

The final table of the 2020 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event is a few days away, where the US champion will be crowned. New Jersey’s Gershon “jets613” Distenfeld has come out to say that whatever winnings he gets following his performance will be donated to charity. He comes in sixth-placed as per chip size and will be looking to claim the title at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino.
Gershon was born in Queens, New York, but has spent a better time of his adult life in New Jersey with his wife and three daughters. Whoever wins the final table on December 28 will proceed to a heads up match against the international champion on the 3oth. Interestingly, a win for Gershon at the US final table will see him compete for the WSOP bracelet, and an additional $1 million on his 45th birthday.
According to Distenfeld, “I was born on the same day as Tiger Woods, December 30, 1975. He apparently took all the golf talent destined for that day. Hopefully, I took all the poker talent!”
Distenfeld has talked long and hard on how he applies his finance knowledge to the game of poker, stating that being a consistent winner in the game is not always about playing smart but capitalizing on the biases of others. Also, he has expressed his shock at making it this far in the competition. He said, “Just making this final table is surreal. It still has not sunk fully. To win it would just be indescribable.”
All Winnings Will go to Charity
We will be witnessing an amazing act of humanity in full display as Distinfeld will be giving out all of his winnings to charity. The poker professional has said time without number that poker is not about the money for him but rather the challenge and competition, and this time, he will show it. He said, “I am not in this for personal financial gain. I will be donating 100 percent of my poker winnings (net of any taxes) to charity. The charities I have chosen thus far encompass many of my and my wife Aviva’s areas of interest, which include organizations with proven track records in helping those less fortunate and more vulnerable improve their lives.”
Some of the charities he wishes to donate to are:
- Yachad – It is an establishment dedicated to enhancing the life opportunities of Jewish individuals. These individuals are those with developmental disabilities or other learning challenges.
- Minds Matter – This aims at helping determined low-income students navigate college, thereby creating a better future.
- NCSY Relief Missions – Harnessing teen volunteers to address disaster relief and food insecurity.
- Project S.A.R.A.H (Stop Abusive Relationships At Home) – working to overcome cultural, legal, and religious barriers confronting victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse.
Gershon has said that more charities will be announced in the coming days. However, one-eighth of the total winning will be received by each of the aforementioned organizations. He will also be giving a soon to be decided amount to Bergenfield, New Jersey food pantry.