PokerStars Launches Hurricane Irma Relief Effort

September 15th, 2017 | by Kaycee James

The devastation left by Hurricane Irma has sparked a tidal wave of benevolence around the world and now the online poker community has a chance to join the efforts courtesy of PokerStars.

Hurricane Irma batters Philipsburg, Saint Martin, as the poker community comes out in support of victims. (Image: nbcnews.com/Getty Images)

Although the full extent of the damage caused by the strongest Atlantic basin hurricane ever recorded outside the Gulf of Mexico isn’t yet known, early estimates suggest is could top $300 billion.

In addition to the financial impact of Hurricane Irma, millions of families have been displaced and PokerStars is giving players the chance to join the relief effort.

Players Can Lend a Help Hand

Through its corporate giving program, Helping Hands, the online poker operator will donate all funds raised through two schemes to CARE International. Players can show their support by entering Dummy Tournaments with buy-ins ranging from $1 to $1,000.

The tournaments don’t offer any chance to play or win any prize money, but they are a simple way to donate a fixed amount to the cause. In addition to Dummy Tournaments, players can use the player transfer function to send individual amounts to the StarsID “Irma Fund.”

Every dollar donated by players will be matched by PokerStars and form the Hurricane Irma Emergency Appeal fund.

Mindful Donations by Players

In addition to the Hurricane Irma relief effort, PokerStars will continue its tradition of supporting Raising for Effective Giving (REG) during the ongoing World Championship of Online Poker (WCOOP). As it’s done in previous online festivals, PokerStars will donate the full amount of rake from the WCOOP $25,000 Super High Roller.

The $3 million guaranteed WCOOP event is set to take place on September 21 and, in line with similar events, the organisers are hoping it attracts a big field.

The tournament’s Spring Championship of Online Poker (SCOOP) counterpart attracted 93 entries back in May and, at the time of writing, the WCOOP showdown has 17 players registered.

In addition to giving away the full amount of rake generated, PokerStars will match any donation up to $50,000. The financial aid will complement the $109,000 raised during the 2017 SCOOP festival and be used to help “prevent some of the most dangerous catastrophes” according to REG founder, Liv Boeree.

Away from the politics of regulation and industry scandals, the online poker community has always been known for its support of good causes and this is yet another chance for players to show their benevolent side.