ARTICLES BY: DUSTIN FILLOY
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published 873 days ago in
Card Player College Magazine Volume 2, Number 5
Card Player College Magazine Volume 2, Number 5
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
It's rare to find a poker game that's safe and risk-free for beginners in Pennsylvania. Dominated by underground clubs and charity events, it's not the ideal location to learn poker. But, thanks to the help of two bars, students at Indiana University of Pennsylvania can play poker three times a week, for free.
Nestled between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg, the town of Indiana, Pennsylvania, isn't near any poker room or casino. It's a rustic, old-fashioned town that thrives off the 14,000 students that occupy its borough and surrounding townships. Traditionally, poker games haven't flourished in Indiana because of legal bindings. However, The Coney Island and Boomerang's Bar and Grille have given Indiana a safe and legal outlet for the game.
Every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday both bars have been holding freeroll Texas hold'em tournaments. The tournament fields range between 40 and 50 players and the top prize in both games is typically between $100 and $150. Yeah, the payout isn't life-changing. But ask a financially embarrassed college kid how crucial $150 is to his bankroll.
In a structural sense, the tournaments are identical. But as far as ambience and extra incentive, each bar has its own perks. For example, The Coney has its tournament in a luxurious VIP room. The cocktail waitresses and new poker tables give the game a Vegas-like feel. In addition, the VIP facility allows players to play comfortably without noise or distractions from the bar. Boomerang's, on the other hand, holds its tournaments next to the bar. Drinking, loud music, and smoke aren't necessarily a formula for a good poker game. However, Boomerang's makes up for its lackluster atmosphere by offering customers a potentially lucrative opportunity. They're taking the top three finishers from each tournament and holding a satellite event. The top three finishers of the satellite event get a free trip to Seneca Allegany Casino in Salamanca, New York. Boomerang's provides a limo bus as transportation and a paid seat to a $500 buy-in hold'em tournament.
"We're offering players a paid trip to the casino and a chance to win some real money in the tournament," said Jason Penich, Boomerang's manager and tournament organizer.
Both tournaments have a lot to offer with no gamble financially. If you ever happen to visit IUP, make sure the freeroll tournaments top your to-do list. It's a no-risk way to win some money to blow at the bars.
Nestled between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg, the town of Indiana, Pennsylvania, isn't near any poker room or casino. It's a rustic, old-fashioned town that thrives off the 14,000 students that occupy its borough and surrounding townships. Traditionally, poker games haven't flourished in Indiana because of legal bindings. However, The Coney Island and Boomerang's Bar and Grille have given Indiana a safe and legal outlet for the game.
Every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday both bars have been holding freeroll Texas hold'em tournaments. The tournament fields range between 40 and 50 players and the top prize in both games is typically between $100 and $150. Yeah, the payout isn't life-changing. But ask a financially embarrassed college kid how crucial $150 is to his bankroll.
In a structural sense, the tournaments are identical. But as far as ambience and extra incentive, each bar has its own perks. For example, The Coney has its tournament in a luxurious VIP room. The cocktail waitresses and new poker tables give the game a Vegas-like feel. In addition, the VIP facility allows players to play comfortably without noise or distractions from the bar. Boomerang's, on the other hand, holds its tournaments next to the bar. Drinking, loud music, and smoke aren't necessarily a formula for a good poker game. However, Boomerang's makes up for its lackluster atmosphere by offering customers a potentially lucrative opportunity. They're taking the top three finishers from each tournament and holding a satellite event. The top three finishers of the satellite event get a free trip to Seneca Allegany Casino in Salamanca, New York. Boomerang's provides a limo bus as transportation and a paid seat to a $500 buy-in hold'em tournament.
"We're offering players a paid trip to the casino and a chance to win some real money in the tournament," said Jason Penich, Boomerang's manager and tournament organizer.
Both tournaments have a lot to offer with no gamble financially. If you ever happen to visit IUP, make sure the freeroll tournaments top your to-do list. It's a no-risk way to win some money to blow at the bars.
