On Saturday, March 27, more than eighty Clemson students entered a No-Limit Texas Hold'em poker game located in the Palmetto Ballroom. The games started at 1p.m. and ended around 7 p.m. with only one player remaining.
This poker tournament was the first Texas Hold'em tournament played in accordance with Clemson University and was sponsored by the Clemson Card Players Club. The tournament was hosted in an effort to raise money for non-profit charitable organizations. The players had to pay a $10 entry fee with the opportunity to win prizes and the winner was able to donate the money to a charity of his or her choice.
No-Limit Texas Hold'em poker is played with all players at the table being dealt two cards. After bets are made based on the first two cards, three more "community" cards are placed in the middle of the table. All players try to make the best five-card hand using these "community" cards. Players bet again and another "community" card is placed on the table. The final "community" card, or "river card," is placed on the table and players make their final bet. The player with the best five-card poker hand wins the pot.
The individual games were very intense with excitement building every time a player was eliminated. When a player would call all-in or bet all of their chips based on the hand they were holding, people from tables all over the ballroom would congregate around the person, making the excitement almost unbearable.
After a player won their individual tables, they were moved to the final table where ten players fought and gambled at the chance to take home the first place trophy. Some of the players who were knocked out even stayed around to see the action as it winded down.
After six hours of heartache and pure joy, one player was left standing. Brett Stripe, a junior from Akron, Ohio, knocked out his final opponent and was crowned the "best poker player in Clemson."
Stripe has been playing No Limit Texas Hold'em for almost two years now and felt confident of victory even before the tournament started. When asked how it felt to be named the best poker player in Clemson, Stripe replied, "Well I have to admit I was short-stacked toward the end, but I was confident that I could still come back and win."
He added sarcastically, "However, if anyone doubts my new title we can set up a game."
Stripe has decided to donate his winnings to the American Cancer Society. The amount was undisclosed.
The top ten players were awarded prizes for their efforts. The prizes ranged from card sets to gift certificates to an extremely nice 400-chip set held in a cherry wood case.
The Clemson Card Player Club is planning on having more tournaments during the year based on the huge success of their first tournament. Interested players are asked to visit www.clemsoncardplayers.org for more information about playing in tournaments or other club information.