There are a lot of Vegas poker tournaments that puts the generosity of poker players on display. All in for CP and Ante Up for Africa are just two that come immediately to mind. Even when the Holdem event is over, thousands of poker players who couldn’t make it to the event, log on to the charities website and donate money to the cause. So those elected buffoons who think online gaming or casino poker is somehow the root of all evil can take a running jump into the nearest lake. While these tourneys express the generosity of poker players, nothing shows the depth of their kindness more than a sudden and spontaneous act of compassion.
A lot of holdem fans know that poker player, and all round sweetheart, Thuy Doan, was diagnosed with cancer last fall. At the World Poker Tour’s “Doyle Brunson Five Diamond World Poker Classic”, a lot of the assembled competitors not only expressed their sympathy for what she is currently going through, but went on to show their heartfelt support in a way that would have gotten a smile from even the most unmovable Christmas Grinch. Sixteen big name, casino poker players went to the Bellagio barber shop, and shaved their heads.
Anybody who is familiar with cancer treatments knows that the cure is almost as unforgiving as the disease. Not only does it do things to your body that would make the guys from the Spanish Inquisition cringe, but it helps torpedo your self esteem as well by taking your hair. These World Poker Tour competitors got together to show solidarity with her struggle by giving up their own hair. Some of the players who will be returning to this Vegas poker tournament with no need for a comb are Tom "durrrr" Dwan, Bertrand "ElkY" Grospellier, Doyle Brunson, Sorel Mizzi, Eli Elezra, , and Barry Greenstein. Once they all joined the Yule Brenner lookalike contest, the barber’s head was shaved and they all called it a day.
This spontaneous act of kindness must have been a moral boast for Thuy Doan, despite the fact that the room just got a lot less attractive for the WPT cameras. We salute those who did this, and send our hopes and prayers to Thuy Doan for a speedy and complete recovery.
