Alex Bolotin Antes Up for Africa

Despite the fact that Alex Bolotin is not a celebrity or big-name poker player he decided to win the 2009 Ante Up for Africa on Thursday night anyways.

The diminutive Bolotin played larger than life at the final table and outlasted players like Erik Seidel, Jennifer Harman and Chris "Jesus" Ferguson to win the first place prize of $177,730.

Shortly after his victory Bolotin announced that he would be giving 50% of his winnings to charity in honor of the event.

"I'm really excited to win," said Bolotin. "I definitely got lucky but you have to get lucky in these events. It was great meeting all the celebrities and poker legends in this tournament."

Because the event carried such a shallow structure the final table was a fast-paced event that was mostly all-ins and coin flip situations. Heads-up against Adam Richardson lasted exactly one hand.

That's not to say Bolotin is not a skilled player, however. The Brooklyn-based grinder has 14 WSOP cashes and last year made three final tables.

This is the third year that Ante Up for Africa has been held with proceeds from the event going towards charities that provide aid and assistance to the survivors of the crisis in Darfur