The no-limit Texas Hold 'Em charity poker events at Great Lakes Downs can now live up to their no-limit name.

After the Michigan Lottery's Charitable Gaming Division removed the $500 cap on daily winnings for charitable gambling events, organizers of the popular local events at the Fruitport Township thoroughbred racetrack followed suit and increased the top prize money available. As a result, organizers said even more people are being dealt hands.

Shannon McDonough, co-owner of All-In Entertainment, a Spring Lake business that schedules and helps organize the Great Lakes Downs charity poker events, said the first Saturday Texas Hold 'Em tournament held after the $500 cap was lifted generated the largest number of players ever for a single tournament there. The 123 players played for a first-place prize that exceeded $1,400.

The amount of prize money during a given event is based on the number of players and how much they pay to enter.

"There's been a big interest in it," McDonough said. "The players didn't like the $500 limit."

McDonough and a local nonprofit official credit poker players and nonprofits for convincing the state that removing the cap would generate more interest.

"Absolutely, the bigger first prizes will draw in more people," said Brian Harris, second vice president of the Muskegon Chapter Lodge 99 of the Fraternal Order of Police and avid player. "There are a lot of good gamblers who weren't interested with only being able to win $500. I think it's great that they made the change in that they're listening to the players."

The Muskegon FOP chapter has held three fundraising events at Great Lakes Downs and averaged $5,000 net profit for each event. Harris said the larger prize money will draw in more players and generate more funds for the nonprofits.

Texas Hold 'Em is a form of poker that has grown considerably in popularity across the nation over the last few years. Televised tournaments on ESPN, Fox Sports Net, Travel Channel, Bravo and Game Show Network have spurred interest and created a loyal fan base.