Story (Does not contain puzzle content)
You slip into the alley behind the mess hall and find… not much of note. A few bulky dumpsters crowd the narrow space. As you take it in, faint clinks of glass and the crack of billiard balls reach your ears. You follow the sounds past the dumpsters and down a stairwell to a metal door. At your knock, a slit at waist height snaps open, quickly shuts, and another opens at eye level. Small, beady eyes study you briefly before the window slides closed. A moment later, the door creaks open.
The room beyond is dim and hazy, packed with penguins nursing libations and competing at darts and billiards. Your eyes are drawn to the card tables in the back, where the Card Shark is watching you steadily from across the room. As you approach, he gathers up all of the chips from a dispirited penguin, who slinks away from the table. The Card Shark gives you a slow wink as you take the vacated seat. Then he deals you in.
Spoiler warning: The following story content is revealed after solving this puzzle and includes the answer to the puzzle.
While staring at your single pocket card, you have a flash of heightened understanding of the game. You make a bold BET ON A POCKET PAIR and rake in a sizable pot. The penguins around the table chitter about the deft play, and even the Card Shark nods thoughtfully, impressed.