It's a full house and the kings, queens and aces have checked in for a night around the card table.

Tensions are high as members of the gaming group take their seats and the dealing begins. Luck of the draw, luck of the hand or pure skill could be in their favor.

Whether living it up on the town or avoiding the crowds and chillin' at a friend's house, gaming is a valuable alternative to the regular college party.

Expansion of the gaming industry in Michigan, along with its rise in promotion in television, films and the Internet, has allowed weekly casino nights and poker groups to take prominence as everyday entertainment possibilities.

Computer science graduate student Henry Balanon said the movie "Rounders" and the strong presence of poker games on television has contributed to an increased interest in casino-style games.

German junior Chris Morehead focuses on the community and entertainment aspects of gaming. He said when looking for something to do on the weekend, he usually joins in on a card game.

"It's sort of an alternative to the normal party scene," he said. "You can hang out with people that you know, have something fun to do and it's not going to cost you a lot of money."

Electrical engineering junior Tony Cerri said gaming activities serve as a nice break from school. He said he participates in poker two or three times a week.

"A lot of people play for the thrill of victory," he said. "For me and a few other guys, it's about making money and about the night's calls."

Cerri said when he turned 19, he went to a casino in Canada with his brother and developed a greater interest in gaming.

"I got a couple books at the library and learned more about poker," he said. "I've got quite a library going now."

Cerri said he learned more and more after playing the game for two years.

"It's the kind of game that can look so simplistic," Cerri said. "But there are subtleties that not many people see."

Like Cerri, some students have expanded their gaming experiences by bringing the chips, smoke and competition of a casino floor to their own living rooms.

But Gaming Analyst Robert Russell warned that any wagering occurring in a private business or residence technically is illegal under state law.

He said recreational card-playing has been a part of society for a long time.

"People should be aware of the laws related to gaming," said Russell, who works for Fraser Trebilcock Davis & Dunlap P.C. "If they are private citizens, they should not be gambling in their home."

Russell said private residences and businesses could face charges under the criminal penal code for conducting illegal gaming operations. The misdemeanor charge could be punishable by a $1,000 fine.

"From what I understood, poker was the only game that was allowed," Balanon said. "Games not played against the house should be legal as long as they don't take in a rake."

A rake is the money that a casino charges for a hand of poker, which usually is a flat fee or a percentage of the money taken from the pot after each round of betting.

Exceptions to the law exist for state-certified charities under the Charitable Gaming Act, Russell said. The state allows organizations to host gaming events for fund-raising purposes.

In an effort to open up legal gaming opportunities to all students, the University Activities Board hosts casino nights throughout the year.

"Gaming is popular in the state now, and not everyone is able to get to a real casino," said Tami Kuhn, University Activities office manager. "So, they can come and have fun at our casino and not be at risk for anything."

The casino nights sponsored by UAB are free for students, who get a starter cup with chips that they can exchange for tickets for prize drawings at the end of the night.

Jerome White, general manager of The Temple Club, also has made efforts to bring gaming to the local area.

"We went so far as to get licensed as a bingo hall," White said.

He said the only way for the venue to have a casino night is to have nonprofit organizations host the event.

"We worked with them to donate the Red Light Lounge, complete with blackjack, craps and roulette, if they provide the dealers," White said. "It's a way for people to be able to get out and enjoy themselves. We have lounge singers down in the room and the games, which are the same exact same as at Mount Pleasant or Las Vegas."

White said 100 percent of the money from gaming goes to the charity.

Finance junior James Thomas and a few friends noticed an interest in gaming and recently formed the MSU Poker Club.

"There's so many people that play poker now," the six-year gamer said. "A group of us grew up playing cards, so it's kind of a natural transition. After sports are done in high school, it's a neat way to stay competitive."

Thomas said official meetings and planning for casino trips will begin next semester.

"We don't promote having money games, but play bigger games at the casinos," Thomas said. "Before, when we've gone to the poker rooms, people have spent 10 to 15 hours straight playing, until they lose all their money. Short-term, it's all luck, and long-term, it's all skill."