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No More Bets
March 11th, 2009 | Dean Arrindell
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I’m beginning to get gambling. I’m beginning to understand the rush in that second or two where the dice hop down the craps table and rest on what you hope will be winning number. I’m beginning to know the thrill in watching the ball bounce on the roulette wheel right before it lands on a number. I’m beginning to understand the mix of fear and excitement when the dealer turns over or draws their card in blackjack, and you hope the dealer has less than what you have. That moment before money is won or lost is exhilarating. It can lead to validation, confidence and riches. Or it can lead to loss, anger and the poorhouse.
Until my recent trip to the Foxwoods and MGM Grand casinos in Connecticut, I didn’t like gambling. I’d been to Atlantic City a couple of times and Las Vegas three times, but I didn’t gamble very much. I never got that thrill when I gambled. Blackjack goes quickly, and therefore my money does, too. I don't have the patience to learn poker well enough to risk money. And after all these years, craps is still a mystery to me.
So, when Holly and I planned to go to MGM Grand and Foxwoods with another couple, Lisa and Mark, I was excited, but not Vegas-excited. Las Vegas is an adult playground with more than gambling. It has shopping, a variety of bars and clubs, great shows and lots of food. Other grown-ups can play and spend money until they’re physically or financially exhausted. I love Vegas, but it would be tough to have fun in such a spend-heavy playground with the economy the way it is.
Holly and me in front of the casino.
So, what would I do at the Connecticut casinos? Yes, they have more than gambling there. The reason we first thought of going there was to possibly see the Gipsy Kings (who we saw – great show!). Holly, Lisa and Mark planned on gambling a bit. I thought maybe I would, too. Or maybe we would just hang out in the bars and restaurants. Besides, it’s not always where you are. It’s who you’re with.
The four of us hit the casino floor soon after we got there. Mark was the first to go over to a table and place a bet. His game was roulette, which I had no experience with. I watched Mark, then Lisa and Holly, play a few rounds. Finally, I got the nerve to put some money down. Since you gotta be in it to win it, I decided to be in it.
And it – roulette – was fun. I was at the $10 tables which meant I could spread my minimum bet across as many as 10 different numbers around the table for each spin. Or I could put all or part of it on one number. And since placing $1 on a winning number yields $35, a winning number could you in the game. I had a bad streak on my first several spins. I lost almost all my play money (only $100), but that was before my comeback. I won back all my money and walked away with slightly more than I started with!
Holly with her winnings. I'm thinking about when to walk away.
And the best part of playing was.. I had fun! Even before the table opened up to bets, I was thinking about numbers and colors, what came up in the last few spins and what I thought might come up next. I also took a look to see where some of the consistent winners placed their bets. When the table opened up to bets, all the players reached down to place our chips. It wasn’t a hurried frenzy, but you could feel nervous energy as arms crisscrossed the table. The wheel began to spin and when the dealer, or croupier, called, "No more bets," the last chips were placed on the table. The table was still as the ball bounced around the wheel. When it settled on a number everyone checked their bets and.. it was either cheers or tears.
I can see how someone could become addicted to gambling. That little voice inside that was saying, “You shouldn’t be gambling, Dean. The economy is bad. You shouldn’t be risking your money,” was easily washed away when I’d win. The thrill of winning was mixed with validation. “See, you got this!” That feeling gave me confidence to do it again. Fortunately, if I lost my $100 in play money, it wasn’t going to put me out on the street. So, knowing when to walk away helped, too. But I'm sure walking away is easier when you leave the table as a winner.
Thanks to Lisa for the photos of Holly and me.
Related Topics: Casinos, Gambling
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Dean Arrindell | 2 Comments »
No More Bets
(via Facebook, MySpace, Digg, email and more)
March 12th, 2009 at 11:46 am
Dean,
Sounds like fun. We should do it again!
Lisa and Mark
March 12th, 2009 at 7:36 pm
I can't believe you are gambling – big time spender. What would your dear old mom say?