Playing poker has never been so rewarding for Ohio University sophomore Grady Clingan.
Last night, Clingan and nine of his friends enjoyed free rib dinners at The Pigskin Sports Bar and Grille, 38 N. Court St., after winning the restaurant's Pigskin Poker drawing.
The Pigskin's owner, Ric Wasserman, noticed a poker craze among students during Winter Quarter and decided to use the game to his advantage. Because state law prohibits establishments from organizing games of chance for profit, creativity was key, he said.
During the promotion, which cost the restaurant more than $2,000, customers received a Pigskin playing card with each order, and put together poker hands and exchanged winning hands for free food. Participants could also pick up one card daily per person without buying anything, the method by which Clingan and his friends increased their chances.
A hand with only an ace high was worth a free Pepsi, and a royal flush earned the lucky customer free baby back rib dinners for four.
With each winning hand, participants were entered into a drawing for the grand prize, the fully catered rib dinner for 10.
Clingan chose nine of his friends, many of them former hockey teammates, to share in his excitement.
I've never really won anything in my life
Clingan said, but that did not stop him from rapidly consuming his share of the ribs.
About 130 people won free food through the promotion, and Wasserman said he was proud The Pigskin created a promotion unrelated to alcohol.
-Kantele Franko 17
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