NEWBURYPORT — Win, lose or draw, the process of sitting down with a posse to a game of poker is a pastime that's always been popular with males.
But with the popularity of competitive events like the World Series of Poker, it's not only the guys who are getting in on the fun, as demonstrated by the number of women who are showing up to tomorrow's Texas Hold 'em Fundraiser in support of the Newburyport Education Foundation.
Jeff Gray, who sits on the NEF board and is acting organizer for the event, said that the women who have signed up to participate in the big poker game account for roughly 25 percent of the total players. Since tickets can be purchased right up until the doors of Masonic Hall open at 6:30 p.m., that number could easily go higher. The money raised will go toward purchasing new technology and literacy supports for students in Newburyport schools.
"It was a combination of mine and Jay Iannini's idea," Gray said. "We're novices, but we are part of a regular poker club that started a little over a year ago."
While Gray and Iannini have always participated in NEF's Spelling Bee and Lighthouse Auction events, they got the idea to delve into new areas of fundraising when the NEF Open golf tournament took off several years ago.
"While the existing events that have been around for a while are very successful, we were trying to go for a different demographic."
While there's sure to be some overlap in the audiences, he's been hoping to draw in a few more people who are keen on the idea of playing poker for a good cause. So far, the bet's paid off, with more than 90 tickets at $100 each sold, 20 of which were sold via scholarship to allow teachers to play a hand alongside parents, administrators and community members.
And while the higher purpose is to raise money for the schools, participants are invited to lose themselves in the game.
"I think there's something about the game that aside from just the luck in cards, there really is a strategy," Gray said. "It's not just luck. There's a strategy in trying to read other players, and to understand other players' behaviors. For some, that's just a lot of fun. For some, it's the opportunity to win the pot."
The grand-prize winner of the event will go home with about $1,500 in an American Express gift check, and everyone who finished in the top 10 will receive valuable prizes, as well, he said. Even those who don't participate can win big while helping the NEF.
"We have a couple things going on," Gray said. "Oregano has been our lead sponsor and has really been instrumental in driving ticket sales. They offered a $25 gift card to every paid registration that was completed by Jan. 31, which totaled about 50 gift cards. Then, he upped that after the 31st by offering a $500 cash door prize."
Those who don't want to play, but enjoy watching, can attend for free. But they are welcome to take advantage of a live auction in which two ski vacation houses are on the block — one in Tahoe and one in Maine. They can bid on an autographed Patriots helmet signed by Tedy Bruschi, on a Canon camera package or participate in a 50/50 raffle, whereby half the proceeds go to the NEF and the other half in the winner's pocket.
Even the simple act of buying a drink at the cash bar will benefit NEF, with profits minus wholesale cost going to the organization, he said.
"It should be a fun evening," Gray said. "We're encouraging people who want to come and see what's going on to come down."
What: Texas Hold 'em NEF Fundraiser
When: Tomorrow at 7 p.m. (registration at 6:30 p.m.)
Where: Masonic Hall, 31 Green St.
How much: $100 buy in, which buys 3,000 chips to use throughout the night. All participants will receive the same number of chips.
Additional details: The event is being run and overseen for adherence to house rules by Boston Charity Poker, with NEF volunteers serving as "celebrity" dealers. Oregano Pizzeria & Ristorante is supplying food for the event.
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