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Salem
welcomed its own version of Celebrity Poker at the Salem
Boys and Girls Club on Friday, Sept. 10, for the
organization’s first Texas HoldEm Tournament
fund-raiser. While there were no Hollywood names on the
roster, 200 local heroes gathered to raise money for the
Club, enjoy a good, old-fashioned night of cards the
chance to take home a healthy pot and bragging rights at
future basement games.
Players, volunteers, and spectators were milling around
the gym of the new building by the 5 p.m. check-in time.
Poker stories, explanations of the game, and predictions
for the night’s events buzzed through the room as people
prepared for the game. Some remained in the lobby, their
disappointment palpable after finding out the tables
were full and they would not be playing that night.
Others lined up early for “rebuys,” a chance to buy
another 1,000 chips for a mere $50.
More
than 40 volunteers helped make the event run smoothly
and ensured the players could focus on the game. To
participate in the event, players paid $100 to sit at
the table, and began with 1,000 chips. The grand prize
was $5,000. At the final tally the club netted $20,000,
which is slated to help retire the $900,000 construction
bond remaining on the $3.5 million-project cost for the
new club on Geremonty Drive.
The
charity event was the first of its kind for the
organization – but the game itself is a nationwide
favorite.
“The
majority of Americans play,” said William Ganley III,
president of the club’s board of directors and one of
the organizers of the tournament. “What’s great about it
is even novice players can join in and have a great
time. It’s an even playing field.”
Other members echoed Ganley’s assessment of the
evening’s activities.
“It’s the most popular poker game in the world,” said
Dan Norris, a member of the board of directors. “It’s
great that we can do this.”
Steve Thompson, a former Salem resident who played
basketball at the Boys & Girls Club every Saturday as a
child, billed himself an amateur player.
“I
enjoy playing poker, and it’s a good way to raise
money,” Thompson said. Although Thompson now lives in
Hampstead, he hasn’t forgotten what the club offered him
in his youth. “This was a great place to grow up,” he
said. “I chipped a few teeth here.”
Thompson’s assessment of the evening was exactly what
the organizers had in mind when the first came up with
the tournament idea.
“There were two goals in mind for this event,” said
Ganley, a “club kid” himself. “One was to raise money
for our capital campaign, to pay for our renovations.
The other was to make sure people had a good time.”
For
many, like North Andover, Mass., resident Joan Martin,
it was their first tournament.
“They’re popping up everywhere,” she said. “I watch them
on TV, sometimes until 4 a.m.” For her first time
playing, Martin was confident. “If I can fool a
blackjack player in Vegas, I can fool one of these
dealers.”
Windham/Salem State Rep. Kevin Waterhouse was also a
first-time player. “I’m doing it for the boys and girls,
and for the experience,” he said. “I’m sure there are
players here much more serious than me.”
The
planning for the event took place throughout the summer.
The club needed a special license from the state to
gamble for charity, and volunteers did much of the
advertising through ads, fliers, the Internet, and even
church bulletins.
“It’s a great success,” Norris said. “On Tuesday, 50
people were registered. The morning of the event it was
sold out.”
The
friendly, relaxed atmosphere continued until people took
their seats and Ganley thanked everyone for
participating. “This money is going to the kids, and to
this beautiful building,” he said.
The
Texas Holdem tournament’s first place winner was Lance
Powell of Haverhill, Mass., who took home $5,000. David
Boucher of Newmarket, who pocketed $2,500, snagged
second place, and Randall Young, who added $1,000 to his
bank account, took third place.
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