$$ Cash 4 Seat $$

“Poker players have the biggest hearts,” Montel Williams said. To stress the point, Daniel Negreanu added: “Poker players are very generous people.” It may not be the wider world’s view of card players, but in the poker community, very few people would disagree. We’ve seen before how poker money is given back to good causes, and tonight was a thrilling example.

This was the amFAR and PokerStars.net Charity Tournament, held in the cavernous Imperial Ballroom in Atlantis, home for this and much of next week to the PCA. Stars of television, the music industry, glamour, sport and poker turned out, giving their money and their time to play an event to raise cash and awareness for amFAR’s vital AIDS research program. None had a problem turning over the $5,000 entry fee. Team PokerStars Pro William Thorson even bought in twice after busting early.

The stars were joined by five PokerStars qualifiers who won their seats in various online satellites to be here. As it turned out one them, Spencer Benjafield, took the title, beating Team PokerStars Pro Alex Gomes after a sensational heads-up battle that turned the match on its head.

Benjafield got $37,500 for his first place, but the real winner was amFAR. With a total prize pool of $195,000, half was given straight to the charity, represented here by its chairman, and well-known designer Kenneth Cole. That means at least $97,500 will go to AIDS research. I say ‘at least’, because as is so often the case, much of the prize money won tonight will be quietly donated by the players as well.

Spencer Benjafield

So who was here? From music we had Kelly Rowland, Slash from Guns ‘N Roses and Nelly, and from TV there was Montel Williams and Carlos Bernard, star of hit series 24.

Kelly Rowland

Montel Williams

From glamour there was 2008 Playboy Playmate of the Year Jayde Nicole as well as supermodel-turned new PokerStars NAPT host Joanna Krupa, and from the world of sport Team PokerStars SportStars Boris Becker, Fatima de Melo and Mats Sundin. Also former soccer stars Teddy Sheringham and Poli Rincon, and French professional kick boxer Jerome Le Banner.

Jayde Nicole

Then, of course, there was the poker community. From Team PokerStars Pro, a massive line up, including the current WSOP Main Event champion Joe Cada, former champion Greg Raymer, Daniel Negreanu, Humberto Brenes and Vanessa Rousso. Cada summed up the goodwill when he said: “Playing here in this charity event means a lot to me, especially as it means I get to give something back after being fortunate enough to win so much myself at the WSOP Main Event. amFAR is a great cause and I hope we raise a lot of money as well as awareness for their work.”

Once they got down to business there were four tables playing a shootout format. With 5,000 starting chips we played each table until just two players were left. Those two survivors would then progress to the final. Some big names fell early. William Thorson flopped a set of kings, but ran into a flopped set of aces. Out soon after, he was allowed to buy in again. It was for charity, after all. Raymer did not make it through, nor did Rousso, Cada, Slash, Rowland, Nelly and a whole lot more.

Nelly

Slash

When the dust had settled, these were the final eight:

Montel Williams, TV star
Carlos Bernard, star of hit show 24
Mats Sundin, Team PokerStars SportStar
Fatima de Melo, Team PokerStars SportStar
Leo Fernandez, Team PokerStars Pro
Alex Gomes, Team PokerStars Pro
Luis Medina, Team PokerStars Pro
Spencer Benjafield, PokerStars qualifier

On the TV stage, the eight were given another 5,000 chips to start with and the action was furious. Bernard, even though he was to go out in sixth place, was by far the star of the show in the early levels. His play was so aggressive that his constant raising and taking of pots became comedic. The tournament director developed a new catchphrase.. “And Carlos takes the pot” …. while Fatima de Melo was reduced to near hysterics.

Carlos Bernard sandwiched between Mats Sundin and Leo Fernandez

First out was Medina, killed off by Sundin. Then Fernandez bit the dust; his chips heading in the direction of Williams. In sixth was Bernard, while in fifth we lost de Melo - the last lady standing. Both those two lost their chips to Alex Gomes, who was by now building a huge chip lead. That lead extended when Gomes accounted for Sundin and Williams, leaving himself with just Benjafield to deal with.

At the start of heads-up, Gomes had 36,000 to Benjafield’s 4,000. A formality, you may think. You’d be wrong. A succession of quick double ups, and Benjafield, a Brit who works on the North Sea oil rigs, took the lead for himself. Finally, he clinched it. All in pre-flop, Benjafield had [8h][6h], behind Gomes’ [ad][4s]. But the board ran [9d][jh][6c][qs][jd] and it was all over.

Alex Gomes gets the bad news

Benjafield was gracious in victory, befitting of the event. “I just can’t believe it,” he said. “I never thought I would win, and when we got heads up who would have guessed I could turn the chip stacks around. It’s been such a great day meeting and playing with the celebrities and the pros. It will take some time to sink in.”

Kenneth Cole had started the day by saying amFAR’s work could be compared to a poker player. It takes calculated risks in order to try new ways of research into AIDS, he said, and if the gamble works, then it’s many lives that will be saved.

If you’d like to find out more about amFAR’s important work, then you should visit their website, www.amfar.org

amFAR’s Kenneth Cole addresses the floor

You can catch up with our live reporting of the tonight’s excitement right here:

Stars out for charity extravaganza
Round one
The final table

So it’s good night from me, and thanks to Neil Stoddart for his usual excellence behind the camera. We’ll leave the last words to the stars of the show…

Watch PCA 2010: Celebrities of the amfAR & PokerStars.net Charity Tournament on PokerStars.tv

The amFAR and PokerStars Charity Tournament is a shootout event. This post will cover the final table. Click refresh for latest updates.

See here for more about amFAR and its work in AIDS research, and here for live TV coverage. See Round 1 for reports on the, er, first round.

2.25am: Spencer Benjafield wins title and $37,500
What a remarkable heads-up. It started with Alex Gomes a massive chip leader with 36,000 chips to Spencer Benjafield’s 4,000. But the PokerStars qualifier turned the tables on the Team PokerStars Pro with a succession of sensational double ups - and took the amFAR and PokerStars.net Charity Tournament title.

“I just can’t believe it,” he said. “I never thought I would win, and when we got heads up who would have guessed I could turn the chip stacks around. It’s been such a great day meeting and playing with the celebrities and the pros. It will take some time to sink in.”

2.20am: Alex Gomes eliminated in second place
Spencer Benjafield gets his man and Alex Gomes is out, finishing with $20,000. All in pre-flop, Benjafield had [8h][6h], behind Gomes’ [ad][4s]. But the board ran [9d][jh][6c][qs][jd] and it was all over.

2.15am: Three double ups
Yep, thats three double ups for Spencer Benjafield and the PokerStars qualifier has taken the chip lead, 30,000 to Alex Gomes’ 10,000.

First he outran Gomes’ [ad][4s] holding [kc][qs], then his pocket tens held against Gomes’ A-7, and lastly his [9d][7s] was behind all-in to Gomes’ [7h][2h] on a [7d][2d][ks] flop - but the [9s] on the turn put him ahead!

Spencer Benjafield

2.05am: Quick break
There’s a quick break while Spencer Benjafield (4,000 chips) and Alex Gomes (36,000 chips) prepare for heads-up battle. It may be quick (the battle, not the ten-minute break).

2am: Montel Williams eliminated in third place
Williams is out, and guess who busted him. Yup. Alex Gomes. They were all-in pre flop, Williams with [as][3h] and Gomes with [kd][8s]. The board ran [3c][7s][qd][kc][6c] giving Gomes the top pair, and Williams was on his way with $20,000.

1.55am: Mats Sundin eliminated in fourth place
And it’s that man Alex Gomes that did the damage again in an amazing hand. He pushed all-in and Sundin called:

Sundin: [2d][2s]
Gomes: [ac][5d]

The flop was [4c][ah][5h] giving Gomes two pair, but opening up an unlikely straight draw for Sundin. The turn was …. [3d]! Sundin had made his straight and was on course for a double up. Gomes needed an ace or a five for a boat, or one of the two twos left in the pack for a split. The river? [ad]!

Sundin received $15,000 for his fourth place.

Mats Sundin

1.50am: Chips
Look a bit like this:
Alex Gomes, 27,100
Spencer Benjafield, 5,275
Montel Williams, 3,075
Mats Sundin, 4,550

1.45am: Spencer doubles
More relentless aggression from Alex Gomes who moves all-in again pre-flop with his monster stack. And he gets a call from PokerStars qualifier Spencer Benjafield.

Gomes: [ah][kc]
Benjafield: [8h][jc]

Benjafield was behind and more so on the [3d][ac][10s] flop. But the [qs] opened outs for a nine or a king - and the [9h] came on the river to roars from the rowdy crowd. He doubles up to 5,500.

1.40am: Urgh, aces
It’s folded around to Mats Sundin in the big blind. He turns over red aces. Ouch

1.35am: Williams double
Montel Williams gets a vital double up, all in pre-flop against Alex Gomes. Williams had the monster [ad][ac], Gomes the rather puny-by-comparison [ah][7c]. The [6s][5d][3d] gave some nervous moments for Williams, giving Gomes the gutshot draw, but the [qs] turn and [9s] river were harmless. He’s back up to 4,500.

Montel Williams

1.30am: Fatima de Melo eliminated in fifth place
The Dutch Team PokerStars SportStar fell to Alex Gomes in the biggest pot of the tournament. On a [7c][7s][ad] flop she bet out, but got put all-in by Gomes, who had her covered. A brief dwell and she made the call:

de Melo: [5s][5c]
Gomes: [6h][7h]

The turn was [6s] making Gomes’ full house and leaving de Melo drawing dead. The [3h] river was irrelevant.

1.25am: Chips
Well, they look something like this:
Alex Gomes, 17,925
Fatima de Melo, 9,100
Spencer Benjafield, 5,475
Mats Sundin, 4,525
Montel Williams, 2,975

1.10am: Carlos Bernard eliminated in sixth place
A straightforward race, this one. All in pre-flop, Carlos Bernard had [ad][ks] while Team PokerStars Pro Alex Gomes held [8d][8h]. The flop was an emphatic [3d][6s][8d], giving Gomes the set. There was life in the [6d] turn as Bernard now had the flush draw, but [qc] was innocent.

Bernard had played a great aggressive game, proving he’s capable of mixing it with the best.

He told PokerStars Blog HQ: “I’ve been looking forward to playing against some of the PokerStars pro players. I’d like to think I can learn something from them, but I’m not smart enough. It will be like a hurricane around me.

“I play online sometimes, and with friends, but this will be a new experience.

“amFAR is a great charity that does very important work around the world and I am honoured to be here to support it. “

It’s that way to the door: Carlos Bernard

1.05am: Pushing
Knocked by that loss to Sundin, Williams open pushes on the next hand with 3,075 but finds no takers.

1am: Mats the way to do it
Mats Sundin doubles up through Montel Williams. Sundin first limped, called by Carlos Bernard and Alex Gomes, but Williams raised it by 1,600. That was met with a call from Sundin. On the [6s][6d][js] flop, Williams moved all-in and Sundin called for his tournament life - with 675:

Williams: [9h][9d]
Sundin: [as][10s]

Sundin was on the flush draw and had two overs. It was the latter that hit, not on the [jc] turn but on the [10d] river.

12.45am: de Melo at the double
Fatima de Melo puts a halt to the Carlos Bernard raising machine. He made it 700 pre-flop and she bumped it up to 1,500. Call. The flop was [7c][qd][10c], and de Melo bet 2,000, met by an all-in re-raise from Bernard. de Melo was at risk, but she made a quick call. Not surprising, really…

de Melo: [ah][ac]
Bernard: [4c][4s]

That sent de Melo up to around 7,000, and tumbled the former chip leader Bernard down to 6,000.

12.43am: Celebs on the spot, part III
The third in the series of quickfire chats with the stars and pros…

Watch PCA 2010: amfAR Celebs on the Spot - pt 3 on PokerStars.tv

12.40am: Carlos takes the pot
Is the most said sentence in the Imperial Ballroom right now simply because, er, Carlos is taking just about every pot.

12.20am: Break time
The remaining six players have been granted the luxury of a ten-minute break. Here are some chipcounts:

Carlos Bernard, 9,725
Montel Williams, 9,175
Alex Gomes, 8,625
Fatima de Melo, 5,500
Spencer Benjafield, 4,200
Mats Sundin, 2,775

12.15am: Leo Fernandez eliminated in 7th place
This post does exactly what it says on the tin: Leo Fernandez has been eliminated in 7th place. With blinds at 75-150, he was one of three limpers before Montel Williams raised it up to 1,150. Sensing Williams was making a move, Fernandez suddenly moved all in for 3,075. That had Williams thinking, but he emerged from the tank with a call. And just as well he did:

Fernandez: [9c][9h]
Williams: [10c][10d]

Fernandez was seriously at risk, and the [ah][kc][6h][ac][kd] was no help at all.

12am: Carlos does what?
Carlos Bernard is winning so many pots, many uncontested, that it is becoming a running joke. “Carlos raises,” says the tournament director. “Carlos does what?” jokes Montel Williams. “It’s been a while since he’s done that.”

This goes on for maybe four hands in a row, with Bernard taking each one. Eventually, Team PokerStars Pro Alex Gomes had enough, moving all in for 5,600 to yet another pre-flop assault by Bernard. That sent the 24 actor into new territory, that of resistance, and he insta folded. It’s all getting too much for Team PokerStars SportStar Fatima de Melo, who is being reduced to fits of giggles each time Bernard raises.

11.50pm: What tonight means to amFAR
Kenneth Cole, the chairman of amFAR, told our video team exactly what tonight means for his charity…

Watch PCA 2010: Kenneth Cole - amfAR Chairman on PokerStars.tv

11.45pm: Luis Medina eliminated in 8th place
Having lost most of his chips a little earlier to Montel Williams (see below), Luis Medina was never going to last long. About five minutes, in fact. Mats Sundin, the Swedish Team PokerStars SportStar (ice hockey giant) was the executioner.

11.35pm: Montel motors
Montel Williams, star of US TV and radio, gets a nice double up at Team PokerStars Pro Luis Medina’s expense. Williams had made it 375 and Medina re-popped to 1,000. Call. On the [jh][qh][5c] flop Medina wasted no time in moving all-in - and Williams wasted even less time in calling. He was the one at risk..

Williams: [kh][qd]
Medina: [ac][ks]

Williams was nicely ahead, and the [2h] turn and [js] river changed nothing. Williams shoots up to 8,500, Medina down to 1,200.

Earlier Williams told us what tonight means for him: “A lot of people do not realise I was in the military for 22 years so I used to play a lot of poker. Now recently I’ve been dusting down my skills and trying to get some of my game back. I played the PCA main event but ended up making a donk move with ace king!

“We’re playing tonight for a very good cause, and I am so glad to be able to give my time to take part. amFAR does very important work and needs to be promoted.

“What is really worth stressing is where we are doing this - in a poker environment. Let it be known that while so many people think poker players are selfish, they in fact have the biggest hearts around.”

Montel Williams

11.25pm: Here’s Fatima
Team PokerStars SportStar Fatima de Melo sparks into life, firing out 250 from the button. Luis Medina and Montel Williams call from the blinds, but both get out of the way when she continues with a 600 bet on the [3s][2c][6c] flop.

11.20pm: More for Bernard
Five of them see a flop. Alex Gomes has made it 300 and Montel Williams, Mats Sundin, Carlos Bernard and Leo Fernandez all jumped aboard. On the [7s][ac][qh] flop Bernard bets out 1,000 and that was enough to force everyone out.

11.10pm: Bernard making early running
Carlos Bernard, who stars in the 24 TV series, has come out all guns blazing on the final table. First he re-raised Team PokerStars Pro Luis Medina to take a pot pre-flop.

Next hand he took on PokerStars qualifier Spencer Banjafield. Bernard had bet 500, Benjafield re-raised to 1,525 and Bernard called. The flop came [qc][7h][4c], Benjafield checked then folded when Bernard blasted out another 1,000.

Then it was Mats Sundin’s turn to feel the pain. He bet 200 pre-flop and was re-raised to 600 by Bernard. Call. The flop was [ac][2d][7h] and Sundin check-called Bernard’s 1,000. Both checked the [qc] turn, and then on the river Sundin check-folded Bernard’s 1,500 bet.

Someone better stop this man.

10.55pm: The figures are in
Men with calculators have revealed the total prizepool from this event is $195,000. Half of that, a hefty $97,500, is already guaranteed for the amFAR AIDS research charity.

The other half, of course, will go to the cash finishers tonight. There will be four of them, getting $37,500, $25,000, $20,000 and $15,000 - and it’s a fair bet that the majority of that will be gifted to amFAR as well.

Before tonight’s tournament kicked off, amFAR’s chairman Kenneth Cole said: “It is so nice to be here, and we are so appreciative to partner with PokerStars for this event.

“What we do as a charity is like a calculated gamble, a bit like poker players do all the time. We take these risks by looking for new ways of research and testing and hope they will pay dividends, and with that we will save many, many lives.”

Kenneth Cole

10.50pm: Final under way
The final has now begun, with each of the eight players beginning with 5,000 chips. They are:

Montel Williams, TV star
Carlos Bernard, star of hit show 24
Mats Sundin, Team PokerStars SportStar
Fatima de Melo, Team PokerStars SportStar
Leo Fernandez, Team PokerStars Pro
Alex Gomes, Team PokerStars Pro
Luis Medina, Team PokerStars Pro
Spencer Benjafield, PokerStars qualifier

10.30pm: Waiting for the off
The eight finalists are still enjoying some refreshment before coming back to the stage. Hold tight, and in the meantime here’s a picture of Kelly Rowland. Unfortunately she lost in round one but, hey, I’m sure you’ll enjoy seeing her nonetheless…

The amFAR and PokerStars Charity Tournament is a shootout event. With four tables in play, this post will cover the first round, with two players from each table going through to the final. Players start with 5,000 chips and will enjoy 20-minute levels. Click refresh for latest updates.

See here for more about amFAR and its work in AIDS research, and here for live TV coverage.

10pm: Final table set
Our last outer final table has finished, with Team PokerStars SportStars Fatima de Melo and Mats Sundin both getting through to the final at the expense of Jimmy Wahlberg. While everyone takes a break for a breather, this is how the final table will look:

Montel Williams, TV host
Carlos Bernard, star of hit show 24
Mats Sundin, Team PokerStars SportStar
Fatima de Melo, Team PokerStars SportStar
Leo Fernandez, Team PokerStars Pro
Alex Gomes, Team PokerStars Pro
Luis Medina, Team PokerStars Pro
Spencer Benjafield, PokerStars qualifier

Fatima de Melo

9.50pm: Two more through
Team PokerStars Pro Leo Fernandez and PokerStars qualifier Spencer Benjafield are through to the final. Only the threesome of Mats Sundin, Fatima de Melo and Jimmy Wahlberg remain. Once one of those goes, our final eight is set.

Benjafield from Great Yarmouth in the UK, who works on the oil rigs in the North Sea, will now look forward to playing on the TV table.

“This is wonderful to be here,” he said. “What a place to come and play poker! I’m looking forward to playing these guys. I was a big fan of Nelly, so it would have been cool to be play him, but I hear he is out.”

9.40pm: SportStar split
We’re three-handed on both of the remaining two outer tables. On one, Team PokerStars SportStars Fatima de Melo and Mats Sundin get all in on the river - both both have pocket aces and the pot is split!

On the other table, Team PokerStars Pro Leo Fernandez from Argentina locks a lock for a final place. He just took a monster off Frank Calo when his [ad][10h] overtook Frank Calo’s [qh][qc] on a [9s][4h][9h][ah][5c] board.

9.35pm: Nelly out
Nelly is busted in third place on the feature TV table - and that means TV Montel Williams and 24 star Carlos Bernard join Alex Gomes and Luis Medina in the final, with two tables still in play.

Nelly got all in on a 7-3-8 flop holding 2-3, but he was behind Bernard’s 7-7. Another 8 on the river changed nothing, and the 7 on the turn filled up Bernard’s full house.

Farewell, Nelly. Pack your trunk.

Nelly with something to smile about

9.20pm: First pair through to final
Team PokerStars Pros Alex Gomes and Luis Medina are the first two players to progress to the final.

One of those they beat along the way was Jules Manos, 43, a construction estimator from Bellingham, Washington, who has been playing poker for 15 years and won his seat into the amfAR tournament in a PokerStars freeroll.

Before the start of play he said: “Just being here is great. I’ve been to Jamaica once but nowhere like this. It’s very exciting. I don’t have a special strategy - I’m just going to play my normal game and hope I can keep my hands from shaking.!”

News also reaches us of Poli Rincon’s departure.

9.05pm: Bust outs quicken
As the blinds start to bite, so the eliminations increase. Boris Becker and Jayde Nicole are the latest to take their leave. Becker revealed he had been card dead all night, and once down to 1,000 chips pushed with [kd][2d] and was called by the table chip leader, 24’s Carlos Bernard with 9-7. Bernard hit a pair, and Becker was off to the locker room.

Boris Becker

Before the start of play, Nicole told me how she was looking forward to playing tonight. “I’ve been playing poker for four months, but in that time I’ve learnt a lot, and actually lasted eight levels of the PCA Main Event this week, which included time at the table with WSOP Champion Joe Cada.

“I’m so pleased to be here helping amFAR. It’s so important for any celebrity to give their time and do their bit for charity, and I can’t think of many better causes than AIDS research. In fact, the first ever charity event I did was on behalf of AIDS charities - we did a bikini car wash!”

Cool down, boys.

8.55pm: Kelly Rowland busted
Carlos Bernard has eliminated the short-stacked Kelly Rowland. The feature table, now down to just four players, will not be such a pretty place now. Sitting there still is Nelly, Boris Becker, Montel Williams, and Carlos Bernard.

Kelly Rowland and Nelly

8.47pm: Sheringham, Raymer no more
Teddy Sheringham is missing from his seat - and as he is now being interviewed by the TV cameras it’s safe to assume he is busted. Hang on, Greg Raymer is queuing to be interviewed as well. The Fossilman is out.

8.45: Rincon on thin ice
Poli Rincon, after losing a big pot to Carlos Bernard a short while ago, is all in every other hand. While he wins some he loses some. And they all seem to be against singing star Kelly Rowland, who initially shot to fame with Destiny’s Child but is now a full-on solo star. She’s just as short stacked and neither of them is able to knock each other out.

8.40pm: Double for Fossilman
Greg Raymer moves all in with [ad][jd] and entices a call from fellow Team PokerStars Pro Leo Fernandez, who has [ac][5c]. The board ran an uneventful [6d][8s][9h][8c][qc] and Raymer moves close to the 10,000 mark. Fernandez down to a thousand or so.

8.35pm: The downfall of Poli Rincon
Carlos Bernard, who playes Almeida in the hit FOX show 24, dealt a cruel blow to Poli Rincon. On the [as][10d][4h] flop Bernard made it 500, but Rincon raised to 2,000. Kelly Rowland sense danger and got out of the way, but Bernard moved all in - called by Rincon.

Rincon: [ad][10c]
Bernard: [ac][kd]

Bernard’s top pair, top kicker was behind Rincon’s two pair, but poker is never a simple game. So it was that the [qd] came on the turn and the [jh] on the river, filling up Bernard’s unlikely straight.

That set Rincon back to only a handful of chips, but Bernard up to a more healthy 5,775.

Blinds are currently 150-300.

8.16pm: Quick break
The remaining players are having a quick ten-minute break.

8.15pm: Negreanu explains himself
Daniel Negreanu took time to explain his bust out to PokerStars Blog HQ. He had pocket sixes, bet the 9-4-3 flop and was called by Jayde Nicole. She also called Negreanu on the [Ks] turn, and on the [10s] river - the fourth spade. Negreanu was holding [6s] and made a bet, but was met with an all-in re-raise from Nicole. “I did not believe her, so I called. But she had A-Q with the ace of spades!

“But the poker was irrelevant. The important thing was making money and raising awareness for amFAR. It’s why I enjoy working with PokerStars so much - PokerStars makes sure money goes to the right places, and it’s money that goes to help less fortunate people than us. Poker players are great at helping charities and are very generous people.”

Daniel Negreanu

8.10pm: State of play
Here’s where we are in this shootout. On William Thorson’s table, six are left, with Team PokerStars Pros Alex Gomes and Luis Medina leading the way. Hang on, wasn’t Thorson busted earlier? Well, yes, but he persuaded the tournament boss to let him buy back in. It’s all for a good cause after all.

Greg Raymer’s table has lost no one at all. Nine of them still sit there, looked in battle. They include world champion Joe Cada and Humberto Brenes.

Former Manchester United and England soccer star Teddy Sheringham survives on his table with five others. Chip monster here is Team PokerStars SportStar Mats Sundin on more than 10,000. “He’s winning lots of little pots”, said fellow Team PokerStars SportStar Fatima de Melo.

Fatima de Melo and Kenneth Cole

On the feature table we are down to six. Nelly leads the way, Montel Williams is also nicely stacked, but Kelly Rowland, Boris Becker and Poli Rincon have more work to do.

8.05pm: Nelly ups
Nelly survives and gets a nice double up through former footballer Poli Rincon. Nelly had 9-10 on a [8s][9s][6c] flop, Rincon had K-7 for the open-ender. The turn was excellent for Nelly, coming [7c] and filling his straight, and the [3s] river secured the pot. It put him on more than 10,000, while Rincon slumps to around 1,500.

8pm: Celebs on the spot, part II
More quickfire video questions with the celebs…

Watch PCA 2010: amfAR Celebs on the Spot - Pt. 2 on PokerStars.tv

7.55pm: Negreanu flushed out
Team PokerStars Pro Daniel Negreanu has been busted by 2008 Playboy Playmate Jayde Nicole. Details to follow.

7.50pm: Montel dumps Martin
Martin Muursepp, the Estonian NBA star, has been bounced out, his K-J no match for Montel Williams’ A-K. The main TV feature table is now down to six players. Two will progress to the final.

7.40pm: Slashed and burned
After that earlier hand against Poli Rincon that cost him his chips, Slash is now out. He had Q-J and a few hundred chips, but was up against Nelly’s K-10. A king on the river sealed it, and the former Guns ‘N Roses guitarist was on his way.

“This has been wonderful to be here,” he told me. “amFAR is a great cause, and to come here to the Bahamas in a TV event is not a bad way to play poker. I’ve played a bit before, online when I am on the road or with my mates when I’m at home, but this has been something special.” So long, Mr Slash. And that’s a name that strikes a chord.

Slash

7.30pm: Krupa out
Joanna Krupa, the supermodel who recently starred in Dancing With the Stars on US TV, is out after running her A-Q, with an ace on the board, into Boris Becker’s two pair. “A round of applause for Joanne Krupa,” Neil Johnson announced through the mic. “A round of boos for Boris Becker,” replied Nelly, not impressed that Joanna, who will soon host the new PokerStars.net NAPT tour, would no longer be sitting opposite him.

Team PokerStars Pro and world champion Joe Cada is also out. He told PokerStars Blog HQ: “Playing here in this charity event means a lot to me, especially as it means I get to give something back after being fortunate enough to win so much myself at the WSOP Main Event. amFAR is a great cause and I hope we raise a lot of money as well as awareness for their work.

“I’m excited to be playing with the celebrities. I met Slash from Guns ‘N Roses here a few days ago, and he was great.”

7.20pm: Slash’s stack, er, slashed
Guns ‘N Roses star Slash lost a big pot to former Real Madrid and Spain footballer Poli Rincon. He had jacks but got it in bad on a [qd][9c][4s][3h] board against Rincon’s Q-6. The [ac] river changed nothing. Slash down to 550.

Slash and Boris Becker

7.10pm: Nelly aggression
We’ve seen him at EPT Monte Carlo, the WSOP and here at the PCA, so it’s no surprise to see hip hop star Nelly on the feature table in this event. And he’s playing an aggressive game as he tries to build a stack.

On a [qs][9d][kd] flop he and Boris Becker checked. On the [7h] turn Becker made it 500, Nelly re-raised to 1,600 and Becker called. On the [6c] river Becker slowed down with a check and was then forced to fold when Nelly fired out 2,000.

7.05pm: Cooler for Akkari
Team PokerStars Pro Andre Akkari got it all in with Frank Calo on a [6h][8c][10c] flop. But he was not too pleased to see the hands:

Calo: [8d][8h]
Akkari: [6d][6s]

The [4s] turn and [4h] river changed nothing, and the Brazilian was left with just 800 chips.

6.55pm: Raymer doesn’t bluff
Greg Raymer bets 2,000 on a [kd][jh][7d] flop and the only other person in the hand, Kasey Thompson, folds.

“Good fold,” Raymer said. “I never bluff - I gave that up years ago.” With that, he turned over [7c][7h] for the flopped set.

6.50pm: The celebs on camera
Here’s a look at some of the celebs and the pro earlier, in an ‘On the Spot’ feature (part one)…

Watch PCA2010: amFAR Celebs on the Spot - Pt. 1 on PokerStars.tv

6.45pm: Thorson crippled, then eliminated
Team PokerStars Pro William Thorson is the first to go. First he was cut down to just a sprinkling of chips in a nasty hand. He had pocket kings and enjoyed the fact a king came on the flop. He got it all in, but was aghast to find his opponent had aces - and there was an ace on the flop too!

Thorson’s last few chips went in the middle a few hands later. With [10s][8s] he was up against Friend of PokerStars Darus Suharto’s [as][qs]. The board ran [ac][2c][10h][6d][3c], and that, as they say, was that.

Here’s the group shot. What a lovely bunch…

6.35pm: Ready to roll
Our players are taking their seats. Four tables are filled, but only two from each will make it through to the final.

Kenneth Cole, the chairman of amFAR is making an introductory speech, outlining the foundation’s important work in AIDS research.

Here’s how our four tables are expected to shape up….

Table 1
Martin Muursepp, Estonian NBA star
Kelly Rowland, R&B star, Destiny’s Child founder
Nelly, Hip hop legend, Grammy Award winner
Carlos Bernard, “Tony Almeida” in 24
Slash, Guns ‘N Roses lead guitarist
Boris Becker, tennis legend, Team PokerStars SportStar
Montel Williams, US talk show host
Joanna Krupa, supermodel and future host of new PokerStars NAPT
Poli Rincon, Spanish football legend

Table 2
Jimmy Wahlberg, brother of actor Mark Wahlberg
Jayde Nicole, 2008 Playboy Playmate of the Year
Jérôme Le Banner, French kick box champion
Luis Medina, Team PokerStars Pro, Portugal
Teddy Sheringham, former England soccer player
Erik Adielsson, Harness racing champion
Daniel Negreanu, poker legend, Team PokerStars Pro
Mats Sundin, NHL legend, Team PokerStars SportStar
Fatima de Melo, Dutch hockey pro, Team PokerStars SportStar

Table 3
Spencer Benjafield, PokerStars qualifier, UK, offshore engineer
Diko Shoturma, Adrian Grenier’s friend
Joe Cada, world champion, Team PokerStars Pro
Constantinos Psalidas, PokerStars qualifier, USA, professional player
Leo Fernandez, Team PokerStars Pro Argentina
Andre Akkari, Team PokerStars Pro Brazil
Pieter de Korver, Team PokerStars Pro Netherlands
Humberto Brenes, Team PokerStars Pro Costa Rica
Greg Raymer, former world champion, Team PokerStars Pro

Table 4
Chad Brown, Team PokerStars Pro USA
Jose Miguel Royo Garcia, PokerStars qualifier, Spain, retired
Roland Loranger, PokerStars qualifier, Canada, construction worker
Vanessa Rousso, Team PokerStars Pro USA
William Thorson, Team PokerStars Pro Sweden
Hevad Khan, Team PokerStars Pro USA
Pierre Neuville, EPT Vilamoura runner-up, Belgium
Jules Manos, PokerStars qualifier, Canada
Alex Gomes, Team PokerStars Pro Brazil

While we get going, here’s a pic we thought you might appreciate. It’s 2008 Playboy Playmate Jayde Nicole.

PokerStars has led the way in showing poker is not an entirely selfish sport. While making money, and a lot of it, is the name of the game, giving something back to deserving causes is very much a part of the poker player’s make up.

Tonight, while thoughts of bagging lots of cash are still uppermost in the minds of those remaining in the PCA main event, other are giving up their money and their time to play in the amFAR and PokerStars.net Charity Tournament.

It’s not just any old charity tournament, either. This shootout is going to be packed with stars from the world of TV, music, sport and glamour. They have parted with $5,250 each to play, with half of that money going straight to amFAR, the leading AIDS research charity.

And I would be fairly certain a lot of the prize money won this evening will be heading the charity’s way, too.

Here’s just some of those listed to play in the four-table shootout, scheduled to start at around 6pm ET:

Adrian Grenier, star of hit TV series Entourage
Kelly Rowland, singing star with 50 million records sold
Nelly, see above
Slash, former guitarist with Guns ‘N Roses
Boris Becker, tennis legend and Team PokerStars SportStar
Carlos Bernard, Tony Almeida in TV sensation 24
Jayde Nicole, 2008 Playboy Playmate of the Year
Joanna Krupa, supermodel and host of the new PokerStars NAPT tour
Montel Williams, US TV host
And many more.

Joining them, too, are members of Team PokerStars Pro and five lucky PokerStars players who won their seats in PokerStars qualifying tournament.

Nelly

The action is expected to kick off some time between 6pm and 7pm ET. And the good news is we will be covering it right here on the PokerStars Blog. The even better news is the event is subject to a live broadcast over at EPT Live. That’s available in not one, but SEVEN languages: English, Russian, German, French, Italian, Dutch and Spanish. Phew.

As mentioned, this will be a four table shootout. Two from each table go through to the final. Starting stack is 50,000 with 20-minute levels.

More news soon.

The PokerStars Caribbean Adventure has spent years awarding millions of dollars to it winners. Now, the PCA and its players are set to give something back.

PokerStars has long been a supporter of AIDS research charities. Going back several years, PokerStars has been a proud supporter of the AIDS fundraising Lifeball event. Now, PokerStars has teamed up with AIDS research charity amfAR to host a charity tournament during this year’s PCA to raise money for HIV/AIDS awareness and research. The $5,250 buy-in tournament will donate half the prize pool to amfAR.

Players expected to show up include NHL Olympic gold medalist Mats Sundin, tennis legend Boris Becker, French rugby star Sebastien Chabal, and members of Team PokerStars Pro.

Chabal playing in the Ante Up for Africa event in Monte Carlo

PokerStars is giving its players a chance to play with the stars and raise some money for amfAR. PokerStars has already given away a few seats to the event in recent weeks. Players in the U.S. and Canada have one more chance to get a seat in this star-studded tournament. Sunday December 13 at 16:00, PokerStars will host a $5.50 tournament that awards prize packages to the top two finishers.

Also, of you’re headed out to the PCA, keep your eyes open for ways you can donate to amfAR during the week in paradise.

Good luck to those trying to win a seat. We hope to see you in the Bahamas in a few weeks.

The PokerStars Caribbean Adventure has spent years awarding millions of dollars to it winners. Now, the PCA and its players are set to give something back.

PokerStars has long been a supporter of AIDS research charities. Going back several years, PokerStars has been a proud supporter of the AIDS fundraising Lifeball event. Now, PokerStars has teamed up with AIDS research charity amfAR to host a celebrity charity tournament during this year’s PCA to raise money for HIV/AIDS awareness and research. The $5,250 buy-in tournament will donate half the prize pool to amfAR.

Players and celebrities expected to show up include NHL Olympic gold medalist Mats Sundin, tennis legend Boris Becker, and members of Team PokerStars Pro.

Boris Becker playing EPT Prague last week

PokerStars is giving its players a chance to play with the stars and raise some money for amfAR - and you have one more opportunity to get a seat in this star-studded tournament. Sunday December 13 at 16:00, PokerStars will host a $5.50 tournament that awards prize packages to the top two finishers.

Also, if you’re headed out to the PCA, keep your eyes open for ways you can donate to amfAR during the week in paradise.

Good luck to those trying to win a seat. We hope to see you in the Bahamas in a few weeks.

For more information on the charity qualifiers, see the amfAR charity event page.