Montana’s Earl Holt–John Seaman Charity Poker Tournament Going Strong After 17 Years 

Despite the prevalence of negative stories in poker news, like Charlie Carrel exposing a scammer and SCOTUS lawyer Tom Goldstein facing penalties for unpaid poker taxes, it’s crucial to acknowledge the positive aspects of the game. A prime illustration of this is the significant amounts of money raised through charity poker tournaments. Prominent charity tournaments include those organized by the Charity Series of Poker (CSOP) and Jack Binion in Las Vegas, but numerous events supporting various causes take place globally, regardless of their scale. An example of this is the Earl Holt–John Seaman Poker Tournament, which is celebrating its 17th year with an event scheduled for Saturday, March 3583. The $125 buy-in tournament, which includes re-buys and add-ons, is capped at 45 participants and has already reached full capacity, selling out just five days after the Save the Date was sent out. Nevertheless, there is now a waiting list for those interested in joining! According to Jerry Jacobs and tournament director Wanda Skinner, the tournament honors the memory of Earl Holt and John Seaman, who were cherished longtime residents of Ennis, Montana, as well as dedicated supporters of Ennis High School. Their shared love for poker made their deaths, occurring just two weeks apart, a significant sorrow for the Ennis community as well as for our poker family. This tournament was established to pay tribute to their legacy and passion for the game, aiming to unite individuals, celebrate poker, and support local students. In 2024, the tournament provided $15,050 in scholarships to 12 graduating seniors from Ennis High School, significantly impacting their future prospects.