We never ever go to AC on weekends because it is too busy and chaotic, too mnay drunks, and we can rarely get our spots on a table.However, we had been given an invitation to our host’s birthday concert on Saturday, so we decided to go. Mr. Finesse said he would like to join us, and so did Kay and Rob, Donna and Bob, Jack and Betty, Bill and Bess, and Sandra whom I had met as a primer in March. What fun we had eating some meals together, and occasionally getting on a table all together.

Thursday we couldn’t get on a table most of the time, and so Sandtrap and I played a lot of Pai Gow. Friday morning there were two young drunks at the end of the table next to me. One kept putting his hands on my arm and my back. I told him to stop touching me three times, but he wouldn’t listen, and the pit supervisor did nothing to stop him. Sandra was to my right, and Sandtrap was at stick right and didn’t hear me. The fourth time I really yelled at him to stop touching me, and finally two pit bosses came over. The two drunks stayed at the table, so I told Sandra I was leaving, and we all went to breakfast. When we returned, I started off with a nice 21 and 12 rolls, and Sandtrap had a profitable 20 roll. Those were the only good rolls, so Sandtrap went to rest and I played Pai Gow, BJ, and Video Poker, winning a bit on all three games. In the afternoon we were on a table with Jack and Sandra, but only Sandtrap had decent rolls of 12, 12, and a very nice 25. I had given my spot to Sandra, but she was struggling, which was not surprising as a primer student. The evening session wasn’t much better. Jack had one 13 roll, Bob had a 10 roll, and Donna was the leader with a 14 roll. The rest of the rolls sucked. Mr. Finesse had hurt his back, and mostly played video poker.

Saturday morning we didn’t do anything. Bill had joined us, but Bess hadn’t arrived yet, and we never did see her. Only Bill managed one 17 roll. After breakfast, Sandtrap rolled a 4, 20 and 15. I rolled an 11 and a 20. Bob rolled an 11 and a 13. Many went to rest before the concert. By now, my feet and calves had started to swell up, and I realized I was retaining fluid for some reaon. It was difficult to put my shoes on, I had some shortness of breath, and wasn’t feeling too well.

We all had dinner at Capriccio’s, and it was the fastest service ever after I mentioned that we had to go to a show. Apparently, every year for his birthday, our host puts on a concert. He is a singer, and the 4 piece band is arranged by someone else. We were all surpised at how good our host’s voice was. He did different genres from romantic to swing to rock. He also acknwledged his wife, and brought her up front to sing to her and have a short dance with her. A very nice touch. There was an open bar, which was also very nice. By the end of the evening, my feet were so swollen I could barely walk, so I went to our room while everyone else went to the tables. Sandtrap told me nothing much happened on his table.

Sunday morning I didn’t play, but the four others on the table really woke up. Sandtrap had a beautiful 30 roll, followed by a 14. Donna had a 16 and a 25 roll. Jack had a fantastic 41 roll and a very nice 21. Sandra surprised us all with a beautiful 27 roll and a nice 18. Sandtrap and I had to leave to get home to a condo party as we were on the party committee.

An unfortunate part of our stay had to do with the dealers, many of whom were new. The morning crews were good, but the other sessions the crews made so many mistakes and errors, it was unbelievable. We really had to watch our bets and pay outs extremely closely, more than usual. One blatant error was when my base dealer had my bets in two different spots. My 6 and 8 were in the back, and my come bet on the 9 was in the front. I told the dealer he had me in two different places, and to please move me up front where I belonged. There is a place on my rack which determines whether my bets are in front or back, and my chips were in the area where my bets should have been in the front in the third position. Two dealers put my bets in the back, so it looked like they belonged to the person next to me, which would also affect my rating. When I asked the dealers to move my bets up front where they belonged, the response was, "It douesn’t matter." I tried to explain that it did matter, so that I would also be able to follow my bets, but it went over their heads, although they did move my bets up front. All of us, at one time or another, had to correct the dealers. Two were so bad, the pit supervisor tried to keep a close eye on them and their payouts. Several times, the payouts had to be put down and redone. I believe a lot of experienced dealers have left AC for PA where the pay is better, and the future more secure, so AC has more new inexperienced dealers. It was actually rather tiring trying to keep track of everything and double checking all our bets. We weren’t used to doing this.

However, over all we had a terrific time with good friends. There were lots of laughs, and we are looking forward to getting together again. Hopefully, Mr. Finesse’s back will improve, and I will get rid of the excess fluid and feel better.

Goddess

Replies: