Saturday, August 22, 2009

Feeling Like James Bond

While in Nice, one has to go to Monaco. It’s only a 20 min train ride from Nice. And while in Monaco, one must go to the Monte Carlo and gamble. That’s exactly what I did.

July 20,2009
Right when I walked in, I was veered off to a small room by the security guards. The room is for people to check in bags and coats. Backpacks are required to be checked in and photography is not allowed inside the Monte Carlo. To enter Casino area, a 10 Euro fee and a Passport is required. After going though all of the above, I got into the casino area. I looked around a bit before deciding to gamble. There were only a few table games in play: Roulette, Black Jack, and Baccarat. I chose to play Roulette. I headed for the cashier and waited behind one person who was cashing in 8000 Euros. I felt belittled as I asked chips for 50 Euros. The cashier had asked me what game I was going to play and I told him Roulette. He handed me circular chips that had a UFO spherical shape. Wearing Flip Flops, shorts, and a regular T-shirt, I headed for the Roulette table with my 50 Euros.

I sat down at a table and started to play. Including myself, there were a total of 3 players on the table. One of the other players was a roamer who gave chips to the dealer to play for him as he hopped table to table. The minimum bet was 5 Euro. After the second spin I was left with 15 Euro – three 5 Euro chips. I had an epiphany, “well that was quick. At least I was able to play in the Monte Carlo.” With my last 3 chips placed on the table, I won; and won again, 4 times in row. Everyone started to stare at me. My 15 Euros turned to 220 Euros. The table immediately filled from 3 people to 10 people. Sure enough, as everyone hopped in, the losing streak began. My 22o dwindled to 90. That’s when I decided to walk away and call it a day.

Walking away from the Monte Carlo as winner felt real good. I got back the 50 I started with, plus the 10 for the entrance, plus a 5 Euro Chip as a souvenir, and 25 Euros extra in my pocket.