To write this article saddens me greatly. It is a story of great heart break and pain. And all because of a poker chip.

Many years ago when I left my village and traveled to the new world I vowed that I would work hard, save my money and send for my father. My father was a very proud man who loved life and lived it to its fullest. He taught me everything I know.

When I arrived in the new world I quickly learned the language and got a job in a casino. At first I cleaned the washrooms and vacuumed the many splendid and expensive rugs that draped the casino floors. Soon I worked my way up to dishwasher then busboy and finally I became a croupier.

It was at this point I had saved enough money to send for my beloved father. When my father arrived he was very proud of me. Especially when I was decked out in my croupier outfit.

The first night that my father arrived in this wonderful new land I had to work. I did not want to leave my father alone so I brought him with me to the casino. I was working the Blackjack table so I decided to give my father some poker chips to play with so he could amuse himself while I worked.

Now, my father is a very simple man. He is not a worldly man as he comes from a small village that does not have computers and television sets.

My father had never seen a poker chip before. He did not know what it was. He must have thought it was food as he took a poker chip and put it in his mouth. Then he bit down hard.

The pain on my fathers face sent me into hysteria. It reached into my heart and sent tears down my cheeks. My fathers knees buckled and he fell to the floor. My helpless hands reached out to him and I yelled Papa!

To make a long story short my father needed a root canal. And he needed one fast. In the end it cost me $1,332.14.

And lucky for me I had just learned some of the greatest gambling systems for sports betting, Blackjack, Texas Holding and horse track betting. I quickly won this money back.

Now, if my father needs a filling it is always a gold filling. He has a beautiful smile.

And I owe it all to this great new world.

(c) Giancarlo Casio. All rights reserved.