This holiday season, the Lion’s Den will host three gaming tournaments. They are free for all students to watch and participate in.

Students will compete in the ping pong tournament Dec. 1 at 6 p.m. and the pool and Mortal Kombat tournaments Dec. 5 at 6 p.m.

Students asked for these tournaments, said Gigi Broadway, senior administrative assistant of University Events.

“At the beginning of the semester, students (began) asking (for the tournaments),” she said. “I promised them that we would get them in this semester.”

These tournaments grant those wishes and provide some holiday cheer, Broadway said.

“It’s not really a Christmas or Hanukkah tournament, she said. “It’s just a collaboration of everybody having fun. It’s not going to be dedicated to the holidays, but there will be some decorations and maybe some cookies.”

Broadway said since there are many people signed up, the tournaments will all be single elimination.

If a student wins first place in any of the tournaments, they will receive a $20 gift card to Walmart, Broadway said. Second place winners will receive a $10 gift card.

Senior Cody McCrary won the previous pool tournament. He said he will compete again to defend his title.

“I originally competed because I’m competitive,” he said. “Generally, everyone comes in here just to have fun and to burn time in between classes. On the tournament night, it becomes much more serious. I have my pride to maintain with this tournament.”

Broadway said the pool tournament is the most popular.

Junior Kris Dewberry said his friends convinced him to sign up for the ping pong tournament.

“I’m not a very competitive person,” he said. “A group of us normally play in the game room, and we have informal brackets. I play the game to have fun and unwind.”

Dewberry said he will compete in another tournament if this one goes well.

McCrary said he is shocked the game room has not offered Smash Bros. as an option for a tournament.

Broadway said while this is one of the most requested games, they do not have the room.

“There are so many people who want to play this,” she said. “They want to do the eight player version, and I don’t know if we can accommodate that. If we’re ever able to get another game system in the near future, I’m sure that is one game we’ll have in tournament form.”

Broadway said anyone is welcome to join.

McCary said students and their guests should visit the game room before coming to the tournament.

“It’s going to be packed and chaotic that night,” he said. “They can have great fun without being overwhelmed (by the competition).”

The deadline to sign up for the Dec. 5 tournaments is Friday. The deadline for the Dec. 1 tournament has passed.