We Double Down

The game picked up again, the usual chaos of Poker Night in full swing. Chips clacked, roasts flew across the table, and everyone was in their element (except Sai, who was getting absolutely cooked). A few rounds later, I’d finally get to test Kaze’s triggers. We reached a big hand where Sai, Michael, and Valerie had all folded. It was just me and Kaze left.

That’s when Max’s voice suddenly popped into my head, sounding groggy.

Yo, my bad I was asleep. What’d I miss? You at that poker thing?

Dude, do you even need to sleep?

Need to and want to are two very different things. Anyway, here’s some help.

Before I could even reply, a weird overlay appeared in my vision — Max feeding me everyone’s hole cards in real time. I nearly choked on my Coke Zero.

Holy shit, Max. You can do that?

Cosmic entity, remember? Small perks. Like cheating at poker.

I grinned internally. This changed everything. I already had surefire wins against Kaze whenever I wanted, but now I had much greater control over the table.

This hand, I had a Nine and Ten of spades, chasing a Queen-high straight, and I needed a Jack. Using Max’s overlaid vision, I saw that Kaze had two hearts and was clearly fishing for a flush. She raised with a smirk, trying to scare me off with an aggressive bet. But then Max’s overlay also provided the next card on the river - Jack of clubs.

I win. Perfect.

“Yo, Kaze. Let’s make this interesting. If I win, give me 100 bucks.”

Kaze wasn’t stupid enough to give away 100 bucks during a game - usually. The difference was today she had been programmed to accept any bet I’d give to her. She smirked and said, “You’re on.” The other thee whooped in excitement - it was the biggest bet of the night so far.

The last card came down — Jack of clubs, exactly as Max’s vision had promised. Kaze’s face fell. She checked. I checked right behind her.

“Straight,” I said, flipping my cards.

“Fuck. Guess I gotta deliver, huh?” Kaze muttered, showing her missed flush draw. I raked in the pot while she gave me a look of grudging respect - and 100 bucks from her wallet.

After a few more rounds, I started to realise that manipulating the table into getting into ideal conditions for me to use my power was more difficult than I’d imagine. I could see everyone’s cards, but I couldn’t control their actions (yet). Getting me and Kaze to face off alone again was going to be hard without the right cards. Then I realised something. Bets between two people don’t always have to involve actions made by both parties. I could make a bet on Sai and Michael and she’d still take it.

The hand we were on when I realised this was an interesting one. I folded early, then Michael tried to bluff and took out Sai. Then his bluff failed and now Kaze and Valerie were the only ones left. I saw the river - Two of hearts, Nine of clubs, Ace of diamonds, King of diamonds, and Four of clubs. Then, using Max’s vision, I peeked at the two girls’ cards. Kaze had pocket Kings, while Valerie only had an Ace of spades and a Two of clubs. Between a three of a kind and a two pair, Kaze was on track to winning.

But if I made a bet on Valerie winning and she was programmed to lose… she’d just fold, even though only pocket Aces could beat her pocket Kings. And I could get whatever prize I wanted.

Perfect.

I thought about it, then leaned over toward Kaze while Sai and Michael were distracted chatting on who was gonna win (and somebody was complaining about their toilet’s cleanliness).

“Hey, can’t tell anyone… but if you lose this hand, you show me your boobs outside later. Deal?”

Kaze’s cheeks flushed bright red and her smirk disappeared momentarily. She looked flustered, but thanks to the earlier programming, she simply swallowed and nodded. “Deal.”

“What’d you tell her, dumbass? That my cards are too good?” Valerie grinned from the other side of the table.

Kaze grinned back. “You bluffing, bitch? I can tell when you’re bluffing.”

“Bluff this.” Valerie raised another 100 chips.

They stared at each other for a few more seconds before Kaze sighed and folded. Valerie gleefully collected all the chips on the table.

I leaned in again as the next hand started. “Alley outside after we wrap up. Don’t forget.”

“A bet’s a bet, I guess.” Kaze muttered back.

We played a few more rounds after that. Chips flew back and forth. Everyone got a nice pot off Michael’s bluff tactics and Sai’s shit cards. I played conservatively, not wanting to push my luck too hard with Max’s help.

Then came the final round. Sai went all in on a big bluff. Michael, the lucky bastard, actually had it this time and called him down. Sai lost the last of his chips and threw his hands up.

“Alright, I’m done. Getting wrecked tonight. Let’s call it.”

Everyone started packing up, yawning and stretching. I said goodbye to Valerie with our usual handshake and banter.

“Try not to suck tomorrow in ranked,” I teased.

She shoved my shoulder. “You’re the one who needs to git gud. Night, Ward.”

We all split up outside. Sai headed back in, Michael and Valerie went one way, Kaze and I casually went the other until the group separated.

I slipped into the dark alley behind Sai’s house, heart pounding with anticipation.

Kaze was already there, waiting in the shadows, arms crossed under her impressive chest. She looked nervous, but not nervous enough to stop.

“I’m here,” she said quietly, voice a little shaky. “For the… forfeit.”

I stepped closer, a hungry grin spreading across my face. To everyone else, the night was finished. But for me and Kaze, this night was far from over.