Chapter 3: Dare it ALL

Gamblers don't just stop by and play card games, for some, they wanted to take it to the next level, to the extreme and I'm no exception to that. To make the game more interesting, they bet on more than just coins. They like to bet on something that they can collect in the real world like for instance, money, jewelry and gadgets. Sometimes, if the player is rich, he can bet his own car. But some extremist gamblers bet on something else, if the player finds his opponent attractive, he will ask her on a date as his prize. Others ask for a kiss, a hug and even worse, they ask for sex. Anything and everything is possible in a Gambler's world, the more risk the more challenging it gets the more they enjoyed it.

Everybody knows everybody, that is what my new friend TongITS told me, Matagal na kasi siyang naglalaro dito sa CASINO ROYALE kaya halos lahat ng players ay kilala niya. Nalibot na rin niya halos lahat ng mga rooms at nakilala na niya lahat ng mga batikang manlalaro sa bawat rooms.

Kahit ang impormasyon sa mga bagong manlalaro ay mabilis na kumalakat sa buong site. May tenga ang lupa, may pakpak ang balita ika nga. In short, hindi talaga mawawala ang mga chismoso at chismosa. Food is life but chismis is lifer lalo na sa mga walang lovelife!

Taon-taon, may ginaganap na palaro sa Casino Royale ang tawag nila dito ay "GRAND GAMBLER'S COMPETITION" o (GGC). This is where all players meet in a Casino and played the game in person. There is a different types of competition to choose from and the most famous one is the battle of the ROOMS. It is a game to determine which room reigns supreme. Pretty exciting huh? At dahil magkakaharap na rin sa wakas ang mga players sa event na ito, pagkakataon na rin ng bawat isa para kilalanin at makakuha ng kahit anong inpormasyon mula sa mga bigatin at mga kilalang mga manlalaro. Halos lahat kasi ng mga user name at impormasyon na ibinibigay ng bawat isa sa site ay hindi totoo. Kaya naman sinasamantala na nila na makuha ang tunay na datos kapag sila ay magkikita na.

I'm not only referring to age, real gender, location and relationship status of the players. But also their game statistic, the number of wins and losses. The ranking of each member in each group. They gather any information they can use in order to strengthen their strategy in the game. In addition to that, they can observe who are the real deal gamblers and who are the weakest player in the group.

Start of Group Chat Conversation:

TongITS: A week from now there will be a GGC. Are you coming?

LOLLIPOP: I'm not sure.

TongITS: Ghorl, you'll miss half of your life if you don't come to the GGC. Hindi ka ba naiintriga or curious man lang kung ano itsura namin sa personal? Don't you want to know who are the players behind their username?

LOLLIPOP: Medyo.

I suddenly realized that it will be my chance to see and meet Daredevil in person. I'm always curious to know what he looks like since his profile picture was the actual daredevil from the movie and not his face.

LOLLIPOP: Are there any requirements in order to join the event?

TongITS: Just bring lots of money. We will be playing a real game. One more thing, make sure you're not a minor. It's a real casino and minors were not allowed to enter. Bring a valid ID for assurance.

End of Group Chat Conversation:

Come to think of it the majority of the players are not just playing for coins but for money too since they are preparing and saving money for the upcoming GGC.

One hour later...

While busy enjoying a friendly game with TongITS, one by one member enters the room along with Daredevil. Ever since he defeated Joker from their last game, he became less of a talker. He only comes here to hang out and play games.

Joker is one of the pioneers in Monkey Room and is considered as one of the closest friends of Daredevil. But because of their disagreements, they fight for the number position. And since Joker lost the battle, as part of the condition, he was stripped off of his rank and was forced to leave the room.

I really wanted to talk to Daredevil, but after what he told me last time, I hesitated. I just don't want to be lectured again. To be honest, it hurts to know that I meant nothing to him.

After a few minutes, a player arrived and sent me an invitation. It was posted publicly.

"I hereby challenge LOLLIPOP to a Game. If ever I win the Game she will become my date at the GGC Party! From: ACEofSPADE of TIGER ROOM"

Everybody starts teasing me, they say that it's not a challenge, just an invitation to date. Ang haba ng hair ko. Iba na ang maganda may nagyayaya! Feel na feel ko ang moment, kunwari wala lang iyong sa akin, pero deep inside kinikilig ako. Everybody starts laughing except for one...

Start of Group Chat Conversation:

DareDevil: ACEofSPADE is an asshole don't fall for his trap!

LOLLIPOP: Jealous much?

DareDevil: Hell no! I just wanted to warn you as a member of this room. He is one of the high rollers and one of the top players in their room. There's no way you will win against him.

LOLLIPOP: Oh really? How insulting, you think I'm weak and will bring shame to the team if I lost? You only think of everything that will benefit you! You're not concerned, you're just afraid that if I lose, I will drag down with me the name of the room including you as a leader. Well, I'm going to accept the challenge!

End of Group Chat Conversation:

He never cares for me, so why should I listen to him? I can still remember him saying it was not about me, he's playing for the reason that he enjoys the challenge because he's a compulsive gambler and not because he cares for his members. If I lose, so what? It's just a date. I don't fucking care whether he gets pissed. Talent ko 'ata ang katigasan ng ulo ko na kahit ilang beses mo iumpog sa pader, ang pader ang madudurog.

Private Message Conversation:

TongITS: Ghorl, did you know that ACEofSPADE is the rival of DareDevil? They hate each other's guts and Daredevil will be very pissed if anyone from this room will lose against Ace. Do yourself a favor and don't go. I'm not trying to discourage you, but there is something about that room. I'm not saying that they are cheating or anything. Lahat kasi ng dumadayo doon natatalo at laging pabor sa kanila ang laro. Hindi ito chismis kaya makinig ka naman sa akin, friend.

I did not reply to his private message. Instead, I left the Monkey Room and went to the Tiger Room where ACEofSPADE is waiting for me and accepts his challenge. I honestly don't have any idea what type of game we are about to play. I never really want to accept the challenge. I just felt humiliated when Daredevil shows no concern to me and all I really want is for him to notice me.

Hindi naman ako ganito talaga, pero ewan ko ba pag dating sa kaniya ang bilis magbago ng mood ko. Gusto ko na lagi ko siya nakikita at nakakausap pero kapag andiyan na siya, nauuwi lagi sa away ang lahat. Ang manhid kasi niya. Parang wala siyang emosyon at pakiramdam. Alam ko naman na wala akong laban kay AceofSpade, pero bakit ba ako umaasa na dadating siya para sagipin ako? Lalo ko lang inilalagay ang sarili ko sa alanganin at peligro para lang mapansin ng taong gusto ko. Feeling ko naman damsel in distress ako na may prince charming na dadating. Char asa ka pa!

The Tiger Room is bigger than the Monkey room and it can accommodate three times the number of our players. This is the benefit of winning the GGC Room Battle. They are last year's champion and their room has been upgraded.

Upon entering the Tiger Room, I felt uneasy and nervous not to mention the huge number of players that will be watching our fight. Our members arrived not to support me, but to witness my defeat. It's like they already knew the result even before we start.

The game is super easy. It's the best of three. We just have to roll a dice and whoever gets the highest score wins. Plain and simple. But the tricky part is after you roll the dice you have to decide whether you want to roll again for another try. For instance, you roll 4 and decided to roll again and got a 5, then your final score is 3. The highest is number you can get is 6, that is why you have to deduct the total score from 4 plus 5 equals 9, deduct from 6, then get the result of 3.

Inisip ko sana na paunahin siya na tumira para malaman ko kung ano ang numero na makukuha niya, sa gayun ay mapagpasiya ako kung ilang beses ako titira para matalo siya. Kaso hindi ganoon ang nangyari.

In order to decide who will play first, we both need to roll a dice and whoever gets the highest score decides who will go first. Unfortunately, I got the lowest score and AceofSpade decided that I should go first.

First Rounds starts...

LOLLIPOP: Roll dice... 4 Total: 4

ACEofSPADE: Roll dice... 3 Roll again... 4 Total: 1

First-round goes to LOLLIPOP!

Since I won the first round, I get to choose who will play the second round and I choose him to play first.

Second Round starts...

ACEofSPADE: Roll dice... 6 Total: 6

LOLLIPOP: Roll dice... 1 Roll again... 1 Total: 2

Second-round goes to ACEofSPADE!

Third Round starts...

LOLLIPOP: Roll dice... 3 Roll again... 6 Total: 3

ACEofSPADE: Roll dice... 6 Total: 6

Third Round goes to ACEofSPADE!

ACEofSPADE Wins!

Start of Group Chat Conversation:

ACEofSPADE: Guess I'll be seeing you in the GGC. Give me your address, so I can send you the dress you will be wearing on our date! I want my date to look amazing!

LOLLIPOP: Not a chance! I will be your date as part of the deal, but I'm going to wear whatever I want.

End of Group Chat Conversation:

Without a proper goodbye, I left the Tiger Room and return to the Monkey Room. Everybody was waiting for me and as expected they are all disappointed in the result of the game.

Start of Private Message Conversation:

DareDevil: You stupid, stupid, stupid girl!!! I told you not to go!! You are so stubborn you never listen to me!!

LOLLIPOP: It's just a date. One date, not a big deal.

DareDevil: Just a date? You don't know ACEofSPADE, he will not settle for just a date. Don't you even care what will happen to you?

LOLLIPOP: As if you care!

End of Private Message Conversation:

"Please don't act as if you care, I don't want to get confused again of whether you are being concerned or just you just hate losing to ACEofSPADE" I said to myself.

I left the Monkey Room to avoid more arguments with DareDevil, every time he lectured me I felt a bit of concern from him whether it is sincere or not. I fall more and more for him and I really don't like this feeling that I have. I'm just not ready to gamble my heart...