With an aura reminiscent of a friendly Las Vegas poker room about 50 students, parents, and friends swarmed the gym and packed the Gator-purple and green topped tables, as Friday marked the kickoff of SF State’s 1st Annual Men’s Basketball Poker Tournament.

The event went off without a hitch according to Men’s Basketball Coach Bill Treseler, who said they raised anywhere from $2,000 to $2,500.

“We definitely feel it was a success,” Treseler said. “It brought needed funds for the upcoming season and everyone left with a smile on their face.”

That was because the house had a pair of jokers. Joe Prospero,22, was one them. Wearing aviator sunglasses and a shirt that read “I’m all in” Prospero, a senior creative writing major, was one of the first to go all out. But he was not discouraged because his money went to a good cause.

“I’m not in the least bit disappointed,” Prospero said. “You got to take the opportunity. Some people take less chances but I’d rather do it or lose it.”

The other joker was Kyle Broderick, a junior criminal justice and political science major. Broderick,21, also wore aviator sunglasses, only he traded his jester hat for one that read “surf naked”. You can find Broderick at all the home games accompanied by a big stuffed gator. That love for his team is what brought him here in the first place.

“It was fun and I had a good time,” Broderick said. “I don’t really play poker habitually. I’m just here to support the team.”

Another beginner was Deidre Swift, mother to SF State’s own baller Ian Swift. She was not big into poker but came out to show encouragement for the team.

“It was fun,” Swift said. “I never played poker before, but I lasted longer than my husband.”

The friendly atmosphere helped Swift feel more comfortable until she got the hang out it.

“They were very patient with me,” Swift said. “I like stuff like this. It was a fun learning experience.”

The friendly atmosphere melted away as the night when on. It began to get serious as it got down to the top twenty players, and prizes were involved. One of the best showdowns was between Scott Curry and Mark Ledwick. Curry got the short end of the stick and was not happy about it.

“I had cowboys (pocket kings) and he sucked me out with a 10, 6 suited,” Curry said. “He flopped a boat (full house). It’s tough man, the kings didn’t hold.”

After the sting of the bad beat faded away Curry, who finished in 11th place, had nothing but good things to say about the tournament.

“All in all it was a great turnout,” Curry said. “When it’s for charity it makes it all the more worth it.”

Ledwick, who beat Curry in the hand, made a name for himself in the tournament, literally. Sporting a dark blue baseball hat that had Alaska in read letters, Ledwick got the name “Mr. Alaska“. The nickname, which he thought was pretty “cool” must have done him some good because he almost rode it all the way to the top.

“All luck and a little of being in the right place at the right time propelled me to third place,” Ledwick said.

Eric Inouye won the tournament and took home $500 Visa gift card. This was the most he has ever won in poker and he attributes it to his style of play.

“I played conservative when a lot of people were at the table and then loosened up at the end,” Inouye said. “There were real good players, you could tell the college players play a lot.”

And they will continue to play a lot, especially at this event, if Assistant Coach Jake MacLeod-Roemer has anything to say about it.

“With coverage and word of mouth we are looking to double the students for the next time,” MacLeod-Roemer said.

It looks like the men’s basketball program has hit the jackpot with this event. Poker, charity, and college students, it appears everybody wins with that hand.