Top 9 compete in poker tournament

By Juana Summers

Published Dec. 7, 2007

A flurry of cards and poker chips flew around the table as the players in the final table competed to win an iPod touch in the final Student Union Programming Board Poker Night of the semester.

Nine of this semester's top poker players gathered in Memorial Union on Thursday to compete against each other in No Limit Texas Hold'em.

For some players, such as sophomore Colin Williams, the odds, the skill and the luck make playing in the SUPB poker events worthwhile.

"I really like poker," Williams said. "So this event especially caught my eye."

Williams started playing poker three to four years ago, and said that the prizes only play a small role.

"I just like the competition," he said.

SUPB Assistant Director of Competitions Mike Sliwoski said players gather every two weeks to play poker recreationally, using chips, not actual money.

The nine players at this table were selected because of their play in SUPB events throughout the semester. At each of the seven events, those players gained points and ranked in the top 10 through winning previous games, Sliwoski said.

Only nine players participated in the final table. One was absent due to illness, Sliwoski said.

To play in regularly scheduled poker nights hosted by SUPB, Sliwoski said, there is not a registration fee, and games are open to anyone.

"The funding depends on how many people show up," he said. "Approximately 30 people showed up at each event this semester. That makes the budget about $800."

SUPB is funded through a student activity fee, Sliwoski said.

At the events this semester, players competed for $25 gift certificates to Wal-Mart. Sliwoski said he anticipates that the SUPB will raise the number of events from seven this semester to 10 for next semester.

Sliwoski said SUPB has sponsored poker nights for about two years. Originally, Steve Lebac headed them. When Lebac left SUPB, Sliwoski said he began to organize them because, "If no one stepped up to fill the position, this would go away."

During the games, Sliwoski officiates, though he does not act as the dealer. He said he frequently raises the "blinds," which creates a forced bet. This makes sure the game continues and that people don't "tighten up."

Herui Sun, a recent MU graduate who has participated in SUPB events for the past two years did not make the top 10, but said he came to watch because he loves poker.

"It's a mind game," he said. "You have to read people. And there's money and excitement."

Sun said he's come back for two years because the people are nice and the price is good.

"It's on Thursdays, so it gives you something to do," he said. "I just talk to people and learn people, and I like the way they play."

Sun's favorite hand is a "seven deuce," because of the different options it gives him.

"Technically, it's the worst hand that you can get in poker," he said. "But sometimes I can bluff with it. It's all about reading people, and they will probably just fold while I'm raising."

Results from the tournament were not available.