Danielle Ford Finishes Fifth at Las Vegas Charity Poker Tournament
The Nevada gubernatorial candidate made the final table as Tamar Berkowitz won CSOP’s Junior League of Las Vegas fundraiser.
Nevada gubernatorial candidate Danielle Ford reached the final table of Charity Series of Poker’s Every Hand Makes a Difference fundraiser in Las Vegas on Oct. 3, finishing fifth and receiving two Vegas Golden Knights tickets.
The event, CSOP’s 108th, was held at Via Brasil Steakhouse and raised money for the Junior League of Las Vegas. Tamar Berkowitz of Volunteers of Las Vegas won the trophy and $2,000 top prize after defeating 2013 WSOP Main Event champion Ryan Riess heads-up. Riess collected $1,500 for second place.
As we reported ahead of the event, Every Hand Makes a Difference paired the tournament with dinner, an open bar and a silent auction for the Junior League of Las Vegas. The advertised prize package included $5,000 in cash and $10,000 in donated prizes, while tournament-and-dinner admission cost $300.
Ford called the hockey tickets “great extra bonuses” from a fun night supporting a good cause. She said she enjoys poker as a way to step away from work and life stresses, describing the game as “almost meditative” because its many aspects keep her focused.
Riess and MGM Resorts International poker executive Sean McCormack were among the guest bounties who also made the final table. PokerNews reported that the other finalists included longtime CSOP supporter Sidney Coca and CSOP villain Dave Freeston. Actress Katie Morgan was also listed among the event’s guest bounties.
Ford serves on the Nevada State Board of Education and is running for governor without a party affiliation against Democratic candidate Aaron Ford and incumbent Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo. Her campaign describes her as a “Nevada-first nonpartisan” candidate who wants to bring practical systems repair to public systems used by Nevada families.
Nevada’s gubernatorial election is scheduled for Nov. 3.
