Bad Beat on Cancer Raises the Stakes with World Series of Poker

Back in 2003 when Phil Gordon and Rafe Furst started Bad Beat on Cancer™ (BBoC) at the World Series of Poker®, we had no idea the impact it would have on poker players and cancer prevention.

That year, the BBoC initiative hit the jackpot when a little known player by the name of Chris Moneymaker (appropriate name for a poker player), won the series and donated 1% of his winnings to Bad Beat on Cancer.

Fast forward to 2011— Bad Beat on Cancer has raised $3.4 million to fund cutting-edge cancer prevention research, free community-based cancer screening programs nationwide and lifesaving educational information and programming. All made possible by generous players pledging and donating 1% of their winnings.

Over the years, hundreds of players signed on – amateurs and pros alike – including such poker stars  as Phil Hellmuth, Jr., Paul Wasicka, Andy Bloch, Annie Duke, Chris Ferguson, Phil Ivey, John Juanda, Howard Lederer and many more.

This year, Bad Beat on Cancer expands by becoming the official charity of the World Series of Poker!

As part of our new partnership, we are launching the Bad Beat Seminar Series at the 2011 World Series of Poker®. This unprecedented series of free seminars features personal stories, insight, and poker instruction from a diverse group of the world’s top poker professionals. The inaugural lineup features the two leading WSOP ® bracelet winners in history, a pair of prolific high stakes cash game players, two of the most successful women in the game, and several other unique poker personalities. Presentations featuring Andy Bloch, Doyle Brunson, Daniel Cates, Annie Duke, Phil Galfond, Phil Gordon, Annette Obrestad, Vanessa Selbst, and acclaimed mindset coach Sam Chauhan will all be a part of the Bad Beat Seminar Series.

Beginning on June 4, the seminar series kicks off with “Beating the Odds” presented by popular pro Chad Brown. With career earnings exceeding $3 million, Chad has amassed 10 final tables, 30 cashes, and over $1 million in WSOP winnings. Chad is also fighting a personal battle with cancer and will share insight into life and strategies to remain focused on the felt.

The June 17 seminar, “A Poker Life,” features a live interview with poker legend Doyle Brunson, aka “Texas Dolly”,conducted by Bad Beat on Cancer Founder, Prevent Cancer Foundation board member, professional poker player, commentator and author Phil Gordon, followed by an audience question and answer period. The series wraps up on July 10 with WSOP all-time leading bracelet winner Phil Hellmuth.

No beat is easy – and we’re prepared to put a bad beat on cancer with the help of our friends in the poker community. They all proudly wear the 1% patch in honor of friends and family who have battled cancer.

Join them by taking the 1% pledge today! Visit www.badbeatoncancer.org to learn more.