Poker has a long history of helping out those that have some of the most difficult challenges in life. This fact will once again be displayed on Sunday as many poker professionals and celebrities will come together in Las Vegas for a poker tournament in support of autism.
On Sunday, the 7th Annual Ante4Autism charity poker tournament will be held at the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas. Beginning at 7PM, the $125 buy-in event (with $40 rebuys available) will take to the felt with a host of professional players and celebrities in attendance. The more important thing, however, will be raising funds for what is a devastating illness.
“One in 68 children – and one in 42 boys – are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder,” Ante4Autism co-host Allen Parvizian stated during an announcement for the event. The founder of Ante4Autism, Doug Krinsky, made evident the support that the tournament receives is of great service to those who suffer from the disease. “With the funds we raise from the tournament and sponsors, we can continue to help families who are impacted by autism.”
Autism spectrum disorder covers several different types of what are classified as neurodevelopmental disorders. Such things as Asperger syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder and general autism (among others) fall under the umbrella of autism spectrum disorder. Those with this condition suffer from social deficits, communication difficulties, sensory problems and cognitive delays (the character played by Dustin Hoffman in the 1988 Academy Award winning film Rain Man (Hoffman also won for Best Actor) suffered from the disease).
The list of those who have been scheduled to appear run the gamut from poker tables to television to cinema. Serving as co-host for the event with Parvizian is poker pro Karina Jett, who will be joined by her husband, Chip (who won the tournament in 2013). Also stepping to the felt will be another familiar face to poker fans, ESPN poker/sports announcer Lon McEachern. Celebrities that are scheduled to appear at the event include television game show host Mark Walberg, television and movie actor Nicholas Gonzalez (runner-up at the 2009 World Poker Tour Invitational) and former “Hellcats” star Josh Emerson.
Poker News Daily has also learned that there could be more poker pros and celebrities beyond the list of notables above. Poker professionals Pam and Todd Brunson, Layne Flack, Kristy Gazes, Jennifer Harman and J. J. Liu have expressed an interest in attending, while poker media members such as Nolan Dalla and Seth Palansky from the World Series of Poker, Lizzy Harrison and Marco Valerio could possibly attend. Celebrities such as former baseball player Jose Canseco, philanthropist Emily Jillette (wife of magician Penn Jillette) and Las Vegas icon The Duke of Fremont Street might also make appearances.
All players who participate in the tournament will receive an ‘Autism Speaks’ pin for entering and light snacks and beverages will be provided at the event. The eventual champion will receive $1,000 and the “Grand Champion” Plaque, the runner up will receive $500 and third place will take down $250. All players at the final table will receive merchandise prizes that have been donated by sponsors of the Ante4Autism tournament.
In its history, the Ante4Autism tournament have raised more than $128,000 for this very worthy cause. Last year, the event set a record in raising $47,465 for assistance to families with autistic members. The tournament was won by Brian Iriye, who took home the Champion’s Plaque and the $1000 payday.
For more information on the tournament, people are encouraged to contact Krinsky at (614) 554-0802 and, if someone can’t be in attendance and would like to make a donation, they are encouraged to visit the website for the tournament. For a fun evening in support of a great charitable organization, tomorrow night’s Ante4Autism event in Las Vegas should provide everything that someone is looking for.