Matt Savage Burns Cranberry Suit for Charity

Throwing out a challenge in poker is nothing new, but when it involves players doing it for charity it becomes extra special, as well-known pro and tournament director Matt Savage found out when his beloved cranberry suit was reduced to ashes in aid of the Mexican earthquake appeal fund.

‘Hong Kong Tom’ Hall, a regular face in the Macau high-stakes poker world, was not the only one who had passed comment on the sartorial shortcomings of Savage’s wardrobe…

 …but Matt is nothing if not a man with his heart in the right place, and the $5k offer – with $95 thrown in to replace his jacket – was too much to resist and he readily agreed to the ceremonial burning…

The September 19 earthquake in Mexico which devastated the lives and homes of thousands moved the poker-playing trio of JC Alvarado, Angel Guillen and WPT’s Lynn Gilmartin to launch an appeal in the card-playing community to help bring supplies to those left with nothing after the disaster…

…and Mexico Fuerte was set up in an attempt to initially raise $15,000, to cover the operation costs and purchases of goods, which would then be delivered to shelters, rescuers, and communities affected by the quake as reported by my colleague Jose Aguilar a few weeks ago.

And this is where Matt Savage’s ‘fashion faux pas’ came in, poker players encouraged to sign the back of the suit for $10 and $20 donations, eventually raising $7,618, which will go directly to building a home for a family in Oaxaca as reported by Pocketfives.com.

Savage explained his now-charred wardrobe attire, saying:

“It 'was' my favorite suit and I’ve had it for a long time, I was just able to start wearing it again because I had lost some weight, but part of the reason I loved it was because Tom Hall made such fun of it. I have had it for 14 years and saved it for special occasions when Tom was around. Now I can’t do that anymore.”

Of the charity campaign he stated:

“The whole idea that something so simple can help so many makes it worth it and happy that my cranberry suit served an even higher purpose than just giving me pleasure. The things that Lynn Gilmartin has done for Mexico City with the nearly $10,000 raised has been amazing. They are building sustainable earthquake-proof housing and I will help continue to support if possible.”

With over $40,000 raised in total, the charity efforts have made a small but significant difference to the lives of all those affected, and kudos goes to Savage, Hall and the rest of the poker community for rising to the challenge once again.