I'm fairly certain (make that 100% certain) that I have never, ever, ever, wait...there was that one time...nope, never won money in a casino. I know people who have, but I am that person who takes any small, hard-won earnings from the one-armed bandit and puts them right back into the next bright, shiny, dinging money-pit with pretty flashing lights that has obviously been waiting for ME to pull that lever so it can pay out a jackpot. The root of my "lack of winning" issue (we won't call it that yucky "L" word) has to be that my casino adventures begin and end with slot machines, right?
Incorrect, my friends. But I'll get back to that point in a minute.
I'd never had the guts to saddle up to a table with a living, breathing human being dealing cards in my life. I've been to Vegas several times, on cruise ships, in a number of Indiana's fantastic floating (and now land-based) gambling establishments, Indian casinos, and hotel-lobby casinos (thanks, Butte, Montana, for having ten casinos within spitting distance from anywhere you happen to stand). I've lost money to friends playing Texas-Hold'em on kitchen tables. I've played lame games of blackjack as a kid with poker chips to be twith that were worthless. But sitting down at a table with a dealer who knows pretty much all there is to know about the game, and 1-5 other strangers who probably have done their homework too is intimidating.
What did it take for me to play some real world blackjack, you might ask? Nothing more than setting this goal as one of my 101 things, a few ounces of liquid courage, $20 burning a hole in my pocket, having the good fortune to be on a cruise ship in international waters, a few minutes spent watching other people do it, and the piece de resistance - a pal who knows what the hell she's doing to stand behind me and tell me what to do and when to do it! (Thanks Amy!)
The first night I sat down and played, I played at the $5 minimum bet table on the same $20 for at least an hour and a half! I did eventually end up losing it all, but I can't complain - I had a blast! Again, I have to thank Amy for her helpful advice. By the end of that night (or early morning), I had at least picked up some good basic strategy, other than the old "get closest to 21" stuff that's pretty self-explanatory. I played a few more times on the trip, and never had any decent luck!
So, in case you were wondering, my lack of winning still abounds (I was just donating to Norwegian Cruise Line, right?), turns out it isn't just the slot machines that enjoy taking my cash, but I had a blast, and at least felt like I was in control of my winning (or lack thereof). I know there's still a great deal of chance involved in the game of blackjack, and the house still has a slight advantage, but I know it's less than the advantage the slot machines have!
I've now decided that a trip to a local casino and their blackjack tables is in order for my upcoming birthday celebration. Maybe I'll have more luck this time!
(I'm also not sure how Mel got away with taking these pictures - we didn't know that was on the list of "no-no's" in a casino, and experienced several people being told to put away cameras throughout the week!)
No comments:
Post a Comment