SWTA bags dinner, to try poler tourney
Pub Date: 3/1/2008
The Southwest Montana Tavern Association, citing rising expenses and decreasing yields associated with its annual fund-raising dinner, has opted this year to conduct a substantial charity poker tournament instead.
According to Debbie Kearns, association secretary-treasurer, the tournament promises to be a lot of fun while, hopefully, raising the money the group needs to continue its long tradition of boosting worthy local charitable causes including youth sports and fire departments.
The No-Limit Texas Hold 'Em tourney kicks off April 12 and will run the following three weekends as well: April 19 and 26 with the championship round May 3.
It will be conducted at three association-member taverns: Chick's Bar in Alder, Hitchin' Post in Melrose and Mac's last Chance in Dillon. Kearns said the group was hoping to attract players from Bozeman and Butte as well as all the other smaller communities in the area, though players from outside the region were also being encouraged to enter.
In addition, SWMTA leaders were hoping Montana Tavern Association members would participate since some are known to be avid poker players and are also usually good supporters of each other's events.
There will be a $100 entry fee with four additional opportunities to re-buy at $100 during the first four rounds of each day's play. Each day will consist of 14 thirty-minute rounds. The top two players from each day's play from each venue
will advance to the final round. So with three weekends of play at each of the three locations, there should be 18 players in the finals.
The finals will be played at Mac's Last Chance in Dillon. The final table will pay the first three places. Players can play just one weekend or play all three to drive up their chip totals heading into the finals.
Kearns said players are encouraged to enter early as only 27 seats will be available at each location each weekend. The association will keep half the funds raised with the balance paid to finalists.
Kearns said she would especially welcome tavern owners to participate in this good cause, and asked anyone who needed more information to call her at the Hitchin' Post at 835-2150, or call Chick's Bar at 842-5366 or Mac's Last Chance at 683-2444.
Source: The Montana Tavern Times, March, 2008, published monthly by Continental Communications, 125 W. Granite St., Suite 102, Butte, MT 59701.