My News
04.07.10
$5,000 Ante Up For Africa Poker Tournament
In the lead up to the WSOP, I played in the charity event Ante Up For Africa, it was a great.
From the word go, the Rio hallways were packed with fans, looking to grab a glimpse or autograph from some of their favorite stars, including Don Cheadle, Matt Damon and even yours truly!
The tournament itself was a quick-fire affair - the $5k buy-in played in great spirits by all and the final table saw a healthy mix of poker players and celebrities with the likes of Pro poker players Erik Seidel and Phil Gordon facing off against football-star Jerome Bettis and film star/ poker player Shannon Elizabeth.
Eventually Phil Gordon and Shannon Elizabeth got heads-up and when Phil Gordon won, it could be argued the feeling of winning was secondary to the thrill he would have got from the scissor-legged full body hug Elizabeth gave him to celebrate his win. Must be nice!
Gordon was a good sport, selling invites for his birthday bash for $100 a pop throughout to help raise funds, and he donated all the $130,641 1st prize to the charity.
All in all, a hugely-enjoyable day was had by all and many people will no doubt benefit greatly from the money raised today.
For myself, I played well but was the bubble boy, which was very disappointing, finishing 11th out of 45.
Below is a selection of hands I was involved in, including the one that sent me to the rail!! If it wasn’t a charity event I would have been steaming!
Warne Spun Out!
Alex Filatov moved all in from the cutoff and Shane Warne made the call for his tournament life from the button.
Warne: 
Filatov: 
The board ran out 
to see Warne eliminated as Filatov climbs to 115,000 in chips.
Ace-High Double for Warne
Shane Warne moved all in from under the gun for his last 20,000 and his opponent in the big blind made the call.
Warne: 
Opponent: 
The board ran out 
to see Warne double through to 50,000 in chips.
The Comfort of the Familiar
Phil Hellmuth is here MCing, apparently on a break from the $10,000 PLO tournament. He's chatted with Shannon Elizabeth, who admitted that after being here in Vegas for the whole WSOP, "I'm ready to shoot myself"; Chris Ferguson; and Aussie cricketer Shane Warne.
Hellmuth noted that Warne is one of the most famous sprots figures in the world who is completely unknown here in America. Hellmuth found a few railbirds who knew of Warne and asked them to list Warne's accomplishments.
He's the best bowler in the world," they said in an Aussie accent. Hellmuth had trouble deciphering what they said.
"The best baller in the world?" he asked. He was quickly corrected.
Warne Puts Lederer In Spin
Shane Warne opened to 2,600 only to have Howard Lederer move all in for 13,100.
Warne made the call for his last 11,100 and we were off to a showdown as the TV cameras and photographers circled the table.
Warne: 
Lederer: 
The board ran out 
to see Warne find a double as Lederer was left crippled.
The King of Spin Meets The Real Deal
Over on table 56 we find Evander 'Real Deal' Holyfield and 'The King of Spin' Shane Warne battling it out.
So far their table has a few empty seats, so it will be just a matter of time before another celebrity or poker player calls table 56 their home!
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