The World Poker Tour Foundation raises $700,000 for The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia during a star-studded poker night in New York City.
The World Poker Tour (WPT) Foundation has raised over $700,000 for The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) thanks to a little help from some of poker’s finest. The foundation, co-founded by Dan Shak, has now raised over $5m in the past seven years, and continues to go from strength to strength.
275 players showed their support by participating in the WPT Foundation’s “All In” for Kids” annual poker tournament. 14-time World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet winner Phil Hellmuth was the MC, and joining him were WPT anchor Lynn Gilmartin, and poker players Andy Frankenberger, Jamie Kerstetter and even a surprise appearance from Annie Duke.
A Hellmuth made it to the final table, but it wasn’t Phil Jr, it was his father Phil Sr, who finished a very respectable third place. Gilmartin finished seventh; Duke finished fourth, and it was the co-founder of Cibeles Capital Advisors, Antonio Rodriguez, who beat Dan Shak in heads-up action to take the title.
PIC: winners picture! Antonio winner, @Daniel_Shak 2nd, my dad 3rd! Now at club “Boutique.” #CharityPokerTourn pic.twitter.com/r4LWg04IDe
— phil_hellmuth (@phil_hellmuth) November 7, 2015
The money raised will go towards the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition. Speaking to PokerNews, Madeline Bell, president and CEO of CHOP had this to say:
“Each year, we are proud to partner with the World Poker Tour Foundation on this important and exciting event. We especially thank the Gitlin Family Foundation for their support, as well as all of the physicians and staff in CHOP’s Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, who work tirelessly every day to provide our patients with excellent care.”
It capped off a week of poker philanthropic endeavours with Rational Group extending their support with Right to Play for another 12-months, and Poker Hall of Famer Jennifer Harman hosting her annual celebrity poker tournament in support of the Nevada Society For The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
