Winning Can Be a Chore!

When The Pony hit the jackpot, we were all in shock. There were four of those same slots in a row. I was on the left end, then Pony, Genius, and Friend. Hick was on the other side of the casino doing his own thing.

As the bonus had progressed to the top level, we all sucked in a breath of amazement. The Pony was saying, "NO WAY!"

It has re-set here, but in The Pony's GRAND bonus, there were only three choices for him to win. The top amount was the $16,633.47, and there was the $7,500 and the $3,000. That's because the others had been won, like the $400 amount down in the MAJOR bonus. The amounts would light up in a random pattern, and then one would disappear. When we looked at the screen, we knew the lowest amount The Pony could win was the $3,000. That was exciting enough! It's a handpay.

After much flashing around, the $7,500 disappeared. Fine. Still leading up to a magnificent $3,000 win. But then the $3,000 disappeared! We were all whooping. IN SHOCK! The Pony reached for his phone to get a picture, but his phone was gone! Left on the previous slot! Friend ran to fetch it. I got a picture. In all our excitement, The Pony was just sitting. IN SHOCK!

"I know I had my hand on my chest, like a southern grandma hearing the grandkids swearing. Genius has a picture of me like that."

Friend went to tell Hick. Who said, "Well, I just started winning here, so I can't really leave." Can you believe THAT? So Hick did not witness the ensuing events. 

The screen clearly says to CALL ATTENDANT.

That's how you get your money if you win more than $1,200 in Missouri. But The Pony hadn't pushed the SERVICE button.

"Do I HAVE to? Don't they know I've won?"

"I'm sure they know you've won. There are cameras everywhere. They're watching us right now. But you still have to call for them to come start the process of paying you."

Genius stood behind The Pony. Friend to the side. I got ready to move over to another section of slots, where I could watch and be out of the way. An attendant came and took The Pony's ID (thankfully not forgotten this time). Asked if he wanted federal and state taxes both withheld. The Pony did. How did he want the money?

At first The Pony said cash. I could almost feel the sheer panic come off Genius in waves. "Um. I'm pretty sure you want a CHECK!"

"Oh, yeah. I'd rather have a check."

The attendant said that was fine, and made a note or typed something in. I can't remember clearly, but I DO know the attendant heard, and was making an adjustment to the forms. The attendant sat down at The Pony's slot and started fiddling with it. Probably to make sure there had been no tomfoolery to VOID the payout. And to re-set it.

Friend went to get The Pony a rum and Coke at the bar, to celebrate. Several other security people came over. They took The Pony's ID and went back to their lair to process the payout. Imagine Genius's chagrin (and The Pony's glee!) when they returned with CASH. Said they did not remember The Pony asked for a check. I guess that's understandable, with the excitement, and all of us standing around. Cash was handed over. The Pony doled out some tips.

Then we milled around. Really. Where do you go from there? Genius decreed that we should all stick together. "I'm NOT leaving you two with that kind of money. And we'll ask for a security escort when we leave."

Genius is a good big brother. Always a leader. One to take charge. We played a few more slots, then Genius said he thought we should go. I made my way to a bathroom, Genius stuck with The Pony, and Friend went off to round up Hick. We all met near the entrance, after Genius asked the staff to provide security.

As Hick said later, "That guy couldn't have prevented nothin'! He was a little guy. All he had was a radio. I don't know how he could stop a robbery." I don't know what Hick was expecting. This is not the old west, where gunslingers patrol the premises. I've never seen an armed security guard in a casino.

Anyhoo... The Pony surprised me when he said they did not count out the money in front of him. "Mom. They weren't going to open up the brick."

Don't you worry, all you Geniuses out there! That money is safely deposited. Just showing you, because how many of you have seen that kind of cash, other than in the movies? I sure hadn't. After giving Uncle Sam his cut of the $16,633.47 jackpot, The Pony walked out with $11,976.11.

It will be a Christmas Eve to remember!