Chicago charity poker attracts pros

March 23, 11:36 PMChicago Casino ExaminerClay Champlin

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There are many legitimate card games around Chicago running in the name of charity. The latest entrant into the fray made a big splash by getting a TV deal (in HD no less). Their event on April 4th at Cactus will be attracting some famous, and infamous, World Poker Tour professionals.

Comcast Sports Net is already airing the Windy City Poker Championship, which is run by Main Event Charity Poker. The shows are done ESPN style, and thus far focus on the final table. The shows are shot at bars in the city and are pretty entertaining (if you like watching a tavern full of guys staring at each other and flipping over cards.) 

Headining the event is TJ Cloutier. He's finished second twice in the World Series of Poker's Main Event, and has won 6 other WSOP events. Former cop and WPT grinder Rick Fuller will also be playing, along with Crispin Leyser. Leyser made headlines at the 2006 WSOP Main Event, but for all the wrong reasons.

The 2006 Main Event featured the biggest prize pool in the history of poker. Winner Jamie Gold was supposed to have walked away with $12 million, but the Hollywood agent promised half his winning to Leyser before the tournament began. Leyser, an alleged LA producer, sued and won an undisclosed amount of cash.

Leyser's "hottie" wife Jules will also take to the felt at the April event.

The buy-ins for the tournaments are relatively low for legal reasons. While they're affordable the seats fill up fast.