Wsop $5,000 buy-in charity event Ante Up for Africa

Saturday also saw the start…and the conclusion, of the non-bracelet, the $5,000 buy-in charity event Ante Up for Africa.
 
This was the fourth run for the charity match, which combines Hollywood celebs and poker players in a largely good natured and amusing competition for the benefit of the Darfur refugees in Africa.
 
Devised by Annie Duke and movie actor Don Cheadle, the event has been a popular and successful revenue earner for the charity and this year pulled in 84 entrants, unfortunately lower than last year’s 137 field for this match.
 
Among those seen taking their seats were Don Cheadle, Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Brad Garrett, Montel Williams, Ron Artest boxers Evander Holyfield and Jeff Fenech,  Annie Duke, Howard Lederer, Erik Seidel, Phil Gordon, Shannon Elizabeth, Andy Bloch, Brad Garret, Chris Ferguson, Phil Ivey and cricketing legend Shane Warne.
 
Non-offical bracelets were this year donated for presentation to the winner and runner-up by Howard Lederer and his wife Suzie, a gesture that was very well received.
 
Amid much good-natured and often hilarious banter and MC activity from comedian Brad Garrett, this year’s event was concluded Saturday evening with Phil Gordon declared the winner of the $130,641 first prize, which he immediately pledged back to the charity in a warmly applauded and generous donation.
 
Last year Gordon finished deep in the final table for the charity event, and on that occasion too he donated all his winnings.
 
Shannon Elizabeth finished as runner up for $80,737.