I didn't get to sleep too much since check out time was 11:00 am, and any sleep I did get was light. Today, I would try the casino in Jean. When I arrived, the casino was sparse and they even had $2 minimum 4 deck shoe game, which is the lowest minimum I have ever seen, but I decided to play at the one deck game.
After about 2 hours at the casino, I was able to win about $125, and then had a free buffet with a coupon from the 2001 American Casino Guide book. The coupon was for 2 free lunch buffets, but no one else was in line for me to share it.
I believed I played with the first cheating player I ever observed at the single deck blackjack table. On one hand, he had a 2-card 20, but he also had all his chips on the table (about $100). Generally, I am observant and will notice small changes at the table, and I did not see him put all his chips on the table. I had mentioned it out of surprise, not hinting he was cheating, just that I was surprised. A few hands later, the same thing happened- he had all his money on the table and got a 2-card 20. Now I knew he wasn't counting, because I was counting and knew it was not the appropriate time to bet $100 when he was just playing $5-15 a hand. Then I noticed how he was holding his cards over his bet at times, completing hiding the bet under the cards. This was when I knew for sure he had been cheating by adding more chips when he got the 2 good hands.
Cheaters who win are still losers in life.
On one hand, I had a pair of 6's and ended up with 4 hands. I made the mistake of taking one too many cards on the last split hand which would have busted the dealer, a ten, but busted me instead. It was my 12 against a dealer up 3 and the true count was 7, so I should have stood. The elderly lady said to me, "You should have known a high card was coming after all those low cards." She didn't know I expected more 10's to come out. She made her hand with a 20 and the whole table either lost or tied. Of course, I felt bad about it, but it's mathematically proven each player plays independently against the house.
I made some phone calls before heading off to Las Vegas in the afternoon. I've read the Aladdin Casino has a sharp crew which can detect counters, and that was on my next agenda. Unfortunately, I stayed too long playing at an eight deck shoe and lost $700. Two nights in a row, I've lost large. I thought I could beat the game with the good rules and pretty good penetration, but it was a bit sad be broken again. I was never given any heat since I couldn't win if the casino gave me money.
It was one of those times I felt lost and out of place. Knowing I could accomplish something, but failing to do so. It was damaging to my psyche to know I have so much potential and not being able to do anything. That old song where the lyrics go "you're the fastest runner, but you're not allowed to win" comes to mind.
After leaving the Aladdin, there was about 5 hours left before midnight. At this point, I decided I've had enough of Las Vegas, and needed a big change in scenery.
It was amazing how clear the stars were standing somewhere in Death Valley. I stopped at a parking location somewhere at the southwestern end of the national park in cool darkness for an hour. It's always a beautiful to be out in the middle of nowhere, not really sure whether it was safe or unsafe, and spending the time wondering...contemplating.
There was even a shooting star so clearly across the heaven. I never wish on things like winning at gambling or personal wealth, because that would be just too shallow. Instead, I wish for something more abstract when a star races shortly across the sky. I wasn't sure any of those wishes have come true. Maybe I shouldn't even be wishing.
I wasn't able to drive but another hour before pulling off to the side road and sleeping in the backseat until the earth warmed up in the morning.
