Steve Martin, Michael Cera, Tony Yazbeck, and More Announced For BROADWAY BETS 2018

Broadway and television stars, theatre fans, poker pros and game-faced novices alike will come together when Broadway Bets, Broadway's official poker tournament, returns on Monday, May 14. The event is produced by and benefits Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

Among the actors expected to ante up are last year's Broadway Bets finalist and two-time Tony Award nominee and Oscar winner Steve Martin (Meteor Shower), Pulitzer Prize nominee Eric Bogosian (TV's Billions, Talk Radio), 2018 Tony Award nominee Michael Cera (Lobby Hero), Tony winner Billy Crudup (Harry Clarke), Tony nominee Richard Kind (TV's Young Sheldon) and Tony nominee Tony Yazbeck (Prince of Broadway, On the Town). More special guests are in the cards, but won't show their hand until the evening of the event, which will be held at the theatre district's beloved Sardi's restaurant (234 West 44th Street).

Stepping up as "Royal Flush" bar sponsors for this year's event are Broadway Tony-nominated revivals Carousel, The Iceman Cometh and Three Tall Women. "Full House" table sponsors are AKA, Ambassador Theatre Group, The Araca Group, Entertainment Benefits Group, Foresight Theatrical, Independent Presenters Network, JetBlue, The John Gore Organization (Broadway.com/Broadway Across America), The Nederlander Organization, The Pekoe Group, The Road Company, Road Concierge/ALTOUR, Serino Coyne, The Shubert Organization, Situation Interactive, Sweet Hospitality Group, Ticketmaster, Willkie Farr & Gallagher. Disney Theatrical Productions, SpotCo and Show-Score have signed on as "Two Pair" half-table sponsors.

Cocktails for the fourth annual edition of Broadway Bets (#BroadwayBets) start at 7:30 pm; the tournament begins at 8 pm. All ticketing levels include hors d'oeuvres and an open bar. Tickets and table sponsorship information are available at broadwaycares.org.

Industry insiders, stars and fans will raise the stakes at the Texas Hold 'em tournament with the chance to win the coveted title of Broadway Bets champion. Prizes will be awarded to all players who reach the final table.

Texas Hold 'em-style tournaments begin with each player receiving an equal amount of chips. Two blinds are posted per hand to force the action. As play progresses, the amount of the blind bets increase. As players drop out, tables are combined until there is one final table of players competing for the championship title.

For those who haven't quite mastered their poker face, guest passes offer a chance to observe the poker table action and play other casino games with an opportunity to win prizes. Guest passes are available for $150.

Paul Libin, executive vice president emeritus of Jujamcyn Theaters and BC/EFA Board of Trustees president emeritus, and Robert E. Wankel, president and co-CEO of The Shubert Organization and Broadway Cares president, serve as founding co-chairs.

Micah Hollingworth of Jujamcyn Theaters, Mark Shacket of Foresight Theatrical and Brett Sirota of The Road Company will return to serve as tournament directors.

Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS is one of the nation's leading industry-based, nonprofit AIDS fundraising and grant-making organizations. By drawing upon the talents, resources, and generosity of the American theatre community, since 1988 Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS has raised more than $300 million for essential services for people with HIV/AIDS and other critical illnesses across the United States.

Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS is the major supporter of the social service programs at The Actors Fund, including the HIV/AIDS Initiative, the Phyllis Newman Women's Health Initiative and the Samuel J. Friedman Health Center for the Performing Arts. Broadway Cares also awards annual grants to more than 450 AIDS and family service organizations in all 50 states.

For more information, please visit Broadway Cares online at broadwaycares.org, at facebook.com/BCEFA, at instagram.com/BCEFA, at twitter.com/BCEFA and at youtube.com/BCEFA.