Look To The Stars News: Ante Up For Africa

LTTS Exclusive Interview: Jamie Gold Talks Poker And Charity

Fri, 30 Sep 2011 18:00:00 +0000

In 2006, Jamie Gold won the World Series of Poker, which not only made him an instant ‘celebrity’ but netted him one of the highest payouts in tournament history ($12 Million).

Since then, Gold has paused his high-stakes poker play in efforts to give back and support a variety of organizations, racking up over 104 charity-poker event appearances as an emcee, host or participant and helping raise over $170M for charity… and he’s just getting started.

Look to the Stars was pleased to speak with Gold about his philanthropy, love for poker and how he became one of the most inspiring charity fundraisers in the poker industry, supporting a number of organizations including the ALS Division of the MDA and the Global Creative Forum.

Matt Damon And Ben Affleck To Play Ante Up For Africa Charity Poker

Tue, 18 May 2010 15:00:00 +0000

Many would love the opportunity to play poker with some of the biggest names in Hollywood and the most skilled poker professionals. Now you can.

The 2010 Ante Up For Africa Celebrity Charity Poker Tournament on Saturday, July 3 at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas offers a special opportunity as the only event of its kind where the general public can participate.

Don Cheadle To Be Named United Nations Ambassador In Rwanda

Mon, 10 May 2010 11:30:00 +0000

Don Cheadle is set to become a United Nations Goodwill Ambassador for the Environment next month.

“I will be named officially in Rwanda on June 5th, a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Environmental Programme,” he said. “I’ll be in Rwanda on June 5th.”

The UNEP provides leadership and encourages partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing, and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations.

Poker Stars Play For Charity

Sat, 17 Apr 2010 15:00:00 +0000

This week, Capitol Hill lawmakers hobnobbed with poker stars and took part in a charity poker tournament in Washington DC to benefit Ante Up For Africa.

Organized by the Poker Players Alliance and poker siblings Annie Duke and Howard “The Professor” Lederer, the event raised a total of $70,000, with Full Tilt Poker donating a $10 000 seat at this year’s World Series of Poker main event as the big prize. 

Also this week, poker star Phil Hellmuth hosted his first celebrity charity poker event in Oakland California as part of the Fresh Express Classic at TPC Stonebrae.

George Clooney Puts Star Power To Work

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 11:30:00 +0000

George Clooney is using his box office appeal to garner a financial boost for the people of L’Aquila, Italy.

In April 2009 the Italian city was devastated by an earthquake that left more than 300 people dead. Clooney hopes to film a movie in the town, and thinks that the movie will revamp the city’s economy and aid those left destitute by the natural disaster.

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.”

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.

Stars To Hit The Tables For Ante Up For Africa

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 11:30:00 +0000

PokerStars is proud to be hosting the first Ante Up For Africa (AUFA) Europe charity poker tournament, being held as part of the EPT Monte Carlo Grand Final tonight, April 27.

The event has attracted a star-studded field of celebrities and pro players, all helping to raise money and awareness for the crisis in Darfur, Sudan.

Confirmed celebrities include: Nelly, Boris Becker, Jason Lewis, Benji and Joel Madden, ‘Heroes’ star James Kyson Lee, boxer Vladimir Klitschko, Christina Milian, The Dream, Daniel Negreanu and Joe Hachem.

Annie Duke Blogs About Celebrity Apprentice 2

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

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.

Celebrity Apprentice 2 To Feature Annie Duke

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

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."

Celebrities To Raise Stakes For Africa Again

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

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.

Stars Raise The Stakes For Darfur

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

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).”