Celebrity Events Kick Off North American Poker

Hollywood's a-list has continued its love affair with the world of poker in charity tournaments and celebrity events held over the weekend.

Seinfeld star Jason Alexander and fellow Curb Your Enthusiasm cameo-actor Christian Slater participated in the PokerStars.Net NAPT Venetian Charity Tournament in Las Vegas with Team PokerStars Pros, which raised more than $42,000 for a Nevada food bank.

The tourney helped kick off the inaugural North American Poker Tour Main Event, which began Saturday at the Las Vegas Venetian with a field of 872 players.

Over in Los Angeles the following day, actress Desperate Housewife Teri Hatcher and Entourage's Jerry Ferrara (who plays "Turtle" in the hit series) were seen participating in the World Poker Tour Celebrity Invitations event.

Organizers are making the most of the celebrity presence - the tournament was narrowed down to the final six contestants on Sunday, but they will have to wait until March 3 to return to play the televised final table, with the chance to win $100,000 for first place.

ESPN, the world's biggest sports network, announced it would broadcast 16 hours of the NAPT which will help the fledgling tour in its aim to rival the all-conquering WPT.