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Our campus clubs range from Art Club to Stem Club. The newest club at our campus is Poker Club.
When one first hears about this club, it is barely believable that a public community college would allow such a club to be formed. On Tuesday March 16th I interviewed the President of the club, Sean Robledo. Robledo  wanted to make it very clear that the purpose of this club is in no way about encouraging gambling.
So what could the purpose of a Poker Club possibly be, you ask?
The Poker Club, during a regular meeting. (Image courtesy of Vanessa Hupka)
The purpose of this club is to develop a social network among fellow students, staff and faculty. Three things that Robledo wants fellow club members to get out of this club is to teach the basics of the game for those who do not know the game, for those who do know the game to get a better understanding of it, and for club members to apply probability and statistics not only in the game of poker but to everyday life.
He also wants club members to start applying mathematical skills and strategically add this to everyday situations. When the club initially was introduced on campus, there were merely 15 members. After club rush, they now have 45.
Robledo realizes that the club needs to maintain a social responsibility to its members, so he has announced in class that if anyone has a gambling problem, that this is not the club for them. He has also given out  the 1-800 number for gamblers anonymous. Robledo also made his club members aware of the fact that they will not be engaging in any on-site gambling or visiting any local casinos. The club does plan on having an end-of-the-semester world series of poker. The poker tournament will award the winners with prizes not money.
The poker club meets every Tuesday in Humanities 322 from 12:50--1:50 p.m.
