Full Tilt Poker Names Don Cheadle as Friend of Full Tilt

On May 11th, 2009, he has starred in famous films like Oceans 11, Hotel Rwanda and Crash and how he is bringing his star power in Full Tilt Poker. Full Tilt poker announced that it was welcoming Hollywood actor, charity fundraiser and activist Don Cheadle to their Friend of Full Tilt poker group. Don Cheadle may not have numerous cash-ins in major poker events but he is no stranger to the poker circuit. He has participated in televised poker events like NBC National Heads-Up Championship and Celebrity Poker Shoot-out.

The poker circuit took notice in 2007 when Don Cheadle was paired up against poker pro phil ivey in the 1st round of the NBC National Heads-Up Championship and managed to edge out one of the best poker pros in the circuit. He went on to lose in the 2nd round to Scott Fischman. NBC invited Cheadle back in 2008 and 2009 to participate again. In 2008, Don Cheadle went out in the 1st round after losing to Danish poker pro gus hansen, but in 2009 he defeated David Phan in the 1st round before being defeated by Paul Wasicka in round 2.

Cheadle said that he had done alright in televised tournament that he participated in and he won some tournaments. He added that he have yet to participate in the world series of poker events but he hopes that his schedule will allow him to do so in the near future. One tournament that he has participated in during the World Series of Poker annually has been the Ante Up for Africa charity poker event he co-founded with poker pros annie duke and Norman Epstien.

The event was created in 2007 and takes place during the World Series of Poker annually to help raise the cash needed for Darfur relief. Ante Up for Africa has raised more than $2 million to help support humanitarian efforts to the Sudan crisis. The event draws top celebrities such as Ben Affleck and Matt Damon and top poker players like Team Full Tilt's Phil Ivey, chris ferguson and andy bloch.

June 04, 2009
Pauline Davis