Chapter 649: Bigger Than Big

Qi Xia calculated that by this point, everyone had drawn fourteen cards, plus the central Gong Gong Pai, making a total of fifteen cards.

Among these fifteen cards, there were four that featured the number "three": Chu Xi, Dong Zhi, Shang Si, and Qing Ming.

That meant the probability Xiao Cheng could draw a card with "three" was six out of twenty-one, nearly thirty percent, which was an extremely high chance in gambling.

Of course, if Xiao Cheng's luck ended there and he didn't draw a card with "three," Qi Xia would be powerless and could only bet on Zheng Yingxiong for this win.

Di Hou now permitted the circulation of chips among the players, but likely not discussions about their hands.

This went beyond the concept of chip circulation—it was outright cheating, which could never be tolerated in a gambling den.

At this stage, Di Hou's second round of "raising" was complete, and Zheng Yingxiong, Tian Tian, and Xiao Cheng had all "called."

Everyone turned to look at Qi Xia, who had yet to decide whether to "call."

Qi Xia glanced at his two cards: Qing Ming and Xiao Man.

This year's Qing Ming was "three six."

This year's Xiao Man was "four two one."

Plus the Gong Gong Pai of Li Xia's "four six."

If the rules he and Qiao Jia Jin had speculated were correct, then his hand could only form "two pairs"—one pair of "four" and one pair of "six"—with no other possibilities.

Now, on the table, three players might form a "straight," while he knew full well his hand was "two pairs." In a standard game, he shouldn't "call" anymore.

But Qi Xia had another issue to consider.

Due to his harsh words to Di Hou earlier, Di Hou was wary of him.

Although he hadn't spoken outright, it was as if he had placed his life on the table as a chip, which could restrain Di Hou and prevent him from simply overwhelming with chip quantity.

After all, based on Di Hou's current behavior, he believed Qi Xia would truly bet his life, so in this situation, Qi Xia absolutely couldn't voluntarily "fold."

Qi Xia knew this, and so did Di Hou.

If he were to fold, it would have to be in a way that broke Di Hou's psychology.

Everyone watched Qi Xia in silence, assuming he was weighing the strength of his hand, but unbeknownst to them, he had already moved past that and entered a deeper level of the game, considering how to use a "fold" to shake Di Hou's beliefs.

Qi Xia's lips moved slightly as he calculated in his mind.

"To make Di Hou realize that although I can intimidate him, I'm still confidently folding..."

He quickly worked out the possibilities of this strategy in his head.

The complex expression on Di Hou's face when he saw Qi Xia's "hidden card" revealed vital information.

It was a look of deep calculation, one that only someone with decades of casino experience could feign so skillfully.

Although Qi Xia didn't know Di Hou well, that didn't stop him from boldly guessing his actions.

Di Hou already had a "five" in his hand.

Now, he had completed a "one two three four five six" straight; betting a "Dao" in this round was proof.

In the previous round, when Di Hou wasn't sure if others' hands were bigger than his, he had bet two "Dao" at once, which fit his style as an seasoned gambler.

But in this round, with his "open cards" plus the Gong Gong Pai, his hand was clearly stronger than before, yet he was oddly cautious.

This didn't add up.

At this point, if he said something else...

Di Hou lifted his lazy eyes and asked:

"Still anyone want to raise?"

Qi Xia's mouth curled into a smile as he figured it out in his mind.

The subtext of Di Hou betting a "Dao" was essentially "My hand this round isn't that strong, so you all might beat me," which actually confirmed that his hand was strong enough to win against everyone.

His hidden card was at least a number "five," and possibly even a "one two three four five six" straight plus a pair.

For example... Mang Zhong.

"Yes... that's very likely."

According to the calculations, this year's Mang Zhong was "fifth month sixth day," which included a "five" and a "six."

Mang Zhong's "five six," plus the Gong Gong Pai of Li Xia's "four six," plus Di Hou's "one two three."

In this round, he had "one two three four five six" and a pair of "six."

This was the largest hand Qi Xia could imagine right now.

So, Di Hou could dominate the game completely, like catching a rabbit and fattening it before eating; he wasn't rushing to bet big, just inching closer with a sharp knife.

If Di Hou's hand was already a "straight" plus a pair, was there anything bigger that could beat him?

"Wait..." Qi Xia paused, "Hold on..."

He touched his chin, realizing there really was a card that could beat Di Hou.

Unfortunately, the condition was too strict—the person who drew that card had to be Zheng Yingxiong.

Qi Xia quickly scanned the table, confirming that card wasn't among the nine revealed ones—the seven "open cards" didn't have it, the Gong Gong Pai didn't, and his own "hidden card" wasn't it—so now the probability Zheng Yingxiong had that card was one in twenty-five.

"Four percent... that's absurd..." Qi Xia gritted his teeth, "Can I really bet on such a small probability?"

"Hmm."

A childish "Hmm" came from nearby, making Qi Xia furrow his brows.

This "Hmm" sounded like a throat-clearing and also like an affirmation.

After hearing it, Qi Xia slowly widened his eyes and repeated the question in his mind.

"Such a small probability... can I really bet on it?"

"Hmm."

Another perfectly timed throat-clearing sound came from Zheng Yingxiong, and Qi Xia instantly understood.

It wasn't four percent—it was one hundred percent!

That card was in Zheng Yingxiong's hand!

He had caught Qi Xia's thought again!

Was this "luck" or "ability"? Or both?

Next, he just needed to fold here and set a trap for Di Hou before doing so, and everything would fall into place.

"Di Hou." Qi Xia called out gravely, "There's something wrong with your hand, right...?"

"Oh?" Di Hou raised an eyebrow, "What problem?"

Qi Xia pressed his hand on his "hidden card," looking displeased, and asked:"Exactly how many Duan Wu are there?"