Poker-faced pros take a gamble on pensions

Oct 3 2007 by Iain Laing, The Journal

POKER-faced professionals will be throwing their normal caution to the wind this week as they prepare to do battle in the Ward Hadaway Pensions Professionals Charity Poker Tournament.

It will be a full house this Thursday at Newcastle’s Assembly Rooms, when some 50 representatives and invited guests will battle to be crowned the winner of the 2007 tournament.

The tournament – the first of its kind in the region - is the brainchild of Tushar Bhate, head of pensions at leading North law firm Ward Hadaway.

Mr Bhate said: “The pensions profession is known for its careful approach to financial risk and for taking a long-term view of monetary matters.

“This tournament will allow those within the sector to cast aside their customary caution and let their gambling side run riot.

“As well as having fun – and showing off the profession’s poker prowess – the event will also hopefully raise a lot of money for a very worthwhile cause.”

The tournament will be played under Texas Hold ’Em rules – which, for the uninitiated, allows players the maximum capacity to bluff and try out their ‘poker faces’ for size.

Players will make a donation to charity in exchange for betting chips.

They will then compete against each other on a number of tables at the Assembly Rooms.

The top two players on each table will go through to the final stages where a number of trophies are up for grabs for the tournament winners.

Other attractions on the night include a champagne reception and a Bruce Forsyth-style Play Your Cards Right game. All proceeds raised from the tournament will be donated to charity.