Poker and dance among the non-traditional sports at Outgames

There is something to be said for a sporting competition that stretches its very definition.  While those Olympic-sized competitions are all about faster, higher, stronger, the Outgames sometimes takes a more relaxed view.

The Texas Hold ‘Em Poker competition will see players vying for a prize pool of up to $22,000 if all 110 available seats are occupied.  And you don’t even have to be a poker ace to play, since registration includes lessons on the basics of the game.  The actual games will take place starting at Noon on Thursday, July 28 at the Edgewater Casino with the top ten percent of the field, poker parlance for the group of players, walking away with a portion of the prize pool.

The second non-traditional sport playing this year at Vancouver’s Outgames is the appropriately titled Vancouver Queer Dance Classic. Organized by Not So Strictly Ballroom, Vancouver’s only same-sex dance club, the day-long competition and dance celebration will take place at the Scottish Cultural Centre on July 29.  It will also feature the first Canadian North America Same-Sex Partner Dance Association (NASSPDA) Championship.  Expected to compete are 2010 NASSPDA Dance Champions Kalin Mitov and his partner Michael Winward (pictured right).

“The Dance Classic is open to all dancers, gay or straight,” said organizer Pat Hogan.  “The only requirement is that partners are of the same gender or they dance in reverse roles.”  For those not quite ready to show off their skills on the dance floor, spectator tickets are also available.

North America Outgames Vancouver 2011
July 25 - 31, 2011

Visit http://www.vancouver2011outgames.com for more information.