Fair Play Card Game Novels & Stories

“...” Louis looked at her silently for two seconds. “What’s so interesting about this game?” Guessing cards, for luck, he found it difficult to lose to her. Lalisa was determined to play this way. “Let’s play this one. I’m not familiar with the others, and this is the simplest one. No need for any skills. You can’t give in to me either.” Fairness was crucial on the felt table. Louis gazed deeply into her eyes and nodded. “I agree. Deal the cards.”

He hoped that this wasn't going to cost him too greatly. He took a deep breath and laid out a similar set of rules to the game he'd played to summon Lexi that first time they'd met. "Four Count Stand-off and playing to fifteen. Standard points for minors and all the majors are ten. Court cards count for 5 and the Fool is special with a value of either one or ten, the player's choice. Winner gets the dragon-slaying sword." Seeing his brother nod his understanding, Jinx stopped shuffling and dealt out the first card to the 'house'.

Cain pours himself a glass of the whiskey and drinks everything in one go, his eyebrow raised. “I need you to spare me some 7s if you have them.” I keep my expression calm, unreadable that not even my eyelashes flicks. I know the rules of this simple game, even if Cain didn’t mention it. If player 1 has the cards that player 2 needs. Player 1 has to give his cards to player 2. This already means that Cain has 1 of the Card 7. And he needs it to complete his box of ponds.

She asked curiously, and he nodded. "I forgot to tell you the rules," he muttered, his frown deepening as if he had committed a grave offence. The Time Keeper’s eyes narrowed, the silver orbs shimmering like moons caught in a storm. His tone was grave as he responded, “Rules are the foundation of this arrangement, Alessia. Break them, and you may lose your chance to return entirely.” Alessia straightened, clutching the bracelet on her wrist. "What rules?" she asked cautiously, her unease growing with every passing second.

The guards stepped back from Aria’s father, not releasing him but loosening their grip enough for him to breathe. “I propose a game,” Isabella said, her red-painted lips curling. “Simple rules. You win, he walks free. You lose…” She trailed off, eyes sliding to Aria. “I take her. Permanently.” Aria’s pulse thundered in her ears. Luciano’s jaw tightened. “What game?” Isabella smiled like a cat revealing the mouse. “Cards. Five hands. My dealer. No tricks.” “And if I catch you cheating?” “Then you shoot me where I sit,” she said with a shrug. “But you won’t catch me.”

Blair began to set up, making a pyramid up the table with the cards as he spoke. "For this game we have a pyramid with five on bottom and one on top. You will have your own cards. Once I flip a card on the pyramid, you see if you have one that matches the number. If you do, you can put it down. For each row you can assign a certain number of drinks to a person." Blair explained.

He shuffles them once, the sound crisp, then deals ten cards between us in two neat piles of five. "The highest card wins," he says. "Loser does what the winner says. No arguing." My pulse kicks up. "And if I win?" I ask. He doesn't even blink. "You won't." The arrogance in his voice should piss me off. Instead, a daunting smirk curls my lips. Arrogant bastard. I'll make him eat those words. "Fine," I say, sitting up straighter. "Let's play." We flip at the same time. I get the ace of hearts. He gets the three of clubs.

The rain tapped softly against the plastic canopy. Looking at Hunter, I suddenly remembered the card from the night before our marriage registration. "Thank you for participating." I had once thought I was simply unlucky. I never drew the best prize. No one ever came back with the umbrella. I never received the kind of special treatment borne out of unconditional love. Later, I finally understood that it wasn't that I had bad luck. It was that from the very beginning, they had never included my name in the prize list. I looked at Hunter and said, "I've looked enough."

I called his name again after that long silence. "What again this time woman? Are you gonna tell me to remove my shirt? You know, I can be shirtless just only in front of you if you want, just tell me," then he winked and playfully wiggled his brows. If only I am holding something, I might have thrown it to him already. "Duh? Don't be so arrogant, will you?" I grunted but he just laughed at me. He leaned over his table and continued what he's supposed to do in front of that piled up paperwork while still flashing a big grin on his lips.

Louis completed 50 one-handed push-ups. In the next few rounds, Louis pulled the Joker another three times, Maisie drew it twice, and Helios got it once. Barbara gnashed her teeth. “I refuse to believe that you’ll always be so lucky, Francisco.” Francisco crossed his arms and said calmly, “Jeez, this game is so boring. I haven’t even gotten the chance to experience the game at all.” It was Nolan’s turn to deal the cards next. And when the cards were revealed, Francisco’s smile froze because the Joker was in Naomi’s hand.