Getting Past the Gatekeeper How a Game of Blackjack Helped Me — and Now You
I discovered the best advice about getting past the gatekeeper while playing at a blackjack table. The casino was in Laughlin, Nevada. I had just turned 21, and my grandparents had invited me to go with them to their winter home in Phoenix, Arizona. It was spring break, and I was grateful for the chance to get away from a tough semester of college. The Winnebago — their winter home — was positioned at a KOA campground in Bullhead City, Arizona. Just across the way was the state of Nevada and my first casino outing. I understood the rules of blackjack because I started playing it to increase my math skills in grade school — or at least that’s what my father told me. It was an intimidating first experience. I didn’t really know what to do, even though I was dressed for the part — slacks, dress shirt, and a tie. I found a $2 table, mustered up some courage, and pulled up a chair, laying two bucks down on the card table. The dealer dealt out the cards, and then it was my turn — the moment I’d waited for. I picked up my two cards, and the dealer yelled at me, “What are you doing?! Are you new here?” For a split second, I thought about lying, but I answered honestly and meekly: “Yes.” Much to my surprise, the dealer said, “Why didn’t you tell me?” From that moment on, the drinks (or at least my diet soda) were on the house, our room was comped, and I was given the lesson of a lifetime on how to play blackjack. No charge.
How will a blackjack lesson get you past the gatekeeper? That secret took me a lifetime to reenact, but it will only take a moment for you to master. Follow this system on the phone: “Hey, it’s me, Dave. Did I catch you at a bad time?” The gatekeeper, nine out of 10 times, will respond with a no. Now, use the blackjack line. “I’m a little lost here. Would you would be willing to help me out?” Silence is golden. Wait for the response, or make your next move: “I’m looking for the person in charge of generating leads. Is that you?” Remember, 99 percent of people — blackjack dealers — want to help us out. We just need to ask. The other secret is that you have to act the part — pretend you’re lost. Use a soft tone that gives off that “I’m new here and I’m a little lost” vibe. Own your script and sound lost! Have a follow-up, and be ready. You might just draw a jack and an ace when trying to get past the gatekeeper.
Take a
Mother’s Day Seafood Sauce • 1/3 cup butter • 1 12-ounce can light beer • 1/3 cup flour
BREAK
• 1 3-ounce can sliced mushrooms • 1/2 pound shrimp, deveined, cooked, and shelled • 1 pound sea scallops, cooked • 1 10-ounce can whole baby chowder clams • 1 10-ounce package frozen mixed vegetables, cooked and drained
• 1/2 teaspoon salt • 1 teaspoon pepper • 1 teaspoon minced dried onion • 1 teaspoon garlic • 1 8-ounce can tomato sauce
1. In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. 2. Add beer; cook 2 minutes, stirring frequently. 3. Stir in flour, salt, pepper, and spices until well- blended. 4. Gradually stir in tomato sauce, cooking and stirring until bubbly and thick. 5. Stir in mushrooms, shrimp, scallops, clams, and mixed vegetables. Remove from heat. 6. Spoon sauce over pastry shells.
3
Made with FlippingBook - Online catalogs