NEW ORLEANS (April 13, 2018) – The first virtual card-game tournament for the new app “Black Spades” will be held next Wednesday during Spring Fest, according to Verona Jones, chief marketing strategist of Verbal Slick.

Verbal Slick serves as the agency of record for the application designed for iOS and Android phones, and will host the event in the Student Union. The tournament will have a grand prize of two Xbox gaming consoles to the winning team.

Black Spades, allows consumers to play as a single player against the computer, join a game against random players or invite friends. Jones said it was created by an African American, CJ Peters, and his gaming company, Konsole Kingz, LLC.

Taj Odem, a Dallas mass communication sophomore, called the app “a great concept, but it isn’t authentic to the traditional aspect of African American spades…and it gives you another reason to stay on your phone.”

Verona and Donnell Jones, the owners of Verbal Slick, are Dillard alumni. They have partnered with several departments within Dillard University and currently manage the Bleu Devil Classic under the leadership of Athletic Director Kiki Baker-Barnes.