All current and aspiring card sharks are being invited to play in a “Deep Stack” 10,000-chip Texas Hold ‘Em Poker-Energizing the Games Tournament in Estevan later this month.
The Estevan 2016 Saskatchewan Summer Games committee is hosting the fundraising tournament Jan. 23 at Estevan Exhibition Hall, which was made available through a partnership with the Estevan Exhibition Association, and will require a $100 buy-in entry fee for a player’s first 10,000 chips. The evening will feature 30-minute blind levels, raffle prizes, a silent auction, a 50/50 draw and tournament winning prizes of up to $2,000 for the first place champion based on a $5,000 prize pool as well as smaller prizes for those finishing second to fifth.
Brian Senchuk, co-chairman of the Estevan 2016 Saskatchewan Summer Games, said the main objective of the night is to provide an event that will be fun and relaxing for everyone who participates. He said the deep stack tournament means there will be a lot of chips available for people, so a player can play to their ability and style while enjoying their time and getting value for their donation to the Games.
“Then there is a chance for re-buys for the first one-and-a-half hours and then at the end of the one-and-a-half hours you can ante up another $40, which gets you another 5,000 chips,” said Senchuk. “It gives you a lot of time to play.”
Senchuk said the hope is the tournament will help the committee raise $3,000 to $5,000 for their operating expenses, while also building more awareness of the 2016 Saskatchewan Summer Games that will bring approximately 2,000 athletes, coaches, managers and officials to Estevan for competition in 13 different sports from July 24 to 30. He said the committee has been trying to find different avenues to raise the money needed to host the event and it was decided a poker tournament would be a fun way to give people value for the money they donate to the Games.
“The more people we get, the more money we’re going to raise,” he said. “We’re really hoping to maximize the tournament and to have 100-plus people, which is important. People are attracted to a big event where there are a lot of people and I think it (will) be a lot of fun and a lot of good conversations.”
People can pre-register for the tournament by calling Senchuk at 421-6508 or contacting the Games office at 687-2016. Interested players can also register the day of the tournament beginning at 3 p.m. at Estevan Exhibition Hall before the games begin at 4 p.m., but there is a cut-off limit of 120 players so pre-registration is the best way to guarantee a spot.
