Charity Poker

Jimmeny

Hi

I've recently become involved with a new Poker night in Dublin. It is not really intended for hard-core poker players but instead is a charity gig. Everyone pays a tenner in and the winner gets to chose where the dosh goes. Anyway - the website for it is at http://www.bleedingheartpoker.com/. To be honest we don't know a hell of a lot about poker despite running the evening.

The whole operation is completely pro-bono. We have put up our rules on our site and are looking for suggestions on how to improve the formula. The idea is to spawn tens of little poker nights around the country - each one raising a couple of hundred bucks for some good cause or other.

Thanks for your time -

James

Doc Farrell

tell us more, but spell it right, the link doesnt work.
good luck, d.

RMcG

Des I cant believe i cracked the code, and dont ask me how i cam to the conclusion but i somehow managed to change the r and the e at the end of the link and wht do you know....it worked. It was a long shot but i did it in the end...... ....plus send me the name of the kid.

Doc Farrell

brain no work.
me too much pokre.
go now, bye bye.

Doc Farrell

excellent. i'll put it in my diary, 24th August, wicked wolf pub in Blackrock.
cheers, des

Lafortezza

Rules (From the website in original post)

The Rules
Every Bleeding Heart Poker night follows the same format. That way you know what you are getting when you set out to deprive some more gull of his hard earned lucre in the name of all that is great and good.

Texas Holdem is the only game for BHP punters. Its the game played in Las Vegas at the world series. It is also a game which requires at least as much luck as it does skill - so even if you are new to the game you still stand a good chance of waltzing off with the honour and glory.

At the very start of each evening there will be a open hand where the players all show their cards and everyone gets a chance to learn the rules.

A full list of the rules is available here. You will learn on the night though so there is no need to worry about that for now.

There are two rounds. The first round starts at 7.00 and lasts until 8.30. This round is used to seed the tables for the final round. The second round goes on until 10.00 sharp. For this round everyone is put on a new table according to how well they did in the last game. In this way you will have a chance to play against people as skilffull or skilless as yourself. Of course you could just play the fool in the first round - I guess thats just part of the game. In the second round - the top table will compete for the main prize and wins the majority of the money. The other tables will have smaller cash prizes - all of which goes to charity of course.
_______________
The Rules
Rule 1: The game is Texas Holdem
Rule 2: There are two rounds. The first round starts at 7.0
Rule 3: The second round starts at 8.30.
Rule 4: The game finishes by 10.00 sharp. Rule 5: The winner takes all from each table.
Rule 6: The small blind is 1 dollar.
Rule 7: The big blind is 2 dollars.
Rule 8: There is no maximum bet.
Rule 9: When a player goes all in - the maximum anyone can bet against that player is his stake. Rule 10: An open hadn must be played at the begining to teach those not familiar with the game.
_______________


Just to be clear: On the night there are actually no prizes to be won, cash or otherwise, by players. All prizes go to charities? Who decides which charity they go to?
Are the organisers taking any money for expenses or the cost of running the tournament(s)?

You should be alot clearer about the running of the tournament and exactly how the money side of it is organised. Transparency is everything.

Davey Devil

Jimmeny wrote:

It is also a game which requires at least as much luck as it does skill

:eek: I thought it was all luck?

Dave

I played in some charity pub poker tournament last night. Two words, never again. I know it's for charity, but when no one (I mean no one) know's how to play, and you're after explaining the rules to some drunk for the 50th time, or explain how a sidepot works (again) it starts to get frustrating.

Doc Farrell

But if its all going to the charity and no one is making any money out if it then what does it matter if no one knows how to play. its justa drinking session! i'm goona go along.
i just need one little confirmation that 100% of the money goes to charity or at least 98% anyway.
d.

Lafortezza

If you do go to the event Doc let us know what the story is! I'm curious as to who actually pays for the whole thing, room rental, dealers, etc, or if any money is taken from the prize pool to cover it.

Doc Farrell

ok man, no prob.
I'll send them an email now and find out.
cheers, d.

Jimmeny

Hi Guys

Thanks for all the great feedback. I'm gonna take on board all of your comments - especially when it comes to finding out where the money goes. I'm going to update the website with a section on this and update the rules with some more of the other info requested ( ie: who decidse where the money goes).

As for the money - we are just doing this for the heck of it. None of the money goes into our back pockets. We have the room for free (thanks to the wicked wolf). On a wednesday night - pubs are more than happy to host anything that'll get punters in the door.

I have 50 bucks sponsorship from Aran Technologies. I'm not entirely sure how to use this yet. The choices were either to buy pizza for people who turn up on time or use it as a prize. The prize could be cash or a small poker set (the clay ones).

The only trick is if we have three tables turn up - we won't be able to afford a prize for each table. I think its a good idea for each table to have a prize - as everyone has something to play for. The honour and glory of helping starving babies somewhere only takes you so far. I think it would be nice to have a small prize for each table's winner.

The formula is still evolving. With a bit of luck the event on the 24th will be the last 'private' party. After that I'm going to try and get some air play on the radio and a friend of mine is in PR so she'll help with a press release. If there is any other kind soul out there who would like to help - please just shout.

The idea is to open up another session in town some time in September. Hopefully we will nail down the formula enough so that its dead easy to run an evening. Then - the next stage will be to recruit people who are interested in running an evening.

Of course - its not like we are not getting anything out of this. I run a sms marketing/software develpoment company and its a great way for me to make new contacts. I've also put my logo on the site as a sponsor. I didn't pay for this but I reckon its a privilige of setting the thing up in the first place. I'd be happy to extend the same courtesy to anyone else who feels like running an evening.

I know that the money thing is a big issue. People are naturally suspicious of these 'charity' events. In a month or so I'd like to tie down the charities you can play for. There might be a selection of 4- 8 charities. To date people have been sending in the money themselves - but BHP will take over this duty now. The idea is that the amount raised at each event wil be posted on the website. We'll ask charities to record to money tha tcomes from us. That way anyone can ring up the charity and check to make sure the money is going where it is supposed to. This will also go for people running the event. Having run an evening they will be asked to post how many were there and how much was raised - and where it went to. That way people who attended the evening will be able to log on and see where the lucre goes.

I guess its a sign of the times that you have to go to these lenghts to assur epople - but BHP is something I'd like to grow as a trusted brand. I'm not sure what would happen if any hard costs cropped up. Maybe in order to spread the word it migh tbe a good idea ot advertise. I don't think so though. I reckon its the sort of thing tha twill just grow through word of mouth.

Now that I think of it. Anyone with accountancy training might be a good guy to get on board to keep everything transparent.

Right. I've ranted enough. I hope some of you come along - and I'll post our progress.

Jimbo

Jimmeny

When I said the evening on the 24th was 'private' I just meant that it wasn't promoted. Its just been friends and family. Of course - anyone is more than weclome to come along.

cheers

Jimbo
ps: and sorry about the typos!

Doc Farrell

great man.

I'll rustle up a few poker books for prizes. three books.

cheapo ones of course.

great post, include me in and I'll drag two with me. I can't say how many of the future ones I'll get to but this one I'll go to this one and try to bring some from the forum here along to.

well done man, great idea.
des.

Jimmeny

Cheers Doc. That'd be great.

One more thing. Someone did mention that charity poker events can be a bit of a nightmare because people don't know whats going on. Its definatly true that you get more newbies at this game - its a monthly thing - so there are also a good few people who have played a few times.

Its no substitute for those that want to help pay down that mortgage a little earlier of course

Jimmeny

Bigun

is there an address for the wicked wolf or does anyone have a map?

Jimmeny

If you are coming from town - head for blackrock - when you get to the intersection - turn into the village to the left. The wicked wolf is just before the traffic lights on the RHS. It has a black front to it. The game is upstairs.

If you pre-register you get some free chips on the night. You can do this at www.bleedingheartpoker.com

I bought a couple of small poker chips sets at the weekend as prizes.

See you there.

Jimbo

Hitchhiker's Guide to...

Sounds like a fun idea.

How much does it cost to enter? What will the total cost of the night be?

Also, i've just sent you a private message that might be of help to you...

Jimmeny

Its a tenner in and re-buyins are a fiver.

The idea is a tenner should give you your nights entertainment unless you get really unlucky or really over-ambitious.

cheers.

James

Doc Farrell

I'm gonna bring a couple of pals who dont play but have been dying to give it a try. Maybe some of the players here will come along and we'll make it a good BOARDS attendance?
anyway I'll pre-register now to get my extra chips. I'm gonna need 'em.

RoundTower

Jimmeny wrote:

I know that the money thing is a big issue. People are naturally suspicious of these 'charity' events. In a month or so I'd like to tie down the charities you can play for. There might be a selection of 4- 8 charities. To date people have been sending in the money themselves - but BHP will take over this duty now. The idea is that the amount raised at each event wil be posted on the website. We'll ask charities to record to money tha tcomes from us. That way anyone can ring up the charity and check to make sure the money is going where it is supposed to.

Jimbo

You could give the winner a cheque for the right amount, made out to the charity of his choice. That way everyone can see the money is going to the right place.

Doc Farrell

bump.

Lafortezza

This sounds like a fantastic idea for a night where getting hammered is much more important than playing good poker.

Jimmeny

lafortezza wrote:

This sounds like a fantastic idea for a night where getting hammered is much more important than playing good poker.

Yeah well. Its not about getting hammered but its not to be taken too seriously either. Its fun - perfect for a school night.

Doc Farrell

ok, I'm going with a couple of mates ad I hope a couple of boards regulars will part with a tenner for the night too.
feel free to pm me if you need info.
what the hell, lets just do it.

Hitchhiker's Guide to...

yep, i'm going +gf. should be good fun!

might be a nice idea going forward if when you win the tournie and give the winnings to your selected charity (through the organisers) that the charity then sends you out a certificate of contribution. People kinda like some official recognition of doing a good deed!

Jimmeny

you are right. whats the point in being such a darned nice guy if you can't have something to place tastfully over the fireplace!

we could have a hall of fame on the site for winners.

it sounds like there should be nice crowd. Thanks for all the support guys.

jimbo

Doc Farrell

Nice one roundtower!
I've got 3 of my least liked poker books as prizes, including that poker GOD, Hellmuth, who is many peoples fav here.
So come along and part with a tenner of ur hard earned cash. what the hell.
Jimbo, u still giving away a case of poker chips?
des

Jimmeny

Doc Farrell wrote:

Nice one roundtower!
I've got 3 of my least liked poker books as prizes, including that poker GOD, Hellmuth, who is many peoples fav here.
So come along and part with a tenner of ur hard earned cash. what the hell.
Jimbo, u still giving away a case of poker chips?
des

Yip.

There will be three small sets to give away. They will go to the winner at each table.

The Gecko

Sounds like fun, I have already forked out €140 to bring the misses to a gig on the 24th but post when the next one is on and how the night turned out and I will be there.

best of luck