Everest Poker 4 Charity Event a Success

The results and outcome of the highly controversial Everest Poker 4 Charity event held at the Grand Casino in Brussels earlier this month are in. Poker in Belgium is still considered illegal, but because sponsors and not players antied up the €5,000 for charity, the Belgian Federal Gaming Commission gave the OK for organizers to host the event.

On a lighter note, the Everest Poker 4 Charity donated generously to various benefactors, including Downsyndrom Vlaaderen, Palliatieve zorg AZ Sint Lucas (a hospital that offers its patients an atmosphere of comfort and tranquility), Veeweyde (the largest animal shelter in Belgium), Similies (a group supporting families and friends of psychiatric patients), Een hart voor Limburg (an organization committed to improving the quality of life in Limburg), the Salvation Army, Poverello Kortzrijk (a confidential social, medical, and psychological mediation service), Sensoa (an HIV clinic committed to servicing and informing the public on AIDS), and Moeders voor Moeders (directly translated, "Mothers for Mothers" plays an intermediary role between parents and social institutions, schools, and police, or assists them in crisis situations).

The single-table tournament format consisted of 10 nine-handed tables, with one player from each team. As team members advanced, they collected points for their respective charities. The first player eliminated collected 1 point for his charity, while the winner raked in 36 points.

Following the single-table tournaments, the winners from each advanced to the championship event. The championship awarded a trophy and simple congratulations to the winner and had no bearing on the charity event results.

Team Kempen, with four first-place finishes, earned 194 points and won €1,250 for "Veeweyde." The other eight charities also benefited and were awarded the prize money won by their team.

The following are the results:

1. Team Kempen - 194 pts, Veeweyde, €1,250
2. Limburg - 157 pts - Een hart voor Limburg - €850
3. Kapellen - 143 pts - Moeders voor Moeders - €650
4. Dendermonde - 134 pts - Sensoa - €500
5. Brussels - 130 pts - Het Leger des Heils - €450
6. Aalst - 129 pts - Down Syndroom Vlaanderen - €400
7. Kortrijk - 119 pts - Poverello - €350
8. Gent - 104 pts - Palliatieve Zorg AZ Sint Lucas - €300
9. Antwerpen - 90 pts - Similes - €250

The Everest Poker 4 Charity tournament proved exciting for players and audience members, as it was a unique and introductory poker event that opened the doors to other possible poker tournaments in Belgium.

Even female poker player "Qiewie" made an impressive third-place finish at the final table after eliminating professional poker player Marc Naalden.

Belgium law enforcement and representatives of the government commission ensured events followed the strict guidelines as organizers had promised, by dropping by the tournament. It's safe to say that Belgium authorities are watching the growth of poker very closely. Earlier this year, 20 students participating in a €5 buy-in poker tournament were rounded up by 10 federal officers.

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