The wild evening will be featured in the televised broadcast of the WPT Bay 101 Shooting Star. Silicon Valley executives have now claimed victory in the first two events as last year Jack Tretton, CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment, captured the inaugural Silicon Valley Poker Challenge. After an exciting night of animated action, Rich Arnold of the tech company CrowdFlower defeated poker professional Darren Elias for the title. The core of Silicon Valley was well represented by venture capitalists, serial entrepreneurs and influential tech executives. On the felt, the poker legend was joined by 60 other players including famous pros such as Daniel Negreanu (8th), Dwyte Pilgrim (3rd), Will Failla and Liv Boeree.

Shooting Star Phil Hellmuth was eliminated from the WPT Main Event during Day 1A, however he returned on Tuesday to MC the Silicon Valley Poker Challenge. While the event’s focus on charity created a friendly and lively atmosphere, real money and prizes were on the line for the participants. Presented in collaboration with the Silicon Valley Executive Network and the Albertini Group, this entertaining event at the Bay 101 Casino raised more than $30,000 throughout the night for WPT Foundation, the new philanthropic organization created by World Poker Tour ®. With notable companies such as Intel, LinkedIn and Oracle represented, this charity tournament was a true battle of the brains. The second annual Silicon Valley Poker Challenge during the WPT Bay 101 Shooting Star pitted poker professionals against top executives from Silicon Valley. Rich Arnold of CrowdFlower Wins Silicon Valley Poker Challenge during Day 1B of the WPT Bay 101 Shooting Star

Bay 101 shooting stars