Gamble Until You Can't

3

Emma followed Regina to the ground floor of the mansion, heading towards the back of the house. They soon arrived at a door marked Casino room. This is the gambling room in the house, where any gamble, bet, deal or settlement is held. Regina opened the door, revealing a large room with different gambling tables spread around. Men and women around the room were competing and practicing their own personal games.

"This is the Casino Room, everything happens in here" Regina announced, gesturing with her hand for the blonde to look around the grand room.

"It's pretty cool. So, who am I up against" Emma asked with a smirk, biting her lip at the brunette next to her.

"Over here" Regina simply replied, taking the lead once again to a table in the centre. This table was empty and stayed that way until an official match was being held, one like this one. "Being the one that challenged her, you must sit this side. She will be here shortly"

"I'm here now" Yun said, smiling sweetly as she approached the table.

"Right on time" Regina added with a chuckle, holding her arms out and pulling the other woman close to her.

"I'm against you" Emma asked, a little baffled the woman she met earlier was the woman she would play.

"Yes, Miss. Please, sit" Yun offered kindly, knowing the rules of this game means the challenger must sit first.

Emma looked across at the seat, then back to Regina. The brunette gave her a small wink and smirked as she used her hand to gesture to the seat. Emma sat down, allowing Yun to sit opposite and slip her thin glasses onto the bridge of her nose. She looked up at her challenger and smiled brightly, soon changing to look at Regina.

"Now your both here, we can begin. Since this is an official match, I'll be the host. The game is called Gèng gāo huò gèng dī" Regina explained, mostly to Emma because Yun already knew this.

"How do we play" Emma cut in quickly, looking confused as she never heard of the Chinese game.

"Gèng gāo huò gèng dī translates to higher or lower" Yun replied with a chuckle, sitting up more in her chair and adjusting her glasses higher. "The rules are simple. Regina, here, will deal us a card each. Judging by that card, you must place a bet, whether you think yours is higher or lower than mine. Whoever puts the most money in, wins the right to decide higher or lower" Yun explained, keeping her sweet smile as she once again adjusted her glasses.

"Sounds simple" Emma said with a curious face as she knew there had to be a trick to it.

"It is, Miss. You will play" Yun asked with a smile, gesturing across at the table in front.

"I've never turned down a gamble" Emma replied, smirking as she knew she'd figure this game out.

Regina smiled as she took a new pack of cards from her pocket, spreading them across the table facing up. She then scooped them with her hand and began shuffling the cards. Emma watched her careful, well she actually just watched the concentration on her face. Regina then placed the desk down and spread the cards out, the back facing up, between the two women.

"Emma, as the challenger, you may pick first" Regina said with a smirk as she locked her eyes on the blonde. Emma chuckle when she noticed, winking at the woman before picking up a single card. "Yun, your turn" Regina said, finally removing her eyes from Emma and moving them to the other woman. Yun picked a card up and held a stern poker face. "Now, place your bets"

"I'm aware this is your first match, Miss. We can start the bets off low if you'd like" Yun genuinely offered, knowing the blonde lost a lot to Regina.