The stars of poker filled The Grand convention center at the Golden Nugget Tuesday night for a charity event hosted by Phil Ivey. The recommended $1,000 donation with $500 rebuys and add-ons went largely to benefit the Budding Ivey Foundation, an organization started by Ivey\’s mother and named after his late grandfather Leonard \”Bud\” Simmons. The money raised from the event for the foundation is to be allocated to a few charities, including the Boys and Girls Club, Springs Preserve and Empowered 2 Excel, a local academy for the underprivileged that focuses on improving the quality of life for young people by concentrating on academic success, social-growth, character education and health.
\”It\’s good to be able to give back to Las Vegas,\” Ivey said before the tournament kicked off. \”I\’d like to thank the fans and all the poker players who came. I appreciate all of you guys support. Enjoy yourself and have some fun.\”
Among the couple of hundred of people milling in the convention center for the tournament was a who\’s who list of poker players, including names like Negreanu, Matusow, Ferguson, Zolotow, Gowen, Lindgren, Laak, Tilley, Phan, Bloch and many more. Fans walked around fetching autographs while players took prop bets on the tournament. Matt Savage served as tournament director and emcee.
The cards and alcohol were flying. Someone tossed a drink at Matusow during the very hearty craps game that took place during breaks in the tournament. Players were carried into the room, which included a few blackjack tables along with the craps tables, on the shoulders of others before it was their turn to shoot. One unidentified man ran laps around the room after a particularly good roll.
\”It\’s time to start back with the tournament,\” a floorman told me during on break, \”but my boss doesn\’t want to tell them to leave the craps table.\”
Players also wandered back and forth to the annual Howard Lederer/Steve Zolotow barbecue next door in the Nugget\’s pool area.
The event also included auctions for prizes that included signed and framed Full Tilt Poker jerseys of players like Erik Seidel and Jennifer Harman.
Following my all night session in O8 at Binion\’s until 7:30 a.m. Tuesday I was too tired to stay for the end of the event. As soon as I find out who won I\’ll give you the low down.
