Poker From The Rail

Posted by AlCantHang | Filed under Bloggers on the Rail

As poker players, we far too often find ourselves in situations which are purely selfish. Poker is not a team “sport”, there is only one winner at the end of a tournament, cash game players are looking to take every chip from every player.  It’s just the nature of the game.  Fortunately there are many players who have a social conscience, those who understand how lucky they are to make a living at play while there are many more unfortunate souls in the world.

While I was wrapping up my two month assignment during the 2009 World Series of Poker, I was invited to join a select few players in supporting another fantastic charitable organization in my home area. Cabot Creamery of Vermont teamed up with the Borgata Hotel and Casino to throw a poker tournament and fund raiser to benefit the Community Foodbank of New Jersey.  The event was titled “Put a Bad Beat on Hunger” and open to the public, featuring pro players Roy “The Oracle” Winston and 2005 WSOP Main Event runner-up Steve Dannenman.

The fundraiser was a brain child of the fine folks at Cabot Creamery.  A cooperative located in Vermont since the beginning of the 20th century, they decided to make a special effort to support organizations which provide help to those in need.  They have decades of experience in the community and around the country.  In that spirit they decided to create this unique event to raise funds and awareness of the Community Foodbank of New Jersey.  Before the first card was in the air, the folks at Cabot Creamery presented a check to the organization for $20,000.

The Southern Branch of the Foodbank covers those in Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland and parts of Burlington Counties. With the help of thousands volunteers and a dedicated staff of 15 full time employees, they distribute an average of 75,000 pounds of groceries every week. Their organization is able to provide $10 worth of groceries for each dollar donated.

Players were invited to the poker room at the Borgata where Cabot also gave a special incentive to play.  They donated an entry into the 2009 Borgata Poker Open Main Event for the winner.  A chance for the players to support this great ogranization and win their way into a major televised tournament.  71 players bought in for the mid-day, mid-afternoon game generating a prizepool over $18,000.  Participants battled for many hours down to the final table money winners and the eventual winner.

Your humble blogger struggled throughout the entire day but outlasted the majority of entrants finishing in a very respectable 18th place.  As expected, we had one of the big names sitting alone after all others were eliminated.  Team Full Tilt member Roy Winston was the last man standing in the end, donating half his winnings back to the foodbank.  Winston was not alone in donating money from their tournament earnings as 6 other players followed his example.

It was a fantastic event hosted by a tremendously generous group supporting of the Community Foodbank of New Jersey.  Thousands of people will benefit thanks to the Cabot Creamery and poker players.

Cabot Creamery Cooperative
Community Foodbank of New Jersey – Southern Branch

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Tags: AlCantHang, Bloggers on the Rail, Roy Winston

Permalink | August 25th, 2009 Play Online Poker at Full Tilt Poker

2 Responses to “Put A Bad Beat On Hunger”

1. Roberta MacDonald Says:
   August 26th, 2009 at 4:05 am

   Al played well with others, very well. He added heart and smarts to our event. Our farmers may not be making much money on milk – lowest prices since the 30s but they still want to give what they can. The Food Bank of New Jersey benefits thanks to souls like Roy Winston and Sweet Al.

2. Make A Beat Says:
   March 1st, 2010 at 11:05 am

   Thanks! Keep on the good work

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