Broadway Stars Will Play Poker at BROADWAY BETS for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS

Place your bets on an unforgettable evening of cards and camaraderie at this year's Broadway Bets, Broadway's official poker tournament, on Monday, May 14. The event is produced by and benefits Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

Broadway stars, industry insiders and theatre fans will raise the stakes at the Texas Hold 'em tournament at the theatre district's beloved Sardi's Restaurant (234 West 44th Street). Novices, aces and anyone willing to show their hand have the chance to win the coveted title of Broadway Bets (#BroadwayBets) champion. Prizes will be awarded to all players who reach the final table.

Cocktails for the fourth annual edition of Broadway Bets start at 7:30 pm; the tournament begins at 8 pm. All ticketing levels include hors d'oeuvres and an open bar. Tickets and table sponsorship information are available at broadwaycares.org.

Broadway Bets' founding co-chairs are Paul Libin, president emeritus of the Broadway Cares/Equity FIghts AIDS Board of Trustees and recently retired executive vice president of Jujamcyn Theaters, and Robert E. Wankel, president and co-CEO of The Shubert Organization and president of the Broadway Cares Board of Trustees.

Micah Hollingworth of Jujamcyn Theaters, Mark Shacket of Foresight Theatrical and Brett Sirota of The Road Company will return as tournament directors.

Texas Hold 'em-style tournaments begin with each player receiving an equal amount of chips. Two blinds are posted per hand to force the action. As play progresses, the amount of the blind bets increase. As players drop out, tables are combined until there is one final table of players competing for the championship title.

For those who haven't quite mastered their poker face, guest passes offer a chance to observe the poker table action and play other casino games with an opportunity to win prizes. All prizes will be announced later this spring.

Last year's tournament raised a spectacular $286,900, as Broadway fan Ken Ruck bested actor, writer and musician Steve Martin and fellow fan Joan Siegel to win the title of Broadway Bets champion.

Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS is one of the nation's leading industry-based, nonprofit AIDS fundraising and grant-making organizations. By drawing upon the talents, resources, and generosity of the American theatre community, since 1988 Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS has raised more than $300 million for essential services for people with HIV/AIDS and other critical illnesses across the United States.

Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS is the major supporter of the social service programs at The Actors Fund, including the HIV/AIDS Initiative, the Phyllis Newman Women's Health Initiative and the Samuel J. Friedman Health Center for the Performing Arts. Broadway Cares also awards annual grants to more than 450 AIDS and family service organizations in all 50 states.

For more information, please visit Broadway Cares online at broadwaycares.org, at facebook.com/BCEFA, at instagram.com/BCEFA, at twitter.com/BCEFA and at youtube.com/BCEFA.