Poker ace with a heart

[jetset]

BIG HEARTED TONY

A cruel wit but a generous heart

The ebullient international poker ace Tony Guoga, known for his cruel and voluble one-liners against poker opponents, has shown once again that he has a generous heart, donating his $205 000 winner's cheque from the Moscow Millions to a Russian orphanage.

This is not the first time TonyG has made such a open hearted gift; he has previously donated significant Asian poker winnings to a similar cause.

Following sponsorship hassles, the entry field for the inaugural Moscow Millions (see previous InfoPowa reports) was on the small side, with 53 players finally seated and ready at the Kosmos Casino and Hotel for the 'shuffle up and deal' call. The incentive was a prize pool of over $500 000.

The $10 500 buy-in, two-day event had players starting with $25 000 in chips and 90 minute levels. Congratulating the Poker Professionals organisers, Guoga applauded the final table structure when he wrote on his blog:

"The structure was better than the WSOP main event. We had two dealers at the final table so that the next hand was shuffled and ready to go and we had tons of hands at the final table.

Guoga won a gold bracelet and the $205 000 for coming in first place, immediately returning the cash to tournament director Rhys Jones with the request that it go to a Russian orphanage. "I feel good just being in a position where I can give away money that I win in poker tourneys," he said.