Stars Join World Poker Tour
4 March 2004

CALIFORNIA -- As reported by the Mercury News: "When James Woods arrived at Bay 101 in San Jose on Wednesday morning, he looked at fellow actors Jon Favreau and Mimi Rogers as they finished breakfast an hour before the start of the World Poker Tour Shooting Star Tournament.

"The nationally televised tournament drew some 600 fans who came to see the best players in the world compete for a $2.3 million purse over three days. Poker celebrities such as Antonio ``The Magician'' Esfandiari, who took home $1.4 million at the WPT Invitational last week, and Chris Moneymaker, the accountant who won the World Series of Poker in 2003, were the real stars.

"…All that was missing was the red carpet and Joan and Melissa Rivers as 23 poker stars arrived to compete in a field of 230 players, which included Woods, Rogers and Favreau. The Shooting Star awards a $5,000 `bounty' for any players who can knock out the poker star at their table. By 5:30 p.m., 13 of the stars were gone, including Favreau…"

Source: Casino City Times