Yep, love a good game nite if done right and it looks like you're doing it right. I think I've played Ticket to Ride once or twice. We have a few Rio Grande Games which are usually the favourites.
There's money on the table for that horse racing game. Giddy Up!
Yeah, I'd guess there was at least $100 in that stack. When you have so many people playing it adds up fast! Those sound like some really interesting games! We usually have a standing game of Risk going too.