Only 300 people saddled up for the first running of the PokerStars Ocean's Thirteen darfur Charity Tourney, and that got the attention of well-noted blogger Paul "Dr. Pauly" McGuire.

Poker bloggers have rallied the troops in the past for several different causes over the virtual and live green felt. This rebuy tourney being hosted by PokerStars is matching all donations AND awarding some very cool prizes. Not a side deal for helping out a war torn country with a few internet bucks that could go to better use then playing those Aces while knowing your opponent already hit his set.

Here's the Doc's rally cry for all bloggers, not just those of us who also play poker to donate a few buy-ins for a great cause:

Dear Poker Bloggers,

PokerStars is hosting a chairty tournament ONE WEEK from today to help raise money for the war torn Darfur region in the Sudan.

Date: May 27th 2007, 15:30 ET
Buy-in: $10 plus rebuys.
Prizes: Top 4 receive tickets to June 5th premiere in Los Angeles plus 2 nights hotel and $2k for travel/spending. Top 18 receive autographed copy of "Oceans 13" DVD. Total prize pool will go to charity. PokerStars will match the donation. The tournament is open to all players. Good luck!

I'm encouraging all bloggers to spread the word about this event. Please post the information on your blogs.

We got less than 300 players in last week's charity tournament. That was pathetic. My goal is to get at least 1,000 players in this tournament. I need your help.

Please blog about next Sunday's charity tournament. Blog about it two or three times. Please encourage all of your friends to play and if they can't play -- tell them to blog about it.

As I wrote on my blog... online poker players are painted by the mainstream press as degenerate criminals. Here's a chance to show the world that we can do some good with online poker.

Information is on the Tao of Poker. Feel free to cut and paste.

Karma points will be coming your way.

Thanks,
Pauly

Tao of Pauly -- http://mcgrupp.blogspot.com
Truckin' -- http://mcgtruckin.blogspot.com
Tao of Poker -- http://taopoker.blogspot.com
Las Vegas Blog -- http://www.lasvegasvegas.com