RRRR Matey! Pirate Poker Night was held in the Utility Gym at the Rec/IM Tuesday night as part of Pirate Week, sponsored by Student Government and Campus Life. No Limit Texas Hold ‘Em is the game and two pirates were present, along with 95 other pirate connoisseurs.
Though this week’s tournament was part of Pirate Week, this marks the third year the Rec/IM will be sponsoring the weekly poker tournament, which will take place every Tuesday night during the first semester.
The buy-in is only $2 and this includes pizza and pop. This is a small price to pay for the change to win some exceptional prizes. The last four players win gift certificates to local restaurants or movie tickets valuing $20 to $25. The cost to play is so cheap there really is nothing to lose.
Lou Gianino, Assistant Director of the Student Recreation Intramural Complex (or the Rec/IM) says the cost for putting this weekly tournament on is pretty much non-existent since the pizza is donated and the $2 buy-in pays for the beverages.
“We break even and it’s a wonderful social event,” Gianino said.
The top 50 players go to the winner’s table the last week before finals. What’s unique about this tournament, Gianino explained, is that points are tallied every week. Each player receives 10 points just for showing up and the points increase depending on what place the player gets at their table. What this means is that players don’t have to win every week to make it to the winner’s table at the end of the semester. If a player gets 3rd place every week they will most likely go to the winner’s table as well.
Jessica Sorosiak and her boyfriend Chuck Dryer have a unique date idea. The couple played at the Rec every Tuesday winter semester and was back again Tuesday night to give it another go.
When asked if she has fun playing Sorosiak said, “Oh yeah, that’s why we come back.”
Dryer, a member of Student Government was one of two Pirates present at the tournament. Student Body President Bobby Murkowski was the other, eye patch and all. Whoever knocked out either of the two pirates received gold coins. The gold coins were something unique to last night’s tournament. The coins were given to everyone that attended and to anyone who got three unique hands. The pirate tokens go toward a raffle at the Pirate Party this Friday, which is the conclusion of Pirate Week.
These same tokens have been given out at different Pirate Week events, which have included Monday’s Dive-In Movie: Pirates of the Caribbean, Tuesday’s Volunteer and Job Fair, Wednesday’s Pirates in the Union, Thursday’s EMU Rocks and finally, Friday’s Pirate Party. Each token earned will be one entry into the raffle, which will include prizes of an iPod and gift certificates to local restaurants, among many. Friday’s party will include music, pizza, root beer and video games on a 30 x 24 ft screen. The event is free and will take place at 7 p.m. in University Park.
Kevin Kingston and Mike McConkey of Campus Life are the brains behind Pirate Week. These interesting fellas were inspired to create the week upon their discovery that Monday is International Talk Like a Pirate Day.
“We were talking about this holiday and it turned into week long stuff we could do,” Kingston said.
And when asked what the point of International Talk Like a Pirate Day was, Kingston replied, “No point. Just fun.”
Simply put and a good excuse to have pirates at a poker table.
Another poker opportunity will be coming to everyone Sept. 27.
This event, which will held at the Rec/IM is the 1st Annual Homecoming No Limit Texas Hold ‘Em Tournament. The entry fee is $20 in advance and $25 at the door and is open to the community, students and staff. Pizza, beverages, prizes and entertainment should fill this tournament fast so be sure to buy your tickets early. There are limited seats and tickets will be available on a first come first serve basis.