An Open Invite

[L .]

[Manacledairman]

He smiles at her as she sits.

"Not at all just thought I was missing something." He leans toward her slightly "languages fascinate me." He grins before sitting back and taking another swig.

"Now twenty one, sounds simple enough i'm sure I can figure that one out." He chuckles.

[alanwrotethis]

Niketas smiles as he deals cards.

"Fret not, I don't intend to give anyone an advantage. Aurelia will defeat you on her own merits. Besides, it's obvious when I use my magics..."

A conspiratorial wink as he holds the deck to his mouth.

[Lady Grace]

Grace is smiling at Aurelia and the words of Dukes.
"Vingt et Un, I can play although I lost badly the last time I played this, there were new rules involved,"
She grins.

[Laurence]

Laurence frowns

“I believe I know the game, assuming I can join you Elders and Primogen. I played quite a lot of it in the new world, although admittedly I know it as Blackjack.”

Laurence’s grim facial expression is brought to some form of neutral look, with perhaps a hint of a upwards curve at the corner of his mouth.

[Valentina Audley]

For her part, Valentina fishes her embroidery out of her bag and sets up to sew, turning to face the gaming table so that she might continue to participate in conversation even as they play.

To Aldrich she dimples a smile and replies "The only gambling advice I have ever heard that seemed to make sense was do not gamble anything you would not be prepared to give away. How true it is though, I couldn't say. It sounds sage though!"

When she catches Grace's eye she grins cheerfully at her, bringing up her embroidery hoop to mimic a fan for a moment, before stitching again.

[alanwrotethis]

"Very well!"
Niketas deals 2 cards, one face up, to Aldrich, Aurelia, himself, Lucius, Grace, Laurence, also dealing Jean Jacques and Keane if he participates:
Aldrich - 4 diamond
Aurelia - Ace diamond
Lucky - 4 clubs
Grace - Queen hearts
Laurence - 3 clubs
JJ - 10 spades
Keane - 9 hearts
Dukes/house - Queen diamond

[Manacledairman]

[alanwrotethis]

"You want a total as c loss to but not exceeding 21. You top card is public knowledge, other is secret except to you. You may request more cards, but lose if you exceed 21. Monarch cards are worth 10, aces 1 or 11 at your choice. We're we waging, I would be inclined to consider you hand weak. The strategy here might be to consolidate, bid harder on stronger rounds."

He shrugs, apparently familiar with the game.

[Manacledairman]