Nevada gubernatorial candidate reached the final table of a poker tournament in Las Vegas

Daniel Ford, a candidate for governor of Nevada, finished fifth at the final table of a charity poker tournament in Las Vegas. Her participation drew attention to the event and supported the charitable cause.

Last weekend, Las Vegas hosted a charity poker tournament from the Charity Series of Poker (CSOP) called "Every Hand Makes a Difference," where an unexpected finalist was Nevada gubernatorial candidate Danielle Ford. She finished in fifth place, demonstrating not only political engagement but also confident play at the poker table. Who is Danielle Ford and Why Her Participation Matters Danielle Ford is an independent candidate for Governor of Nevada and a current member of the State Board of Education. In the upcoming election on November 3, 2026, she will compete against Democrat Aaron Ford and incumbent Republican Governor Joe Lombardo. On her official website, Ford presents herself as a "nonpartisan candidate putting Nevada’s interests first" and aims for "practical reform of the state systems that families depend on." Danielle Ford herself notes that poker is a way for her to unwind from the stress of work and daily life. In an interview with PokerNews, she shared that the game helps her "mentally detach" and is almost a meditative practice: "It’s one of the few things that completely captures my attention." Charity Tournament CSOP #108: Format and Participants The "Every Hand Makes a Difference" tournament was held under the auspices of the Charity Series of Poker (CSOP)—a regular series of charity poker events in Las Vegas. The goal of this stage was to raise funds for the Junior League of Las Vegas, an organization supporting the local community. The tournament format included celebrity guests as "bounties," with special prizes awarded for knocking them out. Among the invited guests were not only Danielle Ford, but also well-known actress Katie Morgan and 2013 WSOP Main Event champion Ryan Riess. Notably, Riess also made it to the final table. Other notable figures from the poker community also reached the final table: Sean McCormack, Director of Poker Operations at MGM Resorts International; longtime CSOP supporter Sidney Koca; and regular series participant Dave Freeston, known as the "villain" of CSOP. CSOP #108 Final Table Results In the tournament’s final showdown, Tamar Berkowitz, representing Volunteers of Las Vegas, claimed victory. She won the top prize of $2,000, defeating Ryan Riess heads-up, who received $1,500 for second place. Danielle Ford finished in fifth place and received two tickets to a Vegas Golden Knights hockey game as her prize. According to Ford, this was "a pleasant bonus to an evening spent for a good cause." She also noted that she especially values the opportunity to combine participating in CSOP with supporting charitable initiatives. CSOP #108 Final Table Results 1st place: Tamar Berkowitz (Volunteers of Las Vegas) — $2,000 2nd place: Ryan Riess (2013 WSOP Main Event Champion) — $1,500 3rd place: Sean McCormack (MGM Resorts International) 4th place: Sidney Koca (CSOP) 5th place: Danielle Ford (Nevada gubernatorial candidate) — 2 tickets to Vegas Golden Knights 6th place: Dave Freeston (CSOP) Famous Faces at CSOP Tournaments The Charity Series of Poker regularly attracts well-known personalities to its events. For example, a month earlier, Ronnie "The Limo Driver" Mund, known from The Howard Stern Show, participated in one of the CSOP tournaments. Regular guests of the series also include actor Kane Hodder, who starred in the "Friday the 13th" films, and punk legend Fat Mike. This highlights CSOP’s high status as a platform that brings together the poker community and show business figures for charity. Charity and Poker: How the Goals Align CSOP tournaments show that poker can be not only a game of chance but also an effective tool for raising funds for socially significant projects. The participation of public figures like Danielle Ford helps draw attention to social issues and expands the audience for charitable initiatives. Ford emphasized that it’s important for her to combine personal enjoyment of the game with the opportunity to help others: "I’m glad I can combine poker with supporting CSOP and know that it benefits many people." What This Means for PPPoker Club Players For members of PPPoker clubs, this news serves as a great example of how poker can go beyond just a game and become part of charitable and community initiatives. Organizing your own charity tournaments or supporting such events is a way not only to develop the poker community but also to contribute to solving important social issues. It’s also worth noting the tournament format with celebrity guests and "bounties"—these elements make events more interesting and appealing to a wider audience. PPPoker clubs can adopt this approach by inviting well-known players or opinion leaders to increase engagement and the popularity of their events. Finally, Danielle Ford’s story shows that poker is not just about excitement and competition, but also about developing strategic thinking, stress resilience, and social connections. For PPPoker club members, this is an extra motivation to participate in tournaments that bring together people with different interests and goals.