Its aim is to help homeless. Now, it is on target to reach the €100,000 mark next Saturday, Nov. 3.

A seat to the €2,000 Irish Poker Championship that will take place in Galway in the west of Ireland form Jan. 3 to 6, 2008 has just been donated by PartyPoker. Reigning World Snooker Champion John Higgins and Littlewoods-sponsored former Premiership and international footballer Tony Cascarino join already-confirmed former snooker world champions Steve Davis and Dublin native Ken Doherty to play in the event.

PokerStars, Paddy Power Poker, 888, Ladbrokes, Green Joker Poker, Merrion Casino Club, and Card Player Magazine have been very quick making their decision in favor of the annual event. All of them pitch in with satellites into the event, donations or organizational help.

Of the €300 (+€30) buy-in, €100 goes directly to Simon Dublin with the remaining €200 going into the prize pool.

Last year the event proved to be very popular. Over 200 players participated in it. And such players as Donnacha O’Dea, Jesse May, Scott Gray, Julian Gardner, ‘Mad’ Marty Wilson, Dave Colclough, Kevin O’Connell, Nick Leeson, Matthew Stevens, and Stephen Hendry took part in it. They managed to raise just under €50,000 for homeless charity Simon Dublin. Then, Noel Furlong turned out to be a winner.