"All In" for Kids: WPT Charity Poker Tournament Raises $910,000

By Alexandru Petrovanu

Giving back at least a little bit is important, so we’re happy to report today on a charity event that took place recently, the All In for Kids WPT tournament. Those behind this tournament managed to gather $910,000, money that will go towards research concerning food allergies at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). A charity auction was held as well, along with the poker tournament.

Though food allergies might not sound like an impressive enough goal for a charity, it’s something that millions of children are struggling with around the country. These allergies have the potential of being quite dangerous for some of them. Statistics mention that a regular classroom has on average about two kids that are allergic and could face a life-threatening episode at some point.

World Poker Tour filmed the event that they organized together with CHOP, so you can expect a future episode from them to include the action that took place there. The stage of the tournament was Mandarin Oriental, a New York hotel.

As for the organizers, they benefited from the help of Phil Hellmuth Jr. (acting as the host), while one of the founders of this charity tournament was Dan Shak. Over 300 athletes, poker players and celebrities took part. To name just a couple of people that were there from the professional side of the poker world, we’ll mention Vanessa Selbst (PokerStars Pro), Andy Frankenberger, Scott Baumstein (PartyPoker), Jamie Kerstetter (PartyPoker) and Lynn Gilmartin. As for the regular celebrities that were present, there was Ken Daneyko (NHL), Mike Quick (Philadelphia Eagles) and Justin Pugh (New York Giants).

The tournament’s final table included Frank Volpe, Dylan Seff, Ravi Sakaria, Mike Macchia, Ryan O’Shea, Dan Silvers, Dan Shak, Phil Hellmuth, Sam Yoon and Lance Breitstein. The winner of the tournament was Lance Breitstein, a player from New Jersey. Dan Silvers finished in 2nd place and Phil Hellmuth in 3rd. As for the other well known guys at the table, Dan Shak took 5th place while Frank Volpe finished in the 10th position.

This poker tournament is just one of the events that World Poker Tournament organized through its foundation, in each case aiming to promote another charity while raising awareness and money for different programs. In this case, it was the best pediatric hospital in the United States that benefited from their actions.

You will find more information on CHOP’s tournament, its sponsors, plus a Donate button, if you head on to the official page of this charity poker tournament: http://allinforkids.chop.edu/