The World Series of Poker Begins — and Encourages Charity

While I won't be participating, I do get a little extra spring in my step knowing that the World Series of Poker has officially begun. At noon in Las Vegas on Friday, the famous call of "Shuffle up and deal" was heard at the yearly event that's much anticipated by tens of thousands of poker players from across the country and around the world. According to WSOP.com, about 60,000 players will participate in the event, checking, raising, calling or folding in 57 different tournaments from May 28 to July 17. And for those players who manage to cash in the events they participate in, Harrah's wants them to do some good with their winnings.

According to Gambling Online Magazine, Harrah's Entertainment is encouraging players to donate 1 percent of their prize money to the Nevada Cancer Institute, the World Series of Poker's official community partner. And as Casino City Times reports, there is likely to be in excess of $175 million in prize money this year, which could mean nearly $2 million in donations if all those players winning money participate. Don't be surprised if that total, if not more, is given. As a Harrah's statement notes, "Poker players are among the most generous and charity-conscious people on the planet," adding, "They continually use the game of poker to help raise awareness and funds for many worthy causes throughout the calendar year. The WSOP will again use its platform in 2010 to bolster their efforts."

Along those lines, for the third year in a row, the WSOP will include the Ante Up for Africa celebrity tournament, the Don Cheadle-hosted event that starts on July 3 and has raised more than $1.5 million so far.

Photo by Janis Behan via Flickr.