The Gamble

It was as if they were statues all standing still… no one talking or laughing, just holding up their cards and sizing each other up.

It was the tensest poker game of her life. Inside she was sweating bullets. For most of the game, luck was not her lady and the cards favored others.

Staring at her minimal pot, she knew this would be her last hand and the only chance to recoup losses.

Tense all over, she took one card at a time, holding her breath with each deal.

She glanced at the others looking for some semblance of inflection in their voice or facial expression, even a twitch to indicate their hand. But these were seasoned professionals and they never made mistakes.

The first card she received was a two of clubs, then a three of clubs. Her hopes began to sink.

She turned over the next card, a six of clubs and felt her heart beat a little faster, but she dare not even breathe heavier or her opponents would surely pick up the tell.

Focusing on their stolid masks, she Internally panicked. Is it possible? Could she be dealt into a straight flush?

Just then she heard thunder bound outside their little room. She nearly jumped out of her seat, but recognized anything could tip off these hardened card sharks. No one else flinched. So, she swallowed her nerves and played on.
Next…
the two of diamonds. Cassie felt a pit in her stomach.

At least I have a pair, she thought. But knew she was just compensating.

Louder and louder, the thunder and lightning
boomed outside like a war zone, echoing the tension inside. It was a battle,
one she feared she would lose.

The last card was dealt. For a moment, she just
stared at it, dreading what it is, but excited at what it may be.

She reached out and turned it over. It was an
ace of spades.

Somewhat defeated, she cheered herself up; she
could still draw. But what to do?

Did she dare go for the golden straight flush or
get rid of the maximum three cards in an attempt for another two to give her
three of a kind. It was like picking the lady or the tiger. Which door would be
the right choice?

She momentarily held her breath and closed her eyes. She would go for it.

But while contemplating her fate, she didn’t
realize all the players were gazing directly at her.

“Cards?” The dealer snapped in annoyance,
glaring at her.

“Two,” she said with as much confidence as she
could muster.

But the minute she placed her two of diamonds
and ace of spades on the table, she had second thoughts.

Too late to look back. She was going for the straight…
all in.

Slowly, she turned over the first part and
placed it in her hand. It was the five of clubs. Giddy, she sat up in her
chair. Dare she believe she could pull off this coup? She understood the odds,
but enthusiasm got the best of her. She’s gazed at the next card, chanting to
herself, willing it to be the four of clubs.

She turned up the corner and saw a black three.
Excited, she wanted to shout it from the rooftops, but must keep her concrete
façade.

Swiftly flipping the four over and placing it in
her hand, as if on cue she heard another clap of thunder with a chaser of
lightning.

And then she noticed… it was the four of spades.
Her stomach dropped like an elevator perilously plummeting to the ground. But
then she remembered it’s still a straight. That’s a decent hand.

And now the games began.

The first player bet a typical opener. But then a raise and another and another. Everyone obviously had a good hand or an equally potential bluff.

Cassie looked at the pittance in front of her doing the sum in her head. It would take everything she had to stay in. It was an all or nothing proposition.

Suddenly, she remembered the song by Kenny Rogers, The Gambler. He sang you got to no one to hold them, when to fold them, when to walk away or when to run.

She called and pushed everything she had in the pot. It was time to take a stand.

One by one the other players put their cards down. Three of a kind, no challenge. She began to hope.

Pair of kings. It was happening.

Nothing, a bluff.

She stared at the pot in elation. Could it be hers?

Just one more and it was all over. In that moment she believed she could win it all.

She put her cards down grinning.

“Straight,” she boasted, daring the last player. It was a standoff.

The last player smiled with a Cheshire grin.

“Four of a kind, Ace high,” the player said and Cassie felt herself slunk in her chair.

Rain began to pour outside mirroring her sorrow. It was over.

As she left the room in devastating defeat, she grabbed her umbrella and walked outside.

Grimacing at her loss, she chastised herself with each soggy step.

Then she looked up and saw a rainbow in the midst of the rain.

“I guess a $20 loss was worth a couple hours entertainment. But just in case, I may stay away from the card room at the senior center from now on.”

(c) 2024 Suzanne Rudd Hamilton