Tiger Woods’ Poker Charity Event Returns to MGM Grand in Las Vegas April 29, Phil Hellmuth to Host Once Again

April 14th, 2016 | by Brian Corlisse

Tiger Woods’ charity poker event always brings out the celebrities and poker pros, the golf great seen here during the 2013 tournament with poker legend Phil Ivey on the far right. (Image: pokerupdate.com)

Tiger Woods is back at it. No, not golf, but raising money for his charity, the Tiger Woods Foundation.

Now in its 20th year, Tiger’s non-profit organization promotes community-based programs that allow children to prosper through fun and games.

The 18th annual Tiger Jam will commence with Tiger’s Poker Night at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on Friday, April 29. 14-time World Series of Poker bracelet winner Phil Hellmuth will once again return to take on the hosting and MC duties for the star-studded affair.

The poker legend tweeted, “Try your hand at poker w some of best poker players in the world (including me!) 4/29.”

Tiger Jam has raised over $17 million since its inaugural event in 1998.

High Roller Buy-Ins

Golf fans haven’t been able to locate Tiger Woods since he last played a PGA Tour event in August of 2015. Since then, golf’s second all-time leading winner has focused on recovering from back surgery and physical rehab.

Spotting the sports superstar in Las Vegas will be much easier, though fans will need to open their wallets, or should we say bank accounts.

Tiger’s Poker Night comes with an $11,000 buy-in, which gives you one playing spot in the tournament and one ticket for a guest to attend the action. The package also provides access to the Tiger Jam reception and auction, a private concert by Jason Mraz, VIP post-party, and two gift bundles.

Keep in mind the poker event is for charity, meaning all 110 of your Benjamins are going to the foundation regardless of your play. So the decision, assuming you’re financially capable, is this: is hanging with Tiger Woods and supporting a good cause worth a 2016 WSOP Main Event entry plus one grand?

Poker Stands Up

It seems more and more local and national charitable organizations are turning to the game of poker as an exciting new way to raise money.

Just last month, “Modern Family” star Ariel Winter generated $20,000 for the Los Angeles Children’s Hospital in part through a poker event.

Last week, Linkin Park hosted a poker fundraiser to benefit their Music for Relief charity, a non-profit that aids survivors of natural disasters and helps fight climate change.

And today, the Seminole Hard rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida, is hosting a charity poker game benefiting the Jason Taylor Foundation. Named in honor of the former NFL star, the Jason Taylor Foundation shares a similar mission to Tiger’s charity in that it benefits local youth, though only in the South Florida region.

As is always the case, the World Series of Poker will once again devote time to charity this summer. The 47th running will feature the $111,111 High Roller for One Drop and $1,111 Little One.

The One Drop Foundation’s mission is to improve living conditions in poor nations by providing clean sources of water. The charity has long been a beneficiary of poker’s biggest and most visible yearly tournament.