Boylepoker to host event with Marty Smyth

DUBLIN, Ireland -- (PRESS RELEASE) -- Boylepoker.com today announced the inclusion of a special Race the Champ challenge at the March Madness weekend at Dublin's Jackpot Club from March 27 to 29 2009 in aid of Europe's largest charity poker fundraiser Poker for the Homeless.

Race the Champ, starting at 8 p.m. ahead of the main event at 9 p.m., will give players the chance to race pot-limit Omaha world champion Marty Smyth. Marty's opponent will choose either A-K suited or Q-Q, while Marty will receive the hole cards not chosen by his opponent. They then play out the hand with the winner having the highest poker hand.

Players can buy in for €20 and the first round will see Marty's opponents allowed multiple rebuys. Players who win their coin flip will progress to the next round, until one player remains. If Marty wins, the charity receives all the buy in money, and if his opponent wins he gets to keep half the cash with the charity benefiting from the other half.

The first hand of Race the Champ will see former Miss World Rosanna Davidson and Smyth face off in one explosive hand of poker.

Also confirmed for the March Madness weekend are eight former Irish Open champions: Liam Barker (1999), Noel Furlong (1987, 1989, 1992), Brian McCarthy (1986), Jenny Hegarty (2001), Christy Smith (1993), Marty Smyth (2007), Liam Flood (1996), and Irene Tier (1985). They will be joined by former Irish Open finalists Scott Gray, Padraig Parkinson, and Eamonn 'Daisy' O'Grady.

Sunday's team event is on its way to selling out, with teams already confirmed including Boylepoker, Eglinton Club, Fortune Rooms, Devilfish Poker, Card Player, and Team Mafia.

The schedule of events is:

Friday March 27 - €100 + €10 no-limit hold'em freezeout. 100% of registration fee and 20% of prize pool donated to homeless charities. Satellites from 6 p.m. Event starts 9 p.m. Capacity 120 players. Former Miss World Rosanna Davidson to start proceedings with 'Race the Champ' challenge against Marty Smyth.

Saturday March 28 - Final table of Be Our Sponsored Pro with nine Boylepoker.com players battling it out for a $20,000 sponsorship package. Also Jackpot Cash League Final, estimated prize pool €30,000.

Sunday March 29 - €100 + €10 no-limit hold'em team event. Limited to 27 teams of 4. Entry €400 + €40 per team. 100 percent of registration fees donated to homeless charities. 60% of prize pool paid to the first three teams, 40% paid to the nine final table players. Starts 4 p.m.

Padraig Parkinson, ambassador for Poker for the Homeless, said, "The addition of Race the Champ should bring plenty of comedy to the proceedings. Players can take their shot at the champ but it's going to take someone special to win several coin flips against this master of the 50/50. I think Rosanna Davidson might have what it takes to tilt him off his game though!"