Poker Pros Inspired by Visit to Walter Reed Medical Center

The word “battle” has been used to describe the tug and pull that goes on at the poker table, but it’s a far cry of what the soldiers have seen who were visited by a a handful of professional poker players at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center yesterday.

The players were brought to the Army hospital by the Poker Players Alliance and the USO of Metropolitan Washington, D.C. Howard Lederer, Gavin Griffin, Andy Bloch, Victor Ramdin, Phil Gordon, Rhett Butler, Poker After Dark host Leeann Tweeden, and current chip leader of the World Series of Poker's main event Dennis Philips spent the day with about 100 wounded soldiers. A tournament also took place.

“We’re thrilled that these top poker pros would come out and spend a day with our soldiers and their families,” said Elaine Rogers, president of the USO in D.C.  “Poker is a very popular activity among the soldiers spending time at Walter Reed recovering from their injuries, and this was a great opportunity for them to mingle with and learn from the best poker players in the country.”

The players said the visit put poker life into perspective, and many were humbled to visit with the veterans.

“I have never been so proud or so humbled before in my life,” Phillips said. “You just want to stand up and shout to the world about what an honor it is to be allowed to play cards with these heroes who sacrificed so much to protect our liberties.” 

Lederer was moved by his visit, saying it “one of the most emotional and rewarding experiences of my life.”

Gordon talked about how he was “overwhelmed” by the soldier’s “passion for poker, their passion for their country and their passion for life,” while Bloch said visiting with the soldiers, “with their spirit and joy, shows what is really important in life.”
 

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