AN: I ain't a card expert. Let me know if there are any mistakes.
===
Travis entered the bustling Lucky 7 Casino, a world of glittering lights, clinking coins, and the electric hum of excitement. The air was thick with a mix of hope, anticipation, and a hint of desperation. He looked around, taking in the sight of people hunched over slot machines, gathering around poker tables, and trying their luck at various games of chance.
The atmosphere was alive with the promise of fortune, and Travis couldn't help but be intrigued. He didn't often indulge in gambling, but today seemed like a day to take a small break from the weight of his thoughts. He thought about what Aunt Alison had said, about being open with Sarah and confronting the truth.
"I'll deal with that later," he muttered to himself, trying to push the worries aside for now.
Making his way to the main floor, he decided to start with something simple. He settled at one of the poker tables and exchanged some of the bills he had won with his mimic skill for chips.
Travis settled into a chair at the poker table, exchanging his bills for a stack of chips. The dealer, a middle-aged man in a crisp suit, nodded at him with a friendly smile.
"Good luck," the dealer said as he shuffled the deck of cards.
He felt the weight of the chips in his hand, their smooth surfaces cool against his skin. The dealer's words of luck hung in the air, and for a moment, he pondered the randomness of it all. Luck, chance, fate—these were things he hadn't given much thought to in a while.
As the cards were dealt, Travis glanced around the table, trying to read the expressions of his fellow players. There was an elderly woman with a kind smile, a young couple whispering to each other, and a grizzled man in a cowboy hat who looked like he'd seen his fair share of poker games.
The first few hands passed uneventfully, with Travis winning and losing chips in a steady rhythm. He couldn't help but smile when the elderly woman across from him chuckled after winning a hand.
"You're not too bad at this, young man," she said, her eyes twinkling with mirth.
He grinned in response to the elderly woman's compliment. "Well, beginners luck," he replied, trying to keep the mood light and friendly. He didn't want to reveal too much about himself or his reasons for being here.
Travis continued to play, feeling the tension rise as the bets grew larger. The poker game had escalated quickly, and the pot now stood at a whopping 5 million chips. It was a high-stakes game, and the intensity in the air was palpable.
As the cards were dealt for the next hand, he tried to keep his composure. He glanced at his hand and saw a pair of eights, not the strongest starting cards, but he decided to play cautiously. The grizzled man in the cowboy hat raised the bet, signaling his confidence.
He thought for a moment and then called the bet, sliding a stack of chips into the center of the table. The tension around the table grew as the other players considered their options. The young couple exchanged a nervous glance, and the elderly woman studied her hand with a thoughtful expression.
The dealer revealed the flop, laying out three community cards in the center of the table. Travis's heart raced as he saw an eight among the cards, giving him three of a kind. The grizzled man in the cowboy hat didn't seem too pleased with the flop, but he maintained his steely demeanor.
Betting continued, with each player raising the stakes. The excitement in the room was electric as chips were pushed into the center of the table. Travis couldn't help but feel the rush of adrenaline. This was a far cry from his usual quiet life.
As the final two community cards were revealed, Travis knew he had a strong hand. His three eights were looking promising. The grizzled man raised the bet again, and Travis didn't hesitate to follow suit. The young couple folded their cards, and the elderly woman smiled, choosing to call.
With the tension reaching its peak, the dealer revealed the last card—the river. His heart pounded as he looked at his hand and then at the cards on the table. He was on the verge of winning a massive pot, but poker was a game of uncertainty.
The grizzled man hesitated for a moment, then pushed all his remaining chips into the center. Travis had a difficult decision to make. He could fold and play it safe, or he could call the bet and potentially win the 5 million chip pot.
'If I use my powers, I might just be able to win, but that won't be fun,' He thought.
[Ping!]
[Do you wish to activate Gambling mode?]
[Y/N]
'Huh?' He rubbed his eyes.
Travis stared at the System's message for a moment, a mixture of curiosity and excitement welling up within him. He had almost forgotten about the System, given the recent events that had consumed his thoughts. But now, in the midst of the casino's allure, the prospect of trying out the Gambling mode intrigued him.
He pressed 'Yes' on the System window, and as he did, a subtle shift seemed to take place around him. The casino's lights seemed to glimmer a bit brighter, the sounds of chatter and clinking chips more pronounced. It was as if the world around him had sharpened, his senses heightened.
He couldn't deny the rush that surged through him. With the Gambling mode activated, he felt a newfound confidence and a clearer insight into the game. He observed the grizzled man's expressions closely, noting the subtle shifts that betrayed uncertainty.
He smiled and pushed his chips forward, matching the grizzled man's bet and then raising it, adding a significant portion of his stack. The elderly woman watched with interest, sipping her drink.
"All in," Travis announced, committing his entire stack to the pot. The grizzled man hesitated, beads of sweat forming on his brow. The stakes were high, the tension even higher. The dealer watched silently, knowing this was a pivotal moment.
After a tense pause, the grizzled man made his decision. "Call," he said, sliding his remaining chips into the center.
The tension climaxed as the grizzled man laid his cards on the table—two kings, a strong hand. Travis felt a mix of excitement and anxiety. He slowly revealed his hand, displaying the three eights. A collective gasp rippled through the onlookers as the realization of Travis's win settled in.
He had won the pot, the rush of victory surging through him. The grizzled man looked momentarily defeated, but then a smile crept onto his face, a grudging respect evident in his eyes.
"Well played," the grizzled man conceded, offering a handshake, which Travis gladly accepted.
Travis gathered his chips, feeling the weight of his triumph. The elderly woman applauded lightly, and even the young couple offered smiles of admiration.
"Sir, would you like to play another game on the no-limits table?" The dealer asked with a smile.
"Sure, why not?" Travis replied to the dealer's offer. He felt a newfound confidence, a sense that he was riding a wave of luck. It was a feeling he hadn't experienced in a long time, and he was determined to make the most of it.
As he moved to the no-limits table, he couldn't help but reflect on the events that had brought him here. His Aunt Alison's words about being open with Sarah still echoed in his mind, but for now, he was content to set those thoughts aside. This was his moment to savor the excitement of the casino, to let go of his worries, even if just for a little while.
Travis joined the no-limits table, the stakes higher than ever. The players around him were a mix of experienced gamblers and those testing their luck. The dealer, a skilled professional, began to shuffle the cards with precision.
----
AN: Yeah, I know, it's been more than a bit slow plot. So, just hold on for 2 more chs. The time for calm is over. I just didn't want to rush it like my first ff.
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