Dec
13
by Chad Holloway
In just a few days, I will have the opportunity to participate in what is quickly becoming one of my favorite events of the year. On Saturday, Dec. 17, Phil Hellmuth will return to his native Madison, Wisconsin, for the 2nd Annual Hellmuth’s Hold’em with Agrace HospiceCare. While only in its second year, the charity tournament has quickly become one of the premiere poker events in all of Wisconsin.
"It will be tough to top last year's jet-fueled, energy-laced event! But we aim to, when I hit Mad-town for Phil Hellmuth's Hold’em with HospiceCare 2011 on December 17," Hellmuth said. “This is going to be the night to remember in Madison, all to help Agrace HospiceCare and the good it does for the community.”
The event is designed so that all proceeds will go to Agrace HospiceCare. According to their website: “Agrace HospiceCare is a nonprofit, community-based hospice dedicated to providing expert physical, emotional and spiritual support to patients and families dealing with life-limiting conditions. Agrace HospiceCare is nationally recognized for its comprehensive in-home, inpatient, respite, and residential care, and the hospice services Agrace HospiceCare provides in skilled nursing and assisted living facilities throughout south central Wisconsin."
So what can guests expect at the event? In addition to a tournament, there will be a silent auction and raffle, with a seat to the 2012 World Series of Poker and a two-year lease of a 2012 Zimbrick Honda CR-V LX to be given away in the latter. There will also be plenty of food, spirits, and fun to be had.
Not only will I be attending the event, I have been invited as one of Hellmuth’s guest celebrities, which basically means I socialize with the guests, play the tournament, and do my best to contribute to the poker atmosphere. While I certainly don’t consider myself a celebrity, I guess being a Senior Writer for PokerNews and a member of the poker media has its benefits. In addition to myself, there will actually be some real celebrities there including poker pros Annette Obrestad, Mark “P0ker H0” Kroon, Dewey Weum, Tony “D1rtyR1v3r” Nardi, and Wisconsin native, Eric “basebaldy” Baldwin
For those who may not be poker inclined, there will also be a host of non-poker related celebrities including Former NFL and UW Badgers football player, Derek Engler, professional golfer, Jerry Kelly, Olympic gold medalist Casey FitzRandolph, lead singer of Anthrax, Scott Ian; Madison mayor, Paul Soglin, UW Badgers women’s hockey coach and member of the 1980 US Olympic Hockey team, Mark Johnson, and local news anchors Carleen Wild, Charlie Shortino, and Leigh Mills.
I can’t even begin to explain how much fun this event is. Last year, more than 240 players raised $140,000 for the charity, with Kroon ultimately winning the event. This year, a field of 400-plus is expected. Here’s a look at the different ticket options available for the event:
- All-Access Ticket: $1,000/person. Includes poker, food, entertainment, VIP access and admission to a poker academy held on Friday, Dec. 16 where they’ll have the opportunity to learn from the pros. They also receive a free add-on at the first break of the tournament.
- VIPTicket: $500/person includes poker, floor, entertainment, and VIP access.
- Poker Ticket: $300/person includes poker, food, entertainment, and VIP access.
- Entertainment Ticket: $100/person for food, entertainment and excitement.
For more information on the event, including specifics like where it’s at and what time it begins, visit agracehospicecare.org or the event’s official website.
If you can’t make it but would like to keep tabs on what happens at Hellmuth’s Hold’em with Agrace HospiceCare, be sure to follow me on Twitter as I will be live tweeting throughout the day using hashtag #HellmuthHospice.