Josh Arieh is using GoFundMe to help raise money for the children of Gavin Smith, the late poker pro who passed away unexpectedly in his sleep Monday. In less than 24 hours, a heartbroken poker community has donated over $44,000.
Phil Hellmuth also said on Twitter he will host a charity tournament in Phoenix to raise money for Smith’s family. He hasn’t yet shared details of the planned event other than it will be “over Super Bowl weekend.”
Hellmuth and Arieh are among the many poker pros mourning the loss of their friend. Gavin made a positive impact on the poker world. And now those who loved him dearly want to help his family.
Arieh Steps Up to the Plate
After news spread of Smith’s passing, Josh Arieh helped promote a GoFundMe page created by Smith’s agents at Poker Royalty to raise money for Gavin’s kids. He initially set out to reach a goal of $25,000. But that number increased to $100,000 when it became clear the poker community is feeling generous.
In less than 12 hours, more than $40,000 was donated. According to the GoFundMe page, all proceeds “will be placed in a law firm escrow account until a trust (or another legal vehicle) can be established to solely benefit Gavin’s children.”
Many poker players have already donated. PokerStars commentator Joe Stapleton, who worked with Gavin on the old Poker Road Radio podcast, matched five $100 donations.
Some commenters on Twitter questioned how the children of a poker player who had over $6 million in lifetime tournament winnings needs financial assistance. But Arieh said, despite Gavin’s big wins, “I’m certain the boys need help. I’ll leave it at that.”
Poker Community Shares Memories
Poker Twitter was full of Gavin Smith stories on Tuesday. Pros such as Daniel Negreanu, Phil Hellmuth, and others reminisced about times they spent with the late poker star.
I learned a lot from @olegsmith, one of the kindest people to ever play the game.
Gavin was a poker content pioneer, among the first top pros to regularly (and hilariously) broadcast in podcasts, radio, and digital platforms.
RIP my friend, the poker world is worse without you. pic.twitter.com/OzEcbMDx3o
— jcarver (@JasonSomerville) January 15, 2019
Todd Brunson proposed a toast to Gavin, his good friend. His father, Doyle, shared some wise advice on Twitter. “There is no guarantee for tomorrow. We should all live our lives accordingly,” the poker legend wrote. Both Brunsons competed against Smith on the felt many times.
And We’re off. We lost one of our best friends and one of pokers greats tonight. If u knew him u will know the drink. RIP my friend. pic.twitter.com/KDYG4wAAF6
— Todd Brunson (@ToddBrunson) January 15, 2019
I’ll never forget all of us at 1st poker night in America on that jet Gavin was always the man of the party. He will be so missed! https://t.co/OvEWqfQQfJ
— Mike Matusow (@themouthmatusow) January 16, 2019
Smith’s cause of death remains unknown. What has been reported thus far is that he passed away unexpectedly in his sleep.
Gavin, 50, moved to Houston, Texas last summer to take care of his two young children. The Canadian poker pro had full custody of both kids prior to passing.
He was always the life of every party he attended. Smith’s friends remember him as a generous man who was always brutally honest, sometimes to a fault. Former WSOP media director Nolan Dala, who knew Gavin for over 20 years, referred to his deceased friend as, “the most loyal and devoted person I’ve ever known in poker,” in a heartfelt tribute article.
You can help raise money to ensure Gavin Smith’s children are taken care of via the GoFundMe page.
