Linda keeps the fours

Linda grabbed the two and the clubs and handed them to Tom. Tom laid them next to the cards he had discarded. He turned his attention to the younger girl. Cindy faced her cards for all to see. JOKER. Nine of Diamonds. Ace of Hearts. Queen-four of Clubs.

“The joker gives you a pair of Aces.” Tom pointed out, “For strip poker, I would keep just the Ace and Joker. In a regular game of poker, I would consider keeping the Queen as well for a possible straight.” Cindy looked at Tom. She looked at Linda and then her cards. She hesitated a moment before grabbing the nine and clubs. Tom took them from the brunette and tossed them on the discard pile.

Tom picked up the deck once more. Unlike the first round where he rotated between the players, Tom dealt all the cards to one player at a time. He also dealt them face up.

“Two pair,” Tom called out as the Eight of Clubs, Eight of Spades, and Ten of Spades joined the two fours in front of Linda.

“Pair of Aces.” Tom called out as the Eight of Hearts, Three of Spades and the Ten of Diamonds were revealed. Finally he flipped over three cards for himself. Ten of hearts. Ace of Clubs. King of Spades.

“Three Kings.” Tom announced, “Looks like you lose this hand Cindy…And a piece of clothing.” There wasn’t the slightest bit of eagerness in his voice. Both he and Linda looked over to see what she would take off.