Deaf Poker Players Gear Up For Championships

Wednesday, 21 February 2007

Deaf people from Illinois and surrounding states are expected to compete in the area's first Deaf Texas Hold'em poker tournament this coming Sunday.
The winner and second place finisher each will win a separate seat to World Series of Poker eve

Deaf people from Illinois and surrounding states are expected to compete in the area's first Deaf Texas Hold'em poker tournament this coming Sunday.
The winner and second place finisher each will win a separate seat to World Series of Poker events at the Rio Hotel in Las Vegas, as well as travel expenses. Entry fee is $65.
Players will communicate their bets by American Sign Language (ASL) and other methods of communication.
'Our organisation encourages deaf and hard of hearing individuals to communicate and interact in activities the same as hearing people,' said Ed Glennon, chairman of the event.
'Many deaf and hard of hearing persons play in major tournaments in Las Vegas, some in the fund raising tournaments we've sponsored the last four years in Chicago.”
The logistics of the deaf tournament itself are being coordinated by WSAD and Rockford Charitable Games Association, Inc. (RCGA), party planner and consulting organization. The company is bringing poker tables and equipment to the banquet facility.
'The tournament speaks to the stunning popularity and growth of the game of Texas Hold'em,' said Jim Kasputis, president of RCGA, whose company assists Illinois charities such as WSAD run their own tournaments and raise money to help fund programmes they sponsor.



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