“Keep the Lights On” Fund Assists Poker Media Affected by COVID-19 Pandemic
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With casinos closed, events postponed, and tours interrupted, the live poker world has come to a screeching halt. As a result, thousands have lost jobs and expected income from either canceled or postponed events such as the World Series of Poker. Among them are freelance members of the poker media, many of who report tournaments for a living but now find themselves without work for the foreseeable future.
The good news is that the RunGood Poker Series (RPGS), PokerGO, and Global Poker, along with others in the industry, have come together for the “Keep the Lights On” Initiative, a fundraiser for freelance poker media to help cover utility bills during the pandemic.
“When the world was asked to go dark, my poker family came together and helped get me through it. Funds were raised to keep my family restaurants and employees afloat at a time when I couldn’t have on my own," RGPS President Tana Karn said. "They sat with me in the dark until the lights came back on. Small gestures are what change the world, and I hope that the 'Keep the Lights On' initiative can help me pay it forward.”
How It Works
The RGPS, Global Poker, and PokerGO have each put forth a champion – Jamie Kerstetter, Brian “The Golden Blazer” Frenzal, and Jeff Platt respectively – who will play 10 tournaments on a live stream once per week for three weeks. They will raise funds via donation pledges for each event they cash. Think of it as a charity run where you pledge a certain amount per mile, except here it’s for each tournament cash.
So, for example, if you pledge $5 to Team RGPS and Kerstetter cashes 10 out of the 30 tournaments she plays, you’d be adding $50 to the fund. Pledges will close by May 3. One-time donations are also encouraged.
To motivate the “Champions,” whichever one finishes with the largest bankroll at the end will earn a seat into the All-Stars PRO-AM Live Event at PokerGO Studios in December.
There’s also an incentive for those who donate as pledges of $5 or more to the winning “Champion” will receive a ticket to a private qualifier for the year-end PRO-AM.
Additionally, you can visit Shop.PokerGO.com to pick up a “Keep The Lights On” Hoodie with 100% of the proceeds going towards the fund.
Streaming Schedule
Starting Monday, April 27 through May 20, the various teams will take turns streaming their Global Poker action on Twitch at 2 p.m. PT.
| Date | Stream |
|---|---|
| Monday, April 27 | Team PokerGO Jeff Platt Stream #1 |
| Wednesday, April 29 | Team RunGood Jamie Kerstetter Stream #1 |
| Friday, May 1 | Team Global Poker Brian “The Golden Blazer” Frenzal Stream #1 |
| Monday, May 4 | Team RunGood Jamie Kerstetter Stream #2 |
| Wednesday, May 6 | Team Global Poker Brian “The Golden Blazer” Frenzal Stream #2 |
| Friday, May 8 | Team PokerGO Jeff Platt Stream #2 |
| Monday, May 11 | Team Global Poker Brian “The Golden Blazer” Frenzal Stream #3 |
| Wednesday, May 13 | Team PokerGO Jeff Platt Stream #3 |
| Friday, May 15 | Team RunGood Jamie Kerstetter Stream #3 |
| Wednesday, May 20 | KTLO All-Stars Finale |
Are You Affected Media?
The "Keep The Lights On" fund is designed to help pay utility bills for freelance poker media affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. If you have been affected and consider yourself to be part of the freelance poker media community, there are several points of contact to benefit from the initiative:
- Chad Holloway (PokerNews)
- Rob Kirschen (WSOP)
- Matthew Clark (WPT)
Please feel free to reach out to any of the above if you feel "Keep The Lights On" can help you. Others can reach out to [email protected] for consideration. Submissions will close on May 11.
