[ WP ] You die in a tragic accident . While sitting on a bench in purgatory , Mr/Mrs.Death approaches you and says , `` Pick a game , any game , and if you are the victor , I 'll send you back to the day before the accident . ''

`` Pick a game, any game, and if you are the victor, I'll send you back to the day before the accident.'' 
 
 I looked up at the being ( using the term loosely ) in front of me. The obvious question rose to my mouth. `` Why?'' 
 
 `` Do you want to save your life or not? It is simple. Choose a game, and we shall play.'' 
 
 `` You've avoided the question,'' I responded. 
 
 The figure reacted in some way, but I could not deduce what it might be thinking. 
 
 `` Very well,'' it said at last. `` It's one of my rules. I have to choose someone, once a century, to whom I must give this chance. I make my choice very carefully. I have selected you.'' 
 
 `` I see,'' I responded. And I was starting to. 
 
 `` So, then. Choose.'' 
 
 `` I decline,'' I said. 
 
 The being reacted more strongly at that. I think it might have been... anger? 
 
 `` You can not,'' it said. `` You must choose the game.'' 
 
 `` I figured as much. One question first. How often do people win?'' 
 
 Death refused to answer. Which was, in itself, an answer. I thought about it. Obviously Death won every game, because it would have had eternity to master any game. This left only one choice if I was to have any chance at all. I smiled. 
 
 `` All right,'' I said, `` I choose a fair coin-flip.'' 
 
 Out of nowhere, a 1996 United States Quarter appeared in front of me. I looked at it, verified it had both heads and tails, then held it steady. I looked at Death. `` Call it,'' I said. I knew if I flipped first, Death could easily tell where it would land in mid-air. 
 
 `` Heads.'' 
 
 The coin spun in the air. I caught it, and opened my hand. 
 
 Tails. 
 
 `` You win,'' Death said. `` Now I will return you to the day before the accident.'' 
 
... 
 
 `` You win,'' Death said. `` Now I will return you to the day before the accident.'' 
 
... 
 
 `` You win,'' Death said. `` Now I will return you to the day before the accident.'' 
 
... 
 
 `` You win,'' Death said. `` Now I will return you to the day before the accident.'' 
 
... 
 
 It took me a few iterations before someone took pity on me and told me what had happened. Death kept its word. I was returned to the day before the accident, exactly as I had been then. With no difference in memory, no chance to alter anything. 
 
 I picked Blackjack and deliberately busted. 
 
 I was right that the game was rigged. I just did n't realize in which direction.
