The Theta Xi Chapter of Sigma Kappa raised the stakes and money at their annual philanthropy event, Ultraviolet Sigma Hold'em, on Feb. 25-26.
Those who attended played Texas Hold'em at the event, which took place at Sky Bar Cafe.
The money that Sigma Kappa raised from the event will go to Alzheimer's research.
"It goes to the Sigma Kappa Foundation which then donates money to different philanthropies that Sigma Kappa supports and the main one is Alzheimer's research," said Madison Clark, president of Sigma Kappa. "It also goes to the Maine Sea Coast mission and Gerontology research."
Donating money to Alzheimer's research is close to many of the Sigma Kappa's hearts, said Sarah Drexler, one of three Sigma Hold'em co-chairs who helped plan the event.
"It's a philanthropy that's close to my heart too because my grandmother passed away the summer before I came to college," Drexler said. "She was never really diagnosed with Alzheimer's, she just had really bad Dementia so it's something I hold close to my heart."
Sigma Kappa has been planning Sigma Hold'em since November 2012.
"We had to communicate with Sky Bar and the dates and times; we had to get all the prizes and makes sure all the rules were carried out," Drexler said. "In the finals round, they can't have their cell phones so we go around and collect those; we have to order all of the t-shirts and make sure those are all distributed correctly and we have to teach the Sigma Kappas how to deal a game of poker."
This is the 9th year that the event has taken place. Last year Sigma Kappa raised about $10,000 and they are hoping to raise even more this year, Drexler said.
"The most difficult part was trying to beat our money raised from last year because we just wanted to improve in every way we could," said Allie Sullivan, Sigma Hold'em co-chair.
Different organizations and businesses around Auburn donated prizes and money to the event.
Merle Normal donated a moisturizing gift set, Rhapsody and Behind the Glass donated gift cards and Ellie Boutique and Hamilton's on Magnolia made monetary donations, among other places.
One of the Sigma Kappa's fathers who owns an elderly care facility donated an iPad as one of the prizes, Drexler said.
"The most difficult part is just planning in general and making sure that we get sponsors and people to sign up and that people actually attend the event," Clark said. "The event itself has run pretty smooth this year."
There were four different rounds during the Sigma Hold'em tournament throughout the two days. The guys who signed up could buy back in once they got out which encouraged them to pay additional money and get more chips. If they made it to the next round they got to come back the second night, Sullivan said.
Clark said that the best part of the experience for her was meeting new people. "It's a good way to build relationships and meet new people and just hang out with your sisters," Clark said. "(We are) seeing it all come together and raising money for a great cause that we are passionate about."
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