First Vegas Visit -- 4/4/2019

In this week's newsletter, I want to share the story of my first adventure in Las Vegas once I turned 21.

The date was 1986, . I was thrilled and ready for my inaugural trip to Las Vegas. My friend Deron, having just turned 18, came into $50,000 from an accident settlement he received after years. The funds had been locked away until he reached adulthood, and he was eager to use it. While I was excited about the Vegas experience, Deron wasn't as keen on the trip but was more than willing to spend his newfound money . The laws back then weren't too strict, and Las Vegas had a reputation for allowing underage drinkers and gamblers, which many kids from southern California were well aware of.

Western Airlines, known for its budget-friendly fares, must have had a special promotion at the time, considering I was both thrifty and low on funds. If you’re unfamiliar, Western later merged with Delta in 1987, and the name eventually disappeared. I chose to stay at the most affordable hotel on the Strip, which happened to be Circus Circus.

Upon arrival, it soon became apparent that Deron and I had divergent plans for our time . I had allocated around $20 for gambling and was eager to explore the Circus for suitable games. Deron, on the other hand, headed to a liquor store and started getting intoxicated in our hotel room, a routine he followed back home.

From what I remember from 33 years ago (wow, I feel old), the minimum bets for blackjack at Circus were around $2 or $3, which exceeded my budget. However, I did find a video blackjack machine that let me wager as little as $0.25, a figure I felt comfortable with. Back then, I didn't possess the gambling expertise that you might know me for today. My approach was more about enjoyment rather than understanding the intricate rules or optimal strategies .

That initial legal gambling experience was fantastic ! I had a great run at the blackjack table. Plus, free drinks were being served non-stop. By the end of an hour, I was up by about $6, giving me a 30% increase in my bankroll! However, I felt bad for leaving Deron alone and decided to quit while I was still winning to check on him.

Returning to our hotel room, I found Deron quite drunk and somewhat annoyed that I had abandoned him. I had invited him to join me at the casino, but he turned it down. I then excitedly recounted my $6 winnings and the complimentary drinks from enchanting cocktail waitresses, but he didn't seem interested. His inebriation was far beyond mine, and my small win wasn’t significant compared to his recent financial windfall.

The next morning, I was keen to revisit the same blackjack machine. However, this time my luck didn’t hold , and I lost about half of my winnings from the previous night. Therefore, I decided to take a break from gambling and stroll down the Strip. I remember wandering around the Frontier (yes, I crossed the picket line) and Stardust until I stumbled upon the Fashion Show Mall. There, I found a bookstore and thought to myself that perhaps I could find some literature on blackjack. Learning more about the game might improve my chances.

I distinctly remember discovering a book titled "Playing Blackjack as a Business\" by Lawrence Revere . I was astonished that someone could write an entire book on blackjack. While the extensive chapters on card counting were lost on me, I was thrilled to find some colorful basic strategy charts right at the start in chapter 3. To this day, I pay homage to Revere's charts by using the same color scheme in my own strategy charts. They were perfect for my level and the goals I had in mind. Did I mention that I was a real penny-pincher at that time? Instead of purchasing the book , I asked the cashier for a piece of paper and a pen, which she graciously offered. I then sat in the aisle copying one of those basic strategy charts onto the back of some brochure she retrieved from the trash.

While I didn’t realize then just how valuable this strategy would be, I was excited for round three at the Circus blackjack machine, equipped with my handwritten strategy. After a long trek back to the Circus, I sat down at the machine and played. Round three went in my favor . I remember winning back the $3 I lost earlier that morning and then some extra. I can't recall all the details, but I think there were a couple more rounds. By that evening, I found myself up about $10, feeling quite pleased, but the monotony of playing against a machine for quarters began to bore me . I craved the lively atmosphere of the table games.

Despite increasing my bankroll from $20 to around $30, I still didn’t have enough to take a seat at the Circus tables. Across the street was a small casino named Silver City, which advertised $1 minimum blackjack on its marquee. That was a price point I could manage, so I crossed Las Vegas Blvd in search of a spot at a $1 table. As I vaguely remember, there were only two or three tables with that minimum bet, and they were all packed. I had to wait around for a while until a seat opened up.

Once I finally got a seat, I found myself engaged in about four hours of continuous play , sticking strictly to my $1 bets. The free drinks kept flowing, and my $20 buy-in swayed between $20 and $30 for most of the session. I can only imagine that I was slowing down the pace at the table by frequently consulting my handwritten strategy. I’m sure the other players weren’t thrilled about a slow-moving novice who didn’t tip monopolizing a spot for hours. However, that didn’t bother me; for me, my first experience at a Las Vegas blackjack table was a total win.

Around midnight, I figured it was time to check on Deron , whom I hadn’t spent much time with during this trip. As I crossed the street, I encountered a somewhat shady character who was 'looking for some action.' I won’t elaborate on that encounter, but I managed to slip away without incident. Upon returning to the room, Deron was mildly annoyed at my absence, though his drunken state dulled his irritation.

At some point during this trip, I bought 10 postcards for a dollar. Before calling it a night, I filled those postcards with the entire story of my Las Vegas adventure for my then-girlfriend, Christin. I ultimately decided against mailing them because she was quite proper and would disapprove of all my antics. The next morning, we enjoyed breakfast at the well-known Circus Circus buffet, which I relished back then, before heading to the airport and back to Orange County.

Reflecting on that trip, I realize I wasn’t very considerate towards Deron, I regretted not buying the blackjack book, and I enjoyed countless complimentary drinks while neglecting to tip a single dollar. In my defense, I simply didn’t understand the rules of tipping etiquette. Nevertheless, it was an exhilarating and unforgettable experience, at least from my perspective.

As a final note, I'd like to remind everyone that the registration for the Burning Man ticket open sale occurs from noon Wednesday to noon Friday , Pacific time.

Here you can find mathematically sound strategies and insights for casino games like blackjack, craps, roulette, and many others.

Written by: Michael Shackleford