Nearly 50 students fought bitter rain to take part in Jaguar Productions' first-ever Texas HoldEm poker tournament Thursday night in the Student Center ballroom.

The tournament, which Jaguar Productions will put on every month, included prizes for first, second and third place, as well as food and beverages for sale.

"Hopefully this tournament will give students an alternative to going downtown and drinking," Student Center Director Randy Hunter said, "plus it will give them an opportunity to use the student center."

"This is a great opportunity for students to get use out of the Student Center. Jaguar Productions has done an excellent job with their upcoming schedule. The more students use the Student Center, the better it will become."

The prizes, a $125 Wal-Mart gift card for first place, a $75 card for second, and a $25 gift card for third place, were for those students who could stay in the tournament without losing their $2,000 in "play" chips the longest.

Made popular by ESPN's "World Series of Poker," Texas HoldEm has swept the nation in recent years. More and more amateurs have enetered tournaments across the country, including the casinos along Mississippi's Gulf Coast.

In this version of poker, players get two cards face down, then five community cards are placed on the table, and whichever player makes the best five-card hand out of seven cards wins. There is no limit to the betting.

Jerry Mosley, a BMD senior, took first place Thursday, winning all of the $98,000 in chips.

"There were some really good players there," senior Jerry Mosley, a Biomedical Sciences major, who won the tournament said, "I think students can benefit from using the Student Center, and this is something I think people will come to."

Mosley said he used a conservative approach to winning the tournament, and he hopes more people will show up for the next tournament, which is scheduled for Nov. 11, 2004.

USA student Alan Cristina came in second, and student Ryan Krowe came in third place.

"The tournament was great," Krowe said, "I think students benefit from having the Student Center there. They've got pool tables and games, why not use them?"

"This was a big first start to bringing more things on campus," Chad Reynolds, chair of special events for Jaguar Productions, who organized the event, said, "They came despite the weather, and that says a lot about the interest. We hope to double the attendance on Nov. 11."

"It allows you to meet new people," Stephanie Wolf, a BMD senior said, "plus it's free."

The prizes came from student's activity fees. Aramark, USA's main food vendor, sold food, including pizza, soft drinks, and potato chips.

Jaguar Productions provided 10 poker dealers for the tournament, who were trained earlier in the week during a 90-minute training session.

Other schools in the state, including Auburn University, are hosting similar tournaments, but at Auburn, the tournament is held at different bars around campus.

Jaguar Productions will host a bingo game open to staff, faculty and students on Friday, Oct. 22. The cost for two cards will be $5, with a four-card maximum.

Students interested in playing in the next Texas HoldEm poker tournament, or being a dealer, can call 460-7144 for more information.