2017 PokerStars Charity Event Benefiting Feeding South Florida
Hurricane Irma Relief
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Hollywood, Florida
$300 No Limit Hold’em (Re-Entry)
Entries: 124
Prize Pool: $10,500
October 3, 2017
PokerStars and the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida teamed up for a charity event benefiting Feeding South Florida’s Hurricane Irma relief efforts.
The event boasted a $300 buy-in and saw South Florida poker pros, amateurs and television and radio personalities compete for over $50,000 in prizes.
After the first $10,500, 100 percent of tournament buy-ins went directly to charity. PokerStars matched the prize pool’s charitable contribution and that was paired with the money raised by silent auction items. In the end, over $66,000* was raised with Bryan Emory of Plantation, Florida. going down as the tournament’s champion.
“I put three [entries] into it,” Emory said of his charitable contribution. “I probably wouldn’t normally do that […] It’s a good cause.”
In addition to $3,000 in cash, Emory earned a PokerStars Caribbean Adventure Championship package.
“I took a break [from][poker] for the past few months and I’m ready to get to play and travel a little bit. I’m super excited,” Emory said of winning the package.
Final results:
1st: Bryan Emory – $3,000 + PCA Championship Package
2nd: Alberto Rodriguez – $2,000 + $10,000 Seminole Hard Rock Poker Entry
3rd: Paul Balzano – $1,400 + $5,250 SHRPO Championship Entry
4th: Natasha Mercier – $1,100 + $3,500 Seminole Hard Rock Poker Entry
5th: Scott Bailey – $800 + Hard Rock Punta Cana Three-Night Stay
6th: Mark Smith – $700 + Party Like a Rock Star Basket (Jason Taylor Guitar)
7th: Chris Van Vliet – $600 + Party Like a Rock Star Basket (Boston Guitar)
8th: Scott Bailey – $500 + Party Like a Rock Star Basket (Chris Rock Guitar)
9th: Gil Aboodi – $400 + Party Like a Rock Start Basket (Yes Guitar)
Preceding the tournament was an exclusive player party featuring passed hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar.
Hurricane Irma was one of the strongest storms ever recorded in the Atlantic and caused catastrophic damage. Feeding South Florida is the leading domestic hunger relief organization in South Florida with 98 percent of all donations put directly back in to the community. The organization serves Broward, Miami-Dade,Palm Beach and Monroe Counties. According to the organization’s CEO, every dollar affords them up to six meals for a needy Floridian.
Thank you to all who participated in this charitable event!
*$66,000 figure includes tournament prize pool donations along with all silent auction items and independent donations.