BC/EFA's BROADWAY BETS is Set For May 13

Fun and philanthropy are in the cards when Broadway Bets, Broadway's official poker tournament, shuffles up and deals on Monday, May 13, 2019. 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 New York City theatre district's beloved Sardi's restaurant (234 West 44th Street). Newcomers and aces alike will have the chance to go "all in" and win the coveted title of Broadway Bets (#BroadwayBets) champion. Prizes will be awarded to all players who reach the final table.

Cocktails 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.

Stepping up as "Royal Flush" bar sponsor for this year's event is Broadway's To Kill a Mockingbird. Current "Full House" table sponsors are AKA, The Araca Group, BROADWai, Foresight Theatrical, The John Gore Organization/Broadway.com, Jujamcyn Theaters, The Nederlander Organization, The Pekoe Group, The Road Company, Satisfi Labs, Serino Coyne, The Shubert Organization, Situation Interactive, SpotCo, Sweet Hospitality Group, Ticketmaster and Willkie, Farr & Gallagher. Disney Theatrical Productions, Entertainment Benefits Group and Independent Presenters Network have signed on as "Two Pair" half-table sponsors. Additional sponsors will be announced later.

Broadway Bets' founding co-chairs are Paul Libin, president emeritus of the Broadway Cares/Equity FIghts AIDS Board of Trustees and executive vice president emeritus 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 BroadwAI, 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.

Last year's tournament raised a spectacular $295,100, as Peter Pergola, chief operating officer of The Araca Group, bested Thomas M. Cerabino, chairman of Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP, to win the title of Broadway Bets champion. In its four year, Broadway Bets has raised $967,000 for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

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.