Andy Frankenberger Wins Epic’s First Charity Event – Operation USA, Brad Garrett, Epic Poker, and Friends Raise $53,800 for Joplin

Epic Poker League Charity Success

Topics: Epic Poker League

On Sunday night, Andy Frankenberger won Epic Poker’s Charity Poker Event, with 100% of the $53,800 raised going to Operation USA, to benefit the victims of the tornadoes that devastated Joplin, Missouri. This amount includes all the $200 buy-ins and rebuys, a total swelled by host Brad Garrett’s hilarious hectoring of players to rebuy. It also includes $2,000 of the $2,500 cash Zappos.com donated as first prize. (Frankenberger donated $2,000 to Operation USA and gave the remainder to the dealers.)

After moving speeches by Annie Duke, Operation USA founder Richard Walden, and Event Co-Host (poker player, friend of poker players, and resident of the Joplin area) Jeremiah Smith, along with a video of the hardships caused by the tornedos, Garrett made a respectful statement in favor of the cause.

And then he proceeded to skewer everyone in his path.

It was a raucous, deliriously fun atmosphere where some great poker players threw a bunch of money around, all of which went to Joplin relief efforts. My boss Eric Faulkner, playing the first poker tournament of his life, got to play with Mike Sexton, Nick Binger, Joseph Cheong, Joe Tehan, Justin Bonomo, Vanessa Selbst, John Racener, and host Brad Garrett.

The final table was worthy of a major championship, including league members Gavin Griffin, Dwyte Pilgrim, Justin Young, and Mike McDonald, along with winner Andy Frankenberger. Not only were the remaining fans treated to some serious poker at the final table, but the players interacted with each other and those gathered at the rail in a way that made the event especially personal and entertaining.

Andy generously donated his cash prize, but he is keeping the champion’s bracelet, custom-made by Good Art Hlywd, which designed and made the Commissioner’s Coins and Champion’s Ring. “Isn’t this the most remarkable clasp you’ve ever seen?” he asked friends who admired the bracelet, which he has worn since earning it Sunday night.

The poker community made its usual generous showing, and the friends of Epic Poker provided all the costs of a first-class event so every dollar raised by the tournament will go to Joplin. Among the people and companies stepping up to the plate:

Palms Casino Resort – venue, food, drinks, and a Palms Place weekend package
Zappos.com - $2,500 cash for the winner and 100 gift cards of $100 each
Brad Garrett – 4 VIP tickets to his comedy show at the Tropicana
Lord Griffon – a bracelet for the eighth place finisher
Good Art Hlywd – a custom-made champion’s bracelet for the winner
Fox – 2 VIP tickets to a live taping of X-Factor
Grinder Knots - $250
Nacho Daddy - $20 gift cards for every player

See EpicPoker.com’s video summary of the Charity Event, including interviews with Operation USA founder Richard Walden, host Brad Garrett, honorary cohost Jeremiah Smith, and interviews and highlights featuring Andy Frankenberger, Gavin Griffin, Joe Tehan, Dwyte Pilgrim, Robert Mizrachi, and Eric Baldwin.