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Thursday, May 1, 2008

Pros ante up for charity, fun

Robert and Phil
Hellmuth and Williamson join forces for charity.

By Jason Kirk

Poker fans and aspiring pros will have two opportunities this weekend to play with some of the game's biggest names.

In Indiana, the fans will have a chance to see Phil Hellmuth and Robert Williamson III in a charity tournament, while fans in California can head to the Fantasy Springs Resort Casino for a tournament hosted by Phil Laak.

Kentucky Derby Poker Championship

On Saturday at Caesars Indiana in Elizabeth, Ind., Robert Williamson III and Phil Hellmuth will take on hosting duties at the Kentucky Derby Poker Championship, billed as a "pro-celebrity charity event." The $2,500 buy-in tournament will follow the 134th running of the Kentucky Derby, the most storied event in all of horse racing.

In addition to Williamson and Hellmuth, Layne "Back to Back" Flack and Montel Williams have also confirmed they will play in the event.

A red-carpet welcome reception is scheduled for 7 p.m. local time, while the tournament is scheduled to begin at 8:30 p.m. Unlimited rebuys are available until the first break, at which time one add-on will be offered to players remaining in the field.

The winner of the tournament will earn a $10,000 seat in the 2008 WSOP Main Event. The runner-up, meanwhile, will win an UltimateBet prize package valued at $8,500, including a seat in the 2008 Aruba Poker Challenge scheduled for September.

Satellite tournaments will be held at Caesars Indiana on Saturday before the event begins.

Proceeds from the Kentucky Derby Poker Championship will benefit the International Red Cross/Red Crescent Climate Centre and the Health and Climate Foundation.

The Climate Centre's work focuses on saving lives in vulnerable communities increasingly affected by floods and droughts, while the HCF's mission is to eradicate epidemics of malaria and other diseases around the world.

"I'm really excited to be co-hosting this event with Robert Williamson III and to support such an important cause," Hellmuth said in a press release for the tournament. "The climate is changing and the poor will be the hardest hit. Anything we can do to raise awareness of this issue and help save lives is important."

Players can pre-register for the event by visiting www.caesarsindiana.com or calling the Caesars Indiana Poker Room at 1-800-660-9744 between 11:00 am and 7:00 pm ET today or Friday.

Laak 'Em In


See the Unabomber in action this weekend.

Players who can't afford to drop $2,500 or more for a chance to rub elbows with a pro might find the Laak 'Em In No-Limit Texas Hold'em Tournament at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, Calif., more to their liking.

Like the Kentucky Derby tournament, the $200 Laak 'Em In tournament is also scheduled for this Saturday. The "Unabomber" will host a public meet-and-greet at 1 p.m., before joining players at the table for the tournament at 4 p.m.

The top eight players will share in the prize pool, while the player who knocks Laak out of the tournament will win the opportunity to have dinner with Laak following the tournament.

"We're thrilled to have Phil play in this unique event, which gives our guests the chance to play against a world class poker talent," Fantasy Springs Resort Casino General Manager Paul Ryan said in a press release.

Seats for the tournament are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Players can reserve a seat by calling 760-342-5000, extension 84835.

The event is notable for being played without dealers or chips, thanks to the fully automated PokerPro tables featured in the Fantasy Springs poker room. Laak and friend Antonio Esfandiari have both endorsed the PokerPro tables since they hit the market a few years ago.

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