By Carroll College hosted a free Texas Hold’em poker tournament on Friday, Feb. 21, allowing students to test their skills in a competitive setting. The event, sponsored by Carroll Student Activities, took place in the Campus Center.
The tournament was open to all students, regardless of experience level. Participants competed for prizes, including $100 for first, $50 for second, and $25 for third, though the event primarily focused on fostering a fun and social environment.
“This tournament was a great opportunity for students to engage in a strategic and exciting game while connecting with peers. In addition, it was nice to not have to buy in with real money while still competing for cash prizes,” said Mason Greene, a junior business finance major from Helena.
In recent years, poker has grown in popularity on college campuses, with many students seeing it as both a recreational activity and a game of skill. The tournament followed traditional Texas Hold’em rules where the blinds went up every 15 minutes, and players were eliminated until one remained as the champion.
“I had a great time competing and spending time with my friends,” said Jack Holy, a senior computer science major from Alberta, Canada. “Even though I started with a good lead, I eventually lost all of my chips on a big hand at the end, but I guess that’s just how poker goes,”
“The turnout was 4 tables of 6, which is perfect. Overall, it was a good night,” said Patrick Harris, director of student activities. “Typically, we hold the tournament two times a year, one in the fall, one in the spring.”
Concluding the event Ben Tran took first place, winning $100, Jacob Sweatland took second and Michael Wall finished third.
