Poker players from all over the world have come together to raise close to $700,000 for charities hell-bent on reducing suffering in the world, now, and in the future. 

In a few hours time, I will hop on a bird, destined for San Francisco to spend three days at the Effective Altruism Global Summit.

For me, the concept of ‘service’ came into my life when I quit alcohol, but it wasn’t until Philip Gruissem’s touching story of turning poker into a way to reduce suffering, that I began to sit up and philosophise about how I could make a difference.

Like so many in the poker industry, I joined Raising For Effective Giving (REG) as my charity hobby horse of choice. It continues to be a fun ride as I learn so many things about humanity; the way it ticks, and the vast difference in the way Homo Sapiens live on this earth.