Completely engrossed in the system and unaware of the hushed crowd that has been gathering, I casually slide 1,536$ onto black, the Pit Boss is called to verify the bet and confirm my mental state...
Over the years gambling in many forms has become increasingly mainstream, with the WSOP being responsible for this increased public interest. Ever since Chris MoneyMaker won the Main Event at the 2003 World Series of Poker. His 2003 win revolutionized poker because he was the first person to become a world champion after qualifying on an online poker site. This created a surge in mainstream gambling and even cemented professional gambling as a legitimate career.
Ever since, every modern person with an interest in this possible profession has searched for a guaranteed way to win, mostly unaware that mankind has been on this search for centuries. Wagering on games of chance has been a part of mankind since ancient times. Perhaps the oldest known dice were excavated as part of a backgammon-like game set at the Burnt City, an archeological site in south-eastern Iran, estimated to be from between 2800 and 2500 BC. Bone dice from Skara Brae have been dated to 3100–2400 BC. 
I have personally been experimenting with the Martingale Strategy for many years, ever since I read Chris "Jesus" Ferguson's 0$-10,000$ challenge. Within he describes the Martingale as applied to roulette. Ever since I was hooked. The math is sound, in theory it works, in practice it works(in short bursts). During the first few years I fell into the typical gambler's fallacy. All too many times at the roulette table I would say, "well surely it can't be black 14 times in a row". Needless to say I was ignorant of maturity of chances. Although it was fun drawing crowds, it was not a successful long term strategy.
My favorite experience was at the Lumiere in St. Louis at the roulette table, next thing I know I'm betting 1,536$ on black. Completely unaware of the crowd that was growing until the pit boss was called over, "Black bet on Black". Later I find out the crowd was growing ever since my fifth loss, with a bet of 192$.
To understand the significance you must understand the basic martingale. In the simplest terms you play an even money game and 50/50 odds, roulette being the closest you'll find in any American casino with red/black or even/odd at 47.4% and a 1:1 payout. You very simply double your bet every time you lose. With this tactic the moment you win, you profit, regardless of the amount of losses. Bet 1, lose, bet 2, lose, bet 4, lose, bet 8, lose , bet 16 win. So you lost 15 but won 16, profiting 1(1+2+4+8=15 Loss, 16 bet wins paying 16).
I am no high roller, I'm cement mason by trade. I was on vacation with my dad and my brother to watch the Lions and Bears (american football) and Blackhawks and Blues(hockey) play in St. Louis, Missouri. I was simply convinced the strategy works, I spent over 12 hours building that bankroll that covered these large loss streaks. Winning 6$ at a time.
The Pit Boss speaking to me broke me out of my Martingale trance, this is where the realization set in, the understanding that I am an idiot. I am risking around 3,000$ (all losing bets combined) in order to profit 6$. The risk/reward is not in my favor. No panic, just acceptance of my state of moronics, place the bet.
The crowd erupts, my brother is laughing, Black 28. I collect my chips amid pats on the back and questions. Its all a blur. I go to cash in my chips with my brother laughing like an idiot. I didn't explain to the random crowd that I actually only profited 6$ on that bet. It didn't matter, I needed a drink, went to the hotel bar and purchased a 16$ Brandy 7. I'm so stupid I didn't even get my comped drinks on the casino floor, and now I'm down 10$.
