competing for the Ante Up for Africa charity. Annie and Donald Trump in the same boardroom… that should make for some interesting TV."

Duke is well known for her work with Ante Up For Africa, a celebrity poker tournament she organizes annually with Don Cheadle that aims to raise money and public awareness for the crisis in Darfur. Participants are 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.

The first series of Celebrity Apprentice, which was won by Piers Morgan, raised over $1 million for a range of charities.

The Chips Are Up For Africa

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 13:30:00 -0000

Written by Delinda Lombardo

The Second Annual ‘Ante Up for Africa’ poker tournament was held on July 2nd in Las Vegas, and drew an impressive field of poker pro’s, celebrities and athletes – all of who helped make the event a success by raising over $400,000 for charity.

The event, co-hosted by humanitarian/actor Don Cheadle and poker pro Annie Duke, is already having a positive impact in Darfur – notably in reference to a UN Security Council vote authorizing a peacekeeping force in the area. “It wouldn’t have taken place [without us],” said Cheadle.

“It’s just great to see everybody,” Cheadle said as the event began.

The mood was comical at some tables,“All the tournaments I’ve ever won have been for charity,” said actor Jason Alexander. “When there’s no actual money for me, I’m very good.”

Adam Sandler cracked his first joke as the first hand was dealt, “I just want to hurry up and lose my money and go home to my wife.”

Matt Damon busted out of the tournament early, while seasoned poker pal Ben Affleck made it all the way to the final table before losing to John Hennigan.

Affleck said he remains optimistic about the situation in Darfur, “I do think that [Sudan’s leaders] are afraid of the next administration being tougher, and are probably a little bit more willing to be more cooperative. But I’m optimistic about what’s going to happen.”

Other celebrities who kicked in the $5k for a spot at the felt included Charles Barkley, Jennifer Tilly, Shannon Elizabeth, Ray Romano, Casey Affleck, and poker pro Phil Helmuth among others.

The tournament benefited two charities: ENOUGH, a project co-founded in 2007 by the International Crisis Group and the Center for American Progress; and Not On Our Watch (NOOW), a group co-founded by Cheadle, Damon, George Clooney and Brad Pitt.

Celebrities To Raise Stakes For Africa Again

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Delinda Lombardo

The 2008 ‘Ante Up For Africa’ Poker Tournament at the World Series of Poker will be held on July 2 at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. The tournament is the brainchild of actor Don Cheadle and poker pro Annie Duke, who created the event to raise money and awareness for the crisis in the Darfur region of Sudan.

“After the success of last year’s tournament, we are looking forward to another exciting year while raising awareness for an ongoing crisis,” Duke said. “It is exciting to bring the world of poker and entertainment together, and we are once again asking players who win prize money to donate half of their winnings to our charities.”

Last year’s inaugural event raised more than $700,000, thanks in part to the stellar list of celebrities, athletes, and poker professionals who participated.

Confirmed to participate in this year’s event are Cheadle, Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Adam Sandler, Ray Romano, Charles Barkley, Jason Kidd, Kevin Pollack, Cheryl Hines, George Lopez, Joe Trohman from Fall Out Boy, and more.

“The poker community has a unique opportunity to help ease the suffering in Darfur,” said Jeffrey Pollack, WSOP commissioner. “The stars are coming out for this special event once again and we encourage everyone to register early before we sell out.”

Two charities will benefit form this year’s Ante Up For Africa showdown – the ENOUGH Project and Not On Our Watch.

ENOUGH is joint initiative of the International Crisis Group and the Center for American Progress, which aims to end crimes against humanity in Darfur, Northern Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The organization also hopes to prevent future mass atrocities around the world.

Not On Our Watch, which was founded by George Clooney, Don Cheadle, Matt Damon and Brad Pitt, strives to focus global attention and resources on putting an end to mass atrocities around the world. It takes its name from the book authored by Cheadle and John Prendergast, and draws on the voices of celebrities, cultural leaders and activists to help bring the crisis to the public’s attention and generate humanitarian assistance for the nation.

The tournament is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. on July 2.

Montel Williams To Play Poker For Multiple Sclerosis

Thu, 13 Mar 2008 14:52:07 -0000

After reading our recent Montel Williams article, Look To The Stars reader Dan Ciranny wrote in to tell us something our readers can do today to make a real difference in the lives of people with Multiple Sclerosis (MS):

First of all, let me tell you about MS, because I admit I never really understood what it was about.

Multiple Sclerosis leads its victims down a long decline in every vital system of the body. It attacks systems in the body randomly by deteriorating the protective sheaths of the nerve connections that send signals to that part of the body.

It attacks the eyes, so blurry and double vision becomes the order of the day. It attacks the nerve endings in the skin, so if you can imagine what it feels like to have a novacaine shot at the dentist, imagine your entire body without feeling. But that doesn’t mean there is no pain…no, not at all. Imagine shooting electrical shock-like pains randomly attacking different parts of your body, without warning or pity. It attacks the motor skills in your body so that walking becomes a chore, often dragging a foot. It attacks your balance so that you often feel dizzy so that the simple act of standing becomes difficult. It attacks your ability to hold things in your hands. It attacks your urinary tract and digestive systems, so that basic digestion and elimination become uncontrollable and embarrassing.

More importantly, it attacks your brain. Words that used to flow easily become difficult to find. You find it difficult to focus or concentrate. And you are tired all the time. Meeting basic human needs for yourself becomes difficult to deal with. Even the simple acts of taking a shower and dressing start to feel like running a marathon.

Approximately 400,000 Americans have MS, and every week about 200 people are diagnosed. World-wide, MS affects about 2.5 million people. This monstrous disease is literally eating the lives of your friends and neighbors. Because the symptoms often masquerade as other diseases, it is very difficult to diagnose and not all diagnosed cases get reported. The point is, if MS hasn’t yet affected your life or someone you know, it is very possible that it will.

So what can you do? Join with Montel Williams as he fights for the cure. He is hosting a Gala Poker Tournament and Party in NYC this week. Lots of celebrities will be in attendance as well as well-known professional poker players from all over the world. There will be a pay-per-view live-streamed internet event so that you can attend right from your computer and a portion of the proceeds will go to help Montel find a cure. This is your chance. For about the cost of a fast food meal or a movie with no popcorn, you can make a difference.

Montel himself will be putting up prizes for a drawing that will be just for the people who come to the live streaming event. To hear an exclusive interview with Montel himself about this event, go to www.energyofthespirit.com. There you can also get instructions on how you can participate.

Whether you go to the event yourself or not, please forward this to everyone who has ever forwarded you a joke or inspirational email. I am not going to promise you that if you forward it to 10 of your friends a magical genie will grant you a wish…

…But here is YOUR chance to make a real difference. You can be instrumental in finding a cure for this ravening beast of a disease called MS. You could be the one who gets this message to someone who sends the final dollar in that actually gets the research done that finds the cure. Help Montel, help your neighbors, help the human beings who are being imprisoned by this malicious disease. Thank you in advance for your kindness.

Dan Ciranny, www.yaktivate.com

The event takes place tonight, March 13, at the Cipriani on 42nd Street, New York City. It will feature a host of poker professionals, including Annie Duke, and all proceeds go to the Montel Williams MS Foundation. Play starts at 7:15pm.

Stars Raise The Stakes For Darfur

Fri, 29 Jun 2007 11:44:33 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Las Vegas is to host a star-studded poker tournament on July 5 to raise much needed aid for the current humanitarian crisis in Darfur.

The Ante Up For Africa event will be held at the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino, and will see “Ocean’s 13” stars George Clooney, Brad Pitt, and Matt Damon compete in the high stakes world of Texas Hold ’Em against a host of other celebrities.

The event has been organised by actor Don Cheadle and professional poker player Annie Duke, and will coincide with the annual World Series of Poker. The pair hope the event will generate funds to help the “millions of people who must roll the dice every day in their struggle to survive (in Darfur).”

The Ocean’s 13 actors are expected to join fellow celebrities Ben Affleck, Adam Sandler, Ray Romano, George Lopez, Willie Garson and many others in the all-night tournament. There is also the opportunity for non-celebrities to pitch their skills against the stars, as anyone over the age of 21 can enter the tournament for a $5000 “buy-in”.

“While a donation is not required to enter,” said Duke in a recent press release, “we are respectfully asking players who win prize money to donate half of their winnings to the [”ENOUGH Project":http://www.looktothestars.org/charity/621-enough-project] and the International Rescue Committee – organizations whose goals include raising public awareness and providing aid to the survivors of Darfur."

Don Cheadle, an accomplished poker player himself, is co-author of Not On Our Watch, a book about the crisis in Darfur, and co-founder of the non-profit organization of the same name. He was nominated for an Academy Award for his role in the film “Hotel Rwanda”, which tells the story of the government-sanctioned slaughter of more than a million people in Rwanda in 1994, and has spent the last two years heavily involved in humanitarian causes.

Ashton Kutcher Wins Poker Lesson

Sun, 12 Feb 2006 14:53:34 -0000

Written by Myrlia Purcell

Upset over the disaster caused by Hurricane Katrina, Ashton Kutcher bid $14,000 in a celebrity auction for a poker lesson from top player Annie Duke. The auction, which took place in October, was donating all of its proceeds to ongoing relief efforts.

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