Jennifer Harman Charity Poker Tournament
Raises over $125,000 for the Nevada SPCA

Poker Pros and their Pets
By Lisa Wheeler

The long awaited Jennifer Harman Charity Poker Tournament (JHCPT) was a triumph at Caesars in Las Vegas. There were 212 participants, including poker's most notable professional and amateur players, industry VIPs, celebrities, and international press. One hundred percent of the money raised went to benefit the Nevada Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA) no-kill shelter. It was $100,000 more than any NSPCA fundraiser had generated in the past. The silent auction was hosted by Upper Deck while the live auction was hosted by Poker Pro Robert Williamson III.

Author and sports columnist Nolan Dalla described the JHCPT as, "The best charity event in poker history."

The success of the JHCPT's was partly due to a recent tragedy that had stirred emotions and raised awareness for animal rights. Other contributing factors were the three diligent volunteers (including Fundraisers.com's own Annie Van Bebber) that made things happen, a beloved poker phenomenon that lent her name and reputation to the noble cause, and faith in the phrase "location, location, location" that remained true.

Earlier this year nearly hundreds of dogs had contracted the highly contagious and life-threatening parvovirus at the North Las Vegas Leids Animal Control Center of Nevada. Across town the heroic NSPCA staff was in a race against time and desperately tried to rescue the infected canines from Leids. But the NSPCA lacked the funds to transport, quarantine, treat, and secure additional kennels for so many animals. Leids went on to administer mass euthanasia on nearly 1,000 dogs. The news made national headlines and local residents were outraged. The time was ripe for raising funds for the Las Vegas NSPCA no-kill sanctuary.

One angry and concerned citizen was poker celebrity Jennifer Harman who had adopted several animals from the NSPCA and spoke passionately on behalf of their mission. Jennifer, a popular and sentimental figure in the poker industry, staked her name and reputation on the event.

To list every notable player would double the length of this article, but some of the more familiar faces included Daniel Negreanu, Doyle Brunson, Johnny Chan, Jennifer Harman, Shannon Elizabeth, TJ Cloutier, Marcel Luske, Jesse Jones, Marco Tranielo, Erik Seidel, Cyndy Violette, Todd Brunson, Hoyt Corkins, Steve "Z" Zolotow, Kristy Gazes, Shawn Sheikhan, James VanAlstyne, Chau Giang, Daniel Alaei, Chad Brown, Andy Black, Barry and Jeff Shulman, Robert Daily, David Grey, Carmel Petresco, Scotty Nguyen, Liz Lieu, Jamie Gold, Phil Hellmuth, David Williams, Carlos Mortensen, Mike Matusow, Allen Cunningham, Ted Forrest, David "Devilfish" Ulliott, Barry Greenstein, Men "The Master" Nguyen, Chris Ferguson, Annie Duke, Patrik Antonius, Joe Bartholdi, David Benjamine, David Chesnoff, Michael Craig, Nolan Dalla, Paul Darden, Eli Elezra, Antonio Esfandiari, Clonie Gowen, Chip and Karina Jett, Phil Laak, Kathy Liebert, Evelyn Ng, Mike Sexton, Erica Schoenberg and Jennifer Tilly.

Also present were Olympic and professional snowboarders Ross Powers, Keir Dillon, and Jeff Brushie; entertainers Scott "Carrot Top" Thompson and Kerri Kasem (Casey Kasem's daughter); musician Vince Neil; and Harrah's executives Jeffrey Pollack, Gary Thompson, Howard Greenbaum, and Jim Unwin.

Never before had so many poker industry representatives come together for charity, nor had they ever competed exclusively against such a large percentage of their peers in a $300 event. It was a challenge for renowned tournament director Matt Savage to get things underway, as players were busy meeting, greeting, and chatting. Finally, an announcement came over the public address system, "I don't care where you sit, because you're all just here to have a good time. Just sit down so that we can get these cards into the air." Suddenly, the scene was reminiscent of a game of "musical chairs," and as thought the music had stopped, players rushed for seats next to long-time friends and new acquaintances. Soon, all were in their place, though not necessarily at their previously assigned tables. Comfortable and in their element, poker's elite spent the rest of the day laughing, cheering, and jeering.

Less than six hours later play had reached the final table. Each of the nine players would take home a FullTilt merchandise prize package. John Spadavecchia was eliminated by Daniel Negreanu in ninth place. Chris Clarke went home in eighth place after being eliminated by Merri Perry. Merri took seventh place when Kirk Morrison's set of jacks trumped her two pair. Ronnie Salatore was knocked out by Mary Ann and took sixth place. Mary Ann was next on the rail, eliminated in fifth place by Eriz Ozer. Erez was elimated by Kirk's pocket kings and went home in fourth place. Daniel was shut out by Justin Marchand and went home in third place. Justin and Kirk battled it out for the 2007 WSOP $10,000 seat and Kirk Morrison prevailed. Justin was runner up and walked away with the "Music Mania" prize package provided by Robert and Karen Williamson.

Annie Van Bebber of Fundraisers.com and Lisa Wheeler of GreasieWheels Inc., would like to personally thank the following individuals and organizations for their generous contributions:

Caesars Palace for their Poker Room

PokerSchoolOnline.com for the first place prize of a $10,000 seat into the 2007 WSOP Championship

Life's A Bluff for their original sketches and limited artwork that continues to provide revenue for the NSPCA

Rob Gracie and IMPDI for donating their time and resources during numerous photo shoots and for gracing the walls of Caesars tournament room with 33 stunning photos of poker's legends.

Upper Deck for handling our Silent Auction and supplying us with the best Sports Collectibles money can buy

Terpin Communications for their incredible publicists and tireless Media campaign which helped us spread spread the word internationally

Sabre Design for the sleek and timeless Jennifer Harman Charity Poker Tournament logo

PDC Corp for their cool looking VIP wristbands

Vince Neil for donating an autographed guitar that was sold at the live auction

Phil and Luciaetta Ivey for their personal donation

Rene Angilil for his personal donation

Howard and Suzie Lederer for purchasing Doyle Brunson's autographed cowboy hat and two Burton snowboards

Card Player Magazine for purchasing six tournament seats and donating dozens of archived magazines featuring famous poker players

Tournament Director Matt Savage for donating his time and expertise

Rob Huxley and Kyle Morris for hustling re-buys from unsuspecting tournament participants

Robert Williamson III for entertaining everyone while roasting and hosting the live auction

To the team at FundRaisers.com for sacrificing their weekends to take direction from Annie

and to all the poker press and mainstream press for their amazing coverage of the press conference and the event.

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