Hollywood Cares Poker Event Lands “Breaking Bad,” “Sons of Anarchy” Stars

February 14th, 2015 | by Greg Shaun

TV stars Kim Coates and Dean Norris are joining hosts Phil Hellmuth and Chris Harrison for the Hollywood Cares poker tournament, an event that raises money for the Wounded Warrior Project and One Heart Source organization. (Image: hollywoodcarespoker.com)

The Hollywood Cares Charity Poker Invitational just scored two actors from two of the most celebrated shows in recent years. Dean Norris, more commonly known as DEA agent Hank Schrader from the hit AMC series “Breaking Bad,” and Kim Coates, recognized for his portrayal of Tig Trager on “Sons of Anarchy,” have both joined the charitable event.

The actors will serve as co-hosts for the fundraiser alongside tournament host and 13-time World Series of Poker champ Phil Hellmuth. “The Bachelor” and “The Bachelorette” star Chris Harrison, a seasoned pro at emceeing, will share the master of ceremony responsibilities with Hellmuth.

The February 19th event in Beverly Hills will raise money for the Wounded Warrior Project and One Heart Source foundations, and serves as a fun and rewarding pre-Oscars shindig.

Hellmuth, a habitual philanthropist responsible for raising over $20 million for charity throughout his storied career, says of the tournament, “I’m really excited to host a pre-Oscars party where I think we can raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for Wounded Warrior Project and One Heart Source.”

Poker Gives

Although many outsiders probably see poker as a game of chance and pure luck where players compete with only their personal financial stake in mind, in reality that couldn’t be further from the truth. Poker has become an incredibly charitable endeavor over the years thanks to the expansion of several fundraising campaigns.

Through the Charity Series of Poker (CSOP), the ONE-DROP Foundation, and Raising for Effective Giving (REG), poker stars competing on the World Poker Tour and European Poker Tour have trustworthy events and avenues to share their wealth.

For instance, REG asks players to pledge two percent of their gross winnings to be donated to charity.

Perhaps Hollywood Cares host Phil Hellmuth best sums it up. The man who’s grabbed over $18 million in live winnings says, “I want to be the greatest poker player of all-time. But one who always puts family first.”

Tournament Details

If you’re ready to join Phil and countless celebs expected to attend in giving back through poker, the Hollywood Cares event is open to all payers regardless of your red-carpet standing. In fact, a series of buy-in levels are being offered to entice as many players as possible.

Buy-in Levels

$2,500 High Roller Stack (15,000 chips)

$1,000 Big Stack (5,000 chips)

$500 Small Stack (2,000 chips)

All levels include VIP access and seat in the tournament

The night gets underway at 6:30 PM, with tournament seating and announcements at 7:30. Phil Hellmuth and his co-hosts will kick off the tournament at 8 sharp, with awards scheduled for 11 or whenever a winner emerges. In addition, a surprise musical performance is being teased, slated for sometime around 10.

Like every poker game, this one is all about the cash, albeit not for the players but for the charities. That said, the competition will still be intense as the winner is expected to receive a World Series of Poker Main Event entry!

A potential $10,000 award on a buy-in as little as $500 will surely bring hundreds of players to the felt. And that only means more money for Wounded Warriors and One Heart Source.