Alligator Online

Gainesville poker players interested in showing off their skills have the opportunity to compete in the Gainesville Poker Tournament beginning Saturday.

The event, held to benefit STOP! Children’s Cancer Inc., will include 200 students and 100 adults, event director Ethan Fieldman said in a press release.

Competitors will face off in four tournaments for seats at the main event. The first tournament is over, but the remaining competitions will take place March 12, 19 and 26, for which spots still are available.

“Saturday went incredibly well,” Fieldman said. “Everyone was surprised at how professional the tournament was.”

Game registration begins at 6 p.m., according to the event’s Web site, http://www.gainesvillepoker.com. Students, who must present a valid student ID, will be charged a one-time $20 entrance fee to be donated to the charity. The top 10 from each tournament will move on. Gainesville Police spokesman Keith Kameg will be a participant in the tournament.