Play at the WPT Emperors Palace Poker Classic Main Event today begins November 7 in Johannesburg, South Africa, but that doesn’t mean players haven’t hit the poker tables for some fun and games in advance of the big event.
A number of local celebrities gathered in the Emperors Palace poker room last night to help raise money for the SAB-Boucher Non-Profit Company, which is dedicated to curbing poaching and to protecting South Africa’s endangered rhinoceros population. According to the organization, 448 rhinos were poached in 2011, and 240 of the majestic animals have been killed so far this year.
Players in WPT Celebrity Challenge event included actor Emmanuel Castis, model/actress Fiona Nay, national rugby team member James Dalton, and tournament winner, MMA fighter Adam Speechly, who was awarded a Main Event entry for his performance. If Speechly cashes in the WPT Emperors Palace Poker Classic, he has pledged 50% of his winnings to the SAB-Boucher Non-Profit Company, in addition to the RAND 60,000 (nearly US $6,000) raised at the charity event. An additional financial donation was made to this worthwhile organization by our own WPT Foundation.
For information on how you can help in saving the rhinoceros from extinction, please visit their website.