Would You Believe?

Believe it or not, on February 8 I was back at the Borgata and I did it again, this time with a $10 starting bet. After the third spin of my Triple Play, I was richer by over $7,000.00.

Then on February 27, at the Borgata again, I had $25 on the 17/20 split and I won $425.00. I just had to put $50 on the 4 and 15. Heck, why not. Damned if the pretty little ball didn't plop right into the 4. Now, with an additional $1,750.00 in my sweaty little palm, I had to decide whether I had the guts to wager $1,000.

It would be the largest single wager I had ever made in my life. I figured that if I didn't do it I'd have $2,175, if I made the bet and lost I'd still have $1,125. I made the bet and the number 31 hit.

Even though I lost that bet, it was a great moment. The adrenalin was flowing at a feverish pitch. The other players had more excitement than they had had all night and will probably be telling the tale for the next six months. Even the croupier and the pit crew were hypped up, especially because of my having bought them a bet on the 4 which they won and on the third wager.

The odds may be over 6,000 to 1 against the Triple Play winning, but that down't mean I have to wait for 6,000 spins to pass.

HOW I WON OVER $11,000 WITH A $15 WAGER ON ROULETTE HOW I WON OVER $11,000 WITH A $15 WAGER ON ROULETTE

I am fascinated with numbers: probability, permutations, number sequences, mathematical formulas, etc. That is one reason I enjoy casino games, in particular, roulette.

A couple of years ago I decided to start and end any session at a roulette table with what I call my "Triple Play". I wager 2 $5 chip on the split of two adjacent numbers. I chose 17 and 20 for their symmetry. They sit exactly in the center of the layout on the table equidistant from the numbers 1 and 36. They also appear on the wheel separated by only one number, the 32.

If either of my numbers wins, I collect 34 chips. I then take eight of those chips and bet half straight up on each of two other numbers. I chose 4 and 15, double my original bet on each number.

If either of these numbers wins, I collect 140 chips. I then take 80 of these chips and bet half straight up on each of two other numbers. I chose 35 and 20, 10 times my second bet on each number.

When eventually, one of these numbers wins, I collect 1400 chips.

My total winnings are 1400 + 40 (my third wager) + 60 (my winnings from my second wager) + + 4 (my second wager) + 26 (my winnings from my first wager) + 2 (my original wager) = 1532 chips.

One night in November I had been playing roulette at the Borgata Casino in Atlantic City. I played for a couple of hours with my stake going up and down, up and down, until finally I was down to my last $15. So, I played the 17/20 split. The 17 came out and I was paid $255. I pocketed $195 and bet $30 each on the 4 and the 15. Lo and behold, the 4 came out and I was paid $1,050.

I quickly checked the rules for maximum wagers and happily found that they had a $500 limit on straight up bets. So here I was with $1,275 in winnings. Should I risk of that on one more wager? My philosophy from the very beginning was that each time I made this "Triple Play" wager I was only risking $10 or $15, so I went ahead and placed $300 on the 35 and $300 on the 20.

By now all of the other players and the croupier were excited and shouting their encouragement. The suits inside the pit had gathered to see what was going on. Once I placed my third wager, all of the other players made wagers of one size or another on my two numbers. Heck, why not ??? I just might do it.

I'd been standing since placing the 17/20 bet and now that the ball was spinning around the wheel I felt my legs turn to rubber and had to sit down. Round and round the rail the ball went as the wheel spun in the opposite direction.

Finally, the ball slowed and started to fall off the rail. It encountered one of the spoilers and started to bounce around. It started to drop toward the 11 and bounced again. It went on to the 0 and bounced once more, finally settling into the pocket for the 35.

I WON!!

They paid me $10,500 in $500 chips and I went to the cashier's window with $11,490 worth of chips. It was a night to remember and it was all done with a $15 wager.

Now, mind you, the odds of pulling off the "Triple Play" are 6,859 to 1 (19 to 1 on each bet of three wagers). I got lucky, but then isn't that what gambling is all about. And, it was only a $15 wager!