Midwest Poker Invitational Deals Kids Winning Hand

An event that began six years ago as a small charity poker tournament to create awareness and fund raising for Children's Oncology Service, Inc., has reached a pinnacle that the original organizers could not have dreamed possible.

The 2010 Midwest Poker Invitational will be held on Saturday, March 20, in The Venue at Horseshoe Casino, home of the recently concluded Chicago Poker Classic and site of the World Series of Poker Circuit Event to be held later this year.

It's a big time step for a most worthy non-profit charitable organization, which is dedicated to improving the quality of life of children and adolescents diagnosed with cancer.

"With the help of Horseshoe Casino, we were able to take this exciting poker event to the next level," said Jacob Drescher, executive director of COSI. "This year we have gone all in with bigger prizes and a bigger venue with a bigger payoff to send more kids with cancer to camp."

Check in and registration begins at 10:00 a.m. on tournament day with the call "shuffle up and deal" proclaimed at 12 Noon sharp.

Players of all levels will compete for more than $25,000 in prizes, including cash payouts and a $10,000 World Series of Poker Main Event seat for the Las Vegas poker extravaganza coming up later this year.

In addition to poker, participants will be able to watch the NCAA Men's College Basketball Tournament on a giant 60 feet by 30 feet screen flanked by two 18 feet by 24 feet screens.

The admission price of $100 (plus a $250 tournament buy-in if you want to play poker) includes access to blackjack, craps, and roulette tables as well plus unlimited food and a full bar.

The funds raised will support the One Step at a Time programs, which offer camp experiences and educational programs throughout the year that allow children with cancer to just be kids.

"All of the programs offer quality of life opportunities for kids with cancer,' Drescher said. "Most prominent among them are the summer camps we run for two weeks in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.

All of the programs are run by counselors, medical staff and administrators who donate their time and services.

"We have been fortunate from the beginning to have the participation of Dan Bernstein from WSCR "The Score" AM 670 as emcee," Drescher added. "He has been our partner from year one and we could never have started this without him."

Serious poker players will appreciate the fact that this is a very complex, structured tournament that has been finetuned over the years.

Casual players shouldn't be intimidated from participating, however, because it is also designed for everyone to have a good time while supporting a most worthy cause.

Entry is limited to the first 500 players who register (must be 21 or older), so if you're interested don't delay. To reserve a seat or for more information call 219-473-6060. Details about the event can be accessed at www.onestepcamp.org or www.thevenue-chicago.com.

This article is provided by the Frank Scoblete Network, John Robison managing editor. If you would like to use this article on your website, please contact Casino City Press, the exclusive web syndication outlet for the Frank Scoblete Network.