Black Jack

A few months back a buddy and I decided that when I got out of the Navy, we should drive back to Denver from San Diego, with a stop in Las Vegas. We followed through with our plan and spent two nights in a wonderful resort just off of Las Vegas Blvd.

Vegas is expensive! I couldn't believe how quickly my money started to flow from my wallet upon entering that city. I didn't tap my life savings though, in fact I was surprisingly able to stick to my planned, and very small Vegas budget. Although in order to do so we had to leave the wonders of the gaudy and flamboyant strip and head for the classic and well aged downtown Las Vegas.

It was here that we found 5 dollar black jack tables. I had never gambled before, or at least in a casino, so my casino savvy was non existent and I was nervous to sit down at a table. I believed I had a fairly good understanding of the game though: the odds, the goals, when you should hit and when you should stay. The first night I lost a hundred dollars outright. My buddy did about the same. I contribute this to nervousness, and too much free drink. However, we went back to our room, regrouped, slept well, and returned to downtown the second night. I confidently sat at a table, ordered my gin and tonic, and exchanged a measly sixty dollars into chips. Two hours later I walked away with 280 bucks in my pocket.

It felt good. Really good. So good in fact that I will not allow myself to go to a casino again for a time for fear of developing an addiction. That being said, deep down I think look forward to trying my luck at the black jack tables again, and hope my stupid luck holds like it did that night in Vegas.