Miriam Foundation today announced Canada’s largest televised charity poker tournament will take place Sunday March 27 to Wednesday March 30, 2011 at Le Windsor Ballroom in Montreal, and is expecting to attract as many as 1500 players from around the world.

“Now in its fifth year, it is remarkable how this charitable event has grown from a one-day tournament to a four-day event, the only one of its kind in Canada.” said Warren Greenstone, Executive Director of the Miriam Foundation. “The Montreal Open has had participants from every province in Canada and five US states, including California and Florida, as well as Europe.” This charity event attracts many poker enthusiasts, such as Mary Kolodny, 80 years old and betting out many regulars as well as the Ace Ten Bomber with his Bomb Squad, an individual from Ontario that hopes to be a professional poker player accompanied by his entourage.

World-class poker professionals from Full Tilt Poker will be on hand, including Howard ‘The Professor’ Lederer, Andy ‘The Rock’ Hoch, Gavin Smith, Marc Karam and Eric Cajelais. Thirty finalists will fly to Las Vegas to share a prize pool valued at over $250,000 US. The top 10 will each receive an entry into the World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event in Las Vegas. The action will be aired on Canada's gaming TV network and Rogers Sports Net.

Proceeds benefit the Miriam Foundation in support of rehabilitative, vocational and residential services and programs for children, adolescents, adults and seniors living with autism in Montreal. To participate as a sponsor or register to play, call the Miriam Foundation at 514.345.1300 or visit www.themontrealopen.com.