Poker Players Chip In to Fight Cancer
Pittsfield - More than 140 poker enthusiasts from across the Berkshires entered a charity poker tournament to benefit the American Cancer Society Relay for Life. The tournament took place at the Berkshire Hills Country Club on Sunday, April 27. The event, sponsored by “Rock’s Rockers” Relay for Life Team and conducted by Berkshire Poker, raised $5,000 for the charity after expenses.The event was the fifth charity poker tournament conducted by Berkshire Poker and had the largest attendance to date. “Rocco Errichetto, the charity sponsor, did a great job,” said Bob Deemer, co-owner of Berkshire Poker. “They offered the biggest prizes we’ve seen at a local poker event.” The total prize pool distributed was $7,600, paid in Visa Gift Cards. The players each made a $110 donation to play in the event.
The first place prize of $3,000 was won by Stefan Lange of Williamstown. After nearly five hours of play, Lange had won all of the 600,000 poker chips in play during the tournament. “This was a great event and my best day ever at a poker tournament,” said Lange. “The whole event was very professionally run and it is a cause well worth supporting.”
“It was a productive weekend for our Relay Team and the Cancer Society. Everyone had a great time,” said Errichetto. “Many thanks to the volunteers, the players, Berkshire Poker and Berkshire Hills who all helped make this event one of the biggest and best in Berkshire County to date.” Rocco “Rock” Errichetto and his wife Jody have been active volunteers for the Cancer Society for many years. “My father succumbed to cancer after a long battle,” said Errichetto. “It’s a terrible disease that affects so many families. The Relay for Life is a great way to fight back through grass roots, fun-filled events that raise money and awareness for the cause.”
Charity poker tournaments are legal in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts when conducted according to the rules set by the Office of the Attorney General. “The game of poker is currently very popular,” said Ray Gargan, co-owner of Berkshire Poker. “However, Berkshire poker players don’t have many legal options to test their skills against a big field without driving to Foxwoods. Charity tournaments give them an opportunity to play while supporting important causes.”
Rocco Errichetto is the proprietor of Rock Business Solutions on North Street in Pittsfield. The company provides cash registers, point of sale and credit card processing systems for business. More information is available at www.rockbusiness.net.
Berkshire Poker, headquartered in Dalton, provides charity poker tournaments services for non-profits in Massachusetts. Upcoming tournaments include benefits for the Babe Ruth World Series, “Ante Up Animals” for the Sonsini Animal Shelter, the Dalton CRA and the Lions Club. More information is available at www.berkshirepoker.net.
