She walked up to the table with a slight smirk across her lips. She slowly set both hands on the table, each full of pink and blue chips. She laid them across for everyone to see. Everyone at the table noticed the amount, which in turn showed for a more serious game.
A girl asked the new member at the table, “Geez, where did you get all those chips?”
“I’m just feeling lucky today,” she said.
As everyone places their chips on the table, the dealer asked, “Anyone feeling lucky?”
She lowered her eyes; only her poker face showed. The rest of the students slowly quieted down. And the game of blackjack began.
The competing student, Dejacquanisha Nash, was one of the many participating in ULM’s casino night, which was sponsored by the Campus Activities Board. The room was crowded with anxious students filling up every game table ready to win.
“This was my first time to gamble ever.” said Biology major John Vu from Monroe. “I guess you could say I’m addicted. I think Casino Night was a great idea with good food and nice decorations.”
CAB president Dawson Beene described the atmosphere in comparison to what a real casino would be like with games such as blackjack, roulette, craps, slot machines and several others. The only twist is that students are playing with fake money.
If you are wondering who the blackjack dealers were, think back to your professors and other staff members on campus.
Casino Night is an annual tradition at ULM and has been a popular event since CAB has been active on campus.
Each year, CAB selects a new theme for Casino Night. This year’s theme was ‘Under the Sea.’ Blue drapes, sea creatures and fishnets surrounded the room to give students a feel as if they were really underwater.
Once students felt lucky enough, they could cash out for raffle tickets to be put in one of many drawings. The prizes included a vacuum, a Nook ereader, an iPad mini, a Keurig coffee maker, a 24 inch flat screen TV and an iPod dock radio.
“The turnout of events in the middle of the semester are always questionable due to midterms, but I think the event had a wonderful turnout with nice prizes for the winners,” said director of Student Life and Leadership Laura Knotts.
“We really appreciate how staff, coaches and other professors volunteer for this event and we really could not have it without them,” she said.
