Playa Vista Poker Party @ CTRL Collective

1. Playa Vista Direct editor Shanee Edwards, second from left, on the verge of losing it all
2. Tasmin Trezise of Tanda Workforce Management Software shows off his ace to the camera
3. Event sponsors Kris Zacuto of Hilton & Hyland and his wife, Gabrielle D’Addario, president of Silicon Beach Parents Group
4. Gregory Loomis makes a gentleman’s bet with his tablemate, comedian Angelina Spicer
5. A view of the Poker Party from CTRL Collective’s mezzanine
6. Poker players take a break from the game to read Playa Vista Direct

Local risk-takers literally laid their cards on the table, ready to go all-in, at a Texas Hold’em tournament for a good cause on Feb. 24. Hosted by the Silicon Beach Parents Group and Kris Zacuto of the real estate firm Hilton & Hyland, the Saturday night Playa Vista Poker Party at local co-working space CTRL Collective was a fundraiser for TGA Sports, a foundation that combines sports like golf and tennis with STEM to improve the lives of children nationwide.

Tasmin Trezise, the founder of the software company Tanda, managed to bluff his way to a big win, while Playa Vista Farmers Market founder Farmer Mark followed suit by perfecting his organic poker face. Despite playing my cards close to my chest, I ended up sinking when the river card was dealt, losing all my chips in about 20 minutes. Luckily, there was some great wine and all the tacos I could eat.

The event raised nearly $5,000, making TGA Sports the big winner.

— Shanee Edwards