Vantage Point

It was an ordinary Friday (16 April 2004); I only have 32 Riyals in my pocket. After lunch I took about, but even before I finished bathing, I overheard Mike yelling at me, “Thoots, telepono mo nag-ri-ring”.

After a brief shower, I went out of the bathroom and heard my phone ringing again. I took the phone and I saw the name Joey flashing, I said to my self “I won”. “Nadale mo” Joey uttered, “Anong numero?” I asked. “832″ he mentioned. I made a mental computation, 18,300 riyals, more than quarter of a million pesos.

What am I talking about? Although gambling is illegal here in Saudi Arabia, there is an illegal number’s game that is very popular. If you would believe the Police’s estimate, this is a 20 million riyals business. It is very easy to play, it resembles the jai-alai betting back home. A person will have to bet for 3 number combination from 0-9, either straight or rumble, the result (as they claim) will be based on the last 3 digits Thai Lottery which is being drawn every 15th & end of the month. If you get lucky, you will receive 40 Riyals for every riyals you bet if you get the right order of the winning number, and 8 Riyals per riyal if you did get the right order.

That day I am the big winner, I won a total of 17,600 Riyals on the lottery and 700 riyals on the raffle.

Pure luck? I guess so…

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