Charity poker event on Cuyahoga River

September 16

Internet gambling players are always on the look-out to see if a poker tourney may be coming to their town. This weekend, one blessed player has the chance to earn a whopping $15,000 at a $50,000 Texas Hold 'Em Tournament being hosted at the final Nautica Charity Poker Festival on the west bank of the Cuyahoga River. Proceeds from the Festival, which runs from Thursday, September 15th through Sunday, September 18th, will benefit Art on Wheels and children victimized by Hurricane Katrina.

Art on Wheels, the hosting charity, serves over 15,000 people a year offering hands-on instruction in visual art, music, drama and movement at different locations including schools, nursing homes and more.

Other activities to be held this weekend include Player Appreciation Day on Sunday, September 18th, where all players receive a free Nautica Charity Poker Festivals T-shirt, a tribute poker chip and more. A professional Texas Hold 'Em poker table prized at over $2,000 will be given to the winner of a charitable raffle held on Sunday.

Over $420,000 in net revenue has been raised by charities hosting Nautica Charity Poker Festivals over the last 12 weeks. That translates into nearly $9,000 net income per day for each charity hosting the four-day Festivals. Gross income raised by the charities over the past 12 festivals is over $665,000, from which expenses including utilities, security and promotion are deducted.

In the past, winners of the tournaments have been given cash prizes valued over $370,000. Also, thousands of dollars were won in open-play cash games. While players keep their cash winnings, each Festival is hosted by a qualified charity that receives 100% of the proceeds in the form of hourly seat fees and concession income.

Nautica Charity Poker Festivals is planning more than 24 events for next year.