The Blackjack Bum

Posted by Nick Niesen on October 26th, 2010

Today, I thought of taking a break from the normal chat about systems and games and tell you a little story about a bum in Las Vegas. I call him the Blackjack bum. And this quick tale just might show you how riches can be won at the table.

If you were to survey one million people in Las Vegas and ask them what's the best way to win tens of thousands of dollars without risking tens of thousands of dollars, most would say the slot machines. Many believe that the best or only way to turn a few bucks into serious coin is to hit a great jackpot on a slot machine.

This story will show you that there's another way. The day was a Friday. It was the start of a new month and just like the beginning of every month, our bum went to get his government cash. And as per the usual, once he got it, he went straight to the casino were he could play for a little bit and soak up all the free drinks as fast as the cocktail waitress could come around.

Today, he walks into a premier resort on the Las Vegas Strip and heads for his usual action of choice-the Blackjack table. His mind wasn't filled with vision of grandeur. He simply wanted to try and win some money and get liquored up. But, this day would be unlike the others.

He picks a table and sits down. His stench fills the air, but he's got money and that means someone must deal to him. He's not refined. He doesn't know all the odds of the game and he doesn't care.

As the hands flow out of the deck, he doubles up when he wins and starts over when he loses. Occasionally, he'll take some money off his double bets for later.

Hours go by and our bum is now sitting at the table with thousands of dollars. He's enjoying free drinks and his bankroll is growing. A couple more hours go by and his bankroll is even larger. Casino management acts quickly by giving him a free dinner comp to wherever he wants-anything to keep him in the casino.

Next thing you know, he decides to take a break and enjoy a meal. The casino reserves his spot and table. He's now up to tens of thousands of dollars.

By the end of the session, some twenty hours later, he has amassed a small fortune and now has a luxury suite given to him for the night. It will be perhaps the best day of his life.

And it all started with a few bucks and some Blackjack.