I just returned from a pleasant trip to a casino I frequent from time to time. I had two pleasant experiences that I’d like to share.

First, after determining that a table was playable (the layout was replaced about 3 or 4 months ago), SL1 opened up on a table that had 4 or 5 players, so I bought in. As I was putting chips in the rack, I noticed that I was the only player at the table – the other 4 or 5 players had left. So, I asked what was going on. The dealers told me that there had just been a series of short hands with early 7-outs. I like playing at a table by myself so this was fine by me. I went ahead with my plan to do a pass line and 1 come bet with 2x odds each using the hardway set. The first hand was short with no points made. I got the dice right back and started again with the same plan: pass line plus 1 come bet 2x odds. This turned out to be a probably 40 or so roll hand making 3 pass line and 2 come bets (2 of which were 4 and 10). After about 15 or 20 rolls, I noticed that 3 other players had approached the table but curiously they had not placed a bet. Then I figured it out – they were waiting until I had made the next point! It was refreshing to experience considerate players that waited for the appropriate time to buy in– all 3 of them. This was a pleasant experience considering all the times inconsiderate players interrupt play to buy in.

Second, later that night, I was surprised to see that my favorite table was being played as well. This table is not normally open when I am there. There were about 5 players at the table with what appeared to be a DI in SL1 (he used the GTC 3 finger grip and had a decent toss), so I waited for SL1 to become vacant. After a while, the only player left at that table was the DI at SL1. A dealer invited me join the game in saying “you can’t win without playing”. I told him that I was waiting for my “lucky” spot to become available. The dealer asked where my “lucky” spot was and I pointed to SL1. The DI at SL1 overheard our conversation and said that he would move to SL2 and I could have SL1. I was reluctant to accept his offer thinking that that might draw unnecessary attention to us, but the DI insisted. What a pleasant and fortunate encounter with a kind and considerate fellow player. The DI had the dice again since we were the only two at the table. 5-counting the DI, he 7ed out before I made the come bet. When the dice came to me, I rolled a maybe 20+ hand making 3 points. I 5-counted the DI and another player who had joined the table in the hook without losing anything. Several people joined the table and the temperature was getting warm in the casino. I colored up, tipped and returned the SL1 spot to the DI who was now at SL2.

In summary, it was a great trip (I netted about 4x my spread) and such a pleasure to share a table with kind and considerate players and dealers (each stick person moved back automatically each time I tossed making it easy for me – this does not always happen). And going home a winner is very pleasant as well – this does not always happen either.

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The more I practice, the luckier I get.

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