Cowboys All In For Charity Poker Tournament - 20th May 2008
Jupiters Townsville will proudly host the world's first Cowboys vs Cowboys clash this Thursday night, all in the name of charity.
Cowboys from the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) will be putting on their poker face when they compete against the National Rugby League (NRL) North Queensland Cowboys in the charity Texas Hold 'Em Poker tournament.
The unique, testosterone-fuelled charity poker event will kick off at 7:30pm in the Casino at JupitersTowns ville, following the official welcome ceremony for the PBR Troy Dunn International ahead of the Friday and Saturday's events at the Townsville Entertainment Centre.
Jupiters Townsville will donate $5,000 towards the event, where the poker table will compete for the prize pool, split $4,000 for the winners and $1,000 for second place. All prize money won at the event will benefit local charities nominated by both teams.
General Manager of Jupiters Townsville, Sean Knights, said that the event was a fantastic opportunity to welcome the Australian and international riders of the PBR to Townsville as they go head to head against the home favourites, the NQ Cowboys.
"As a major sponsor of both the NQ Cowboys and the PBR Troy Dunn International, it gives me great pleasure to be able to host the first Cowboys vs Cowboys Charity Poker Challenge. This charity match not only gives us the opportunity to support the high-end events that are being hosted in Townsville, such as the PBR, but also to provide much needed funds to support organisations in our local region," Mr Knights said.
Poker players for PBR Australia include legendary bull rider, and Australia's only World Champion and event patron, Troy Dunn, his protégé returning from the U.S. for the PBR Troy Dunn International, Brendon Clark, the world's number 11-ranker, Luke Snyder from the USA and his compatriot Pistol Robinson.
Trading their jerseys for Jacks and Aces, lining up for the NQ Cowboys are 5/8 and poker fan, Travis Burns, vice-captain Aaron Payne, David Faiumu and the big man on campus and a deft hand at the table, Ray Cashmere.
Securing the home side advantage, the NQ Toyota Cowboys will try and give the PBR cowboys the run- around by taking the 2008 charity poker premiership and donating their winnings to the Cowboys Community Fund, a project dedicated to providing support and financial assistance towards improving the quality of youthful lives in North Queensland.
North Queensland Cowboys Chief Executive Officer, Peter Parr, was excited about the charity event, saying, "The Cowboys have always taken great pride in our work with the community and various charities. This event is no different and we look forward to contributing to the charities involved."
Similar to rugby league, bull riding - described as the toughest sport on dirt - has a serious, high risk of injury and due to the regional nature of the sport riders rely on local medical support.
As a gesture of thanks, the PBR bull riders have nominated the Townsville Hospital Foundation to receive their poker charity donation.
Whether the take will be $4,000 or $1,000 the Townsville Hospital Foundation has nominated a Spot Vital Signs Monitor and Portable Stand to purchase with the winnings.
The Townsville Hospital Foundation has been supporting the Townsville Health District since 1989 by providing the best possible treatment, facilities and assistance to patients, medical staff, family members and visitors.
Calling all cowboys fans – whether bull riding or NRL - come early to make sure you don’t miss the inaugural clash of sport’s true hard men.
JUPITERS TOWNSVILLE PRESENTS:
COWBOYS VS. COWBOYS CHARITY POKER CHALLENGE
Jupiters Townsville
Thursday 22nd
May, 7:30pm
PBR TROY DUNN INTERNATIONAL
Townsville Entertainment Centre
Friday 23rd & Saturday 24th May
Tickets from Townsville Entertainment Centre Box Office
Media Man Australia Profiles
Poker and Casino News
Casino News Media
