The Thousand Oaks Kiwanis Club is hoping for a full house at the inaugural Texas Hold 'Em Poker Tournament on Sun., Nov. 11 at Borderline Bar and Grill in T.O. For those of you who work for the government, banks or schools, the next day is a holiday- Veterans Day- but the event should be over by 9 p.m., so you won't be tired, even if Monday isn't a holiday for you.

There won't be any losers at the poker tournament because proceeds will help worthy programs of the Kiwanis, mostly for children and senior citizens. You win, even if you lose.

You don't need a doctorate to play poker. The event begins with lessons at 4 p.m. Players at the poker tables will ante up at 5 p.m.

There will be other games of chance, but the big winners will come from the poker tables.

Registration is $30 for those who just want to enjoy the buffet dinner, observe the action, participate in live and silent auctions, and play at the nonpoker casino tables. The poker buy-in is an additional $150, which gets you 10,000 poker chips.

The $30 registration fee will be waived for groups of five or more poker players.

The first-place winner will get a 40-inch LCD high definition TV. More importantly, he- or she- will get a buy-in to Pechanga Resort and Casino's Big Poker Showdown Tournament in April. This package includes luxurious accommodations for two nights and three days, and a $100 dinner certificate to Pechanga's awardwinning Great Oak Steakhouse.

The top prize at that event is a $10,000 buy-in to the World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event in Las Vegas.

The WSOP reigning champion won his $10,000 entry by winning a Pechanga Big Showdown Tournament. Pechanga is in Temecula, a great place to visit wineries, play golf or go shopping.

Poker is enjoying an unprecedented burst of popularity. It combines strategy, observation, wagering skills and luck. The Kiwanis event will include other prizes for top poker finishers and excellent auction items to entice and excite everyone.

To register, visit the Do-it Center, stop at Borderline, 99 Rolling Oaks Drive, just south of the 101 Freeway off Moorpark Road, or call (805) 496-1904.

And don't forget- another great service club event is this Sun., Nov. 4: the T.O. Rotary Club's annual Street Fair on Moorpark Road between Wilbur and Hillcrest. It was postponed due to high winds two weeks ago. Both clubs appreciate your support.