Students give in to the new craze of gambling on-line and playing with friends, even with risk of addiction
If you mentioned Texas Hold’em one or two years ago, many Virginia Tech students wouldn’t even have known it was a poker game. Now, poker tables can be found in fraternity houses, dorm rooms and apartment complexes throughout campus.
The televising of the World Series of Poker on ESPN and ESPN2 has played a significant role in the increased poker play. Other poker series have been televised on the Travel Channel, Bravo and Fox Sports.
“The World Series of Poker airing on ESPN and ESPN 2 and the new shows on Bravo and Comcast SportsNet have really opened everyone’s eyes to poker,” said James Stokes, a junior communication major.
Another contributing factor to the rise in poker play is free online poker games at websites such as EmpirePoker.com and PartyPoker.com. Online poker gives players a chance to understand the game and improve their skills without the risk of losing money.
The televising of poker and free online poker websites have led to students organizing buy-in games and tournaments that have little trouble attracting enough players. The buy-in is the minimum amount required to buy your way into a game and the typical range is anywhere from free up to $20. The most common buy-in is $5.
“There is something strangely gratifying about starting out with an equal amount of chips but ending up with a decent portion or even all of your friends’ chips,” said John McPherson, a junior geography major who participates in a weekly game of Texas Hold’em with a group of his friends.
Students play for a variety of reasons including the opportunity to spend time with their friends, competition, a chance to win money, entertainment, a break from homework and the uniqueness of each hand.
“I play poker because it is cheaper than a movie,” said Gary Walenga, a senior finance major. “Even if I lose it is more interactive and good way to bond with other people. I don't really care about the money.”
Although poker is a game thought by many to be played by males, Linh Kooc, a freshman Spanish major breaks this stereotype by playing in a weekly poker game with a group of her male friends.
“I think more males play because of the stereotype that poker is a man’s game with beer and cigar smoking,” said Kooc. The stereotype does not prevent her and other females from playing poker on a regular basis.
Players agree poker can be highly competitive, which may be what keeps players hitting the poker tables for more. Kooc said each win in itself is addicting and the need to win keeps her coming back.
A concern with the increased level of poker play on campus is the gambling that goes along with it. As found on CNN.com, the 18- to 24-year-old age group has some of the highest rates of gambling addictions, said Keith Whyte, executive director of the National Council on Problem Gambling. In addition, the addictive nature of poker can distract students from their schoolwork. While it can be addictive, students agree as long as poker is played for fun, these problems can be controlled.
“The key is to play with people that are trying to have fun rather than people who are just trying to take your money,” said McPherson.
For better or worse, poker play has come to our campus and shows no signs of going away anytime soon.
Source: Matthew Sayre, Collegiate Times
