Richie then randomly divided the fifty-four playing cards into three piles, dealing them as he would in Fight the Landlord, and demonstrated how to play for Twilight and Anya.
He explained three-of-a-kind with a single, three-of-a-kind with a pair, the various straights, the rocket and other bombs, as well as how the cards ranked.
Anya and Twilight said they had completely mastered all the rules of the game.
Anya secretly thought, Even though I can't read my brother's mind, I can read Father's. And with Bond here, I can see the future. I'm definitely winning this battle.
Hearing Anya snicker to herself, Richie suddenly thought of a saying that perfectly described the situation:
The mantis stalked the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind.
Richie considered himself the oriole.
Anya was the mantis, of course, and Twilight was the cicada.
With his formidable powers of calculation, Twilight could use his computer-like brain to work out exactly what cards Anya and Richie held as soon as his own cards were dealt.
Then, by following the order in which Anya and Richie played their cards, Twilight felt he had this game in the bag.
He was even worried that beating the two children might upset them.
He was already considering how to throw the game naturally and let himself lose.
Richie and Anya couldn't help finding it funny when they heard Twilight Dad's thoughts.
Whether Twilight Dad went easy on them or not, he was never going to be the winner this time.
Once Richie had explained the rules, they started playing for real.
Richie and Anya sat on little stools on either side of Twilight's armchair.
During the deal, Richie was lucky enough to receive the landlord card.
Richie chuckled inwardly. He was definitely winning this time.
Anya and Twilight exchanged a