Chapter 36
The Wager
Just as I had expected, within a few minutes of watching the hand play out, I was greeted by the system message I had been waiting for. This was of course the system message that told me I was now ready to officially try to gain levels, money, and experience via skills.
New Skill Gained: Gambling has increased to level 1. Gambling is a Personality, Sociability, Attractive, Perception, Intelligence, and Willpower based skill.
With that skill, I knew that I could make a few levels here in this lower tier zone with relative ease. Also, the buy ins were rather low, all things considered. A thousand experience, and five gold to get a mathematical 20% chance at the pot.
With five players, I know I logically only have a 20% chance to win every single time. But with my real world knowledge of stats, probability and statistics, I know what the true likelihood of getting a successful play are. Better still, I even know what the burn cards are, the cards that are meant to be discarded by the dealer. Nodding to myself, I inform the dealer that “I think I am ready to play.”
I say, as I bite my lower lip. I’m trying to play the semi-clueless blonde who is out spending family money on this night out. The high roller at the end saw me, and likely thought of me as a mark. Thus after I showed interest, he was the one who suggested the sudden change in prices. Changing from just gold to gold and experience. My level 10 did put me at a high level for this zone, especially as most of the monsters were still adjusting from level 1 to level 10. This was fine, as it just added a new dynamic to the game. Logically I knew that losing levels in such a way would be painful, not only would I lose the experience, and levels, but I would also likely lose my forming skill. Still, this was a potential price I was willing to pay.
At my comment to join, the dealer gave a cursory glance to the members at the table. “Any objections to the lady joining?”
“Not I.” A chorus of over eager gamblers said.
Hearing that, the dealer nodded, then turned his attention back to me and began describing in detail the terms of the particular style of Texas Holdem we were playing.
“This game is Swap Holdem. In this, everyone is dealt two cards face down, called your hold cards. You can then either exchange one or both of those cards to get better cards. There are two blinds the big and small blinds. Big blind pays the five-gold entry fee, and 1,000 experience. The small blind pays three gold and 500 experience. This will be broken up into three phases, the flop, where three communal cards will be displayed. The turn, where an additional fourth communal card will be displayed. Then finally the river, where the fifth communal card will be displayed. Betting can happen before and after every phase of play. Once a final wager is made, everyone still in will reveal their hold cards at which point a winner will be determined based on the best five cards either in their hand or available to the community as a whole.”
It is clear that this is supposed to happen for every regressor, as this is basically the game stating how the game is played and what you stand to lose by participating.
Honestly, the fact that the game was swap holdem was even better for me. With five players, that was already ten cards that were known quantities, followed by flop and burn which was four more cards. Then another burn and the turn, and the burn and then the river. This meant that at minimum, assuming there were no swapped cards, I would know not only the hold cards that everyone had, but also the three additional burn cards. Meaning I would know at minimum 18 of the fifty two cards that had already been played, with up to 28 if we all did the maximum two card swap. Compared to the seven cards that most people had access to, this should be easy for a mathematical data cruncher like myself.
“As you are new, you will have to bet the big blind.” The dealer informs me.
I nod, knowing that this was the task associated with all new players.
Placing my five gold piece chips down on the table, I nod. I also see a system prompt appear before me.
Do you wish to wager 1,000 experience points to complete this transaction?
Seeing the prompt, I mentally hit accept.
Warning: You are in the process of potentially gaining or losing experience points. For the remainder of while you are at this table, you will be treated as a level 10 Void Walker. The minute you leave this table is when your changes to your experience will be applied. Note: Should you leave while at a deficit, you will lose levels and be subject to de-leveling sickness.
Seeing the warning, just brought home how strenuous of a task this was. I currently had 10 gold and 4,000 experience to my name. By wagering five gold and a thousand experience, I was risking one fourth of all the experience I had accumulated. The gold was not much to me, as I could gain or lose that constantly. Experience though, now that was something entirely different.
Just as I was level 10, so too were the four other players around the table. Making a total of 20,000 experience available assuming everyone but one player went bankrupt. That would be enough experience to push one of us up to level 20. With that as a goal, I decided to focus on the game at hand.
With that, the dealer gave a shuffle, which only let me see a few position cards. My focus was on the center, of the deck, where the cards would be most likely to be dealt from. Just as in the previous hands, the dealer was in cahoots with the center player. There was clearly an ace on the bottom, the Ace of Spades, which if the patterns were correct, that would once again go to the center player once the cards were dealt.
Then just as expected the cards were dealt out, with the center player getting not only the Ace of Spades, but a Jack of clubs as well. Two face cards that would instantly put his at one of the top hold hands.
The rest of the cards were as follows:
Me: Ace of Diamonds, 10 of Hearts.
Player 2 to my right: 10 of clubs, 4 of Spades.
Dealer-cheater: Ace of Spades, Jack of Clubs.
Telepathic Cheater: Ace of Hearts, 10 of diamonds.
High Roller: Ace of Clubs, Jack of diamonds.
Seeing the cards, I decide to discard both of my cards for two new cards. Why? An ace, ten off-suite is a powerful hand, but when all the aces are already out, and three of the four tens have already been played, I realize it is likely for the best that I take my chances on two new cards that are not already in play. The idea is that I can only work with the cards in my hand and the community cards, so I like player two make a trade. Player 2 to my right only trades in his 4 of Spades, after which he is then dealt the ultimate karmic slap of getting a 4 of Hearts.
I on the other hand am dealt what others might consider a good but bad hand, but for me it is nearly perfect.
The final cards that are dealt are:
Me: 2 of Spades, 2 of Hearts.
Player 2 to my right: 10 of clubs, 4 of Hearts.
Dealer-cheater: Ace of Spades, Jack of Clubs.
Telepathic Cheater: Ace of Hearts, 10 of diamonds.
High Roller: Ace of Clubs, Jack of diamonds.
I also know the following cards have been burned. Ace of Diamonds, 10 of Hearts, 4 of Spades.
Stolen novel; please report.
The best part is, I know all this and haven’t even looked at my cards.
“You aren’t going to look at your hand?” The dealer asks.
“Oh, are we allowed to?” I ask, playing off the part of a ditz. “I just saw that no one else looked at theirs so, I thought we didn’t.”
At that the dealer gets upset and turns over my hand for all to see. “You had a good hand, you should have kept it.”
“Oh, well can I trade in these?” I ask.
“No, you can only make one swap.” The Dealer says emphatically. “But you should look at them.”
“But I can’t exchange them, right?”
“Right.”
“I also can’t back out of this, as I am the big blind right?”
“That is also correct.” The dealer says.
“So, there is no point of looking at them.” I say coming across as confused.
“Whatever, I tried. You all saw me trying to reason with her?” The dealer says, talking to the other four players.
“Yes, we saw Larry.” The High roller states.
At that, I inwardly smile as I can almost feel my Acting skill increasing from all of this.
Player 2 who was the small blind debates for a second, then fiddling with their large stack of chips, they decide to “Call.” Moving in the remaining gold chips and offering up the additional 500 experience points.
Everyone else also calls, seeing that they have great hands, and can all but smell the fresh blood in the water. Honestly, I almost feel guilty for what is about to transpire. Three cheaters, and a person who appears to be at the wrong table at the wrong time. Then again, it was only after they looked at me that they joined in on the gambling.
With the first part out of the way, everyone called to stay in. Meaning for my five gold and 1,000 experience points I would get to see the flop. Now mathematically speaking this was one of the most important moments of this hand as it represented 60% of the total cards that I could have in play by the end of this game.
The cards dealt, first there was the burn card, King of Diamonds. Then there were the three cards for the flop, which were the Jack of Spades (pulled from the bottom), the 2 of Diamonds, and the 10 of Spades.
This was arguably the best hand I could have asked for. With all the Aces out, everyone that was hoping to pair their aces were in bad shape as they would be drawing blind. With the 2 of Diamonds, I also have three of a kind meaning that unless something drastic happens I have the nuts to this hand. Even if a second Jack is dealt, which the bottom card just so happens to be the final Jack of Hearts and will likely be dealt at some point, given the way the dealer is moving. This is perfect as it will give the two Jack holders three of a kind, and barring the final card being a 4, I don’t have anything mathematically to worry about. Meaning, now is the time for me to play up my noob status.
“Play goes to big blind.” The Dealer says, with that he gestures for me.
“Oh, that’s me. So I have to do this to stay in?” I ask, as I push my final five chips in and wager 1,000 extra experience points.
At that, everyone pauses. I get a prompt coming up, asking me if this is what I want to do.
Are you sure you would like to increase your bet by 5 gold chips and 1,000 experience points?
Mentally I select yes, before anyone else can object.
At that, everyone pauses to stare at me in dumbfounded pity.
“Oh wow. This is bad. You realize that losing that much will set you back quite a few levels when you lose?” The third player who is cheating with the dealer asks.
“Well, I haven’t lost yet, have I?” I ask. “I mean I still have two cards remaining to get something…”
At that, the player to my right lets out a pitiful moan. “Oh, I am so sorry, but I need to call.”
“Same.”
“Same.”
“Same.”
With that, I saw the prize of the pot grow to 10,000 experience and 50 gold coins.
Seeing the wager, I try not to jump for joy, I have them, and I know it.
“Deal is set.” The dealer says as they burn away another card, this time the 7 of Spades. Then just as expected, the turn card is the fourth and final Jack of Hearts. Seeing the card both player three and the high roller let out minor smirks of excitement before quickly covering their expressions.
Seeing this, I begin to understand their Tells, or their minor character modifications that happen to them when something exciting happens. To them they have a made hand, as each has three of a kind in Jacks, and a high card Ace. That would be enough to split the pot under most circumstances. Also now, I don’t even have to worry about the run of 4s, meaning my hand of a full house is king.
“Deal goes to big blind.” The dealer says.
“I can still wadge my 2,000 experience points?” I ask, while mentally pushing forward the remainder of my experience points.
You are about to go “All In” are you sure this is what you want?
Seeing the prompt, I immediately send the yes command.
After that I can all but see the way the dealer’s expression changes entirely.
“Tell me dear, who is your father?” The fourth player with the mentalist’s help asks. Likely trying to get their partner to read my mind. Judging form player four’s point of view, they are likely doing well as they have two pair.
As he asks, I can feel mental probes trying to connect to my mind, but after my instruction from Master Groa, I am easily able to block the connections.
After a second of this, I can all but feel the minute the mind tendrils go to the other players.
“You know what, I am out.” Player four says, then adds to their display “I cannot in good conscience take this girl’s last money and experience.”
I of course know the real reason why this player is out, not out of feeling pity for me, but rather the fact that they are losing out to two people with three Jacks, so even if the final card is ten, which it can’t be, they would only have a minor chance of the final card being a Ten and completing their own Full House.
Player 2 also seems to be hesitant for a moment, before remembering that they also have two pairs 10s and Jacks. While they are seemingly hesitant, I the only person who has not looked at their cards yet is the only one who actually increased the bets.
He looks at me, “I’m sorry to do this to you. Hopefully this will be a lesson for you in the future.” Player 2 says, and I almost chuckle at the words coming out of his mouth. Fortunately, I turn my smirk to a mouth agape confused look.
“What for?”
“I call.” Player 2 says, then pushes forward 2,000 of their own experience.
After that Player 3 and the high roller both also call.
“Player 1 has been called. Since you are ‘All in’ you must now reveal your hand” The dealer says.
“Oh, these?” I ask, pointing to the two never been looked at cards.
“Yes.”
“Okay.” I say, as I turn them over revealing the pair of 2s I started off with.
“What the?” Five incredulous voices call out at once. Even the dealer and already folded player 4 are commenting.
“That’s good right?” I ask, pointing from my 2s to the 2 on the table then the two Jacks.
“Yeah, that is really good.” The Dealer says.
“Of all the beginner’s luck.” Player 3 says, almost glaring angrily at the dealer, as if the dealer didn’t get him three of a kind. In fact, player 2 could have had a better Full House, had they traded away their 10 rather than the four.
So many different ways this all could have gone, but ultimately it ended up with a pot of 18,000 experience and 50 gold going to me. There were other side bets that went on, but I wasn’t able to partake in them. Instead, I had to watch as the remaining three players all battled each other with the remainder of their gold.
In the end, the hands were just as expected, though the High roller did attempt to pull a card from his sleeve, but with a slight Telekinetic force I kept his hidden card up his sleeve. He wrestled with his arm for a moment.
“Trouble with your wrist there, old timer?” Player 3 asked, staring at the man and his card that was clearly not moving. Of course it wouldn’t move as I was holding it firmly in my mental grip, as this was the only way I could lose, the high roller flipping out his Ace for a 4 or other card.
“No, sorry, just my arthritis flaring up.” The old man said, as he reluctantly turned over his two real hold cards and split the final pot with player 3.
“Well, I think I am going to call that a night.” I say, greedily sucking in the experience points.
“You can’t just leave after one hand.” Player 3 says.
I just look at him and shake my head. “Sorry, my daddy…I mean the people I am with will start to look for me here shortly, if I don’t go back.”
“Who is your dad again?” The High Roller askes.
I just smile and quip back, “not you old timer.”
“Ouch.” Player 3 adds.
Quest Complete: Deal Me In: You completed and won your first game of poker. Rewards: Experience, 50 gold chips, Badge: Beginner’s Luck. Badge: Beginner’s Luck (50): Achieved for winning your first hand at poker.
Seeing the title and the experience flood into me, I can’t help but smile. I also like how the hand of poker was treated as a quest, as a way to exchange experience.
“Well toodles.” I say, getting up with my winnings.
“Oh come on. It is bad manners to leave without giving us a chance to earn back our money.”
“Oh, is it just the money you want? You can have that. I was just here for some quick entertainment.”
I say, spreading out the 10 gold chips to each player. Again, I knew things were going to go bad, if I didn’t play this right, especially with my Broke flaw feeling like it was about to rear up its ugly head.
With that I saw the log prompts come up.
Minus 10 gold pieces. Minus 10 gold pieces. Minus 10 gold pieces. Minus 10 gold pieces.
“Hey, where is my cut?” The dealer asks mockingly.
“I’d take it from the player you are cheating with. I did just give him back his 10 gold coins. So you are likely entitled to a percentage of that give all the bottom cut cards you’ve been dealing him.” I say, then smile and quickly abscond away.
“Bottom cut cards?” Player 2 asks.
“He has been cheating!” Player 4 states, no doubt getting the direct feed from his mentalist partner.
And just like that, I distract others as I make my way out. Making sure to note my quick increase in experience and levels.
Experience Gained: 14,000.
Ding.
Level up.
Level increased to 11.
Level increased to 12.
… Level increased to 18.
With that one quest line, I gained eight levels, eight! Pausing to myself I feel a rush and surge of adrenaline coursing through me, most of it is the high of competing and winning at such a competition, another part has to be the way the experience is actually being added.
From that one burst alone I am now looking at an increase of 16 Free Points, 16 total Willpower from both my class and racial bonuses. Then 8 Dexterity, 8 Appearance, and 4 Intelligence.
This also means that I have 24 Free Points to spend, which I intend to increase everything by 2, the maximum I can do in one sitting. The only problem is, I need to be in a safe space for that. While I could logically do that here, I have no doubt in my mind that people will be looking for me.
I have a feeling that everyone but player 2 will be after me here shortly. While I am still wearing this disguise, I decide to cut and run. Ducking into the first bathroom I find, I go in shut the stall door. Then with a focus of will, I Teleport to my room.
Once there, I quickly change forms, making sure to put on my old soul bound items while I change back into my normal 13-year-old self. Well at least my 13-year-old avatar, as I am anything but a 13-year-old at this point and that little escapade just proved it.
Smiling to myself, I put away the slippers and the t-shirt, making sure to place them in the burn pits for the fact that they now smell like opiates and smoke. With that done, I look to myself and realize that I got away with it, that everything was going to be all right.
Shutter, lurch, BOOM!
The metallic engine that has been powering us forward smoothly suddenly slams to a stop.
WHOO, WOOO!
At that, the alarm blast goes off, all but signifying that there is danger on the tracks. At that I wonder if I just jinxed myself, then I stop myself as I realized I obviously jinxed myself by thinking I got away with my scheme.
“Things, just never go smoothly do they Zero?” I ask, turning to my spirit companion, only to see blood gushing from their forehead, as they lie on the ground in a motionless state.
Seeing the normally floating dragon in such a state, I realize instantly that they likely crashed into the wall, when the momentum of the train stopped. But then looking at them, I can’t help but have one thought come to my mind.
“How?”