Celebrities Set to Partake in Friday's Charity Series of Poker Event at SHRPO
On Friday, August 14, the Charity Series of Poker (CSOP) will host its second-ever event, and fifth overall, during the Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open (SHRPO) at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida. The $300 ($140+$140+$20 to prize pool, charity and rake) tournament, which is open to the public, will benefit Habitat for Humanity International and Habitat for Humanity of Broward County.
"It's great to be back at the Hard Rock for our second annual Charity Series of Poker event benefiting Habitat for Humanity," Founder & President of the CSOP Matt Stout told PokerNews. "Our inaugural event at the Planet Hollywood in Vegas and our annual event at the Borgata also mean a lot to me, but the way that Hard Rock gets behind us for this event can't be matched and Habitat was the first charity I ever got involved with when I was 17 so both organizations hold a special place in my heart which makes this my favorite CSOP event of the year."
From 5-7 p.m., a pre-party will take place at the L-Bar inside the Hard Rock. Not only will there be an open bar, but there will also be more than $5,000 in giveaways. The no-limit hold'em turbo tournament will follow, and in addition to half the prize pool being paid out, Hard Rock is adding over $20,000 in prizes for the final table, while the CSOP is going to pay $1,000 to the chip leader at the end of the reentry period. Speaking of reentries, whoever reenters the most time will receive a $1,000 bonus.
"The Hard Rock has really gone above and beyond to use the CSOP to mark the beginning of the SHRPO Main Events," said Stout. "We run it the night before their biggest $5,000 Main Event of the year in order to give traveling pros as well as local poker players and Habitat supporters an opportunity to join in the fun. In addition to still playing for half of the prize pool, players get an opportunity to have a few drinks with celebrities."
Some of the celebrities confirmed to attend are Twilight's Ashley Greene; Omar Miller from 8 Mile and CSI: Miami; Mekhi Phifer from ER, 8 Mile, and Dawn of the Dead fame; and last but not least Sasha Barrese from the hit film The Hangover. Additionally a slew of poker pros will participate including Mukul Pahuja, Allen Kessler, Anthony Zinno, Asher Conniff, Marvin Rettenmaier, Tristan Wade, Shannon Shorr, and Loni Harwood, who was the most recent guest on the PokerNews Podcast.
Last year, the CSOP at SHRPO attracted 105 entrants; however, this year they'll need to get over 200 entries in order to avoid an overlay thanks to $27,000 in added money.
"We went from raising $14,605 in year one with our inaugural event in Vegas to raising $42,000 this year and it's an amazing sign for the future of the CSOP," said Stout, seemingly unfazed by the possibility of an overlay.
Here's a look at the added prizes that'll be awarded to the final table:
- 1st Place: Seat into the $5,250 buy-in, $5 Million Guarantee Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open Championship
- 2nd Place: Hard Rock Punta Cana 6 Night Poker Package – 6 nights at Hard Rock Punta Cana double occupancy. One Punta Cana Poker Classic Main Event Entry. Round trip transport to and from Punta Cana International Airport. Unlimited premium food and beverage (all-inclusive system). 24 hour premium room service. Event gift bag. $1,500 in Resorts Credits to be used towards spa, gold, tours and other activities. $1,000 travel money.
- 3rd Place: Hard Rock Resort Package (USA) – $2,000 trip to USA Hard Rock property plus $1,000 travel money.
- 4th Place: Quarterbacks of the Century Signed Jersey
- 5th Place: John Elway Signed Jersey
- 6th Place: Dan Marino Signed Jersey
- 7th Place: Hard Rock Goodie Bag – Samsonite Luggage (4 piece). Panasonic underwater camera. Candle Shaving Kit. Gucci Men’s Card Case. Hard Rock Leather Duffel.
- 8th Place: Florida Hard Rock Dinner and 1 Night Stay plus Slash Autographed Guitar – $500 guitar value and $325 value on hotel and dinner. Redeemable at Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood or Tampa.
- 9th Place: Hard Rock Goodie Bag – Hard Rock Leather Duffel. Gucci Men’s Card Case. Panasonic underwater camera. Jawbone Jambox. Klipsch earbuds.
- 10th Place: Florida Hard Rock Dinner and one-night stay plus Penn & Teller Autographed Guitar – $265 guitar value and $325 value on hotel and dinner. Redeemable at Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood or Tampa.
For more information, visit charityseriesofpoker.com.
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