Hollywood A-Listers Ante Up For Charity As World Series of Poker Main Event Set to Begin

George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon to Play in Don Cheadle's Ante Up For Africa Charity Event at the 2007 World Series Of Poker® (Schedule Permitting)

Story Summary:

Oscar nominee Don Cheadle and poker pro Annie Duke will host Hollywood stars, including George Clooney, Brad Pitt and Matt Damon and professional poker players for the Ante Up For Africa charity tournament on July 5th at the 38th annual World Series of Poker.

Stars Shannon Elizabeth, Willie Garson, Brad Garrett and poker professional Jennifer Harman have joined the growing list of celebrities who plan to play in the tournament, designed to raise awareness about the crisis in Darfur. In addition to Clooney, Pitt and Damon, stars Ben Affleck, Jason Alexander, Jennifer Tilley, Hank Azaria, George Lopez, Danny Masterson, Mekhi Phifer, Ray Romano, Adam Sandler and James Woods have all expressed plans to play, subject to availability. They will be competing with poker pros and sports celebrities including Charles Barkley, Erik Seidel, Phil Hellmuth, Chris Ferguson, Doyle Brunson, Ted Forrest and Clonie Gowen, who also intend to play.

The highlight and Main Event of the World Series of Poker -- the $10,000 No-Limit Texas Hold'em World Championship -- will kick off the following day, July 6. Last year's Main Event champion Jamie Gold captured a record prize of $12 million – more than the winners of the Indy 500, the Masters, the Kentucky Derby and Wimbledon combined. For more information, please visit: www.worldseriesofpoker.com.

Soundbites

• Don Cheadle, Actor
• Additional celebrities TBD

B-Roll Includes

• press conference footage
• red carpet arrivals
• poker tournament footage

VIDEO PROVIDED BY: "World Series of Poker"