Gettys Throw Star-Studded Poker Night For AmfAR

Photo Credit: Tara Luz Stevens for Drew Altizer Photography

Saturday night Gordon and Anne Getty opened up their Pacific Heights home for a festive poker tournament that drew the likes of Hollywood and Silicon Valley elite. The event was a fundraiser for amfAR, the nonprofit dedicated to ending the global AIDS epidemic through cutting-edge research. Although the amount raised at the party was not disclosed, all of the funds for the buy-in poker game and five-lot live auction were donated to the cause.

Photo Credit: Devlin Shand for Drew Altizer Photography

The Gettys home was transformed into a casino inspired by the ones that James Bond might play at in Monaco. Oval-shaped tables that seated 10 players were set up in the ballroom, music room, and courtyard. The pool that is usually in the courtyard was drained and covered to ensure that all of the players were accommodated. Despite the waitstaffs attempts to get the tournament started promptly at 6 p.m., the lively crowd was too busy mingling—sipping Perrier-Jouët and devouring spoonfuls osetra caviar—to take their seats.

Photo Credit: Tara Luz Stevens for Drew Altizer Photography

Finally, the good-looking crowd (although the dress code was “casino royale,” men wore tuxedos and women clad in full-length gowns) took their seats to play Texas hold ‘em. Professional poker players Antonio Esfandiari, Scott Blumstein and Jeff Gross held court at three different tables. House of Cards star Robin Wright played at Vanessa Getty’s table in the courtyard. Supermodel Karolina Kurkova played in the music room along with actors Jay Ellis and Mia Maestro. Local luminaries David Shimmon, dapper in a velvet tux, Katie Traina, who also wore a tux and looked gorgeous, and Will Wick, hair perfectly combed back, played alongside the celebrities.

Joshua Wood, Vanessa Getty and Eric Muscatell

Photo Credit: Drew Altizer

While dinner was not served, there was plenty of passed appetizers including deviled eggs, shrimp toast, grilled pimento cheese sandwiches, shoestring French fries, sushi, and chicken taquitos. Guests who didn’t participate in the tournament had plenty to do. Two incredible stations—one with a the most lavish spread of cheese this writer has ever seen and another with an equally impressive assortment of charcuterie, potted meats, and pate—were manned by informative and friendly staff members who explained everything there is to know about the hard-to-find cheese and the best liqueur for chicken liver pate.

Justin Willman, Tatum Getty, Joannie Ericson and Laurie Hanna Carrade

Photo Credit: Tara Luz Stevens for Drew Altizer Photography

Magician and Netflix star Justin Willman performed to intimate groups in the library. His trickery was incredible as he pulled cards from his mouth and guessed the zip code where guests were born. Alfie Spears, a mixologist from Trick Dog and Bon Voyage, stirred up the perfect Absolut Elyx martini while delighting guests with his historical knowledge of the timeless cocktail.

Photo Credit: Drew Altizer

During a tournament break, guests gathered in the ballroom for a short presentation. Wright thanked the crowd for coming. Vanessa Getty introduced a video of her cousin Aileen Getty, who is HIV positive and has benefited from amfAR’s work. Auctioneer Gabriel Butu-Boyle led the live auction which featured a limited edition of his and hers Harry Winston watches, a wellness-inspired journey to Southeast Asia, and a couple of other cool experiences. After the auction, CeeLo Green performed, then the tournament resumed for the final round. The winner? Rich Kline, the vice president of solution engineering at Salesforce took home the top prize and beat out the professionals. All had fun including Tyler and Tolan Florence, Ken Fulk, Shauna and Mike Harden, and Tatum Getty.