Its been an interesting few days in Vegas. I’ve learned how to beat the sports books. Not for a lot of money, but for $10 to $50 a day depending on how many games are on. I’m doing this by arbitrage. I understand, it would be easier money to get a job in a kitchen, but beating sports books is way more fun. It took some tricky computer programming, and some spreadsheet skills, and a bit of statistics, but I found a small hole.
I also did some couponing today, and ventured into an area of town that I’d previously not explored. North Last Vegas just north of down-town, is pretty seedy. I visited the Bighorn, Jerry’s Nugget, the Silver Nugget, the Opera House, and the Poker Palace. I collected sign up bonuses and used match play coupons, came away with $50. I don’t suggest tourists visit North Las Vegas Blvd, unless they are die hard coupon fiends. I visited the Opera House to use their sign up bonus, and also because it looks kinda cool with its bright lights and vintage signs. As I pulled into the parking lot (at about 1pm), there was a gang of drunks debating something on the side-walk out front. Broken glass was all over the parking lot. I walked inside to find a pretty straight forward bar with slot machines and a small coffee shop. I signed up for a players card and received $3 in free play 🙂 I thought to myself, this is not the kind of place I’d like to be at night.
A few hours later, after I’d gone for a run in a Summerlin wash and practiced my chipping and putting at Angel Park, I noticed my Drivers License was missing. I retraced my steps in my head and deduced I had left my DL at the Opera House. So by this time its 8pm, and I had to make the trip back to the Opera House. This time as I arrived, the parking lot is full. I pull into a spot and in front of me there is a creepy looking middle aged guy sitting in his truck smoking. I make sure to lock my car door upon exiting. As I’m walking toward the entrance to the bar, I pass a guy and girl hanging around a lamppost in the parking lot. The girl asks as I walk by “where are you going”. My expression turns firm, and I stare straight ahead, not making eye contact or saying a word.
I enter the Opera House casino and head straight for the players club sign-up booth where I figured I left my DL. I thought that afternoon it took the attendant a long time to get my card set up (all the while she had my drivers license) since she wasn’t used to signing up Canadians, she had trouble entering my postal code since its not a five digit zip code. I figured I forgot to account for my drivers license at that point during the afternoon (or this is what I figured). But when I reached the booth and inquired about my license, I was informed that nothing had been left, and that I should ask the security desk to see if it was left in lost and found. I looked around the machine where I played my free play, nothing was there, so I headed over to the security desk. I asked the security guard if anyone had turned in a blue drivers license. They said no, but they would check lost and found. The security guard exits to another room, I wait for about 20 seconds, and then he reappears with my license. I felt like shaking the security guard’s hand and giving him a slap on the back, but I figured this would be inappropriate. I said thanks a few times kindly and left the casino, got in my car and drove home.
