Musical Dice -- My Craps Blog

     I am very excited to present this re-formatted craps blog, which I finished re-formatting today. With this new format, not only does this blog becomes much easier to read, follow, and understand, the blog is now split into monthly chunks, instead of one big chunk, the way it was. All the blog entries are in chronological order, and are easier to follow, especially those entries regarding my gambling trips. All future blog entries will be made in this new format. Enjoy!

     Coming into this trip, I have a streak of 10 casino wins in a row. I am hoping to add to this win streak, which is my longest win streak in quite some time. Will it continue? Let's find out together!

     No. Mrs. MusicalDice was not pregnant. So who do I know that's having a baby? Nobody right now. So why the title for the first day of this trip? Those of you closest to me may already know the answer. One of my other hobbies is writing fictional stories, and on this trip, it just so happened I was also finishing writing a story. Singer/songwriters Gloria Estefan and Billy Joel have both spoken of writing a song as having a baby. And that's how I look at writing a story (I also look at writing a program the same way). So in addition to gambling, I was focused on finishing this story I was working on.

     By the time we arrived in Lake Charles, we were both pretty tired, and when we checked into our room at L'Auberge, where we're staying for the first two nights of our trip (fully comped), we crashed.

     The actual gambling got off to a somewhat late start, due to Mrs. MusicalDice taking a few extra Z's, during which I wrote some in my story. Once in the casino, I first won $50 at a blackjack table. But the real story was what then happened at the craps table. I got off to a rocky start, placing Come bets on another shooter, one who also set the dice. But he crapped out before any of my three Come bets could hit. Then on the next two shooters, I bet $60 each on the 6 and 8, with the intention of reducing the bets to $30 each with one hit, and branching out to the other numbers on subsequent hits. With the first of these shooters, that worked only up to the point of reducing the bets to 30 each, but then the shooter crapped out. On the second of these shooters, he crapped out before I got one hit. I was down roughly $200 when the dice were shoved my way. At this table, I was standing at Stick Right 2, a position I rarely stand at, but that was all that was available at the time. I decided to go with my Yo-Yo dice set. I wasn't even sure how I was going to bet, once the point was established. Fortunately, my come-out rolls won me a total of $74--I had 20 on the Pass line, and I had a $10 Whirl bet. My first two rolls were 11 and 12, netting me 42 and 32 respectively. Once a point of 5 was established, I decided to play with the come-out winnings, plus a little more, placing the 6 and 8 for 24 each, and putting 20 for odds. Given how shaky my shooting had been in recent trips, I didn't want to play with much more than that up front. But fortunately, I soon made my point--one of three times I'd make a point of 5. I slowly branched out to the other numbers, and in fact, shot 29 times before I crapped out! This shoot became my first Hall of Fame entry in nearly two months. I did concentrate on keeping the dice square with the back wall, but there were still plenty of times the dice rolled all over the place. I'm very surprised I did as well as I did. Ultimately, I won $349 at the craps table.

     Once I had the craps win, I decided that I was going for that 500 Club win. So I played at two more blackjack tables, winning $100 at one, and $50 at the other. I ended up winning $549 total for the session. But wait a minute! That's how the last trip started out, with my winning the exact same dollar amount! Just a coincidence. There were two main differences in this win. One, this time, I won the money at the craps table on my shoot, not someone else's, plus I didn't take down any bets, unlike the other time. So my monthly streak of 500 Clubs continues. I discovered that this was my 250th 500 Club--my first one dates back to 11/18/2001 at the Pala Indian casino in the San Diego area, where I won $600 playing blackjack. But I had to struggle to get this latest one. Yes, one could say I was going through labor pains to get this 500 Club, for those blackjack tables weren't making it easy to get those wins. So I guess that's one more reason why I called this first day "Having A Baby."

     We had a most delicious steak and salad meal at the Ember Steakhouse, still at L'Auberge. From there, we went back up to the room, where we watch Beat Shazam (a music show, identifying all sorts of songs--quite predictable that I'd take an interest in that show, huh?). After that, I took that time to finish writing my story. BTW, if you want to find more about what this story was all about, you can email me at musicaldice323@gmail.com, and I'll gladly tell you. But once that story was finished, my wife and I both decided to turn for the night. Only one gambling session, but finishing up $549 ahead for the day is not bad at all. Besides, I've extended my streak to 11 casino wins in a row. I strongly suspect there will me much more gambling tomorrow.

     I was hoping to continue the success I'd started on this trip. But today proved that For the most part, the title was what I was really doing. BTW, this title is actually the title of a song. Trivia question: Whose last top 40 hit was titled "Chasin' The Wind?" I'll answer that one at the end of this day's entry.

     The gambling started at L'Auberge. This time, I shot from the end at the craps table. But to say the least, the magic I had yesterday, wasn't there today. I had some short rolls and some mediocre rolls. I bought in for a second round of $500, chasing a little bit. But after a while, after several badly-timed moves I tried to make, I decided to leave the table $460 down.

     I tried to get it back at the blackjack table, and nearly succeeded, but then I ran upon a string of bad cards. I ended up leaving the table $50 ahead, but $410 down for the session.

     From there, we went to the Golden Nugget, where we plan to stay tomorrow night. I played blackjack, and after a drama-filled start, I got my money back, plus $27.50. Okay, at least I'm back on the winning path again, and I am still ahead for the trip.

     From there, it was on to the Horseshoe, where I played poker. After an hour, I left the table $101 ahead. I would have stayed longer, but me and my wife were overdue for lunch. At least I can still play poker.

     The next gambling session wasn't until after sunset. I started at the blackjack table. I reminded in the worst way that I don't usually play blackjack at night. The cards were HORRIBLE! Despite re-buying for an extra $500, the cards did not turn around for the better. I lost $1000.

     Then I went to the craps table, and it was a $25 table. This time, I shot from Stick Right 1, not a favorite spot on the table. It was a double-mistake playing at that table. I had some very badly timed bets, and that applied to whether I was playing the Don'ts or the light side. I had a decent 14-roller, using the Hardway dice set, but it wasn't enough to get me out of the hole. I tried making some moves with some risky regression betting, after I re-bought in for a couple of times. But each time, I got sniped early. I eventually left the table $897 down, and $1897 for the session. So much for being ahead for the trip! ARGH!!!

     After a late dinner, it was back to the Horseshoe to play poker. This time, I was at the table for 2½ hours, and I was down for a good part of it. I had to chase a little here too, buting in for a total of $700. But I did get it back, in this case, plus $131. At least I can still play poker!!

     I usually don't chase this much, and I sure paid the price for it, going from $549 ahead to $1498.50 down this day. Hopefully, things will be better tomorrow.

     BTW, the answer to our trivia question: Whose last top 40 hit was titled "Chasin' The Wind?" This was actually the last top 40 hit for the group Chicago. It barely made the top 40 in 1991, and the song was written by well-renowned songwriter Diane Warren. Not a very good showing, just like this Day 2 was for me. But as I said, maybe tomorrow will be better.

     Today, we checked out of L'Auberge, and checked into Golden Nugget for one night.

     I am so glad that at least yesterday's fiasco was ended with a win at the poker table. For I now have a chance to build on that win. Will it happen that way? Let's find out!

     Today, Mrs. MusicalDice decided to do some shopping. During this time, I decided to play. But at first, it was strictly blackjack, since that's the game that I have the highest win percentage, and besides, it was too early for there to be a poker game at the Horseshoe.

     I first played blackjack at Golden Nugget, and after a fierce struggle, I finally got my money back, plus $2.50. Then I played blackjack at L'Auberge, where I won $200. Then it was back to Golden Nugget, where it wasn't nearly as big of a struggle. I won $102.50 at that table. By the time Mrs. MusicalDice returned from shopping, I had won $305 for the day.

     We had a late lunch at a Chinese buffet in Lake Charles called L.A. Star. It was highly recommended, but we were both very disappointed, for there wasn't nearly as big of a selection as one would expect. Plus the food was so bad that Mrs. MusicalDice threw her food up, while I had to hurry to the bathroom, as it was about to come out the other way. Mrs. MusicalDice wrote a scathing review on the restaurant. So much for a restaurant that was highly recommended. This brings to mind the restaurant at the Ellis Island casino in Las Vegas, that was also highly recommended, especially the ribs. But when we ate there in 2016, those were the nastiest, stickiest ribs we EVER tasted! It was a mess! Only goes to show you, just because something is highly recommended, doesn't mean that your experience with it will be good. Just some food for thought.

     After returning to Golden Nugget, Mrs. MusicalDice had to prepare for a live conference for a bible journaling group she's part of. During this, I decided to play some more. I started at a craps table at Golden Nugget. There, on one shooter, I was playing the 1-2-3 Don'ts strategy, which worked out well for me. I played with the profits from that on my roll. It wasn't a particularly good roll, shooting from the end, using the Yo-Yo dice set. But I didn't lose much, as I also had come-out winners of 7 and 11, and I went 88 inside. Only one number hit before I crapped out after 5 rolls. I decided to leave the table after that, finishing $72 ahead. I'm still all right with that.

     If it seems like I've changed focus today, you're right. In a blog entry from earlier this year, I warned that this might happen. I will continue to play craps, and come out with craps strategies. But be forewarned that craps may not be the main focus of future gambling trips. The reason for the change has to do with my results lately with craps and poker mainly.

     Anyway, I next went to L'Auberge to play blackjack. It wasn't late in the evening, and lately, I've been making sure there's at least one other player at the table. At the first table, I won $275, then at the second table, I won $225 for a total session win of $500. A second 500 Club on this trip! Who would have thought that would happen?

     After my wife's teleconference was over, we went swimming. By this time, it was after 8:00. The hot tun was great, but the pool itself was even better. It was cooler, but the water was almost like a bathtub, for it has been in the mid-90's in Lake Charles for the past several days. We got to swim laps and socialize with some of the people there. We stayed until it was almost closing time at 10:00

     One more gambling session took place, and it was at L'Auberge, while we were waiting to be seated at a Chinese restaurant (my wife wanted some pho mainly to ease her unsettle stomach). I won a quick $150 at the blackjack table, for a total day win of $1027. My red ink was reduced down to $471.50. Is it even possible? Can I erase the rest of this red ink tomorrow? Stay tuned, and find out!

     After the disastrous loss I suffered on Day 2 of this trip, I was that close to stopping super early. Sometimes, I have stopped gambling before the last day. But this time, I was still going, hoping to erase the rest of my deficit for this trip.

     My first gambling session this day was at the blackjack table at Golden Nugget (this took place after breakfast, before we checked out). It was quite a grind getting my money back, but I succeeded in getting it back plus $50. Well, okay.

     Things really got dicey after we checked out and went over to L'Auberge. There, I got into another blackjack game (the craps table was full). There, the cards were pretty bad, and I had to re-buy for an additional $500. And I had gotten pretty low before I came back, completing the comeback with one of those split-and-double-down hand rounds, where the dealer busted. As soon as I saw that I was up by $50 at this table, I colored up.

     I went back over to Golden Nugget, hoping to get into a craps game there. But like at L'Auberge, the table was full, so I played blackjack again over there. Just like the last session, I got down really low in chips before making a comeback, only that this time, I didn't have to re-buy. I ended up ahead by $25. It was then that I joked about taking baby steps all day to one of the other players, who was also at the first table today. Yes, these were small wins, which are like baby steps, but at least, they're heading in the right direction.

     My last gambling session was at the craps table, once I got back to L'Auberge. This time, I was standing at the end. There was one shooter in front of me, and I placed a Don't Pass bet on the come-out. That lost to a come-out 7. It was only then that I saw some chips (not many) on some of the Place bets. I then figured that this guy had just made a point. So I then switched to the light side, but obly placing Come bets--the first one covering my Pass Line bet, and the second one covering both my previous bets. It was then that he crapped out. A very small loss for that shooter. Then it was my turn to shoot the dice. I remained on the light side, as far as betting goes, and once I established a point, I decided that I was going to take somewhat of a risk. I placed $60 each on the 6 and 8 (the point was 5). When an 8 hit, I reduced those two bets down to 30 each, with tbe next two hits on the 6 and 8 enabling me to branch out to the other numbers. I have to say that in addition to concentrating on keeping the dice parallel to the back wall, I also concentrated on my arm motion being more of a smooth easy motion, but keeping with a low toss (that seems to work best for me). In this manner, I shot 16 times, making $135 (several of the numbers were pressed but weren't hit at the higher level when I crapped out). I decided that that was good enough (I later was told that that table was pretty bad, so I got damn lucky to get the win that I did). After I cashed out my chips, I declared myself all gambled out.

     No, I didn't erase all the red ink for this trip, having only won $260 for this last day, leaving me down $211.50 for the trip. But given where I was earlier in the trip (down over $1600 at one point), I will take that relatively small loss any day. Besides, I had come into this trip with a win streak, which I was able to extend to 11 straight casino wins, with that first win on this trip. It turns out that I have, in fact, ended this trip with a new win streak of 11 casino wins in a row!

     So how did I do overall at each of the games I played on this trip? Of course, the big loser was craps, where I a net loss of $801. My two poker wins added up to $232. The big winner, despite the $1000 loss, was blackjack, where I finished up $357.50 for the trip. That is the game that I have the highest win percentage, but craps is still my favorite casino game. I may focus less on craps on future blog entries, but trust me, you'll still see plenty of craps results on this blog.

     Well, folks, that's all the results for this trip. My next gambling trip probably won't be until the last full week in September, when me and Mrs. MusicalDice will be out in Vegas for five days, with her birthday being the last day. And I guarantee that there will be plenty of craps sessions then. Stay tuned! ☺