
It was a rather short GO JUMBO trip this year. My latest client had the audacity to schedule a Board Meeting on Friday all the way across the country in New York. By the time I got to the SuperBook it was pretty late Friday evening.
Things got off to a great start. They may have gotten off to a great start earlier but I wasn’t there so it really didn’t happen. Things can only start when I arrive, everything else is mere rumor.
Behind the SuperBook at the deli were Zog, Berj, Mike and two old high school pals, Jeff and Jim. I hadn’t seen Jeff since we were partying like crazy at Strap on On. We had a lot to catch up on from old high school antics that continued through college all the way up to today. The antics continue but have tailed off quite a bit since then.
One of the better stories ended up with Jeff going on a wild road trip, then sneaking his Mom’s brand new car back home, pulling corn stalks from the radiator. It’s a rural thing.
We never did catch up on all the stories. It was late and Jeff and Jim were getting up early to drive back to Denver to see the Broncos. They had come to the SEMA convention, but we were the real attraction. Hopefully, they can make it back to finish some of those stories.
Another reason for the hasty exit was that Pete arrived. He had spent the evening with Kathy on the geriatric tour. They had seen Cher, a piece de resistance of the best plastic surgeons can do, as well as George Wallace (the comedian, not BK’s favorite politician) and Barry Manilow. As he facedbooked later, he went to set his clock back and went too far, a full 40 years too far.
We never did see Woz that night. He was too exhausted from stalking PGA players girlfriends at a local tournament.
Things got off to a great start. They may have gotten off to a great start earlier but I wasn’t there so it really didn’t happen. Things can only start when I arrive, everything else is mere rumor.
Behind the SuperBook at the deli were Zog, Berj, Mike and two old high school pals, Jeff and Jim. I hadn’t seen Jeff since we were partying like crazy at Strap on On. We had a lot to catch up on from old high school antics that continued through college all the way up to today. The antics continue but have tailed off quite a bit since then.
One of the better stories ended up with Jeff going on a wild road trip, then sneaking his Mom’s brand new car back home, pulling corn stalks from the radiator. It’s a rural thing.
We never did catch up on all the stories. It was late and Jeff and Jim were getting up early to drive back to Denver to see the Broncos. They had come to the SEMA convention, but we were the real attraction. Hopefully, they can make it back to finish some of those stories.
Another reason for the hasty exit was that Pete arrived. He had spent the evening with Kathy on the geriatric tour. They had seen Cher, a piece de resistance of the best plastic surgeons can do, as well as George Wallace (the comedian, not BK’s favorite politician) and Barry Manilow. As he facedbooked later, he went to set his clock back and went too far, a full 40 years too far.
We never did see Woz that night. He was too exhausted from stalking PGA players girlfriends at a local tournament.

Saturday, FFDY!!
Mike and I strolled into the Westgate. We were staying at the SpringHill Suites across the street since the Westgate rates were jacked for the SEMA convention. Apparently, the Suites was slow in realizing Vegas’ biggest convention was in town so I jumped on their rates before they got the memo. When we arrived Mike goes “Someone’s at our tables”
“Crap”
“Yeah, some fat guy and a hockey player”
Pat and Woz had beat us there. It was to be our own little piece of heaven for the next 48+ hours.
It was time to make our picks. We all agreed that as long as State won, we didn't care how our picks went.
But given State's track record GO JUMBO lately we needed to make some adjustments to our viewing habits.
Mike and I strolled into the Westgate. We were staying at the SpringHill Suites across the street since the Westgate rates were jacked for the SEMA convention. Apparently, the Suites was slow in realizing Vegas’ biggest convention was in town so I jumped on their rates before they got the memo. When we arrived Mike goes “Someone’s at our tables”
“Crap”
“Yeah, some fat guy and a hockey player”
Pat and Woz had beat us there. It was to be our own little piece of heaven for the next 48+ hours.
It was time to make our picks. We all agreed that as long as State won, we didn't care how our picks went.
But given State's track record GO JUMBO lately we needed to make some adjustments to our viewing habits.

Mike and agreed that we could not be together while watching the game. The last several times we were together ended in disaster. Think Nebraska, Ohio State last year and the Middle Tenn State upset in March Madness. Not a good trend.
But what is "not together" We decided to separate our two tables by a couple of inches, one at each table. If, by halftime we were struggling or, heaven forbid, losing, then we would go to the far sides of the SuperBook.
To make sure, Mike also did not bring, let alone wear any Spartan gear. He wore a green shirt, mind you, but nothing with a logo.
There was reason to be concerned. Maryland had just gone through a tumultuous week. The brought back their scUMbag coach DJ Durkin, then after a huge outcry fired him the next day. Meanwhile there were rumors of fights among the players while the President and the Head of the Regents agreed to step down.
Would the players come out fired up after all this, getting their man back in charge after all. Or would they have so distracted that they would play like the Twerps of old.
It didn't matter. Maryland, at their best, is a one dimensional run only offense. It played perfectly against States #1 rush defense. The Spartans crushed them. Mike and I never moved from our tables.
When it was all over we held them to 100 yards total offense. scUM crows about holding us under 100 yards of rushing but help Maryland to under 100 yards total.
Final score State 24 Maryland 3 - it wasn't even that close.
But what is "not together" We decided to separate our two tables by a couple of inches, one at each table. If, by halftime we were struggling or, heaven forbid, losing, then we would go to the far sides of the SuperBook.
To make sure, Mike also did not bring, let alone wear any Spartan gear. He wore a green shirt, mind you, but nothing with a logo.
There was reason to be concerned. Maryland had just gone through a tumultuous week. The brought back their scUMbag coach DJ Durkin, then after a huge outcry fired him the next day. Meanwhile there were rumors of fights among the players while the President and the Head of the Regents agreed to step down.
Would the players come out fired up after all this, getting their man back in charge after all. Or would they have so distracted that they would play like the Twerps of old.
It didn't matter. Maryland, at their best, is a one dimensional run only offense. It played perfectly against States #1 rush defense. The Spartans crushed them. Mike and I never moved from our tables.
When it was all over we held them to 100 yards total offense. scUM crows about holding us under 100 yards of rushing but help Maryland to under 100 yards total.
Final score State 24 Maryland 3 - it wasn't even that close.
We basked in the after glow of a victory for awhile and then, in direct contradiction of our vows, started worrying about our picks.
And drink coupons. Pat, despite several weeks of "and don't for get your drink coupons!" even one reminder "Pat will forget his, don't be like Pat" of course, on his very first trip to the window, forgets his drink coupons. It's no wonder his saint of a Mother died an untimely death.
Not that getting coupons really mattered. By the end of the day we were doing a pretty good job only to get service maybe once every 4 hours. Between Pete not drinking, Woz having one gin and tonic a day and Mike and I bringing our own beverages in, we were swimming in drink coupons.
The beverages (and the win) made for a great day of watching college football! There was some comedic relief during the morning set of games. Watch how a Longhorn's cleat gets caught in the Neer's facemask.
And drink coupons. Pat, despite several weeks of "and don't for get your drink coupons!" even one reminder "Pat will forget his, don't be like Pat" of course, on his very first trip to the window, forgets his drink coupons. It's no wonder his saint of a Mother died an untimely death.
Not that getting coupons really mattered. By the end of the day we were doing a pretty good job only to get service maybe once every 4 hours. Between Pete not drinking, Woz having one gin and tonic a day and Mike and I bringing our own beverages in, we were swimming in drink coupons.
The beverages (and the win) made for a great day of watching college football! There was some comedic relief during the morning set of games. Watch how a Longhorn's cleat gets caught in the Neer's facemask.

Haven't seen anything that funny since Pat forgot his drink coupons.
Saturday was like most Saturdays on GO JUMBO. Mike, Woz and I spent most of our time in the Book with Woz occasionally setting off to play some Roulette. Pat, shortly after the State game went to play slots. More on that later. Berj and Zog wandered during the afternoon to do whatever they felt the urge to do. I don't judge.
Pete left to go do a power dump, came back only to leave for most of the day to take a power nap. Napping must be better on west coast time.
Sunday started out pretty much as Saturday did. I arrived, secured a couple of tables and waited for the gang.
The betting so far was, to be generous, uneven. Zog started out 1-7 only to as he said "got a gift on the last game of the day to go 2-8"
It's part of their strategy, Zog. Sort of like getting a birdie on the last hole. Makes you want to come back. Vegas wasn't able to build billion properties based on luck alone.
I went 2-5 on Saturday. I was going to need a robust Sunday to get back to break even. The Big Flippy was perfectly random going 6-6-1.

Berj and I agreed that the Pros had better lines than the college games. He likes to bet on teams with some momentum. I liked his picks so we were rooting together. He came out pretty well with one serious gaffe. He took the Lions. There is now one caveat to his betting strategy. No betting on the Lions (good rule) nor is beating the Lions considered momentum (smart rule).
We had some various internal bets too. Woz won both of course. First NFL team to score and who would have the highest fan fantasy score. The second wasn't even close. Our Ties Win Super Mega group parlay was kaput after the first game.
The pro bets ultimately paid off though. Berj went 4-2 and I went 3-1. the Flippy disappointed at 1-2.
But my best bet brought me back to just under break even and didn't involve football. Every time we go to Vegas, Pat claims he is way up on the slots. I'm up $200! I'm up $800! I didn't know whether to believe him or not. I decided to test him out.
I gave Pat a half Mega bet and told him as soon as he doubled it, quit immediately and cash me out.
"Go until you double it or go to zero."
We had some various internal bets too. Woz won both of course. First NFL team to score and who would have the highest fan fantasy score. The second wasn't even close. Our Ties Win Super Mega group parlay was kaput after the first game.
The pro bets ultimately paid off though. Berj went 4-2 and I went 3-1. the Flippy disappointed at 1-2.
But my best bet brought me back to just under break even and didn't involve football. Every time we go to Vegas, Pat claims he is way up on the slots. I'm up $200! I'm up $800! I didn't know whether to believe him or not. I decided to test him out.
I gave Pat a half Mega bet and told him as soon as he doubled it, quit immediately and cash me out.
"Go until you double it or go to zero."

He said "If I come back in five minutes you know I lost it"
He came back five minutes later. groan
But having doubled it! "Hit a straight flush right out of the gate"
Now I'm not sure if he really is that lucky, he claims Pete witnessed it. Not a credible witness in my book. Or he gave me the money to keep the ruse going. Either way I came out ahead.
As Sunday wound down, the Executive Committee met to determine next years GO JUMBO date. We checked the dates. November 8th was out. We were tired of going during SEMA. Rates get jacked.
I love the first weekend of November since that is when Daylight Savings ends but the Spartans have a bye that week. About time they have a bye in the later parts of the schedule.
I proposed to go when State played scUM on November 16th but Mike would have none of it.
"I won't go! I refuse to watch the Michigan game! I get too nervous." He was going on and on. Hadn't seen such behavior since he was five.
Not sure why we were even listening to him. He's not a member of the Committee.
But we did.
With a quorum present, a motion properly moved and seconded, the executive Committee has set the date for the 2019 GO JUMBO trip to be
October 26th, 2019 at the Westgate SuperBook.
It appears it will be 18th trip. We had a long discussion as to when the first trip was. By walking back from when Big Al went we believe it was in 2002. But we are still not sure
GO JUMBO!!
He came back five minutes later. groan
But having doubled it! "Hit a straight flush right out of the gate"
Now I'm not sure if he really is that lucky, he claims Pete witnessed it. Not a credible witness in my book. Or he gave me the money to keep the ruse going. Either way I came out ahead.
As Sunday wound down, the Executive Committee met to determine next years GO JUMBO date. We checked the dates. November 8th was out. We were tired of going during SEMA. Rates get jacked.
I love the first weekend of November since that is when Daylight Savings ends but the Spartans have a bye that week. About time they have a bye in the later parts of the schedule.
I proposed to go when State played scUM on November 16th but Mike would have none of it.
"I won't go! I refuse to watch the Michigan game! I get too nervous." He was going on and on. Hadn't seen such behavior since he was five.
Not sure why we were even listening to him. He's not a member of the Committee.
But we did.
With a quorum present, a motion properly moved and seconded, the executive Committee has set the date for the 2019 GO JUMBO trip to be
October 26th, 2019 at the Westgate SuperBook.
It appears it will be 18th trip. We had a long discussion as to when the first trip was. By walking back from when Big Al went we believe it was in 2002. But we are still not sure
GO JUMBO!!