By Joe Zusman | May 18, 2007

Darfur, the western region of the Sudan, Africa, has essentially been hell for four years.Warring factions have resulted in the death toll estimated at over 400,000.More than million innocent people have had to flee to refugee camps.We might not be able to get in there and stop the madness, but we can do our part to help those who are affected.

This month, PokerStars and the cast and producer of the upcoming film, Ocean’s Thirteen, are teaming up to provide aid.The stars of the movie, including Don Cheadle, George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, as well as producer Jerry Weintraub, have created the charity Not On Our Watch, which is dedicated to raising awareness of the Darfur struggle, calling governments to action, and providing relief.PokerStars is donating $1 million to the charity next week at a special event at the Cannes Film Festival, where Ocean’s Thirteen is premiering.

To further contribute to the cause, PokerStars is holding three charity tournaments, with the entire prize pool of each (plus a 100 percent match from PokerStars), going to Not On Our Watch.The first tournament has already passed, but two more are still to come, and feature great prizes:

• May 27 - $10 buy-in plus re-buys - top four finishers receive tickets to the June 5 U.S. premiere of Ocean’s Thirteen in Los Angeles.Prize package includes hotel for two plus $2,000.The top eighteen will receive an autographed DVD of the movie.
• TBA - winner will receive a professional poker table baize signed by the stars of the movie.

Players can also donate directly to the charity by transferring funds on PokerStars to the account “NOOW”.  PokerStars will match these donations.

Related posts:

1. PokerStars Releases Schedule for 2010 SCOOP
   Earlier this week, PokerStars released the schedule for the 2010 Spring Championship of Online Poker (SCOOP), unveiling a line-up with...
2. PokerStars Celebrates Its 25 Billionth Hand
   PokerStars is celebrating yet another milestone as they draw closer to dealing their 25 billionth hand. For the next few...
3. Help China Through PokerStars
   When Hurricane Katrina ravaged the Gulf Coast of the United States, the poker community came together to help those in...
4. Fight AIDS with PokerStars
   PokerStars is taking the battle against AIDS to the felt.This year, the poker room is serving as the exclusive poker...
5. PokerStars Celebrating 40 Billionth Hand with F40 Promotion
   It was almost exactly a year ago that PokerStars celebrated dealing its 25 billionth hand with a slew of cash...