Phil Hellmuth has announced that he will once again be joining the Taser Foundation for Fallen Officers in hosting the Hold’em for Heroes Celebrity Tournament. This will be the 5th year for the tourney, and it is set to take place from November 19th to the 21st at Arizona’s Fort McDowell Casino.
So far $2.29 million has been raised for the families of fallen officers since the inception of the Hold’em for Heroes Celebrity Tournament in 2005. Last year the event reached its peak after making $500,000 en route to becoming the most successful charity poker tournament in the United States. The $500k was a big boost to the families of the 141 US and Canadian police officers who were killed in the line of duty in 2008.
Hellmuth summed up Hold’em for Heroes’ goals in a press release by stating, “Over the last several years, and especially since 9/11, my respect for policemen, firemen, and the people who protect us has risen higher and higher. Our Hold’em for Heroes charity poker tournament gives money to the Fallen Officers Foundation, which supports officers and the families of officers who were killed in the line of duty. My friends and I are grateful to these brave men and women and we are proud to help.”
Several other well known poker pros will be joining Hellmuth in hosting the event such as Layne Flack, Todd Brunson, Brandon Cantu, Antonio Esfandiari, Kenna James, Clonie Gowen, and Roy Winston. In addition to these poker players, country singer Mark Willis will also join in the festivities as Phil Hellmuth’s co-host.
Three separate tournaments will run during the Heroes for Hold’em event including a $115 buy-in tourney, a $265 buy-in, and a $1,000 buy-in. All of the tournaments will offer buy-ins and the top prizes in each tourney will be a $10,000 Main Event seat in the 2010 WSOP.
