There is not a computer room in the hotel, and cell phone reception is spotty at best. So, in order for me to continue this blog, I have done the next best thing...I got a library card! The Harrison County library system was also hit very hard by the storm, destroying four of its six libraries. But, two remain and two more have sprung back to life in the form of air-conditioned, internet-ready trailers.
There will be reading in this town or else!
This morning was the first official bit of business of getting my setup to be a temporary casino employee. Here are a few quick notes:
- My roommate still has not shown up and it is possible that he has cancelled. I heard that the World Series of Poker is in direct competition with the World Poker Tour (they are operated by two separate casino groups) and that dealers at the WSOP were strongly encouraged NOT to participate in this event. Instead, many of them signed up but then switched to the WSOP satellite tournament that is currently going on in Tunica. This could be good news, though. Less dealers means more work for me!
- I have learned that dealers are given certain shifts to work. The Day Shift is 10:30 am to 6:30 pm and likely pays the least. The Swing Shift is from 6:30 pm to 2:30 am and likely pays the most. The Grave Shift is from 2:30 am to 10:30 am and I would likely die. Most of the more experienced dealers will get the Swing shift, so I am worried about where I will be assigned tomorrow.
- I got my gaming card, my casino badge (I look goofy, as usual), and my uniform. The uniform system is very slick. They give you three gold, silk shirts and you can check them out from an automated holding facility any time of day or night. So, I do not have to leave the casino with my work shirts and they are automatically cleaned for me every few days.
- Late last night I went to the poker room and donated a little to the local economy in a negative way. Although "bad beat" stories are boring, boring, boring, my one bad beat of the night was when I had pocket cowboys (kings) cracked (beaten) by a fellow who walked up to the table and was dealt bullets (pocket aces) on his first hand. I guess that's a reminder of why I am a dealer and not a gambler!
Tonight there is a 5:00 impromptu dealer meeting. So far, the dealers I have met have been very nice, coming from all over the US, mostly from Las Vegas, to deal this event. Why would casino employees leave their jobs temporarily to work a tournament in MS? Because tournaments can be VERY lucrative for a dealer!
