Bearing Down: May Siu Channels Inner Mammal for Poker, Charitable Causes

By Sean Chaffin

As she battled it out on Day 2 at the WPT Borgata Winter Poker Open, May Siu hoped to bring a message of giving back to the poker community. As the founder of PokerforGood.org, she has a goal to raise money through the game for worthy causes and to spread the word about human rights abuses around the world.

The non-profit recently helped run the 14th annual All-in for a Cure charity poker event in New York City to raise money toward the fight against multiple sclerosis. The event raised more than $400,000 with 250 in attendance.

Poker for Good’s website notes: “We’re on a mission to integrate the positive power of poker with nonprofit initiatives to make our world a better place for all. Poker for Good is a movement supported by a community of socially conscious people joining together and donating to create high impact. We believe that poker players, sponsors, and donors can make a difference in the local and global community through collective action.”

The group has become a real passion for Siu and takes up much of her time. Born in China, Siu now lives in Manhattan. At the tables, she has more than $369,000 in live tournament winnings, but doesn’t call herself a pro.

While she played poker more seriously in the past, it has become a bit more of a hobby since she launched the non-profit.

“I want to build this to help human rights foundations and those with addictions, mental health issues, and other needs,” she says.

By the dinner break on Day 2, Siu had a stack of 100,000 and was working to see that grow. She said it had been an up and down Day 2.

“My table has had a lot of action,” she says. “I’ve also been very card dead, so I haven’t been able to find a spot to play too many hands.”

Siu’s unique “bear” cowl has made her stand out a bit as she’s played in the first two days of action, although some have described it as a squirrel, an Ewok (the cute, furry creatures from Star Wars: Return of the Jedi), or various other mammals – not quite what she had in mind.

The cowl is produced by Fur Hoods, a company that produces animal-inspired fur clothing and donates a portion of its profits to the conservation of endangered animals and their habitat.

“I’m a Burner and go to Burning Man,” she says. “Everyone has an animal inside of us, and sometimes you’re afraid for them to come out. So I’m just exercising my freedom of expression, and it keeps me warm.”

Is she channeling her inner grizzly here at the tables at Borgata?

“I’m more like a teddy bear,” he says laughing.

After working in finance for a few years, Siu now works in real estate investment while also spending considerable time working to grow her non-profit. Promoting human rights is a cause Siu cares about deeply, and she’s hoping Poker for Good can help spread the word of the lack of freedom in some countries around the world.

That includes her home country of China, Siu says. Events like the 1989 student massacre in Tiananmen Square are censored in media and on the Internet inside the country, and discussion of the government crackdown is forbidden.

One of her goals is to support those trying to bring these types of events to light.

“A big part of my life is mainly focusing on figuring out how to use poker to help other people,” she says. “There are people in other countries that fight for really basic human rights.”

Siu may have hit the rail just after the dinner break, but is hoping Poker for Good can always be a winner.

Sean Chaffin is a freelance writer in Crandall, Texas. His work appears in numerous websites and publications. Follow him on Twitter @PokerTraditions.