The Big Come Up and Fall Down: Easter in the Desert Part 1 by NoRulezChris
Blackhawk, Colorado was the destination with only one thing on my mind: to win back the money I had lost. I had a high roller mindset during this period of time. Unlike most gamblers, I was very aware of the money I had lost in the past. I was about 17 grand in the hole, that was for the past three months or so of gambling. I was seriously turning something I did for fun and excitement into life-changing choices. The 17k of losses I collected included my online sports gambling as well as in-person casinos, which included expenses. My bank account was being drained. Most of the online losses came in between big wins. I would win and win, then lose it all. In fact, I picked the Super Bowl-winning Rams to win it all before the playoffs began but I didn’t wager on it. I knew that once Von Miller signed with Los Angeles, he would be the piece the team needed to lift its spirits. I had brought the final stack of dough hidden under my mattress, it was all or nothing I thought to myself. That was my mindset as my five grand felt securely tight to my body. I was ready to flip these 5k racks into big stacks.
I checked into the Lady Luck Casino & Hotel in Blackhawk, about 45 minutes away from Denver with Loo dog by my side. I was playing the slots and won some money rather than losing some. As I’m walking through the casino with Loosey, I spot a machine that I like. Up and down arrows on the reel allow them to potentially move up to the pay line. I enjoy the machines that offer 2nd chances. The wager is $25 or $50, I put in a hundred and stick with the smaller bet. On my third spin, I hit a $500 win! I spin about 2 more times and cash out my 500 bucks immediately at the cash machine. I was gambling at the Isle of Capri Casino. I won at Craps, I won and lost at Blackjack and Roulette. I was walking through the casino when I spotted a ticket hanging out of the machine. No one was around and how long had it been hanging out of the machine? I grabbed it expecting some pennies when I looked, to my surprise it had 94 bux plus change and smiled right back at me. I was having a great shift! I went to sleep early knowing I was up around four thousand dollars. Tomorrow would be a new day and the Kiddos were with Mom until next week. I could stay here another night. Or better yet, I could drive to Vegas!
I woke up close to noon, well rested from my stay at the Lady Luck. I walked Loo potty, and made a decision. I’m driving to Vegas with the clothes on my back. I had no more medication, dog supplies, clothes, or music. Do I really do this? Loosey loves the road. You will find her smiling as she stares intently out the window at all the sights. She loves adventures and is a great traveling companion. Let’s go! We head west through the mountains going through Georgetown, Silverthorne, Glenwood Springs (which is my favorite place to soak), and finally passing through Grand Junction. This drive on I70 has some of the best views you can see from a highway. The Utah border is near. We enter and shortly pass the Moab entrance. Someday I hope to camp in this outdoor mecca for adventure. Green River comes up fairly quickly as I’m giggling out loud, thinking about a girl I was rapping with a few months ago who always got a room in Green River Utah on her way to Vegas.
I gently caress the brake somewhere in Utah as I try to maintain the 80mph so as not to get pulled over. I’m sure I smelled like weed as I had smoked the night before in the same clothes. Marijuana is a cologne I imagine the Utah police enjoy smelling after just pulling over the big city boy with legalized weed license plates that read State of Colorado, the first state to legally sell weed in shops recreationally. We pay hefty taxes on our legal weed in Colorado, which pays a large chunk of the construction on roads and schools. Our weed is probably the most affordable in the country, even after our high taxes. They won’t catch me riding dirty. We stroll through the corner of Arizona. Nevada appears within a few minutes. I keep driving with Las Vegas in mind.
Flip it, rub it down, and flip it some more. My bankroll was fat and so was my head. I didn’t book any hotel in advance, I figured I would get a room when I’m tired. I had money on my mind, NOT rest & relaxation. I skipped stopping at the mini city that shines so brightly when first entering Nevada. Another time and I will have to check this area out, I was worried about getting lost. We cruised past the border and down the giant mountain where I could see the Vegas lights shining brightly. I was creeping on 12 hours of driving straight through by the time Loo and I entered Vegas.
I wanted this trip to make money but I also wanted to experience new parts of the bright city for my 13th trip. I had a car this time so I utilized Silver Streak, a 2006 Ford Taurus I bought for $1,200. I drove to smaller casinos on the outskirts of town, on the Southside, then East, and cut back West as I combed for cash. I never went to the strip. I was betting quickly, I would run in, literally, then swiftly head out the door. I had Loo in the car for the first few casinos then I brought her in with me to gamble. We stopped at tons of small casinos. Sometimes I would stay for less than 5 minutes. We were fine while betting small and fast. So I wasn’t up a ton in Vegas as I liked to forget about the thousands won in another state. When I did lose I would keep that amount in my head so if I lost 80 bucks at a casino, then I would focus on getting at least that 80. Sometimes I would lose more and my goal would get higher but I had a way of checking my win vs loss and would pluck it out once the number was hit. Once I’m up I tuck those winnings away once I leave that casino. My tally of money refreshed at every win and was remembered during losses. A full count is usually done somewhere in private for a solid reset. Sometimes knowing you have money can be good and sometimes not, it’s all somewhat complicated and can change quickly. Like lightning, you can try to ride it, but it will always be shocking.
NoRulezChris
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