So, Emerald's out, gonna miss the guy. Sadly it was necessary, too many people playing.
For the ninth round, Sapphire shuffled the cards. While lacking Gold's skill and Blue's grace, she was fast, to put it mildly. Only a few seconds after she began to shuffle, she'd already thrown several pairs of cards, that landed softly in front of everyone.
Red got the Six of Spades and Eight of Hearts, Green the Three and Seven of Spades, Blue the Ace of Spades and Five of Hearts, and Yellow got the Seven of Diamonds and Ten of Hearts.
Gold held the Ace of Clubs and Three of Diamonds, Silver the Queen of Clubs and Two of Diamonds, and Crystal held the Queens of Spades and Hearts.
Ruby had the Jacks of Spades and Clubs, while Sapphire held the Four of Diamonds and Two of Hearts.
"Make ya bets, guys."
"Fold." Red sighed.
"Fold." Green muttered.
"Fold." Blue grumbled, losing some money. (Blue: 7550) (Pot: 500)
"I'll fold too." Yellow said. (Yellow: 14250) (Pot: 750)
"Folding." Gold sighed.
"Fold." Silver quietly said.
"I'll like to bet 600." Crystal smiled. (Crystal: 22850) (Pot: 1350)
"Call." Ruby smirked.
"Fold." Sapphire muttered. She couldn't risk losing what little she had left.
"Here's the flop." Sapphire placed the flop, consisting of the Eights of Spades and Clubs, and the Ace of Hearts.
"Check." Both said, hoping to get something to tip the game in their favor. Both knew that should the other have anything better than a Pair, they would lose.
"Fine." Sapphire shrugged.
"Check." They said, staring fiercely at the other, without breaking eye-contact.
"Okay..." Sapphire placed the final card, the King of Diamonds.
"I WIN!" Crystal ecstatically exclaimed. (24200)
Grumbling, Ruby removed his pants, leaving him in his boxers, and puzzling Green and Blue as to why he didn't just remove his hat. Green decided it was Ruby's own business, while Blue deemed it public knowledge, and a matter of the highest importance for her to discover.
Here's hoping that the 'fic doesn't get boycotted by angry Emerald fans...