I stayed at the Nugget in Sparks and spent considerable time at the Grand Sierra enjoying the hospitality. I spend most of my time in Vegas so being in a Lucky’s book up north was a Michael J. Fox "back to the future" feeling.

People at the Nugget and Grand Sierra have their cards and bets ready. Also, the line is a social function with common chatter. Everyone acts like Christmas morning with the present being the ability to make a bet on a favorite team and map out the thought process to the guy behind or in front of them.

About 20% of the cards have to be fixed at the window. Either they marked the same game on the card and/or had a blank card with a sheet of paper with teams on them. This is usually followed with, "I am betting this for my husband" (or friend).

The prize winner was a lady with a string of bets, a sheet of paper and a cell going off constantly. We wound up with five voids and naturally she did not have enough money. A bet needed to be cancelled.

She had the look of a woman told she could not go shopping the Friday after Thanksgiving. As sometimes happens, a guy who I remember from my Barbary Coast years saw me and screamed "I got you this week, Jimmy."

With great conviction he mentioned handicapping the whole week and he had it nailed. I looked at the screen and saw his 5-teamer had all favorites and said he would be back in three hours to get the cheese.

He couldn’t wait to show his teams to those who would listen. I wandered out front and when the Lions made their initial first down, the loudest "woooo" I’ve heard in years echoed through the book. I don’t miss them.

A guy sitting in the third row with tickets and a Corona was on the phone with someone. I would like this same set up in my living room. I almost chimed in and told him that at least here he doesn’t have to clean up.

Football is part of a ritual none of us can shake and we own the rights to it. Like you, I could not think of a better way to spend my weekends. I should get out more often.

Take care,
Jimmy V.