Chapter 1158: Unforeseen Event at the Gambling Table
Translator: Exodus Tales Editor: Exodus Tales
While Yang Ming was talking to Park Zhenan, he had already used his special ability to read the cards in the dealer’s hands. If the cards were dealt to Park Zhenan in order, Park Zhenan would get three Kings, and he would get a flush which was only weaker to a royal flush and four of a kind.
Park Zhenan naturally didn’t have Yang Ming’s power. When he noticed Yang Ming was so disdainful, he suddenly became angry and snorted, saying, “Just deal!”
Yang Ming didn’t think that Park Zhenan could memorize the order of the dealer’s shuffling in such a short time. On TV shows, the eyesight and memory of many G.o.ds of Gamblers as well as Saint of Gamblers [1] had reached a superb level. After they checked the cards, they could remember the position of the playing cards according to the order of the dealer’s shuffling. It sounded a bit ridiculous, but it did happen on TV.
However, since it was incredible, it meant that such a person was almost non-existent in reality. The dealer’s hand speed was very fast. When shuffling, he would cover some cards with his hands, so someone couldn’t remember the order of the cards.
Even if one could remember it, it wouldn’t be so accurate. This wasn’t magic; this was the reality.
Therefore, Park Zhenan did not show any concern at all when Yang Ming suggested dealing to Park Zhenan first.
In fact, for these so-called gambling masters, most of them had a good mentality which meant they were better at bluffing! If your surface acting is appropriate, even if you don’t have any good cards in your hands, when you have a stronger vibe, it will also burden the other’s heart and make the other person hesitate. Sometimes, when you get a good card, you can also deliberately show weakness to achieve the purpose of confusing others.
Therefore, this kind of pretense is also very important, and it is also the most common move in gambling.
Another point is that the real gambling masters are more adept at observing. This observation refers not only in studying the opponent’s playing cards or the dealer’s movements but watching the opponent’s expression and some detailed gestures. That is the so-called reading people’s expressions!
A person’s expression can be disguised, but some inadvertent actions can’t be concealed. These are subconscious. For example, in the movies, many people win against others because they can perceive some of the other’s subconscious little moves and capture the other’s mental state.
So, that means if you cover up well and are good at reading expressions, then you can be called a master of gambling. And those counting cards and memorizing cards can only be considered as auxiliary because no one can really calculate the cards with certainty. If you rely too much on this, you will screw up instead.
However, Yang Ming was not such a master of gambling. He didn’t have to count cards; he was a relatively different existence that puzzled people.
Although Park Zhenan couldn’t completely remember the cards after shuffling, he still carefully looked at the dealer’s movements and wanted to remember something. However, he knew in his heart that he could not actually memorize anything.
Therefore, while observing the dealer, Park Zhenan was also observing Yang Ming. But he saw Yang Ming showing a tired look. He just leaned on the chair leisurely. His eyes didn’t even look at the dealer, nor at Park Zhenan’s body, but he was looking at the ceiling and casino surroundings.
Park Zhenan frowned. Yang Ming’s laziness didn’t make him feel relieved. On the contrary, he felt a little uneasy. He had also seen the video of Yang Ming’s gambling. If Yang Ming was really an amateur, then he didn’t have to care.
But Yang Ming wasn’t. Park Zhenan was very puzzled where Yang Ming’s self-confidence came from. He neither memorized the cards nor read expressions. He was completely indifferent to all these.
What is wrong with this guy? Park Zhenan dared not act rashly, knowing that this mission was critical.
After the cards were dealt, there was no accident. It was the same as what Yang Ming saw.
“One chip.” Park Zhenan threw a chip as a probe because he didn’t know what Yang Ming’s cards were, so his first move was mostly probing.
“Oh, one chip. Then I’ll raise forty-nine chips.” Yang Ming said lazily and threw all the chips on the table because he had a chance of winning, so he didn’t care about it at all.
“…” Park Zhenan’s mouth twitched twice. He really didn’t understand if Yang Ming were really a G.o.d of Gamblers or a super dumb*ss. However, Park Zhenan hadn’t heard of winning the game in the first round, so he could only fold his cards reluctantly. “Pa.s.s!”
Once the playing cards were used once, they would be discarded and destroyed, so they wouldn’t be used for a second time. The dealer once again took out a pack of new cards, unpacked, inspected, shuffled, and checked the cards according to the previous procedure. Yang Ming was still indifferent to it; he didn’t even look at the dealer and Park Zhenan. This made Park Zhenan doubt in his heart.* Is this kid being pretentious with me? Is he bluffing me?*
Because bluffing is the usual move in gambling, Park Zhenan often used it too, but it wasn’t like Yang Ming’s indifference. Could it be Yang Ming’s own unique trick?
The cards were shuffled, and the dealer was ready to deal. Yang Ming looked at the playing cards again. This time, the player who got the first deal could get two Queens, and the player who got the second deal would get c.r.a.ppy cards. It had nothing.
However, looking at the playing cards, the two were evenly matched. The first two sets of Queens were slightly weaker than the other because the Queen was the bottom card.
The dealer was about to deal, but Yang Ming said, “Wait; just now you dealt to him first. Now it should be my turn, right?”
“Hmph!” Park Zhenan snorted. He felt that Yang Ming was deliberately mystifying, so he said coldly, “As you wish.”
The dealer started to deal, the first card was given to Yang Ming. After three cards, they started betting. Park Zhenan had an Ace on the board, so he called first, “One chip!”
Park Zhenan was still testing the waters. He still could not figure out Yang Ming’s tactics clearly, so he dared not to act rashly.
“I’ll follow with a chip.” Yang Ming didn’t make a full bet this time, because their cards weren’t very good. If he went all in, Park Zhenan would be suspicious, and Yang Ming was also planning to fool with him. He didn’t want Park Zhenan to be directly scared.
Park Zhenan’s mouth slightly smiled. He felt that he discovered Yang Ming’s weakness. Yang Ming looks slouchy on the surface, but actually, he is acting!
In the previous game, Yang Ming’s playing cards still looked nice, so he could show his hand to bluff people. But Yang Ming’s playing cards didn’t look good at all; it was messy with all small cards, so he didn’t dare to show his hand.
Thinking of this, Park Zhenan was slightly proud of it.
The fourth card was dealt. Park Zhenan got a Queen; Yang Ming got a Queen too. Park Zhenan’s Ace was still the biggest, so it was his bet.
“Ten chips!” When Park Zhenan saw that Yang Ming showed weakness, he also decided to bluff Yang Ming once to see Yang Ming’s reaction.
Sure enough, seeing Park Zhenan’s bet, Yang Ming’s face changed slightly, but he had hidden it well! However, this moment was caught by the eyes of Park Zhenan.
After all, Yang Ming wasn’t a professional gambler, so he couldn’t control his emotions as well as a professional gambler. The change in emotion in that split second was because he saw that Park Zhenan actually bet ten chips. He felt a little funny. This guy can’t seem to stand it anymore.
“Ten chips, then I’ll raise forty chips.” Yang Ming was too lazy to waste time with him. He pushed all the chips out again.
“…” Park Zhenan’s breathing was once again stopped. What is Yang Ming’s tactic? Is it because I have angered him with ten chips, so he is ready to try his luck?
Should I call? Park Zhenan also began to hesitate. Originally, he thought he figured out Yang Ming’s tactics, but he didn’t expect this guy to change his tactics again. This made Park Zhenan very depressed.
“I don’t follow!” Park Zhenan hesitated again and again, and he folded his cards eventually because he wasn’t sure whether he could win against Yang Ming.
Yang Ming won eleven chips again. Including the previous win, he already had sixty-two chips.
The third game started. Yang Ming still didn’t look at the dealer’s shuffle, and he didn’t pay attention to Park Zhenan’s expression. This made Park Zhenan want to vomit blood.
Yang Ming still looked at the cards and found that the first hand was better than the second hand. According to the previous dealing rules, this time it was Park Zhenan’s turn to be dealt first. However, Yang Ming didn’t interfere. He could just not call.
This time, Park Zhenan’s bottom card was an Ace, and his third card was also an Ace. Park Zhenan was delighted abruptly, but his face didn’t give away his emotions.
And Yang Ming’s cards were a Queen and a King, which was not too big or small.
“One chip.” Park Zhenan threw out a chip to test the waters.
“Ai, if I show my hand now, you will definitely not call. It’s really not fun to play with you.” Yang Ming shook his head and folded his cards.
When Park Zhenan saw Yang Ming’s movement, he was extremely furious! It wasn’t easy for him to get such good cards, but he didn’t expect this guy actually to fold! Could it be that he can count and know that I have good cards?
However, since Yang Ming did not follow, he could only fold his cards, disappointed. I didn’t call twice, and Yang Ming only did that once, so it was nothing.
The fourth game started. Yang Ming was still the same, but this time he predicted the playing cards. Park Zhenan’s cards were a straight, and his cards were a flush.
“One chip!” Park Zhenan found that he spoke first every time, and his own cards looked good! His bottom card was an Ace, the playing cards were Queen and Jack. If possible, it might be a straight!
Looking at Yang Ming’s playing cards, they weren’t that nice. A three, a nine, an eight; typically bad cards.
“I follow with a chip.” Yang Ming faintly threw a chip.
The cards were dealt. Park Zhenan actually realized his card was a King, and he was suddenly overjoyed. He quickly threw out ten chips. “Ten chips!”
“If I raise, you definitely won’t call. It’s so boring…” Yang Ming said slowly…
“How do you know I won’t call!?” Park Zhenan was shocked and said subconsciously. He was going mad being fooled by Yang Ming. He had never seen someone play like this. It’s just too f*cked up!
As soon as Park Zhenan said this, he regretted it! Doesn’t this mean that my cards are very good? Wouldn’t Yang Ming be less likely to call? Park Zhenan scolded himself for being a r.e.t.a.r.d. He was already South Korea’s King of Gamblers. Why was his psychological quality so bad?!
In fact, Park Zhenan’s usual psychological quality was still very good, but today, he was fl.u.s.tered being fooled by Yang Ming. Therefore, he got furious subconsciously.
“You call then!” Yang Ming lazily took back the hand that he was about to fold and said, “Okay, then I call, all in!”
After Yang Ming finished, he pushed all his chips out.
“I don’t have that much.” Park Zhenan hesitated and said.
“It’s okay. Just bet however much you have. I don’t care.” Yang Ming pointed to the chips in front of Park Zhenan.
“That’s great. I’ll go all in!” As Park Zhenan said, he also pushed all his chips out.
“Okay, let’s deal. This game will determine the winner and loser and save me some trouble.” Yang Ming nodded, indicating the dealer to continue to deal.
The dealer continued to deal. Park Zhenan excitedly widened his eyes. A straight! My cards are actually a straight! These are a once-in-a-lifetime big cards!
Alice was very surprised. Yang Ming’s gambling method was really unique and ingenious. She had never seen someone play like this. He either doesn’t call, or he goes all in. It’s not logical at all. Just like a child trying to earn back his face.
After seeing Park Zhenan’s playing cards were a straight, Yang Ming’s expression was still indifferent. Alice was a little baffled. Is he just brus.h.i.+ng me off saying that winning or losing has nothing to do with him?
It should be the case. I only promised him that if he wins, I will reward myself to him, but what if he loses it? It seems that there is no corresponding disciplinary measure, right?
Park Zhenan thought that Yang Ming would show a surprised or scared expression when he saw him getting a straight, but he didn’t expect Yang Ming to be still indifferent!
Why is he so irritating? Park Zhenan was really angry. “Hey, are you being serious with me?”
“I have been very serious. Don’t you see it?” Yang Ming widened his eyes and looked at Park Zhenan with an inconceivable gaze, meaning “Are you an idiot?”
“…” Park Zhenan was speechless. Is this serious? Why do you seem to be brus.h.i.+ng me off? He couldn’t help but question, “Are you looking down on me?”
“I didn’t say it. You said it yourself.” Yang Ming shrugged. “Actually, I can win against you at any time.”
“You…” Park Zhenan was furious, and he snorted. “Well, it’s useless to say that. You show your cards!”
“Well, let’s open the cards together!” Yang Ming reached for his bottom card, then said, “The G.o.d of Gamblers of this century is born, and it’s time to witness the miracle…”
Yang Ming saw the Spring Festival Gala during the Chinese New Year. There was a very arrogant magician who liked to say this sentence, so Yang Ming was now borrowing the term.
Park Zhenan couldn’t refrain himself from swearing, but he still held it back. He turned his bottom card over. It was an Ace, so it became a straight with 10 J Q K A. It was considered a big hand.
The people present couldn’t help but make an exclamation. Alice widened her eyes. With such playing cards, he is still acting cool?
Yang Ming’s bottom card was unveiled. It was a flush, just slightly bigger than a straight. Although the cards were messy, all of them were in the same suit!
Park Zhenan was completely stunned this time. No way? How can that be?
“I said that I can win against you every time.” Yang Ming took back the lazy expression before and put on a mysterious expression. “In fact, I’m like this. I use the previous expression when gambling, just like King of Gamblers, Gao Jing, ate chocolate whenever he gambled to confuse your sight.”
“You are swindling!” Park Zhenan suddenly took out a black pistol from his pocket and pointed it at Yang Ming. “You are cheating; I am not satisfied!”
The sudden change made the dealer and the onlookers present stunned, and Alice’s eyes also showed a frightened expression. However, the bodyguards around Alice had all took out their guns, aiming at Park Zhenan!
However, what made Park Zhenan surprised was that his gun wasn’t pointing at Yang Ming. Yang Ming had vanished; there was no one in front of him! While he was astounded, his pistol was gone too. He discovered surprisingly that Yang Ming was standing beside him, pointing the gun at his head. “Want to kill me?”
Yang Ming had long been suspicious of this Park Zhenan. From the beginning of his reaction to the present, Yang Ming had paid attention to his movements, so Yang Ming also moved while he drew his gun!
Beforehand, when Park Zhenan wanted to bet his own life, it had already raised Yang Ming’s suspicion. It was just a practice match. He and Yang Ming didn’t have any deep hatred.* Isn’t it a joke to bet our lives?*
If he said that he was used to betting his life, then it was reasonable. Why didn’t he bet his life when he gambled with Alice? And, if he bet his life for every game, he wouldn’t be living until now. He really thought he could always win?
Yang Ming didn’t think he had never lost since he debuted. He was only ranked second in the Asian King of Gamblers which meant there was a stronger gambler than him. Then he would have died already.
Therefore, his gambling had already made Yang Ming have some vigilance. Although Yang Ming was putting up a very lazy look, he actually observed every movement of this guy all the time. When he was taking out the gun, Yang Ming saw the gun in his pocket, so Yang Ming made a preemptive strike and took his pistol.
For an a.s.sa.s.sin like Yang Ming, the completion of this series of actions was simply child’s play. There was no technical skill involved; it was pretty simple.
Alice pursed her lips and gave an eye signal to the bodyguard beside her.
“Pang…” A gunshot; Park Zhenan fell in a pool of blood.
“Who shot him?” Yang Ming frowned and asked unhappily.