CasinoGaming.com


	Sundays: Inside Gaming Tuesdays: Video Poker Wednesdays: Off the Shelf Fridays: Richard Eng, Player's Edge Saturdays: Pocket Aces

POCKET ACES

Columns

• Back to Maryann's index

• Back to columnists' index

Maryann Guberman has been a writer and editor with many gaming publications, including Sports Form, Card Player, Poker World, Player's Panorama and Systems and Methods. She also has written and edited numerous books on gambling.

Nov. 13, 2004

Poker's Zenith

A man of financial wealth who values himself by his financial net worth is poorer than a poor man who values himself by his intrinsic self worth. -- Sidney Madwed

Recently I had the pleasure of reading an article in the Chicago Sun Times about Barry Greenstein (www.suntimes.com/output/lifestyles/cst-nws-poker08.htm). Written by Tom McNamee, part of the article focused on Greenstein's altruistic nature, citing the charity that receives the bulk of his contributions.

What pleased me about the article, and sent me on a search for additional, similar information, was the fact that this gambling game, often perceived of in a negative sense, has come through for the greater good‹and this deed (and others like it) should not go unnoticed. Understand, any money given to charity via a poker tournament is good bbut when ALL the money earned from the tournament goes to the charity, that's even better. With that in mind, here are a few events that don't cut the pot.

If you live in Indiana and know how to deal poker, you might not be aware that the Walther Cancer Institute will be holding a hold'em touranment in March, 2005. The are currently looking for volunteer dealers, cashiers, runners and other event assistants. (Some training will be provided.) The link to information is on the right panel of the institute's website at www.walther.org. Eventually the site should list more details about playing in the tournament, but if not, there's contact information on the page.

In the north/central Florida area, you can help fund a new facility for PAWS, Inc, an animal welfare organization. For $25, you get entertainment, gaming, and prizes (if you are one of the top finishers in the event). Details are on the web at www.northfloridapaws.org.

The University of Maryland is asking for a $60 entry fee for a tournament to take place on December 4 at the Sigma Phi Epsilon frat house. Since there will be prize money awarded and food provided, only part of the pot ($25 per entry) will go to the ministry. (This is a non-denominational Christian organization.) The competition will be liminted to 75 players and while the web site (www.intervarsity.org/greek/events/425) gives an email for further information, it doesn't state whether or not the event is limited to students.

I believe you do have to be a student or alumni of UC Berkley for the next event, a hold'em touney that simulates the WSOP. Kappa Delta Rho's no-limit event takes place on April 24, 2005. Proceeds will go to the National Childhood Cancer Foundation and players can win prizes such as a DVD Surround Sound Home Theater System, and gift certificates to Games of Berkeley. The online registration form is at www.calkdr.com/kdr.cfm?go=poker.

It appears, as well, that Harrah's, now the owner of the World Series of Poker understands that poker and charity can go hand in hand. In the Sept. 24 issue of Card Player magazine, Tom McEvoy talked about a number of Harrah's-promoted charity tournaments he participated in‹events that weren't, unfortunately, publicized much in the magazine.

Probably nothing will ever rival Barry Greenstein, but wherever you can use the game to nurture the planet and its life, go for it. To quote Sir Francis Bacon, "In charity there is no excess." Then again, every penny counts. Either way, a lot or a little, poker has earned a new and positive reputation.