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Just Like Vegas
World Series of Poker — Day 1B of the Main Event
Actors, Athletes and Amateurs Unite For Africa at WSOP
All facetiousness aside, today's $5k Ante Up For Africa tournament supports the admirable non-profit organization bearing the same name that is dedicated to raising money and awareness for Africans in need.
The tournament marks the second to last event on the 2010 WSOP calendar and has predictably drawn a crowd of celebrities, pro poker players and curious railbirds.
Matt Damon, Don Cheadle, Shannon Elizabeth, David Alan Grier, Evander Holyfield and Montel Williams headline the list of celebrities who've made an appearance.
Brad Garrett, best known for his role on the TV show Everybody Loves Raymond, is keeping the Pavillion Room lively with his play-by-play and one-liners.
"Phil Gordon everyone," Garrett said introducing the poker player and announcer. "Only one person clapped for you, Phil, I think it might be your mom."
"Shannon Elizabeth, who looks great in women's clothing, is playing today," Garrett deadpanned.
Much of the buzz in the room involved Phil Ivey's early exit for the tournament. David Alan Grier took credit for the knockout. "I gave it to him right on the chin!" Grier said. "All in and all out, baby." Then Grier admitted he wasn't actually in the hand at all and has a tendency to embellish.
Crowd favorite Matt Damon has managed to stick around and double up a couple of times. One of those double ups found Damon coming from behind in the hand and rivering a full house on his opponent. "That's what happens when you're Matt Damon, ladies and gentleman," Garrett quipped. "If you're Brad Garrett, then you're in a cab by now."
Players can donate whatever portion of their earnings they choose to charity, but at least 50% is standard. Last year John Hennigan won the tournament and donated all of his winnings to charity. Upon recognizing Hennigan for last year's donation, Garrett was overcome with kindness. "I'm going to kiss Howard Lederer because of your generosity," Garrett said before making good on his act of man love.
There were 80 players who put up the $5k buy in for today's event. Annie Duke, Phil Ivey and Montel Williams were some of the first players to be knocked out.
More information on the charity led by Cheadle and Duke is available at http://anteupforafrica.org.
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Welch Takes Down $3k Triple Chance
The heads-up finale was home to a WSOP final table party, with Welch riding a wave of vocal support to outlast Jon Eaton and take down his first bracelet and $559,371.
The scene around the heads-up finale was rowdy, with the animated rail supporting Welch and Eaton, both regulars in the online tournament scene.
"Obviously he's a great player," said Welch from the final table after the win.
"We know a lot about each other. We play a lot online together."
Known as "gutshtallin" online, Welch has an impressive resume, with major tournament wins in both the Full Tilt Sunday Brawl and PokerStars Sunday Warmup.
Welch has netted more than $1 million in winnings each on both Full Tilt and PokerStars, and now the 27-year-old has made his mark at the WSOP.
The party around the final table was so loud after the win that Welch's interview session was hard to hear at times, but the account-executive-turned-poker-pro loved the live tournament atmosphere.
"It's entirely different," said Welch. "The whole ambiance of being at the World Series of Poker is tremendous. It's the biggest stage for poker."
Welch had to ride the rollercoaster of emotions against Eaton, at one point coming one card away from taking the championship before a river straight gave Eaton new life and evened the stacks.
The spectator section went crazy for the big hand, and Welch had to continue his bracelet bid after taking the hit.
"Any time you're one card away from winning a bracelet and you don't, it crushes you for a second," Welch said. "But that's part of poker. You have to be able to rebound."
Eaton takes home $344,830 for second place, while other notable cash finishers include Will "The Thrill" Failla (Fourth), Tommy Vedes (Seventh) and James Akenhead (17th).
The 2010 WSOP continues through July 17. For comprehensive coverage of the $25k 6-Max No-Limit event tune in to PokerListings' Live Updates and News.
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