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TJ Martell Poker Tournament Results
TJ Martell Poker Tournament Results
December 27, 2007 - Domenica DiPiero
Charley Pride (Credit: Wikipedia) 
On December 11, 2007 the Las Vegas Hilton played host to country musicians and bull-riding celebs who were in town for the National Finals Rodeo Week. They held a special charity tournament benefiting the TJ Martell Foundation. The TJ Martell Foundation is a nonprofit that began over thirty-two years ago after Tony Martell’s son urged him to raise a million dollar for leukemia research that helped prolong his life for two extra years. Since then, the foundation has raised more than $225 million and funds eight flagship research centers working on treatments and cures for AIDS, leukemia and cancer.
After the media event and silent auction, master of ceremonies Robin Leach got things started with the help of tournament director Mark Fracalossi. The main event was a $500 buy-in NLHE tournament with rebuys. Buddy Jewell, winner of the first season of the reality TV series Nashville Star, was present as was Grammy winner Charley Pride. Swearing that he knows “little about Texas Hold’em”, the humble country crooner took third place in the event. Other country superstars hitting the felt for this great cause were Brice Long, Tracy Byrd and Luke Bryan, who finished fifth. Rodeo pros who threw down with the crowd included Britt Bockius and Justin McBride, a two-time winner of the PBR’s Built Ford Tough Series.
The top two finishers were Travis Hamlin and Carlos Reyes. These fellas decided to chop the winnings and gave a huge portion to charity, as did the vast majority of money winners in the event.
