Driven by necessity, Yang Jian, despite his considerable time around casinos, was gambling with his own money for the first time.
The money in his hand belonged to Yu Feng. Although she had said the losses were on her, Yang Jian wasn't one to take advantage. He had ten thousand yuan at home, and if he lost this money, he would naturally have to return it to Yu Feng.
Since he was here, he might as well play a bit. Wu Wangchun had always treated him well, so it was time to help him with the bank.
Although it was his first time playing dice, the rules were simple: bet on odd or even. As for any so-called patterns, Yang Jian didn't believe in them at all. As long as the casino wasn't cheating, winning or losing was purely a matter of luck.
He broke down his ten thousand yuan, casually placing over a dozen chips on the even side, as the previous round had been even.
The reason for betting this way was that Yang Jian had observed for a long time that most gamblers liked to bet against the trend, also known as breaking a streak. For example, if the dealer rolled four consecutive evens, these gamblers would start betting on odd, increasing their wagers.
If the dealer failed to roll a fifth even, they could win back all their previous losses in one go.
If the dealer rolled a fifth even, they would continue to bet on odd, doubling their stake, aiming to win back their money and more.
This strategy allowed many to win money because it wasn't common for the dealer to roll six or more consecutive streaks.
However, this strategy also led many to lose everything. If the dealer rolled six or more, even over a dozen consecutive streaks, they could win all of these people's money and even force them to borrow chips.
Yang Jian, on the other hand, believed this strategy was not advisable. When a streak occurred, one should follow it. If you win, you win many rounds; if you lose, you only lose one round. This was much more stable than betting against a streak, at least preventing you from losing everything at once.
Therefore, Yang Jian's gambling strategy was to bet on whatever the previous outcome was. If the pattern broke three times in a row, he would temporarily stop betting.
His luck was quite good. Following this method, Yang Jian gambled for over a dozen rounds and managed to win over three thousand yuan. His bets were relatively small, usually around a thousand yuan, unlike Yu Feng, who bet at least five thousand each time.
A streak was about to happen. After playing for half an hour, the dealer had rolled five consecutive odds. Yang Jian had consequently won five thousand.
"Er Jian, you're doing well. You actually follow the streaks. Are you going to keep following for the next round?"
Yu Feng clearly also favored betting against the streak, but seeing Yang Jian win money, she asked an extra question.
"Of course, I'll follow. I'll only lose one round anyway. This time, I'll bet even more."
As Yang Jian spoke, he placed a three-thousand-yuan bet. He was here to support the bank and didn't intend to win money; as long as he didn't lose his stake, he could call it a day. This location was too close to Xinqiao, which was very unsafe, and he couldn't stay long.
Yu Feng hesitated for a moment, then also bet twenty thousand yuan, following Yang Jian. She had already lost fifty thousand and was originally going to continue betting on even wins, but by some strange impulse, she followed Yang Jian to bet on odd wins this time.
"Two and five, seven points, odd win."
The dealer continued to roll an odd number for the sixth consecutive time. Yang Jian had now won eleven thousand yuan, and Yu Feng had also won twenty thousand in this round.
"Er Jian, do you want to continue?"
Yu Feng was conflicted. By her usual habit, she would increase her bet and continue to bet on even wins, but she felt that Yang Jian's luck seemed better than hers.
"Continue. I'm betting five thousand this time."
"Then I'll bet fifty thousand."
Yu Feng finally decided to follow Yang Jian.
"One and six, seven points, odd win."
The dealer rolled another odd number. Yang Jian won another five thousand.
"Still continuing?"
Yu Feng was now completely following Yang Jian's lead. She had recouped her losses and even won twenty thousand.
"Continue."
Yang Jian bet another five thousand. At this point, his mindset had changed. He felt his luck was good today and perhaps he could win twenty to thirty thousand yuan. This would provide the money for his father's factory and leave him with some extra cash to take to Hancheng.
"Doubles, familiar faces."
The dealer rolled another odd number. One and two points were called "doubles," but this combination belonged to the emperor. Those betting on even lost money, and those betting on odd did not win.
This round was a hollow victory. Although he didn't lose money, it affected Yang Jian's mindset, making him consider whether to continue betting on odd.
Yu Feng spoke at this moment: "Er Jian, I'm not playing anymore. There are still things to do at the company. Are you going to continue gambling?"
Her words were like a wake-up call. Yang Jian instantly felt much clearer. He had actually become a bit addicted. Fortunately, Sister Feng reminded him in time.
"I'm not playing either."
Yang Jian returned the ten thousand yuan to Yu Feng, gave Yu Jiangang a thousand yuan as a lucky money, and then counted out three thousand yuan and threw it to Wu Zhi, who was acting as the dealer. This was the real way to support Wu Wangchun's bank.
"Brother Jian is spirited. Come play often when you have time."
Wu Zhi, seeing Yang Jian getting up, tossed him a pack of cigarettes.
Yang Jian smiled at him and squeezed out of the crowd.
Wu Wangchun walked over with a smile. "Xiao Yang, you didn't lose, did you?"
"No, I even won about ten thousand yuan."
"Good luck, Xiao Yang. Are you still planning to go to Hancheng to work with Song Jianhao? Why not stay with me? I'll give you a ten percent share, or you can be the emperor banker here. It's more stable than going to Hancheng."
"Thank you, Mr. Wu, but I'll pass. Everyone here is familiar with each other, and my father wouldn't agree to me coming here."
Yang Jian wasn't lying. He had seen several people from Yangli Village just now.
"Alright then. If you want to play, call me in advance, because our venue isn't fixed here."
"Okay, I'll come over when I have time."
Yang Jian said a polite phrase. He was leaving for Hancheng tomorrow, so how could he come gambling again?
Just as he was about to leave the casino with Yu Feng, a young man in his late twenties suddenly approached him.
"Yang Jian, can you lend me ten thousand yuan? I'll pay you back in a few days."
Yang Jian recognized this person. His name was Li Xiang, and he was from the same village. Yangli Village had only two major surnames: Li and Yang. The Li surname was more numerous, and the village secretary had always been from the Li family.
This Li Xiang was a cousin of San Pang and also a hoodlum, but he had always operated in Xinqiao Town and hadn't harmed the villagers.
After Yang Jian gained fame in Chengguan, this Li Xiang had always wanted to follow Yang Jian. He had asked San Pang to convey this many times, but Yang Jian had refused. He wasn't trying to be a gang leader, so he didn't want to lead too many followers.
"Brother Xiang, I can lend you two thousand. I'm going to Hancheng tomorrow, so I'm a bit tight on cash. Besides, you know my family is also setting up a factory and needs money."
They were acquaintances from the same village, and this Li Xiang was also involved in the underworld. He was a decent person, and Yang Jian felt awkward not lending money when he had it.
"Two thousand is fine. I'll pay you back when you return."
Perhaps because he had lost so much, Li Xiang didn't seem to mind the small amount.
Yang Jian had to count out two thousand yuan for him. As for when he would return this money, it was uncertain. These people spent money lavishly when they had it, and might forget quickly.
However, Yang Jian wasn't worried about him not repaying. If he asked San Pang to remind him, he probably wouldn't dare to renege.
After leaving the woods, Yang Jian and Yu Feng drove away separately. Yu Jiangang remained at the casino to manage the bets.