The World Poker Tour used their ClubWPT site to offer a special celebrity poker tournament featuring famous celebrities and sports players to raise money for charity. Titled The King’s Celebrity Poker Challenge, the event was sponsored by Budweiser, raising $125,000 for World Central Kitchen. The charity helps to provide meals to families as well as senior citizens and frontline healthcare workers. The tournament was a huge success and saw Jason Alexander of Seinfeld fame defeat actor Kevin Pollack in heads-up play to earn the win.
Exciting Poker Action
Fans of poker could watch the event live as it was streamed on the World Poker Tour Twitch channel. The event featured several people including Jon Hamm of Madmen, Chef Jose Andres, the founder of the World Central Kitchen and more.
The top six players were able to donate $15,000 from Budweiser for their gameplay while the winner, Alexander, saw $50,000 donated in his name. Players were given 25,000 poker chips to start with blinds set at 25/50. It took only 40 minutes for chef Jose Andres to be eliminated and he was taken out by Kevin Pollack.
Next to go was surfer Kelly Slater, after he was eliminated by Jon Hamm. Next to go was Pau Gasol which left Alexander, Hamm and Pollack. Alexander was on a roll at this time, eventually taking the lead and knocking out Hamm in third place. This gave Alexander the lead as the heads-up round began.
Heads Up Play
Going into the final two, Alexander held 129,802 of the chips while Pollak had only just over 20,000. Because of the chip difference, it would not take long before the final hand was played out. Pollack got his last seven big blinds in holding a Q-10 of clubs. Alexander called with Q-9 of hearts.
A flush on the river for Alexander secured the hand and gave him the win, with $50,000 going to the World Central Kitchen in his name. Commenting on the win, Alexander stated that it felt fantastic to win and ‘God bless Jose Andres’ the World Central Kitchen founder.
Pollak commented as well, stating that it was a blast to play and the World Central Kitchen is an amazing cause. He was proud of Alexander for taking the trophy.
Adam Pliska, the World Poker Tour CEO, stated that the WPT is always looking to be innovative and their partnership with Budweiser helps them to do just that. With the ClubWPT, they can bring real poker to the homes of players during this time when everyone is trying to stay at home as much as possible.
The WPT thanked Budweiser for the $125,000 contribution to help those in need during this trying time. Budweiser was happy to help, and wanted to make a positive impact on the current state of affairs by highlighting the work of the World Central Kitchen.
It is always nice to see the poker community reaching out to help those in need!
