Partypoker and the World Poker Tour (WPT) are giving players another chance to ante-up for charity and contribute to international COVID-19 relief efforts.
Ahead of the WPT World Online Championships and following previous fundraisers, the two have created a $1,100 bounty tournament.
Set to run from July 29 to 30, the Shooting Stars for Charity event will feature a $500,000 guarantee and $500 bounties on some of poker’s finest. At least $50,000 will be donated to 1Day Sooner, a charity contributing to COVID-19 vaccine research.
Pros Step Up
Igor Kurganov and Partypoker pro Sam Trickett will be among the Shooting Stars. 2013 WSOP Main Event champion Ryan Reiss will also be in the mix alongside 2018 Partypoker Live Super High Roller winner Stefan Sontheimer.
For some added sparkle, Partypoker and the WPT will welcome actress and part-time poker player Aylar Lie and Argentinian rapper Alejandro “Papo MC” Lococo.
The Shooting Stars for Charity MTT is as much a chance to help COVID-19 vaccine efforts as a live/online crossover. Although the annual Bay 101 Shooting Star tournament managed to sneak in before coronavirus lockdowns ensued, the final table was cut short.
The organizers decided to split the remaining prizepool ten ways, rather than play the final session in March. That wasn’t the ending people expected, so Partypoker and the WPT have picked up the baton.
As well as donating at least $50,000 to 1Day Sooner, Igor Kurganov has pledged 100% of his winnings to cause. Tactically that’s a good ploy to stop players shooting for his bounty. However, given that Kurganov is a founder of REG Charity, it’s clear his intentions are to help.
WPT Using Online Poker Upswing Fight COVID-19
The Shooting Stars for Charity tournament will take place during the $100 million WPT World Online Championships. Running from July 17 to September 8, the festival is the latest live/online collaboration between Partypoker and the WPT.
The two successfully joined forces in May for the WPT Online Series. They followed this up with a special WPT Online Poker Open for players in the US.
That wrapped up on June 29 when David “TheKing411” Coleman emerged victorious. The American came through the 868-player field to win $56,586 and a free seat in the WPT Diamond World Poker Classic.
The poker world is gradually emerging from the COVID-19 crisis. Although US casinos have hit a stumbling block in recent days, live poker is returning. However, with recent online innovations proving successful, Partypoker and the WPT are capitalizing on the upswing to help the push back against COVID-19.
