Hollywood and the poker world converged at the star-studded 6th annual World Poker Tour Celebrity Invitational at The Commerce Casino in Los Angeles. The invitational is the most glamorous on the poker circuit and kicked off On March 1, with red carpet arrivals from Hollywood stars other poker luminaries for a little Texas Hold ‘Em. The tournament was played for charity, cash and the rare opportunity to become a WPT champion.
Famous Faces in the Crowd
Of the more than 400 card players at the tournament, at least 100 of them were celebrities including James Woods, Camryn Manheim, Jonathan Schaech, Oliver Hudson, Don Cheadle, Mekhi Phifer, Michael Vartan, Shaun Toub, Oliver Hudson, Ricki Lake, Norm McDonald, Jerry Buss, Ryan Stiles, Roger Cross, Ronnie Cox, Donnie Wahlberg, Shandi Finnessey, Daniel Baldwin, Ron Livingston, Tia Carrere , Montel Williams and Jeremy Sisto.
Playing for the regular prize pool, the final 13 celebrities also had charitable donations made in their names, with a nearly $10,000 donation given to the celebrity that went the deepest. The star lasting the longest in the tournament was Tom McGowan (Tony Award nominee for “La Bete“) who finished at a respectable 14th place. (See below for entire list)
Commerce Casino on its Night of 100 (+) Stars
“Being the world’s largest poker casino and so close to Hollywood, Commerce sees many pros and celebrities come through its doors each week, but WPT’s Invitational tournament is by far and away the most exciting event of the year,” said John Griffo, Director of Poker Operations, Commerce Casino. “What’s great about the Invitational is you see them all come together for one night where they aren’t just playing for cash, but for charity, respect, and overall…fun.”
Ladies Night
Making history at the event, Van Nguyen, wife of poker professional Men “The Master” Nguyen, beat out 445 other players to become the first woman to win a mixed gender World Poker Tour event. Winning $100,000 and a $25,000 seat at the WPT World Championship at the Bellagio in April, Nguyen learned the tricks of the trade from her legendary poker playing husband, Men “The Master” Nguyen.
“This great sport of poker is the only one that focuses on an individual’s skill – regardless of gender – and we’re thrilled the time has finally come to celebrate a female WPT Champion,” said Steve Lipscomb, Founder, Creator and CEO of the WPT. “It was only a matter of time before a female took down a major WPT tournament, and what better way to mark this historic event than Van Nguyen battling for the title while her husband – a well-respected pro – cheered her on from the audience. Her win is one of many recent events that solidify women as a major force to be reckoned with on and off the tables.”
Setting another record at the tournament were three other women, Debby Perkins, Beverley Kruskol and Kimberly Lansing, who joined Nguyen at the table for the final eight.
The Winners and their Cash Prizes
The top eight players and their final payouts were:
* Van Nguyen – $125,500
* Ethan Ruby – $50,000 (wheelchair bound former athlete who is part of Poker4Life which promotes charity poker tournaments)
* Billy Baxter – $20,000 (legendary pro poker player who boasts 7 WSOP bracelets)
* Justin Marchand – $15,000 (Chief Media Officer for Card Player Media and Associate Publisher of Card Player magazine who was the only finalist to earn his entry without an invitation by winning it at the Poker Classic media tournament)
* Elias Madias – $10,000
* Debby Perkins – $2,500 (tie)
* Beverly Kuskol – $2,500 (tie)
* Kimberly Lansing (WPT video reporter)
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The celebrities that were the last 13 to bust out resulting in them getting donations made to the charity of their choice are:
Tom McGowan – Children’s Hospital of L.A.
Zac Penn – ALS – East
Billy Burke – VH1 Save the Music
Sara Rue – Lily Clair Foundation
Oliver Hudson – Hawn Foundation
Glenn Morshower – City of Hope
Tara Summers – Nyumbani AD – Kenya Orphanage
Aaron Paul – Invisible Children
Gina Hecht – E.E.P. Cal State L.A.
Bill Macy (to be announced)
The following people will have one $2,500 donation made in their name to either Susan G. Komen for the Cure, The Harbor Foundation or Soles United.
Ryan Stiles
Randy Cox
Brande Roderick
The WPT Invitational also captured center stage for being the first-ever five-seat Final Table. With eight players remaining, three players went all in resulting in Beverly Kuskol and Debby Perkins going out together sending five players to the final table. The fifth place finish went to notable writer Elias Madias while Associate Publisher of Card Player Magazine Justin Marchand came in fourth. Poker Hall of Famer Billy Baxter saw a third place finish. Ethan Ruby, a founder of Poker4Life, which is associated with The Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis, placed an impressive second after securing his WPT Invitational seat donated by Ambassador of Poker, Mike Sexton, for a Poker4Life charity tournament.
Watch the Action on GSN
This tournament, as well as the other 20 plus World Poker Tournaments will be aired on the WPT’s new home, GSN. With commentators Mike Sexton and Vince Van Patten returning for their sixth season and new hostess Layla Kayleigh making her debut, GSN will televise tournaments from the most prestigious casinos and locations from around the world including Barcleona, Spain; Turks and Caicos Islands in the British West Indies; and Niagara Falls, Canada. Broadcasts of the tournaments will air on Monday nights following GSN’s High Stakes Poker cash game series.Tune in July 21st to watch the WPT Invitational action on the WPT’s new network home, GSN, at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT.
The last 10 celebrities standing received a piece of a $20,000 prize pool courtesy of Harbor Private Funds,
LLC to donate to the charity of their choice. WPT Ladies charity partner Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Harbor Private Funds’ Harbor Foundation, and Crocs, Inc.’s Soles United, also received a $2,500 donation from WPT.
Tune in July 21st to watch the WPT Invitational action on the WPT’s new network home, GSN, at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT.
The schedule of tournaments on GSN is as follows:
March 24 Mirage Poker Showdown, The Mirage, Las Vegas
March 31 Bellagio Cup III part 1 Bellagio, Las Vegas
April 7 Bellagio Cup III part 2 Bellagio, Las Vegas
April 14 Legends of Poker The Bicycle Casino, Los Angeles
April 21 North American Poker Classic Fallsview Casino Resort, Niagara Falls, Canada
April 28 Mandalay Bay Poker Championship Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas
May 5 Borgata Poker Open Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, Atlantic City
May 12 WPT Ladies Night V The Bicycle Casino, Los Angeles
May 19 Turks and Caicos Poker Classic The Players Club, Turks and Caicos, British West Indies
May 26 Gulf Coast Poker Championship Beau Rivage, Biloxi, MS
June 2 WPT Spanish Championship Casino Barcelona, Spain
June 9 Foxwoods World Poker Finals Foxwoods Resort Casino, Mashantucket, CT
June 16 Doyle Brunson Five Diamond Poker Classic Bellagio, Las Vegas
June 23 World Poker Open Part 1 Gold Strike, Tunica, MS
June 30 World Poker Open Part 2 Gold Strike, Tunica, MS
July 7 Borgata Poker Classic Borgata, Atlantic City, NJ
July 14 L.A. Poker Classic Commerce Casino, Los Angeles
July 21 WPT Celebrity Invitational Commerce Casino, Los Angeles
July 28 Bay 101 Shooting Star Bay 101, San Jose, CA
August 4 World Poker Challenge Grand Sierra Resort, Reno
August 11 Foxwoods Poker Classic Foxwoods Resort Casino, Mashantucket, CT
August 18 WPT Ladies Championship Bellagio, Las Vegas
August 25 WPT World Championship Bellagio, Las Vegas
All WPT on GSN events will be replayed Monday nights at Midnight ET/PT and the following Sunday evenings at 7-9 PM ET/PT.
some of the people in
attendance:
Celebs in attendance included:
Aaron Paul
Andrea Savage
Antonio Esfandiari
Bill Smitrovich
Brandi Roderick
Brian Baumgartner
Camryn Manheim
Daniel Baldwin
Dick Van Patten
Don Cheadle
Donnie Wahlberg
Dwayne Adway
Eric Pallidino
Gena Hecht
Ian Gomez
James Van Patten
James Woods
Jennifer Tilly
Jeremy London
Jeremy Sisto
Jonathan Schaech
Josh Malina
Josh Morrow
Ken Davitian
Kunal Nayyar
Lucas Haas
Marlon Shirley
Matt Cedeno
Matt Lillard
Meat Loaf
Mekhi Phifer
Michael Ray Bower
Michael Vartan
Mike Sexton
Mimi Rogers
Montel Williams
Nick Gonzalez
Norm MacDonald
Oliver Hudson
Patrick Labyorteaux
Ricki Lake
Roger Cross
Roger Zamudio
Ron Livingston
Ronny Turiaf
Ryan Stiles
Sara Rue
Shandi Finnessey
Shaun Toub
Steve Lipscomb
Tia Carrere
Tim Conway
Tom Everett Scott
Trishelle Cannatella
Victoria Pratt
Vince Van Patten
