When it comes to online poker gaming, we all want to be the best. Unfortunately for some of us, it can be difficult to earn steady wins from the game. Yet there are some players who enjoy the game professionally, able to read their opponents and make the right moves to take down major poker pots. Learning from a pro would be a dream and for some, that dream can come true. Poker pro Phil Hellmuth recently hosted an auction for a two hour poker session. The money then was donated to relief efforts for the coronavirus pandemic.
Donating Coaching Session Funds
The 15-time World Series of Poker bracelet holder coached someone for two hours, charging $17,000 total. An anonymous bidder paid a total of $17,500 to receive a poker lesson from Hellmuth as well as a stay at the Aria Resort & Casino. The bidding for the lesson closed over the weekend.
Once the bidding ended, Hellmuth donated the funds to relief efforts. The session and rooms were given by Hellmuth as part of a charity event that hopes to raise $100 million for organizations that are helping people during this difficult time. The money raised will go towards six different organizations that will feed people in need.
In a video describing the effort, Hellmuth stated that we can’t have people going hungry. People are losing their jobs and there is a lot of suffering going on. After taking on the challenge of donating for the relief efforts, Hellmuth then challenged his fellow poker players, asking Daniel Negreanu and Phil Ivey to help as well.
Auctions to Help
Hellmuth took part in an auction effort in the hopes of raising quick funds. For his part, the poker pro donated a two-hour poker lesson that is good for the winner and up to eight other people. Also included in the package was three rooms at the Aria. Of course the casino is not open now but once we get back to normal, the winner will be able to enjoy themselves at the Las Vegas venue as well as learn from a poker master.
Additional auctions to help the charity efforts included a batting lesson from Alex Rodriguez and a magic lesson and show from David Blaine.
So far, the charity effort has been able to raise over $21 million. We shall see if Negreanu and Ivey get in on the action and what they decide to donate. If its poker lessons too, will they draw a higher bidding price than Hellmuth? Each of the players are considered the best in the game, so it will certainly be fun to see how much they can garner by way of auction if they choose to do so.
This is just one of many ways that the poker community is working to give back during this time of crisis. Professional players are encouraging others to donate as they can to help during this trying time.
