Campus residents were treated to a break from the stress of school last Friday night, when a combination of residence organizations held the biannual Casino Night in Mary Park Hall lounge.
The event has been held for the past six semesters. According to Rachel Bright, the publicist for Mary Park and Mary Ward Hall government, the event's budget of $1,200 was partly funded by Associated Students.
All residents were given an allotment of chips when they entered the "casino" and had until 11 p.m. to gamble at games from blackjack to pai gow poker. At the end of the evening, gamblers cashed in their chips for raffle tickets, which were used to win various prizes donated by local merchants.
Former AS vice president, turned pai gow dealer, Cedric Cheng also thought the evening was a success. "Everybody is enjoying themselves and that is all that counts here," he said.
Cinema major Greg Baker agreed. "It's a great event for us under-age students," he said.
The Asian Residence Union is responsible for the addition of pai gow this semester. "We are here to bring diversity to the gambling," Cheng said.
Other activities students could take part in between their winning streaks were getting married at the mock wedding chapel, watching a stand-up comedy routine and karaoke singing. KSFS 100.7, the on- campus radio station, was also on hand to give away tapes and compact discs.
Bright, who also headed the 10 person committee that organized the event, said, "We had residents singing and having a great time."
Liberal studies major Amy Grosch summed it up well when she said: "It's a good low budget entertainment option."