All or Nothing

Akashic Books $14.95.

A Gambler's Notebook May, my Lucky Month 1) +660 (yeah!) 2) +220 3) +350 (I am on a roll! 3 days in a row!) 4) +600 (yeah!) 5) -500 (I was up 700--and I gave it all back) 6) -400 (I was up 600--and I gave it all back) 7) +1130 (I hit!) 8) +1500 (I hit!) 9) -1100 (I was up 1800--and I gave it all back plus 1100--oh my god, what is wrong with me? Why didn't cash out at $1800) 10) -2200 (what a day from hell--I could not hit anything, anything, anything) 11) -300 (god help me) 12) -350 (god help me) 13) -800 (Come on! What is wrong with these machines? Where did all the luck go?) 14) +800 (nice!) 15) + 146 (nice!) 16) -2800 (Will I never learn? Will I never learn?) 17) +178 (nice!)

Preston L. Allen

Is the award-winning author of "Churchboys and Other Sinners" (Carolina Wren Press). He's won lots of money. He's lost lots of money. He's lost lots and lots of money . . . enough to make you kill yourself. He still hasn't killed himself. Gamblers don't kill themselves. There's no gambling allowed in hell. That's what makes it hell.