Previously: The Doors of Your Mind.
Not to be confused with the excellent Ichor Falls short story “The Gambler,” The Gambler’s Game is neither as long as many of the other games and rituals we explored, nor as involved: All it requires is a pack of cards and an hour or so of your time. But although the game is short and sweet, the stakes are high; what would be the point of playing if they were not?
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It’s common knowledge that the Devil loves to gamble; however, it hasn’t been confirmed whether the Gambler of this game is he — or whether the name of the game might refer to the player him or herself instead. Whoever or whatever your opponent may be, though, be warned: He plays for keeps.
As always, play at your own risk.
Players:
- 1 principal.
Requirements:
- A pack of playing cards.
- A quiet room.
- A table.
- Two chairs.
Instructions:
- Begin whenever you feel the need.
- Take up your pack of playing cards, go to your quite room, and seat yourself at the table. You should be facing the second chair across the table.
- Shuffle the cards. Shuffle them thoroughly, and shuffle them well. Do not attempt to mark or stack the deck; cheating will not be tolerated.
- Choose your game and deal yourself a hand.
- Begin the game by facing the second chair and saying the words, “Let’s play.” You may feel a slight chill; if you do, do not be concerned. If you do not, however, do not proceed.
- Deal the Gambler his hand; then play your first move. When it is the Gambler’s turn, you must help him play by laying down cards randomly from his hand. Do NOT look at his hand before it is on the table. Again, cheating will not be tolerated.
- Play the game to its conclusion, alternating turns as required.
- If you win: Take the top card of the deck and draw its edge across the pointer finger of your right hand. If you draw blood, that hand will henceforth have the power to win any gamble, whether it’s a throw of the dice or the luck of the draw. Use it wisely, and sparingly.
- If the Gambler wins: He will claim his prize — and before you ask, no, there is nothing you can do to dissuade him from doing so.
Additional Notes:
Any game will do, although Blackjack is preferred. It should be noted that games whose outcomes rely solely on luck make poor choices, indeed.
If possible, use a new and previously unopened pack of cards; the Gambler is mistrustful, and he may not look kindly upon an old or well-worn deck.
Should the Gambler win, he will not be quick about claiming his prize; nor will it be clean. You have only yourself to blame, however. After all, you were the one who decided to tempt fate.
A Word of Advice:
It is NOT recommended that you play this game.
There’s a reason you don’t come across many people with lucky hands in this world.
***
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Is it possible to use a deck of a specific game?
“If possible, use a new and previously unopened pack of cards; the Gambler is mistrustful, and he may not look kindly upon an old or well-worn deck.” By analogy, if you use a specific pack, the Gambler will think you a cheater. So stick with a generic pack.
Okay but what if you accidentally look at his cards? Is there a way you can truthfully say that you didn’t mean to, and start over? Would you be able to apologize? Does he automatically win?
The cards should all be facing down, to begin with, unless the rules of the game state otherwise; and when you’re playing with the supernatural and the unknown, playing by the rules will be your one lifesaver. If you accidentally see the Gambler’s cards, I’d unfortunately have to guess that you’re screwed.
How can you “accidentally” look at his cards?
Try giving him another card. It should work, but by any means be careful when giving his hand.
What if you are playing blackjack with him, does he only get two cards? Or should you look at his cards aND play for him? How do you know if he wants a “hit”?
So what happens if you don’t feel the chill? Why is it bad of you don’t? Wouldn’t it just meant that nothing entered? That no one was playing with you?
That mean they don’t want to play
whats the reward the gambler gets?
You die i am guessing
Your life. It seems his reward is killing you at any time, in whatever way he wants.
Likely your soul.
Most likely, you.
Most likely, your life. Or maybe things, like fame, money, health, knowledge. Nobody knows.
He’s a ghost so maybe not money or physical objects
WHATEVER YOU DO, DON’T PLAY WAR WITH HIM!!!! I SPEAK FROM EXPERIENCE!!!
What happened? Did he touch you?
Of all the games you could have chosen… You played war? Well, how did that work out for you?
You should drink liquid luck before play this gameXD
Can I play UNO with him?
I was thinking the same thing… but then i thought about trash…
Can someone help me understand these rules better.
6. Deal the Gambler his hand; then play your first move. When it is the Gambler’s turn, you must help him play by laying down cards randomly from his hand. Do NOT look at his hand before it is on the table. Again, cheating will not be tolerated.
7. Play the game to its conclusion, alternating turns as required.
And is it possible to play with more than two people, like inviting a friend to play as well.
I won. however, I recommend you BURN the pack of cards you used, as I feel a little odd when using them
So is your hand now blessed?
Does it work? Do you have lucky hands now?
Wait, can you bring things that make you luck like four-leaf clover or rabbit feet or ace?
That might be considered cheating
if you “do not proceed” should you just leave the room alone till the next day? or burn the playing cards or something like that?
what if i do the small radio, the dark reflection ritual AND the man in the fields ritual before doing this and play a game totally reliant on luck? wouldn’t i win?
what if i “play” dry bones/11 miles and make my wish to win this game?
are those things considered cheating?
I’m sure otherworldly spirits know each other, so he may sense you’ve played those games before. Plus, that would be like telling the dealer of the game (in this case, luck) to lean towards you, so he’d probably see it as cheating.
If I don’t feel a slight chill, it’s means he’s not there, right? So I could, theoretically, play a nice card game against myself with no repercussions and no entities present?
You could. Theoretically. However, I would advise against it. Think of it this way: not feeling the chill doesn’t necessarily mean he isn’t there. Maybe he just doesn’t want to play. In that case, it wouldn’t look like a nice card game against yourself. To the Gambler, it could seem like you are disregarding his wishes and trying to play against him anyways. And I doubt he would take kindly to that. But hey, it’s your funeral. Literally.
What if i don’t draw blood?
Then there is no prize, but at least you are alive.
Should have chosen a different game, he was so bored through it he didn’t even bother to give you luck.
What if an outside force (whether it be a draft of some kind, a fan, anything that can move light objects) flips the gambler’s deck around and I look at them? Does that suffice as cheating or at losing condition?
I think that this is not cheating.
If I were you, I would keep all fans out of the room and make sure any doors and windows are securely shut. But if it did happen, you should probably apologize profusely, beg for forgiveness, reshuffle the deck, and ask if he would like to replay the game. Best case scenario, he accepts and the game restarts. Worse case… Well, you might want to work very hard to make sure there are no drafts in the room.
Can you win this and then play the dice game, or would it be cheating?
Can you play Durak with the Gambler?
As I read this, I heard the sound of a deck shuffling several times in the next room over.
if you are playing blackjack with him, does he only get two cards? Or should you look at his cards and play for him? How do you know if he wants another card/hit or if he wants to not get another card/stay?
I really liked this (and the whole website, found it recently!) but this would actually be ridiculously easy to win if you played blackjack seeing as your opponent can’t hit or call. I’m assuming I must be missing something. would you get some sort of signal perhaps? maybe tell him to like knock once for a card and twice to stop? otherwise you’d have just about a guaranteed win against your opponent and this would be TOTALLY worth it to play.
Your life is mine.
Imagine playing Slapjack with”The Gambler”