Musical Dice -- My Craps Blog

     I am excited to introduce a new link which I added to the Craps Links article. The new link is to the Axis Power Craps website. Check it out!

     My wife and I were not really planning to go back to Lake Charles just yet, given that we also have another Vegas trip coming up soon, beginning May 18th, which is our wedding anniversary. But something happened not long after we got back from our last Vegas trip that made Mrs. MusicalDice especially feel like she wanted to get away again. I felt it too, so that's why we booked this Lake Charles trip, with all four nights except the first one fully comped at Golden Nugget. How will we do this time? Let's find out together!

     After we checkked in at Golden Nugget, we went downstairs to play. The craps table was full, so I played blackjack instead. At first, things started real bad, but then it turned around sufficiently so I ended up $105 ahead. Not a bad start.

     From there, we walked over to L'Auberge, and it was there that things really got crazy. First I played blackjack, where it was a very choppy table, so much so that as soon as I ended up a little ahead ($25), I got up and left that table.

     Then I went to a $25 craps table. At the time, I didn't notice that the $15 table was also open. I got there, shooting from the end, where I had success last time. At first, I used the 3V dice set, but I PSO'ed. Also, I was trying a strategy, where I place twice the minimum on the 6 and 8, regressing them down to the minimum on one hit. Unfortunately, I kept getting sniped, with the 7-outs coming before a 6 or an 8. I left the table $437 down.

     Normally, after a loss like that, I wouldn't play craps again that session. So what prompted me to then play at the $15 table? I saw that my favorite position, Stick Left 1 was open, and I thought I'd try it. On my first roll, I used the Hardway dice set. Although one of my rolls was a 6, which was good for part of my strategy, I crapped out after 4 rolls. The next time I got to shoot, I switched to the Yo-Yo dice set. And I even bet 5-5-5 on the bonuses. This time, my timing was right, for I had a nice long roll this time. In fact, when I rolled a 9, one of the other players screamed out in joy. It was only then that I realized that I'd just hit the Tall. For I was so focused on my mechanics that I had forgotten that I even had the bonus bets out there. I was definitely happy when I got paid $175 for that bet. The next two rolls after that were 3 and 2 to complete them all!!! I got paid $175 and then $880 (including the bets themselves). I knew then that I'd more than made up for the loss at the $25 table. I ended up shooting 21 times, enough to make my Best Craps Shoots Hall Of Fame page, and more importantly, I left that table $1260 ahead. A total session win of $848. What a wild one THAT was!!

     After a most delicious dinner at Ember Steakhouse, we returned to Golden Nugget, and rested up.

     After the several hours we spent resting up, I thought I was ready to play again. Not so, apparently, for I wasn't as focused on my mechanics at the craps table, getting sniped again, and losing $365

     And silly me, still thinking I can play some poker! All I can say is, whatever magic I seemed to have playing poker at the beginning of this year, appears to be gone, for I lost again, losing $502. Fortunately, I had the presence of mind to leave there before ALL of today's profits were completely wiped out. I had a total session loss of $867, but overall, I still ended up $86 ahead for the day. Back to bed, Mr. MusicalDice!

     The weather in Lake Charles was pretty foul in Lake Charles Louisiana. Unfortunately, it mirrored our day on and off the felt.

     As far as gambling goes, it started at the craps table at Golden Nugget. In a nutshell, my shooting was crap. What worked at that one table at L'Auberge yesterday, did not work. I left the table $256 down.

     Fortunately, I made up for that at the blackjack table, winning $380, for a net session win of $124. Okay. I'll take that.

     That evening, I had one more gambling session (we pretty much stayed in due to the weather, which really got stormy in the evening). I first played blackjack, winning $112.50, despite there being players who didn't know what they were doing.

     The best part of this time on the casino floor, was running into a fellow member of the Texas Craps Shooters group. Julie introduced herself to me, and we had a nice chat while I was waiting in line to cash out my blackjack winnings (how ironic). She told me that the craps tables were still not good. I initially said that I wasn't going back there today, but I later figured I could use a second craps session today. Boy, I should have listened to my first instincts!

     I went to the craps table, and once again, my shooting was s**t. This time, I left $396 down.

     I then went to the poker room, hoping for some redemption. Unfortunately, there would be no redemption either in this session, nor in poker. I had some bright spots, but in the end, I was tilted, and I lost $1096. OUCH!!! I lost $1379.50 for the session, and $1255.50 for the day. I'm now down $1193.50 for the trip. I have to do some serious thinking about what I'm going to play for the rest of this trip.

     The weather in Lake Charles Louisiana started off stormy again. However, I was determined to have a better day today.

     As far as gambling goes, it started at the blackjack table at Golden Nugget. At a rather choppy table, I won $52.50. Then I went to the craps table, where once again, my shooting was shot to hell. Three PSO's in a row! Where was all the magic I had on that table at L'Auberge on Monday? Anyway, I left the table $381 down, for a total session loss of $328.50

     Now for what today's title means: It may seem strange, since the basis of this trip was that me and Mrs. MusicalDice had to get away from Houston. But this day's title has a completely different meaning. Seriously, folks, I hope none of you have to go through what my wife is going through. She has an 81-year-old uncle whom she loves dearly, but lives far away in Flint Michigan. He is quite sick, and is being shipped off to a nursing home that has bad reviews and deplorable conditions. My wife and I were talking on the phone with her mom, since her uncle is her mom's brother, and what was particularly upsetting us was the fact that those living closer to my wife's uncle, they know they could put him in a better facility because he has enough insurance and money to afford a much better facility, but his wife and next-of-kin are only looking at a huge payday when he dies. My wife's uncle, whom I'd talked to a number of times, and whom I'd met last year when we traveled to Flint, he is a very decent fellow, and deserves much better than this. What was also upsetting me about this situation is the fact that I currently have a 96-year-old aunt (the same one my wife and I visit each year in Bowid Naryland on St. Patrick's Day for her birthday), who several years ago, was in a facility that turned bad after it was sold. My wife was in tears after we keft that facility. Fortunately, that situation was quickly rectified, but in the case of my wife's uncle, this is a completely different ballgame, and we find it despicable what is happening to her uncle. So anyway, the three of us were talking, and we were all getting pretty pissed off about it. At length, I decided that my input was contributing nothing but more anxiety, and I felt at that point that I had to get away. So I left the room, leaving my wife and her mom to further talk about the situation, and I walked over to the L'Auberge casino. By that time, the weather had started to clear up.

     I apologize for unloading all this on you readers, since this is a craps blog, but I had to get this off my chest, plus it really goes to me and my wife's state of mind on this trip.

     I think it was a good thing it took about 10 minutes to walk from Golden Nugget to L'Auberge, for the walk calmed me down somewhat. Good thing too, for the first thing I did was play blackjack. Fortunately, I was at a good table, and I won $325 there.

     From there, I went to the craps table. It was a $25 table, and I was not the shooter. I decided to tip-toe into the game, placing 30 on the field. Fortunately, the next roll was a 9, and I placed the 6 and the 8 for $30 each with that payout. Slowly, it grew from there, to the point that I won $170 at that table. Just shy of a 500 Club at that point. Fortunately, I was able to get there, playing blackjack at another table, winning $110 there after just two rounds (including a blackjack that paid 6-5 apparently). I ended up $605 ahead for this session. Needless to say, I desperately NEEDED a session like this!

     Upon returning to the room at Golden Nugget, I was in an infinitely better mood. So was Mrs. MusicalDice when I told her about the 500 Club I won while I was out. We decided to just leave this situation regarding her uncle in the hands of the Lord. We sat and prayed hard about it. We didn't do anything else until we had dinner.

     For dinner, we ate at Vic & Anthony's in Golden Nugget. I ate a lobster tail, which was huge (12-15 ounces), and I couldn't quite eat it all, but it was absolutely delicious. Provided some much-needed comfort food. The meal was unusually expensive for that reason, but it was definitely worth it.

     From there, we went into the casino to play. I first played blackjack, where I won $155. I then went to the craps table, hoping to add to that.

     At first, it was rough sledding at this table, for I once again PSO'ed on my roll (from Stick Left 1, using the dice set that won me a bundle 2 days ago at L'Auberge). Fortunately, one of the following shooters had a good enough rally for me to get my money back plus $60. A total session win of $215. That would be the last gambling I'd do for this day. I ended up $491.50 ahead for the day, reducing my red ink to $678 for the trip. There is still a chance I can catch up for this trip, since I still have 2 days left.

     One more thing I have to mention before I conclude with Day 3, is the fact that me and Mrs. MusicalDice, for the first time this season, were finally able to go swimming. Actually, all we did was get into the cloverleaf-shaped hot tub at Golden Nugget. I have to say, this was very relaxing for both of us, and we even had some nice conversations with others in the hot tub. What started off as a very lousy day, ended up a very good one. I hope tomorrow will be even better.

     Today's gambling started with a blackjack session at L'Auberge. There, I was barely able to get my money back, plus $25 on what started out as a bad table. Then I went to the craps table, where there was a rally going on. But exercising good table etiquette, I didn't buy in until the come-out, but by that time, it was too late to take advantage. The shooter soon crapped out. From there, it was a sea of ill-timed Don't bets and PSO's. I left the table $580 down and a total session loss of $555.

     At this point, I was about to declare myself all gambled out for this trip. The only reason why I didn't was because I wanted to play at the Horseshoe at least once on this trip. But I said to myself that if I didn't get a craps win here, I would declare myself all gambled out.

     I got on tp a $10 craps table, and someone else had a decent shoot. It was fun, and I won $82. This is the sort of thing that keeps me going, playing craps, and why it's my favorite casino game.

     After a relatively early dinner at Olive Garden, we returned to Golden Nugget, where I got into a blackjack game. It was a friendsly table, and I like that. Another thing that keeps me going, playing when I'm so far behind. I won $185 there, knocking my red ink for this trip just below 4 digits.

     Some time later, we went swimming (this time, we did get in the pool), and that was very enjoyable. Usually after that, I wouldn't have the energy for another gambling session, but I did this time...

     By the time we returned to the casino floor, it was after 10:00. I got into a craps game. This time, I was standing at Left End. My first time shooting, I decided to go back to my 3V dice set, and bet on the 6 and 8, 48 apiece, with the intent of regressing down to 24 each after one hit. Well, the point was 6, and I rolled 7 times, but dammit, NONE of the other rolls were 6 or 8, and I lost money on that shoot. This dice set is good for 6's and 8's, so what gives? The next time I got the dice, I decided to bet a little less, spreading my bets to the 5 and 9 as well. Didn't matter, for I crapped out immediately. I left the table $396 down again.

     I had intended to play blackjack afterwards, but all the blackjack tables were full. So for some inexplicable reason, I decided to try my luck at poker (I had intended not to touch poker again until our upcoming Vegas trip later on this month). So there I was in the poker room, losing almost half my buy-in, until I managed to double up, winning a coin flip--Pocket Queens vs. Ace-King. By this time, it was just after 1:00 in the morning, and I was tired. I left the table $23 ahead, finally snapping my poker losing streak. The session ended up a $373 loser on a whole. I lost $661 for the day, and thus far, I'm down $1339. I suppose I've done worse.

     Before checking out of Golden Nugget, I got one last session in, and it started at the craps table. On someone else's shoot, I made a quick $55. I did add $75 to that for a session win of $130.

     My last gambling session of this trip was at L'Auberge. At first, it was strictly blackjack, winning $150 at one table, then $100 at another. Then I decided to play craps. Before I go further, I have to say that I had resolved to play the way I feel most comfortable, and not get involved in any fancy strategy, and if I lose on my shoot, I'll leave the table, making sure I still have a win for the session. With that in mind, I first placed 30 each on 6 and 8, with the intent of regressing down to 18 each on that first hit. The guy crapped out almost immediately, instead. On my shoot, I was doing the Pass Line for 20, with a 10-dollar Whirl on the come-out. Then, I would play the inside numbers for 4 units each, and single odds. Even if I was to immediately crap out, I'd still retain a small profit for the session. Well, surprise surprise! I actually had a decent shoot, from Stick Left 1, using the Yo-Yo dice set. I shot 14 times, enough to make up for the last shooter, and in fact, finish $39 ahead at the craps table.

     I tried for a 500 Club by playing at one more blackjack table. However, I quickly got into trouble, and had to buy in fot an additional $500 before I started getting my money back. The last round, where I was playing two, ended with both my hands having blackjack. I decided not to press my luck any further, so I left the table $75 ahead, for a total session win of $364. I declared myself all gambled out at this point. Yes, I finished $845 down for the trip, but it was a whole lot worse, earlier. At least I finished on a positive note, winning $494 for the day. Hopefully, things will go better in Vegas. We'll find out starting in just 9 days! That's all for now! ☺

     My wife and I wanted to return to Las Vegas for our six-year wedding anniversary. So this trip was booked.

     Today, May 18th, is our actual wedding anniversary. We arrived in Las Vegas very early. Our plane landed just before 8 a.m. Las Vegas time. We did manage to check in early at Golden Nugget, but only after paying the early check-in fee, and upgrading to a very nice spacious room. I didn't object to the extra charges, for it's our anniversary, so what the hell?

     After we rested for a while, we went to the Venetian casino. The first thing we did was have an early lunch at the food court. Then we took a gondola ride. It's our anniversary, right? It was very romantic. Mrs. MusicalDice even bought one of the photos taken as we got on the gondola. It's our anniversary, right?

     As far as gambling goes, it began at the Venetian after we went back downstairs from the gondola ride. It started at a $25 craps table. Shooting from Stick Left 1 was an oriental guy with a very unusual way of shooting the dice. His swing looked typical, but at the top of his swing, he would just hold it there for a second or two, and then flick the dice. But the way he did it was pretty consistent, and I was eventually able to buy in and take advantage. I won $171 at that table. Nice way to start.

     After we left the Venetian, we went to the Bellagio so Mrs. MusicalDice could visit the flower garden there. Unfortunately, the garden was under construction, probably to change the spring arrangement to the summer arrangement. Mrs. MusicalDice was only able to take photos from relatively afar.

     After we returned to Golden Nugget, and talked on the phone some, we went downstairs to play. I played craps. On one shooter, I did a $40 DC, hedging it with 18-dollar 6 and 8's. 7-out. Made a net of $4. The next shooter seemed like a better shooter, so I bet $30 each on the 6 and 8, with the intent of regressing down to 18 each if one of them hit. But he sevened out before either number could hit. Then it was my turn to shoot. I was standing at Stick Left 1, and I decided to use my Yo-Yo dice set. I had 4 units on the Pass Line, and 4 units on all the inside numbers. Fortunately, it was soon apparent that I was going to have a good shoot. In all fairness, I have been practicing lately, with my pinching the seams of the dice, which keeps the dice more together when I toss them. Using my usual take-and-press betting strategy on the Place bets, I was eventually able to get the 6 and 8 pressed up to 90 each. However, neither hit at that level. Still, I managed to roll 24 times, enough to make my Best Craps Shoots Hall Of Fame page. I ended up $172 ahead. I would have made more if I had played more aggressively, but that was my first shoot of the trip, and I had no idea how the dice were going to be.

     For our anniversary dinner, we went to the Oscar's Steakhouse in the Plaza casino. As always, the food and the service were great. It was a very nice way to celebreate six years of being happily married.

     Afterwards, I played blackjack, still in the Plaza. I ended up winning $77.50, for a day total of $420.50. Not a bad start!

     This day started off with me and Mrs. MusicalDice going to the Flamingo casino, first to have breakfast, then to see the flamingos (Mrs. MusicalDice got some nice photos), and only then to gamble. I got into a craps game on a $10 table. At first, I got into trouble, with ill-timed Don't bets. I invested a total of $700 before starting to get it back. My shooting wasn't that bad, shooting from Stick Left 1, using the Yo-Yo dice set. My best shoot was 12 rolls. But it was on someone else's shoot that I ended up barely getting my money back, plus $25. I stopped the bleeding.

     From there, we went to the Palazzo, where I played poker, while Mrs. MusicalDice went shopping. Apparently, while I was bleeding chips at the poker table, Mrs. MusicalDice got a nose-bleed! Fortunately, she was able to stop the bleeding there. Me, I almost got my money back, but started losing again, waiting for my wife to return. I decided ultimately to stop the bleeding by leaving the table, and just wait for her to return. I lost $577 at the poker table. I was further behind than that at one point.

     After that. we returned to Golden Nugget. where we later met up with some friends of ours who live in the Las Vegas area. We were playing before our friends arrived at Golden Nugget. I played craps first, and got into trouble there too. Worse yet, I was shooting from the end, and apparently, I PSO'ed on my shoot, and the table was cold. I invested $900 before starting to get it back. It was a party atmosphere for a while, with a few good shooters. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough to get it all back. I left the table $186 down. Now sure, I could have tried to get the rest of that back, but I didn't want to keep my friends waiting.

     Fortunately, my friends and Mrs. MusicalDice were playing slots, so that gave me time to play blackjack. After a very rocky start at that table, I got it all back plus $200, enough to make up for the craps loss, and book a session win of $14. Overall, I lost $538 for the day, and I'm currently down $117.50 for the trip. Let's just say, it could easily have been a lot worse. Hopefully, the next day will be better.

     As you'll soon see, this title has more than one meaning.

     After my wife and I had breakfast at Claim Jumper at Golden Nugget, we traveled to MGM Grand. While I played, Mrs. MusicalDice went shopping. I had never lost at this property in 3 previous trips, all dating back to the early 2000's. And I played blackjack, having not lost in that game in about 4 months. Well, I managed to accomplish both, losing $462.50 at the blackjack table. Then I went to the craps table. Despite standing at my best position, Stick Left 1, I couldn't do a damn thing at first, as I was crapping out early repeatedly, first using the Hardway dice set, then the Yo-Yo dice set. The biggest irony about this session was that there were these young kids at the table, who had dubbed me the Magic Man! Why? For a while, the Crossed Sixes dice set was working. I shot a 16 and a 14 with that dice set. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough to get my money back, and when I got to use the dice set for a third time, the kids were making a big production out of "The Magic Man has the dice!" Guess what? PSO! I left the table $395 down, and $857.50 down for the session. OUCH!!

     After we had lunch at Olive Garden, still on the strip, we went to the Fontainebleu casino. I'd been wanting to check out this casino for quite some time, so I finally did that this day. The decor looks elegant, but once you get past that, it really isn't all that, as far as I'm concerned. For one thing, the only blackjack tables that pay 3-2 for blackjack, are in the high-limit room, where the minimum bet is at least $100. I'm not playing that 6-5 blackjack mess. So I played craps. This time, I played at one of the ends. I tried the Yo-Yo dice set when I got to shoot. I crapped out after only 3 rolls. Fortunately, I was barely able to get my money back on a subsequent shooter. Another negative about the Fontainebleu casino is that it's hard to tell the $1 chips and the $25 chips apart. And since I'm visually impaired, that was a real issue. Bottom line, I left the table $8 ahead, and we then got out of that casino.

     We then returned to Golden Nugget, where I got into a suitable blackjack game. After a very rocky start, I did get my money back plus $50. I then played poker there. I got off to a rocky start there too, but I finally got back to how played early this year, getting my money back, plus $24 (my wife and I were going to meet our friends from the previous night, so I didn't have time to expand on that). A $74 total win for the session. Hardly seems worth it, but I finally felt like a winner at poker again. That can only be a positive thing.

     Our friends took us to the Red Rock casino in Summerlin, where we treated them to a nice barbecue dinner in one of the restaurants there. We all had a ball there. After that, one of our friends, much to my surprise, wanted to play poker. Now, the Red Rock was the one casino in the Las Vegas area that I'd played at, that I'd never won at, losing at the poker both times. But I thought my poker skills had improved over the last time I was at the Red Rock, so I reluctantly decided to play again. Well it didn't take long to realize that this was going to be a good session. Without getting into detail, I played for 80 minutes before the table broke up, and I ended up $262 ahead. I finally got a win at the Red Rock, and I finally got a decent win, something that had eluded me these last two days. Hopefully, I can continue this tomorrow. Overall, I lost $513.50 for the day, and I'm currently down $631 for the trip. Hopefully...

     On this day, our main focus was getting to the Palms casino in time to have the very popular lobster buffet there on Wednesdays and Thursdays. And since we were going back home to Houston on Thursday, this would be the only day we'd be able to do it.

     Also, as I'm sure some of you have picked up, lately on our Vegas trips, we like to do a day where we hit some of the Henderson area casinos. So that's how this day started.

     On this day, our main focus was getting to the Palms casino in time to have the very popular lobster buffet there on Wednesdays and Thursdays. And since we were going back home to Houston on Thursday, this would be the only day we'd be able to do it.

     Also, as I'm sure some of you have picked up, lately on our Vegas trips, we like to do a day where we hit some of the Henderson area casinos. So that's how this day started.

     The first Henderson casino we visited was the Green Valley Ranch casino, where we had a nice breakfast. The first gambling game I played there was blackjack. I won $112.50 there. There would be no craps session there this day, for the few people I saw at the craps table, did not look happy at all. So $112.50 was also a total session win.

     The next casino visited was the Sunset Station. I had a similar game plan coming into this casino as I did at the Green Valley Ranch. But here, there didn't appear to be any blackjack tables opened, so I went to a craps table, where I stood at the end. When I got to shoot the dice, I opted for the Yo-Yo dice set, What possessed me to go back to a low toss, I don't know, but this time, it worked. In this shoot, I made five points, en route to shooting 25 times. There were actually very few of these rolls that were for box numbers, other than making points. For I was rolling a bunch of horn numbers. But some of these were winners, as some of them were on the come-out, and I had Whirl bet that won on those rolls. Overall, I ended up $230 win, and a shoot that made my Best Craos Shoots Hall Of Fame page.

     We then went to the M Resort. We decided to go swimming there, which was the main reason for coming to this casino. And that's what we did, after I played blackjack, winning $12.50 after a long drawn-out battle to get my money back. The weather was pretty hot (got up to 98° this day), It was very relaxing and refreshing, just what we both needed.

     From there, we went to the Palms casino, where the lobster buffet is. I had a little time to play before we had to line up to get into the buffet. I played a quickie at the blackjack table, where I won $15.

     Then we were informed that because we didn't have reservations (we weren't aware that we needed reservations), we were to wait in a waiting list line. We were among the first 10 in that line. Apparently, there were A LOT people who had reservations, and we were informed that we would probably have to wait 1-2 hours to get in. I decided to play craps. But that only lasted a short while, when it occurred to me that since me and my wife were among the first 10 on the waiting list, that it probably wouldn't be that long of a wait. Indeed, after the one shooter crapped out, after I made $4 off the roll (I played 6 and 8 for 24 each, then regressed to 12 each after one hit), we got called to the buffet. Only a $19 win overall, but under the circumstances, that was all right.

     Like last time, I had a whole lobster and a separate lobster tail. My wife was able to find some non-seafood items (she's allergic to seafood). I also ate some snow crab legs, prime rib, and a small piece of brisquet. As before, the food was great, and well-worth the $174 I paid for the two of us. I'm damn glad we came to this.

     From there, we returned to Golden Nugget. After resting for a while, I decided to play once more this day. This is one session that I wished I'd only played craps, but since blackjack is my highest-winning-percentage game, I played that first, but unfortunately, the table was HORRIBLE, and I lost $775 there.

     I then got on the waiting list to play poker. After that, I played craps. I played the same regression strategy that I did at the Palms and at Sunset Station. Shortly after I started, Mrs. MusicalDice informed me that a new poker table was opening up, and my name was being called. So I had to color up quickly, leaving the craps table $45 ahead.

     Without going into too much detail, I got off to a somewhat rocky start, then won a big pot against a maniac. I should have left the table then, but I was thinking I could make up for the blackjack loss. I soon lost it back to the maniac, then got into much deeper trouble. I then reverted back to how I played at Red Rock, and it was a long 6-hour session, in which I got some, but not all my money back. I left the table down $374, for a total session loss of $1104. If only I had just played craps!!! Now I'm down $1361 for the trip. ARGH!!

     After breakfast, I tried to get into a craps game and then a blackjack game, before it was time for me and Mrs. MusicalDice to check out of our room. But in both cases, the tables were full. So it wasn't until after we checked out that I was able to get onto a craps game. Here, it was a case of a choppy table. For the first two shooters, I played the DC Hedge Fund strategy, winning a little money, as they both crapped out rather quickly. Then on the next shooter, I bet $36 each on the 6 and 8, regressing them down to 18 each, when one of them hit. On the next hit, I branched out to the 5 for 15. But then, 7-out. I just wasn't feeling this, so I left the table $56 up.

     At that point, I once again attempted to play blackjack, but once again, the table was full, so I played poker again. Now mind you, I only had about an hour to work with, since one of our friends was due to give us a ride from Golden Nugget out to the airport. I didn't think I'd be able to pull off a decent win that quickly at poker. But fortunately for me, it took only 45 minutes to get such a win, as early on, I was dealt Pocket Rockets (two aces), and I busted a played with them, and that's where most of my $452 profit at the poker table came from. A final session win of $508. I sure as hell wouldn't have thought a 500 Club was lurking in this trip, and certainly not on my last session. If it weren't for the fact that this 500 Club was mostly due to playing poker, instead of craps, I would have said that I saved the best for last. Moreover, it didn't totally make up for the losses, as I ended up down $853 for the trip.

     On the way back to Houston, I was thinking that I had net losses in all three table games that I play, and I was wondering which one did I lose the least at. But surprise surprise, when I ran the actual stats, I found that I actually had a net GAIN in one of the three games. That game, much to my surprise, was craps! Even with the losses, I ended up $130 ahead. I had a net loss of $213 playing poker, and the big losing game this time around, was blackjack, having a net loss of $770 for the trip (although my win percentage for blackjack is still over 90%). I feel like I'm starting to get my groove back at both poker and craps (especially in light of the shoot I had at Sunset Station). Will this continue with the next trip? Stay tuned to find out!