High stakes played in new poker room for good causes

Published 10:41 am Monday, April 27, 2009

By By JESSICA SIEFF / Niles Daily Star
Poker tournaments can be intense, suspenseful and exhilarating to watch. For the players, the outcome can be delightfully beneficial to say the least.
Now, they're benefitting local charities.
Rounders Poker and Gaming Supplies, which provides rental poker and blackjack equipment to non-profit organizations as well as helps in the process of putting together Texas Hold'em poker events throughout the state, has opened up a new charitable poker room at Joey Armadillo's on S. 11th St. in Niles.
The company supplies equipment, dealers and anything an organization might need to hold a charitable poker event, said president and owner Marc Whitford.
"We set up in a fixed location and we bring the charities to us," he said. That way, the "charities (and players) don't have to look for where the next (game) is going to be – they know."
State laws make it advantageous for non-profit organizations to use poker as a way to raise funds. Whitford said the state has a law that states those organizations "must recapture 50 percent of the gross profits."
Through the Texas Hold'em tournaments organized by Whitford and his company, charities can raise funds for their respective causes. And going through a fixed location means that now players can keep up on when the next tournament or event is going to be held – without having to scout out separate locations.
Whitford said the company operates along the "strict" guidelines of the State of Michigan's Charitable Gaming Division.
Coming up, the company is hoping to hold events with Big Brothers Big Sisters and possibly the Brandywine School District. And, Whitford said, Sparta High School would be holding an event at the new room in Niles as well.
Non-profit organizations turn to events like Texas Hold'em poker tournaments or cash games to "create money for their general fund," Whitford said.
"There's nothing like this around the area," he added. With placement at Joey Armadillo's, Whitford said there is the possibility to draw players from both southwest Michigan and northern Indiana, where guidelines differ.
"We can give away cash for prizes," he explained. "And it's unlimited cash for players. Indiana can't."
For those familiar with Joey Armadillo's, stepping into the bar and restaurant area, Whitford said the company has set up six poker tables on the right side of the seating area.
The room is open Saturday and Sunday – from 2 p.m. to 2 a.m. with daily tournaments starting at 5 p.m. and on Monday and Tuesday from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. with daily tournaments starting at 7 p.m.
Whitford said profile cards are gathered during games so players can be contacted via email should the room every be closed for any reason.
For more information, call at whitford22@yahoo.com or visit www.pokeratrounders.com.