The Chinese Student Association was giving out free money Friday night. At their Casino Night, more than 50 students -- both Chinese and non-Chinese -- gathered to try their luck at Chinese games of chance. CSA Vice-President and Wharton sophomore Winston Chow said he was pleased with the number of people who came to the event. "It's the first time we did something this big," he said. "We didn't know what to expect. We're all pleasantly surprised at such a huge turnout." And Engineering sophomore Wei Cao said he thought most of the people in attendance were having fun. "It seems most of the people are enjoying themselves except those losing money," he said. The casino offered several games played in China and Hong Kong. Given 100 dollars worth of chips, students tried their luck with such games as fish-prawn-crab, fan pan and mah-jong. In fish-prawn-crab, gamblers bet on one or more of six pictures on a table by placing chips on them. The dealer rolls the dice and the player wins if his chips are on the picture indicated by the dice. Fan-pan was another game featured at CSA Casino Night, in which the dealer has a bowl of melon seeds and continually takes four seeds from the bowl until he has up to four or fewer remaining on the table. Gamblers place bets on how many seeds will be left. There were also several tables of mah-jong, a traditional Chinese game in which the four players receive 13 or 14 blocks depicting shapes, figures or numbers. The outcome of the game is similar to the American card game rummy. CSA President and Engineering junior Steve Lin said the event was meant to entertain as well as teach students about Chinese culture. "We thought this might be an entertaining way to present an aspect of our heritage that most people aren't aware of," he said, adding that this event helped unite Chinese students from across the world. "The Chinese community itself is so diverse," Lin said. "It's a real challenge for the CSA to bring the Chinese community together."
The Daily Pennsylvanian is an independent, student-run newspaper. Please consider making a donation to support the coverage that shapes the University. Your generosity ensures a future of strong journalism at Penn.
DonatePlease note All comments are eligible for publication in The Daily Pennsylvanian.
