August 18, 2008 (InfoPowa News) — This year's Democratic National Convention to be held in Denver's Pepsi Center August 25 – 28 will also provide the backdrop for a charity poker tourney organized by the one million-strong Poker Players Alliance (PPA) (www.pokerplayersalliance.org) — again drawing attention to the plight of US poker players while raising money for a worthy cause.
Players in the four-hour tourney will each be given 5,000 in chips, with all winnings from the tournament donated to the Paralyzed Veterans of America, a congressionally chartered veterans service organization that has been around since 1946 and helps veterans from America's wars with issues that range from health care and education to accessibility and sports programs.
The Wall Street Journal reports that the PPA is confident the arrangements are in full compliance with the law.
It is expected that around 200 professional poker players, lawmakers, aides and delegates (and PPA members) will be participating in the tournament.
In close proximity, actor Ben Affleck is hosting a charity poker tournament at Coors field, home of the Colorado Rockies baseball stars.
The Paralyzed Veterans of America will also be the recipients of charity funds raised by "Poker at the Ball Park" which should draw some big names from the poker world, ante-ing up to help the growing number of American veterans who've sustained spinal cord injuries while serving in the military.
"The Poker Player Alliance is honored to host this charity poker tournament and looks forward to raising a lot of money for these American heroes," says former Senator Alfonse D'Amato, chairman of the PPA.
"This is a great opportunity to harness the popularity of the game of poker in order to raise much needed funds for those who have fought to protect our country and our individual freedoms."
Besides Ben Affleck, at least two major poker celebrities have already signed for the event — Andy Bloch and Barry Greenstein, with more expected to register soon.
Buy-ins to play in the event are $500, or $250 for spectators. The grand prize is a 2009 World Series of Poker Main Event buy-in, valued at $10,000, and the tournament will be preceded by a VIP reception that starts at 9:30 p.m.
The Republican Party is holding its convention the following week in Minneapolis-St. Paul, but political party poker playing, even for charity, is unlikely to be on the agenda.