Poker Auction Offers Hollywood Home Game Entry for Leonardo DiCaprio Charity Gala

A huge poker auction was part of the goodies on offer at Leonardo DiCaprio’s latest Foundation charity bash. (Photo: Getty)

The poker auction to end all poker auctions has been held in St. Tropez, France, this week. The Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation, set up by the Hollywood A-lister, hosted another celebrity bash in order to raise millions for environmental good causes.

And among the many auctioned goodies was an opportunity to re-raise the nuts against stars like Jonah Hill and Edward Norton.

Auction organizers were giving the lucky high bidder an opportunity to sit down with the film stars for a game of Texas Hold’em. Bids in the run-up to the auction were topping $100,000. Several high-profile poker pros are also set to join the table for the once-in-a-lifetime Sit n’ Go. The lucky bidder will also receive tuition and enjoy a few bad beat stories.

Foundation Hoping To Raise Millions For Charity

Elsewhere, valuable works of art were auctioned off, including pieces from Jeff Koons, a portrait of DiCaprio himself by Damien Hirst, and oils paintings by Jana Euler.

Film buffs were able to get their hands on the original sword used by Arnold Schwarzenegger in Conan the Barbarian (currently bidding for around $75,000), and a Jaguar adorned with A-list autographs from the likes of Mark Wahlberg. Undoubtedly, however, the highlight for film fans was the chance to shadow legendary director, Martin Scorsese, on the set of his new film.

All proceeds from the auction will go to (so the brochure says), “pioneering individuals and organizations who are on the front lines of environmental conservation and climate advocacy.” DiCaprio pals like Edward Norton (presumably between poker duties), Robert De Niro, and Marion Cotillard acted as event chairs. Performers on the night included Andrea Bocelli and Lana Del Rey.

Hollywood Stars No Strangers To Casino Life

Any high-rolling celeb thinking they can outwit the Hollywood actors at the felt will have to think carefully. Ed Norton has been a keen poker player since appearing in the iconic Rounders 18 years ago. To celebrate the film’s release, co-stars Norton and Matt Damon entered the World Series of Poker Main Event. Both stars received expert coaching prior to filming.

Jonah Hill is no stranger to gambling-related frolics. He produced the casino drama, True Story, based on the “true story” of a pair of video poker hackers in Sin City. The scam allowed the hackers to win $1 million before being caught.

DiCaprio himself has also been hitting the casino floor recently. The Oscar-winner was roped in to help out with the opening of pal James Packer’s Macau casino, Studio City. The Hollywood-themed casino-resort also utilized the skills of Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro as the trio filmed a special promotional film prior to the opening. Packer, and new fiancée, Mariah Carey, were in attendance at the St. Tropez bash.

Whoever is lucky enough to come out on top in the poker auction bids will have the ultimate Hold’em story to tell their grandkids. Whether Ed Norton turns up with some Worm-like scams from Rounders remains to be seen.

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