Some weeks ago I promised that I would write about this event, but I have found that it has been difficult to even start thinking about this as a subject for a blog. The pandemic has turned the world upside-down. Not only don’t we do most of the things we used to do we don’t even think the same way. Our interests, our priorities, our actual thought processes have gone through radical changes.
Our trip back to Vegas for the BJ Ball seems like it was in a different lifetime, although it was just a little over a month ago. It will go down in our memories as the last big good thing before the virus war began.
It was a wonderful experience. We knew it would very likely be the last time we would be in our favorite city, a place which had provided for us an amazing almost-fairy-tale life for almost 36 years. We could once again experience the excitement of the bright lights that always beckoned with their message of countless possibilities.
Most of all, we felt honored that we were invited as special guests at this get-together of distinguished gamblers. It was like the cherry-on-the-top as we were retiring at the end of our long frugal casino journey.
It had been many years since we attended one of these gatherings, in fact not since back at the very beginning of the BJ Ball in the late ‘90s. And being at this one became especially memorable since this year my “boss,” Anthony Curtis, was voted into the Blackjack Hall of Fame. Brad and I and Anthony had all three been at those early get-togethers, and now here we were together again, celebrating Anthony’s high honor.
For those who want more details about this year’s Blackjack Ball and perhaps learn more of its interesting history, I am giving below some links to articles about this event, some of which are extremely detailed. And just to answer one question I often get, “No, although it is called a Ball, it is not a dance.” I find most professional gamblers are the last persons you would find on a dance floor! (Although Brad and I were avid ballroom dancers for many years!)
https://www.blackjackreview.com/wp/2020/02/28/the-24th-blackjack-ball-2020/
https://www.lasvegasadvisor.com/gambling-with-an-edge/the-24th-annual-blackjack-ball/
https://www.888casino.com/blog/tags/blackjack-ball – 4 articles detailing 2018 and 2019 Balls
Thanks for the links and what a great Pix!
Mo