The move I just used is called "Crossing the Sea Under Camouflage," a secret technique of Uncle Tuo.
Literally, "Crossing the Sea Under Camouflage" means to cross the sea without the sky knowing, in broad daylight.
Its true underlying meaning is: to deceive everyone with a colossal lie and stratagem.
It was this highly deceptive "Crossing the Sea Under Camouflage" that enabled me to pull off the trick of changing the bottom card right under everyone's noses.
And I chose the moment to switch cards to be the instant all three of us revealed our hands.
In that fleeting moment, although everyone's attention would be focused on the three of us, it would likely be scattered and chaotic.
No one noticed that as Jiang Bin signaled us to reveal our cards simultaneously, my right hand holding the deck was slightly curved, with my thumb and forefinger pressing against a corner of the King card.
This inconspicuous little action, seemingly ordinary and without issue, actually concealed a universe of complexity.
Because at the instant my palm curved, the cards I held tightly in my hand, ready to be revealed, were not two, but... three!
To explain it another way, by the time I raised my hand to pick up the cards and prepare to reveal them, an extra Ace had already been switched into my hand.
The moment the cards were flipped onto the table, the Ace presented itself in place of the original King, perfectly fooling everyone at this table!
Don't ask me where the extra card came from; I explained that problem long ago.
I'll just add this: the most skilled cheaters can, even under the casino's strict search protocols, disassemble a complete deck of cards and conceal them on their person in various places to pass inspection.
...
After pulling off the cheat, my heart leaped into my throat, fearing someone would suddenly point at me and accuse me of cheating.
To avoid revealing any flaws, I tried my best to maintain a calm demeanor, meeting the gazes of the surrounding crowd directly.
I knew very well that not only were many eyes on me on stage, but the high-definition cameras were also likely already in operation.
The reason Jiang Bin hadn't announced the competition results yet was probably to await big data analysis from the control room and observe my facial expressions.
As soon as the control room confirmed suspicion of cheating, Jiang Bin would decisively halt the competition.
This was the moment to test my acting skills as a cheater, as well as my courage and composure.
Regardless of the environment or occasion, the most formidable aspect of a cheater isn't their skill level, but their emotional response under pressure.
Only by possessing the composure of thunder within while maintaining a placid surface, or remaining unfazed even as Mount Tai collapses before you, can one truly escape being caught.
I don't know how long it passed...
After receiving the precise feedback through my earpiece, Jiang Bin immediately announced the competition results.
I had won, and... there were no further objections!
It was a slight pity that, due to my extremely limited chips, the significance of winning this round was merely a win; I couldn't eliminate Shui Miaomiao and Old Smoker.
After settling the total amount of chips they lost to me, both individuals reclaimed their remaining chips and continued in the competition.
...
As a new round began, Jiang Bin dealt the cards. I glanced at my hand.
Upon picking them up, the cards I received were truly mediocre: the 2 of Spades and the 7 of Hearts.
Although my starting hand was weak, with the community cards yet to be dealt, it was still uncertain whether to call or fold this round.
Unexpectedly, in the first round, aside from the mandatory bets from the small and big blinds, no one raised.
It was clear that everyone's hands were weak.
After calling the bets, Jiang Bin began dealing the first three community cards.
3, 4, 4, mixed suits.
Although these three community cards were low in value, they were still useful to me, at least allowing me to aim for a straight.
After the players before me completed their betting, Shui Miaomiao unhesitatingly raised to ten thousand.
After placing her bet, she immediately glanced sideways at me.
Her gaze and expression clearly conveyed provocation.
I knew in my heart that Shui Miaomiao felt indignant about losing the previous hand.
But I remained unmoved, decisively choosing to fold.
Like a seasoned cheater, a professional Texas Hold'em player never acts out of emotion.
If they do, it's an illusion!
With the threat of elimination averted, my state of mind gradually stabilized.
Adopting an attitude of returning politeness for politeness, after folding, I deliberately shot Shui Miaomiao a glance, returning her provocative gesture.
Trying to trick me into calling again and losing even more? Not a chance!
Seeing that I hadn't fallen for it, Shui Miaomiao didn't get angry; she immediately reverted to her usual cool demeanor and focused intently on the game.
For the next five or six hands, I basically folded after looking at my cards.
Even if I called, it was only for the initial round, but as soon as the bet exceeded five thousand, regardless of how good my hand was, I would fold decisively.
It wasn't that I was cowardly, but I had subtly noticed that since that hand, Jiang Bin had been surreptitiously watching me.
Being targeted by the referee was not a good thing.
Therefore, I chose to lie low.
After Jiang Bin stopped paying excessive attention to me, and Shui Miaomiao continued her winning streak, three more hands passed, and I decided to make a move.
In this hand, I received a good starting hand: a pair of Kings, considered a premium starting hand.
When it was my turn to speak, I didn't put on an act; I directly raised to ten thousand.
Three players folded, seven players called.
Subsequently, Jiang Bin dealt the three community cards one by one: Q, K, A.
These community cards were exceptionally good, forming a "clash of titans" hand.
I knew very well that this round... had great potential!
However, before showcasing my skills, I needed to temper my edge and play conservatively.
When it was my turn to bet, I lightly tapped the table three times, signaling a check.
Shui Miaomiao, after me, saw my check and immediately threw a ten-thousand chip onto the table.
When it came back to me, three out of the six players ahead had folded.
I certainly wasn't going to fold; I directly called the ten thousand.
After collecting all the chips, Jiang Bin began dealing the fourth community card, the turn.
It was another Q!
If there were no other cheaters with the same status as me among those three opponents, then this round was a sure win for me.
When it was my turn to speak, I chose to check again.
Raising the bet at this point was pointless; it was better to conserve as many chips as possible and decide whether to go all-in after the river card was dealt.
After I checked, Shui Miaomiao did not immediately decide whether to call or raise this time; she became hesitant.
She first looked down at her hand, then at the four community cards, and then her eyes flashed with rapid thought.
It seemed she was calculating her probability of winning the hand, and what kind of hands we, as opponents, might hold...