While they reminisce and tease each other playfully, the pair is approached by Admiral Nakamura, accompanied by Commander Bruce Maddox, a Starfleet cyberneticist. Phillipa Louvois is a longtime friend who had previously prosecuted Picard with zeal during the court martial following the loss of the USS Stargazer. Confused, Data doesn't understand how Riker could have won – as he had nothing toward a winning hand – but La Forge points out to Data Riker's valid play and that he did win, in bluffing Data.Ĭaptain Picard, while sitting and having tea on the station, encounters Captain Phillipa Louvois, whom he has not seen in ten years. Riker reveals his face-down card as the two of spades, which raises a resounding groan from the table. Data comments about Riker's facial expression being a "poker face", but Riker asks if Data is "playing or not?". This causes Data to peek at his face-down card, which is a queen, indicating he has three of a kind. Data bets ten, but Riker raises another ten. The cards are dealt a final time, and Riker receives a four of hearts, which causes a moan from the others – Riker may have a flush. The cards are dealt, and Riker's new card is the five of hearts, as we see three hearts, compared to Data's pair of queens, ace high.ĭata bets five cautiously, whereas O'Brien calls, but Riker raises five more. Data bets ten, as he holds the highest hand, whereas Pulaski and Lieutenant La Forge fold. Doctor Pulaski announces a bet, which the rest of the staff calls. It is Lieutenant Commander Data's first official game, but he has studied up on the subject and explains it in detail as the cards are dealt. Meanwhile, four of the senior staff and Chief Miles O'Brien sit down in Commander Riker's quarters for a game of poker.
The USS Enterprise-D is visiting the newly-built Starbase 173 for a crew rotation. " Is that what is known as a poker face?"