Students Put Poker Winnings Toward Tuition

( WCCO ) Poker games have become familiar fixtures in colleges, but Chad Flood and his friends aren't just playing for fun. The University of Minnesota students are also practicing to win tournaments.

"I think I'm one of the better players," Flood said.

Flood isn't bluffing. He's so good, he won $41,000 in an online tournament last year.

"I was just kind of shocked," Flood said. "It took a while for it to actually set in."

Flood didn't splurge his winnings on just anything; he used the cash to pay for his classes.

The student cashed in playing the College Poker Championship, which is one of several scholarship tournaments run by gambling Web sites. Students don't wager real money, but the winnings are real.

With $200,000 on the line this year, Flood and his buddies are at it again.

"It's poker on training wheels," said Lou Krieger, author of several books on poker and host of the College Poker Championship. "This year, so far, there have been over 33,000 students who have enrolled and have played."

Since students aren't asked to pony up cash, Krieger says the tournament is more like a game show than gaming.

Keith Whyte, executive director of the National Council on Problem Gambling, disagrees. "These tournaments are certainly gambling," he said.

Whyte says the tournaments are just trying to lure a future generation of gamblers.

"It's encouraging kids to think about gambling as an occupation or investment rather than as just entertainment," Whyte said.

Krieger says most young people can play without getting addicted, and he insists the games can teach valuable lessons for life about "emotional control, strategic planning, tactical maneuvers," he offered.

Flood says he's just having fun -- more fun than ever, now that his college tuition is covered. He says it's all about finding balance and playing your cards right.

"You can be successful in poker as in life, just by making good decisions," Flood said.

The final event of the tournament is Sunday, and a new tournament starts in fall with the new school year.

courtesy of David Schechter

News Added: 21 May, 2006

Number of views : 887