The Pit draws a crowd with Casino Night

The chance of big winnings and big fun attracted over 140 students to the Pit Thursday for the 2019 Pit Casino Night. The event began at 9 p.m. and lasted about three hours. Each student began the night with an imaginary $300 and had the opportunity to increase their bounty in classic casino-inspired games like roulette, craps, blackjack and slots. 

Every participant was given a card that monitored their faux gambling, and was only to be written on and signed by the dealers. This event was sponsored by The Pit, Resident Life Association, Blue Key and Natural Sciences Club, and usually takes place in The Pit annually, according to event co-leader Konery Klueber 20, junior of Rapid City, South Dakota. 

 “We’ve had quite the turnout tonight, it’s been pretty great.” Klueber said

Participants were treated to a makeshift restaurant in The Pit, where they had choices like hamburger sliders and boneless wings with various drink options. Over half the prizes available at the end of the night were won by the top three most successful gamblers, and half were won by drawing tickets from a bucket that students placed their names in upon entry. The ranked prizes included a 32-inch television for first place, a speaker for second, and a $50 gift card for third. The drawn prizes included smaller objects, like Tide pods and cookware sets. Prizes were awarded at 11:30 p.m., and students had to be present to claim their winnings.

The Pit was heavily decorated to resemble a casino with streamers, balloons, and even pool tables turned into roulette tables. 

Klueber, who led the event with his brother, Lukas Klueber, 20, junior of Rapid City, South Dakota.

“So Lukas and I planned a lot of it with the help of the Pit staff, and just coordinating and taking our vision and turning it into a reality. 

There was collaboration between all of us and making sure we got things taken care of and put the best of it on for the students.” Klueber said.