The Southwest - Part 16

Still August 29th - It's not gambling if you KNOW you're going to win...

Believe it or not, we did not go to Vegas for the oxygen bars.

Having never gambled before, I decided to give it a spin.  You know what they say, "When in Rome  Caesar's Palace..."

So buzzing on my oxygen high, I decided the only sane thing to do was hit the gaming floor.  And hit it hard.  That's when I discovered the craps tutorial taking place.  I decided to attend.

The tutorial was as overwhelming as it was incomprehensible.  After a half hour of intensive study, I now knew you played with dice.  Seven's were good, except when they weren't.  I figured that was enough.

Determined to lose my money in time for lunch, I approached the nearest craps table and put down my twenty bucks.  First lesson: twenty bucks buys a surprisingly small stack of chips.

Undeterred, I moved to put half my chips down on the loneliest square I could find.  Immediately, the grizzled vet to my left grabbed my wrist and said: "Don't play the field.  That's just the casino bending you over a barrel."  Thanks guy who's been gambling since last night.

That was lesson two.

Intrigued, and only slightly in fear for my life, I put my chips next to his.  Then something amazing happened.  We won.

Like an eager child presented with the cookie jar, I reached for my winnings.  Again, the man grabbed my wrist and said "Let it ride."

Note to self: wash wrist.

Then something even crazier happened.  We won again.  And again.

I started getting into the swing of things.  The free drink lady (slash my new best friend) was making the rounds and I got a White Russian.  Because you have to.  And "The Dude" is my hero, yo.

My vet and I kept winning for the next half hour when he said "Whelp, it was good to meet ya son.  I'm-a go hit the bar."   (Read: "You got a purdy mouth, boah").

As my good luck charm, and what was left of my comfort level, were about to disappear, I picked this moment to cash out.  With over a hundred bucks.

Lesson Three:  Apparently I am good at gambling.