Clayton Fields (left) won the 2011 Special Olympics Palm Beach County poker tournament and received a first-place bracelet from Chairman Jeff Steier.

Special Olympics Palm Beach County is gunning for its third-annual “Aces for Athletes” Charity Texas Hold ’em poker tournament March 10 at the Palm Beach Kennel Club.

The fundraiser will include a buffet dinner preceding the tournament at 5:30 p.m., with the action beginning at 6:30 p.m. with a $5,000 cash and prize guarantee. Players can enter for $50, which includes the buffet dinner, with $20 re-buys. The buffet is available for nonplayers for $20.

The evening will include raffles, a silent auction, custom photos of players available for purchase and appearances by Special Olympics athletes and volunteers.

“This is a very tough year for all charities, and we are hoping to get as much support and attendance as possible,” tournament Chairman Jeff Steier said. “We welcome everyone's support.”

Sponsors include Palm Beach Kennel Club, Marriott Hotels & Resorts, TableCraft and several other local businesses.

For information, call 561-966-7017 or visit www.sopbc.com.

Founded in 1973, Special Olympics Palm Beach County is one of the largest Special Olympics programs in the state with more than 1,200 athletes with intellectual disabilities enrolled, more than 150 coaches and close to 75 training programs. An estimated 2,500 volunteers assist annually with games and events.