Haha gambling is always a risk! I think that is what I enjoy about some of the lesser dependable factions like the Lizards. There is a complexity of how you manage your "luck" and makes for far more interesting games. Our intent was to make a more aggressive luck based faction that tries to stack their deck with VP gaining cards, but we also wanted the other players to feel like they could participate in this. This is why we allowed other players to "flood" the deck with less desirable results in order to sway a battle or loose the snakes some points. But sometimes you could spend a card and the snakes still get what they want - just another gamble. :D
I am glad you liked them! It means a lot to hear the feedback! I will definitely be doing this again next year!