Rose and Doc made a last minute decision to head to that oasis out west that we all love so much. The purpose was to have a little tune up before the first class next month. We stayed on the strip where we understand the table layouts have or will soon be changed taking out the Fire Bet and replacing with the ATS feature bet. It’s only been done at one place–a micro fiber layout. Contrary to popular belief it is extremely playable. The other casinos in the family still have felt but will make the change in the next few months.

We arrived on Sunday in the late afternoon after a 3 hour plane ride. We were tired and hungry and wanted a little something to tide us over until breakfast. Headed to the food court for a sandwich.

Neither of us wanted to roll so Rose headed to play some VP and Doc decided to head down the long walkway that connects the 2 casinos to check out the tables. There was nothing open at the place we were staying. When he got there the table was full and a blonde lady was at SL 1. Doc recognized her as a former student who he had not seen in some time. She has not been on the board lately, but her handle used to be "Frenchie." After her roll he called her over and she recognized him as well. She was with a couple of other players who had not taken the course but had read the book and seen the video. They were trying but needed help. They wanted Doc to play, but he deferred until the next morning. We agreed to get together the next morning.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Rose sent a text that she was "going to play bling". He sent a text back "what is bling. I am going to the room." After Doc got ready for bed here she came. The report: she had lost $100 at VP but won $400 at BJ (not bling) so she was happy to be up a net of $300. She was carrying us to success.

Day 2, Monday, after a quick bite to eat in the room and several texts back and forth to Frenchie, we finally headed down to the casino connected to the casino where we were staying. Frenchie was rolling. After several rolls she made her point and Rose and Doc were able to buy in. She had a very nice roll with 4 to the fire (the felt hadn’t been replaced)–probably a roll in the low to mid 20’s. Doc got the dice and started to roll. Made a few paydays, then my point and a come out seven. Started over and BOOM, according to Rose a super roll of 56 with 5 to the fire bet. Rose bet it but Doc did not. We all continued to roll with nothing spectacular with Rose having a very profitable low 20 roll. Frenchie and her friends would head home after lunch.

Now we had a serious problem–so many pictures of Ben Franklin we could not bend our pocket book to get it in our pocket / purse. Don’t you just hate that!!! Goldfinger, where are you when I need to borrow your money belt!!!

It was about this time we looked around and there was Alamo Tex. He is a former student and we enjoyed his company. Were able to roll with him several times. Nothing great happened but we would continue to be up and down. Example, Rose with a point seven out–they happen. Doc with a roll of 9, one pay day and 3 numbers covered so a loser for him. Then Rose a nice profitable roll in the high teens. This is typical of what would happen—a few good rolls, several losers but usually a small collective net win. Sometimes it was Rose and the next Doc.

For the rest of the day we would be up and down but over time we always seemed to be up. We would lose several hundred dollars, head to the BJ table and make that back plus a couple of hundred more. It would continue that way for the rest of the day. It might be the opposite with a loss at BJ and a win at craps. Again sometime Rose was the winner and others it was Doc.

On Tuesday, nothing spectacular would happen. We would just continue to grind it out with craps, BJ and a little Pow Gai poker using small bets for short periods of time. If we lost a little in one casino, we would make it up somewhere else. Our collective win just kept growing. No fancy betting on the prop numbers or feature bets, but winning the GTC way–pass line and come bets with odds while occasionally placing the 6 and 8. We also made a few buy bets on the 4 and 10 because the vig was paid on wins only.

This would continue most of the day on Wed. We did take a little time to let Rose do a little shopping and of course make time for Doc’s afternoon naps!!! It was on Wednesday that we ran into another couple that we had mentored in 2015. Enjoyed their company as well. Hope to see them in the future. Still had trouble closing the billfold with all the Benny’s, but a problem we were enjoying.

During the entire time Doc would always do the 5 count. If a player did not make the 5 count or had a 7 on the 6th roll which was his come bet, he would put a $1 chip in his pocket. Over the 4 days we were in the casino Doc put 27 chips in his pocket. With a table minimum of $10 and single odds of $10–his spread on chicken feeders was $20. Doing the easy math 27 chips times $20 saved $540. So the five count does work.

Thursday we would be up early as we had a 10:00 am flight back.

A really great trip. Met up with some fun and interesting people. We did everything the GTC way betting only against low house edge, and betting into our edge. For the GTC way is the only way to go. Winning is the most fun!

See everyone soon. Classes start soon.

Rose and Doc

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