Fresh off an NCAA Tournament appearance this past March, the Portland State men’s basketball team is hosting its third annual Texas Hold ‘Em Poker Tournament at the Stott Center this Friday, Nov. 7. The evening’s festivities will begin at 6 p.m. with registration and an hour of socializing complete with food, wine and beer, said Jamie Anderson, who along with nine other members of a committee has been planning for the event since August.
Men’s basketball team to host Texas hold’em tournament
Fresh off an NCAA Tournament appearance this past March, the Portland State men’s basketball team is hosting its third annual Texas Hold ‘Em Poker Tournament at the Stott Center this Friday, Nov. 7.
The evening’s festivities will begin at 6 p.m. with registration and an hour of socializing complete with food, wine and beer, said Jamie Anderson, who along with nine other members of a committee has been planning for the event since August.
An additional perk to showing up at 6 p.m. sharp is early attendees will get the chance to shoot hoops with members of the Vikings, who won last year’s Big Sky Conference title after a victory over Northern Arizona in the conference’s championship game.
Following registration and the socializing period, the Texas Hold ‘Em tournament will begin, with games scheduled to kick off at 7 p.m. Aside from poker, there will also be games of roulette, blackjack and craps.Proceeds from the event will support the Vikings in their endeavor of traveling to Europe to compete in a tournament, a longtime goal of head coach Ken Bone.
“The NCAA regulation for a team to compete outside the country is every four years, and it has been nearly five years since our last trip,” Bone said. “It’s really early right now to say [which country], but we’re going to Europe.”
Portland State last traveled outside the country in 2004, when the Vikings competed in Puerto Rico.
Guests who pay the $100 registration will receive an equal amount in poker chips, a wide selection of hors d’oeuvres and two free drinks. Drinks will be complimentary for the tournament players, said Laura Eyer, chair of the event’s planning committee.
Since alcohol and gambling will be part of the night’s activities, Anderson stresses that it is a 21-and-over event.
Aside from the poker tournament, there will also be a silent auction. Attendees will have a chance to bid on a selection of prizes, including a guided fishing trip, wine, passes to sporting events and an opportunity to travel with the Vikings when they play against University of Washington in Seattle, Dec. 14, Eyer said.
“It’s going to be a terrific night,” Anderson said. “It’s also a great chance to have some fun and support the team.”
The poker tournament will be the main attraction, where guests will not only get the chance to practice their skills, but also to try their luck in winning some of the prizes.
Basketball fans will be pleased to know that some of the prizes up for grabs include signed sport jerseys and balls from Portland Trail Blazers guard Brandon Roy and former Portland State star Ime Udoka, who now plays for the San Antonio Spurs.
Other prizes are aimed at pleasing the diverse interests of attendees, such as a cruise on the Portland Spirit, a spa trip, party packages at The Cheerful Tortoise, and even rental packages for vacation homes at Sun River resort.
Dark Horse Comics, the independent publisher of such titles as Sin City, The 300 and Hell Boy, is sponsoring the poker tournament.
A Dark Horse Comics collection is now housed in the Branford P. Millar Library thanks to the donation of the company’s founder Mike Richardson, a Portland State alumnus who played basketball for the Vikings in the mid 1970s.
Another primary donor is Mike Chisholm from Key Event Services. Eyer said she appreciates the generosity of Richards, Chisholm and other supporters.
“We are fortunate that we have wide-spread support for our men’s basketball team,” Eyer said.
To register in advance contact Jamie Anderson at 503-936-1707, otherwise registration will be available the night of the party.
