LAS VEGAS, NV--(Marketwire - April 24, 2008) - On Friday, April 18, a Las Vegas Strip
marquee lured pedestrians to The Venetian Poker Room for the Jennifer
Harman Charity Poker Tournament. The second annual fundraiser benefiting
the Nevada Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals made history on
April 18th, raising more than $325,000 for the no-kill animal sanctuary.
The $330 no-limit hold'em tournament attracted hundreds of poker
professionals, industry VIPs, Action Sports celebrities, media, and fans.
A variety of animals escorted the rich and famous along the red carpet.
Jennifer Harman and Marco Traniello were dragged along by a pit bull named
"Baby Jax," Howard Lederer and Barry Greenstein shared a dog named "Shadow
Girl," NFL quarterback Shaun King cuddled a cat named "Ferry" sporting a
hot pink feather boa, and Phil Ivey nestled "Trailer" the kitten. Other
notable players included Daniel Negreanu, Joe Hachem, Eli Elezra, Michael
and Lilly Mizrachi, Mike Sexton, John Hennigan, Chau Giang, Gavin Smith,
David Singer, Kristy Gazes, Mary Jones, Brad Booth, Lacey Jones, Justin
Bonomo, TJ Cloutier, Melissa Hayden, Erik Seidel, David Williams, Young
Phan, Steve Cyr, PPSN's Davrick Liles, Dan Fleyshman, snowboarders Kier
Dillon, Dave Driscoll, Ross Powers, and Jeff Brushie, and motocross
celebrity Jimmy Button.
Private donations were made by Missing-Ingredient's Dina Cianchetti and
Torri Smith, Pokernews.com Senior Editor John Caldwell, and Mike Howell of
Curtis & Company Watches. The Venetian Poker Room Director Kathy Raymond
presented a $5,000 check to the Nevada SPCA. The largest contribution of
$60,000 came from professional poker player Howard Lederer and his wife
Suzie. Steve Zolotow was honored for facilitating the rescue of a puppy
boxer named "Giancarlo."
The tournament started at 3:30 p.m. During the first break, Robert
Williamson III, Triumph Sports, Nevada SPCA volunteers, and PPSN models
hosted live and silent auctions that raised more than $150,000.
Out of 271 participants, nine final table finishers were awarded the
following sponsored prizes.
1. Seth Dupre, Las Vegas, NV - Crystal trophy, Curtis & Co. watch, 2008
$10,000 WSOP Main Event seat
2. John McCrink, Las Vegas, NV and 3. John "Kicker" Roveto, Deluth, GA,
both received a trophy, WSOP Advanced Academy packages, and Curtis & Co.
watches
4. Michael Statkiewicz, Las Vegas, NV - World Poker Tour two-day Bootcamp
package
5. Jay Mercer, Bakersfield, CA - $2,000 Monte Carlo Night package, Bart
Simpson memorabilia
6. Steve Lindner, Madison, WI - Venetian accommodations, Blue Man Group
tickets, Canyon Spa Package
7. Vince Baldossano, Chatham, NJ - RWIII entertainment package, Sony
Playstation2 Silver Compact, board games
8. Tiffany Michelle, Beverly Hills, CA - Autographed Paulson Poker Chips
9. John Barnocky of Oviedo, FL - $75 Tiny Prints certificate, Life's A
Bluff limited edition lithograph
All guests received gift bags by SpadeClub, including donated items by
Who's Your Daddy, Borba, Nettie Scrub, Card Player, Fetch Pet Care, and
Doggy Tug Toys.
"I play online poker recreationally," said Dupre after winning the event.
"But to witness all of those big names you usually see on television was
incredible." When asked how he felt about winning the WSOP Main Event seat,
he replied, "I would never have bought into such an event, but I'm going to
give it my best shot. Hopefully I'll donate a percentage of my winnings
back to the Nevada SPCA."
If you would like to make a private donation to the Nevada SPCA no-kill
animal sanctuary, visit
http://www.nevadaspca.org.
The Jennifer Harman Charity Poker Tournament is a GreasieWheels production.
Images are available for viewing and download at
http://www.gwphotostore.com. For complete event details visit
http://web.mac.com/pievegas/GreasieWheels/Events/Entries/2008/4/18_2008_Jennifer_Harman_Charity_Poker_Tournament.html.
Contact Information: Media Contact:
Lisa Wheeler
Phone: (702) 327-7250
