The Heart of a Gambler

Johnny Moss was famous for something he said when a friend told him he should watch his lifestyle because he might get a heart attack. Moss retorted with a sardonic grin, 'That'll never happen. I don't have a heart.'

While Moss may have been joking, the publishers of Ante Up, a poker magazine owned by Scott Long and Christopher Cosenza in Clearwater, FL., are serious when they declare poker players have plenty of heart.

The publishers justify their claim by pointing out that poker players and gambling casinos throughout North America contributed enough money and food over the past three years to feed 200,000 people.

Ante Up and Blue Shark Optics teamed up to create 'Restock The Shelves,' a food distribution program in 2015. The program has grown to 36 casinos over the past three years.

I am familiar with Ante Up, having published several poker articles in its pages over the past decade. Scott and Christopher are two personable guys who put out a top quality publication that they distribute free to poker rooms in the United States and throughout North America.

Food and cash are collected every January and distributed to sponsoring casinos that turn the donations over to local food banks. I am proud to say some of my favorite poker rooms like Pechanga in Southern California, Hon-Dah Resort Casino in Pinetop, AZ., Pearl River Resort in Mississippi, and Foxwoods Resort in Connecticut have contributed to the program. Other participating casinos include Ameristar, Derby Lane in St. Petersburg, FL., and Seminole Resort in Coconut Creek, FL.

Casino poker rooms ask their players to bring in non-perishable foodstuffs and make donations to the program. In return, they are given add-on chips for poker tournaments or other worthwhile perks.,

I happen to know a few poker players with heart who have made major contributions to the less fortunate. One is Oklahoma Johnny Hale who, with his wife, formed a charity program. Another was the late Puggy Pearson, one of the most generous poker players I ever met.

You can pick up a copy of Ante Up Magazine in your favorite poker room. I take my hat off to Scott and Christopher for their heart-felt work. It helps the homeless and families that have fallen on hard times. It makes me proud to be a poker player.

Author: Geno Lawrenzi Jr.

(Geno Lawrenzi Jr. is an international journalist, magazine author and ghostwriter and poker player who lives in Phoenx, AZ. He has published 2,000 articles in 50 magazines and 125 newspapers. If you want to share a gambling story or book idea with him, send an email to glawrenzi@gmail.com ).