When the two walked in to the Casino, they saw Renak waiting for them as he stood at one of the Hold ’em Poker tables. Also seated around the table were a Nausican, an Efrosian and an Yridian.
Tucked away near the back of the casino beyond the cluster of dabo tables and the crowded bar was a private poker room. It had been reserved for guests only. Set in the center was a large oval Hold ’em table with dark mahogany edges. The green felt was embroidered with the gold insignia of the Trade Emporium.
Three chairs were pushed up.
Renak took his place behind the dealer’s seat and adjusted his jacket. His ears flicked forward at the sound of the door as he checked his chronometer.
Ensign Aaron Carson.
Lieutenant Commander Traan.
Renak reached for the deck and smoothly split it into two even halves. His fingers danced expertly across the cards as he riffled through decades of experience at gaming tables. They met together in a quick river before Renak neatly squared his deck against the felt with a quiet snap.
Once more.
He pushed the deck briefly out of sight between his hands.
One-handed cuts.
False shuffles.
Showy flourishes.
It all looked good. Professional. Tonight he hadn’t needed to cheat on any of his shuffles—every card was dealt honestly—but he loved the feeling of showmanship when dealing just as much as playing. His father always said merchants should make everything look easy.
Even when it wasn’t.
He tossed the cards high into the air as they dropped neatly back into his awaiting hand.
Renak nodded in approval and slid the deck in the center of the table.
After buying in for 500 credits worth of chips using the black credit chit Renak had given him a few days before, Traan reached out and cut the deck.
“You are big for an Andorian.” The burly Nausican across the table tried to engage in some table talk.
“And you’re big for a Nausican, around the mid section.” Traan joked back as Carson bought in.
“Boys, we have a high-roller!” exclaimed the Yridian, nodding to Carson’s modest 25 credit purchase.
The ensign blushed. “I’m just a lowly ensign, Sir…. But the buy-in doesn’t matter, because if all goes well, I’ll be placing most of my bets with those chips.” He pointed to the Yridian’s stack and smiled.
“And he’s gunning for me!” the Yridian followed up with mock horror. “I think I should fold now before he reduces me to poverty.”
Renak rotated the deck ninety degrees before setting it down gently on his left palm.
Casually, the card flipped into his right hand and shot across the table towards Ensign Carson.
One for Lieutenant Commander Traan.
the next card went to the Nausican, the Yridian after that and finally one to himself.
Each card skimmed across the green felt table and came to rest neatly in front of its respective player without bouncing or slipping sideways. It was hardly necessary, Renak knew that much. But it was his little trick anyway. Perfected over decades playing friendly games with fellow crewmen and years running poker games for bored merchants on freighters and trading outposts.
“No peeking just yet.” He chuckled. “Half the fun is telling yourself you already know you have the best hand.”
Renak collected a tidy stack of latinum strips and Federation credit chips and placed them at the center of the table to serve as the initial pot.
“The blinds, please.”
Renak flicked the next card into his discard pile once the bets were placed. Face down.
“One of the oldest tricks in gambling.” He said knowingly. “Not that it matters…”
Renak grinned at the table.
“…but we all like to keep a little mystery in our games don’t we?”
With one smooth swipe of his hand Renak flipped the flop.
Three cards dropped from his fingers face up into the center of the table.
Four Hearts.
Ten Diamonds.
Seven of Clubs.
Renak glanced at the flop, then back up at his players.
“Gentlemen…”
He grinned from ear to ear.
“Go ahead..”
The big blind limped in and Traan and Carson both call.
The flop came, a queen of clubs.
The big blinded checked, as did Traan. Carson tried to buy the pot for cheat and threw out a bet of 60. The Yridian in the big blind mucked his cards and after a few seconds Traan called.
The river card was placed on the table, giving Carson a full house, eights over queens. A strong hand, but there were several combinations out there that could beat it. Carson sighed and decided to go for it. “All in,” he declared, pushing the rest of his chips into the pot.
Traan chuckled and slowly shook his head., “I’ll call.”
They both flipped over there hands. It turned out Traan had a better full house then the Ensign.
Carson laughed and stood up. “Well, I’d say it’s pretty obvious that I’m outclassed. Gentlemen, it was a pleasure. He turned to Renak. “Mr. Renak, it was a pleasure meeting you, and thank you for your hospitality this afternoon. Besides, I should get back to work and finish up that memo.”
“Have a nice night Ensign, it was good seeing you again.” Traan smiled as he retrieved the decent sized pot, and plopped down the big blinded signalling he was still in the game.
The next morning Traan filed a scathing report about the incident with Lt.. Gray and added a few other deficiencies he had noticed in the Civil Affairs office the past few months. A few days later, the xenophobic officer and a petty officer from his staff were placed on report and both were immediately transferred to the Waste Management Department on SB 80.
