Full House
One of the hottest tickets on Tuesday night was a poker game — for no money. Ben Affleck, Sara Silverman and Seth Myers were among those who shelled out at least $500 for a seat at one of 20 tables on the Club Level of Coors Field. Sponsored by the Poker Players Alliance, the event benefited the Paralyzed Veterans of America.
And everyone was happy to hold forth on politics and entertainment — except Affleck, who remained steadfast in his refusal to discuss the campaign with media. When asked what he’d be doing in Denver this week, he told reporters, “You’re looking at my involvement,” as he fiddled nervously with his chips.
His buddy Myers, who like Affleck was showing off a new beard, said he’s “always been political,” but never been to a convention. “It’s an interesting spectacle,” he said. When asked if he could get much material here for his “Weekend Update” segment on “Saturday Night Live,” he replied, “This is just spring training for the debates.”
For her part, Silverman said she’s “been peripherally political.” She added that because her act leans more toward gross-out humor than politics, she confessed that she only pays attention about as much as the average American.
According to organizer Joe Michaels, it was an event that nearly didn’t happen. “We had to change the rules to put this on,” he said. Under Colorado law, poker tournaments for real stakes are only permitted at the state’s casinos. So organizers had to change the rules so that instead of playing for the prizes of premium poker chip sets, duffle bags — and, oh yes, the $10,000 seat at next year’s World Series of Poker Main Event — participants had to be content with entering a raffle.
Nevertheless, how’s everyone’s game these days?
-Rep. James Langevin, D-R.I.: “We’ll see. Charlie Rangel taught me the hard way. And by the hard way, I mean he took my money.”
-Silverman: “I don’t know. I haven’t played in a while.”
-Myers: “I will lose.”
Also spotted at the event: poker pros Andy Bloch and Barry Greenstein, Reps. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., and Robert Wexler, D-Fla., and Montel Williams, who sported an orange t-shirt that remains beyond our capacity to describe.
