I’ve lived six miles from two casinos for nine years and have never been to either one to gamble. I’m not a gambler but I thought it was time I went and hit the jackpot!
In the way distant past, I went with my father and his buddy to a race course in Florida where I won every race. My father had confidence in me and put money down on my picks. I don’t remember him giving me the winnings, but it was just fun being a winner, as opposed to my dad’s buddy, a loser! When I said to his buddy, “Why don’t you bet on my horses?” All I got was a scowl. Guess he didn’t like a nine-year old besting him.
There was a time, while living in Florida with my husband and daughter, that hubby and I went to the dog track. The only thing I liked about that was, I won each race. I’m not sure why. I didn’t know how to read the racing form like I did at the horse races but I watched each dog and chose ones that took a big poo. I figured it was amped up and ready to race.
Besides I didn’t like the idea of dogs chasing a mechanical object, it all seemed so harsh for the muzzled greyhounds. I’m glad it’s now banned in 44 states, although the US Greyhound Protection Act aims to outlaw dog racing nationwide.
I’ve gone to horse races several times throughout my middle years and each time I’ve made the win. Once I forgot how to read the racing form so I picked out a guy in a lounge chair, and he went over the form with me. Gotta love those old timers.
I had the same reservations about horse racing as I did dog racing and that’s why I decided to go to the nearby casino, no animals there.
A friend came with me who knew the ropes. The place was pretty with all the giant machines and colored lights and no cigarette smoke, thank goodness .
Zeroing in on the cashier counter, I saw my neighbor behind it. I knew he worked at a casino but never knew what he did. Maybe that was a good luck sign!
Thank goodness my friend was with me because I didn’t have a clue what to do.
At first we chose a giant machine and without even knowing it, I lost $20. Then $5. I tapped on the diamond-shaped button on the console and the screen changed. I hit the button a few more times until I zeroed out. That was another $20.
It wasn’t like when I first went to Las Vegas on the move from Michigan to California back in the 1970s. I won $500 on a slot machine where I played actual silver dollars and pulled the one-armed bandit’s arm. I was ready to leave but my husband asked for part of my winnings, so I actually left with $400.
Not this time…I lost a total of $45 and my friend lost $80 – in less than an hour.
I probably should have gone on a Friday night at the first of the month, when more people would be there, rather than at lunchtime midweek. It’s the people and the sounds of winners, that makes the experience .
I did hear one old guy calling out over his shoulder, “Granny, Granny, there’s a new machine here!” Granny got up from her machine and ran over to him. I should have stayed just to watch him but I went to my cashier friend instead and cashed out my big winnings of 74cents.
What’s a girl to do?…maybe try my luck on a Friday night!
Lucy Llewellyn Byard welcomes comments and shares via lucywgtd@gmail.com
