Poker journalist and industry veteran Chad Holloway is set to embark on a new challenge that one that extends beyond the felt and into the realm of reality games. Holloway, host of the PokerNews Podcast and a WSOP bracelet winner (as well as a good, longtime friend of mine and past contributor to Cardplayer Lifestyle), has been selected to compete on Live to Give, a live reality game (LRG) show with a unique charitable twist. Each contestant is playing for a charity, with funds raised throughout the competition going toward their respective causes.
In this interview, Chad talks about his passion for reality TV, his motivation for competing, and how he plans to involve the poker community in his fundraising efforts.
What about the reality TV genre is so appealing to you in the first place?
I’ve been a fan of reality TV and reality games since I was right out of high school. That coincided with the debut of Survivor, which is approaching its 50th season now. I started watching during Season 1, Episode 2, back in 2000, and I’ve been hooked ever since.
What appeals to me is similar to what I love about poker; it’s largely a mental game. It’s you against the other players, testing your ability to outthink and outmaneuver them. Reality TV games add a physical element, making it a more immersive, 24/7 experience. Unlike poker, where you bag up chips and go home at the end of the night.
In these competitions you’re constantly strategizing and adapting. I love pushing myself, and these types of games challenge me in a way that poker alone doesn’t.
This isn’t your first time competing in a reality TV game. How did you first get involved in LRGs?
Back in 2022, I learned about live reality games but didn’t realize there was a whole community of people dedicated to them. I applied, sent in a video explaining why I’d be a good contestant, went through interviews, and was ultimately cast on Survival Challenge Season 9.
Unfortunately, I entered that game with a severe injury, a Grade 2 tear in my right hamstring. I rehabbed aggressively and gave it my best shot, but I wasn’t at 100%. I didn’t win, and that left me wondering how I would have performed at full strength. That’s part of what’s motivating me to try again.
Tell us about Live to Give. What makes it different from other LRGs?
Live to Give is in its ninth season and is based in Minnesota, though it casts contestants from all over the U.S. The game’s purpose is to raise money for various charities. Each contestant represents a charity, and most of the money raised goes directly to those organizations. A portion of the funds goes into a prize pool, which is awarded to the winner’s charity at the end of the game.
What charity are you representing?
I’m a big believer in donating locally, so I’m playing for the Beyond Blessed Food Pantry. They’re based right in my hometown, in Wisconsin, and do incredible work, distributing over $350,000 worth of food to more than 3,000 families each month. I know that whatever I raise will go directly to helping people in my community.
How does the fundraising portion work?
Every contestant must raise a minimum of $800, but we’re encouraged to raise as much as possible. During the casting process, I told them that one of my goals was to raise more money than any previous player on the show has ever raised. I told them that I work in the poker community, that it’s a very strong and generous community, and I believe they’ll show support.
So, I’m hoping to hit $15,000 with my fundraising efforts ahead of the show. There’s also an incentive, as whomever raises the most money gets a competitive advantage in the game. I don’t know what that is, but it can only help.
How many contestants are there, and do you know who they are?
There are 21 contestants from all walks of life. One of them is a former Survivor contestant. Unlike most LRGs, where casts are kept secret, Live to Give announces the players ahead of time because of the charitable component. We can’t contact each other, but we can research one another, which is both good and bad. It means I can study my opponents, but they can also study me.
In past games, I never told anyone I worked in the poker industry. I’d say I worked at a comic book store. But now, with my bio public, there’s a chance people will see me as a strategic threat. I might have a target on my back.
Do you think your poker experience gives you an edge?
I’m a storyteller, and I think that that definitely helped during the application process. That’s a desirable kind of player to showcase on TV. I also think that my poker acumen will serve me well during the game, specifically in terms of having patience and good timing, as well as the willingness to take risks. We poker players practice that kind of stuff all the time.
How are you involving the poker community in your fundraising?
I plan to tap into the poker world in a few ways.
First off, I intend to show up and play at Cardplayer Lifestyle’s next Mixed Game Festival at Bellagio this summer and splash around in the cash games. Anything I win, I’ll be donating to charity.
Down the road from me there’s The Players Bar, which is owned by Mark Kroon. In the past, they’ve done a “Burger of the Week”, so I hope that Mark will work with me at some point to have a “Beyond Blessed Burger” where $1 from each sale will go towards the charity.
Finally, at this summer’s WSOP in Las Vegas, I plan to auction off some rare poker collectibles I’ve gathered over my 17 years in the industry, with the proceeds going towards the charity.
Live to Give is a winner-take-all competition. If you get close but don’t win, how will you handle it?
Poker players are used to losing. I’ve only played one WSOP event where I didn’t bust! In LRGs, losing can hit people hard because they’re not accustomed to it. But poker has prepared me well for this, and I’m going to try not to be results-oriented. I will go out there as prepared as I can be, both physically and mentally, and just play the best game I can.
You’re dedicating a lot of time and effort to this without any personal gain. Why go to all the trouble?
Some poker people have played in Survivor in the past and traditionally they haven’t done very well. Jean-Robert Bellande, Garrett Adelstein, and Ronnie Bardah come to mind. So, there’s a motivation for me to represent poker players well; we’re supposed to be good “gamesmen” after all! So, for one, it’s about pride and proving to myself that I can do this.
But more importantly, it’s about making a difference. Poker is a zero-sum game, and many players wonder what they’re contributing to society. This is my way of giving back. If I can help Beyond Blessed and represent the poker world well, then it’s all worth it.
Conclusion
Whether he emerges as the winner or not, Chad’s efforts to involve the poker community in charitable giving will surely leave a lasting impact.
If you want to support Chad’s cause, please consider contributing to his fundraising efforts for Beyond Blessed Food Pantry. Upon clicking that donation link, please be sure to select Chad’s name from the drop-down menu so that he and his charity are appropriately credited.
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