CSOP 108: Every Hand Makes A Difference

Tamar Berkowitz, from Volunteers of Las Vegas, has won event 108 after the final five players moved some money around so that everyone got some cash. Berkowitz also busted two bounties and claimed a number of sponsor prizes.

About Our Winner

Tamar "T" Berkowitz hails from Stoughton, Massachusetts, and has been playing poker since 2004. She discovered the game through a free poker league in Chesapeake, Virginia. Berkowitz considers this win to be her most significant poker achievement. Outside of poker, she works in Guest Experience at Allegiant Stadium and Sphere.

CSOP 108: Every Hand Makes A Difference — Wrap Up

The Charity Series of Poker returned to Via Brasil Steakhouse for the second annual Every Hand Makes a Difference, a lively CSOP 108 stop that mixed big personalities with bigger purpose in support of the Junior League of Las Vegas. With dinner and an open bar setting the tone, the room quickly shifted into tournament mode as players chased cash, prize packages, and a lineup of celebrity bounties that included 2013 WSOP Main Event champion Ryan Riess alongside familiar CSOP faces and special guests.

As the field tightened, the final table delivered exactly what the series promised: plenty of laughs, plenty of action, and meaningful rebuys that went straight to the cause. The payout structure rewarded the top three with $2,500 up top, $1,500 for second, and $1,000 for third, while places four through ten earned CSOP prize packages.

The biggest momentum swing of the late stages came when Tamar Berkowitz moved all in from the small blind and Riess was forced to defend with a light holding. Berkowitz’s K♥ 8♣ held firm on a board of A♠ J♥ 4♦ A♣ Q♥.

From there, Berkowitz rode the surge to the finish line, closing out the final table to win CSOP 108, capping a night where every pot mattered and every hand helped the charity.

Berkowitz Doubles Up

Tamar Berkowitz in the small blind shoves all in for 500,000 and Ryan Riess in the big blind calls. Berkowitz shows K♥8♣ and Riess shows 2♠3♦. The board runs out A♠J♥4♦A♣Q♥, giving Berkowitz aces and a king kicker. Tamar Berkowitz wins the pot.

Tamar Berkowitz - Starting 500,000 - Ending 1,200,000 - Won 700,000
Ryan Riess - Starting 1,050,000 - Ending 350,000 - Lost 700,000

CSOP 108: Final Table

We have a fun final table with a lot of laughing and players who are serious about poker but even more serious about charity and having a good time!

Payouts

1st - $2,500
2nd - $1,500
3rd - $1,000
4th-10th - CSOP Prize Packages

Player Feature: Danielle Ford

Danielle Ford, hailing from Las Vegas, has been playing poker since 2011. Her interest in the game was sparked by watching poker on TV in her early 20s. She dedicated a year to studying poker books and practicing hands before confidently entering live tournaments. Her first significant foray into live poker was at the World Series of Poker (WSOP), where she bought into a satellite and won the table. Ford's most notable poker achievement is cashing in a bracelet event at the World Series Of Poker.

Outside of poker, Danielle Ford is a marketing strategist and a two-time elected official. She is currently running as an independent candidate for governor of Nevada, aiming to challenge the traditional two-party system in the upcoming November election. This is Danielle's second CSOP event and she has already won over multiple CSOP volunteers who are working on her gubernatorial campaign. You can learn more about her candidacy at https://daniellefornevada.com/

Faces Of CSOP 108

Action is fast and furious here at CSOP 108 and players are having a great time. Thanks to Via Brasil Steakhouse and all of our sponsors for helping us throw this amazing event!

Faces Of The CSOP

Player Feature: Mikki Gunter

Mikki, known in the poker community by the nickname "PokerInFront," hails from Las Vegas and has been playing poker for 16 years. She started playing in home games after work in Los Angeles, which laid the foundation for her poker journey. Mikki's most memorable poker experience was a marathon session where she ended up $5,000 ahead after playing for 26 hours straight, during which she managed to eat three free meals and get fully drunk... twice. Outside of poker, Mikki is involved with the Charity Series of Poker and various other volunteer organizations.

If you attend a CSOP event you will likely see Mikki in full CSOP regalia selling 50/50 raffle tickets and cheering on our players. She also works with Volunteers of Las Vegas and is a retired military veteran. We are lucky to have Mikki on our side at the CSOP and she has become not only a valuable volunteer, but a ferocious advocate. Tonight she is even handling some of the emcee duties. Thank Mikki!

Cards in the Air: Now Get Those Bounties!

Cards are in the air at CSOP 108, and there's a bounty sitting in seat five at every table tonight. Knock one out and you collect their bounty medal and an envelope with special gifts from our sponsors.

Here's who you're hunting:

Ryan Riess, 2013 WSOP Main Event champion, who finished second at the very first CSOP back in 2014

Sean McCormack, MGM Resorts' Executive Director of Poker Strategy and Development, and a CSOP board member

Katie Morgan, Movie star, CSOP champion, and two-time CSOP Award winner, including Celebrity of the Year

Rebel Lynn, AVN-nominated actress who holds the record for most final tables in CSOP history

Joey Hamilton, Ink Master Season 3 winner, owner of Revolt Tattoos and a CSOP champion

Robert "Drakken" Raymond, the glass artist behind Drakken Glass, featured in High Times

Sean Keith, Incredible Las Vegas artist and founder of Sean Keith Art

Glen Howard, of Howard Injury Law, one of tonight's top sponsors

Brian Kip, founder of SKC Group and CSOP Vice President

Danielle Ford, poker's favorite gubernatorial candidate

Every Hand Makes a Difference Returns to Via Brasil for CSOP 108