London’s luxury Savoy Hotel threw open its doors to the poker world last week, as nearly 200 guests turned out for the fourth annual Quintessentially Foundation Poker Night. The event – and its effects – will live long in the memory of those lucky enough to dust off their finest threads and play poker for charity. But for thousands of children and the world’s underprivileged set to benefit from more than £195,000 in donations, it will hopefully be a life-changing one, too.
The Lancaster Ballroom – the home of poker (for one night only)
The aim of the Quintessentially Foundation is to improve the health, wellbeing and education of children, families and local communities around the world. And with PokerStars proudly sponsoring the night – as well as launching the Rational Group’s partnership with Right to Play, a major recipient of the Quintessential Foundation – echoes of what happened are still bouncing around in London’s West End.
It was more mink scarves than zip-up hoodies, and optimum strategy didn’t make the guest list. But according to Ben Elliott, Chairman of Trustees, poker and charity are a natural fit. Much like the words ‘free’, ‘whiskey’, and ‘cocktails’.
“Poker brings people together; it’s convivial,” Elliott said as the event got underway. “Everyone’s competitive, and there are some serious players. But there’s a really warm atmosphere. We aim to create really magnificent events, like this one with PokerStars, and bring people together in a fun way to build the best poker charity tournament in the UK.”
They’ll let anyone into the Savoy these days…
The night began with the touching tale of Pontien Ugirumurera, a survivor of the Rwandan genocide who lost several close family members to the conflict. Through Right To Play initiatives, Pontien now coaches life skills to those less fortunate, and the charity has given him the opportunity to make a difference in his community. Members of Team PokerStars, who will be sporting Right To Play patches at live events over the next 12 months, are now hoping to join Pontien in making a positive impact.
Jake Cody (fresh from an extended family wedding in Venezuela) was present, alongside the De Meulder twins, Fatima Moreira de Melo, Leo Margets and Bertrand ‘ElkY’ Grospellier. When not snacking on miniature Shepherd’s Pies, the group were getting to grips with their new roles as Right To Play ambassadors. And while the rest of the attendees hob-knobbed and rubbed shoulders on arrival, they were experiencing first-hand some of the activities that Pontien puts to good use – namely hopping on one leg, slapping their feet, and doing jumping jacks. Which, as Cody proved, is never easy in a slim-fit suit.
Right To Play’s Pontien Ugirumurera
“There are places around the world where there aren’t opportunities for children to play, places like refugee camps and very deprived communities in Africa, the Middle East and Asia,” said Meryl Davies, National Director of Right To Play. “We use play and sport as a tool, so children learn to keep themselves safe and live alongside each other in places of conflict.”
Team PokerStars are put through their paces by Pontien
After the initial meet-and-greets, and a few poker tips for novice players from PokerStars’ Head of Poker Communications, Lee Jones, it was off to the races flips. More than £60,000 was spent in rebuys alone, with players taking multiple shots at winning a trip to the PokerStars and MONTE-CARLO®CASINO EPT Grand Final next May, 5-star hotel stays, made-to-measure suits, and more.
“People were just loving it,” said Jones during a break in play. “It’s a wonderful thing, and it’s too bad that people can’t see what we’re seeing. It’s the Savoy Ballroom, it’s totally tricked out. It’s like how they make poker look in the movies.”
As the night wore on, and the drinks kept flowing, the poker took a turn for the strange. On table 3, De Melo was busy losing the 7-2 game, and Lee Jones bought in just in time to bust PokerStars’ presenter James Hartigan and hit quads against Cody. Reports that someone had ‘mistakenly’ hidden chips down their blouse remain unconfirmed. In the first break tournament director Thomas Lamatsch auctioned a final table seat for more than £1,000. Well if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em…
“I’ve played with my mates at the weekend, but never anything like this,” said Commonwealth gold medallist and Right To Play ambassador Dan Keatings. “I was nervous coming in, especially with all the pros playing. I was trying to watch what they were doing, but I just couldn’t read them.”
After watching De Melo open-shove with 7-2 for one bullet, he wasn’t missing much.
Lee Jones holds court at the final table
The money raised by the Quintessential Foundation provides support for three main charities – Place2Be, Greenhouse, and Right To Play – and at £500 a rebuy, the night took the foundation’s total donations for 2014 past the £4 million mark. But there’s more to come. Thanks to Rational Group’s partnership with Right To Play, £300,000 has already been used to fund 2,500 volunteer coaches and educate one million children around the world each week.
“We want to raise enough to pay for another 1,000 volunteers,” said Rational Group’s Head of Corporate Giving, Sue Hammett. “Our Team Pros will be going out to experience programs first-hand in the near future, and we’ll be introducing a number of ways for PokerStars players to donate.”
“The partnership with Rational Group is absolutely transformational,” according to Meryl Davies. “It’s giving us the opportunity to train up more of these really important coaches, and they’re the people who get the children to play the games – to wash their hands, to use mosquito nets in places where children can die from malaria. We’re saving lives and the help from Rational Group makes that possible.”
Team Pros Jake Cody, Fatima Moreira de Melo, Eugene Katchalov, Leo Margets and Bertrand “ElkY” Grospellier getting behind Right to Play
If you can help those less fortunate by donating to Right To Play, or any of the worthy Quintessential Foundation causes, there are thousands around the world who would appreciate it. Get started by clicking here, or check out the Quintessentially Foundation website for more details.
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