The Underdog

The table was dealt for 4 people. Achachan, Weral,Machu and I.Players took their cards and 'keech' started.

Folklore is that the Keech,the most famous card game in RIT hostel, was originated in Weral’s village. He used to watch and (as he later claimed), became a legendary player in Keech. When he joined RIT, financial shortcomings due to his extravagant lifestyle forced him to find other sources of income. After successful stint with seasonal activites of income like ragging and selling old books at exorbitant prices, he was in search for a permanent source of income. So keech was introduced in RIT hostel and it enjoyed immense success and popularity due to its simplicity and huge money involved (as per RIT standards then).Weral's winning keech strategy was to mark the back of the cards with his long nails and identify them during the distribution for getting a fair idea of opponents cards.

Achachan mastered the art of Keech and was a regular player with an untarnished reputation in Keech circles. Being an ardent fan of Keech, he was too keen to popularise the game and used to explain things that happened during the games to friends, bringing his strong analytical skills and the probability theory with skillful narration.

What to say about me!. The story goes like this.The keech is played in pothan's room and my room was at the other end.The games end only after midnight and by the time I reach my room all the people in that floor used to wake up by the sound of coins I carry after winning the games.It was only a matter of observing the playing styles of opponents for me.

Machu was a late entry into college as he came 3 months late after getting a transfer form calicut university.First year proved to be difficult for him and resulted in 'supples' which followed him for two more years.By the time he got away from supples, others had gained considerable expertise in keech.That day marked his entry into keech.

3 cards were dealt for each player.Initial betting amount was 50 Ps. After viewing his cards the player can either place an additional bet or fold and leave the game.Triple 'A's are the highest hand followed by triple 'K's,'Q's and 'J's.Then comes 'TIN',in which A,K,Q will be of different types.Then 'COLOUR',i.e the cards of same types followed by double A's & K, double A's & Q and so on.Player holding the highest hand wins all the money.

I was happy for getting triple 'J' and observed others reactions.Achachan was deep in thought, presumably a less hand.Weral had his trademark smile,a high hand for sure but not the best.Machu was worried,sweat dripped down his face and seemed disappointed.I felt sorry for him, he is going to loss a lot of money today. First round went with everybody placing additional bets.It went for one more round.

Third round; weral doubled the betting amount.Achachan followed,so did machu and I.It went for 5 more rounds.Well, I began to get a little concerned about it.As per the rules of the game the play continues till two players remain and either of them asking for a showdown.I went on to loss Rs.10 and finally I backed off.After folding my hand I went to achachan who was holding triple 'Q's .Achachan was in full spirit as his probability theory predicted very less chance for either Machu or weral holding 3A or 3K. After losing 10 more rupees he folded his probability theory. Together we went to weral. Weral was holding triple 'K's.

Weral was very confident because he had noted that the 'A'' s marked by him were not distributed and chances of 3'A' was impossible.After couple of rounds and betting on Rs25 Weral asked for a showdown, and to his shock, three aces emerged from Machu's hand.Weral was heartbroken as he failed to identify the right markings on the back of the cards. I asked Machu about his reaction on seeing the hand and he told "I WAS STUNNED". I got it all wrong, neither achachan's theory nor weral's tricks worked .What a way to lose money!. I was only happy for the fact that both Weral and Achachan lost more money than me and the story remained underground.

Reputation does matter!