Poker star, businesswoman and mom, Beth Shak packed the house with friends and fans at the All In” for Kids Poker Tournament, to benefit the palliative care program of the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. The event, which was held at the Mandarin Oriental in New York City, raised an impressive $825,000.

Among the poker luminaries that helped make the benefit event so successful were  Phil Ivey, seven-time World Series of Poker bracelet winner; Phil Hellmuth, 12-time WSOP bracelet winner; and Annie Duke, Ultimate Bet Pro. The All In” for Kids Poker Tournament also drew support from   Mike Quick, Ricky Bottalico and celebrity chef Bobby Flay.

It took persistence and not a small amount of charm for Beth Shak to persuade hospital officials to hold a poker tournament for the benefit the hospital’s palliative care program. Her passion for this worthwhile cause to provide funds for terminally ill cancer stricken children eventually won the day.

Beth Shak blazed onto the poker scene 4 years ago, and has since been cashing at major tournaments, including 2 World Poker Tour events and 5 World Series of Poker events. Her remarkable rise in professional poker has earned Beth Shak the sponsorship of Full Tilt Poker.