THE HUMANS, Jujamcyn, Disney & More to Sponsor BC/EFA's 2016 BROADWAY BETS Benefit

Broadway's biggest behind-the-scenes players - from major theatre owners and advertisement agencies to production companies and producers - have grabbed seats at the table for Broadway Bets, Broadway's official poker tournament, on Monday, May 16, 2016. The evening is produced by and benefits Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

Broadway's The Humans, nominated this week for six Tony Awards including Best Play, will be the evening's "Royal Flush" bar sponsor.

The collection of "Full House" sponsors, who have purchased full tables, includes AKA, Ambassador Theatre Group, The Araca Group, Foresight Theatrical, John Gore/Broadway.com, Independent Presenters Network, Jujamcyn Theaters, The Nederlander Organization, The Road Company, Road Concierge/ALTOUR, Serino/Coyne, The Shubert Organization, Situation Interactive and SpotCo.

"Two Pair" sponsors, purchasing half tables, include Disney Theatrical Productions, Entertainment Benefits Group, Production Resource Group, theatre producer David Stone, Sweet Hospitality Group and Ticketmaster.

Broadway Bets (#BroadwayBets) gives the theatre community and other loyal Broadway Cares supporters an opportunity to play in a friendly Texas Hold 'em tournament while raising money to help colleagues in the industry and hundreds of thousands more across the country. The spirited event, returning for its second edition this year, will be played at Sardi's, New York City's iconic theatre district restaurant at 234 West 44th Street.

Facing off against each other, players will compete to become Broadway Bets champion. Players who make the final table are eligible for prizes that include an overnight VIP visit to the World Poker Tournament's Borgata Open, VIP baseball and soccer tickets, tickets to see Billy Joel at Madison Square Garden and more.

A new addition for this year's Broadway Bets allows players who bust out in the early rounds the opportunity to buy their way back into a game for a new stack of chips.

Those not quite ready to go "all in" can take advantage of Broadway Bets guest passes, which provide an opportunity to watch the action and play blackjack with a chance to win prizes. All ticketing levels include hors d'oeuvres and an open bar.

Doors for Broadway Bets open for cocktails at 7:30 pm; tournament play begins at 8 pm. Tickets are available now at broadwaycares.org.

The event is co-chaired by Lauren Reid, CEO of the theater division at Key Brand Entertainment, and Al Nocciolino, president & CEO of NAC Entertainment Ltd. Paul Libin, executive vice president of Jujamcyn Theaters and BC/EFA Board of Trustees president, and Robert E. Wankel, president and co-CEO of The Shubert Organization and BC/EFA executive vice president, return as founding co-chairs.

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

Last year's inaugural tournament raised an incredible $137,200 as Bill Paness, controller for The Shubert Organization, bested IATSE Local 311 member Eric Castaldo and a final Broadway Bets table of eight other players to become the first 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 BC/EFA has raised more than $285 million for essential services for people with AIDS and other critical illnesses across the United States.

Broadway Cares 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 Al Hirschfeld Free Health Clinic, and awards annual grants to more than 450 AIDS and family service organizations in all 50 states.