We returned from the Las Vegas trip the last week of February a couple of years ago to find ourselves ordering supplies and prepping for the worst. Casinos closed. Fifteen live baby turkeys arrived in the mail. LYING HENS KEPT LAYING.

A gallon of 200 proof food grade alcohol. Mask. I was busy as hell at the hospital stocking the medical units. Swimming alone at the beach after work because everyone was in lock down.

My doctor sent me to the emergency room thinking I had covid and she didn’t want to see me because she was pregnant. I spent the night in the hospital having all kinds of test. Checked my heart, the works. They gave me a room in the maternity ward because babies were not being accepted. I was worn out from the long days.

I started playing poker online. Reading everything. Listening to all the gambling podcast. After two years I came in second in a play money tournament. My understanding of the game had improved. I played my first live cash game and made all the rookie mistakes. 

All my winnings for the past year has been on slots, with one hand pay last spring, and small roulette wins and $38 bucks on the Super Bowl. But my Craps game went nowhere.

I started practicing with the new carpet this summer on my table. I really thought I couldn’t cope with the changes to the tables. Locals have the advantage of knowing the tables.

We stayed over night last week to gamble. This allowed me to see what tables open late and early.

I had a conversation with myself. “You are a Come Bet Shooter” “You can repeat the numbers” “When you throw the dice do it exactly as the first time.”

Before I checked out, I found an empty table that I considered to be a DON’T table because of the bounce. I grabbed stick left close to the dealer. I made the first point. I seven out the second time. Third time rolled a hard ten to establish the point.

I was relaxed. I repeated the words in my head to throw it just like the last time. I placed a bet on the hard ten and rolled a second hard ten. Point made. Hard ten made. I felt good with that one roll. I doubled my money but more importantly returned to my roots and delivered. My wife texted  me the Valet had the car ready.  All is not lost after all.

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