Poker for charity is hottest trend

Is poker the hottest thing in town? Sure seems that way from the way the fundraisers are embracing the game.

The latest on board is Speakeasy Casino, which will supplement a high-stakes Texas hold'em tournament with a complete run of vices straight from Vegas -- roulette, craps, slot machines, black jack plus a cigar bar and lounge singer. But it's all for a good cause.

The Casino will take over the Silicon Valley Capital Club on April 2. Capital Club members chose Kids helping Kids as the nonprofit to receive the proceeds of the event, which is held every other year and benefits various charities.

Kids Helping Kids is a division of Parents Helping Parents Inc., a San Jose nonprofit founded around a kitchen table. From that humble start has emerged Kids Helping Kids, a program that provides counseling to help kids cope with the multitude of emotions that come with having a family member sick with a serious or life-threatening disease. The charity provides an opportunity for these kids to talk about feeling that their friends may not understand.

Christopher Citti of Citti's Florists Inc. in Santa Clara is co-chairing, along with Mae Chang of VLSI Research Inc. San Jose-based law firm Hopkins & Carley has stepped up as the main sponsor, followed by The Capital Club, Ritchie Commercial Real Estate, Trammell Crow, Brown Insurance and others.

Putting on a bash like this costs between $15,000 and $20,000, which is offset by business sponsorships, donations and an estimated 300 people forking out $50 to get in. The fundraiser usually nets between $15,000 and $20,000.

The Texas hold'em poker tournament costs an additional $50 to enter, but you also get a shot at a trip to Palm Springs.