INGLEWOOD, Calif. - Porn stars, gamblers, adult biz insiders, assorted hangers on and rap star Coolio were all on hand for the second annual Babes & Aces Charity Celebrity Poker Tournament held at the Hollywood Park Casino in beautiful Inglewood.
The event's organizer, Breast Awareness Benefits Everyone, or B.A.B.E., is a non-profit foundation working toward the goal of ending breast cancer. The group also supports The Eileen Stein Jacoby Fund of Philadelphia, the Wellness Centers, the Westside Family Health Center of Los Angeles, and the national 'Check 'Em, Don't Neglect 'Em ® Campaign. The Texas Hold 'Em No Limit tournament, which required a $250 buy-in, also included a table for blackjack this year.
In addition to the poker and blackjack action, the event also featured an auction and buffet.
The tournament was sponsored by AVN Media Network, Adam & Eve, Booble.com, Digital Playground, Erotica LA, F.A.M.E. Awards, Genesis Magazine, HotMovies.com, KLSX 97.1 FREE FM, Penthouse, Pink Visual, PornStar Dollars/Atlas Multimedia, Pure Play Media, Topco Sales, Vivid Entertainment, WantedList, and Wicked Pictures.
AVN Male Performer of the Year Tommy Gunn said of the event, "I actually sponsored a player this year, Jew Hefner," he said. "And it's great this is for charity."
B.A.B.E. organizer Marcia Hrichison was happy with the turnout. "This year is twice as good as last year, and there are lot more people," she told AVN.com. "Our sponsorship has been so impressive. We have Fox 11 News here, Coolio is here, A.J. from the Backstreet Boys is here."
Speaking after the event, Hrichison said of the evening, "It made me really happy to have so many of the top names as sponsors on the eve of Erotica L.A. and supporting B.A.B.E."
Hrichison also noted that she was pleased how her organization is developing. She told AVN.com, "We're starting to get to the place where B.A.B.E. is a partner to companies and people and we're all working toward the same goal. Last night we captured the party atmosphere that I want B.A.B.E. events to be. Everybody there had a great time!""
Sasha Grey explained how she came to be at the event and told AVN.com, "Dan Davis from Genesis magazine invited me and he explained what it was all about and I'm all for charity," said the starlet. Grey, like several of the celebrities in attendance also had a personal reason for coming. As she said, "My grandmother actually died from breast cancer and I used to walk in those charity cancer marches when I was younger, so this was a great opportunity to something good." Sadly, because she's not 21, Grey said she wasn't allowed to actually play in the tournament.
Jenna Haze also sat out the opening hands, but not because of an age issue. As Haze explained, "Well, I got here a little late. I played last year, but maybe I'll buy in later."
PurePlay Media director Cousin Stevie was all about giving something back for his success. "I believe that I was at the right place at the right time and otherwise I'd never have been able to shoot a series at this point in my life," he said. "At my age, I feel that you should give something back for what you've received. This event, the Skylar Neil Memorial Foundation, and anything else I can do to benefit sick people is something I try to get involved in. And at my age, I might be one of those sick people," joked Stevie.
Starlet Flower Tucci had very practical reasons for attending. As she told AVN.com, "I came to save the boobies! I know I care about my boobies and I care about everyone's boobies. I think boobies are very important. Babies need them. Men need them. Boobies rule the world. And that's what brought Flower Tucci to the Babes & Aces tournament."
Bubbly Sunny Lane, was spreading good cheer throughout the hall explained to AVN.com that she was in attendance because "Marcia [Hrichison] is a great person and I absolutely love her and I'm here to help raise awareness for the problem of breast cancer. I'm also here to give thanks for what I have and what we have. And I'm here to have fun!"
Also on hand were Alektra Blue, Shy Love, Taylor Wane, Gina Lynn, Stormy Daniels, Carmen Hart, Savanna Samson, Olivia O'Lovely, Tera Patrick, Moxxie Maddron, Genesis magazine editor Dan Davis, Jesse Jane, rock journalist Lonn Friend and many, many others.
If one squinted, it was almost like being in Las Vegas. Except there were a lot fewer men wearing faux-hawk haircuts. And for that, everyone was grateful.
Photo of Flower Tucci and Olivia O'Lovely by Gia Jordan.
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