Ivy Hotel Hosts Charity Poker TournamentOpening Night Featured Poker Legends for a Needy Cause |
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While many openings of hip new places are flooded with red carpets, movie stars, and endless displays of money, the opening weekend of Michael Kelly's Ivy Hotel, located in San Diego, was somewhat different, as this premiere featured poker celebrities with money to share for a needy cause.The charity poker tournament benefited the Make the Difference Network, which is an organization committed to providing assistance to nonprofit programs of excellence, such as the Hollywood Entertainment Museum's educational program for at-risk youth. Along with poker legends such as Phil Laak, Johnny Chan, Antonio Esfandiari, Gus Hansen, Chip Reese, Doyle Brunson, Phil Ivey, Bobby Baldwin, and Clonie Gowen, famous actress Jessica Biel (pictured left), 
co-founder and spokeswoman for the charity, was in attendance.
The first-place winner was awarded a seat in the World Poker Tour Doyle Brunson Invitational, with round-trip airfare and first pick at various prizes. Coincidently, Brunson won the seat into his own event. Although he kept the $20,000 Roger Dubuis watch that came with first place, he gave the seat to the second-place finisher.
More than a quarter of a million dollars was raised for the Make the Difference Network during this event.
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