The Heat in Miami is Turned on for Shaq's Star-Studded Birthday Bash.

Poker Stars in Miami

Online Poker Site Joins Donald Trump, Tara Reid, and other celebrities to Ring in #32's Big '33'

PokerStars.com, the world's leading online poker site, joined NBA superstar Shaquille O'Neal and a long list of sports and entertainment celebrities for the legendary basketball titan's 33rd birthday bash. Sponsor PokerStars.com presented Shaq with one full year of poker lessons from 2004 World Series of Poker champion Greg Raymer, as well as a complimentary entry, worth $10,000, into the 2005 World Series of Poker which comes after the NBA season ends.

"We were thrilled to be invited to join Shaq's friends and family for this intimate gathering," said Nolan Dalla, Director of Communications for PokerStars.com. "It was a great way for us to come together with many of our celebrity poker fans and wish someone who continues to give us year after year of truly memorable basketball a very happy birthday. We were thrilled with the turnout, which included so many great athletes and celebrities."

Guests at the party were treated to a night of poker and socializing with Shaq's inner circle at an exclusive to-do that took place at the luxurious Hotel Victor in Miami's South Beach. Celebrities in attendance included Donald Trump; actress Tara Reid; The Apprentice contestant Katrina Campins; The View co-hosts Star Jones and Al Reynolds; Miami Heat owner Micky Arison and President Pat Riley; and rapper Timbaland, among many others. Athletes in attendance included Miami Heat teammates Eddie Jones, Alonzo Mourning and Dwayne Wade, as well as Houston Rocket Tracy McGrady; Baltimore Oriole, Sammy Sosa; Chicago Bear Brian Uhrlacher, Kansas City Chief, Ray Crockett, New York Met, Mike Piazza, and many others.

PokerStars.com also brought along two poker tables for the guests and hosted several games. Players competed for $500 and $200 donation certificates presented to the winner's favorite charity. Several donation certificates were awarded to charities ranging from the American Humane Society to the United Way.

PokerStars, an official member of the World Poker Tour, is the world's most innovative online poker site. PokerStars was the first site to introduce advanced multi-table tournaments, integrated game statistics, players' notes, personalized images, time bank for tournaments and ring big bet games, satellite tournaments, multi-table sit and go tournaments, and much more. PokerStars' support team is truly unique, as help and support is available around the clock from people who know and understand both the game of poker, and the importance of impeccable customer service.

To date, PokerStars has dealt more than one billion hands and run more than four million poker tournaments. PokerStars utilizes industry-leading security software to ensure the integrity of the system, including encryption, card shuffle randomness and preventative measures against cheating and collusion. Money covering player's balances is held in segregated accounts managed by the Royal Bank of Scotland, ensuring PokerStars can fulfill its obligations towards players at all times.

PokerStars is the site where the 2003 and 2004 World Champions of Poker won their entries into the World Series of Poker, thus earning the trademark -- "Where poker players become World Champions."