I am not a brave gambler...
...and when I gamble, I am often foolish, drunk and pantless. (Note: one of these may not actually be true).

A few years ago a visit to the classy surroundings of the local Gala Casino (part Gala Casino, part Travelodge) was quite a regular occurrence on either a Sunday night on a bank holiday or a Thursday night when I had a half day on the Friday. One of my friends was a member, but I wasn't. He always somehow persuaded me, usually after several drinks, that parting company with £100 or so was a very good idea. So, I tagged along.

Getting in was the first tricky part - I was a guest and guests were allowed in under a members membership - but only once and you then had to become a member. Your photo was taken in the foyer by an overhead spy camera or something and you filled in your details. After about 6 visits I was myself, my twin brother, my evil doppelganger, an Australian tourist and a deaf-mute.

My fourth visit in a two month period was on a Thursday night. I was hideously drunk when we arrived at the Casino at 2.00am - somehow, they let me in - that said, they probably thought that in my condition I was going to just be gambling recklessly and I'd lose loads.

I started badly - I'd taken £100 in with me and was £40 down on the roulette tables after about 5 minutes. My friend told me to chill out, take a seat have a few cokes and be sensible. I asked him how he was doing - he was £150 down. He was out of money. But, he helped me start winning on the roulette machines. Ten minutes later, I'd won back £20.

At 3.00am, he disappeared and didn't return. It was then that I sat down at the Carribean Poker table - no skill involved, just one draw, you stay in or you lose your stake and you win based on your hand. Simple.

3.30am...I get back to my original £100.
4.00am...I'm £50 up. I decided to double my stake.
4.30am...Change of croupier....£150 up....I'm just getting brilliant hands....as are my fellow gamblers.
5.00am...£250 up....I am on a roll.

When they kicked me out at 6.00am, I was £550 up. The others at the table are all up. I get outside....it's light, the sun is out and I've got a shitload of cash in my pocket. I go home, shower, go to work and brag about it.

Sunday night, back down the casino with my Aussie act and I lost every single penny and another £80 trying to get it back. I haven't been back since.....
(lo-fi_shop_assistant, Fri 8 May 2009, 11:15, Reply)