Play poker with the stars and support a good cause

If you want to honor the memory of the late Sam Simon, co-creator of “The Simpsons,” you can help one of his favorite causes by playing celebrity poker with Simon’s friend Jacob Zalewski, who started the One Step Closer Foundation.

Simon, who died of cancer this year, used to take part in celebrity Texas hold ‘em poker tourneys benefiting cerebral palsy patients in the foundation.

On Thursday, a private silent auction happens at 5 p.m. at the Rio’s VooDoo Zip Line, with TV host Montel Williams, baseball’s Jose Canseco, and the UFC’s Miesha Tate and Rory Nelson zipping at 6 p.m.

On Friday, the public can see the 1 p.m. red carpet, and attend the 2 p.m. “Raising the Stakes” tourney at Planet Hollywood. You can bet with the stars if you’ve got $300 and a $30 buy-in, with $100 re-buys and add-on opportunities (1scf.org)

Confirmed to attend or play: Actors James Woods, Jennifer Tilly, Cheryl Hines, Mekhi Phifer, Dennis Haskins, Josh Emerson, Erik Aude, Erin O’Brien, Miko Hughes; Musician A.J. McLean of the Backstreet Boys (tentative attendees are Coolio and producer Wade Martain); Wrestlers Alicia Webb and Chyna; TV’s Montell Williams, “Bachelorette’s” Ryan Beckett, “Big Brother’s” Kara Monaco; UFC’s Miesha Tate and Roy “Big Country” Nelson; MLB’s Jose Canseco with model Laila Knight; NFL’s Lawyer Milloy and Adam Archuleta; X-Games’ Dennis McCoy; the models Pilar Lastra, Jennifer Braff, Stacy Fuson, Jennifer Walcott Archuleta; and actual poker pros Jamie Gold, Joe Cada, Noah Schwartz, Dennis Philips, Eli Elezra, and Phil Laak.

Contact Doug Elfman at delfman@reviewjournal.com. He blogs at reviewjournal.com/elfman. Find him on Twitter: @VegasAnonymous