Chapter 6 : Lucky Nine

(Note that this is a work of fiction, any names and events are all fictitious. Happy reading)

'Can I accumulate 100,000 Yen right now?'

I looked around the 1st floor. There must be some games that I could earn more. I want to see what is inside those V.I.P. rooms.

But I am unsuccessful. I couldn't find anything at the 1st floor that will help me earn 100,000 Yen.

'Should I go up? Things might be different up there. No, I should just ask Rikka-san"

-

"Ses-senpai! What brought you back here? Did you, perhaps, miss me already!?"

"Yeah, I was missing you so bad, I want to fondle your breasts"

I looked intently at her boobs to teased her for good.

"S-senpai! There are other students"

'You started this. You knew that I am a bit of a rascal. Should I tease her a bit more?'

"Why? You weren't embarassed earlier when I did it in front of those two second year"

She blushed and looked a bit angry and embarassed.

'I went too far'

"W-why would I let you f-f-fondle my breast!?"

Other students were looking at us. She didn't have to yell that. She will just embarrass herself more.

"I'm sorry, I was kidding"

"You don't look so sorry!"

"This is just how I always look"

I stretched my hand forward and made it look like I am trying to grab her.

"Senpai, what are you gonna do now!?"

She thought I was gonna grab her boobs, but I was just gonna pat her head.

I smiled a bit.

'Teasing her isn't so bad. But I'm guilty, acting like I am close to her'

"I was gonna ask you how I can earn that 100,000 Yen, fast"

'If that's what you're gonna ask, say it already! Stop making fun of my boobs!'

"If you're looking for a fast earn, you should go to section B. The games' prizes there will give you what you need"

'I see, so, I suppose this is section A'

"Thank you. So, what do you want in return? A date tomorrow or something?'

"Ehh!? No, no, no. Let's continue where we left off"

'She wants me to break her winning streak'

"Okay"

--

"Thanks for this 5000 Yen"

'I can't believe this, I lost 5 times to Senpai!

"You're too obvious. I could predict what you're gonna choose when I look at your eye. I know some psychology, by the way"

"R-really? Hmm... that explains it. Right, right"

She was nodding her head, repeatedly.

"Good thing, you didn't ask for a date. I won't be able to treat you, if you had ask for it"

'Come to think of it. When Ses-senpai showed me his name, he has no single penny except for my 500 that he got'

"I'll be going now. The day is short, I need to earn as much as I can"

Rikka-san smiled. That made me want to kiss her more. Her lips looks so soft.

"Good luck Ses-senpai!"

--

This building sure is spacious. To have two sections and V.I.P. rooms, it even have a bar. But, isn't that illegal? I mean, those students are still minor. Unlike in the Philippines, where teens drinks alcohol at the age of 15 to 18. Here in Japan, one should be at the age of 21 to be able to buy and drink alcohol.

I will use my luck and venture this Section B, using the little money I have.

-

Everything here at section B is different. From the games and the prizes and prices.

There's some students dancing for money.

A student approached me. Well, I looked like I was lost, revolving around the area.

"Hello, oh a Senpai. How rare! What brought you here?"

'Why is he talking to me? Is this one of their modus operandi? Luring the prey into the bait'

"Nothing, just looking around"

'I should not say that I am new here. Who knows what could horribly happen'

"Oh, I see, then, please have a look at our famous game here at section B. Our card game, the Lucky Nine!"

How to Play Lucky Nine

At the beginning of the game, the dealer prepares the cards by thoroughly shuffling them and, after the cards are cut by a player, places them inside the shoe.

Then, each player must place their bet in the betting area of the Lucky Nine table. When all bets are placed, the dealer, starting on the player to his right, distributes two cards face down to each player who placed a bet and to himself.

The players and the banker then get to peak at their respective hands. Hands that have a total of 9 are called "naturals." For example, a hand that has two of spades and seven of hearts has a total of nine; the hand is therefore called a natural.

If a player gets a natural (which is a lock or a two card that counts as 9), he should immediately show his hand to the dealer. The dealer then announces the total, and the hand is placed in front of the player. If the dealer does not have a natural, the player wins, and his bet is paid out. However, if the dealer also has a natural, it is considered a stand-off or a tie and the player gets his bet back.

If the dealer has a natural, and no other player has a natural, the dealer wins. The dealer then collects all of the players' bets and another betting round is started.

If neither the players nor the dealer draws a natural, they can either "stand" or make a "hit" (draw a third card). This is where strategy comes to play, and where the fun and excitement in Lucky Nine starts. Unlike Baccarat, Lucky Nine does not have strict rules for drawing a third card. It's entirely up to the players and the dealer whether they'll "hit" or "stand".

Bear in mind that a hand can become much less favorable after a "hit". For example, if your first two cards have a total of five and the third card you draw is the seven of diamonds, your hand total becomes 12. Since the hand exceeds nine, the value is adjusted by subtracting 10 from the total. Therefore, your hand value is reduced to two.

The player on the dealer's right gets to decide first whether he'll "stand" or "hit"; followed by the player to his right, and so on and so forth. Then when all the players have made their decision, it's the dealer's turn to choose whether he'll "stand" or "hit". The dealer then asks the players to reveal their hands and then shows his own hand.

The total of each of the players' hand is compared to the total of the dealer's hand. If the total of a player's hand is closer to nine than that of the dealer's, the player wins and his bet is paid out. However, if the dealer's hand is closer to nine than that of the player's, the dealer wins, and the dealer then collects the player's bet.

If a player and the dealer has the same hand total, it is considered a stand-off or a tie and the player gets his bet back.

After all bets are settled, another round is started.

After shuffling the cards. The banker draw two cards at the bottom of the deck and placed it on top of the deck. It was 9 of clubs and 4 of diamonds.

She, then, began giving the cards, one by one.

The other three were carefully looking at their cards, when the banker threw her cards. It shows that her count is 9, if you ever get a count of 9 out of two cards at the first draw, it is considered as lock, in other words the highest count. Three cards that counts as 9 can not beat a two cards. Only two cards can beat itself.

'She sure is skilled. Her hand is fast. That must be the reason why they are not suspicious of her'

She has a small piece of sandpaper on her index finger. She's using it as a marker, for her to find the cards she needs to get a higher counts.

She used the sandpaper and mark the top part of the cards, leaving a scratch. This type of trick would work if you're a veteran at this and can remember all of the cards you've marked.

'I shouldn't involve myself. They need to figure that out themselves or they'll lose a huge amount of money'

"Ugh! Another 9!"

"Geh! A 10"

"An 8, so close!"

"Who'll replace me? I'm done here"

"Can I play?"

I asked thoughtlessly. Why did I? It may be because of what she's doing. Tricking the others.

"Whoa! A Senpai! How rare! Senpai must be new. Have a seat"

She was right on the bat. If, if she ever agrees to how much I am betting, I promise I will beat her at her own game.

"I only have 5500 Yen and I want to play about 5 rounds? Is that okay, betting 1000 per round?"

Others will think think, 'what is this guy saying?'

'He only have 5500? That's pretty lame for a third year student'

'Ahh... why is he even here'

She's thinking if she should agree or not, but money is money. She accepted what I proposed and sat on.

She shuffled the deck three times and have me cut the cards. Cutting it into three equal size, she picked them up and took two cards on the bottom and place it on top of the cards, where the two cards were showing.

Ace of Spade and Eight of Diamonds.

She then, began distributing the cards in a clockwise manner. I am the third person who will receive the cards, after me is the banker.

In this game, cards are distributed one by one until you have a pair of cards. Hitting for another card is in order too, waiting for the first person to hit or say that he'll stand with his cards.

'Nine and Seven of Clubs'

Also, there is a rule they can imply, if they ever decided to add it. It is, the three of a kind rule. Three of a kind automatically counts as 9, but a two cards that counted as 9 can not be beat by a three of a kind.

(I kinda suck at explaining things)

The other two hits for another card. I was taking glances at the back of their cards. I could barely see the scratches used as a mark. Different types of scratches, to determine the count of the card.

'She knows our cards'

"How about you Senpai? Are you gonna hit or are you good?"

'He has 9 and 7. He'll good his card'

You say the word 'stand' if you don't want to hit for another card.

"I'll hit"

Her face shows that she's surprise.

'He's hitting!?'

She also scratched the front of the card. It is to know what card is next, even if she can not see it.

'And the next card is a three! My count is 8 and his count will be nine if I give him this card. Should I do it? Should I give him the other one? But he's looking!'

Before reaching out for the next card. The banker looked at one of the behind her. I guess, she's her classmate and her accomplice. The boy behind her nodded and she holds the bottom of the deck.

"Kouhai"

I called out to her. She was gonna pull another card from the bottom of the deck, but brought it back.

"You know, I am waiting for my hit, like for forever"

She forced a smile on her face.

"S-sorry Senpai, here"

I took the card and it is the 2 of Hearts. She stand and have us, shows our cards.

'Carefully remember the cards and their scratches'

Remembering things are the only thing I am good at.

The other two students had lost, me and the banker has the same count, a draw.

She began distributing the cards, again. Second round, the two students who has no idea of being tricked, placed their bets. 10,000 Yen and the other had lowered his, to 5,000 Yen. By the way, onlookers can also place their bet on who they think will win. As long as the banker could pay the bets placed.

Students are chattering to each others. Some of them had placed their bets on my cards. I reminded them firsthand that they will lose, and so, they dropped their bets. I also told them to bet when the cards are shuffled.

'10 of Hearts and Three of Diamonds. I'm in a pinch. I don't know what card I will get. All I can do is prevent her from changing the card we will hit'

"Stand"

"Stand"

"I'll hit"

So she gave me another card and I got another 10 of Diamonds.

As for her, if she hits for another card, of course, she didn't. She had her cards set, before the round could even begin.

The other one of the student managed to draw and the two of us have lost.

Round three, I have 4500 Yen left. I have already saw all of the scratches from the front and back of the cards numbering 1 to 10. The only thing left to do is, how can I prevent her from changing the card we will hit.

Before she could start the round, I deliberately hold her hand and the deck of cards, as I lean forward.

"Did someone tell you that you're very beautiful?"

I whispered it to her ears, she slightly blushed when she heard what I said.

The boy behind him tried to stop me but I just glared dagger at him. That made him stop, so I continued on.

"You'll be more beautiful, if..."

"If?"

She asked, eager to know what's next.

"If you will stop changing the cards we'll hit and stop cheating and tricking us. Let's play a fair game. You can keep on using your marked deck of cards and..."

'H-he knew all along!? Shit, this is bad! What if he expose us? We'll be banned here! And our source of income will be cut off'

"O-okay"

She replied. She seems to understand what I am trying to say.

She gave the cards and I received 5 of hearts and 3 of Spade.

The other two hits for another card and so she did.

The three of us won that round.

She shuffled the cards again for the cards will be short.

I waved at the guys behind me to placed their bets on me. They did, but the amount were not that considerable.

"I will be betting all of my 5500 Yen"

I am confident that I will win the next round and the other one and the other one after the other.

I got 3 of Clubs and 6 of Spades.

"A natural"

I said. An instant win, if her count will not be also 9.

The round goes on and she seemed to be somewhat anxious. It may be because of what I said.

We all three had won that round, again.

I now have 11000 Yen. I placed a 10,000 Yen as my bet.

'7 of Diamonds and 10 of Spades'

"Stand"

"I will hit"

"Stand"

The banker didn't hit for a card and have me show my card. She could still cheat if she wants, but that will be the last time. If I told them to the personnel they will be ban here. I also promised her for a date, my treat if she let me win. Good-looking faces come with great perks.

Her count was 6, so I won. The other two had lost.

The boy behind her lightly tapped her shoulders.

'What are you doing!? We are losing our precious money!'

'I'm doing everything I can!'

I am surprised, they can understand each other just by looking at each other.

The third round. Students from my back had earn a few thousand. I went all out, leaving the 1,000 Yen behind.

---

They stopped the game, the banker stopped it. I earned what I needed, a 100,000 Yen, in just one day. No ordinary student outside this school could earn 100,000 Yen in just a few hours.

The banker approached me, other students had moved to the other game spots.

"S-senpai, about your p-promise"

She's stuttering, she should not though.

"Which promise? The date? I should get your number first and I will email you the time and location"

"Th-that's another matter. It is about the other promise"

'I know'

"It's fine. I wasn't planning on telling them"

That was to put her at ease.

"R-really? Thank you Senpai. Here is my email address and number"

We exchanged email address and number. After that, lunch came in and I offer her to eat with me.

And with a bright smile on her face, she gladly accepted it.

~