interestingly enough the scepter works for the cambion even if you don't have all the gems to make the scepter work legitimately... (I had fun running around the maze trying to find the last demon so I could get out of the level after dealing with the cambion) I also managed to get the scroll of wish, and the spectral brand.

I did a little digging into the board archives when I ran into our card-carrying friend for the first time a few months ago. I was having a hard time winning the brand or scroll too.
A good point I found was that the game doesn't reset the base chance for your roll if you just get the wrong card and reload. You have to do something like cast a spell or rest in order for the program to see a change and re-roll your chance for success. That's why you're always pulling the same card every time. The percentage isn't very high, but you CAN beat the odds.

Hmmm...

Does anybody know the Shadowkeeper variable on that one? I'm about to get back to that point (playing through again, and just killed him the first time I went through). I don't like to cheat, but if the game is "rigged" (it keeps the draw the same even if you reload), then I wouldn't mind resetting it before I draw again.

The chances do get resetted if you reload. I use Quickload to win all the gambles.

I usually gamble in the following order,

1) Spectral Brand
2) Wish Scroll
3) Portal Gem( this one must ALWAYS be last)

Babylon Translator (english->english) says:
homo = man, human, being (Latin)
Why would this be derogatory is beyond me...

Homo is also Urban black ghetto slang (that and clown-listen to any rapper, but Eiminem is a good bet 'cause he can't go without mentioning "homos" in any song) for homosexual. It's considered derogotary. nothing wrong with saying "homo" if you really are talking about someone who is homosexual, but to call something "not cool" or "bad" "homo" is derogatory to homosexuals.

I can't help but wonder how this topic has strayed so far from the Cambion and the Deck of Many Things.

I also can't help but wonder why Dundee seems to value the Spectral Brand as being of higher worth than a scroll of Wish.

Minor Spoiler
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Simply because there is always another one on the 5th Level. ;) Besides, the Spectral Brand is a pretty nifty weapon.

To one who (apparently) always plays Solo games, I can see how one scroll is enough. But what's so exciting about the Spectral Brand? "Oooh, a Ras+5. Big whoop." I tend not to like summons that expire before you can even finish buffing them.

Well... you can always pretend it is the big brother of the BG1 +2 Longsword. ;) Negative Plane Protection is nifty too.