Featured image: (Pacer Graphic / Miranda Conrad)
On Tuesday, Feb. 10, the UT Martin Flight Crew hosted Casino Glow Night in the hallway of the University Center.
After showing their event pass at the reception desk, students received chips to use for the night. They were then free to move about the “casino”, playing games such as poker, blackjack and roulette. If they had not played the particular game before and wanted to know how to play, the friendly dealers were happy to teach them. Many students joined throughout the night, and the tables were always full. Complimentary snacks and beverages were also provided as part of the event. Students often took a small break between games to grab a snack, talk to friends or watch games at the other tables. There were many jokes and laughs to be heard, as well as excitement and sighs when the chips moved between players and dealers.
The games were not all that was included at the event. Anyone who had scanned their event pass was automatically put into a drawing for door prizes, including items such as card games, a speaker and a poker set. There was also a grand prize for the night: a pair of Beats Studio headphones. To enter to win this particular prize, students had to give 5,000 chips to the front desk, earning a slip in the bowl. They could enter as many times as they wanted, assuming they won enough. The headphones were awarded later on in the event, while the other items were given at intervals during the night.
There were dozens of students there, and each had their own way of playing. Some students tried to build up their chips slowly, while others took bigger risks early in the night. A few students said they were trying to save as many chips as possible so they could enter the grand prize drawing more than once. Since students could trade in 5,000 chips for a slip, winning a few rounds could make a big difference.
When asked about the best way to play, UT Martin freshman Xzavior Smith said that he loves to “go all in.” Smith later lost all his chips playing blackjack. Other students played more casually, and treated the chips as part of the experience rather than focusing on the headphones.
Many students said that they would happily attend this event again in the future and it was a fun way to spend their night.
