Northern Ireland News - Charities to benefit from local poker challenge

18 June 2003

Charities to benefit from local poker challenge

Poker players across Northern Ireland will be asked to lay their cards on the table for charity over the next few months in a specially organised Poker Challenge Championship.

Organised by local specialists Poker Challenge, the Poker Championship has been set up to raise money for local charities including The Ulster Cancer Foundation, ChildLine and Diabetes UK.

Qualifying rounds will take place at various venues across the province, with the winners competing for the top prize of a holiday for two to New Orleans in the United States. Entry fees are set to cost £12.

Event organiser Paul McMurrough expects each qualifying round to attract a large number of entrants and spectators. He said: “The exciting and fast paced game of 'Texas Hold’em Poker' has never been more popular thanks to television programmes such as Channel 4’s 'Late Night Poker' and Sky Sports’ 'Poker Million Masters' at which snooker champion Jimmy White lifted the coveted title.

“We are sure that this huge interest in poker will be reflected in the number of participants in this year’s Poker Challenge Championship and we are keen to hear from any potential venues that would like to host a qualifying round."

Venues already confirmed for the Southern Comfort Poker Challenge Championship include the Middle House in Crumlin on June 25 and Renshaws Hotel in Belfast on August 7 and September 4. Many more dates and venues will be confirmed over the next few months.

Anyone interested in taking part or hosting an event should contact Paul McMurrough on 07740181520 or by email at pmcmurrough@poker-challenge.com.

(MB)