Or, how I learned to just ride it out…

Gotta love Vegas in December… most of the party crowds have disappeared. Granted, the NFR Rodeo was about to get under way, but we got in just before the real crowd arrived. I have also played after that and before Christmas, if you want your spot on a fairly empty table, that is the time to visit. Room rates are lowest too.

Anyways, got a chance to roll with a few GTC’rs this week. Will leave a couple posts to keep it readable…
Early on this week, met up with AlamoTX, we’ve rolled together before so we have a good group-play concept and share the SL spots well. We also both have learned and agree to the 3 times with the dice and then out policy which we stuck with fairly well. If it’s on, great, if not, we’re out of there.

We both stayed at the same location, so that was convenient. We got itchy to play upon arrival, both knowing that was not the best thing to do, but table was empty… simple pass line bet and minimal bets just to get a feel for the table, so any losses were minimal. Interesting how an empty table can soon fill up, so much for the 3X with the dice method. I left Tex and moved to a new open table, two more times with the dice, nothing to really write up, so colored and headed for bed. Best thing about coming to Vegas from Eastern Standard Time is that it’s early to bed and early to rise. Mornings treat me the best anyhow.

Next morning we had a nice day planned of visiting various casino tables. Started out with the Griz’s “home” table. Got there before AlamoTX and settled in with saying hello’s to the usual crew of dealers and supervisors. Got comfortable with a teen and 20 roll then for me the wheels just started falling off… just could not keep the focus and the point-seven fiesta began…
That would be trouble if I was flying solo, but thankfully I had a partner, and he did not disappoint!

While we we both stunk for 3 turns each, we took a break and went to have breakfast. Tex was not a happy camper, we talked it through and he came back determined to settle down and roll the way he knew he can. Lesson? Confidence is a great asset to have!. So, here’s the Craps Porn of the trip! 😈
AlamoTX had a 36 roll hand (actually, this could have been more, as our chip racks got quite full near the end so keeping track was an issue… a terrible issue to have, right?) anyways, he began with a $30 6 & 8 and a no odds passline bet. Pressed 6/8 to $60 with the first couple of hits. When the first $60 6 or 8 hit, $20 went behind the passline bet. As the 6/8 continued to hit, he spread out to the 5, then the 9 and then the 10 and 4. The 10 and 4 were bought at $25. 5 & 9 were placed for $20 unless, of course, one of them was the point. On first hit on the other box numbers, they were pressed to $50. Thereafter, anytime a number hit, he collected on the first hit (a minimum of $70) and pressed to double the next time. At one point near the end of the roll, he was hitting $100 4s and 10s ( might have gotten one or both up to $200 but we don’t recall hitting any of those.) I know that the 6 and 8 got up to $90 on one of them and $120 on the other, but most of the action was on the corners and the 5 and 9 after a little while. Crew were up on all box numbers with us and everyone was cheering him on! Nice to see the large stack of tokes for the crew too. At any rate, TX’s entire front rack was green. I’m guessing he must have hit 15 or 20 pressed up numbers. The buy on the 4’s & 10’s was very fruitful for him. Starting with $65 at risk, he cashed out for $2200.

We sent on to other locales but could not muster up the same type of Ju Ju, so took an afternoon break. I was still stinking it up and decided to rest up. While I was chilling in the room, Tex hit our hotel table and rolled a tasty 32! This is great for him, as we’ve both had our ups and downs in this town. This trip, it was all UP for him. On departure morning at the same place, his first roll out of the box was a 23. Same betting strategy gave him only $211. Most importantly, he made sure to lock up a sure win and play only with fun money. The whole experience was as much about managing the betting strategy and the won money as anything else. Win and walk… AlamoTX’s mantra.

While he had supreme confidence in his throw, mine continued to stink it up. However, I knew what the issue was, a wrist twist that suddenly worked it’s way into the throw. I could feel it come on, just like a hook in golf swing. Back to the drawing board.
When it doubt, go back to basics… back to the room to work on grip and toss, then off to my conference then a good night’s sleep. Another morning session awaits.
More on day two later…

Replies: