Queen Of Damn

CHAPTER 26 (Instant Idol) Part 2

*Reina*

The air was a bit tight and suffocatingly heavy. I stared at the table in front of me for a long moment then to my side. I was seated together with Vonne, Grazie, Lilika and JT. While the audience stood a few feet away from us.

My eyes automatically searched for Archie and Benedict who were in the front seat in the front row for the spectator, joining them were Pola, Zelle and Eiza. Surrounded by JT's men.

Getting ready for the Texas Hold 'em match, I checked our opponents on the other side of the table. Slob gave a malicious sneer, while Butcher threw a flying kiss towards Lilika.

Lilika just ignored it, she had more sense than her cattiness but not for Grazie, she demonstrated it with two angry middle fingers in the air.

She just chided her and gave me a knowing look then made a sign, that she was chosen as the banker.

We settled into our seats and waited as the dealer and casino staff brought in the chips. When all was set, we started, explaining the mechanics and all the stuff, the dealer start the post, and as blinds, we just set our first bet then the card deck was shuffled and distributed each two-hole card, I peaked at my card, damn.

The first round bet followed and since I'm the big blind, I raised the bet to 200. I heard the people around us crow their amusement.

Considering me as the 'under the gun' to take the game heats on, first off. JT as known TAG or tight aggressive player said call, Vonne as the LAG or loose aggressive player said bet, folded but Grazie raised to 100 again.

The crowd already roistered with enthusiasm. Waiting for the other team's rebut. Slob said call, while Kaito and Butcher, betted, Lil Bunny folded, and Mellow, hesitantly called.

I tried to hide my smile. They bought my bluff. I actually have a pair of useless cards. 3 spade and 4 heart. Vonne knows when I'm doing this, and he couldn't help but snicker. JT remained passive but observed quite discreetly, from the other team and then back to us. Finally smiling when the pot money got high. Yeah, we played as a team before.

This intimidated our opponents, knowing our team was the only team in this place having the most consistent, precise and strongest tactical gameplay but also the longest-time grand champions in three consecutive years.

They were finally seeing their mistakes somehow to even cross us. We'd never been the grand slam champ in Poker Royale for nothing.

The battle is not just luck, but also gut feeling and test to the probability. Also, the courage to sit at this table with many spectators who can eat you whole if you're too nervous. I was a bit of a scaredy cat when my first time but with a lot of practice and some awful nights, I mastered the art of bluffing. I consider myself LAG but can also turn to TAG if necessary.

Experience is one advantage but also their abilities and their types, we all know them since we played in the same house before. And I know that they're already cooking something in their heads.

But anyway, we can easily anticipate that and can make an easy sweep, which will be much more fun.

In the second round, three community cards were dealt and the betting followed, Slob on the left checked, Kaito said bet again, Butcher said call, and Mellow folded. Vonne said bet, Grazie checked also, and JT said to call again while I, said bet.

Next, the third betting round or the turn, the fourth community card dealt face up to each of us and everyone. I got another 4 club. I couldn't get a bit more dismayed by my cards. Having no high cards at hand.

But we will see about that. I can still pull this off.

Again the rotation, from left, Slob said bet, Kaito checked, Butcher said call. Vonne said call, Grazie folded, and JT said call. Then, raised to 500.