A record field of four hundred and thirty three celebrity players and poker pros turned out for this year’s World Poker Tour Invitational. The event took place at the Commerce Casino in Los Angeles this past weekend to raise money for the Vine Group USA Charity.

The large group of players raised over $112,000 for the charity and Freddy Deeb won the event after competing in heads up play against Nicholas Gonzales. Deeb took home $34,000 for his win. In turn, Deeb added his winnings to the charitable donations.

The event was star studded with celebrities and poker pros. Those included in the festivities were: Shannon Elizabeth, Don Cheadle, Mekhi Phifer, Ricki Lake, Phil Laak, Antonio Esfandiari and Mike Sexton. The charity to receive the donations, the Vine Group, works to provide scholarships, teaching equipment and textbooks to schools in Africa.

John Griffo, director of poker operations at Commerce Casino stated: "Everyone loved that they were able to play while giving back. We look forward to making this an even bigger and better element in years to come.”



- 2009-03-06