Las Vegas Hilton hosts charity poker event

NITED STATES -- (PRESS RELEASE) -- Robin Leach will serve as Master of Ceremonies for the T.J. Martell Foundation's first annual Celebrity Poker Tournament, to be held December 11, 2007 at the Las Vegas Hilton. The famous host (Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous, The Surreal Life: Fame Games) will lend his talents to the friendly poker competition, bringing together country music and rodeo stars to benefit leukemia, cancer, and AIDS research. Luke Bryan, Houston Hutto, Buddy Jewell and Charley Pride have also just been announced to compete for a share in $50,000 in cash and prizes, joining Britt Bockius, Tracy Byrd, Rodney Carrington, Lee Greenwood, Justin McBride, and Trent Willmon. Mark Fracalossi will serve as Tournament Director for the event.

This unique charity poker event, taking place during National Finals Rodeo week, will kick off with an 11:00am Media Reception and Charity Auction, with the No-Limit Texas Hold 'Em Tournament beginning at noon.

Seating for this No-Limit Texas Hold 'Em tournament is limited to 150 players. The buy-in is $500, plus a $50 registration fee. Re-buys and an add-on will be offered. Players will vie for a prize pool of $50,000 (based on 120 paid), and several other great prizes. Poker enthusiasts are invited to download a faxable registration or to register via phone through Casino Marketing at The Las Vegas Hilton by calling 800-457-3307.

The T.J. Martell Foundation is also seeking corporate event sponsorships. Available sponsorships include the "Royal Flush" at the $10,000 level, "Four Of A Kind" for $5,000, and "Top Pair" at $2,500. Sponsorship packages include tournament seats, hotel rooms, concert tickets and other exclusive benefits. Complete details are available here. To purchase a sponsorship, call The Nashville T.J. Martell Foundation office at (615) 256-2002, or email Nashville @ tjmartellfoundation.org

All re-buys, add-ons and additional proceeds from the tournament will benefit The T.J. Martell Foundation, which raises vital funds to support innovative research for leukemia, cancer and AIDS, and which supports eight of the top research hospitals in the United States.