Collegio Online

Issue date: 9/6/07 Section: Campus Life

Media Credit: Aaron Anders

Media Credit: Aaron Anders

Media Credit: Aaron Anders/Collegio

Shih Hsiung, graduate student in human resource development, waits in line for his turn on a slot machine, holding a cup full of fake money.
"I was playing blackjack, it is the most fair game," said Hsiung. "I won a lot and now I want to play this because everybody is winning."
Hsiung was one of many big spenders that filled the Crimson and Gold Ballroom last Friday, Aug. 31, for Casino Night, part of a two-week welcoming campaign called OFF2PSU.
Nearly 150 students showed up to play blackjack, roulette, craps, Texas hold 'em, slot machines, and video poker in hopes of winning it big. All students were given $500 worth of fake money to gamble and then used their winnings to bid on prizes at the end of the evening. Prizes included board games, DVDs, a DVD player, beanbag chairs, lamps, snacks, coolers, and laundry detergent.
"Casino Night has become a tradition for us," said Edie McCracken, program coordinator for the Campus Activities Center. "The kids seem to enjoy it and we get a good turnout every year."
Gary Wilkinson of Casino Affairs, the company that provided the gambling equipment, came to train students on how to deal cards and to operate the machinery.
"We teach the dealers how to deal and pay out because a lot of them don't know how," said Wilkinson. "We teach them all the rules so that if they go into a casino they'll go home with a little money in their pocket."
The dealers for casino night were volunteers from student organizations like RHA, SGA, SAC, Gorillas in Your Midst, and PELP.
Kayla Hay, undeclared freshman, was trained to deal at one of several full blackjack tables.
"The training was pretty easy, but I'm still confused about some things like doubling down," said Hay.

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