Celebrities and Poker Pros Compete in Trash Talk Championship of the World at Hard Rock Hotel

Lou Diamond Phillips at the Trash Talk Championship Poker Tournament
Photo credit: Judy Thorburn

Celebrities and Poker Pros Compete in Trash Talk Championship of the World at Las Vegas Hard Rock Hotel & Casino

By Stephen Thorburn and Judy Thorburn

Poker players were challenged to put their money where their mouth is during the first annual Trash Talk Championship of the World which was held Super Bowl weekend, Saturday February 6 at the Hard Rock Hotel in the Poker Lounge.

The $1,000 +$70 no-limit hold'em tournament drew more than 60 participants including celebrities and poker pros who helped raise money for a good cause; the Sharon Osbourne Colon Cancer Program at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, the supported charity of modern artist Michael Godard, who has dedicated himself to philanthropic causes through his art. Godard has offered several of his works of art as items in the silent auction. The Sharon Osbourne Colon Cancer Program works to improve the lives of patients and their loved ones by providing at-home help, childcare, transportation, access to support groups and patient care services offered by Cedar Sinai Medical Center. The program also underwrites colon cancer education for healthcare providers.

"The funds I help raise save lives," stated Godard. "At the end of the day, it's the most important thing I do."

Half of the prize pool benefited the charity while the other half was distributed to winners. More than $11,000 was raised to benefit the foundation. Although Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne were not in attendance, they sent a message expressing their gratitude that people were spending time and money supporting the cause.

Players competing for the "Trash Talk Championship of the World" title and bragging rights included actor Lou Diamond Phillips, Playboy Playmate Sara Underwood, artist Michael Godard, Nancy Cartwright (the voice of Bart Simpson),Robert Iler (the Sopranos), Jesse Metcalf (Desperate Housewives), Nicholas Gonzalez (Melrose Place), Shaun Sipos (Melrose Place), Dennis Haskins (Saved By The Bell), Cheryl Hines (Curb Your Enthusiasm), Tiffany Michelle and Maria Ho (The Amazing Race team), actor/producer Joe Reitman, professional poker players Antonio "The Magician" Esfandiary, "Rodeo King" turned poker pro Lee Markholt, Dan "Blitz" Bilzerian, High Stakes Poker guest Andrew Robl, young cash games specialist Keith Gipson, "Who's Your Daddy" energy drink CEO Dan Fleyshman, WSOP Champion Paul Wasicka, professional backgammon and poker player Sander Lyloff, "The Maven VT" David Chicotsky, Brian Rast, Alec Torelli, and more.

The event began with red carpet arrivals at 2 p.m. and a cocktail reception sponsored by VictoryPoker.net. The tournament began at 3 p.m. Event highlights included a $100-$200 high-stakes Trash Talk cash game, a silent auction, and a Team Victory after party at 10 p.m.

In the end, reality television star and Absolute Poker sponsored pro Trishelle Cannatella was the victor. As the winner of The Trash Talk Championship of the World, she walked away with prize money, a 20-pound custom designed crystal trophy, and a World Poker Tour Celebrity Invitational seat in Los Angeles, sponsored by Commerce Casino and ClubWPT.com.

RED CARPET ARRIVALS

Cheryl Hines - Curb Your Enthusiasm
Photo credit: Judy Thorburn

Robert Iler at the Trash Talk Championship Poker Tournament at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas
Robert Iler - The Sopranos
Phtot credit: Judy Thorburn

Sara Underwood at the Trash Talk Championship Poker Tournament at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas
Sara Underwood
Photo credit: Judy Thorburn

Nancy Cartwright at the Trash Talk Championship Poker Tournament at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas
Nancy Cartwright - the voice of Bart Simpson
Photo credit: Judy Thorburn

Tiffany Michelle at the Trash Talk Championship Poker Tournament at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas
Tiffany Michelle - The Amazing Race contestant
Photo credit: Judy Thorburn

Maria Ho at the Trash Talk Championship Poker Tournament at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas
Maria Ho - The Amazing Race contestant
Photo credit: Judy Thorburn

Anne Cummings at the Trash Talk Championship Poker Tournament at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas
Anne Cummings
Photo credit: Judy Thorburn

Antonio "The Magician" Esfandiary
Photo credit: Judy Thorburn

Jesse Metcalf at the Trash Talk Championship Poker Tournament at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas
Jesse Metcalf - Desperate Housewives
Photo credit: Judy Thorburn

Joe Reitman at the Trash Talk Championship Poker Tournament at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas
Actor/Producer Joe Reitman
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn

Carrot Top at the Trash Talk Championship Poker Tournament at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas
Carrot Top
Photo credit: Judy Thorburn

Sam Chavhan and Lee Mershaun at the Trash Talk Championship Poker Tournament at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas
Sam Chavhan and Lee Mershaun
Photo credit: Judy Thorburn

Andrew Robl at the Trash Talk Championship Poker Tournament at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas
Andrew Robl
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn

"Who's Your Daddy" energy drink CEO Dan Fleyshman
Photo credit: Judy Thorburn

Nicholas Gonzalez at the Trash Talk Championship Poker Tournament at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas
Nicholas Gonzalez - Melrose Place
Photo credit: Judy Thorburn

Paul Wasicka at the Trash Talk Championship Poker Tournament at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas
Paul Wasicka and Jessa Hinton
Photo credit: Judy Thorburn

Artist Michael Godard at the Trash Talk Championship Poker Tournament at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas
Artist Michael Godard
Photo credit: Judy Thorburn

Shaun Sipos at the Trash Talk Championship Poker Tournament at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas
Shaun Sipos - Melrose Place
Photo credit: Judy Thorburn

Dennis Haskins at the Trash Talk Championship Poker Tournament at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas
Dennis Haskins - Saved By The Bell
Photo credit: Judy Thorburn

Sander Lyloff at the Trash Talk Championship Poker Tournament at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas
Sander Lyloff
Photo credit: Judy Thorburn

David Chicotsky at the Trash Talk Championship Poker Tournament at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas
"The Maven VT" David Chicotsky
Photo credit: Judy Thorburn

Sam Masakella at the Trash Talk Championship Poker Tournament at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas
Sal Masakela
Photo credit: Judy Thorburn

Lon McEachern at the Trash Talk Championship Poker Tournament at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas
Lon McEachern
Photo credit: Judy Thorburn