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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#180: A Roll of the Dice

Despite all our skill and effort, sometimes life simply comes down to luck. Whether you’re trying to win a game, land a job, or find a significant other, there’s no sure way to know how it’ll work out — or how good your luck will be. A twist of fate could send you catapulting into happiness, or your luck could sour in the blink of an eye. But if you can push through bad luck, you might just find you can change it.

So this week, you’ll want to get your rabbits’ feet and four leaf clovers ready. Are you feeling lucky?

This week's prompts

Write a story that hinges on the outcome of a coin flip.

Adventure – 68 stories

Start your story with someone having a run of bad luck.

Angst – 42 stories

Write about someone losing their lucky charm.

Mystery – 26 stories

Set your story in a casino.

Adults – 34 stories

Write about someone whose luck is running out.

Character – 44 stories

Stories

“A fortune in freedom” by Rodney De Jong

Submitted to Contest #180

The wheel turned, the awful lights flickered and the beeping sounds of the device were merely an afterthought at the sight of that pin. “Come on, green.. come on.” I whispered between my lips, twirling the stick of that free lollipop. I wasn’t alone but I was next, win or lose, this twirl was gonna be my last. I could see his eyes, those unnatural red eyes.. a mere cosplay that fit the scene to most but no to me, no I knew the truth and they knew that I knew that my time was either about to get bright, or very dark. The spin became slower, t...

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“Black 26” by M.D. Poe

Submitted to Contest #180

The cool wind blows through the truck window with the lights shining through like a carnival in a dark alley. The light is glistening off my 45, and my pen and note pad sitting beside me with my feelings of farewell and unhappiness. But before I say the big F-U, I say let fate ride, with a chance to gain 38 times more than me and the ex saved. One number and one number alone, will decide my fate. Apparently, ask any casino dealer, and they will tell you black 26 on the Roulette Wheel is the most common hit. Well, with my luck, I’...

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“Bad Luck Revolution” by Nathania Harris

Submitted to Contest #180

I picked up a charm It was teal and bucked I thought it was A bit of good luck I want you to hear The lesson I learned It has been imagined Now I have adjourned Day One: Do the flowers bloom Like my new Transaction My chance to make An extra action I made a change Be filled with cheer I wish I wish Before new years Make things right From things before My big mistakes And so much more I had a secret I had to hide Made a big mistake I had classified My teacher from 2nd 4th and 5th Made me sit With Cassandra Kits So then ...

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“The Falsehood of a Night Jailed Demon” by 姐姐

Submitted to Contest #180

Trigger Warning (TW)/ Content Warning (CW): Manipulation, Dark Themes, Death "A-1 to B-1. If there's such a thing as lady luck, I got it," I said confidently, moving a chess piece on the board. Although it was chilly in late August, it was the fifteenth day of the seventh lunar month. I wanted to participate in the experience of the Hungry Ghost Festival after seeing a poster that said, "Night JaDe," including the whereabouts and timing of the event. The capitalization of the 'D' was odd, but I figured it was a typo. Marshall, a young adol...

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“Seven Years Bad Luck” by Sonia Ferrigno

Submitted to Contest #180

After the bang came the crash. Mark swivelled around, still busy tying a Van Wijk knot on his maroon Paisley tie to just the right size. It was all in the tie. Mark could tell if a man was worth his time by his tie. A guy with a Windsor knot deserved his respect. A bit old school, but a tough client and loaded. Shit. He had slammed the door to the dressing room, sending shards of glass all over the plush ivory carpet. I must stop working out so hard at the gym. He smiled at his reflection in the bathroom mirror. 'Mr Marc!' c...

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“Just Politics” by Asha Ingram

Submitted to Contest #180

I sit and stare at my phone in the D.C police station. My hands feel clammy, my stomach has knotted itself into a ball. I’m obviously nervous, but the thing that I feel people can’t see so clearly is the feeling of irritation I’m overcome with. Must be that goddamn media, I think to myself. Why else would a woman like me, the wife of one of the senate's most prominent senators be sitting here, in a grimy police station amongst all of the filth of the world. Beside me, a young boy sits, probably about 20 or something, I feel as he watches me...

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“The Spit Compass” by Jim Firth

Submitted to Contest #180

Flip a coin, reader. If it lands on heads, read on. If it lands on tails, STOP. You are not ready for the stellar knowledge contained within. Trust the coin’s judgement—it knows more about you than you might think. It’s not just a flat piece of metal that we ascribe monetary value to, but a discerning disc more incisive than the dowser of any mystic, more intuitive than we’ve been led to believe by conventional ‘science’. When you flick the coin into the air with your thumb, its gyrations are not random; they are affected by your energy...

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“Mercy” by Scott Dutkus

Submitted to Contest #180

“Mercy!” “Please, oh Holy Highspirit, grant your humble servant mercy.” His voice croaked as he cried out and his eyes would not open. “Where am I?” He tried to wipe the gunk off his face with his left hand. The right hand wrapped around the Book, and even if he tried to move it, it would not have moved. He blinked and the left eye opened and light streamed through, but his right eyelid stuck shut. This time, using his thumbnail, he rubbed the right eye and felt the dried gunk break free. He blinked again and both ey...

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“Coined Terms” by Skott's Ghost

Submitted to Contest #180

[TW: War]Real life in a besieged city has never sounded like a fun idea for me. Life in a besieged city within a video game, however, was something I could sit down and enjoy for hours on end. This isn't a video game, though. But it is real, and much like the character in the video game, I'm all alone. My father was killed by a missile while out scavenging for food last year, and my mom.. well, she passed away when I was four years old, way before America collapsed after entering its second civil war. I'm 15 now, and as much as I want to end...

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“Toss Up” by Taylor Crehan

Submitted to Contest #180

My relationship with Daniel was born from sheer luck. When he drove to my dingy college apartment to pick me up for our first date, his gas tank was nearly on E. I took a risk and assumed he was the joking type, so I made a cheeky comment about calling Triple-A. "Don't you ever bargain with your fate?" He asked, smiling. Daniel looked at me with a certain sparkle in his eye, one I'd only seen in movies. In a matter of hours, he had pulled me into his orbit, and I never wanted to come back down to Earth. From t...

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“SILVER DOLLAR LUCK” by Julia Corliss

Submitted to Contest #180

JB and his childhood buddy Lloyd were at loose ends in January of 1941. The winds of war were stirring but not yet raging as they would be after December 7, 1941. JB and Lloyd had been working as crop dusters but there was no such work while winter lasted. They had some money saved, but were now both between jobs and so they considered their options, which were not great in winter in SW Arkansas. They decided to hitchhike to the big city of Little Rock to seek work. Fate had something totally unexpected awaiting them, especially JB.They got ...

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“misfortune” by James Mckinley

Submitted to Contest #180

Oh how my foot hurts! My back aches and I think I am coming down with something. I have a headache to end all headaches. My whole life has fallen apart! I can't wait until I can get into a hot shower and then into bed. Oh crap, what is this on my door. A notice from the landlord, the hot water is going to be out for the next two days, why me! I was doing so well! I was sailing along without a care in the world, now the world hates me! I cannot figure out what is going on? I get into my apartment and nearly fall over a package that my landlor...

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“One Unlucky Day” by Danielle Hatton

Submitted to Contest #180

One Unlucky Day “ Mom? Mom, aren’t you supposed to be leaving for work?” Jacob asked me.My oldest son, standing by my bed, looking down at me.You may wonder how I know he was standing by my bed. Well, even though my eyes were shut, I could feel it. A mom knows, right?“What is it, Jacob?” I asked him. My brain was mush and I just wanted to sleep. He better have a good reason for waking me up.“Mom, it’s 7:30 and I am pretty sure you overslept.” He told me.I slowly sat up, blinking my eyes, “What! What time is it?” I yelled suddenly in a p...

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“Have you met Sue? ” by Suzanne Lobo

Submitted to Contest #180

Trigger warning this story contains multiple sensitive contents.1.Sue was a coin toss for bad luck. I know you think you are suffering, but I am going to invalidate all of your pain by consoling (one-upping) you with someone else's life, which was a train wreck into a dumpster on fire because deep down, we are all sadists who take pleasure in other people's misery.I met Sue when I was five. The cops were on the opposite block; our neighbours had another "argument." A cop came out of the house cuffing a little girl, Sue. I heard she shot her ...

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“The Fortunes of the Misfortunate” by Rosemary Kash

Submitted to Contest #180

The Gods hated Jared. In the grand scheme of the universe, they saw fit to curse him. “Why? Why me?” Jared would despair, time and time again. Perhaps he unknowingly offended a descendant. Maybe they hated the sound of his voice. He could have stepped on the wrong worm. Not that Jared goes around purposely stepping on worms. We all know how the ground turns into a minefield after a hard rain. Despite one's best step, things just happen. Things just kept happening to Jared. Unfortunate things. Despite his best efforts, Jared's luck wa...

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$250

Prize money

214

Contest entries

99

Stories

Ended on 22:59 - Jan 13, 2023 EST

Won by Marilyn Filewood 🏆

Title: Come In Spinner

Submissions must be between 1,000 - 3,000 words and will be approved and published on Reedsy Prompts within 7 days of the contest closing.

Read the full terms & conditions or check out the FAQ if you have any questions!

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