Amidst the large sums of money being passed around at World Series of Poker tournaments, it is always good to see charitable causes benefit from WSOP poker games. Such was the case yesterday at the WSOP charity tournament hosted to help fund non-profit human rights groups doing vital work to help restore peace in Darfur, Africa. Attended by poker and movie celebrities, and emceed by the Poker Ace himself, Phil Hellmuth, the turnout at the Las Vegas Rio Casino Resort was worthy of a televised airing.

Darfur activist, Don Cheadle, who starred in the moving feature "Hotel Rwanda", hosted the tournament with poker pro Annie Duke. Several other poker pros were in attendance, including Texas Dolly Doyle Brunson, Phil Ivey, Daniel Negreanu and Phil Gordon. A round of notable actors and NBA star Charles Barkley also graced the red carpet, including such celebs as Adam Sandler, Cheryl Hines, Ray Romano, Brad Garret, Matt Damon, Jason Alexander, Ben Affleck, Shannon Elizabeth and Hank Azaria. Of the celebrity actors, Jason Alexander (in true George Costanza style) held out the longest by finishing an impressive tenth place out of 170 total players.

The tournament was called Ante Up for Africa, and called for a "suggested" donation of more than 50% of the poker pot to go the Darfur charities, International Rescue Committee and the Enough Project. However, the entire $385,000 jackpot, which was equally shared between poker pro Dan Shak and Chicago stock trader, Brandon Moran, was donated to the cause. During the course of the games, several players brought the objective of the tournament in focus so that it did become just another poker tournament. In addition to raising funds, Ante Up for Africa aimed to raise global awareness about the atrocities that continue to take place in Darfur to this day.

With over 500,000 people dead and 2 million displaced refugees, it is imperative the Darfur region of Sudan, Africa does not get overlooked by the international community. It is because of groups like the Enough Project that progress continues to be made in Darfur. And thanks to WSOP's Ante Up for Africa, the work will go on. However, there is still a long way to go. Annie Duke, who was instrumental in getting the tournament together, summed it up when she said that it is up to the people who have the means to make a difference, to help those who don't. By diverting some of the attention that poker gets, onto the catastrophe in Darfur - where the attention is truly needed most - Duke hopes more people will begin to speak out and do something to make a positive difference in Darfur.