William Hung, Randy Couture & Jose Canseco Confirmed for Ante 4 Autism Charity Event
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On Saturday, January 25, the 12th Annual “Ante 4 Autism” charity poker tournament will take place in downtown Las Vegas. The Grand Event Center at Golden Nugget will play host to the $150 buy-in tournament, which will include celebrity participates such as Randy Couture, Pia Zadora, and William Hung, who was the most recent guest on the PokerNews Podcast.
“I’m very passionate about raising money to help people overcome autism. I’ve spoken at numerous autism events in the past, so I like to be a part of the cause,” Hung told PokerNews. “Karina is a good friend of mine so she invited me to be a part of this event and I’m happy to do it again.”
“I just try to last as long as I can because typically the charity events you need to be super lucky to win."
As far as coming in with any sort of strategy, Hung added: “I just try to last as long as I can because typically the charity events you need to be super lucky to win. It’s pointless to come up with some cool strategy because the blinds go up so fast … last year at the end we just had to close our eyes and go all in!”
Doors will open at 6 p.m. PST with the tournament kicking off an hour later. Other celebrities slated to attend are Richard Steele, Ricardo Laguna, Erik Aude, and former MLB slugger Jose Canseco. They will be joined by poker players Jennifer Harmon, Mike Matusow, David Williams, Chip & Karina Jett, ESPN WSOP commentator Norman Chad, and the Duke of Fremont.
The winner of the tournament, who will walk away with a $5,000 top prize, will be deemed the “Apollo Jett Grand Champion.”
“Apollo had Autism and passed away at an early age and we want to honor him by naming the Grand Champion award after him each year,” Karina Jett explained. The entire final table will win a cash prize ranging from $700-$5,000.
Local Support
Proceeds from the event will benefit five charities – Oakstone Academy, Willow Farms by Steps Academy, Project F.O.C.U.S. at UNLV, National Autism Association of Southeast Ohio and Autism Speaks.
The event attracts numerous sponsors in the Las Vegas area including new ones like Anthony Mehran from Huffman Koos Furniture, Karl & Cathi Glassman, Joe Matejka Jr, and Crane’s Mattress Superstore.
“It is a great cause, one of our employees has a child with Autism and we want to help,” said Ray Crane of Crane’s Mattress Superstore.
In addition to poker, there will be a live auction that includes a custom poker table and two trips – a six-night, seven-day excursion to Rio de Janeiro valued at $7,500, and an adventure to Croatia that includes a four-bedroom, three-bat villa complete with private pool valued at $8,500.
About Ante 4 Autism
The “Ante 4 Autism” charity event in Las Vegas was founded in 2009 by Doug Krinsky and is now held at the Golden Nugget each January. Doug and his wife Kelly Krinsky founded Beat Autism Now, Inc. a 501 C 3 not for profit organization, in 2008. The “Ante 4 Autism” event is now part of Beat Autism Now as the main event conducted every year. There is now a Host Committee of 12 individuals from across the country that help organize and run the Ante4autism event each year.
“Ante 4 Autism” was started to raise awareness about Autism and raise money within the home furnishings industry, to help support the needs of the families impacted by Autism. As of February 2019, they have raised $712,386. The proceeds of the event are now donated back to five Autism related charities each year.
Those interested in sponsorship opportunities can contact Doug Krinsky at [email protected]. Learn more at Ante4autism.com.
Images courtesy of Ante 4 Autism.
