Chapter 204

The blue chips paid as a penalty under the fold rule in the pre-flop were quite noticeable.

Given John’s cautious demeanor.

I know it’s much more plausible to think he backed off because it was burdensome to bet a quarter of his entire fortune right from the first game, from such an early stage.

However, for some reason, I can’t shake off the suspicion that his fold wasn’t a judgment based on instinct, superstition, or pressure, but rather a firm conviction that he was at a disadvantage, leading him to evade this round.

“Player Anastasia has won with a three of a kind. Congratulations.”

“…Hmm.”

I tried to show a discontented expression at the vague discomfort, but, well… a win is a win.

It was fortunate that, with an additional ace on the community cards, the combination wouldn’t allow for a flush or straight that could swallow my hand, allowing me to secure the victory smoothly.

It’s just that, because the party that should have been diving headlong into the fray was completely absent, the two symbols who lost interest ended up folding early, so the pot didn’t grow as much as I had hoped.

Look at this.

I worked hard to catch an amazing hand, hoping for my opponent to join in, and carefully did all the groundwork with an excited heart. Yet, even after that spectacular round ended, the chips that came into my hand were less than 20 million.

Moreover, since the only one who followed me to the river was Mr. Sugar, who just kept calling mechanically, I felt like I lost some of my sense of the game flow and my premonition about winning or losing.

…Even so, there is a clear reward in the form of chips left after every round, so I can’t complain too much.

“Right, taking my time to gauge the atmosphere isn’t a bad idea. These chips were hard-earned, after all? Moving carelessly in a battlefield where a single blow could lead to death is tough, yes, it’s tough…!”

It seems Mr. Alfred regards John’s unhesitating retreat as a sort of ‘weakness instinct’ and takes pleasure in it. But… well, can there really exist such a one-sided hunting relationship on this flat poker table?

“Chik!!”

“Phew…”

“…”

As John lit a cigarette taken from the pocket of his coat and watched the pale smoke disperse into the air, I wrinkled my nose and turned my gaze to the other players.

They boldly claimed this money game as a hobby, so their game experience must be richer. Well, I don’t intend to deny such an obvious thing.

Sasha and Mr. Alfred. Both of them have the capital to engage in bold betting and aggressive plays without restraint, and their ability to control the fervor within guarantees a strong advantage in the psychological battle. This made them players who held a favorable position.

With ordinary guts, one might struggle to breathe under the pressure of money.

Most probably slowly withered away while just paying penalties and, when a decent hand showed up, couldn’t hold out and jumped out only to be shot down… or self-destructed from evading confrontation, wasn’t that their daily life?

However, even if they played the game with a generally patient attitude,

Even if a somewhat inexplicable intuition may have kicked in, since I’m still getting used to the game, the odds are against me. If I meet a person who plays real poker extraordinarily well, wouldn’t that be risky…?

No, it’s not that I’m worried about wealthy people in an untimely manner! I’m saying that because my chances of winning decrease.

Anyway, that’s my subjective evaluation.

“…cough!”

In the midst of this, John, who seems to enjoy a particularly strong tobacco, involuntarily coughed after taking a deep breath.

There’s no way the high nicotine content means it would have a harsh aroma or taste, so it seems this is just his preference.

Why do people enjoy things that obviously seem bad for their health… Anyway, once a decadent food is invented, it may never truly vanish from human history.

At that moment, there was a light sound of a clap!

While I was shaking my head, Mr. Sugar suddenly reached out his hand and snatched the still-burning end of the cigarette, crushing it with his palm, and quite sincerely growled.

“If you’ve smoked enough, let’s stop here. …There are people who particularly don’t enjoy such a low-grade item.”

“…Ah, tsk! I’m sorry. I just came from being around folks who were happy to experience smoking for free just by smelling the smoke.”

“Ugh…”

Thanks to the consideration that actively understands the discomfort of non-smokers, the culprit was removed without needing further explanation.

Seeing that he firmly established his commitment to quitting smoking, he must strongly dislike that heavy odor.

…Good! If there’s something bothersome, mulling over it won’t change anything.

If I want to change something, I have to take action like that quiet uncle from earlier and not let simple suspicion ruin the game itself.

So I calmly maintained my tempo and nibbled away until the table grew appetizingly… and then, when I felt a strong sense of victory, I would jump in…!

“Then I will proceed to the next round.”

“Cough!”

“”…“”

“Huff…”

Someone coughed lightly, while others remained silent, and some took deep breaths clearly showing signs of tension in agreement.

After making eye contact with every player, the dealer confirmed again that no one was on break and began dealing cards once more.

From there, everyone was swept into the chaotic flow of community poker…

“Check.”

“…Opening the last community card. Please continue with your river betting.”

“Tsk.”

“Ah… it’s ambiguous. I’ll just bet another 100.”

– It’s a flush with ♣5, ♣8, ♣6, ♣J, ♣A. This won’t affect the hand. –

All five players had gradually increased their bets, creating a pot nearing 50 million, but simply completing the flush with the five cards on the floor resulted in a heart-stopping tie.

I thought we would force a decision by comparing hands, but since in hold’em the final five cards played don’t matter for comparison, ultimately the pot was split back to its original owners.

“Raise, 2 million.”

“…Check raise, 4 hundred!”

“Fold. Dying.”

John, who played almost all-in, threw away his cards again at the first bet. Meanwhile, Mr. Alfred, with his spirits high, kept recklessly raising, causing everyone to die without following until the river.

Thanks to that, the hand wasn’t revealed… I still couldn’t tell whether the old man’s excitement was an act or not.

With just one more player added, everyone began to play sharply as if someone’s neck was at stake, even confusing me… Even if I had to take a little loss, I would endure until the showdown.

– …I’ve learned you absolutely hate losing money. –

“Well, it’s a shame, but until it’s reflected in my account, it’s not really my money… And looking at the long view, firmly identifying the driving force of my victory is more advantageous.”

“Raise. 1 million.”

“Hmmm… I’ll call.”

“I’ll also call.”

“Call.”

“…I will fold.”

The results of the sequential bets started from Sasha again came out like this.

John, who was contemplating whether to call 1 million in the pre-flop with carefulness, upon seeing the three community cards laid down, immediately folded again.

To be honest, there was a lack of judgment material. I hadn’t once reached a situation requiring me to reveal my hand while steadily losing chips, making it hard to grasp tendencies, was he just purposely hiding it?

Sigh. Oh, come on… Should I still be cautious?

Clack! Tap…! Drip drip…

…Sliiide!

Chips were madly exchanged across the table, and every time the playing cards, which had seen a bit of human touch, retained any mark, the dealer unhesitatingly tore open a new deck’s wrapping.

Including the chips that Sasha exchanged additionally earlier, the stakes gathered in this closed ecosystem—this table—were about 400 million.

Among them, a few tens of millions were actively moving, but given the risk of it turning into a blazing inferno at any moment, I was tightrope-walking while keeping the tension, thinking I’d been quite successful in avoiding major pitfalls.

But indeed, a smoothly flowing game often lacked excitement.

During the continuation of small bets, an accident finally occurred. It might be fair to say that Mr. Alfred’s impatience to bankrupt John, who was only holding around 10 million in chips while dodging crises, was the catalyst.

“Hmm! I intend to raise the minimum bet and fold penalties to red chips, 1 million… How about it? Are you all okay with that!?”

“Excuse me…? 1 million? I don’t mind.”

Having just exhaled the breath I was holding with that old man’s words, I inadvertently asked back and casually glanced over my cash situation.

Since it’s rare for us to gamble even in the 10 thousand units, and with me managing to maintain around the 90 million line while going in and out smoothly, I wasn’t burdened, but… this was practically a declaration to push the guests to the end of a dead end.

…It might be a snobbish perspective, but it still felt premature to have this happen at the gaming table where there are still enjoyable moments left.

Perhaps because it wasn’t a huge casino, the only table where one could play brutally in the tens or hundreds of millions was here.

On top of that, Sasha, who licked her lips with a captivating expression, would surely support it, and if I or Mr. Sugar, who wasn’t particularly new to this, passively agreed?

For John, who wouldn’t simply be losing chips while getting up, this meant there was practically no right to refuse.

“…Fine, let’s go.”

“Then from the pre-flop, let’s proceed immediately, everyone.”

As soon as we resumed, two stiff new cards slid into my hands in an instant.

In a situation where leaving my seat was reckless, the required manners and sleight of hand were of the highest order, with players having to carefully moisten their throats and lips with drinks while still maintaining total composure.

Now I understand why the protagonist who wins a significant amount in the movies leaves generous tips to the dealer.

I should remember to leave a suitable tip when it’s my turn to get up later.

“Hm…”

I cautiously examined my hand.

Revealed from the shadows were… the King of Spades and the Queen of Hearts. While having KQ in waiting isn’t quite a premium hand, I felt it would be reasonable to add at least one red chip for a tip.

Through experiences, I’ve learned that if the community cards are beautifully laid out, even an ace will struggle. So with this hand, I thought it might be worth calmly following.

“1 million.”

“Call.”

“…Call.”

….

The new face participating in the current round seemed quite intimidated, leading to a long string of bets without any raises, which was quite a rare occurrence.

The guide stated, ‘Pre-flop betting comprises a struggle purely based on the hand’s strength and momentum,’ and ‘serious betting follows once the flop is roughly drawn’; so it was quite surprising for it to flow similarly like this.

Sure, there’s no way a dead ghost with no money could latch on to a smoothly flowing game. Such tranquil games happen now and then, after all. Let’s concentrate on the cards, just the cards…!

Clack, clack, …clack!

“Ah.”

“Hmm…”

Even with a slight partition, the oddly silent table had the cards opened in an area that continued half-opened to a stage with heart-pounding music elsewhere, resulting in an eerie silence settling in the center.

Following that were breaths of relief and sighs.

Of course, if all of a sudden ♡10, ♣10, ◇10 were laid on the table, it would be reasonable for both the players to have their heads blown and the dealer to hesitate.

At least, the lack of any harsh exclamations like “Hey damn, is this really your best move?” might stem from everyone trusting the previous efforts for fairness.

…However, I’ll have to take back a red chip from what I had planned to tip. This is causing a headache for me as well. Yes.

Seeing it either turning into a colossal free-for-all or a supremely pointless power game was clear even to a novice like me; I bet it was worse for others.

“Ahem! 3 million. In this situation, I can’t just easily take a step back.”

Seeing the compromise thrown out by the old man after much contemplation, I smacked my lips.

Did he have some confidence in victory, trying to lure me into a trap? It’s ambiguous. He might not care whether he wins or loses; he could prefer to see John crumble and cling to him instead.

“…I’ll take it.”

After thinking that I could risk around 4 million combining the two bets, I slowly called, but as soon as it was my turn…

“””Call.”””

In the blink of an eye. The rest quickly piled their chips, creating a pot worth 20 million.

However, what was more concerning than the size of the pot was John’s movement. About half of the chips he had were already plunged in… I wonder how he sees a cup that’s half full of water.

“Turn card, opening it.”

After sorting out the thrown chips briefly, the fourth card flipped over immediately.

Suddenly, the King of Clubs appeared… A king? Why is a king showing up here?? Oh, wait a moment.

– You have completed a ten-high full house with ♡10, ♣10, ◇10, ♠K, ♣K. –

“…Even if a random club pops up on the last river and flush possibilities arise, it’s correct that a full house ranks higher, right?”

– That is correct. –

A tingling sensation flowed to my fingertips. ‘As it stands’ is a conditional statement, but to think the strongest hand has just been completed? This situation has become incredibly difficult to manage.

How should I play this to ensure my victory becomes the talk of the town…?

Ah, I have to pay attention to my expression management as well. If anyone sees it, I’d run away in fright~ Just as I was pondering, Mr. Alfred’s betting came first and made my fingers twitch.

“10 million. Well, if it’s insufficient, I can lend you on the spot! What about a handwritten contract?”

“…!!”

No, no! Let’s stay calm.

One card on the floor, one card in my hand. There could still be two K’s lurking somewhere in the deck… or in someone’s hand.

Furthermore, the direction Mr. Alfred was fixing his gaze while throwing the chips was toward the seat right next to me. It’s where John, who had his mouth covered, was situated.

This was practically half a provocation. It might translate to, ‘I’ve got tremendous confidence in this situation, but what about you?’

If it’s the same full house, it would be a draw just like the flush earlier, so I have no reason to be cautious. Still, if it’s a feint, I’ll just take advantage and happily capture the moment.

“That… you’re not fooling around like before, right? I won’t be fooled…? Call.”

Softly muttering, I pushed a black chip forward and subtly observed the others’ expressions.

Neutral faces, slight cold sweats, fingers drumming on the edges—all sorts of signs painfully interweaving evoked a unique tension… My curiosity suddenly flared up.

Surely he just said, ‘If you’re lacking, I’ll lend you.’ Given that John was in a situation where he couldn’t call with a hefty sum of 400 million already sunk, I found it curious how the game would continue.

“For now, let’s see how far I can go with just my money. Huh… All in…!!”

“…Wow.”

“Cough…!!”

“Ah ha…♡”

As his palm pushed forward, a cascade of chips spilled all over the place, creating a dizzying spectacle while my heart raced in excitement.

“Wait, you’re really going all-in on this!?” I thought, and simultaneously checked the rules about the betting margins since I had absorbed some poker knowledge by now.

Players who go all-in cannot participate in subsequent betting and retain their position without rights to the remaining chip deficit.

I was surprised to learn there’s a more rational detailed rule than I imagined. I had only known that when someone went all-in, the opponent would go all-in too, and the winner would take all from the table.

…Nevertheless, it appears everyone thought those odds were worthy enough to call again.

Although John’s cash was short, it resulted in an intense single-pot battle of about 70 million, which seemed fine. Sigh… community poker with more people might really be scary.

To this point, I also nodded along. No, it was more than just nodding, I even found myself smiling smugly.

Why? Because even if I can’t benefit, I never once thought that the 1.4 million I’d invested was in danger!

People typically don’t grasp the fear of a bomb until it explodes.

Just like when I once casually tossed a grenade, underestimating it, and ended up with serious bruises and a concussion from a rough lesson.

“…Huh?”

– …It’s the ♠10. This means all players’ minimum hands are adjusted upwards to a four of a kind. –

The final river card slammed down, hitting everyone hard. It felt like a hammer strike.

Zero didn’t use such crude language, but I sensed advice whispering into my ear that something bizarre had occurred.

Huh? If everyone’s holding four of a kind, why should I be anxious?

There’s a reason. A big one. Hold’em is a card game where you combine five cards to compete for the highest hand, and hands like two pair or four of a kind are completed with the four cards already played. Hence, what decides this duel is the fifth and final card—the strength of the kicker.

‘…Honestly, it’s not necessarily weak.’

I slightly lowered my gaze and quickly returned it to its original position.

In hold’em, there is no distinction in strength based on suits; only the numerical value matters. Thus, my kicker at this point is automatically the K I hold in hand.

In other words, while I also had a full house ready…

If Mr. Alfred had a pair of K’s and was waiting for me to jump in as the sacrificial lamb, this was the perfect opportunity for a draw.

…But everyone knew there were hands more beautiful and powerful than K, didn’t they?

‘Oh man, this is awful.’

“…You, you there. Huh. You have quite the heart, don’t you…!!”

“I’ll take that as excessive praise.”

A wild exhale escaped the old man.

Mr. Sugar and Sasha, who sensed death at the last moment, fled the scene and didn’t see the hand, but the kicker was almost certainly not high.

Confident Mr. Alfred had a straightforward KJ ready.

Just like the KQ I held; it resulted in a draw with a K kicker, with both of us ultimately splitting the side pot evenly. Even then, it amounted to less than 10 million, so I didn’t cover my losses, but still.

…The issue lies with John, who stood up, stretching luxuriously. He had a premium hand by the book, AK ready.

During the turn, he had a full house, and at the river, he somehow managed to hold four of a kind with an A kicker, totally showing off his skills, as the fervor filled John swept up all of his previously divided share of the main pot, earning him his well-deserved praise.

One could argue the order of the betting round went poorly.

If John had suddenly joined ahead having dodged until now, I would absolutely not have offered a bet, but in the aim of luring him in, Mr. Alfred had unwittingly called for an exorbitant bet.

Now that the round is finished, everything comes down to complaints and excuses.

I didn’t lose a couple million, so while the situation changed abruptly, the damage wasn’t too significant.

“……Hah.”

Still, I could certainly declare this much.

Goodness, without a doubt, handing that man nearly 50 million in chips feels like a colossal blunder, doesn’t it!? Is this really fine? Huh?