Redemption

Let me start this one out by saying that I'm not a gambler. I've been to the casino probably a dozen times since I've been 21 (5 years). Having said that I have definitely have a game of choice when I do go and that is blackjack.

Why blackjack? It's simple really, I feel like I have the most control and the best shot at coming out ahead. Roulette is all chance, so are slots, and I to this day have no idea what the hell is going on in that craps game.

So blackjack it is.

Another thing you need to know about me to fully comprehend this story: I'm extremely competitive. I hate to lose. Doesn't matter if its be in a friendly game of Scattergories or a medium risk game of "21".

So when I go to the casino I don't want to walk out that door a loser, which is a dangerous thing (and the reason I don't go all that often).

So this afternoon I head to Harrah's with my friend Allison. I walk in the door with $40 and promised myself that was all I was willing to lose today. After a nice lunch I head right to my faithful game and sit down at a table.

Things start out well. I turn my $40 into about $60 but then go on to lose about 8 hands in a row which is extremely rare. So I'm out after only 20 minutes. Allison has about $10 she plays in some nickel slot as I sit and watch, contemplating my failure. She spends about 7 minutes and slowly and systematically watches her $1o turn into $0.

But during this time I've already made up my mind. I'm winning my money back, which means another trip to the ATM, and a betrayal of my self-promise to only gamble $40.

I'm determined, however, and remember, I hate to lose.

I pull out $60 this time and head back to blackjack but at a different table this time.

I quickly regret though as my decision as my $60 turns into $40, then $20, then $10.

Heartbroken and desperate I bet my final $10 but instead of walking away at this point disappointed and dejected something else happens. I win. My $10 doubles to $20 and I begin a great roll of blackjack. A sequence of luck and skill combine to save my afternoon and take me from one hand away from misery to cashing in one black chip to the cashier, which for those non-gamblers, is $100.

Now before you say wow, what a day for Kev at the casino let's remember I started with 40 and lost it, then got 60 out from the ATM for a total of $100 and a cashed out with, yep, $100. So I didn't win anything today. But in my opinion, if you don't lose any money at the boat, you are most certainly a winner.

Driving home I found it hard to wipe the smile off my face. I cheated fate and won, which doesn't happen very often. I was so happy I stopped off at DQ for a Peanut Buster Parfait and boy was it delicious.