Visiting and winning at the Monte Carlo Casino
I never thought of myself as the gambling type but the thrilling vibe and the excitement of risking and wining hit me as well. My first casino experience was at the European gambling Mecca Monte Carlo. Later I realized that I can get the same excitement at online casinos like Ladbrokes, but that’s another story.
Before visiting Monte Carlo I knew the place quite well. I have read about the Casino and The Grand Theatre de Monte Carlo. I have seen pictures of the impressive Belle Époque building designed by Jules Dutrou as well as the James Bond movies. But in this case the books, the pictures and the movies could not begin to describe the feeling you get when you stand in front of the Monte Carlo Casino.
There are two things that grab your attention. First it is the building – an incredible combination of white stones, golden ornaments and the green patina of the dome. Even if you are not into architecture, it is a hard to forget view. The second thing are the cars. Up to that moment I had never been impressed by cars, but that was probably because I had never seen those parked in front of the Palace du Casino. They look like state of art and are just in place on the Casino alley. There were no drivers but I guessed the owners were in the Casino.
Inside the building is as impressive. Your feet sink into the thick carpet and your eyes set on the beautiful crystal chandeliers. You feel as if you are in Ian Fleming novel. But nobody is here to admire the chandeliers. When entering the first hall people notice the wooden wheels of the Roulette. Even if you enter just to take a look, you feel a sudden urge to play. That’s what I did. I went to the counters in the corner and bought the minimum possible chip for 5 euro. Just to try it. I looked at the tables for a couple of minutes and picked one. Until the very last moment I wasn’t sure what my bet will be. A few seconds before the dealer announced the end of the betting I put my only chip between four numbers. I remember them to this day – 17, 18, 20 and 21. I don’t consider myself lucky, I have never won in a lottery, even in school, when practically everybody wins, so you can imagine my surprise when the ball stopped at 18 red. The dealer put in front of me 40 euro. I know it is not much but I’ve just won in the Monte Carlo Casino. It felt like a fortune. I was tempted to keep playing but then thought I better cash my 40 euro out and have the chance to tell the story how I won in the Monte Carlo Casino. Every now and then I play some roulette and always remember my lucky 5 euro chip in Monte Carlo.
The Monte Carlo casino is a primary source of income for the Monaco economy so I guess I was no good for the city budget that year. But I have to admit Princess Caroline’s idea for the casino during the 19th century was brilliant. By that time Monaco was not very promising French protectorate that just lost a serious income due to the fact that Menton and Roquebrune declared independence. But the wise business decisions including the building of the Casino turned it into a lavish resort for the rich. Now all the tourists arriving in Monaco pass by the Casino to admire it and even try their luck.
