GreasieWheels Blog

Peppermill’s NSPC Becomes Final Fling before WSOP Nationally-Televised Event Attracts Poker’s Biggest Stars

By Jen Mastrud

The nationally-televised Nevada State Poker Championship (NSPC) at Reno’s famed Peppermill Casino  was the last stop for many players on their way to the World Series of Poker, attracting established pros such as Antonio Esfandiari, Men “the Master” Nguyen, Kathy Liebert, Dennis Phillips, Darvin Moon, Bryan Devonshire, Jerry Yang, and JJ Liu.  After two days of play, the title and $94,140 went to 39-year-old Gary “Debo” DeBernardi of Bend, Oregon.  Holding the cash on the set of Heartland Poker Tour after just two hands heads up, Debo said he will take some of his winnings to the World Series of Poker in addition to paying off bills. 

For the past five years, DeBernardi has been living the dream as a professional poker player sponsored by one of the top online poker sites.  His world changed April 15th when the U.S. Department of Justice seized the top three sites and DeBernardi’s endorsement deal vanished.  Taking down the Nevada State Poker Championship means he will once again bring home the bacon.  “$94,140 will pay the bills for quite some time,” he said while HPT cameras rolled.

NSPC runner-up Darrel Dier of Sacramento, CA, planned to build his WSOP bankroll with low-limit cash games at Peppermill.  Coerced by friends to take the last seat in a $125 satellite, he won his way into the HPT main event and ultimately earned $47,070. En route to Las Vegas with a bigger bankroll than expected, Dier’s true ROI won’t be known until after the 24-year-old’s run at the WSOP. 

Poker enthusiasts were treated to a “Who’s Who” of celebrity players at Peppermill throughout the weekend.  As part of the Nevada State Poker Championship festivities, Jennifer Harman hosted her fifth annual charity poker tournament to benefit The Nevada Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), a no-kill sanctuary.  The weekend’s events kicked off when dozens of poker icons and industry VIPs applauded the unveiling of Peppermill’s newly renovated 30-table poker room.  The entire weekend was filmed for two upcoming episodes of the nationally-syndicated Heartland Poker Tour airing in mid-July.  For station information in your area, visit HPTpoker.com.    

HPT’s television production crew captured several Hollywood stars and celebrated athletes enjoying Peppermill’s poker room and other amenities, including actors Julie Benz, Mekhi Phifer, AJ Lamas, and Dennis Haskins.  Before players got down to business in the Nevada State Poker Championship, socializing crept into the early morning hours at Peppermill’s Tuscany Lounge where Lou Diamond Phillips joined the house band for an impromptu song while Daniel Negreanu took over the dance floor. 

Some four-legged friends got the star treatment when Nevada SPCA companion animals escorted stars on the red carpet just before the charity tournament kicked off.  Some of poker’s most-recognizable personalities including Andy Bloch, Annie Duke, and Lon McEachern spent the afternoon calling, raising, and folding for the cause.  Other notable poker A-listers included Layne Flack, Jamie Gold, Tom Marchese, David Chicotsky, Jeff Madsen, Mark Kroon, Lee Markholt, James Van Alstyne, Jon Friedberg, Dan Michalski, Chris Hanson, Jaymz Larson, Lizzy Harrison, Anjela Brunson, Kevin Mathers, Linda Johnson, and Jan Fisher. 

Matt Vinks of Martinez, California emerged as the overall champion from a field of 568 participants in the charity tournament, earning an enviable prize package exceeding $10,000 in value.  A handful of sponsors gifted the champ coveted prizes such as a $1,650 HPT main event seat, a Grrrinders.com diamond membership, a $3500 Rockwell Time watch, a custom-designed Lord Griffon bracelet, a $3,000 L.A. Racing VIP experience for six people, a $1,200 sculpture courtesy of Black Tai Salt Co., and Lou Gehrig limited edition art valued at $800.

DeBernardi and Vinks aside, the biggest winners of the weekend were the animals in need.  The charity event, a GreasieWheels production, raised over $100,000 for the Nevada SPCA.  Fundraising got a boost from the Pacific Auction Company which coordinated a massive silent auction on property.  Additionally, Robert Williamson III led a live auction featuring an autographed guitar donated by Sir Elton John.  While all participants opened their wallets, some opened their hearts and homes.  All available animals were adopted on site with the exception of a goat.  HPT’s commentator Fred Bevill joked on Twitter, “Per usual, my Sunday morning is spent nursing a hangover and wondering how a goat got in my room. Just another weekend with @HPTpokertour.” 

To adopt a lonely goat or make a donation to the Nevada SPCA, please visit http://www.nevadaspca.org

-Jen Mastrud is the General Manager and Director of Public Relations for HPT.  Follow HPTJen on Twitter.

GreasieWheels Photography Announces Image Gallery Merge

Las Vegas, NEVADA (19 November, 2010) -- GreasieWheels, the industry leader in poker and gaming event  coordination and photography, has recently updated its website by combining two photo houses; www.GWphotos.com and www.GWPhotoStore.com. 

GreasieWheels was named the “Official Photographers” by Harrah’s Entertainment for the 2010 World Series of Poker (WSOP) and WSOP Europe. Event, Main Event, final table, and lifestyle photos are available for viewing and purchase exclusively at www.GWphotos.com. 

GreasieWheels original photo house, www.GWPhotoStore.com, features special, charity, and gaming events dating back to 2007. To access both galleries, visit www.GreasieWheels.com/images. Each offers visitors viewing, purchasing, Lightroom, and client download capabilities.

“Eventually, we’ll combine all of our galleries onto one website,” stated gaming photo industry and WSOP media veteran Lisa Wheeler. “It’s a pretty big undertaking, but visitors should be able to enjoy a one-stop-shop by summer 2011. Next year we plan to unveil several software upgrades that will further enhance the client, player, and fan experience.”

GreasieWheels is committed to providing consumers with the highest quality imagery. Its elite team includes lead photographer Rob Gracie, executive photographer Jeff Brushie, veteran tournament photo journalist BJ Nemeth, image editor and coordinator Lisa Wheeler, and production coordinator Joy Miller. Josh “Punte” Zerkle of www.withleather.com also contributed at the 2010 WSOP.

About GreasieWheels - Founded November 30, 2007, GreasieWheels is a limited liability company, license number E0840482007-3, with a Certificate of Existence With Status in Good Standing issued 18 October 2010, granted by the Secretary of State, Carson City, Nevada. Founded, owned, and operated by L. Wheeler, GreasieWheels is dedicated to answering photographic production, talent, public relations, and gaming event coordination needs in the poker industry.

MMA Legend Randy Couture Hosts Charity Poker Tournament and Halloween Bash at Golden Nugget

Third Annual “Operation All In” fundraiser for Xtreme Couture G.I. Foundation

Mixed Martial Arts legend Randy “The Natural” Couture will host the third annual “Operation All In” charity poker tournament and auction fundraiser benefiting the Xtreme Couture G.I. Foundation at the Golden Nugget Las Vegas, Saturday, Oct. 30 starting at 2 p.m in The Grand events center.

This event is open to the public and will include; a celebrity charity poker tournament featuring professional poker players, MMA and Hollywood celebrities; live and silent auctions offering MMA memorabilia, and dinner with Couture and a one-hour personal MMA lesson; autograph sessions with photo opportunities; raffle prizes; and a Halloween after party inside Gold Diggers. Proceeds will benefit injured US soldiers.

Confirmed participants include MMA fighters include Randy Couture, Tyson Griffin, Ryan Couture, Martin Kampmann, Gray Maynard, Jason Ron, Ray Sefo, Mike Pyle and John Alessio, David Zayas of “Dexter” and “The Expendables,” pop artist Michael Godard, and professional poker players Howard Lederer,  Andy Bloch, Layne Flack, Jon Friedberg, Gavin Smith, Perry Friedman, Antonio Esfandiari, James Mordue, Todd Brunson, Nick and Michael Binger, Dutch Boyd, Lacey Jones, Matt Savage, and “Donk Down Radio” personality Bryan Micon and “Raw Vegas’” Dave Farra.

The winner of the “Operation All In” charity poker tournament will take home $10,000 in cash and top finishers will win valuable sponsored product prizes.

The buy-in for “Operation All In” is $225 with $100 multi re-buys. Tournament participants will also receive free entry to the first annual Randy Couture Halloween bash starting at 8 p.m. inside Gold Diggers nightclub overlooking the Fremont Street Experience. For those not wishing to participate in the poker tournament, general admission tickets to the Halloween bash will be available for $25 at the door.

“Operation All In” is sponsored and supported by Deepstacks, Poker Players Alliance, Full Tilt Poker, Xtreme Couture MMA, Lord Griffon, Godard Art, and the Golden Nugget.

Seats are limited. Tournaments seats may be purchased in advance inside the Golden Nugget Poker Room, by calling (702) 386-8383 or (800) 777-4658, ext. 8164, or by email at poker@goldennugget.com. Participants may also register on the day of the event. For more information visit www.xtremecouturegifoundation.org or www.goldennugget.com.

GreasieWheels Named Official Photographers of 2010 World Series of Poker Europe

Professional photographer Rob Gracie and industry veterans BJ Nemeth  and Lisa Wheeler to provide WSOPE image coverage at London’s Casino at the Empire.

GreasieWheels, the industry leader in poker and gaming event coordination and photography, is excited to announce its team for this year’s World Series of Poker Europe (WSOPE) at London’s Casino at the Empire. The lineup includes professional photographer Rob Gracie, industry elite blogger BJ Nemeth, and operations manager Lisa Wheeler. GreasieWheels will provide fans, players, and media with the highest quality imagery available for viewing and purchase at http://www.wsopphotos.com. In addition, Nemeth will provide a daily photo blog throughout the WSOPE no-limit hold’em Championship main event starting September 23rd.

“We’re very excited to be working with Harrah’s Entertainment at this year’s WSOP and WSOPE,” stated GreasieWheels founder and CEO Lisa Wheeler. “We’re always looking for ways to improve our software and coordination capabilities and have recently taken on the challenge of providing image coverage in real-time. Fans and players can look forward to more lifestyle and event photographs from London.” 

BJ Nemeth has been covering tournaments since the 2004 WSOP and is the longest standing live-tournament reporter in the industry. In 2005, he introduced hand-for-hand coverage, and is the lead tournament reporter for the World Poker Tour (WPT). Last year, he changed the way WSOP fans viewed poker photography with his innovative PokerRoad.com photo blog. He's also a panelist on the award-winning "Poker Beat" weekly podcast.

Professional photographer Rob Gracie has shot thousands of photos for online, advertising, and print publications for more than 20 years. His credits include; WSOP 2005-10, High Stakes Poker, Poker After Dark, NBC National Heads-Up Championship and High Stakes Golf; brands Nikon, Budweiser, and Evian; and Sports Illustrated, Time, USA Today, National Geographic Adventure, TransWorld, Bluff, Card Player, PokerPro, and All In magazines.

To view and purchase official 2010 WSOP photos, visit http://www.WSOPphotos.com.

 

Darius Goes West Announces Charity Poker Tournament at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas

Darius Weems joins professional poker players Bryan Devonshire and Gavin Smith for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) fundraiser at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino October 2nd.

 

In 1966, celebrity comedian Jerry Lewis introduced an entire generation to muscular dystrophy with the longest running telethon fundraiser. “But, young people have never heard of Jerry Lewis,” says Darius Weems, a Georgia native of the Athens projects born with the Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) genetic disorder. Weems, determined to raise awareness, has touched today’s youth with “Darius Goes West, a documentary that traces the real-life journey of a 15-year-old as he and his crew travel west in hopes of participating on MTV’s “Pimp My Ride” TV show. Rather than dwelling on his fatal disease, Weems, with the help of eleven young friends, has documented a courageous trek. “Darius Goes West” has won awards from 28 independent film festivals, has been viewed by millions, and raised much-needed funds for DMD research.  

 

On Saturday, October 2nd, the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas will present the Darius Goes West Charity Poker Tournament, hosted by Darius Weems and his talented crew, along with professional poker players Bryan Devonshire and Gavin Smith. A red carpet walk and silent auction will start at 4PM. The no-limit Texas hold’em tournament will start at 5PM. The cost to enter the tournament is $200 + $20. There will be unlimited $50 re-buys available during the first three 30-minute levels and a one-time $50 add-on for twice the starting stack. Fifty percent of the initial buy-in, combined with generous product donations, will be distributed among money winners. Fifty percent of the initial buy-in, re-buys and add-ons, along with general event proceeds, will benefit DMD research.    

 

For more information, tournament structure, prizes, and seat reservations visit http://www.greasiewheels.com/events. The Darius Goes West charity poker tournament is a GreasieWheels production.

 

Note:

Congratulations to the winners of this year's Darius Goes West Charity Poker Tournament.

First place               Dutch Boyd of Las Vegas, NV

Second place          Rob Gracie of Las Vegas, NV

Third place              David Plastik of Las Vegas, NV

Fourth place            Levy Yoel of Las Vegas, NV

Fifth place               Layne Flack of Las Vegas, NV

Sixth place              Ray F. Deegan of Billings, MO

Seventh place        Aaron Goin of Elezibeth, CO

Eighth place           Logan Smalley of Athens, GA

Ninth place            Darius Weems of Athens, GA

Cracked Aces        Donna Lawton of Ogden, Utah

Last Woman Standing Annie LePage of Las Vegas, NV 

 

About Darius Goes West

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) is the number one fatal genetic disease to affect children in the world. Experts are in agreement that Duchenne could be treated or cured in the not too distant future. The primary goal of the Darius Goes West foundation is to catalyze that effort. The continuing story of Darius Goes West, his crew, and the tens of thousands of supporters they have met along their travels can be experienced at http://www.dariusgoeswest.org/. This website is continually updated with short videos, blog posts, and innovative initiatives that aim to affect a cure for DMD.

VictoryPoker Sponsors Oscar Gift Lounge and Charity Poker Tournament for Haiti

VictoryPoker.net and Team Victory pros played a key role at this year's GBK Oscar Gift Lounge honoring nominees and presenters. On Saturday, VictoryPoker.net also sponsored a celebrity poker tournament benefitting victims of the earthquake in Haiti. Tournament participants included GBK CEO Gavin Keilly, VictoryPoker.net CEO Dan Fleishman, actor Jimmy Jean-Louis, Shaun Toub, Shannon Elizabeth, Gilles Marini, Sal Masakela from E!, Roger Cross, Playmate of the year Sara Underwood, Sean Michael Scott, Menace from Korn, Team Victory pros, and more. The event raised nearly $30,000 for Haitians still in need.
 
VictoryPoker.net supplied poker tables and the $10,000 grand prize. GBK contributed the $5,000 runner-up cash prize, and HealthyTrim.com contributed the $4,000 third place prize. All cash awards were donated back to each winner's charity of choice. POLANTI Watches owner Hovig Yeghiayan donated a 2010 timepiece and the artist known as "RED" donated poker themed artwork.
 
"It was exciting to be a part of such a historical Hollywood event," said Fleyshman. "I want to personally thank GBK Events for allowing us to participate. We were honored at their request to help."
 
Gilles Marini finished the tournament in fourth place. Menace from Korn -- also known as Dennis Shinn -- placed third and donated his winnings to International Help for Orphans in Haiti. Actress and humanitarian Shannon Elizabeth was runner up to actor and grand prize winner Roger Cross. Both donated their winnings back to Hollywood Unites for Haiti (HUFH).
Hollywood Unites for Haiti (HUFH) is a non-profit organization founded by actor Jimmy Jean-Louis, better known for his role as the haitian on NBC's hit series "Heroes." Though his parents' house was destroyed by the earthquake in his homeland, his parents are reported safe. Unfortunately, several of his family and community members were not as fortunate. He will soon return to Haiti to offer financial and humanitarian assistance.
 
For more information on Help for Orphans International, go to helpfororphans.org
For more information on HUFG, go to hufh.org
 
Photos courtesy of levi@leviwalker.com and available for viewing and download at http://gallery.me.com/pievegas/100268

Hollywood Celebrities Tackle Trash Talk Championship During Super Bowl Weekend Sponsored by VictoryPoker.net

Trishelle Cannatella Becomes First Trash Talk Champion at the Las Vegas Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Poker Lounge Benefiting Sharon Osbourne Colon Cancer Program at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center

LAS VEGAS, NV--(Marketwire - February 11, 2010) - Team Victory, along with dozens of Hollywood, sports, and poker celebrities rushed the Las Vegas Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Poker Lounge this Super Bowl weekend to compete in the first annual Trash Talk Champion of the World. The no-limit hold'em charity poker tournament raised more than $30,000 for the Sharon Osbourne Colon Cancer Program at Cedars-Sinai. Real World's Trishelle Cannatella became the 2010 Trash Talk champion, winning the first place prize money, a 20-pound custom designed crystal trophy, and a World Poker Tour Celebrity Invitational seat sponsored by ClubWPT.com. Cannetella donated a large portion of her winnings back to the charity.

Players putting their money where their mouths were included actor Lou Diamond Phillips, "The Voice of Bart Simpson" Nancy Cartwright, "The Sopranos" Robert Iler, "Dukes of Hazzard" April Scott, "Desperate Housewives" Jesse Metcalfe, "Mental" Nicholas Gonzalez, "Melrose Place" Shaun Sipos, Playboy Playmates Sara Underwood, Jessica Burciaga and Jessa Lynn Hinton, "Saved by the Bell" Dennis Haskins, "Curb Your Enthusiasm" Cheryl Hines, actor/producer Joe Reitman, artist Michael Godard, "The Amazing Race Team" Tiffany Michelle and Maria Ho, "Mind Guru" Sam Chauhan, and a slew of Team Victory players.

Later that evening, VictoryPoker.net hosted its official launch party at Vanity Nightclub. Highlights included a red carpet walk, a cake designed by Las Vegas' Marie's Gourmet Bakery, 30 pounds of various confections, an open bar, and an impromptu Playboy Playmate photo shoot. Team Victory hosts included Antonio "The Magician" Esfandiari, "Rodeo King" turned poker pro Lee Markholt, Dan "Blitz" Bilzerian, High Stakes Poker guest Andrew Robl, young cash games specialist Keith Gipson, "Who's Your Daddy" CEO Dan Fleyshman, WSOP Champion Paul Wasicka, professional backgammon and poker player Sander Lyloff, "The Maven VT" David Chicotsky, Brian Rast, Alec Torelli, and "Chinese Poker Wizard" Danny Wong.

Special thanks go out to Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Poker Lounge Director Troy Evans and his employees. The Trash Talk Championship of the World was sponsored by VictoryPoker.net, ClubWPT.com, WSOP Academy, Whole Foods Markets, and supported by The Autograph Guys, Polanti Watches, Monster Cable, Rockwell, DVS Shoe Company, ABA Energy Corporation, Jack Links, 2-Step Images, Ollie Pop, Jennifer Harman CPT, Cartwright Entertainment, www.TheMavenVT.com, On The DL Podcast, Victory.tv, and GreasieWheels.

Trash Talk Championship of the World photos and video highlights are available at http://www.GreasieWheels.com/events.

Professional Poker Player Lee Watkinson Releases New Line of Hard Core Elegance Jewelry and Apparel

Guitar Center Rock Museum becomes newest retail center to sell hottest new line rock n’ roll jewelry while Hollywood musicians adorn Hard Core Elegance at 52nd Annual Grammy Awards. 

Just in time for the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards, professional poker player Lee Watkinson recently created a new line of the popular Hard Core Elegance jewelry and apparel. Last week, famous musicians and Hollywood celebrities were seen walking the red carpet in Hard Core Elegance fashion, and performers hit the stage donning the newest HCE merchandise. 

Guitar Center gave its nod of approval by ordering the new HCE line for its Rock Museum located in its flagship store. This is the first time Guitar Center has agreed to feature such a product. 

Guitar player “Slash” has made HCE a wardrobe staple over the past two years, and during his Grammy performance he wore the signature HCE wallet chain, while wife Pearla paraded the HCE Glam Rock bracelet. The lead member of the Zac Brown Band showed off his HCE Dragon wallet chain while walking the red carpet and also during his onstage performance. But HCE saw its crowning moment when each of the band members sported HCE while accepting their “Best New Artist” award. 

Black Eyed Peas Allan Pineda Lindo, better known as “apl.de.ap,” also walked the red carpet and performed live onstage wearing a HCE Predator wallet chain. He also took it for a spin on the “E” 360 style cam. Other Grammy celebrities draped in HCE jewelry and apparel included Smokey Robinson, Aaron Carter, Miranda Lambert, Lionel Richie, Mick Fleetwood, Roberta Flack, Justin Bieber, American Idol winner Kris Allen, Black Eyed Peas “Taboo,” each member of Lady Antebellum, All American Rejects, Alice in Chains Jerry Cantrell, Randy Jackson, Jamie Foxx, T-Pain, Kimora Lee Simmons, Imelda May, Grammy winner Maxwell, and three-time Grammy nominee Anthony Hamilton.

“It was quite a week,” said the unassuming and usually private Watkinson. During Grammy week, he and fiancee Timi DeRosa exhibited the new HCE line of jewelry and apparel inside the Grammy Gift Suite. 

The HCE founder has ulterior motives for subscribing such attention. Watkinson taps into the celebrity scene in order to garner more awareness around a very special cause. “My personal goal is to help captive chimpanzees.” Always gracious, he added, “We also want to give something back to those celebrities who support our charity. So, we encourage them to showcase our products in order to enhance their own fundraising efforts.”

 

To view the newest line of Hard Core Elegance jewelry and apparel, visit http://www.hardcoreelegance.com, where celebrities Justin Timberlake, Chris Daughtry, Jonas Brothers, Adell, Sound Garden’s Chris Cornell, and last year’s Music Cares man of the Year, Neil Diamond, can be seen modeling various pieces.

Grammy event images featuring HCE:

http://www.wireimage.com/SearchResults.aspx?igi=413602&s=slash&sfld=C&vwmd=e

Hollywood Celebrities Rush Las Vegas for Trash Talk Championship on Super Bowl Weekend

 Poker players compete for cash, prizes, and bragging rights at the Las Vegas Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Trash Talk Championship of the World during Super Bowl weekend  - Fundraiser benefits the Sharon Osbourne Colon Cancer Program at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. 

LAS VEGAS, NV -- (February 2, 2010) - Dozens of Hollywood, sports, and poker celebrities will rush Las Vegas’ Hard Rock Hotel & Casino this Super Bowl weekend to determine who is this year’s Trash Talk Champion of the World. On Saturday, February 6th, Sin City’s premier property will host a $1,000 +$70 straddle no-limit hold’em charity poker tournament benefiting the Sharon Osbourne Colon Cancer Program at Cedars-Sinai. Master of ceremonies will be Michael Godard, a modern artist who dedicates himself to philanthropic causes through his work. Half of the prize pool will go to charity, the other half will be distributed, along with valuable prizes, to winners. The Trash Talk Champion of the World will win cash, a 20-pound custom designed crystal trophy, and a World Poker Tour Celebrity Invitational seat in Los Angeles, sponsored by Commerce Casino and ClubWPT.com. 

Players putting their money where their mouths are include actor Lou Diamond Phillips, “The Voice of Bart Simpson” Nancy Cartwright, “The Sopranos” Robert Iler, “Dukes of Hazzard” April Scott, “Desperate Housewives” Jesse Metcalfe, “Mental” Nicholas Gonzalez, “Melrose Place” Shaun Sipos, Playboy Playmates Sara Underwood, Jessica Burciaga and Jessa Lynn Hinton, “Saved by the Bell” Dennis Haskins, “Curb Your Enthusiasm” Cheryl Hines, actor/producer Joe Reitman, artist Michael Godard, “The Amazing Race Team” Tiffany Michelle and Maria Ho, “Mind Guru” Sam Chauhan, professional poker players Antonio “The Magician” Esfandiary, “Rodeo King” turned poker pro Lee Markholt, Dan “Blitz” Bilzerian, High Stakes Poker guest Andrew Robl, young cash games specialist Keith Gipson, “Who’s Your Daddy” CEO Dan Fleyshman, WSOP Champion Paul Wasicka, professional backgammon and poker player Sander Lyloff, “The Maven VT” David Chicotsky, Brian Rast, Alec Torelli, and more. 

The red carpet walk and silent auction start at 2PM. The tournament starts at 3PM. For advanced reservations visit http://www.greasiewheels.com/.

The Trash Talk Championship of the World is sponsored by VictoryPoker.net, ClubWPT.com, and the WSOP Academy, and supported by Whole Foods Markets, The Autograph Guys, Polanti Watches, Monster Cable, Rockwell, DVS Shoe Company, Monte Cristo Cigars, ABA Energy Corporation, Jack Links, 2-Step Images, Ollie Pop, Ksino Clothing, Jennifer Harman CPT, Cartwright Entertainment, Life’s A Bluff, Legacy Alliance Inc., www.TheMavenVT.com, The Autograph Guys, On The DL Podcast, Victory.TV, and GreasieWheels. 

Annie Duke Celebrity Poker Night Raises $70,000 for Decision Education Foundation

Star studded affair at Commerce Casino included “Use Poker to Learn Skills for Life” presentation, cocktail hour sponsored by Stakes Supper Club, silent and live auctions, Ticket Hold’em raffles, and a charity poker tournament sponsored by ClubWPT.com. 

LOS ANGELES, CA -- (November 28, 2009) - The Annie Duke Celebrity Poker Night sponsored by ClubWPT.com took place at Commerce Casino on Thursday, November 19th raising nearly $70,000 for the Decision Education Foundation. The action-packed evening started with 90 attendees enjoying an elegant cocktail hour and complimentary hors d'oeuvres at Stakes Supper Club. Ticket Hold’em CEO Don Gardiner conducted a charity raffle and Duke presented “Use Poker to Learn Skills for Life,” featuring guest speakers Howard Lederer, Ali Nejad, Andy Bloch, and Carl Spetzler.   

 

Following the presentation, guests headed upstairs to the Commerce Casino ballroom for a red carpet walk, featuring such celebrities as Broadway actor Andrew Hill Newman, American Internet entrepreneur Jason Calacanis, film and stage actor Joshua Malina, “Desperate Housewives” Kathy Najimy, “Celebrity Apprentice” Brande Roderick with two-time Superbowl champion and husband Glenn E. Cadrez, Olympic Boxing gold medalist Audley Harrison, “Melrose Place” Nicholas Gonzalez, actor/producer Michael Cory Davis, world champion snowboarder Jeff Brushie, Supercross icon Jimmy Button, reality TV’s Trishelle Cannatella, film/TV actor and director Joe Reitman, Who’s Your Daddy CEO Dan Fleyshman, as well as professional poker players Duke, Lederer, Bloch, Nejad, John “Johnny World” Hennigan, Allen Cunningham, Jerry Yang, Adam “Roothlus” Levy, Joe Sebok, Dave “Hollywood” Stann, and author Michael Craig.

Fun and fundraising activities continued with silent auctions by The Autograph Guys and Pokey Charms, a second Ticket Hold’em competition, a DRAFT Zone raffle, and a charity poker tournament with more than 100 participants directed by celebrity tournament director Matt Savage. Bounties sponsored by hostess Duke, Hardcore Elegance and Rockwell Time were placed on more than 20 pros and celebrities. Nearly 100 pot sweeteners provided by Jack Links and Ollipop were consumed by lucky winners. All tournament participants received generous gift bags sponsored by Fashion 101 Las Vegas, 2-Step Images, UltimateBet, Stakes, Who’s Your Daddy, Jack Links, Martini Gold, OlliePop, and DEF. Halfway through the event, Brand Roderick auctioned off a gold, diamond, and pearl necklace donated by Yvel. Howard Lederer won the bid with a generous $5,000 donation.  

The top ten finishers shared more than $45,000 in prizes. First place went to Andy Bloch, who won a seat to play in the 2010 World Poker Tour® (WPT) Celebrity Invitational - one of the most exclusive televised tournaments on the poker circuit - a Rockwell Time sports watch, a Hardcore Elegance gold and diamond bracelet, a limited edition autographed bottle of Jose Cuervo, and  UB.com swag. Places two through nine shared valuable prizes sponsored by Rockwell Time, the Spa at Commerce Casino, Hardcore Elegance, Life’s A Bluff, Jose Cuervo, UB.com, World Series of Poker Academy, Cartwright Entertainment, “Hollywood” Dave, Jennifer Harman, AMA Supercross Anaheim, Monster Cable, and more. 

 “Last Woman Standing” Kathy Najimy also took home a UB.com swag package, with additional prizes going to the player “Out on the Bubble” and two players eliminated with “Cracked Aces.” 

All proceeds benefited the Decision Education Foundation (DEF). The Annie Duke Celebrity Poker Night was a GreasieWheels production. 

To view this and other high-profile event images visit www.GWphotostore.com. 

To view a gallery on flickr CLICK HERE.

Results for the Annie Duke Celebrity Poker Night No-Limit Hold’em Event are below.

Place Name Home Town

1 Andy Bloch Las Vegas

2 Keith Gipson Las Vegas

3 Alex Stickroth Toledo

4 Kathy Najimy San Diego

5 David Dyrnaes Laguna Beach

6 Trishelle Cannatella    Los Angeles

7 Christopher Tryba    Las Vegas

8 Don Gardiner Gilford, Ontario

9 Michael Levin Studio City

  

If you've read this far - Special thanks go to Nicholas Gonzalez and Michael Cory Davis for upping the “hottie” ante, Andy Bloch for breaking the final table three players at time to allow staff to wrap up ahead of schedule, John Phan, Jerry Yang and Audley Harrison for crashing the party and raising the “celebrity” bar, to Steve Hall for donating the use of his inferior camera, to Brande Roderick for pimping Yvel and Howard Lederer for taking DEF to the next non-profit tax bracket, to Marie-Lizette C. Acoba aka “Little Cougar," to Don Gardiner for taking the reigns (twice), to John Griffo and “WPT wife” Lyndsay LaGree, to Rich Egget for donating even more valuable product and still finding himself crashing at L.A. airport, to Draft Zone for "looking" professional, to Dan Fleyshman for late-night consumable jet fuel, to Joe and Joe’s extra exposure, to two of the supposedly five Kelly girls, to Jackie Lapin for following me on Twitter, to Ali Nejad and Kathy Najimy for unwittingly posing with random sponsored brands, to Lupe Soto who settled for a rollaway at 3AM, to Jimmy, Jim and Anita Button for chasing away the voices, to DEF, and to Jack Links and OlliPop for the rare opportunity to witness 100 poker players chewing what appeared to be their own cud.

I hear the event's a shoe-in for a repeat in 2010. :-)