A Lieutenant Colonel, three Captains, and two Corporals sit down to play cards.

There are six players in the game, but there can only be one winner.

The game is poker.

Texas Hold 'Em.

The game is won by luck and skill and awareness, but mostly awarness. Knowing what your opponents may have drawn gives you an intrinsic advantage.

The Leiutant Colonel drew a matched Ace and King, both spades.

"Well, boys, this is gonna be quick and painful, maybe I got this, maybe I don't. But either way, one thing is for certain, tonight. I'm going to win or lose, and it will be very quick, one way or the other. Does that make you feel comfortable?"

The three Captains looked at their cards, and all decided that shit rolls downhill for a reason. No need to win against the Leiutenant, that would just humiliate a superior. And, no need to take money from a Corporal, that would just be degrading to a lowely officer.

But the two Corporals held out.

The first, Corporal Jackson, held two Aces, Hearts and Diamonds.

The second, Corporal Johnson, had nothing but desperation, a five of hearts, and an eight of clubs. He kept on fidgeting on his chest, like something was itching him, and obvious tell.

They all antied up.

The first card drawn was a queen, a queen of Spades.

The Leiutenant Colonel sat on the pot for a moment, not wanting to portray his hand.

Coporal Jackson raised.

They all bit.

The second card was another Ace. The Ace of Clubs.

Knowing that he would win, Corporal Jackson raised.

The Colonel and the other Corporal bit into his ploy.

Nervous now, Colonel Johnson bit his fingernails, knowing he was almost certain to lose.

The last card was laid down. It was a meaningless 5 of hearts.

Colonel Johnson began to cry.

"I don't know why I tried to play, I never should've bet into this pot. Here's the money."

The Leiutenant Colonel chewed on his cigar for a moment, and contemplated...

"What's amatter Johnson, can't hang with the big boys?"

"No sir"

Johnson replied.

"The MP knew that these games were happening, and I was tasked with recording them. I think I turned the wire off, but I can't be sure. The MP will be here shortly. They don't know who you are, but please, get out of here, right now!"

The Leutentant, and Captains, and the other Corporal all left immediately, leaving everything on the table.

And Johnson won the Poker game.