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A croupier deals a hand at the Times Higher Education Awards as guests try their luck at the charity casino. With the black-tie dress code setting the tone, vice-chancellors were among those doing their best James Bond impression as they played blackjack, a card game dating back to the 1600s, when it was mentioned in a collection of short stories by Miguel Cervantes. The award ceremony took place at the Grosvenor House Hotel, London, with money raised from the after-dinner casino going to the Helena Kennedy Foundation. The charity works with universities and colleges to mentor and offer financial support to disadvantaged students.