By Derek Arnold, RussellStreetReport.com
Derek is a columnist for RussellStreetReport.com (formerly Ravens24x7.com), a leading Baltimore Ravens fan site that features Ravens news and insight from the fans perspective. For more on the Ravens and to read Derek’s columns, visit RussellStreetReport.com.
Adam (pictured middle, right) enjoys his Ravens Cash Fantasy |
“Let it ride” is a term gamblers use to describe taking their winnings and immediately using those winnings to place another bet.
That’s the strategy that Adam Tate from Baltimore used to turn a couple Ravens Cash Fantasy small-prize-winning tickets into a day at M&T Bank Stadium that he will never forget.
“I would say that if you win like 5 or 10 dollars [playing Ravens Cash Fantasy], use it to buy more tickets for the second chance drawing so that you can keep playing. That was my strategy at least,” Adam said.
As the winner of the Tailgate Party Package for the Ravens vs. Dallas Cowboys game on October 14, Adam enjoyed an incredible tailgate party held in the hospitality tents right next to M&T Bank Stadium.
“It was a catered tent outside the stadium with amazing food. They had filet and crab cakes, but they also had typical tailgate food like nachos and macaroni and cheese. The cheerleaders stopped by to hang out with us, the band, the mascot, all of them. It was terrific.”
After filling up on delicious food and drink inside the Maryland Lottery Winners tent, Adam and his five guests, including his mother, father, and three friends, ventured inside the walls of M&T Bank Stadium and took their seats for what was quite a memorable afternoon of football.
“Our seats were awesome. We were in the fourth row in the end zone, right behind the uprights. We were close enough to the tunnel that we could see all the players run out, and then it was like watching a completely different game than the one we’re used to seeing on television. I’ve never seen it from that angle; we were so close to the field, and watching it from the end zone that far down was indescribable. It was just a lot of fun.”
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Like a lot of fans that get to see an NFL game up-close for the first time, Adam was extremely impressed by the entire atmosphere. Where most may focus on the size and speed of the players, Adam found himself focused on another aspect.
“Everything was smaller than I thought, but in a good way. You could really tell how close together the uprights actually are, for instance. [The kickers] make it look so easy on TV, but you could tell just how hard it must be. It was very impressive.”
As the game unfolded, Adam and Ravens fans everywhere would be very glad that those aforementioned uprights were in fact so close together, and not a bit further apart. Cowboys kicker Dan Bailey missed a 50-yard field goal attempt as time expired, giving the Ravens the hard-fought 31-29 victory.
Adam found himself dealing with the potential Dallas comeback better than most Ravens fans, though.
“As far as the game itself, I wasn’t worried at all. Well…I guess I was a little worried near the end, but I’m glad it turned out the way it did, because we had a blast.”
Another piece of advice Adam has for future Ravens Cash Fantasy scratch-off winners: be careful how many people you tell about your win!
“[When I found out I won], I called everybody I knew. I actually called too many people, because I had to call a few people back and give them the bad news that I wouldn’t be able to take them with me.”
When asked if one particular memory will stand out in his mind, Tate couldn’t choose.
“Just the whole experience from beginning to end. While I’m sure you COULD pay for something like that, I’m sure glad I didn’t have to. It was a blast – just a day of fun. Perfect weather, the team won, and I literally have zero complaints.”
So if you’d like to find yourself enjoying a perfect day at M&T Bank Stadium, get out there and get your Ravens Cash Fantasy scratch-offs today. The next second chance drawing is Tuesday, November 13. Enter at mdlottery.com/ravens.
And remember to “let it ride!”