There's no need to bluff with this hand: Saturday's philanthropic poker event Playing for Good at the home of Adi and Jerry Greenberg grossed over $200,000, with the proceeds supporting two LA-based non-profits: the Geffen Playhouse and Determined to Succeed. The deep stack no- limit hold 'em tournament sponsored by ARIA Resort & Casino whittled down about 200 players to two final tables of nine by the end of the day. Actor Kevin Pollak snagged the second highest honor of the day, and with the grand prize going to Hollywood music supervisor Scott Vener, who won a whirlwind Vegas weekend featuring a seat at the 2012 World Series of Poker as well as the royal treatment from ARIA including a VIP Sky Suite, dinners at award-winning chef restaurants and tickets to ARIA's Cirque du Soleil production.
Throughout the day guests were treated to mini-makeovers provided by Fresh spa and dry manicures provided by SpaRitual, while both players and guests were treated to massages from Spa on Location. Culinary delights flowed throughout the day with fare ranging from bagels to burgers to freshly rolled sushi donated by SugarFish. To compliment the culinary delights, Belvedere Vodka delighted guests with a Grand Marnier tasting in the afternoon as well as showcased specialty cocktails throughout the day ranging from Bloody Marys in the morning to a refreshing lemonade libation later in the afternoon.
Ben Affleck and Hank Azaria
Guests included Hank Azaria, the co-founder of beneficiary Determined to Succeed, as well as Ben Affleck, James L. Brooks, Grant Heslov, Richard Kind and Camryn Manheim, as well as professional pokers players including Annie Duke, Perry Green and Steve Lipscomb.
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ABOUT DETERMINED TO SUCCEED
Determined to Succeed is a unique program dedicated to providing an exceptional group of low socio-economic students with comprehensive year-round support. The students are guided from the critical middle school years through high school and the college acceptance process. Our program tutors and mentors these students by empowering them with more confidence, stronger self-esteem, and a better education. For more information, please visit dtsla.org.
ABOUT THE GEFFEN PLAYHOUSE
The Geffen Playhouse has been a hub of the Los Angeles theater scene since opening its doors in 1995. Noted for its intimacy and celebrated for its world-renowned mix of classic and contemporary plays, provocative new works and musicals, the Geffen Playhouse continues to present a body of work that has garnered national recognition. Named in honor of entertainment mogul and philanthropist David Geffen, who made the initial donation to the theater, the company is helmed by Producing Director and President of the Board Gilbert Cates, Artistic Director Randall Arney, Managing Director Ken Novice and Chairman of the Board Frank Mancuso. Proudly associated with UCLA, the Geffen Playhouse welcomes an audience of more than 130,000 each year, and maintains an extensive education and outreach program, designed to engage young people and the community at large in the arts. For more information, please visit geffenplayhouse.com.
