A friendly game of poker anyone?

[hisimprlmajesty.livejournal.com]

So at the end of this thread, Emperor Norton and the Great Librarian of Pnakotus were preparing to play a friendly game of poker.

Later, it occurred to me that it could a good bit of fun to open the game to other pups. I imagine it being similar to the Happy Hour threads but with several pups interacting at the same time.

Any interest?

I'll have His Imperial Majesty leave a note at the bar today if there are one or two others who would like to join.

Comments

[spiderine.livejournal.com]

I'd offer to have John play, but it would be so very unfair... unless you want someone to take all their money?

[hisimprlmajesty.livejournal.com]

Well it could make for an interesting game. Plus you never know who else might show.

Personally, the Emperor isn't that concerned about losing what $$ He has; He can always go back and collect "taxes".

[spiderine.livejournal.com]

True, he issues his own money, doesn't he? Hm.... and he doesn't have anything else that John would want. But the Librarian does!

[leapsineternity.livejournal.com]

This is true. Plus, let's face it, the Librarian's got a hell of a poker face.

[spiderine.livejournal.com]

Sounds good! I can't do it tonight, but tomorrow or some other time would be fine.

I suppose I should fill you in on a bit of John's canon regarding his "powers". What innate powers John actually possesses are a matter of debate, but one thing for certain: when it comes to gambling, he is a very lucky son-of-a-gun. A large part of his income (what doesn't come from trade in magical artifacts) comes from various gambling ventures. He's not above cheating (and he's a *very* good cheat) but he doesn't really need to. Unless there is outright intervention from some powerful entity, he will win this game. And he's happy to play for things other than money, such as obscure magical texts and items or even "future favors". Owing a favor to John Constantine is like owing one to Satan, or perhaps a Mafia Godfather. He *will* call it in at some future date, and you'll most likely regret it.

But hey, that's why they call it gambling. ;) Whaddaya say?

[leapsineternity.livejournal.com]

Mm, true. It's been a while since I read up on my Hellblazer- pity, really. I'm still good with the idea if the Emperor is, though.

[hisimprlmajesty.livejournal.com]

Works for me. Or maybe if we get enough players who ever is dealing can sit out the hands they are dealing. Could save the Emperor from having to leave too early. = ]

I think the Emperor will only play with chips though. I can't see that He has much else to offer. Unless John wants first hand information about mid-19th century San Francisco...or maybe there can be an old "text" that was lost in said time/place?

[spiderine.livejournal.com]

There must be something John can get from him. Perhaps something that was later lost in the big quake that the Emperor can spirit out to Milliways for him?

[hisimprlmajesty.livejournal.com]

The 1906 earthquake is 26 years after the Emperor's death...other wise it is a good idea.

However, Saint Ignatius Academy, which later become USF, is contemporary with Norton. The school was founded by the Jesuits, who are noted for intellectual research and as being the "Foot soldiers of the Pope". Mostly this is because the order's founder was a knight, but still it could be warped a bit; secret orders and all that.

[spiderine.livejournal.com]

1906 earthquake is 26 years after the Emperor's death

Exactly. So if there's a book that exists before the earthquake, Norton can get it out before it is destroyed by the earthquake. Get it?

Oooh, Jesuits! John eats Jesuits for breakfast! With treacle! We can work with that too!

[hisimprlmajesty.livejournal.com]

Oh I get it now...sorry.

Sounds like a good start...so a book held by the Jesuits? Some artifact in a private collection? Samuel Clemens' autograph? An indian artifact?

I am at work so can't IM but you can email me at the lj address and I should be able to get back soon.

[spiderine.livejournal.com]

We'll continue this by email later. :)

[hisimprlmajesty.livejournal.com]

Definately a good description of John's "powers". I've always thought of him as Lady Luck's b**ch. When she's feeling good, his luck can not be beat, but when she's not, John's not in a good spot...really not in a good spot.

[spiderine.livejournal.com]

Well said. That is absolutely the way it is.

[precocioustilda.livejournal.com]

...because I am terrible to my pups, this makes me want to have Tilda join the poker game just so I can have a seven-year-old genius owe John Constantine a favour.

Not that I, y'know, know how to play poker. BUT STILL.

[spiderine.livejournal.com]

Hmmm... well, John would make a show of not wanting to let her play due to her tender years (it doesn't much matter to him, but he knows he's "supposed" to do things like that). So all she would have to do is pitch some kind of a fit about "I do know what I'm doing and I'm not a baby and I'm smarter than you so there nyah", and John would shrug and proceed to school her soundly in just why little girls should not dive into the water with sharks. He would not hurt her in any way -- he *hates* people who hurt or abuse children -- but he'd make sure she learned a valuable lesson.

[precocioustilda.livejournal.com]

*giggles*

I think Tilda would be more likely to approach the issue with logic-- to wit: games are fun and she has the time and inclination to play so why not? She has too many self-esteem issues to go for the "neener neener I'm a genius" line. Would that suit?

...though if he kept at the tender-years protest for long enough it's possible she'd start showing off about her languages. Being a polyglot is one of the few things she's genuinely proud of.

[spiderine.livejournal.com]

That would suit fine. He'd give the token protest, she'd rebuff, he'd figure, whatever, she volunteered. *shrug*

[precocioustilda.livejournal.com]

Awesome. :D

[precocioustilda.livejournal.com]

Any thoughts on the conversation below re: her beating his sorry ass at blackjack after he wipes the floor with her in poker? :D

[hisimprlmajesty.livejournal.com]

I've been thinking about how Emperor Norton would feel about a child joining the game. I think He would be okay with it only because it is a friendly game and not a serious cut throat game...at least that is what He thinks it will be.

[lienne.livejournal.com]

If he kicks up a fuss Tilda will just glare. XD Cutely. *pats her*

[hisimprlmajesty.livejournal.com]

And then His heart would melt and He would give a grand smile.

[berryberryraz.livejournal.com]

D'aww.

*replies from inappropriate account purely because I can*

[hisimprlmajesty.livejournal.com]

Oh and there's the luck of the draw to deal with as well.

[spiderine.livejournal.com]

Luck of the draw? HAHAHAHAHAHA! You're so funny. Trust me, it isn't an issue.

[hisimprlmajesty.livejournal.com]

Oh I meant John's luck of the draw would be a liability to Tilda, then a problem of John's. = ]

[hisimprlmajesty.livejournal.com]

See now Tilda would have the advantage on John with the mathematics of the game but how is she with reading people?

Still I would pay money to see John schooled by a seven-year-old.

[precocioustilda.livejournal.com]

*giggle* She's very spotty. If it's someone she knows well she can have moments of sharp insight, but for the most part? No way.

Clearly after he kicked her ass at poker there'd have to be a rematch in blackjack, which I'm given to understand is much more mathematical.

[hisimprlmajesty.livejournal.com]

Oh blackjack is most definitely more mathematical...no bluffing.

[precocioustilda.livejournal.com]

Muahahaha.

[mr-ryan-wolfe.livejournal.com]

Wolfe would be all over this chance. So would I actully. Sounds fun.

[hisimprlmajesty.livejournal.com]

Okay so looks like we have 4 players thus far. Seems a good start.

I'll have Emperor Norton drop off a note to the Bar later today.

[mr-ryan-wolfe.livejournal.com]

Okay that sounds good!

[candied-rabbit.livejournal.com]

Ooh, poker.

I imagine that Dahlia Malloy, who's one of my pups, would be both a good and relatively experienced poker player. Her headvoice comes and goes with rapid speed, but she's getting new canon, soon, so I really ought to dust her off. So, she might make an appearance.

If she fails me, Momiji will be happy to play anything that can even be remotely thought of as a game.

[hisimprlmajesty.livejournal.com]

Wonderful...I expect to make a post to the Backroom with what Norton will leave at the bar as an invitation.