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A benefit poker tourney proves
a great place to people watch.

Natasha and John Salley, former Detroit Pistons
star with Dana Kushkin of Birmingham

Steve and Nicki Perlman
of Bloomfield Hills

Ten Agency owners
Shane and Kari Giordano

C

elebrities and high rollers walked
Feb. 2 party, along with several other local par-
along the red carpet at Dearborn's
ties Super Bowl weekend. Rap star Ja Rule
posh Ritz-Carlton hotel for a night
mingled with the crowd and joined the card
of fine dining and high-stakes poker to raise
game. Detroit Lions player Eddie Drummond
money for charity. A ballroom at the Ritz was
was there along with former Lion Herman
transformed into a poker paradise where pro-
Moore, former Piston John Salley and former
fessional athletes and other stars sat face to
Tiger Bobby Higginson.
face with local residents to play Texas
The evening's MC was Phil Gordon, co-host
Hold'em.
of the show Celebrity Poker
About 100 people paid $1,000 each
Showdown on the Bravo TV network.
to take part in the tournament at the
He explained why he believes poker
exclusive VIP party called "A Night
has become so popular.
in Havana." The event was part of
"It's really the only game where the
the pre-Super Bowl XL social scene.
average viewer sitting at home can
"All the movers and shakers of
watch and eventually end up at the
Detroit are here," said Nicole Kovacs
same final table," Gordon said. "You
of West Bloomfield. Among them
can watch basketball, but you're
RO BIN
were dozens of people from Detroit's
never going to dunk like Michael
SCHW
ARTZ
Jewish community.
Jordan. It's compelling — there really
"It's an eclectic mix of people,"
COLU MNIST
are millions of dollars at stake on
said Jodi Galperin of Farmington
every turn of the card."
Hills. She did some people watching
Seth Cohen of Birmingham seemed
with Erin Schwartz of Birmingham. "It's nice
to be having a good night. He sat at a table
to see Detroit's image portrayed in a positive
with about $50,000 worth of chips in front of
light," Galperin said.
him after winning enough hands to put him at
The Ten Agency in New York hosted the
the final table.

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