At the World Series of Poker, Their Chips Have Come In

When friends ask, "What did you do on your summer vacation?" Rhett Butler and Andrew Schreibman have a rich answer: Both local men are already big winners at the 2006 World Series of Poker in Las Vegas.

This is the tournament that sparked the Texas Hold 'Em craze -- a record 8,773 players won a qualifying game or paid $10,000 for a seat at this year's two-week event. There's more than $82 million at stake: A $12 million grand prize at Thursday's finals and at least $1 million for the top dozen finishers.

Yesterday, Butler (yes, that's his real name) and Schreibman were among the last 45 players in competition -- a field dominated by Internet-playing amateurs who knocked out all the big-name professionals. Butler beat one who dismissively called him "amateur." He told him, "It's better not to be known."

The 45-year-old insurance agent from Rockville played serious poker until he got married 20 years ago and had three kids. He picked up the game again a year ago and spent $10,000 (partially staked by two friends) to compete in Vegas. "It's fun, but it's a grind," he said yesterday. Butler was in fourth place among the remaining 27 players when play stopped last night, which guarantees him a payday of at least $494,797.

Schreibman, 24, lives in Vienna and works in the finance department of a Falls Church computer firm. The business major started playing Hold 'Em three years ago; his older brother, Jeff, won two seats in Vegas and gave him one. Jeff lost early on, but Andrew survived until late yesterday -- eliminating the 2005 champ, Joe Hachem , along the way.

Schreibman finished 34th and won $329,865, which he'll split with his big bro. "All I've been thinking about is poker," he told us just minutes after the loss. "I'm emotionally drained. My brain is dead, my body's dead. It's pretty grueling."

Butler is still in contention for the really big money, and his wife and 14-year-old son are in Las Vegas cheering him on. "I think my friends and family are more excited than I am," he said.

Polishing Plans for Radio One's Silver Anniversary

When celebrities come to Washington in the dog days of August, you know they have a pretty good reason. Radio One founder Cathy Hughes is hosting a 25th-anniversary bash on Aug. 17 for her broadcasting company; VIPs include Aretha Franklin, Janet Jackson, Natalie Cole, Russell Simmons, Jay Z, Ciara, Jermaine Dupri, Dick Gregory, Suzanne de Passe, Al Sharpton, Tom Joyner, James Ingram, Ruben Studdard and Eric Benet .

"For the only publicly traded corporation headed by an African American woman, it's historic," Hughes said. "I want it to be so special." The black-tie dinner for 1,000 at the J.W. Marriott is the culmination of Radio One's year-long celebration, and the gala's silver theme will include an original pewter sculpture by artist Annie Lee for each of 100 award recipients.

Hey, Isn't That . . . ?

· Mayor Tony Williams flying back from Colorado Sunday wearing what looked suspiciously like a (gasp!) New York Yankees baseball cap. Williams was spotted coming back from Colorado Springs, where he gave the keynote address at the Alliance for School Choice annual retreat. Spokesman Vince Morris said it must have been an optical illusion. "Mayor Williams wears a Nats cap -- all the time. On an off day, he might be spotted cheering for the Cardinals, but I've never, ever seen him sporting Evil Empire insignia."

· Daytime diva Susan Lucci at Indigo Landing on the Alexandria waterfront Saturday. The "All My Children" star, wearing an off-the-shoulder white dress, lunched on a butter lettuce salad with pecans, blue cheese and sweet potato dressing -- and no one in the party of six ordered dessert. That's how she keeps her leading-lady figure.

· Actor Shane West at Fuddruckers in Chinatown Saturday afternoon. The "ER" hunk came in with three friends wearing Army fatigue pants, black boots and an Army green T-shirt. West was in Washington for the Germs concert at the Black Cat later that night; he's playing the late Germs frontman Darby Crash in an upcoming biopic and fronting the original punk band on tour.