We’ve all been dealt a hand of cards, at least by now we should’ve. The players that aren’t new to this game always have mixed opinions.

“It’s normal not to have the best cards, but you should have better cards on hand.” 

Or something of the sort. They want to put you at ease, it’s okay to have a bad hand, they try to say. Even the sound of those words are hollow. A meaningless way of comfort, followed up by a ‘subtle’ warning. That you should probably choose your cards wisely, and keep your cards to yourself.

These cards have been tossed, countless times, only to be picked up once more. It’s safer to have the same cards. It’s better to have none. Even a bad hand is better than having nothing. With a bad hand you can still pretend. You can still bluff with a bad hand. 

Bluffing takes you further than you’d think. Be vague. Let them be curious. Their imaginations will finish whatever you’ve told them beforehand. There’s no need to confirm or disprove any ideas that they might have. It benefits you doesn’t it? They get to assume what they want about your card, while you get to slip away— as if you were never there to begin with. 

“My hand? They’re regular cards. Same as everyone else’s. Not bad.” 

Of course there are people who can’t take a hint. Pushy ones, the ones that keep asking. Deflect, keep deflecting. Don’t slip up and accidentally give away your cards. Eventually they’ll stop, bother another poor soul. Until then you can attempt shaking them off, or even direct them to someone who isn’t keeping watch of their cards. Their cards aren’t guarded, anyone walking by could see their cards. The difference is that they have a good hand. One so good that there’s no need to hide it.

Day to day, constantly repeating the same motions. Think about the risk in getting a completely new hand and discarding the one you already have. No, you shouldn’t. What if the next hand is worse? Keep the ones you have. What if the next cards bring you to victory? Next, evade questions, distract, bluff. 

There’s no need for others to know, is there?