Ante Up For Africa Won By Alex Bolotin

Alex Bolotin was this years “Ante Up For Africa” winner earning a cool $177,730  in the process. In a magnanimous first gesture he, along with the majority of the cash prize finishers, donated half of his winnings to  the ENOUGH Project and International Rescue Committee.
The $5,000 fund raiser tournament has grown in stature and the 88 players attending last year had grown to one hundred and thirty eight poker players and celebrities and among the list of entertainment celebrities playing were Jason Alexander, Brad Garrett, Patrick Bruel, Sarah Silverman, Ben Affleck, Dean Cain, event co-host Cheadle, Cedric the Entertainer, Nelly, Rene Angelil, Matt Damon, Montel Williams, Mario Adinolfi, Jennifer Tilly and others. From the world of sport were Charles Barkley, Mike Tyson, Shane Warne, Kenny Smith, D.J. Mbenga, Herschel Walker and others.
The poker pros were well represented too and included Joe Hachem, Chris Ferguson, Erik Seidel, PokerNews’ own Tony G and Rayan Nathan, Greg Raymer, Jennifer Harman, event co-host Duke, 2008 Ante Up For Africa event winner Johnny Hennigan, Ylon Schwartz, Brandon Cantu, Dennis Phillips, Victor Ramdin, Luca Pagano, Mike Matusow, Jason Mercier, Howard Lederer, John Juanda, Matt Graham, Peter Eastgate, Shaun Deeb, Andy Bloch, Jennifer Harman and many other stars.
The tournament ran for twice the 5 hour prediction, and a total of $362,000 was raised for charity. The proceeds go to help the relief effort in Darfur, Sudan, now entering its sixth yeaand responsible for over 400,000 deaths as well as creating over 3 million refugees.
As 2004 WSOP champion Greg Raymer put it, “The people this money is going to go to in Africa are some of the most troubled people in the world. They are facing the greatest difficulties, more than anyone can even imagine who live in this country. For us to put in some time and effort and money to help these people is a demonstration of the kindheartedness and dedication of people in the poker community.”