Anyone who thinks the economy is shot down… go to Las Vegas for a few days. Since we are in Apache Junction, it’s only a few hours driving time and we don’t have to fight the airport traffic and people.

We got a free 4 days stay at Caesar’s Palace… but it ain’t free by the time you get done eatin and playin.

The places were packed and the money was flowing. There was a buffet at Caesar’s that cost $52 per person… and the lines were long and seemed endless. How much can a person eat? (And there were even people with 2 or 3 kids with them). Economy must be good for some people huh?

After cruising the strip for a day or so, we went downtown to Fremont Street. (Eating is cheaper and the slots are a “little” looser). There was a guy sitting on the street playing the guitar and a flute at the same time… working for handouts. He wasn’t doing too good so Darlene said, “Why don’t you go ask him if you can play awhile?” I laughed and told her the guy might not be up for that. However, the more I thought about it, the more tempting it became. I mean, this was right on the corner where Binions is and there were people all over.

I got to thinking, maybe when my casino winnings come to an end in about six more years, this would beat living in a senior, welfare high rise while waitin for Obama care. It only took three more Gin Tonics and I was ready for my Vegas audition. (Not every musician can say he played Vegas).

I went over to the guy and asked him if I could do a few… he replied, “I never let anyone touch my guitar.” I was a little loose by then and told him he wasn’t gonna eat tonight from the looks of his tip can and I told him not to worry, I knew what I was doin and I might get him enough money to put gas in his Cadillac.

Well, I am not bragging, but I made him some money, had a great time, and after four or five songs, I have decided I have my post retirement gig figured out. It was awesome; the people liked me…and I can now say”I played Vegas.”

A couple musicians in Arizona asked me if I had been playing much, and I told them I had a couple gigs in Fargo at Cheyenne Crossings, (sounds like a big night club huh?) at Eventide and played Binions in Vegas on my way back to Arizona. Now, if they don’t read this column… I’ll be ok.

Back to the gaming floor… I showed Darlene men and women playing slot machines that were $500 machines, and to win REALLY big on one, you had to play three credits… yes, that’s $1,500 a play.

I am pretty lucky and good at slots and I know one thing for sure, of all the money I have spent in Vegas and Indian casinos… you stand a little better chance of going home with a few bucks in your pocket at an Indian Casino than most Vegas gaming places. Sure there are exceptions, but just remember this; Walk around the casino for about an hour and see how many people are sitting there waiting to get paid for some kind of a jackpot.

If ya don’t see any winners… you’re probably not going to win either.

We go to a Casino in Chandler, AZ, called Wild Horse Casino and we always see several good winners EVERY time we go there. I’m talking $1,000 or more. I’ve hit $18,000, $7,000 and $5,000 and seen $20,000 and a $32,000 winner in there. In four days of long hours of casino walking… I never saw anyone win over a thousand dollars… but that’s just my professional opinion. Remember… I played Vegas!