Americans spend an estimated $10 billion playing poker each year. If one-tenth of one percent of that money was donated to charity, that would add up to $10 million each year.http://www.cardplayer.com/cardplayer-magazines/65540-17-15/articles/14129-charity-poker-tournaments If you are interested in helping out a charity, why not consider gathering people for a good cause in a poker tournament. For more information on how to make that possible, read on to learn how to organize a charity poker tournament.

Different from organizing a home poker tournament, charity poker events will require significantly more planning, including selecting a charity, finding a location and promoting the event to find participants. Responsibilities on the day of the event can be a bit stressful as well, including making sure the tournament runs smoothly and the guests are enjoying themselves, however with the right planning and a bit of help, it need not ruin your day.

Before you get started, it's very important to find local, state or federal laws that may pertain to holding a charity poker event. Often times you may need a permit or other paperwork filed well in advance of the event. Many places, like fraternal lodges including the VFW will be able to help with these permits should you hold the tournament there.http://www.fundraiserhelp.com/charity-poker-tournament.htm

Not only is the planning step the first part of organizing a charity poker tournament, it is perhaps the most important to ensure the event runs smoothly.

1. Select the charity the event will benefit. This can range from a local cause to a larger charity like the Red Cross to relief efforts for a recent national disaster. Contact this charity, in person works best if possible, and discuss your idea. Most often the charity associates will have plenty of experience with holding events of this kind and can provide assistance and advice.
2. Determine a date and time for the tournament. Weeknights or weekend afternoons are common selections.
3. Find a venue to hold the event. Many times local businesses will allow use of their banquet hall or party area for free to host charity events. Bars and restaurants will also make money from the event in food and drink sales and often donate a portion of those proceeds to the cause as well.
4. Should you select a location that does not provide snacks and beverages, reach out to local businesses to ask for donations or deep discounts.
5. Apply for any necessary permits that are required when holding a charity event in your area.
6. Determine how many people your event can host and the equipment that is needed. As a bare minimum, you'll need several decks of cards, poker chips for each player, tables and chairs. Some venues will be able to provide many of these items, but they can also be purchased or rented. When inquiring about these items, be sure to mention that you are holding a charity event as businesses may be willing to donate the items or provide a substantial discount if you mention them as a sponsor.http://www.fundraiserhelp.com/charity-poker-tournament.htm
7. Decide on which type of poker will be played, like Texas hold'em or stud poker, as well as how donations will be gathered. Some tournaments will feature a buy-in with a percentage of the proceeds going to the charity and others may take a certain percentage of each bet from each hand. This too may be limited to applicable local, state or federal laws.http://www.cardplayer.com/cardplayer-magazines/65540-17-15/articles/14129-charity-poker-tournaments

For best success in your charity poker tournament, a good amount of effort will need to go into promoting the event. A variety of methods can be used both to spread the word and get participants and get corporate sponsors for the event.

1. Talk to your contact at the charity to see if they have existing partnerships with local media outlets. As you will be helping the charity raise funds they will likely be able to help with the promotion.
2. Contact local newspapers, television and radio stations. Explain that you are holding a charity event and ask if they can help you by providing free advertising. Be sure to have the date, time, location and other details on hand to give to the media outlets.
3. Spread the word by telling friends, family members, coworkers and neighbors. Ask them to tell others as well. Post flyers about the event in the area where the event will be held and utilize Internet resources like Twitter, Facebook and Craigslist to promote the event.
4. Reach out to professional poker players, local celebrities and notable poker companies to see if they can help. Having a big name at the event is a common way to get more people in the door.
5. Contact local businesses to see if they would be willing to donate items, which can be used as prizes or auctioned off before or after the tournament to bring in additional donations.http://www.fundraiserhelp.com/charity-poker-tournament.htm

While a bunch of the work is already done come day of the event, there are still plenty of things you'll need to do to make sure the event runs smoothly. There is plenty of work to be done, so it's recommended to recruit a buddy or two to assist.

1. Arrive at the venue several hours in advance of the event to set up all of the tables with chips and cards. Lay out snacks and beverages if you are providing them. If the venue is not well known, be sure to put out a few signs in front of the building which your guests can easily see.
2. Make sure you have everything you need for the tournament including all the supplies and prizes. Making a last-minute run to the store is better done sooner than later.
3. Greet guests and show them to their table. This can be done randomly or in cases where you know who is attending, a seating chart can be made. Be sure to collect donations from each guest.
4. Shortly after the start time of the tournament, begin the game. Monitor the tables to make sure all is running smoothly. Keep everyone informed of the rules and if/when blind values increase. Rearrange players to keep table sizes the same after players are eliminated.
5. Keep an eye on guests who are not actively involved in the tournament to make sure they are entertained and enjoying the event.
6. When the tournament winds down, awards prizes to the top finishers. Present the proceeds to the charity and be sure to announce the total amount of money raised to the guests in attendance.
7. Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, thank all of the guests for their generosity and support for the cause.http://www.fundraiserhelp.com/charity-poker-tournament.htm