Wagering

"Try to see it like this: what turns a simple game into gambling is money. Or, any kind of gain like prizes, gifts, even winning a turn on a spinning wheel becomes real, illegal wagering if there's a penny of U.S. currency involved. If not, free Bingo."

Richard Allen Decker was already getting bored stiff, hour one into day one of "Gambling School". The mighty Las Vegas Tropicana Casino's own in-house program. Decker cleaned rooms double-shift for six months, then finally got someone's nod. It was the lucky break he prayed for. Black Jack dealer, or Roulette, Decker didn't care what.

But, Decker was also careful, wary. After six months, he had learned that the Tropicana management had their own ways. If they wanted to know anything about you, their security would find out, fast. He would have to do his best, glad to have no enemies.

But, this first class was a big snooze. Going to be a long training if this is the pace- everything the instructor said seemed just obvious to Decker. Afterwards, an hour to kill before the next class, he ended up at the counter of the nearby coffee shop, a quick BLT on wheat toast, Pepsi, and small bag of Lay's on the way.

As Decker unconsciously reached for the receipt on the counter- he always liked a 'coaster' for his water glass- the guy next to him, barely visible behind a big, low-tilted cowboy hat, simply said, "Hey, flip you for it." Decker, confused for a moment, then said "What? No. That's cool.", then chuckled. What a town, he thought. The guy next to him, without moving his hat up, slaps down a new hundred dollar bill. "You sure, boss? Let's go. Just for fun. Yes?"

Decker was tempted. What the hell. Then, character instinct took over. "Nope. I'm certain, sir. How about I just buy you lunch instead? Would be my pleasure."

"Good. Very good!" The man finally tilted his big hat upwards, and Decker saw that it was the boring instructor!

"Good call, son. Because THAT"- staring at the arriving platter with sandwich- "was already real, illegal wagering.", the instructor said, a point Decker always remembered.