Bad Beat on Cancer

PokerStars Hosts Bad Beat on Cancer

Bad Beat on Cancer Charity Event November 12th

We have all experienced this dreaded disease, either in our own family or in the lives of friends and now is the time to step up to the plate – to do your part to battle this killer.

PokerStars is hosting the Bad Beat on Cancer Challenge in conjunction with the Prevent Cancer Foundation. With all proceeds from this charity event going to the Prevent Cancer Foundation, this is a perfect opportunity to do a good deed while doing what you love – playing poker.

The Prevent Cancer Foundation is a nonprofit organization that strives to prevent cancer through education, community outreach and most importantly – early detection. The event is also being held in honor of poker player Nicole Rowe who has been battling the cancer monster herself.

 If you have never heard of Nicole Rowe, it is about time you did. Ms. Rowe finished second at the Borgata's Ladies Event in Atlantic City – losing the first place spot to a man. Bucking the heated vocal opposition from players and management about him entering the Ladies Event, Abraham Korotki of Ventnor City, New Jersey signed up anyway. It was said he promised part of his winnings, if he should win, to the fight against cancer and that is one of the reasons he was allowed to enter. Whether he made good on his promises or not no one knows, but one thing is for sure; Rowe handled losing the title with grace and dignity befitting the winner that many see her as rightfully being.

Not long before the Borgata's Ladies Event, Rowe was diagnosed with breast cancer. Having already scheduled her surgery - double mastectomy, this attractive blonde was looking for a last bit of poker fun before going under the knife. After two grueling days of tournament play, Rowe bested 269 other ladies only to see the ‘Ladies” win go to a male when her A-9 lost to his pocket 10’s. Ever graceful and uncomplaining, a disappointed Rowe said, “It doesn’t matter, it was 16 hours of being cancer free, a diversion from my reality.”

Rowe’ courage and grace inspired Poker Stars and players to come together and stage a cancer charity event in Rowe’s honor. Clearly touched by the gesture, Rowe commented, "I think it is the reason God gave me this affliction. I have a big mouth and I can get the word out. It is the only thing that makes sense as to why this happened. The Borgata's tournament and this charity event have allowed me to spread the word about early detection of breast cancer and breast cancer awareness. I feel blessed that everyone would come together for a cause that will hopefully save many lives."

You too can join the fight by playing in the Bad Beat on Cancer tournament which kicks off on November 12, 2009, at 9:00 pm EST/6:00 pm PST. The buy-in is just $10 with optional $10 rebuys through the first two levels. Not only will you be rewarded with doing something for a good cause, but many cool prizes have been donated, so you will actually win something for your donation.

The top 50 finishers will win some terrific prizes with the first place winner receiving a Two Months, Two Million Scholarship, which is a lifetime subscription to Deucescracked.com valued at a whopping $10,000. Other finishers can win prizes like a Borgata Triple Play tournament package, a VIP trip to the set of the "PokerStars.net Million Dollar Challenge," a WSOP Academy seat, and much more.

So do a good deed, and have some fun while you are at it by playing in the Bad Beat on Cancer tournament on November 12th at PokerStars.

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