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.

PokerStars Hurricane Irma Relief Charity Poker Tournament
Level 13: 4,000/8,000 | Structure
Players Remaining: 9 of 124

The PokerStars Hurricane Irma Relief Charity Poker Tournament benefiting Feeding South Florida is down to the final nine. Here’s a look at who’s left:

Seat 1: John Bond
Seat 2: Natasha Mercier
Seat 3: Scott Bailey
Seat 4: Gil Aboodi
Seat 5: Chris Van Vliet
Seat 6: Bryan Emory
Seat 7: Paul Balzano
Seat 8: Alberto “Terminator” Rodriguez
Seat 9: “Scooter” Mark Smith

1st – $3,000 + PCA Championship Package
2nd – $2,000 + $10,000 Seminole Hard Rock Poker Entry
3rd – $1,400 + $5,250 SHRPO Championship Entry
4th – $1,100 + $3,500 Seminole Hard Rock Poker Entry
5th – $800 + Hard Rock Punta Cana Three-Night Stay
6th – $700 + Party Like a Rock Star Basket (Jason Taylor Guitar)
7th – $600 + Party Like a Rock Star Basket (Boston Guitar)
8th – $500 + Party Like a Rock Star Basket (Chris Rock Guitar)
9th – $400 + Party Like a Rock Start Basket (Yes Guitar)

PokerStars Hurricane Irma Relief Charity Poker Tournament
Level 12: 3,000/6,000 | Structure
Players Remaining: 18 of 124

Husband and wife duo Natasha and Jason Mercier found themselves seated next to eachother late in the PokerStars Hurricane Irma Relief Charity Tournament. Natasha outlasted Jason, as he’s one of the event’s most recent eliminations.

PokerStars Hurricane Irma Relief Charity Poker Tournament
Level 9: 800/1,600 | Structure
Players Remaining: 47 of 124

Registration is closed in the PokerStars Hurricane Irma Relief Charity Poker Tournament benefiting Feeding South Florida. The field sits at 124 players and PokerStars is set to match their charitable contribution to the prize pool. We will provide the final tally at the end of the event.

PokerStars Hurricane Irma Relief Charity Poker Tournament
Level 7: 500/1,000 | Structure
Entries: 115

Level 7 is nearly over and the registration period is set to end in 15 minutes. As of now, the entry count sits at 115. Along with PokerStars match, that brings the total amount raised for charity to $48,000 in buy-ins alone.

Among those in the game at this point is recording artist FRAN¢ aka former NFL player A.J. Francis.

PokerStars Hurricane Irma Relief Charity Poker Tournament

1st – $3,000 + PCA Championship Package
2nd – $2,000 + $10,000 Seminole Hard Rock Poker Entry
3rd – $1,400 + $5,250 SHRPO Championship Entry
4th – $1,100 + $3,500 Seminole Hard Rock Poker Entry
5th – $800 + Hard Rock Punta Cana Three-Night Stay
6th – $700 + Party Like a Rock Star Basket (Jason Taylor Guitar)
7th – $600 + Party Like a Rock Star Basket (Boston Guitar)
8th – $500 + Party Like a Rock Star Basket (Chris Rock Guitar)
9th – $400 + Party Like a Rock Start Basket (Yes Guitar)

PokerStars Hurricane Irma Relief Charity Poker Tournament
Level 5: 300/600 | Structure
Entries: 100

Chris Van Vliet of WSVN’s Deco Drive stopped by the Seminole Hard Rock earlier in the week to get some poker tips from PokerStars Team Pro Jason Mercier. Van Vliet put those skills to the test tonight, but recently stood from his stack. He’s taking some time away from the felt to be in front of the camera interviewing event staff and tournament participants.

PokerStars Hurricane Irma Relief Charity Poker Tournament
Level 3: 100/200 | Structure
Entries: 84

The charitable component of this event attracts some of the area’s most well known personalities. ESPN’s Israel Gutierrez, PokerStars Team Pro Jason Mercier and Andy Slater of WINZ are among those out in surpport of Hurricane Irma relief efforts.

PokerStars Hurricane Irma Relief Charity Poker Tournament
Level 1: 25/50 | Structure
Entries: 79

Feeding South Florida’s Paco Velez gave a few words prior to tournament kickoff. Among the highlights of his speech:

• Every dollar donated to the organization provides six meals for a South Florida family in need
• 98% of all donations go directly back into the community

After some additional words from Seminole Hard Rock Poker Tournament Director Tony Burns, cards went in the air for the PokerStarts Hurricane Irma Relief Charity Poker Tournament.

• Link: Tournament Landing Page
• Download: Tournament Flyer (PDF)
• Download: Tournament Structure Sheet (PDF)