The Big Jackpots Always Go to Other People

A Christmas routine of Thevictorians is a trip to a casino. It's been hard to coordinate these days, with Genius coming in from Pittsburgh, and The Pony working. Lucky for The Pony, his regular day off is Wednesday. So this year, he was fortunate to have off both Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day, his day off reverting to the day before.

The only time we could fit in a casino trip was Christmas Eve morning. We met in the city. I handed out the Christmas money. They can choose to save it, gamble it, buy a self-gift. Doesn't matter to me. The gift of cash is quite versatile, and requires no effort from the giver.

The Pony and I usually stick together in a casino. He is quite solicitous of me, fetching a soft drink from the dispensers, pushing in my chair when I get up, going to make change if I ask. Genius and Friend go off on their own, to try assorted slots. Hick is the lone wolf, playing weird old-fashioned slots for low bets. 

The Pony and I started at the machines where he won his hand-pay that time he forgot his driver's license. I was playing a slot like when I won my $8,600 jackpot several years ago. We were enjoying ourselves. The Pony hit multiple jackpots, but not high amounts. My machine was not kind. We decided to move on. There was a new slot we hadn't played before. A version of Huff 'n' Puff, a big bad wolf themed game. There were two side-by-side. The Pony sat down at the one on the right.

"Are you sure you want that one? It's easier for me to get up from that side."

"Yes, I'm sure. Sorry. But this is the machine I want."

Of course The Pony's slot started giving jackpots right off. Mine was limping along, not paying anything.

"You sure chose the right one! I'm going over to those. It looks like an even newer version!"

"Okay. I'll be over there in a minute. I want to see what this one does."

So off I went to a set of four slot machines called Huff 'n' Puff Money Mansion. I was going to sit down at the second one, but thought better of it. I took the first slot, at the left end of the four. This would be easier for me to get up, rather than having people possibly sit on each side of me, making me try to move the chair straight back. It was fun playing a new version, but I wasn't getting any jackpots. I wanted to see how they worked.

As I was standing up to leave, the person who had sat down on my right hit a jackpot. I stood behind my chair to see how it played out. Well! That person went all the way to the top of the bonus, and won the GRAND progressive jackpot! That person was...

THE PONY!!!

Here's a picture after it happened, when the GRAND has alread re-set.

In case you can't read the small print on that triangle symbol that pops up for a big win:

THE PONY WON $16,633.47 !!! On a dollar bet.

Yeah. It couldn't happen to a more deserving gambler. After working so hard, being a chew toy for assorted canines on his route, The Pony had some GOOD luck!

More on this memorable experience tomorrow...