I changed into my best threads, and all of us went downstairs to Ah Ma's house to greet our relatives and collect the many ang-pows waiting for us. Everyone stilll looked the same, except for a pregnant Ah Ping. Not to waste time, we quickly rallied all the Blackjack addicts to officially launch our traditional festive activity.
Two pink pigs
After a couple of rounds, we took an intermission where we quickly usurped the mahjong table while the mahjong uncles went away for dinner.
Stupid Henglip was reluctant to pose for a picture and Haoling was more than eager to squeeze her face in. Also check out the hardcore 4D punters crowding around the TV in the living room. (The back view of Ah Sir's dad was unmistakable). Dad struck 4D AGAIN! Yoohoo!
Wee and Ru
Wee went into some violent fits after knowing my Mum did not cook her favourite bamboo shoots.
We had dinner which consisted of the standard dishes: chicken, duck, cabbage, goh hiong, fried prawns and fish, bamboo shoots, tapioca dough and my favourite braised sea cucumber. After dinner, we were about to resume gambling with the other kakis but guess what we stumbled across in the bedroom?
Two happy Sleeping Buddhas on the floor
That was 6th Aunt (bottom), 2nd Aunt (middle), Ah Hao (slouched on a chair) and Bobbi (the not-very-cute-and-friendly dog). 2nd Aunt was happily propping one leg on the other and shaking her feet when I took them by surprise. They were feeling lazy so we left them alone and went up to my house to watch Frankenfish.
After the movie, we returned to Ah Ma's house and we were all seated at the dining table in the kitchen, raring to start placing our bets (our new crisp two-dollar bills) and rubbing the poker cards.
On went the usual bantering and uproarious laughter while we played a variety of games from Blackjack to sa kee (three cards) to hian neow (literally flip the cat) to see kee (four cards). We were occasionally startled by the tacky 财神到 ringtone that boomed from Ah Sir's handphone. Henglip has a sterling track record of losing in gambling every year; even 4th Aunt was disgusted with his luck that she would not let him be the dealer on her behalf. Our plastic two-dollar bills kept flying across the table and 4th Aunt had this nasty habit of keeping whoever's bills that had flown into her territory. She would give you an accusing look if you tried to claim back your bills from her.
We tried to coerce 1st Aunt to join us but she would not, claiming that she had only four dollars in her pocket. When we said that we were going to play see kee, she immediately sat down with us and smiled "See kee 比较好玩". However, I think 1st Aunt is easily confused because even when we were playing see kee for her sake and had distributed four cards to her, she still asked "Eh, 玩什么?". Haoling and Henglip had an unhealthy partnership whereby they claimed that they got good cards whenever they 'combined power'. Haoling always takes forever to bee pai (reveal her cards).
When gambling with all of us and being the dealer, losing to all of us is not the worst fate, humiliation is. When playing Blackjack, there will definitely be someone who will curse you to draw a ten and bust your cards (to draw cards exceeding the count of 21). When playing sa kee and you unfortunately have a total score of 1 point, you will be overwhelmed by the laughter and mockeries from all of us.
Below are some snapshots of us in action (Warning: Loud laughter and shrieks can damage your hearing):
4th Aunt snatching her winnings and 2nd Aunt debating with her over some 18, 19 and 20 points
2nd Aunt handing out commands on not to feed Bobbi anything except fruits
2nd Aunt dared to challenge the dealer ...
We ended our activities unusually early tonight because the mahjong folks ended theirs early too. It was really hot and humid and I could not wait to get home for a bath. Looking forward to the next day!
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