Lucky Streak

Once we landed, I took my bag of five-dollar bills on the shuttle to the casino.  During the drive the five of us decided to try to parlay our collective stash into an even greater win.  We’d place several wagers on a variety of games.  We’d bet on blackjack, play a hand of pai gow poker, a hand of baccarat, shoot craps, put some money down on the “Big Wheel” and try our luck on the roulette wheel.  Since my five-dollar bill had been drawn, I was designated to make all the bets.

We went to the casino cage to convert the five-dollar bills into larger currency.  After making the conversion, we headed to the tables.  We started with a hand of blackjack.  I caught two eights against the dealer’s six, split them, doubled one when I drew a two and won both bets. After that we went over to the dice table and, ultimately, moved through all the games. I won each one.  We decided to press our luck again and made the same tour.  I placed all the bets and never lost.  After round two was complete, we divided the cash five ways.   I had turned my five-dollar bill into $265 on board the plane and proceeded to parlay the $265 into $1,050.   We each had $210.00 to play with, and we were just getting started.

The five of us split up.  Three headed to the craps table, while Jim and I went off to play blackjack.  After sizing up several tables, we decided to sit at a table with a $25.00 minimum bet.  It was empty, so we’d have the table to ourselves.  As we bought in Jim needed to use the restroom and asked the dealer to save a place for him.  The dealer replied, “I’ll save the place, but this table has a no mid-shoe rule.  You won’t be able to buy in until the next shoe.”

Then I asked, “Can I play two spots and have him take one of the spots when he returns?”

“Yes, but you have to play $50.00 on each spot if you play two.”

I wanted Jim to be able to join in right away, so I said, “Ok.”  I bought in with my $210.00 stake and hoped for the best.

I’m not sure how long he was gone, but while Jim was in the restroom, I went on a roll.  I won hand after hand, and if one of the two lost, the second won.  By the time he sat down to buy in, I was up over $1,000 more.  It was unbelievable.  Jim bought in, and I dropped to just one hand.  We finished the shoe and played one more.  We won a few and lost a few.  There was no run, just a lot of pushing chips back and forth.  Our run of good luck stopped.

When I cashed out from the table, I put an orange chip ($1,000) in my pocket and vowed not to touch it until we were headed home.  I looked at my watch and noted we had cashed in my bag of five-dollar bills about an hour earlier. I was way up, and my good fortune all started with a $5.00 lucky seat drawing on the airplane.