Deck Hands with the Koopas

It's a beautiful day at Bowser's Castle where Bowser and his son Bowser Jr. are enjoying a great game of Super Mario Party when suddenly, Bowser has an idea. He said, "Do you want to play Deck Hands with me?"

"Sure," Bowser Jr. replied with a smile, "I love a great competition and after all, a day with my dad is all I need to have some fun. Let's do it."

"Okay! To the Minigame Room!"

With that, the Koopa King and prince ran to the Minigame Room for a friendly game of Deck Hands.

When they got inside, they saw Shy Guy with a deck of cards. He smiled at them and said, "Hey, guys! Great to see you! So you're here to play Deck Hands, right?"

"That's right, Shy Guy," Bowser replied, "Just the both of us!"

"That's what I like to see. Now here's how the game works. We have 13 cards on this table numbered 1-13 and the object of the game is to pick cards and score points according to the number shown on the card. Whoever has the most points is the winner and since there's only two of you playing, there will be six rounds in this minigame. Got it?"

"Got it, Shy Guy," Bowser Jr. said with a smile.

"Okay! Now to decide who plays first, I'll flip a coin," Shy Guy said as he took out a coin, "This side has Bowser's symbol, and the other side has Bowser Jr. Ready?"

"Let's do it!" Bowser and Bowser Jr. said at the same time.

"All right, then! One, two, three... FLIP!"

With that, Shy Guy flipped the coin and after a few seconds, it lands on Bowser. Shy Guy smiled and said, "Well Bowser, it looks like you'll be going first today. Now then, are you ready to play Deck Hands?"

"YEAH!" Bowser and Jr. replied at the same time.

"Okay, then! Let's shuffle the deck and start the game!"

With that, Shy Guy took out a deck of 13 cards and shuffled them up for a few seconds before placing then face down on the table to officially start the game. Then he said to Bowser, "Now pick a card, Bowser. Any card!"

Bowser looked at them before choosing the seventh card. Shy Guy flipped it over and said, "You got a nine. That's nine points for you."

Then Shy Guy laid the deck out for Bowser Jr. and after a few seconds of thinking, Bowser Jr. chose the first card before flipping it over. He said, "Seven points? I'll take that!"

Shy Guy smiled as the scoreboard shows 9-7 in favor of Bowser. Then Shy Guy said, "Round two! Bowser Jr., it's your turn again!"

Bowser Jr. smiled as he looked at the eleven remaining cards. Then he chose the first card again and then, the card shows a 10. Shy Guy looked at it and said, "Ten points for Bowser Jr."

Then Bowser chose the ninth card and after a few seconds, an eight appeared on the card. The scoreboard now shows 17-17 after two rounds, a tie game so far.

In round three, Bowser received a six while Bowser Jr. scored eleven, which brings the total score to 28-23. Then in round four, Bowser scored five while Bowser Jr. scored one, putting them within one point of each other.

Shy Guy looked at the scoreboard and said, "After four rounds, the current score is twenty-nine to twenty-eight with Bowser Jr. leading by a single point. Time for the fifth round and Bowser, you'll pick the next card. Go ahead."

With that, Bowser picked the fifth card and a three appeared, bringing his total score to thirty-one.

Bowser Jr. looked at the remaining four cards and said, "I'll choose the third card, please."

"All right, then," Shy Guy replied as he flipped it over, which shows a two. Now the game is all tied up at 31.

Shy Guy looked at the Koopas and said, "Well guys, we have only three cards left and the current score is 31-all. Now then, shall we conclude this game?"

"YES!" Bowser and Bowser Jr. replied with a thumbs up.

"All right! Then it's time to play... THE FINAL ROUND!"

With that, Shy Guy laid the three remaining cards face down on the table and said, "Now here's how the final round works. Both of you will secretly choose one final card. Then I'll count down from three and the moment I say 'Flip!', you'll flip the card and whatever amount you'll receive will be added to your total score. Okay?"

"Okay!" Bowser and Jr. said with a smile.

"Very well, then! Bowser and Bowser Jr., it's time to choose your final card and remember, this is for the game. Good luck!"

And so, Bowser and his son took their time before selecting their final cards respectively.

Shy Guy looked at the final remaining card and said, "Well Bowser and Bowser Jr., this is it. The decision has finally been made and in just a few seconds, we'll flip the card and declare a winner. So, are you ready to find out who it is?"

"Of course we're ready for this," Bowser replied, "Let's do it!"

"Okay! On the count of three, you'll flip the card. Here we go! Three, two, one..."

Both Koopas looked at each other as they await the signal to flip the cards.

Shy Guy looked at the players, took a deep breath and then...

It is time.

"FLIP!"

FLIP

With the word shouted, the cards flipped over and it shows a twelve for Bowser, and a thirteen for Bowser Jr.

Then the scoreboard shows the game's final score as Shy Guy said, "With a score of 44-43, Bowser Jr. is the winner!"

Bowser Jr. jumped for joy as he won the game with Bowser clapping for him. He said, "Great game, son. You won fair and square."

"Thanks, dad," Bowser Jr. replied with a smile, "Say, do you want to play another game?"

"Count me in!"

"Okay! Shy Guy, we're ready to play again."

Shy Guy smiled as he took out another deck of thirteen cards before placing them face down to start the second game. It has been a great day for Bowser and his son.