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Speedway Children’s Charities Cards for Kids Poker Tournament Drawing Celebrities, Drivers to Stratopshere Oct. 25

The Las Vegas Chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities will host its ninth annual Cards for Kids Texas Hold’em Poker Tournament on Thursday, Oct. 25 at the Stratosphere Casino Hotel & Tower. Player registration will take place at 6:30 p.m. and the tournament will start at 7:30 p.m.

Race fans and poker enthusiasts are invited to play against some of their favorite local celebrities and NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series drivers. The poker tournament will be run in conjunction with the Oct. 25-28 NHRA Big O Tires Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Poker professional Perry Friedman of Las Vegas will play in the tournament. Friedman has cashed 23 times in the World Series of Poker and was a winner at the 2002 WSOP.

“As a poker player in Las Vegas, I enjoy supporting organizations right here in our valley,” Friedman said. “I’m proud to support the efforts of Speedway Children’s Charities. I encourage others to come out to Cards for Kids and play with me.”

Comedian Kevin Burke, star of the Defending The Caveman show at Harrah’s Hotel & Casino, also has signed up to play in the tournament.

“Speedway Children’s Charities does so much for our Las Vegas community. Now it’s time for us to give back,” Burke said. “I encourage everyone to take time to attend this incredible event and support a great cause.”

Local actress D.D., who stars in Marriage Can Be Murder at The D Las Vegas Hotel & Casino will serve as hostess for the tournament. D.D. will be joined by fellow Marriage Can Be Murder actor Eric Post.

“Eric and I have lived and performed in Las Vegas for many years and appreciate the work that’s performed through Speedway Children’s Charities,” said D.D. “They distribute thousands of dollars to deserving local children’s charities with various needs in our community. We would love to see our fans come out and play with us!”

NHRA drivers who have committed to playing in the tournament so far include Shawn Langdon, Morgan Lucas and Brandon Bernstein. More are expected as the event date draws near.

The tournament is limited to a maximum of 100 players and participants are urged to register as soon as possible. All players must be at least 21 years of age to compete. The top nine players will receive a percentage of the $5,000 purse. The player who finishes 10th will receive a free entry into next year’s tournament. Buy-in is $250 and players will receive $2,500 in tournament chips. The Stratosphere will provide hors d’oeuvres for the players.

All players will receive a commemorative Cards for Kids poker chip. Raffle items include: Two entries to the Color Me Rad charity run, a $150 gift card to First Food & Bar in The Palazzo, a $100 dining certificate for the Stratosphere’s Top of the World restaurant, a gift certificate for Stratosphere’s Sky Jump, John Force Racing limited-edition die-cast cars and collectibles from The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Spectators are welcome to watch the tournament and participate in a live auction for two autographed NHRA helmets.

The annual event is sponsored by the Stratosphere Casino Hotel & Tower, Coca-Cola, Nevada Beverage and Budweiser.

To register or obtain more information, please contact Speedway Children’s Charities Las Vegas director Paulette Anderson at (702) 632-8242 or panderson@lvms.com.

Making a difference in a child’s life is the focus of Speedway Children’s Charities. SCC strives to do this in collaboration with the non-profit organizations it supports nationwide. Individually, SCC’s local chapters identify the needs of children in their communities and award grants to organizations that address them. Last December, the Las Vegas Chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities granted $260,000 to 46 local children’s causes during its annual grant distribution ceremony.