Celebrity Poker Gala Held to Aid Brain Tumor Research

Celebrities of the poker, sports and entertainment industry are participating in Tug McGraw Foundation's annual gala event, which will take place on November 2006. The stars will partake in a Texas Hold'em poker competition named "An Evening with Tim McGraw & Friends: Honoring Those Who Make a Difference".

The gala will take place at The Crystal Tea Room in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The biggest prize that players will compete for will be a trip to Las Vegas, where they will also participate in the World Series of Poker. The event is hosted by Tim McGraw, famous Grammy award winning country singer, and the Tug McGraw Foundation's Honorary Chairman. McGraw describes the poker event as "[…]shaping up to be a very special evening, one that will both entertain and inspire people". The Poker event is held for the memory of McGraw's father, Tug McGraw, a popular baseball player, who played as a relief pitcher for Phillies and Mets, and died of brain cancer in 2004.

Apart from the poker games, The Texas Hold'em poker event will also include a live stage show, various auctions, and a handing out of awards for people who have given aid to brain tumor patients and their families. Among the well known participants of the poker games are:

• Bob Costas, legendary baseball commentator
• Jim Thome, Chicago White Sox First Baseman
• Dr. Darrel Bigner, a leading brain tumor researcher
• Bill Giles, Chairman of the Philadelphia Phillies
• Jim McMahon, former Chicago Bear Super Bowl winning quarterback

Last year, the gala hosted roughly 400 guests, at Gotham Hall in New York City. This year the event is expected to draw at least that many people, including top poker players from all over the world. Because of the popularity of last year's event, the Tug McGraw poker competition quickly became known in the poker gambling world as an appealing place that mixes celebrities as well as poker experts.

John Tucker - Editorial Manager