The Charity Series of Poker (CSOP) is set to celebrate its supporters with an exciting awards dinner and poker tournament at Via Brasil Steakhouse in Las Vegas on Feb. 12, 2025. This event will honor the players, sponsors, staff, and volunteers who made this year’s tournaments possible, bringing together poker pros, celebrities, and charity advocates for a night of recognition and entertainment.
A Star-Studded Evening of Celebration
Las Vegas is no stranger to glitz and glam, but this gathering isn’t just about high-stakes poker—it’s about celebrating those who’ve given back. The guest list includes actress Katie Morgan, former NFL player Melvin Fowler, and TV personalities like Jay Wasley from Ghost Adventures and Joey Hamilton from Ink Masters.
Poker pros Mike Matusow, Joe Ingram, Matt Savage, and Anthony Zinno will also be in attendance. Local artists Sean Keith, Janel Raihl, and Nate Hananger will showcase their work, while comedian Gabe Lopez—best known for hosting The Dirty at 12:30—will serve as the evening’s emcee.
Festivities kick off at 5:30 p.m. with a dinner and silent auction. Guests can enjoy an open bar and a rodizio-style dinner before the awards ceremony starts at 6:00 p.m.
High-Stakes Poker for a Cause
At 7:00 p.m., the real action begins with a poker tournament featuring a $200 buy-in. Players can purchase 10,000-chip rebuys and 20,000-chip add-ons for $100.
The tournament’s top prize? A cool $5,000, with over $10,000 in total prizes up for grabs—including final table payouts, bounty rewards, and silent auction items. And for those just looking to enjoy dinner and the auction without competing in the tournament, a $100 ticket option is available.
One extra perk for players: free massages during the tournament, courtesy of Professional Massage Inc.
Honoring Excellence: CSOP Award Nominees
This year marks CSOP’s 79th stop, capping off a year of successful charity events. To celebrate, several awards will be handed out, recognizing standout sponsors, events, and individuals. Here’s a look at the nominees:
| Category | Nominee 1 | Nominee 2 | Nominee 3 | Nominee 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rookie of the Year | Hundley Foundation | UNLV Hockey | Shannon Elizabeth Foundation | Williams-Marshall Cares Leadership Program |
| Breakout Event of the Year | Cops 4 Kids | Make-A-Wish of Southern Florida | The Ability Center | St. Jude VIVA |
| Sponsor of the Year | Cirrus Aviation | Gorilla Gaming/Bar Poker Open | SKC Group | Lexicon Bank |
| Daniel Negreanu Extra Effort Award | Joe Ingram | Dave Freestone | Ricardo Aker | Allen Glatts |
| Mike Sexton Ambassador Award | Joe Ingram | Mike Matusow | Allen Glatts | Jesse Capps |
| Emcee of the Year | Gabe Lopez | Joe Stapleton | Alex Just | Matt Savage |
| People’s Choice Award/Event of the Year | Cops 4 Kids | St. Jude VIVA 71 | Families for Effective Autism Treatment | Shannon Elizabeth Foundation |
| Photo of the Year | Chug, Mackenzie, Chug! | Getting Involved Early | Getting Lucky | The Mission in Action |
The Mission Behind the Cards
While the event promises plenty of excitement, its core mission is serious. Proceeds will go directly toward expanding CSOP’s ability to provide tables, chips, computers, TVs, and other essential equipment that its partner charities can use throughout the year.
Founded in 2014 by poker professional Matt Stout, CSOP has raised over $6 million for charities like St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Habitat for Humanity, Make-A-Wish, and various food banks.
“The Charity Series of Poker represents my life’s work,” Stout said. “Bringing together the poker community, nonprofits, celebrities, and sponsors to support great causes is truly an honor. This night is all about recognizing the people and organizations that make it possible.”
For sponsorship opportunities or further inquiries, contact info@charityseriesofpoker.org.
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