Elvis Was Right

VIVA LAS VEGAS! VIVA LAS VEGAS! VIVAAAA, VIVAAH LAS VEGAAAAAS!!!!

I can't tell you how good free money feels in your pocket. The most fun in Vegas for me isn't the shows, the buffets or even winning at the tables. It's the first twenty feet outside of a casino when I've won money. Because to me, you really haven't won until you've left. Inside the casino you're still fair game to the bright lights and big bets. But outside you're free, the only things beckoning you here are hawkers for hookers and strip clubs, which are easily avoided.

Initially I went to Las Vegas for my friend Aida's, 21st birthday. Interestingly enough, I never did catch up with her, but I did get a chance to hang out with an old friend of mine from high school. He makes a living playing poker, and since poker players pretty much choose their own schedule, he was able to hang out with me the entire weekend. He taught me the error of my roulette ways and showed me the wonderful world of craps. It wasn't long before I was betting the inside, six the "hard way" and backing up my pass line bet. I was hooked instantly, and the extra $300 in my pocket after that first night didn't hurt either!

Each day throughout the weekend played out the same: breakfast at 8:00 with mom and dad, free buffet at noon, craps with Sean till the next morning and back in bed around 3:00 AM. All in all, I think I ended $400 up while also earning my dad another $100 and a funny story that ends with me buying a Band-Aid from O'Shea's Casino for $100. It was a great start for stop #1 on my world tour.