University of Iowa freshman Ross Hoewing takes
a guarded look at his cards while playing in
the UI World Series of Intramural Poker on
Thursday night at the Field House. |
|
Some people sported black sunglasses to hide eyes that
might tell a good hand. Others wore solemn faces, ever
so often peering under their handful of cards.
The North Gym of the University of Iowa Field House
was turned into a poker haven Thursday as 161
students, faculty and staff competed in UI's first
ever World Series of Intramural Poker. For $10 each,
groups of up to eight players took their seats at 25
tables and began the tournament with 30 chips, which
equates to $30, hoping to advance to the final round.
One by one, players folded in the No-Limit Texas
Holdem format, with some immediately leaving the gym
and others staying to cheer on friends.
|
Winner
• Michael Callahan, University of Iowa graduate
student, won the tournament. He chose a poker set
as his prize. |
My
Nguyen was the first to fall.
"When I walked in here, I took the chance that I would
walk out in two minutes," said Nguyen, a UI law school
student, who lost in the first seven minutes.
UI
obtained an "Annual Game Night" state license dated
Sept. 30 for the Field House, which allows them to
play casino games and is required by Iowa law. Rules
call for the game to last no longer than 12 hours and
allow UI to charge an admission fee.
Hundreds of UI students pack into the North Gym
for the UI Intramural World Series of Poker,
Thursday night |
Offered by UI Recreational Services as an alcohol
alternative, the top eight winners received donated
prizes, ranging from gift certificates, to UI football
tickets.
Though she placed 108th out of 161, Nicole Verhey, 18,
a UI freshman, was glad she outplayed some of the guys
in the male-dominated series. Their possible
presumptions -- such as thinking she would be a fast
loser or someone to watch out for -- played to her
advantage, she said.
"I
really took the gender to heart," said Verhey, who
plays
Texas
Holdem
poker
often and travels to casinos in Minnesota with
friends.
Some players, though, were new to the game and played
for the entertainment.
"This was my first competition," said Ariel Dragan,
36, a UI graduate student, as he stood near the
sectioned-off bleachers in the gym holding a newly
bought Sprite. "I have nothing to compare it to."
Dragan lost in roughly 30 minutes.
No
T-shirt, football or gift certificates were in the
hands of Mike Payne when he left the gym Thursday. He
thought, at least, he would compete in the winner
circle.
"I
would've liked to," Payne, 19, a UI sophomore and
experienced poker player, said just outside the gym
doors. "That was my goal."
But there is always next year. UI plans to continue
the annual tournament as long as the demand remains,
said Mike Widen, UI assistant director of recreational
services.
