The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood is including a charity event for the third straight year as part of the Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open, this time to benefit the Maximum Hope Foundation, founded by “Everybody Loves Raymond” star Brad Garrett.
The tournament is at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 12, and is part of the Charity Series of Poker. Entry is $300 (with re-entries) and includes a player party at 5 p.m. at L Bar inside the hotel. Prizes include a seat in to the following day’s SHRPO $5 Million Guaranteed Championship, a Hard Rock Mexico Package and more.
Garrett founded Maximum Hope Foundation in 2007, and more than 1,000 families caring for a child with a life-limiting illness have received financial relief.
“I started this non-profit when I realized how lucky I was to have two healthy children, and wanted to help those parents who are wiped out financially while their son or daughter battles to survive,” said Garrett. “I am a big believer in the power of remaining grateful and giving back, and feel truly honored to have found such wonderful like-minded people in [Charity Series of Poker founder] Matt Stout and the Hard Rock family.”
Foundation officials say children with complex medical diagnoses often endure years of treatment, which can cause a financial strain for their families. They are faced with loss of income and out-of-pocket medical costs that make daily living expenses difficult to meet. Working diligently with hospital and hospice social workers, Maximum Hope provides financial help for necessities like rent, utilities, groceries, or gas. The immediate, compassionate assistance we provide allows parents to remain focused on their child.
It’s also a natural fit for Garrett, who plays frequently at the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas and other events and has hosted similar tournaments in other parts of the country.
The event kicks off championship weekend. The SHRPO runs from July 28 – Aug. 16, featuring “The Big 4” – a four-tournament finale to be played at Hard Rock Live and filmed by Poker Night in America. Ali Nejad and Maria Ho serve as live emcees and provide commentary for all four final tables simultaneously.
Televised on CBS Sports Network and live streamed online at www.PokerNight.com, The Big 4 will take place on Tuesday, Aug. 16, carrying a combined $7.5 million in guaranteed prize pools. The 2016 SHRPO Big 4 broadcast will air on Season 5 of Poker Night in America on CBS Sports Network.
On-site registration for the $5 million Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open is open. For more information and for the full series schedule, visit SHRPO.com. Follow on Twitter at @SHRPO and @SHRThePokerRoom, #SHRPO.
