Casino Conundrums

I’m not a big gambler, but I have had some remarkable luck (both good and bad) in the few casinos I’ve been in: Istanbul, circa 1993. I’d won a nice wad playing Blackjack, a total of \$875. Upon counting the money, I realised this was exactly the amount I’d win if I placed a \$25 bet on a single number in roulette (at 35/1)….so, my logic went like this: play roulette, and keep betting on the same single number. I could bet 35 times, so have a very good chance of winning my money back…..and a pretty good chance that will happen in less than 35 spins of the wheel. I chose 26 black (I like centre column numbers best), and eventually, after 34 spins, it still had not come up. I bet my last chip. It was on 26. A moment before the croupier called “rien ne vas plus”, I moved it onto 11, another favourite number of mine. Needless to say, 26 dropped in. The croupier gave me a very telling glance……never change your mind at the last minute! Portsmouth – Le Havre c1995 On a cross channel ferry I had my greatest casino moment with 50p maximum stakes….. It was a long crossing, and at one point I got bored, and went into the tiny casino with a small roulette table. I bet my favourite number, 11, and it came in on the first spin. I won £17.50 on my 50p stake. I let the bet ride, and “doubled up” by betting the four corners of 11. It came in a second time and this time I won £17.50 for the single number, as well as £16 for the corners at 8/1. I let the bet ride again, and once again doubled up, this time I hit the four sides, column, odd, black, basically every bet on the table which will pay out if 11 drops in again. And it did. The total payout was about £270…in three spins. I cashed up and left (no, I didn’t let the bet ride again, and no, 11 didn’t come up a fourth time). The Thai croupiers were astonished…..but I did tip them £40. I'd only made those three bets. Day at St Maarten whilst working on a cruise ship, c 1996. I was showing our new trainee the town, and told him I needed to buy some sunglasses. He followed me into the casino next to the Rayban store…… “Why are you coming in here? I thought you said you wanted sunglasses….” Anthony said. “I do, but first I have to pay for them” I replied. I went to the cashier, handed her a \$100 bill, and my crew card. She handed me, in return, \$110 of chips (it’s a common incentive to get crew members to gamble). Anthony followed me to a blackjack table, I bet the whole \$110 on a single hand. It won, I cashed out \$220, and took Anthony next door, where I purchased a brand new set of Raybans, and still had cash for our day out. Happy days.