It’s an exciting day here as I host my first Guest Blogger. Please help me welcome Mary of The Mama Mary Show! From the minute I stepped foot (virtually) into her world, I knew Mary had “it”. She’s entertaining, charming, professional and beautiful. Watching her vlogs, I feel like I’m catching up with a good friend. Enough of my intro. Let’s get to the good stuff! ~ Jean
Everyone’s A Winner
The year I turned twenty-one I went to Las Vegas at least eight times. I was in the middle of my junior year at the University of California at Santa Barbara so Vegas was only a short drive, and really the optimum place to celebrate one’s entry into official adulthood. Once I got a taste of the bright lights and a hankering for doubling down, there was no stoppin’ me.
My best memory of Vegas that year was a trip I took with my three besties, Amy, Brandy and Lori. We stayed at the illustrious Circus Circus hotel where $2.00 Black Jack tables were a highly sought after commodity rather than a thing of the past (pretty sure the $2.00 tables can’t be found nowadays).
Once we found a $2.00 table that could accommodate all four of us, we bellied up, antied up and settled in. The dealer and our fellow table mates could tell that we were newbies so they were very forthcoming with the “understood” rules of when to hit and when to stay. If you’ve played Blackjack before than you are probably aware of the dirty glares and eye rolls you get if you don’t “let the dealer bust.” We quickly caught on, and after a few hands of watching the dealer hit a twelve with a ten and begin stacking chips in front of us, we got the hang of it. Shortly thereafter, my friend Amy remembered a phrase taught to her by her favorite aunt.
The phrase is “Everyone’s a winner!” She taught us the very specific inflection and cadence with which it must be uttered (see video below) and we then taught it to everyone else at our table (to give the phrase its true magic, the key is to not only say it with the required rhythm, but it also must be said in unison by EVERY player at the table).
Luckily our tablemates were game, so to speak, and began chiming in with us every time the dealer would bust. “Everyone’s a winner!” we exclaimed, time and time again. Soon the pit bosses were gathered around and we had nearby tables joining in on our jovial cheer.
At some point I had to excuse myself to go to the restroom (you know, free cocktails and all). When I returned to the table I found seven empty chairs, no dealer and a black tablecover indicating the table to be closed. It was a Twilight Zone moment for me as I looked around for my friends and tried to retrace my steps back to the bathroom in case I had gotten turned around (casinos have that way about them). But after due investigation, I was certain that my friends had been hauled off to the Vegas black market and I had some splainin’ to do to our parents.
Minor panic began to set in, until one of my girlfriends sauntered over and grabbed me by the arm. “They moved us to a different table,” she explained as she pulled me in a different direction.
Apparently our table had been making quite the scene, in a good way, so the “house” moved us to a more visible, high-profile table. Our chanting-infused good luck continued at the new table and we were all able to walk away from the night winners.
Since that night I have introduced everyone and anyone I have ever met at a blackjack table to the cheer and though I have never been as lucky as that first night (who is?), my gambling experiences are always a blast (albeit annoying to the more serious game playas who should be playing at higher stakes tables anyway).
What about you? Do you have any traditions or good luck charms when you’re gambling? I highly recommend the “Everyone’s a winner” cheer for you and your table. It’s fun for the whole casino!
Check out the video below for a brief tutorial.
Comment By: Jean
October 21st, 2010 at 7:47 am
LOL, Mary! I love your demonstration, and how you’re “out” at the end. You know the drill.
My hubby likes to get the table to do the wave, which the dealer probably finds highly annoying.
Thank you so much for brightening my blog with your presence today! ♥
Comment By: Helena
October 21st, 2010 at 1:20 pm
You make me want to gamble!
And dang, you make vlogging look so easy (as apposed to completely terrifying).
Comment By: Mama Mary
October 21st, 2010 at 1:27 pm
Thanks girl! It’s taken me over a year to feel fully comfortable vlogging. I used to have to edit the heck out of my videos because I constantly used to hem and hah. I just have made myself do it week after week. 🙂 And yes, I want to go gambling stat!
Comment By: Sedate Me
October 21st, 2010 at 2:00 pm
Let me be the first…
Nice bust, Mama Mary!
Comment By: Mama Mary
October 21st, 2010 at 9:56 pm
That’s the nicest thing I’ve heard all day. Thank you, Sedate Me.
Comment By: Sedate Me
October 22nd, 2010 at 1:32 pm
You realize you’re only encouraging me. It’s hard enough for me to keep my inner pig in his pen.
Comment By: Sedate Me
October 21st, 2010 at 1:58 pm
There’s only one kind of “bust” I’m really interested in seeing and, coincidentally, that’s also widely available in Vegas.
I’m not a fan of gambling or hot weather. So, the only reason I’d ever go to Vegas would be if I knew my trip would be of the Fear and Loathing variety…only with more sex.
Comment By: Jean
October 21st, 2010 at 2:32 pm
Sedate Me, my day isn’t complete without a visit from you. Thank you for another in depth and amusing comment.
Comment By: Margo
October 21st, 2010 at 4:23 pm
We have a very similar gambling “cheer” that we picked up from a lovely, wizened, old-timey lady blackjack dealer (who has since, no doubt, been replaced by a 23-year-old in a cowboy hat and tiedyed bikini-no kidding, I actually saw this.) Anyhoo-English was clearly *not* her first language, and when she busted she’d announce “E-VER’body Makemoney!” Who loves to hear that at the blackjack table? E-VER’body!
Comment By: Jean
October 21st, 2010 at 4:43 pm
LOL, Margo! Which casino costumes their employees in bikinis and cowboy hats? That’d be a crazy sight.
I tried to follow the link to your blog, but it must be mistyped.
Comment By: Mama Mary
October 21st, 2010 at 9:55 pm
Cracking up! E-VER Body MakeMoney. I’ll be chanting that in my head all night long. : )
Comment By: Sherri
October 21st, 2010 at 4:33 pm
Look at you Jeanie Beanie…guest hostin’ You go girl!
Mary, about 5 years ago 3 of my sisters and myself Mom in tow, took a trip out to Vegas for some sun, fun, relaxation and gambling. Us girls were in the Casino one night while our Mother decided to turn in early. I started play on of the slot machines and one of my sister’s walked over and just for fun I pulled the lever and shouted “No whammies…no whammies!” Then the other two sisters joined us and we stood at that machine for like 20 mintues shouting the same thing every time one of us pulled the lever. We were rolling some people laughed with us…or maybe they were laughing at us, who cares…it was one of the memorable sister moments I will never forget! Hope the video posts below…
Comment By: Sherri
October 21st, 2010 at 4:34 pm
link maybe?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McV2MeHzkEI
Comment By: Jean
October 21st, 2010 at 4:45 pm
Sherri, I was so nervous to exchange posts with Mary today! I woke up at 4am, all excited like a kid at Christmas.
Love the “No Whammies!” story & video. LOL!
I’m sure Mary will swing by soon to reply to your comment.
Comment By: Mama Mary
October 21st, 2010 at 9:54 pm
Thanks for that No Whammies flashback and belly laugh! It’s funny the chants and cheers people will come up when under the duress of a $2.00 ante.:) Love your story!
Comment By: Chaplain Donna
October 21st, 2010 at 9:41 pm
What a treat! I love the Mama Mary show. She is funny, smart and serious when necessary. I have never been to Vegas and seriously think I could never handle the flow. Do they have book clubs in Vegas?
Comment By: Mama Mary
October 21st, 2010 at 9:52 pm
That question just totally cracked me up! I’m sure lots of people who are in book clubs go to Vegas, but somehow I doubt that ACTUAL book clubs convene in Vegas. : ) Love you too!
Comment By: Chaplain Donna
October 21st, 2010 at 10:19 pm
🙂
Comment By: Jean
October 22nd, 2010 at 6:13 am
Ok, I’ve never been to a “meeting”, but there is a Sin City Book Sluts club.
Comment By: Sedate Me
October 25th, 2010 at 11:45 am
Sin City Book Sluts club? Uh, if I’m ever in Vegas, I’ll be sure to drop by.
Comment By: Stefanie
October 21st, 2010 at 9:44 pm
Traditions? No. I wish I did, maybe I would win more often. Also? My table has never been cool enough to be moved to the popular kids section. You? My hero.
Comment By: Mama Mary
October 22nd, 2010 at 10:52 am
You gotta stick with me, girl! : )
Comment By: gareth
October 21st, 2010 at 11:50 pm
Great Blog,
Vegas is a fabulous place, didn’t get much time at the tables when I went though, us British like to take empty cases to the states, and steal the bath robes…. (SORRY ) no I mean shop, because it is so cheap compared to over here. But next time we go, we will definately gamble more !!
p.s doesn’t the house always win ?
All the best Gareth
Comment By: Jean
October 22nd, 2010 at 6:14 am
I love to shop in Vegas, too, Gareth! Imagine us having that in common. LOL!
Comment By: Mama Mary
October 22nd, 2010 at 10:53 am
Yes, the house always wins, eventually. But with this chant you can postpone it for a few hours of loud, obnoxious fun. : )
Comment By: Hipmamab
October 22nd, 2010 at 7:39 am
LOVE IT. I can totally see that happening to you also! I was just in Vegas last weekend for Blog World and had a freaking blast. While I’m not a big gamer, I did pretty good on the penny slots and on that roulette wheel with the money on it… Mary, I think I see a Vegas trip in our future. 🙂 Jean: Great blog!
Comment By: Jean
October 22nd, 2010 at 7:56 am
Thank you, HIp Mama B. I want to hear about Blog World!
Comment By: Jason
October 23rd, 2010 at 6:08 am
Great post!
You may even inspire me to start a small vlog as well – it looks easier than I thought!
Another interesting read (and provided a great (and needed) distraction from my studies!)
Comment By: Jean
October 23rd, 2010 at 8:21 pm
Jason, it would be great to see you vlog! Hope you go for it.