Ivey to Recognize Wrongful Conviction Day with “All in for Justice Poker Tournament”
Next week on Thursday, October 2, the inaugural All in for Justice Poker Tournament will take place at Jamul Casino in San Diego. The $200 buy-in charity event is designed to support the wrongfully convicted and to help free the innocent by raising funds for The Innocence Center.
Click here to either register for the tournament or make a donation to the charity.
Sponsored by Suited Poker Gear (SPG) and Poker League of Nations (PLON), and generously hosted by Jamul Casino, the event is also being held in collaboration with Cheyanne Ivey, the head of Ivey Solutions and sister of noted poker pro Phil Ivey.
“Poker runs in my family, but so does justice. My grandfather, Leonard ‘Bud’ Simmons, was a civil rights leader and politician who taught my brother Phil the game of poker and inspired my own passion for equal rights,” Cheyanne Ivey told PokerNews. “During law school, I worked on the Miami Innocence Clinic, fighting to free the wrongfully convicted, and that experience, coupled with my grandfather’s lifelong fight for equal rights forever shaped my path.”
She continued: “That’s why this Charity Poker event for the Innocence Center means so much to me. It ties together my family’s love for the game with our legacy of fighting for fairness and justice. Every hand we play is another step towards freeing someone who has been wrongfully incarcerated.”
Ivey Solutions delivers strategic precision for optimal outcomes through a variety of services that include, but are not limited to, case management, compliance, concierge gaming services, international business, project coordination, risk management, and time allocation strategy.
Cheyanne Ivey, head of Ivey Solutions, holds five advanced degrees, is a multilingual visionary entrepreneur, strategist, and trusted advisor to elite professionals across the globe. Known as “The Solutionist,” she is recognized for her ability to navigate high-stakes environments with precision, discretion, and an unmatched commitment to excellence. With a legacy shaped by law, business, the poker world, and politics, Cheyanne blends intellectual firepower with real-world insight to empower others, elevate experiences, and lead with purpose.
“Poker and courtroom work share more than strategy,” said Claudia Salinas, staff attorney for The Innocence Project. “Both demand careful observation, calculated risks, and the ability to act decisively with incomplete information. In poker, you analyze opponents, weigh probabilities, and make moves without knowing the full picture. In the courtroom, lawyers study cases, investigate evidence, and advocate for truth while facing uncertainty. Sometimes, you hold the strongest evidence or the clearest argument. Other times, setbacks teach lessons that make your next case stronger.”
She added: “In my eleven years of playing poker, I have seen firsthand how the game brings together people from all walks of life—lawyers, judges, business owners, and individuals from countless backgrounds. Poker is widely recognized and accessible, making it the perfect platform to raise awareness about wrongful convictions on Wrongful Conviction Day.”
Salinas was also a recent guest on The Grid, where she spoke with PokerStars Ambassador Jennifer Shahade about her poker story and the upcoming charity event.
About the Innocence Center
The Innocence Center launched in 2023. The Board and Staff have decades of innocence work under their belt, having worked at the California Innocence Project as a staff or faculty member.
Collectively, the group has freed more than 40 people who have served 600+ years in prison for crimes they did not commit. The team has been responsible for getting a dozen laws changed to prevent future injustices and make it easier to free the innocent.
As their website says about the upcoming charity event:
“This Wrongful Conviction Day, the Innocence Center is going all-in for justice. Join us for an unforgettable night of poker where every hand helps bring the wrongfully convicted home. Whether you're a seasoned player or just in it for fun, you’ll be raising more than stakes—you’ll be raising hope. All proceeds go toward freeing the wrongfully convicted from prison, educating the public on the causes of wrongful conviction, and supporting exonerated people on their reentry back. Ante up. Take your seat. Change a life.”
Every buy-in, sponsorship, and donation fuels the mission, helping the Innocence Center continue freeing the innocent and supporting them as they rebuild their lives. If you cannot play, you can still make an impact by sponsoring a seat or donating directly at givebutter.com/TIC-All-InForJustice or reach out directly at [email protected].
