Had a very interesting trip up to a beautiful lake in the mountains. The weather was spectacular and the scenery breathtaking. Of course there was craps to be played.

     It was my first trip to a casino in well over a year. I have been practicing at home but we know that is not quite the same thing as a live environment. I proceeded to dig myself a hole right off the bat. I was playing the Big Skinny (come betting) and playing exactly how we are taught in class. I would get my three bets up with full odds (3.4.5x) and then seven out. Now, when you are playing a quarter table with full odds, it adds up very quickly.

     Within the first day and a half the hole I had dug was about 3.5k deep. Now I understand that for many on this site that is no big deal but for me it was a dark moment. So what do you do? Then I remembered that game show Who wants to be a millionaire?

     They allow you to make a call to help you answer your question. So, I called the experts, Doc and Alligator Rose. They know my shot and they know my glitches. They went over all the things we have worked on before and I told them that I was determined to go home a winner. After a little soul searching and checking my bankroll, I decided to go back and regroup.

     There is this word Resilience that is a quality that really helps to get you through times where you really start to question yourself. I put the coaching that my friends offered and set about putting it to use.

     The key here in this situation is not to start chasing it with heavier betting, but to gradually come back relentlessly. The next 6 out of 7 sessions were winners. Over the next two days I had two rolls which were forty minutes plus and some rolls which were in the low twenties but profitable. I made back all of my losses and came back with a nice profit for my 401g.

     Now I am probably most proud of the fact that I didn’t fold but realized something was off. It was like any golfer or baseball player engaged in an athletic event; you have to get back to the basics. It is humbling in the moment, but if you can swallow your pride and ask for help it is worth its weight in gold. It makes you stronger and more confident. This is such a game of nuance. Betting strategy was perfect. Dice looked great in the air. Doc and Rose reminded me of a couple of old habits and it turned my game around.

     Any of you that take this game seriously expect to come home with a win and when that vision of victory is threatened, we take it hard. We can sulk, we can whine and find something or someone to blame. I knew it was time to put on my big boy pants and dig deep. In my life these times have created some of my proudest moments. 

     I hope to see as many of you as possible in Vegas at the end of this month. Let’s enjoy each other and kick some  butt. I am so eager to get back to a little more of a normal life. Wishing all of you a long roll on your next trip. Stay healthy. Doughboy

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