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Scott (Ozzie)
(As told by Scott) 

21-21-21

It has been the most amazing thing in the world, following this 21-year old dream.  How ironic is that?  I’ll never forget my parents coming home from Vegas when I was 15 and sharing the trip.  I was fascinated with gaming ever since.  Dad told me they’d take me once I turned 21, and of course they did.  We went to Atlantic City and it still measures as one of my greatest memories of my life. 

Sadly for all of us, Dad missed the findings of the Playing 21 Program.  That one is tough to swallow of course, but he was the inspiration, the drive and ultimately the reason I did this.  He believed in it very much.  He knew we were onto something big.  Yes he was my biggest critic in life, but that was always for my own good.  He always wanted me to think of everything.  He pushed me to be better, to lead, to do what was right.  Well Dad, this project is dedicated to you, and you were right, we were right.  You did well! 

I cannot ever thank Jr. enough.  He pushed me and always supported me.  I love the guy with all my heart.  You know we just have that special bond that comes about once in a lifetime.  I could go on forever with the memories and things we have done together.  Reminds me of the time we were fishing and a huge bear came within 100 yards of us.  We headed back to the vehicle about a half-mile away.  Jr was concerned for myself and turned to me, being more experienced with bears than I was thanks to my sheltered life, and he says, “Oz, if it comes for us, we’ll never outrun it.”  It takes a special friend to be in a situation like that and be able to think straight.  He was thinking ahead as always, making a plan for what might occur next.  I too had a plan.  I turned to Jr and told him, ‘I don’t have to outrun the bear…I have to outrun you.”  By the way, since I hurt my groin, you’ll notice we haven’t been out fishing! 

The Playing 21 Project would have never been complete without Edward.  There was so much work and effort placed in on all our parts, Ed had to carry a huge load while we did this.  I thank you for your persistence and making sure things are always taken care of, somehow.  You just keep finding a way and Jr. and I will just keep finding something needing direction. 

I want to thank the other people in this team.  They know who they are, and they each did amazing jobs.  I will never forget those who stood up and chanced so much on this project.  I told you it would all be worth it in the end!  Thanks everyone! 

Finally, I just wanted to say this was a huge project.  We pulled it off.  I was told it was too big for us.  When you have a dream and believe in yourself, you can do anything.  This proves all the money in the world can’t cover an injustice.  Many casinos, those before us, and many books were exposed.  We did something never done in history and left our mark on the future of the game Blackjack.  There is no better feeling in the world than bringing a 400-year old game to its knees. 

DREAM AND REALITY

If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.... In proportion as he simplifies his life, the laws of the universe will appear less complex, and solitude will not be solitude, nor poverty, nor weakness. If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost: that is where they should be. Now put foundations under them. -- Henry David Thoreau

It was a very close dear friend of mine who sent me the quote above.  She also opened my eyes to what we truly accomplished when she told me, "Was three years worth it you ask? Ask yourself that, not so much with every sale, but that you recognized and made something in your mind a reality!"  (Update:  Would you believe 6 years after meeting this girl I went and married her in September, 2007.  Now we are building the foundation together for new dreams.  I love you Tammy!)