WSOP.com’s Second Annual Battle of the News Poker Tournament Awards Several Charitable Donations
The 2015 World Series of Poker currently ongoing at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas is on record-setting pace, following what was a record-breaking year in 2014 (Pictured: Christine Maddela, Jon Castagnino, Shawn Tempesta and Vicki Gonzalez – Photo credit: Jayne Furman/WSOP).
This past Sunday, WSOP.com hosted the second annual Battle of the News charity poker tournament. Selected members of local television news stations had the opportunity to play on the WSOP final table for Las Vegas network bragging rights, in addition to benefitting the charity of their choice.
Battle of the News back-to-back winner Shawn Tempesta displays his winning hand
Photo credit: Jayne Furman/WSOP.
This year’s Battle of the News tournament participants were Vicki Gonzalez from KSNV News 3, Christine Maddela and Jon Castagnino from FOX 5 and Shawn Tempesta from ABC’s “The Morning Blend.” The four television personalities competed for a total prize pool of $5,000, with first place receiving $3,000, second place receiving $2,000 and third place receiving $1,000.
Shawn Tempesta walked away with his second Battle of the News win. He will be splitting his wins, with $2,000 going to International Rett Syndrome Foundation and $1,000 going to Jon Castagnino’s charity of choice, Healing NET Foundation. Christine Maddela placed second with $2,000 going to Geoff Morris Gray House Scholarship Fund. Third place finisher Vicki Gonzalez won $1,000 to Safe Nest.
Christine Maddela, Jon Castagnino, Shawn Tempesta and Vicki Gonzalez show off their Battle of the News winnings
Photo credit: Jayne Furman/WSOP.
WSOP.com’s Battle of the News is an annual event with dedicated local journalists supporting great causes and having some fun with the gaming industry’s largest annual event each year.
Additionally, for the first time in WSOP’s 46-year history, a bracelet will be awarded in an online tournament on WSOP.com. It is officially Event #64 on the WSOP schedule. The event plays out online at WSOP.com with the final six players coming to the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino on July 4 at 12 p.m. to play on the final table for hundreds of thousands in prize money and the WSOP gold bracelet. Anyone in Nevada 21 years or older is eligible to play. Register at WSOP.com.