My gambling career began on my 16th birthday, … and almost ended that same day! My Dad had treated me to a Las Vegas holiday for my birthday and was determined to teach me the game of Craps.
In an effort to make me look older, he had me put on my only suit and tie, complete with cufflinks. Then it was off to his favorite casino, the Fremont in downtown Las Vegas.
My palms were sweating and my throat was dry as the stickman guided the dice to me for my first roll. I swallowed hard, took a deep breath and threw the dice as Dad had instructed. The dice arched toward the end of the table … but to my horror, my cufflink flew past the dice and won the race. I knew that I was busted, I would end up in jail for sure. As the moment passed in what seemed an eternity, the stickman calmly called, “No roll …your cufflink, Sir,” and passed the dice back to me for the next roll.
My interest in gambling must have been hereditary. My Dad financed his first Model T Ford with his winnings from his Navy days. He ran a Craps game at sea and stowed his winnings in a fitted pipe in the ship’s bilge. During my formative years, both my parents loved the horses and actually worked as bookies for a time. Trips to Vegas and the racetrack became family outings.
When I was out on my own, my disposable income increased and so did my trips to Vegas. By the 1980-1990’s, I was well on my way to being called a “high roller.” I had credit lines at most of the casinos and rarely had to pay for rooms, food or beverages.
At the height of this period, a group of us would head to Las Vegas every weekend during the football season. It was not unusual for us to bet between $10,000 to $40,000 per game. The sports book would watch us closely as we could actually “move the line” with many of our bets. We even had the cocktail waitresses fighting to service our tables.
But those days of glory and excitement gave way to a more business-like approach to my gaming. After closing our business in 1997, my wife and I moved into retirement by sailing the coast of Mexico for three years.
During that time I found myself itching for the action of the past. On more than one occasion, I left my wife in Puerto Vallarta with the boat and flew to Las Vegas. Because we were now on a controlled income, my play had to reflect a more conservative nature. My risk-taking, action play had to be replaced with a well-thought-out plan.
Since then, I have been perfecting my skills and my discipline. That is not to say that it has been an easy road; old habits die very hard, and the discipline is difficult. But I have developed a business approach to the table games that is netting me a comfortable profit.
Editorial Note:
The Dice Coach was born in California and jokes about being “born in East L.A.” His parents moved to the high desert of California (Apple Valley) in 1952, building and running the local hardware store.
The Dice Coach worked in that store much of his early life before branching out in his own construction business while still in his 20’s. Eventually his expertise paid off and he formed a very successful public-works construction company in Orange County, Calif.
In 1997 the Dice Coach and his wife closed their business to fulfill their dream of life on the High Seas. They sailed up and down the coast of Mexico for three years before trading that lifestyle for their new adventures in Las Vegas where they now reside.
The Dice Coach brings his varied and colorful experiences to his teachings. Much as his father loved the games, the Dice Coach loves to teach the same games that he plays.
