Page 20 of Champion of Cards

Someone else spoke to him, so his attention was pulled elsewhere.

The waitress handed out the drinks, and then the cigars were lit. I’d enjoyed a cigar as a snake, so I grabbed one for myself and popped it in my mouth.

The dealer at my table spoke to the room. “You know the rules. Four draws. No cheating. And no fighting. Let the tournament begin.” There was a loud round of applause before the dealer handed out the shuffled cards. They landed in a pile in front of me, slowly growing taller. Others reached for their cards one at a time, but I waited until the end. When the dealer was done, I pulled the hand close and examined what I had. It was strange to have people sitting behind me who could easily see my cards. The spectators didn’t participate in the game, but I was still very private about my hand.

I rearranged my cards based on what I had, a couple mediocre ones and a couple good ones. I had an ace and a queen and a two and four, but I also had the Elite Orc card along with the Vampire Fang card.

It was silent, cigar smoke rising to the ceiling, tankards tapping against the table when they were returned after a drink. I examined the men at my table, all of whom were staring at their cards or rearranging them. Sometimes, I caught one of them looking at me to see what I was doing with my cards, but they quickly looked away.

The first draw commenced, going clockwise.

Every single player exchanged a bad card for a new one. Me included. It was rare to play with so many players at once. Most of the time, it was just me and Larisa or me and Kingsnake, if he was in a good mood. Occasionally, I played with Kingsnake and his brothers, and that was a rare treat.

We all pulled cards from the center and examined our hands. Quickly, the room became so heavy with smoke that it was hazy, the features of the audience indistinguishable. Once we all had a chance to look at our cards, the bets started to roll in.

Chips were tossed into the center, everyone ready to stay in the game.

Based on the number of cards in the deck and the number of players, I knew at least two players didn’t have a great hand. Unfortunately, I was one of them, but I had to stay in the game. I tossed my chips into the center and kept my cards flat against the table so nothing was visible to the other players.

Now another card was drawn. Despite the fact that we’d all put bets down, every single one of us pulled a new card—except for one guy. He kept his hand exactly the way it was, which was either a bluff or truly a great hand.

I glanced at my card before I slipped it into place, but I was pleased by what I received. The War Hammer, a card that paired well with most others. I remembered what Kingsnake said about my expression, that I had to try to keep it neutral as a human. As a snake, I couldn’t even smile. My eyes didn’t dilate the same way. The only visible expression I could make was a hiss.

More bets were placed in the center.

In cards, the best hand didn’t necessarily win. It was the best bluff.

And a lot of these assholes were bluffing.

The guy who didn’t pull a card suddenly pushed his chips into the center, all of them.

Tension filled the air.

The tournament was based on elimination. Once you lost your hand, you were out. So if they put up their chips and lost, they would lose their seat. But if they kept their chips and the guy won most of the pot, he would probably still win because he had more to lose.

Nobody made a move.

I pushed most of my chips into the pile.

The guy’s eyes shifted to me, like he hadn’t seen me before.

Not a word was spoken, and I expected there to be some heckling, but it was dead silent.

A subtle grin moved on to his lips, like he was pleased I’d fallen for his trap.

I pushed even more chips into the pile, putting everything I had on the line.

That smile was wiped clean off his face.

Now I smirked.

You know what you’re doing? It was Kingsnake’s voice.

Absssolutely.

The other players at the table folded.

The guy stared at me, his cards flat on the table.

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