A Gambler’s Mindset

Every inmate in prison wasn't your average Joe and each had their own story to tell. They wouldn't have ended up in jail in the first place if they had a plain and ordinary life.

This was especially true for Pelican Bay State Prison since it was a federal maximum security prison where the most dangerous inmates were detained.

After Chris stood up and left, Yang Yi continued to watch the other inmates.

None of the inmates were saints and none of them could be simply dismissed. One had to wonder what crimes a seemingly ordinary person who looked like your average law-abiding citizen on a normal day had committed outside to become an inmate.

Danny once said Yang Yi had never experienced any sense of crisis from childhood until now. It was for this reason he had landed in this place which would allow him to transform. Yang Yi was finally able to comprehend what if felt like to be wary at all times. If he didn't he might get stabbed by someone.

Since the day Yang Yi was sent here, he never had a chance to relax and had to remain alert at all times. Instead of thinking about trivial things like what he would eat each day, he had to come up with possible ways to eliminate his enemies. How could he relax in such an environment?

It could be seen just from the betting odds that everyone thought Yang Yi would definitely die. Might as well bet on his death, there weren't any payout benefits when the odds were a pack of cigarettes to one stick.

Yang Yi started to feel irritated when he saw Buddy was still taking bets. He had no intention of seeking death when he had challenged the Boxing King. At the same time, Yang Yi noticed the crowd around Buddy had started to argue. However, it didn't break out into a fight.

There was a change in the noise around Buddy after some time had passed. It seemed like Buddy had compromised because the crowd started cheering. Buddy then started writing again at a very fast pace in his small notebook.

Yang Yi found the way the inmates lived their lives to be very interesting. After being busy for quite some time, Buddy walked away from the other inmates toward Yang Yi.

Buddy sat beside Yang Yi and asked, "Bro, is there anything I can help you with today?"

Yang Yi grinned, "Nope, I have nothing to say to you. Oh yeah, I have enough money for four packs of cigarettes. Please help me place a bet of four packs of cigarettes on my own victory."

Buddy immediately took out a pencil and wrote in the small notebook. He then said, "3387 placed four packs of cigarettes on his own victory. The odds are ten to one. Ok, I have jotted it down."

Yang Yi laughed, "That's not right. Shouldn't the odds be twenty to one?"

Buddy responded helplessly with a shrug and said, "The odds had to be adjusted. There's no way we could continue the betting otherwise. Everyone wanted to bet on the Boxing King but no one was willing to accept the odds of one pack to one stick. We had no choice but to adjust the odds under the circumstances. The new odds are 0.5. So those who bet on the Boxing King will win a pack for every two packs of cigarettes they bet and if they bet on you, they will win ten packs of cigarettes for each pack they bet if you emerge victorious."

Yang Yi frowned, "Are those odds even okay? If everyone bets two packs of cigarettes on the Boxing King and a pack of cigarettes on me, they will win seven packs of cigarettes if I emerge victorious but they won't lose anything if the Boxing King wins."

Buddy laughed, "You're right about that but there's nothing I could do about it. No one would bet if I didn't offer these odds. On the other hand, everyone also has full confidence the Boxing King will win. It's good enough they will get back three packs after betting two packs. So, why would they risk not getting anything? Bro, you must understand a gambler's mindset. They wanted to win not lose."

Yang Yi immediately responded, "That's a reasonable explanation. So, how many people have bet on my victory?"

Buddy laughed, "There are some who placed a bet on you. Odds like ten to one are obviously a big temptation. Of course, there are inmates who bet on both sides. They will make a killing if you win. Nonetheless, most of the inmates bet on the Boxing King."

Buddy then lowered his voice and continued, "Although I won't lose money if you lose, I won't earn anything as well. It's different if you win though. I will earn a lot. Therefore you have my moral support."

Yang Yi chuckled, "Your moral support won't be enough if you want to make money. You'll have to provide me with some help."

Buddy helplessly replied, "As much as I would like to tamper with the bet, it's beyond my ability. Bro, this is a cage fight. Two will walk in but only one person will walk out alive. Even I have to wait for the result of the fight. So, how can I help you when I won't be able to cheer for you?"

Yang Yi asked, "Where will the cage fight be carried out? It won't be inside a cell right?"

"It's going to be in a cell. It's very common for two cellmates to have a fight and for one of them to end up dead. So, it will definitely be inside a cell. Did you think there will be a lot of spectators watching the fight? Dream on, as much as we would like to watch the fight, it will never happen."

Yang Yi give it some thought and asked, "Can you tell me which cell we will be fighting in?"

"It's not fixed. It all depends on which cell is empty. They will transfer the both of you into that cell. If there aren't any, they will simply make arrangements for it."

"Will they search us before we're sent inside the cell?"

"Body search? How are you going to kill a person without a weapon? Not everyone can kill a person just by using their fists. So, weapons are very common in cage fights. Of course, the Boxing King most likely won't be using a weapon. Do you think he would need one? He has no need for it. He can stun you with a single punch and then strangle you slowly."

Yang Yi turned gloomy and smiled bitterly, "Bro, there's no need for you to be so direct right? It sounds like you think I will die for sure."

Buddy nodded, "Yup, everyone here thinks you will definitely die. It's unfortunate that you can't match the Boxing King's muscles and his strength. You did come out of solitary confinement unscathed, you might be crazy, but that's not enough for you to win."

Yang Yi let out a breath and said, "You can definitely help. Do you want me to win? If yes, then you know what you need to do."

Buddy shook his head, "No, I won't help you. More importantly, I can't help you. It will destroy my reputation if I do."

Yang Yi grinned, "Hear me out first. I only need you to help me with one thing. I heard there are two different bed arrangements in a cell. My cell has two beds while some cells have bunk beds instead. Is that true?"

Buddy frowned when he replied, "You're right. What has that got to do with anything?"

Yang Yi whispered, "Can you ask your contact to arrange for a cell with a bunk bed? Also, please arrange for me to enter the cell first before they send in the Boxing King. This is my request and I know you can do it. I guarantee you will be the biggest winner if you help me out right now."

After some hesitation, Buddy stood up and said, "First bring me your bet. Others can pay after the match is over but you can't."