PokerStars is no stranger to raising money for charity organizations or a good cause. In the current climate, the coronavirus takes center stage. People are stuck at home due to fear of catching the deadly virus, that has already affected over one million people in the US alone. To help, the online poker room is going to host a special online poker event this weekend featuring top celebrities to help raise money for relief efforts.
Stars CALL for Action
Tomorrow at 2pm ET, PokerStars will be hosting Stars CALL for Action. The charity online poker tournament will feature tons of A-Listers who will use their webcams to provide an inside look into gameplay.
Several well-known people from the entertainment industry have signed up to take part in the tournament including Amy Schumer, Don Cheadle, Jon Hamm, Edward Norton, Jason Alexander, Brad Garret, Bryan Cranston, Michael Ian Black and so many more.
These celebrities are often seen on the big screen or on television, but also at the felt during live poker events. The event is being powered by PokerStars with help from the Entertainment Industry Foundation.
The top placing players in the event will be sending their payout to the charity of their choice. The online poker room will be donating $1 million in total. 50% of the total donation will go straight to Care International. This group provides support for emergency relief as well as international development projects.
Getting the Event Together
Actor and poker player Hank Azaria helped to bring the idea of the charity poker tournament to life, commenting on the event as one that will be a great way to combine genuine giving where it is needed at the same time that players stay home. A friendly game of poker will allow players to remember how life use to be.
To showcase players as they take part in the special event, PokerStars will be hosting three streams, one on Twitch, YouTube and Facebook. With the streams, fans of poker will be able to see the celebrities as they play in the event.
The streams will be hosted by poker pro Lex Veldhuis and James Hartigan, with commentary provided during gaming. Anyone tuning in will be encouraged to donate to Care International as well.
On top of the event, ambassadors of PokerStars as well as celebrities will be hosting giveaways to allow fans to take part in a second event for charity taking place Saturday as well. This event is sure to be exciting. As the final table is reached, it will combine with the celebrity field of players to see the final round go down with poker fans and celebrities going head to head.
It will be interesting to see who logs in to play as well as how much the event donates to coronavirus relief. The event is one of many ways that online poker is helping during this unique time period of life around the world.
