Tuna Dave's Blackjack Diary

Las Vegas - March 2005

I was amazed that I could convince my wife to go to Las Vegas with me on Valentine's Day weekend for a bowling tournament! Then, I was even more amazed when, after receiving a mailer inviting me to a free-entry blackjack tournament in March, my wife consented to me going again just four weeks later. Man, do I love that woman!

This was a go-it-alone weekend for me. I love these trips. I stay off the strip, so I am not wasting money on rooms or facilities I won't use. I come and go as I please. I get up, eat, play and sleep whenever I want. And, I get to casino hop. What a deal.

I rented a car for this trip. So, I was able to hop around town to whatever casino or area of town I wanted. I enjoy having a car in Vegas. It gives me lots of freedom to roam around and check out the town. And, since my wife and I eventually want to move to Vegas, I took some time to look around with our potential move in mind.

Anyway, as you will see from my blackjack sessions report, this was not one of my more financially rewarding trips. It was a roller-coaster ride - up in the beginning, then a steep dive past the even money mark into the deficit abyss. Needless to say, this was one of my most frustrating trips.

Las Vegas - February 2005

In February, I went out to Las Vegas as a combined bowling tournament and gambling trip. It turned out to be a fun trip for bowling. Although I did not win the tournament, I was the "first loser." I was fifth in the field and only four qualified for the finals. So, I got a free re-entry for a second try. The second try was not very successful, but fun nonetheless. I would definitely do it again.

The gambling portion of the trip turned out to be very successful and satisfying, as the following messages will reflect. It was one of my best gambling trips as of that time.

My wife went out with me for this trip. We stayed at the Orleans, since that was the hotel that hosted the bowling tournament. And, being a part of that group and a blackjack player, I figured I would be able to stay for free. However, after playing just a couple of sessions of blackjack, I decided that the Orleans was not for me. The rooms are OK. However, the blackjack conditions are terrible, as my "Blackjack Session" notes will reflect.

The bottom line is that it is unlikely that I would ever stay at the Orleans again. Nevertheless, my wife and I had a great time while in Las Vegas. It is virtually impossible to have a bad time in that town.

Finally, to this day it amazes me that I could convince my wife to go to a bowling tournament with me on Valentine's weekend. I guess the fact that we were in Las Vegas and got a free night's stay in the Rio eased her pain just a bit!