Bluffing

So I find myself in the Bicycle casino in Bell Gardens, California, having just moved all of my chips into the middle in a perfect bluff position. I 'obviously' have the best hand, my story makes perfect sense and there is no way he can make the call. While I wait for the elderly chinese gentleman to pass away his cards I remember this story.....

My Grandfather, the late, great Lord William Furnival, once taught me one of the most important lessons I ever learnt. People bluff all of the time and there is no better feeling than a great bluff, whether it be at the felt or in the workplace. However, for a bluff to work the person being bluffed, must believe it. The story must make sense.
I was 10 years old and had been at the races all day, a lovely spring afternoon in the rolling hills of the English countryside. My grandfather was never one to shy away from a tipple and being a popular chap, was never short of offers from people for a single malt or two (25 year old Glendronach if anyone was wondering). When it came to home time, I clambered up into his Land Rover and buckled myself in. I don't advocate drink driving, and all of my readers should remember the law is there to protect us...Alas, as we were making our way towards the exit gate, with numerous members of her majesties constabulary orchestrating the traffic,I feared he had no chance of breaking the line.
He wound down his window(to oust the smell of whisky from the vehicle) lit his pipe (apple and cherry tobacco) and said "good day to you occifer". And with a smile on his face and a twinkle in his eye made his way off down the road.
The policeman must have stood there thinking that there could not have been a man, who would exercise such brazenness if he had really been drinking and wouldn't have wasted another moment to think about it.

The elderly Chinese gentleman looks at his watch,(I think uh-oh this doesn't look good): he says cheerfully 'I guess its home time' (damn and blast, he's not going to fold) Then he gradually puts his chips into the pot and says 'I got an ace' (which is comfortably the best hand)
In the spirit of always taking every outcome in the best possible manner, I straighten my blazer and say 'frightfully well played' to the old fool and calmly call the doorman to fetch my carriage.

Be Lucky

Lord F