Charity poker event aids Katrina victims and more

September 15

Some lucky poker player could walk away with as much as $15,000 at this coming weekend's $50,000 Texas Hold 'Em Tournament to be held at the final Nautica Charity Poker Festival on the Cuyahoga River. Other proceeds from the festival, which runs from today, through Sunday, September 18th. will go to Art on Wheels and children effected by Hurricane Katrina's wrath.

Art on Wheels, the host charity, serves over 15,000 people a year offering hands-on instruction in visual art, music, drama and movement at varied locations including schools, nursing homes and community centers.

Other activities to be held this weekend include Player Appreciation Day on Sunday, September 18th, where all players receive a free Nautica Charity Poker Festivals T-shirt, commemorative poker chip and free beverages. A professional Texas Hold 'Em poker table valued at over $2,000 will be awarded to the winner of a charitable raffle held on Sunday.

Over $420,000 in net income has been raised by charities hosting Nautica Charity Poker Festivals over the last 12 weeks. That translates into nearly $9,000 net income per day for each charity hosting the four-day Festivals. Gross income raised by the charities over the past 12 festivals is over $665,000, from which expenses including utilities, security and promotion are deducted.

Winners of tournaments have been awarded cash prizes of over $370,000. In addition, thousands of dollars were won in open-play cash games. While players keep their cash winnings, each Festival is hosted by a qualified charity that receives 100% of the proceeds in the form of hourly seat fees and concession income.

Nautica Charity Poker Festivals plans to more than double its poker event schedule in 2006 more than two dozen events.