It’s nice to see poker being used to raise money for charity and on Tuesday, July 1, 2008 at 8:00pm, The Budding Ivey Foundation Charity Poker Tournament will take place at the Golden Nugget hotel and casino in Las Vegas.  The Golden Nugget is working in conjunction with professional poker player Phil Ivey and the no limit Texas Hold’Em charity tournament will be held in the same event centre that is hosting the Grand Poker Series.

The tournament will be benefiting the Budding Ivey Foundation, a non-profit organization that is dedicated to providing education opportunities to children who at risk.  The foundation helps to empower them and their families so that they can learn to believe in themselves in order to achieve their goals and be successful.  The Empowered 2 Excel portion of the foundation gives these underprivileged children a chance to participate in enhanced learning programs if they are academically eligible.  "Right now we are focused on raising funds for Empowered 2 Excel," said Ivey. "The North Las Vegas children's academy closed its doors this spring due to a lack of funds. We want to see those doors open again."  

The tournaments proceeds will all go to the foundation and anyone wishing to participate is being asked to donate $1,000 with an option $500 re-donation for more chips.  There will three 20 minute rounds with one final $500 last chance add-on for double the starting stack.  $10,000 is the first place sponsored prize for the event.

This charity tournament is being held in conjunction with the Budding Ivey Game Night Celebration (BIGNC) and the Sixth Annual World Series of Barbeque (WSOB).  All players are invited to attend the private party that is being held at 6:00pm at The Tank, which is the Golden Nugget’s newest attraction.  The Tank holds exotic marine life with a three-story water slide that appeals to the children and seven private cabanas for patrons use.  The entire tournament and the pre-tournament activities are being sponsored by numerous poker professionals such as Howard and Suzie Lederer, Who’s Your Daddy Energy Drink, and more.

The charity poker tournament is open to the public and anyone wishing to reserve a seat can find more information on the Budding Ivey Foundation website.