( PRWEB ) March 19, 2007 -- The Small Town Poker Tour (STPT) visits the John A., Alario, Sr., Events Center in the West Bank section of New Orleans, for three days of charity poker. The benefiting charity is the Krewe of Choctaw. The Krewe of Choctaw has been part of New Orleans Mard Gras since 1935.

Originally formed as a social organization, Choctaw did not parade until 1939 when ten old U.S. Government mail wagons were purchased from a salvage company for $50.00 each. The old stripped-down mail wagons formed the chassis for the first Choctaw carnival parade floats.

The event will be played over three days, with the main event taking place Saturday March 24, warm up events start Friday March 23. " I am very glad we were able to bring this event to the New Orleans Area and help out a piece of Mardi Gras history" stated Mark Fracalossi STPT Creator." I have been in New Orleans many times since Katrina , there is some progress, but there is still a long way to go." Fracalossi added.

The Small Town Poker Tour is the world's largest amateur poker tour, with emphasis on raising money for charity, and finding the worlds best amateur poker players. This event is the second of the STPT's American leg of the STPT Pro Am Charity Series. The STPT Pro Am Series is open to all players who want to come together and show their support for a charity. This series will bring some of the best players in the world together for a cause.The event winner will move on to the STPT Pro Am Series Championship this summer in Las Vegas.