Price of Gambling

Gambling is an expensive hobby of mine. It’s not expensive because I gamble with a large bankroll. It’s expensive because I’ve had a losing streak since Vegas 2011. I remember the date so well because prior to that trip, I was on a roll. I had a 10 trip winning streak and I said to my boss “I’m just unstoppable”. I haven’t won since then.



For those that live in or around Houston, your choices for gambling are limited to pretty much Lake Charles. There’s Coushatta in Kinder which is about 40 minutes further than Lake Charles. There’s Choctaw/Win Star which is 1 hour north of Dallas in Oklahoma The casinos in Oklahoma are run by Indians. Not Southern Asia Indians. Like original settlers Native American Indians. Because we play on their land, we play by their rules (which aren’t they great). $.50 ante on pretty much every table game and tight (game doesn’t give as much winnings) slots, I would only make my way up there if I’m in Oklahoma. Here is my overview of my favorite games and their minimums at the casinos (Isle Capri – IC; L’auberge – L). These were the minimums when I went on a Sunday afternoon but they could be much higher during prime time (Saturday Night at 8:00pm).
Pai Gow (IC-25+; L-25+) Pai Gow is a good game where you’ll lose your money very slowly. It’s extremely hard to lose a lot but also at the same time extremely hard to win a lot as well. Overview of the game is you get 7 cards and you have to make them into a 5 hand and a 2 hand play. Dealer does the same. Either one of you has to win both hands. Your 5 hand play must be stronger than your 2 hand play (IE if you only have 2 A’s, they must go in the 5 hand play). Craps (IC – 5+; L – 15+) If you’re betting on the pass line. If you see a black marker on the table that says OFF, you want a 7 or a 11. The bad numbers are 2, 3, 12. If you see the white marker on the table marking a number, you want that number to hit before a 7. Pass line pays 1:1. If you want to put money on a number, that number pays off every time someone rolls your number. If the dice fall on a 7, you lose all your money. Slots – Wicked Winnings II (IC – N/A; L-$.50 for all lines). If you look through the slot forums, people rave about this game. In my experience, I can put $50 and come up doubled up or only down $20-30 after 30 minutes. Yesterday, and old man put in $20 and walked away with $140. I chose the wrong machine but it was a good time.

According to a friend of a friend who lives in Lake Charles, supposedly this is the best Fried Chicken he’s ever had at Ball’s fried chicken (http://www.yelp.com/biz/balls-fried-chick-n-lake-charles-2). Both of them raved about it so stop by if you have a chance. About 10 minutes from L’auberge.