Poker Community Joining Disaster Relief in Japan

In the past few days, the news about the epic earthquake and tsunami that shook Japan was followed by many people. The devastation is being described like a Hollywood movie with pictures only million dollars special effects can copy. The images will cost more for millions in reality. The damage is so serious that initial numbers are not even on anyone's minds. May lives has been lost.


When the earth quake and tsunami hit, some poker community and pros make their way to join the disaster relief in Japan.


PokerNews have been affected personally by the situation in Japan according to them. Upon the criticism that poker seems to get about the “degen lifestyle”, poker community wanted to turn the center of attraction to the hearts of the players and community they referred as home.


Bicycle Casino in Los Angeles' main event of “The Big Event” was on it's way came to stop to watch the developments of the disaster on TV.


Joe Hachem and Victor Ramdin who were playing heads up at the time, ceased their tournament and think about pausing for the night upon being aware of the events. They ended up finishing the game, however it was really a kind of gesture.


Chino Rheem, Shane Schleger and many poker players, shortly after the devastation started posting on twitter the Red Cross text number, 90999 to raise awareness on how people can get engaged. The red cross 90999 text is an emergency service which makes it easy for people to ship their donation – it adds. With each text sent, it adds a $10 donation to your next phone bill.


Justin “BoostedJ” Smith gave out a challenge not just for the poker community but also to everyone that he would donate $1 for every retweet of the redcross text of 90999.


Maria Ho of UB gone so far as top give away a seat to her weekly $300 buy – in $50,000 guarantee tournament to the first person to send her a twit pic of their #10 Red Cross text.


Shannon Elizabeth, a noted celebrity and poker pro also urged to text red cross to 90999 to donate $10 to Japan


Christian Harder who had a 33 cash out over his career in poker playing wishin everyone in Japan the best of luck.


The poker community is possibly to be one of the first to set up a charity poker tournaments. This is a terrible crisis.


* This article is and excerpt and a summarized form of the articles about the different poker communities and poker personalities getting involved in the disaster relief in Japan which can be found in these URLs.


    *      http://www.pokernews.com/news/2011/03/poker-community-getting-involved-in-japan-disaster-relief-10008.htm


    *      http://www.gambling911.com/poker/poker-community-reacts-devastating-earthquake-japan-031111.html