As we go through what seems like our 100th week of a country wide stay-at-home order, I think of what could have been. Vegas trips are always special and some of the best times I spend with our crew of friends; but to combine Vegas with the NFL draft would have surely been a special week. Sure, there will be more trips to Vegas and of course there will be more NFL drafts but the combination of them both was going to make for a trip we would never forget. As a lifelong NFL fan and someone who just flat out loves the sport, how could I not be drawn to that like a moth to the flame. And most people are drawn to the lights and glamor of Vegas, the thoughts of meeting both old and new NFL stars for the draft, or people watching at the clubs or pool side. But not me.
When I sit here and think of what could have been, its none of the above. For me, I’m going to miss the grind of gambling all day and night in a casino. You see, I am the guy playing down in THE PITS. I run the penny slots, I push that button – I love that grind. Don’t get me wrong, I play in the big room (HIGH LIMITS), but my people are in the Pits. These are the salt of the Earth people. I talk with a grandmother and grandfather looking to find that big hit and as many free drinks as possible. I sit beside a dad or mom who snuck away from the family trip to try and make their $40 investment into $500. I’m betting a penny max bet of $2.20 beside the chain-smokers who never seem to get to the bottom of a butt.
I pray with the superstitious folks that rub, talk to, and use different fingers in an effort to change their luck. This is home to me. This is the Pit and, for me, there is only one rule: NEVER POINT AT THE MACHINE. And so here I am, at home, left missing the dirty smoke-filled casino floors and battling a slot machine at 3am. The 4am break to meet a friend at the Let it Ride table. The group High Limit Hail Mary before dinner. Ghosting my friends so I can gamble more. That’s all fun to me and all part of the grind. God I miss it. Let’s hope we can all meet in The Pit soon – your first drink s on me. Until then, let’s celebrate my last hand pay before the lights went out at the casinos. Stay safe everyone and see you soon.
