Capital Casino: The Poker table

[Fedup]

"As you said, I am not doing too shabby, between my friends group. I usually win as much as I lose, ballpark. Well, a bit more loss cause we have a table rule, where the one that wins the game, buys the snacks and beers next game, and our wives usually join us for a little get-together of their own. Honestly, it is cheaper for Andrew - he usually wins- to host in his house so he can prepare some things. So, we often go there. We are not a messy group, and we help with the clean-up, so Linda, Andrew's wife, doesn't complain that he hosts our get-together 4-5 times per month. "
Stan said in his cheery demeanor. Talking about his friends helped him focus. He liked the Witty man next to him, but that doesn't mean he wants to lose his chips already. It was not about 'winning' but when you're on a certain budget - always wise in a casino - losing too fast would end your night short.

Not read, 3S

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2025-01-12 00:52:02	Stan rolls 7 to Man+Sfuge (10 Again, WillPower)	1, 5, 10, 4, 6, 9, 3, 10, 4	3 successes

He was not sure how the words hid how well his cards were during the round, but his cards were good during the round. His smart and soft spoken opponent should be really good to beat him this time!

13 successes

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2025-01-12 01:01:45	Stan rolls 10 to The extra 10 dice... (10 Again)	3, 9, 4, 1, 4, 1, 10, 5, 6, 5, 9	3 successes
2025-01-12 01:01:24	[05] Stan rolls 5 to Int+Com+2 (10 Again)	3, 7, 7, 8, 3	1 success
2025-01-12 01:01:24	[04] Stan rolls 5 to Int+Com+2 (10 Again)	4, 1, 9, 1, 3	1 success
2025-01-12 01:01:24	[03] Stan rolls 5 to Int+Com+2 (10 Again)	2, 2, 10, 4, 5, 8	2 successes
2025-01-12 01:01:24	[02] Stan rolls 5 to Int+Com+2 (10 Again)	10, 1, 3, 10, 5, 6, 6	2 successes
2025-01-12 01:01:24	[01] Stan rolls 5 to Int+Com+2 (10 Again)	3, 5, 8, 8, 10, 8	4 successes

[Chambers]

Poker 10 Suxx

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2025-01-12 01:15:00	[06] Chambers rolls 4 to Poker Int+composure-2 (10 Again)	2, 5, 3, 4	failure
2025-01-12 01:15:00	[05] Chambers rolls 4 to Poker Int+composure-2 (10 Again)	10, 10, 9, 7, 10, 4, 1	4 successes
2025-01-12 01:15:00	[04] Chambers rolls 4 to Poker Int+composure-2 (10 Again)	8, 6, 5, 8	2 successes
2025-01-12 01:15:00	[03] Chambers rolls 4 to Poker Int+composure-2 (10 Again)	3, 4, 9, 9	2 successes
2025-01-12 01:15:00	[02] Chambers rolls 4 to Poker Int+composure-2 (10 Again)	9, 6, 10, 6, 7	2 successes
2025-01-12 01:15:00	[01] Chambers rolls 4 to Poker Int+composure-2 (10 Again)	2, 6, 7, 7	failure

And here it was the mundane talk of family life hiding the fact the man did in fact know how to play. Chambers keeps up a reasonable state of play but this time it is not enough. "Well that was a resoundingly different game wasn't it." As the chips go back over to Stan. "I thought that first hand was a bit to easy." Now the question was fluke or deception. "Well played. Another hand?" We need to tie break this after all." Lets see who wins or loses more. The temptation to push the result in his favour was there of course it was. But the paranoia was stronger. No need to risk that over a game of poker.

[Fedup]

Stan Chuckles as the sharply dressed stranger requests, as expected, another round. "It was more luck than skill this one, they are called games of chance for a reason, my friend." Stan said. "Don't take it too hard, I am sure you would win the next one. Although I don't plan to make it easy for you. No sport in that, eh?"

"So, what do you do for a living?" Stan says making small-talk as he waits for the cards to be delivered and sips his champagne. Did he mention his name? If he did I forgot about it, Stan thought, deciding to keep calling his fellow player without using any names.
Stan checks the crowd around them, the faces of humanity in their revelry that have formed a pleasant, ambient sound and an ever changing tapestry of hairstyles, colors, hats and... is that kid wearing a beanie in a casino? The rules about youngsters in the casino must have been relaxed, because the boy is not older than 16. "See that one?" He points the youngster to his fellow player. "In California, minors are not allowed near games. They are allowed in the lounge, of course, but that teenager probably eluded his guardians to sneak a peek at the games. There are steep fines..." and soon enough, a big, stocky, well dressed man with the earpiece of Security approached the young man in his beanie and removed him from the room.
"Ah, it is resolved." Stan realized he had not completely left his job behind. "Well, such things are often my responsibility, so ... " he shrugs apologetically to his fellow player.


As the cards start to be delivered, Stan does his best to read his fellow player, without allowing himself to be read.
While the incident and the realization that "Work-Stan" was not completely gone under the alcohol, camaderie and company clouded a bit Stan's judgement,

1 success

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2025-01-12 04:57:48	Stan rolls 4 to Reading Strategy: Int + Emp (10 Again)	1, 1, 2, 9	1 success

it worked in his favor when he was making his plans on how to play the hand he has been given.

2 successes

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2025-01-12 04:58:22	Stan rolls 5 to Not be Read defense: Man+SFuge (10 Again)	10, 4, 8, 7, 5, 7	2 successes

[Chambers]

It might be a bit preemptive to roll to not be read , I might have wanted to switch tactics after all.

Don't be read 1 success

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2025-01-14 15:43:19	Chambers rolls 4 to dont be read -- manipulation+ subterfuge (10 Again)	10, 5, 6, 2, 3	1 success

3 successes

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2025-01-14 15:46:22	Chambers rolls 5 to Read Stand Int+empathy 5 (10 Again)	4, 2, 9, 8, 8	3 successes

A gentle smile plays across chambers face. "I guess we will see won't we Stan. Poker has a lot more skill then people think." And if he players weekly he knows that. The nice guy routine was still hard to determine if it was real or fake but chambers focus up and starts picking apart the mans tells and signs.

Of course the question about income. People always regret asking. "I make tombstones." True it was how he payed his bills and the persona he used to normalise other trips and behaviours, even if he wouldn't consider it a job. "It's a steady business." People always need tombstones.

He doesn't take his eyes off the cards, as Stan points out the minor. Paranoia after all seeps into a lot of the personality eventually. "A kid on new years taking a risk is nothing new, it has happened many times people and will happen many more." Many more times that night probabaly. "Let leave the security team to earn their pay check and focus on the game." Either getting distracted or trying to distract him. The move feels like it has anterior motives.

11 successes

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2025-01-14 15:59:35	[06] Chambers rolls 6 to Poker Int+composure-2+2 (10 Again)	3, 8, 6, 7, 8, 3	2 successes
2025-01-14 15:59:35	[05] Chambers rolls 6 to Poker Int+composure-2+2 (10 Again)	6, 7, 5, 10, 1, 1, 3	1 success
2025-01-14 15:59:35	[04] Chambers rolls 6 to Poker Int+composure-2+2 (10 Again)	2, 8, 9, 6, 3, 2	2 successes
2025-01-14 15:59:35	[03] Chambers rolls 6 to Poker Int+composure-2+2 (10 Again)	10, 3, 10, 2, 2, 2, 5, 3	2 successes
2025-01-14 15:59:35	[02] Chambers rolls 6 to Poker Int+composure-2+2 (10 Again)	7, 4, 4, 6, 9, 8	2 successes
2025-01-14 15:59:35	[01] Chambers rolls 6 to Poker Int+composure-2+2 (10 Again)	1, 7, 9, 4, 1, 9	2 successes

The hand plays out and he is keeping a consistent and reasonable level of play a lot tighter then last time where Philip had him all over the place. Even if he loses the hand that's something he is happy with.

[Asclepius]

He finally makes his way over to the table he had his sights on. He pulls out a free chair and takes a seat, a smile across his face. “I hope you don't mind me joining you gentlemen, how are the card's fairing? Are they playing ball or are they of their own mind?” He gives a nod to Chambers, one of recognition. “Nice to see you out and about, I trust you have been well as always?”

His eyes turn over to the other at the table. “Is he giving you a run for your money or is it about even?” Nothing malicious expressed, he simply offered an icebreaker for this first meet and did not want the other gentleman at the table left out by his familiarity to chambers.

As the cards are played out, he settles in for some entertaining play. He allows the hand currently in play to play out before joining in, It was a good opportunity to get a little informed about who and how the people he sat with played. The look of him was keep however, a smile sat on his face as he watched the hand play out, waiting and expecting someone to pull the rug out from the other, for that satisfying surprise win when the cards are revealed.

[Fedup]

Tombstones?! "I wouldn't guess that." he says impressed. When his co-player mentions a steady business he smiles, "I bet..."
Stan turns towards the newcomer . He seems to know the other fellow. When he is addressed, Stan gives a short laugh. "Your friend is giving me a challenge. For the time, we're even." Looking at his fellow player he says "Let's see how this round turns out. He is a good player, very good. Reminds me of my friend Andrew."

12S

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2025-01-21 06:34:28	[05] Stan rolls 5 to Comp+int-2+2 (10 Again)	2, 7, 9, 4, 6	1 success
2025-01-21 06:34:28	[04] Stan rolls 5 to Comp+int-2+2 (10 Again)	10, 8, 8, 10, 9, 2, 10, 10, 7	7 successes
2025-01-21 06:34:28	[03] Stan rolls 5 to Comp+int-2+2 (10 Again)	9, 1, 8, 6, 9	3 successes
2025-01-21 06:34:28	[02] Stan rolls 5 to Comp+int-2+2 (10 Again)	7, 7, 10, 1, 2, 4	1 success
2025-01-21 06:34:28	[01] Stan rolls 5 to Comp+int-2+2 (10 Again)	3, 6, 7, 6, 3	failure

And luck was in his favor. He was not better player than the witty man but his cards are hard to beat. While the other player is skillful to not get slaughtered by Stan's bluffs and good hand, Stan gets the upper hand.
"Well, I got lucky this round!" he exclaims pleased with himself. "We say in my group, Luck in cards may falter, but fortune will follow! It could be a business deal or exquisite dinner but in such friendly games, we claim that fortune would correct itself. Well, we know it is not exactly fair like that, but it is what we say; the little lies we tell ourselves. What do you say, my friend? A last round?" He turns to the standing man "You are welcome to join us, of course."

All hail the dice gods. I got 7 successes in 5 dice. Check 98468

[Chambers]

The talk of his profession did as it usually did and cut sentences short the people who wanted to delve into that were few and far between. One such does come to mind of course but he hadn't seen her since he dropped of her instrument. Although it seemed not to have put Stan off his cards as the man narrowly beats him out again.

So I will get to play one of us tonight after all. He ha not expected the arrow and was beginning to think Philip would not be coming so the company is welcome. The nod is returned. "I have thanks and yourself?" Having no idea what the arrow went by in public no names were sued of course. "The cards are faring in his favour, but its more then luck that one has got don't let him fool you otherwise." Luck ran out even for skilled fate mages and Stan was not only keeping pace but besting him, that took more then luck. A nod. "I have one more round in me." And unless he won only the chips for more worthwhile game.

[Asclepius]

“Well, Thank you both for allowing me to join you.” They did not have to, after all they could have sent him on his way. “So from what I am hearing it sounds about even... always nice when on a somewhat even playing ground even if fate bends the line to do so in some way.” Hearing that both wished to play another round before calling it their last, he smiled and made ready for the hands to be dealt. “Well then gentlemen I wish you fortune in this final hand.”

Cards were dealt out and he gave his hand a quick look over. “I must confess this is my first time playing this, in a casino. Usually kept to private home games or with colleagues at work parties. I have often found that you can learn something about a person from how they play, lord knows I have struggled sometimes but its opened my eyes with regards to some people in the past.”

Don't Be Read - failure

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2025-01-23 13:51:00	Asclepius rolls 4 to Don't be Read (Manipulation 3 + Subterfuge 1) (10 Again)	3, 7, 2, 7	failure

His eyes glance over to his opponents in his best attempt to steal a glance as to what cards they could hold, desperate to see if there was any giveaway.

Reading others - failure

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2025-01-23 13:53:44	Asclepius rolls 5 to Reading Opponents ( Intelligence 3 + Empathy 2) (10 Again)	2, 3, 4, 7, 7	failure

[Fedup]

Stan took a sip from his champagne. Last game, he would give it his all. Then, he would spend his earnings, if any, to buy a round for his fellow players. "A pleasure, my friend. I am Stan, by the way. I work at the AC hotel. I agree with you, on learning this and that while playing. Know your opponent and know yourself... some general said. Works in cards too! " although the newcomer was not the best at NOT giving out clues.

Reading others, 3S

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2025-01-24 02:36:36	Stan rolls 7 to Reading Strategy: Int + Emp (10 Again, WillPower)	6, 4, 5, 3, 8, 9, 8	3 successes

Small-talk helped to hide his thoughts and perhaps distract his opponents, so he continues.

Don't be read, 2S

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2025-01-24 02:39:41	Stan rolls 4 to Don't be Read (10 Again)	5, 9, 5, 8	2 successes

"As I was telling our friend, I also usually prefer small circles of friends over beer and snacks in a Lazy Sunday afternoon while our wives discuss books and movies and drink wine. We do play a few times per month and usually unwind about work or taxes or such, otherwise boring, talk. Having the cards in your hand helps. We have a house-rule in my group, that whomever wins the night is hosting the next time, paying for the pizzas, snacks etc. So it is all in good fun, really."

[Chambers]

So this was to be the last hand down two to one as he was but a whole new element to the proceeding in play the Moros settles down to his seat and cards gloved casting in some of his dwindled supply of chips. "There's a lot more skill to poker then the casual player is willing to admit." Is his response to the arrows jest about the bending of fate. Not that he was doing so it was merely a simple truth to cover the possibilities of anyone listening.

Read others 3 successes

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2025-01-24 16:03:20	Chambers rolls 5 to read others (10 Again)	1, 2, 10, 4, 10, 8, 3	3 successes

And he had a pretty good grasp of the situation for this hand both his opponents were giving away the small hints that made navigating the cards and chips just that bit easier. What really mattered now was keeping his cards close to chest , the composure those who walk the path of Doom are known to exude.

Don't be read 4 successes

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2025-01-24 16:07:48	Chambers rolls 7 to Don't be read manipulation 2 subterfuge 2 +wp (10 Again, WillPower)	8, 9, 4, 3, 1, 10, 5, 8	4 successes

"You might play for fun Stan, but you are not lacking the skill to play well." Finally having placed what had felt off about the man the friendly demeanour did nothing to actually deny he was skilled at poker, the front or persona itself was meant to be disarming genuine or not and that lead to assumptions that a player skilled as Stan could take advantage of.

Poker 11 successes

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2025-01-24 16:09:50	[06] Chambers rolls 6 to Poker Int+Composure-2+2 (10 Again)	4, 5, 5, 8, 7, 2	1 success
2025-01-24 16:09:50	[05] Chambers rolls 6 to Poker Int+Composure-2+2 (10 Again)	10, 3, 6, 8, 7, 7, 7	2 successes
2025-01-24 16:09:50	[04] Chambers rolls 6 to Poker Int+Composure-2+2 (10 Again)	5, 10, 2, 1, 4, 5, 5	1 success
2025-01-24 16:09:50	[03] Chambers rolls 6 to Poker Int+Composure-2+2 (10 Again)	3, 1, 6, 10, 1, 4, 4	1 success
2025-01-24 16:09:50	[02] Chambers rolls 6 to Poker Int+Composure-2+2 (10 Again)	3, 8, 7, 6, 9, 3	2 successes
2025-01-24 16:09:50	[01] Chambers rolls 6 to Poker Int+Composure-2+2 (10 Again)	5, 1, 9, 9, 8, 8	4 successes

He had maintained a decent standard of play from start to finish but that level had more often then not proved insufficient to best Stan and his happy attitude. Time to see where the cards fell for the last time.