Time Enough for Counting

Day 3 Friday Sept 6, 2024 - part two

For the first time in the trip, I felt low. It's so incredibly difficult to win in Vegas, and even though I was still up, and had had some of the luck I needed, I knew that without the LVA Boner Book of Interstellar Values, and the various bits of free play I'd been able to put together, it would be a different story.

I spent some time in the room, listening to the Pratt and Whitney J35 cycling on and off, on and off, and having a think about how I wanted the rest of the day to go.

My buddy Kevin and his wife Mrs. Kevin were in town for a concert at the Four Queens, so we planned to get together for drinks and dinner in the Chicago Brewing Company.

I decided I wouldn't play till after that, and I'd risk the rest of my stake trying to get a royal flush on either Jacks or Better, or Bonus Poker.

Meanwhile I rested and dozed until it was time to head over to the Four Queens.

When I got there, I noticed that there was nobody around the throne seat at the King's bar, so I took the opportunity to put a fresh Royal Flusher sticker underneath. I felt like lifting my leg to mark my territory, but held back on that part.

Cost me $5 to get it done, but I did, without arousing suspicion.

I think I screwed up - the sticker overlaps what is probably the door they open to take out the money. We'll see how long it lasts.

Because of the huge lunch, I really wasn't hungry, and ate a chicken finger and a wing off the sampler plate Kevin ordered, and five French Fried Po-Tatoes. First ones I've tasted in four months.

They were delicious, but really salty. I'm not used to that kind of thing anymore.

We had a nice visit, sharing gambling stories and having a few cocktails. Maker's rocks, in my case.

They took off for the show, and I took off back to the Plaza.

Fremont was in full on Friday Night blast 'em mode, full of people, noise, entertainers, and the stench of fake weed.

I played video poker, with marginal success in the form of a quad. But the money was running low, and my drink ran out completely.

Down $40 on VP, I headed back to the room to make a new traveler - Absolut rocks this time. And again I pondered how much I wanted to risk. I really, really wanted to play and play but I know how expensive that could get, and fast.

I needed something to break my way.

The idea of sitting with a nice tall icy drink and poking away at video poker appealed to me, so I committed $20 to that cause.

I spent a few minutes trying to decide on which numbers to play. The corner? The alternate W shaped corner? The cross in the middle? The five in a row? Did it matter?

I opted for the middle cross, Yoleven's favorite.

Five spins in, it happened. Again! Five out of five! I could not believe my eyes.

"Eyes!" I screamed, "I do not believe you! I can't believe you, eyes. Eyes, you are lying to me!"

But they weren't lying and I'd just bagged myself $200 on video Keno.

This contributed significantly to an improved mood. I played the machine down to an even $200 and cashed out the ticket.

Then it was time for more video poker. I went for Bonus Poker as I had earlier, figuring I might as well have the chance for one of the better quads.

"Eyes! You lying thieves! Why do you continue to spread disinformation?? I do not believe you once again!" I screamed.

Pointies!!!

I held one Pointy and was dealt the other three! Pointies for $100!!!

Well this was great. I was on top of the world, and I'd cemented a winning day, for the third consecutive day here in Las Vegas.

I cashed that ticket out and put in $20. There was no way I was going to risk blowing through the winnings in a moment of Bankroll Tourettes by, say, upping the denomination to dollars or something.

Meanwhile, Bobby G was keeping in touch by text, and he mentioned he was going over to the D to play.

I cashed out and got moving. I'd done what I needed to do, now I'd go and hang out with Bobby.

In no time, I was back in the auditory cement mixer that is the Fremont Street Experience.

The D was thumping and grinding, as it does, and Bobby arrived upstairs just a minute after I got there.

We found a couple of spots at the end of the Vue bar and got busy. Bobby was hammering it hard, and he's been pretty lucky this trip on larger denominations.

Tonight would be no different.

I was savvy - I did NOT cash out my Plaza tickets, so I was limited on how much I could lose at the bar. In the end, I just plunked away at video Keno at a quarter a flip, and talked Bobby's ear off.

The beer and vodka flowed, and we had a great couple of hours.

It was quite a bit later than I'd been staying up, and the smoke was getting to my throat, so I said goodnight and made my way back through the throngs to the Plaza.

Aside from one or two bittersweet moments, I am totally enjoying this trip. It's just what I needed and the most fun I've had in a couple of years.

Budget

Again, savvy ginormous thank yous to all the supporters this trip. I thank each an every one of you online - if I miss one by mistake, know that you're appreciated.

I had a super delicious lunch thanks to your kind support, enough to carry me through, pretty much, to Saturday morning's oat slop in a cup. Heh heh.

Actual Total Expenses so far $400, so I'm still under budget. And, I've now got a somewhat decent gambling stake!

Gambling Day +$221!!!!
Gambling Trip +$363!!!!

Next stop... the Dirty Castle.