Due to the rising popularity of televised poker tournaments and online gaming websites, gambling is becoming a common activity among young Americans. Texas Hold ‘Em, poker, blackjack and other games are increasing in popularity among college students. While some students partake in these activities out of boredom, others are enthralled in the risks and thrills that come with gambling. On Tuesday, Sept. 9, Stony Brook University held a Texas Hold ‘Em Tournament in the Charles B. Wang Center. ‘With the influx of television tournaments, we thought it would be cool to have a tournament during the school year,’ said David Hairston, manager for intramurals and sports clubs and organizer of the event. ‘Students approached us with the idea of a tournament, and we have been having it for a number of years.’ Most students were playing for fun, but a few were playing to feed their addiction. ‘Ten percent of adults age 18 and older played card games for money in the past year, while 2 percent typically played cards for money once a week or more,’ according to a 2006 household survey by the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services. A male Stony Brook student participating in the tournament, who had dealt with gambling addiction in the past, admitted to ‘missing class’ and ‘stealing money from my parents’ to gamble. This participant wanted to remain anonymous in fears of jeopardizing his chances of getting into medical school. Because of his addiction, he also admitted to losing nearly $1,000, all of it being his parents’ money. Another male Stony Brook student who requested to remain anonymous admitted that he was addicted to gambling and devotes 70 percent of his free time to playing poker, including two hours a day playing online games. He also conceded that he lost $1,500 as a result of the addiction and once stole $400 from his parents in order to compete in a poker game. The Wang Center tournament did not involve any money. It was organized by the Department of Campus Recreation and had 72 participants playing at 12 tables where the players with the most poker chips would move on to the second round and the winner of the tournament would receive a portable DVD player. But what really attracts some college students to the world of gambling – fun or addiction? Many different answers were given for students’ participation. Sophomore Evan Hillel, who does not have a gambling addiction, said that playing poker gives him confidence that he doesn’t feel when he’s not playing. ‘I don’t usually feel that much confidence and I’m not really big on self-esteem, but when I’m playing this game and I have a good hand, it feels great.’ Senior Andrew Silverman, who also does not have a gambling addiction, talked about the relationships formed while playing poker. ‘It’s not all about the money, it’s about the friendships you form and the group of people you play with,’ he said. However, the most common answer given was the rush they get from being able to read an opponent’s body language. ‘Texas Hold ‘Em has a lot of skill and strategy involved, it’s a lot of mind-reading,’ tournament winner Kenneth Lin said.