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Hank Azaria teams up with PokerStars for Online Charity Tournament

The poker community is contributing their bit to help those in need during the ongoing health crisis. Hosting online poker tournaments to raise money and help combat the harmful virus, PokerStars is now hosting ‘Stars CALL for Action’, to support those individuals and families affected by the COVID-19 pandemic on Saturday, 9 May featuring a number of A-list celebrities.

The idea was put together by poker enthusiast Hank Azaria and director/screenwriter Andy Bellin which turned into a collaborative effort after approaching PokerStars and the site agreed to donate $1 million to the cause. The amount will be broken down to $500,000 going directly to CARE International while the Entertainment Industry Fund (EIF) will distribute the remaining donations.

Celebrities who have already booked their seats include Michael Cera, Edward Norton, Bryan Cranston, Jon Hamm, Neymar Jr,. Don Cheadle, Jeff Garlin and David Schwimmer. Poker and celebrity fans can catch the live action via Twitch, Facebook, and YouTube. The poker stars will have their webcam turned on throughout the event and Azaria hopes the event will be as much about entertainment as raising money. He says, “This event is a great way to combine genuine giving where it’s needed with a way to stay home and yet still connect with people from around the world. A friendly game of poker reminds us how life used to be, which hopefully we get back to soon.”

Celebs, cards, and charity… Stars CALL For Action, 2 pm ET, Sat 9th May.
👉 https://t.co/AQJuwYDiZM#StarsRaising pic.twitter.com/tmvtRoEbq8

— PokerStars (@PokerStars) May 5, 2020

For each celebrity who participates, PokerStars will be choosing one poker fan randomly in a separate field. This will play down to final tables and combine for the ultimate showdown. Commentators James Hartigan and Lex Veldhuis will be hosting the stream to add extra entertainment to the event.

Azaria also stated, “PokerStars was generous enough to offer this tremendous deal of putting it up to a million dollars. It made us have to scramble to find a lot of celebrities to fill it, but we’re getting a great response. Co-player Andy Bellin said, “If there was ever a time to design an online charity poker tournament, this is it. We started asking various friends of ours if they would play, and it just seemed like everybody was on the same page. I doubt we’ve gotten a ‘no’ from anybody.”

Chief Strategy Advisor to the Entertainment Industry Foundation, Regina Miller said “We are honored to serve as a partner to artists in our community to help raise funds – and spirits – during this time. With PokerStars setting the stage and Hank and Andy leading the charge, we are looking forward to a fun-filled night of fundraising to benefit people across the world.”

or more updates on online poker in the country, keep reading GutshotMagazine.com and stay tuned!

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