PokerWorks

The Kentucky Derby Poker Championship took place on Saturday, May 3rd at Caesars Indiana to raise money for three organizations, and the results showed that more than $60,000 was raised. Poker pros Phil Hellmuth, Jr. and Robert Williamson III were the hosts of the event that prompted 30 players to buy in at $2,500 each.

Just after the 134th running of the Kentucky Derby, players and contributors left Churchill Downs and headed across the Indiana border to Caesars for the red carpet reception and charity tournament. When the festivities and tournament had concluded, it was pro player Layne “Back to Back” Flack who won the tournament, which awarded him $13,000 and a seat into the 2008 World Series of Poker main event worth $10,000. The runner-up was Jan Karl, who received an UltimateBet prize package that included an entry into the 2008 Aruba Poker Classic tournament to take place in September.

Three non-profit charities benefited from the tournament proceeds – the Red Cross/Red Crescent Climate Centre, the Health and Climate Foundation, and the Robby Albarado Foundation.

The Red Cross/Red Crescent Climate Centre is an organization dedicated to reducing the loss of life and damage done to the livelihoods of people affected by climate change and extreme weather events. Operating around the world, it hopes to raise awareness of the negative aspects of climate change in order to promote the necessity of environmental care.

The Health and Climate Foundation was established to elevate the well-being of people by supporting better understanding of the connections between health, climate, and other environmental factors. The organization raises awareness of combating disease and poverty through interactions between individuals and scientific and educational communities.

And the Robby Albarado Foundation helps underprivileged, homeless, or socially and economically disadvantaged people in the Louisville, Kentucky area. The organization was established recently by long-time successful horseracing jockey Robby Albarado to help those who are victims of their environment.