General Discussion Poker Forums

Hey guys, I'm curious if any of you have ever run or played in any charity poker tournaments and if you have any advice about good/bad experiences, what to look out for, legal considerations, spreading the word about the event, etc ?

I'm tasked with helping to organize and operate a charitable poker event in Kansas City, MO (where I live). The date is in a month or so (to be determined). We are hiring a guy who is a DJ/poker tournament director who has experience running bar league type poker events.

From our research, the laws state that the event must be free to anyone who wants to play, but we can ask for donations at the door. We're planning to pay fixed cash prizes, regardless of the # of entrants.

The primary way we're planning to advertise the event is through fliers at local bars that hold free poker tournaments, word of mouth, and we might take out an ad in the local paper for 1 day.

Anyone have any ideas of things to look for or ideas for other ways to promote?

Anyone live in KS or MO and want to come meet up at the event? Maybe grab some drinks afterwards?

Thanks!
WoT

Facebook. Twitter. Myspace (does anyone still use that?).

Go to local college campuses in the area and hand out fliers.

I don't think you can give away cash prizes. But places in NYC give away entries into WSOP and stuff(subscriptions to DC . I would contact podcast people(PokerRoad people,Ante Up,Mediocre Poker) and offer interview in exchange for plugs. But I can't see why they wouldn't do it for free.

Wilt - My local casino holds a charity deal every year, and pretty much the big draw is a 'celebrity' at every table. They typically get a bunch of c-class players from local teams, local sportscasters, etc, They also run a charity silent auction, etc.

The people who show up are pretty LOL, the biggest celeb I have seen at the tournament is former chicago bear, Jim McMahon.

I would say your best bet is get on google, and start looking for any 'celeb' in your area who has worked with/for charities that are very similar or related to the one you are working with. If you could get one guy on board, you can utilize his network to recruit others. Obviously a long shot, but my wife does charity events alot and this is how she does it.

If it were me, I would pull out all applicable blackmail material on the 2m2mm crew, get them to show up, and spam it on every poker forum, casino, bar, video game store, and chipotle you can find.

Not sure if people use it too much out there, but Craigslist.org never hurts a cause.

Also putting an ad in your city's weekly could help. Is it Pitch out there?

+1 to Facebook. It's ridiculous how many people you can reach. There is probably a Kansas City page on there you can friend and post it on and reach a ton of locals.

Very common here in Ireland as fundraisers, even with the 50% juice they are +EV to anyone who knows the rules.

No idea about USA legalities but one tip is to offer a big early bird chip so you dont get stragglers and stuff all the way through.

The main way to get people in the door is by word of mouth, make sure everyone organising knows they have to get 10 people minimum or something. If you can sell tickets for it somehow so that people can't just say "yeah I will be there" then let you down.

Also, any raffles/auctions/donations etc. have them when everyone has had plenty to drink, it's lol what people do for show when drunk.


Edit - If I was marketing this to recreational bar players via posters I'd take the angle "Can you play and beat Poker Pro Aaron Wilt?" or "Win coaching package from poker pro....". etc.

I don't have any info about them, but I live in KC and will definitely be up for a drink/meet up. Lemme know when the tournament is and I'd love to play in it.

i'd definitely try to get something on the local radio stations if you guys have enough in your budget