It was my turn again, and I didn't play coy. I simply tossed another 30 yuan into the pot.
When you're dealt a strong hand in Golden Flower, many players still feign weakness, right?
Hesitation, indecision, pretense, complaints…
Honestly, there's no need for all that. The dynamics of the card table are constantly shifting, a blend of truth and deception, reality and illusion.
Whether you act or not, it doesn't affect anyone.
Because, those who are meant to bet, will bet!
Take the bald middle-aged man sitting to my left. Although he's the type to go with the flow, after losing a significant amount of money, he'd clearly stopped caring about anyone else.
Mirroring my actions precisely, without any hesitation, the bald man also tossed 30 yuan to stay in the game.
Brother Shi, however, continued to play his cards face down, as did the short-haired young man.
Another round passed, and we were on the third.
When I once again bet 30 yuan without a second thought, the bald middle-aged man to my left finally sensed something was amiss.
He carefully smoothed down the few strands of hair on his head, arranging them in a circle, and then chuckled at me, "Brother, let's compare hands, shall we?"
For those familiar with "Zha Jin Hua" (Golden Flower), comparing hands is a common practice.
In an ongoing hand, if no one has looked at their cards and placed a bet, you can keep your cards face down for as many rounds as you like.
However, once two or more players have revealed their cards and bet, and you continue to play face down, by the fourth round, those who have revealed their cards must automatically compare hands. It doesn't matter who initiates the comparison.
This comparison happens round by round until only one player who has revealed their cards remains.
This rule serves two purposes: firstly, to prevent players who have lost heavily from deliberately playing face down to drag others down with them.
Secondly, it prevents collusion between players who have revealed their cards and those who are playing face down, thereby avoiding a rigged game.
Don't underestimate those 30 yuan bets. If you're dragged into such a situation for ten or eight rounds, and then end up losing, I can guarantee… most people will lose their temper.
This is how small losses lead to bigger ones.
…
Although he proposed a hand comparison, the bald middle-aged man didn't place any more money.
Seeing this, I simply smiled and said, "Sure! Let's compare. Just throw in your money!"
Upon hearing my words, the bald middle-aged man's expression immediately changed. His eyes fixed on my cards, staring intently, as if he could see right through them.
By this point, if he still didn't realize that my cards were definitely better than his, he would truly be a fool.
After a long period of hesitation, until another lock of hair slid down from his slicked-back scalp, the bald middle-aged man finally uttered with frustration, "No more comparing! I fold."
He blew away the strand of "hair" that was obstructing his view, shot me an annoyed glare, and lit a soft blue Huanghelou cigarette.
In response, I offered him a smile and a pack of Red Nanjing cigarettes.
After the bald middle-aged man folded, I was the only one playing with my cards face up, against two players with their cards face down.
After another three rounds of playing face down, Brother Shi felt it was time. He looked at his cards.
The moment he clearly saw all three of his cards, I detected a fleeting glint of excitement and sheer delight in his eyes.
After examining his hand, Brother Shi immediately began his act.
At this moment, Brother Shi's face was a canvas of emotions, and his inner performance was undoubtedly dramatic!
He scratched his head, smacked his lips, lit a cigarette, took a deep drag, hesitated for a good while, and then reluctantly matched the 30 yuan bet.
I must admit, gamblers like Brother Shi, who wear their emotions on their sleeves, are truly beacons and blessings for us card sharps.
I had expected that Brother Shi's clumsy performance would be immediately seen through by the short-haired young man, who would then also reveal his cards and bet, leading to an ultimate showdown – a battle of three kingdoms.
But to my surprise, Brother Shi's amateur acting managed to fool the short-haired young man!
Seeing Brother Shi's hesitant demeanor, as if convinced his cards weren't strong, the short-haired young man, without a second thought, tossed in 15 yuan and continued to play face down!
This scene left me completely stunned, my inner composure shattered.
"Damn it! You stupid idiot, you're a troublemaker, a useless lump! You really deserve to lose your money!"
After venting my frustration internally, I knew that a hand that should have been perfect – a combination of favorable timing, position, and cooperation – was about to be ruined by the short-haired young man's decision to play face down.
At this point, before any card exchanges, I was left with two options.
One: strategically concede. Bet until the fourth round, then forfeit without exchanging cards, allowing Brother Shi to win.
(P.S.: For those nitpickers who might ask why I didn't just fold immediately and save 90 yuan, I'd say, can you guarantee no one will impulsively flip their cards? Really!)
Two: Double down and push through. Continue betting, and during the fourth round, force a comparison, exchange cards, and beat Brother Shi. Win as much as possible.
After a moment's consideration, I decided to go with the first option.
However, just as I had matched the bets for two symbolic rounds, and was preparing to throw money and compare hands when the short-haired young man made his third face-down bet…
For some unknown reason, he… actually looked at his cards!!!
A twist of fate, a new horizon!
This short-haired young man… he truly is a unique talent!
After examining his cards, the short-haired young man thought for less than three seconds before decisively choosing to bet and stay in the game.
And so, with all three players now playing with their cards face up, we were all betting 30 yuan each.
After a back-and-forth of betting for about ten rounds, the short-haired young man was the first to hesitate.
Although he had lost a lot, it didn't mean he was completely lost or foolish. He still possessed basic analytical and judgment skills.
It was at this moment that something unexpected happened.
The short-haired young man turned directly to Brother Shi and asked, "Brother Shi, shall we compare hands?"
Without a hint of hesitation, Brother Shi shook his head and replied, "No!"
Upon hearing this, the short-haired young man fell silent. He then smiled, tossed in another 30 yuan, and continued to bet.
Seeing this, I immediately understood: this was a two-against-one setup!
No wonder I felt something was off when I was arguing with Zhang Wei earlier. It turns out he and Brother Shi were in cahoots.
I wondered how, in a game with bets ranging from 10 to 30, someone could possibly lose so much, even with bad luck. It turns out this was how they lost.
I understood now, everything was clear!
It seemed my passive playstyle had annoyed them, leaving them with nowhere to channel their efforts. So, now that they had a good hand, they were eager to team up and take a big cut from me!
Unfortunately for them… they picked the wrong person!