Phil Hellmuth is one of the world’s most famous poker players, he plays both online and off, like all good players should. Although he recently departed the Unibet online poker fold and we are not quite sure where he is heading; he was seen wearing the Unibet logo and hosting a charity event on December 18th. This holder of a record eleven WSOP bracelets is well know for his philanthropic nature and the latest great cause he promoted with poker was “Hellmuth’s Hold’em with HospiceCare.”
He is from Madison Wisconsin and this is also where he does most of his charity work – this particular event, he got Unibet and Baker Tilly to sponsor. HospiceCare provides specialised end-of-life care to patients and their families. They have done this much needed and well appreciated work since 1978. They serve over 650 patients a day and pride them selves in providing “exceptional” care throughout south central Wisconsin. The fund raising event was to expand and enhance the reach and quality of their services.
The event was brilliantly organised as usual, featuring good poker tables, a buffet, two bars, silent auction, VIP area, and far more than one well known pro poker player in attendance for this very good cause. Sports, radio, news anchors ands other national and local celebrities were present; even the former Mayor of Madison, Paul Soglin and Phil Hellmuth Snr. played poker.
It has been much publicised in the press, that both Phil Helmuth and Annie Duke are leaving their Unibet sponsorships. What these colleagues have more in common than only poker, is their tireless work for charitable causes. Annie partners with Actor Don Cheadle to put together the annual “Ante Up for Africa” charity event which is regularly attended by both poker pros and big Hollywood names such as Matt Damon and his cousin Ben Afleck amongst others.
Mr. Hellmuth Sr. made it all the way to the final table out of a field of 240 players; Mark “P0ker H0″ Kroon went on to win which is quite unusual in a field of amateur players who don’t generally know good from bad poker, and often catch pros with bad beats. Raffle prizes included a custom-made autographed poker table (very nice), heads-up matches against Hellmuth (nerve wrecking but even nicer for fans), a two-year lease on a Zimbrick Honda Accord LX, as well as a seat at the Main Event for the 2011 World Series of Poker. But let’s get down to brass tacks – how much money did they make?!
Phil Hellmuth’s Hold’em with HospiceCare raised almost $140,000 and not only that this type of event is fantastic exposure for poker the game, and the “good” work that it does. Poker is every mans game, and it is big name players like Phil Helmuth who work without reward to give back to what poker has given to them. They keep a good name for the game, as well as help the less fortunate at the same time.