TEXAS HOLDEM ONLINE POKER

The tournament was held by the Rochester Post #7 American Legion on Eastern Avenue to benefit the Homemakers, a nonprofit organization which provides adult day-care services to area senior citizens.

Post #7 general manager Gary DesRosiers said his organization began the tournaments in October and can hold 10 annually, half of which support Post #7 activities. He added other nonprofit organizations benefit from the remaining tournaments.

"It’s definitely one of the more interesting fund-raisers we’ve done," said Charlene Paris, special events coordinator for the Homemakers. She added fund-raisers prevent services from being cut and pay for items, such as ovens or dishwashers, which don’t fit in the regular budget.

Paris said the organization seeks other donations annually through a direct mail drive, an auction, a penny sale and a golf tournament. She added the group will hold a "Fantasy Island" Silent Auction at the Post on Feb. 11 beginning at 5 p.m.

"This is our first time doing it (the poker tournament) — we’ve had a good time and we learned a lot," Paris said. She added the Homemakers are interested in trying it again.

DesRosiers said each Texas HoldEm player pays $100 to register in advance or $125 at the door to play. He added the once the cost for licensing tournament equipment and other expenses are paid, it’s all profit.

"We have a lot of repeat players — we have some new faces from the Homemakers," DesRosiers said. He added they hoped to have 145 players, but only 45 people registered.

DesRosiers said each player initially received $3,000 in chips and each round requires a larger ante or "blind" of chips. He added the tournament whittled the players down to six finalists at one table in four 50-minute games.

In the tournament, each player receives two individual cards and makes a wager before the dealer presents three community cards — or "the flop." Players bet again before the dealer shows another card — "the turn" — and for the last time before "the river" card is dealt.

"All of the people and dealers are volunteers and they know it’s for charity," DesRosiers said. He added the top contestant wins $1,000 and the next six best players win lesser cash prizes. "It gets very serious at the end," Paris said.