REGGIE

A GUEST AUTHOR’s HARVEST STORY

OCEANS ELEVEN CASINO OCEANSIDE, CA

By: J Eric Freedner

Last night, a happy experience at Ocean's Eleven in Oceanside.

Stopped in after a Chinese buffet next door and spotted some new, shinier $1 and $5 chips, so I bought a stack of ones to see them up close. They were indeed newer and shinier than the older $1 chips. Found six of the newer ones out of 20 dollar chips. But if it was a re-order, the design and coloration were the same as the older ones, so not a new issue. Just nice looking.

After pocketing the six "old new" chips and cashing in the others, I paused at a blackjack table just to watch the action (and to see if there were anything other than the old house $5 chips being played). A lady placed a $15 bet and won. She said, "Let it ride," and won again. She again pushed out all her chips, and hit blackjack. Her husband was standing behind her, marveling at her luck. Now she pushed out her growing stack of chips. The dealer was also incredulous asking, "Are you sure you want to do that?" "Yes," replied the lady, "I always let 'em ride, and tip well."

Well, I cross my fingers and, dang! - She beats the dealer again. We all applaud. Madame High Roller pushes out her stack and says, "Go for it." The dealer again advises, "Are you sure?" Well, she hits again, and again, and finally bets her whole
$150 stack. And, blam! Blackjack again!

I wouldn't try speaking in Las Vegas (you get kicked out for that) but the vibe here was congenial and casual, so I mentioned to the husband, "I'd cash in right about now." And the lady thought about it and said, "Good idea," and to the dealer, "Give me $100 chips, please." And she walked away with $300 - plus, not bad for a few minutes. But I almost had a coronary watching all this.

J. Eric