BODOG "POKER WITH THE TROOPS" TOURNAMENT Friday, July 22, 2005 By Mona K. Wood Just before midnight on July 22, and about eight hours since she drew her first hand at 4:00 p.m., an actress and novice player was declared the champion of the Bodog "Poker With The Troops" Tournament, held at the Kahala Mandarin Oriental Hotel's ballroom-turned-casino.  Estella Warren ("The Cooler," "Planet of the Apes") was the last poker player sitting at the custom red bodog.net poker table after beating out her final competition, Shane Woods, of the U.S. Army.  It was a double-win for the Army, because each celeb player was playing for a military charity, and Warren's was the Army MWR Fund.  Warren pointed out as Bodog Founder & CEO, Calvin Ayre, awarded her the tournament trophy, that her poker teacher was her boyfriend, actor Peter Berg ("Chicago Hope," "the Last Seduction"). At about 9 p.m., the final 9 contenders started the final round.  In seat order: Josh Arieh, Poker Pro Shane Woods, U.S. Army Jorge Garcia, Actor ("Lost") Time Johnson, Bodog Poker Champion Shawn Lawrence, U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) Nathan Pandora, USMC Estella Warren, Actress Shannon Elizabeth, Actress ("American Pie") Jeffrey Lemon, USMC The Kahala Mandarin's ballroom was turned into a slick-looking, black & red themed, casino and TV set.  Prior to the event, a red carpet introduced the media to the various celebrities & pros (30) and military players from all branches of the military (60).  These military personnel won the chance to compete today at qualifying tournaments at their respective bases over the past few months. Other celebrities who participated in the poker tournament included: Comedians Colin Quinn ("Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn," "SNL"), Paul Rodriguez ("The Original Latin Kings of Comedy"), and Wanda Sykes ("Monster-in-Law," "Wanda Does It"); Carson Daly ("Last Call with Carson Daly"), Katherine Heigl ("Grey's Anatomy," "Roswell"); Josh Kelley (singer-songwriter); Rob Mariano and Amber Brkich("Survivor," "The Amazing Race 7"); Dulè Hill ("The West Wing"); Joshua Malina ("The West Wing); Kelli Williams("The Practice"); and David Williams (Professional Poker Player).  Matt Savage was the Poker Tournament Director. A comedy show and concert for the troops starring Snoop Dogg, Bif Naked, and the comedian trio, emceed by Carson Daly, will be presented tomorrow at the Waikiki Shell.  Military personnel received free tickets for the concert, sponsored by bodog.net, at their MWR offices.  9,000 Bodog hats and 9,000 Bodog gift bags will be given to the troops at the “sold out” concert.   Bodog has sponsored all of the events this weekend, including a private lu’au on Thursday night.  All events are being filmed for television.  All proceeds raised will benefit the military charity Fisher House Foundation (www.fisherhouse.org).
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