2nd Annual Ante Up for Africa tournament

In about two weeks there is going to be a charity tournament with a goal to raise public awareness and money to help support the victims of the humanitarian crisis in Darfur, Sudan.  This is going to be the 2nd annual Ante Up for Africa tournament and it will be held at the 2008 World Series of Poker on July 2nd at 2pm at the Rio All Suite Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.
 
This tournament was created by Oscar nominee Don Cheadle and professional poker player Annie Duke.  This tournament is going to be big with more then a dozen celebrities and athletes already confirmed to play with some of pokers most notable players.  Last year's event featured more Hollywood celebrities and poker pro's then any other charity tournament and raised over $700,000 dollars.

"After the success of last year's tournament, we are looking forward to another exciting year while raising awareness for an ongoing crisis," said poker pro Annie Duke. "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."

Some of the star studded celebs and players that plan on attending as long as they can make it are; Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Cheadle, Ray Ramono, Adam Sandler, Jason Kidd, Cheryl Hines, Charles Barkley, Kevin Pollack, Joe Troham, George Lopez and more.  Some of the best professional poker players will also be sitting at the charity tournament, including; Daniel Negreanu, Chris Ferguson, Doyle Brunson, Phil Ivey, Howard Lederer, Andy Bloch, Phil Laak, Phil Hellmuth, Phil Gordon, Erik Seidel, Barry Greensterin, Rafe Furst and more.

If your planning on watching the action pay attention because this tournament is going to have a fast paced structure so they can complete the competition within the five hours allotted.

"The poker community has a unique opportunity to help ease the suffering in Darfur," said Jeffrey Pollack, commissioner of the World Series of Poker. "The stars are coming out for this special event once again and we encourage everyone to register early before we sell out." "I was elated that we raised over $700,000 last year," said Cheadle, "I am so grateful for everyone's participation and generosity in helping us continue to bring the plight of the refugees of Darfur to the forefront of people's minds. I hope we can raise even more this year."

Proceeds from this year's tournament will help benefit two charities, ENOUGH and Not On Our Watch.