PokerStars sponsors Chad Brown Memorial Charity Tournament
26 Oct 2016
The $200 buy-in for the No-Limit Hold'em charity event will see 50% from each buy-in go straight to the T.J. Martell Foundation, which Chad Brown was a passionate supporter of, and the remaining 50% from each buy-in will go towards the prize pool. $100 rebuys will be available for the first six levels, 50% of which will go direct to the charity.
Resorts Casino Hotel, who is strongly supporting and hosting the event during PokerStars' debut Festival, will donate $3,500 directly to the TJ Martell foundation in Chad's name.
There are some amazing prizes up for grabs including: a $5,000 PokerStars Championship Bahamas Main Event seat; a $3,200 Players Poker Championship (PPC) Aruba Main Event Package; a WPT500 entry to any 2017 WPT500 events; a $500 VIP WPT Experience (valid to any televised event for Season 15, includes a one night hotel stay, VIP access for the winner and a guest to the televised final table, guided tour of the WPT set, chance to meet the cast, premium seating with the Royal Flush girls and chance to be on TV); a one-year subscription worth $228 for LearnWPT.com; a World Series of Poker (WSOP) School of Poker training session worth up to $1,100; a $499 Poker Academy training course by Rep Porter and Rick Fuller (Inaugural Chad Brown Tournament Champion); a home poker table designed by Gorilla Gaming (valued at $925); Heartland Poker Tour (HPT) Qualifier package worth up to $380.
Splash pot prizes include custom merchandise donated by Run Good Gear, PokerStars t-shirts, and Sully Urna (of Godsmack) tickets courtesy of Resorts (concert takes place at Resorts on 5 November).
"Chad was a close friend to me and many other people in the poker community and I'm delighted to be hosting this tournament in Chad's honor," said Team PokerStars Pro Daniel Negreanu. "It's great to see different people, and indeed different poker companies, from across the industry come together to raise money for a great cause."
Chad Brown was a well-loved member of the poker community. The New York native achieved fame as a television personality and top professional poker player, earning more than $3.5 million during his poker career. Chad passed away on 2 July, 2014 at the age of 52, after suffering a rare type of cancer known as liposarcoma. Following his death, the World Series of Poker (WSOP) honored Chad with the first ever honorary WSOP Championship Bracelet. Last year during the 2nd Annual Chad Brown Memorial Poker Tournament held at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Los Vegas on 2 July, a total of $80,000 was raised for The T.J. Martell Foundation. Stars from poker, television and film all gathered in Las Vegas for the celebration of professional poker player and television personality Chad Brown's life.
"I'm really happy to be having the event in Atlantic City this year. It's the first opportunity for Chad's East Coast friends who don't play in the WSOP to pay their respects," said Jennifer Winter, Event Coordinator and long-time friend of Chad's. "I'm a coordinator by trade, so planning these events seems like the natural thing to do to help honor Chad's memory. Working with PokerStars and being a part of their inaugural festival is something that would bring a smile to his face."
Chad's manager and friend of many years, Beau Eurell, said, "Years ago Chad, Vanessa [Rousso] and I envisioned making a difference through charity events. I wish he could see that with the support of our poker community, we are. I would like to thank Daniel Negreanu for acting as this year's host and for the support of this year's host casino, Resorts Casino Hotel, as well as the continued support from Chad's home, PokerStars and the entire PokerStars staff."
To date, more than $150,000 has been raised in Chad's memory for cancer research.