Many Poker Pros Donate a Portion of WinningsThere's More Than One 'Robin Hood of Poker' Playing the Game |
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Poker is a game in which success is measured by the amount of money in one's bankroll and played in a world of extreme wealth contrasted against a world of poverty. All things considered, the generosity by many poker players demonstrates the humanity that can be served through the game, and it can be truly inspirational.
The poker player most famous for his charitable donations is Barry Greenstein, who is also known as "The Robin Hood of Poker." Greenstein has accumulated nearly $5.5 million in tournament wins and donates 100 percent of it to charity. Children Incorporated, a charity that provides food, shelter, and clothing to children in 21 countries, is the primary recipient of his donations.
Greenstein, along with Victor Ramdin and Phil Ivey, have also contributed significantly to Guyana Watch, an organization that provides medical supplies and attention to the small South American country. Ramdin donated $100,000 of his winnings to Guyana's first lady, Varnshie Jaddeo. She runs a nonprofit group that provides surgeries for children. Ivey's contributions to charity closely resembles his presence at the poker table - quiet and under the radar, but hugely significant.
Players Donate Wins
Many other poker pros dedicate portions of their tournament winnings. World Poker Tour's Mike Sexton donated half of his $1 million win from the World Series of Poker Tournament of Champions to five different charities. He gave $100,000 to each of the following charities: the Buoniconti Fund, Children Incorporated, the World Warriors Project, the Special Olympics, and the Paralyzed Veterans of America.
Tony G, an accomplished pro from Australia, recently won the Betfair Asian Poker Tour and donated half of his first-place prize money to charities. He believes it is important for people to know that poker is not just about the money.
Andy Bloch donated $100,000 of his winnings from the Pro-Am Equalizer to charities working in Darfur. As a member of Team Full Tilt, he also donates 100 percent of his online winnings to multiple charities.
When Disaster Strikes
When the country is in need, many poker players take the initiative to lend a hand. After the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, Phil Gordon and Annie Duke auctioned private poker lessons to benefit those hurt by the effects of the hurricane. Duke's brother, Howard Lederer, sponsored a tournament in Turkey for U.S. troops and donated many of his instructional DVDs to the soldiers.
Remembering Their Roots
Not all poker players are born into the luxury-filled lives that they live in now. Many come from extremely modest beginnings. Men "The Master" Nguyen escaped from the communist regime of Vietnam by boat to the United States decades ago but has not forgotten where he came from. He visits his home country frequently to do charity work.
With the assistance of his friend Danny Dang, he built a Buddhist temple and housing for the monks. Nguyen also helped build two schools, one for kindergartners and a separate one for third-graders, in his hometown of Phantiet.
Liz Lieu and John Phan, who are close friends and also of Vietnamese decent, came together in an effort to facilitate change in their birth countries. They visit Vietnam a few times a year for charity work and, on their most recent trip together, bought 20 tons of rice to distribute to poor villages, children's orphanages, elderly homes, and temples. Both also support the Make a Wish Foundation and donate a percentage of their tournament wins to the Multiple Sclerosis Society.
Lieu says: "We have been doing what we can for charities for some time now and the kind of self-fulfillment we get from helping others is not seen by our eyes, it is felt within our hearts and souls." The "Poker Diva" also donates all of the proceeds from her poster sales to charity.
Poker Community Unites
One other foundation included in Liz and John's charities is the Baby Hannum organization, which has gained the support of many in the poker community. The foundation was formed after the death of a beloved World Poker Tour photographer Paul Hannum, who was engaged to Sarah Percy. She was seven months pregnant with their child at the time of his passing. With the leadership of WPT Player of the Year Gavin Smith, a tournament was held the night before the WPT Legends of Poker main event in the name of Baby Hannum.
The $1,000 buy-in attracted 115 players. Jennifer Tilly won the first-place prize money but graciously turned it down to give it back to the charity. Smith came runner-up, receiving the $10,000 buy-in to the next day's main event, where he promised to donate 50 percent of his winnings.
"I want this to be a starting point," Smith said. "We intend to hold the tournament annually, so that, as a poker community, we can provide a family for Paul's family."
The main event the next day showcased more compassion from poker players for the Baby Hannum organization. Scotty Nguyen, a father-to-be at the time, convinced the final table to donate a portion of their winnings. The winner, Joe Pelton, donated two times more than anyone else.
Other charity poker tournaments have been popping up all over the country. These range from celebrity red-carpet events to college tournaments with makeshift poker tables and canned food serving as a buy-in.
Poker Hand-in-Hand with Hollywood
Notable charity poker tournaments have included the Trent Tucker's Hoopology celebrity tournament, the Opportunity Village event, and Carmen Electra's Head to Hollywood tournament. These events brought the support of celebrities such as Michael Jordon and Shannon Elizabeth and poker pros including Marcel Luske, Patrik Antonius, Barry Shulman, and Gus Hansen.
So while the success of poker players is oftentimes measured by the amount of profit they amass through playing the game, many measure a successful life using different standards, such as philanthropy. For the poker pros who give, poker is not just a game, nor just their profession; it is a way to give back and contribute to their own measure of success.
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