"Cards are war, in disguise of a sport."

— Charles Lamb (from brainyquote·com)

Preface

Because I'm using a different way to conduct my annual Star Wars Madness Tournament, I thought it was time to use a different game. Having recently discovered episodes of Las Vegas Gambit online, I chose to use the old Star Wars in-universe game Pazaak and modify it for use in my traditional game show parodies. Here are the Pazaak-specific game mechanics and rules.

» The main deck consists of 40 cards, four card each from one to ten.

» A common side deck with 23 cards – one each of the following: positive 1-6; negative 1-6; plus or minus 1-6; plus or minus 1 or 2; 2/4 flip card; 3/6 flip card; double card; and tiebreaker + 1.

» Players can stay with a score of 11 or more. Scores over 20 are a bust.

» Ties are not allowed.

» In lieu of questions, the highest seed starts the match with control. Players keep control until they pass a card or stay. The loser of a game starts with control for the next game, when played.

» Side cards are allowed and determined by round. First round = 1 card, quarterfinals = 2 cards; semifinals = 3 cards; championship = 4 cards.

» A progressive jackpot for scoring 20 exactly.

» Best two of three games win a match. Each win earns 100 credits.

» Playing nine cards with a score less than 20 is a win and a 900-credit bonus.

» The bonus round will only be plaid at the end of the championship match.

A bracket has been posted to my Twitter account. Episodes of Las Vegas Gambit and its them song can presently be found on YouTube.

Random numbers corresponding to the various cards have been used to determine game play. This ensures chance plays the biggest factor in who wins and minimizes any biases I may have.

Acknowledgments

Very special thanks to the people behind the Twitter accounts for The Wampa's Lair and the Canon Cantina for allowing me to use the top characters in their respective tournaments as characters here.

Also, very special thanks to Lucasfilm, Ltd. For Star Wars characters and concepts.

Special thanks to Rhodes Productions and MGM production for Las Vegas Gambit.

Finally, special thanks to the random·org web site for generating all of the random numbers necessary for this tournament.

Note: Dialogue in «angled quotes» denote text spoken in Shyriiwook.

The opening played the theme music with various scenes inside a casino.

From the Wampa Cantina in the luxurious Jawa Arms Resort on Tatooine, it's the most exciting game in town: Galactic Gambit! And here's your host, Nod Demaltrain.

Nod ran down an aisle separating the audience and took the stage.

"Hello, everybody. Welcome to Galactic Gambit. We're doing something special to launch our show. We've invited 16 various celebrities to compete in a tournament where our overall winner will have the chance to win prizes ranging from luxurious to ridiculous," Nod said. "We'll explain the game more as we go along, but first let's meet the first two of our four contestants in today's group."

Our first game features Chewbacca going up against the Jedi Master Shaak Ti.

"Chewbacca, it's good to have you here with us."

«Thanks, It will be fun to play a game again. I hope I get to win,» Chewbacca replied.

"We'll see how that works. Let's greet your opponent. Shaak, Welcome to Galactic Gambit."

"Thanks, Nod," Shaak Said. "It might be interesting to try something strategic for a change."

"You'll find plenty of that. As we told you back stage, we will be playing games of Pazaak with a twist. The player in control decides whether to take or pass cards. The idea is to outscore your opponent without exceeding 20. We have a jackpot for any score of 20 this game of 500 credits. Each of you have a chance to play one side card from a randomly sorted community deck. I'll let Chewbacca cut the main deck and Shaak can cut the side deck. Now that you've done that, Shaak as our higher seed has control to start. Do you want to take or pass a one?"

"I think I'll take it," Shaak replied.

"OK, you have a score of one. You're entitled to play a side card if you want after receiving a card, or you can opt to take the next card or pass it."

"I'll take the next card."

"Shaak, that's an eight. You now have nine. You can play a side card, or play or pass the next main card."

"I'll take another card."

"You have a two to give you 11. Because a ten could bust you, you can now opt to stand at 11, play your side card for this round, or take or pass the next main card."

"I think I'll pass the next card."

"Chewbacca, you have a chance to get a card and start your hand. Shaak has passed you an eight. What would you like to do here?"

«I'll take the next card,» Chewbacca answered.

"We have for you... a seven. That gives you 15. Remember, you can't go over 20, so what would you like to do?"

«I'll stand.»

"Shaak, Chewbacca has chosen to stand with 15. You have 11. Five or more will win the first game, but a ten will bust you. Are you ready to see your next card?"

"As ready as I can be," Shaak told Nod.

"Your next card is... and eight! You have 19 and you win game one. That gives you 100 credits and the first win. It takes two to advance, however. Chewbacca, that means you get to start in control for game two. We always show the first card face up, and it's a five. Do you want it, or do you want to pass it?"

«I'll take it,» Chewbacca answered.

"You have a five. You can play a side card, take the next card not knowing what it is, or pass it to Shaak."

«I'll play my side card to help me this time.»

"Our side cards are randomly shuffled, so we have no idea if it will help you or not. Your side card is a 3/6 swap. Since you have a five, that didn't help. You can take the next main card, or pass it."

«I think I'll need it, Nod.»

"Turning the next card over reveals a one for a total of six. Once again you take another card or pass it to Shaak."

«I'll take another one.»

"We flip the card to reveal a three. You have a total of nine."

«I'll pass,» Chewbacca said, making his decision immediately.

"Alright. That means Shaak will receive the next card. It's a nine. You can play a side card, take the next card, or pass it back to Chewbacca."

"I'll take it," Shaak told the host.

"Revealing the next card gives you an eight for a total of 17."

"I'll stand!"

"Shaak stands with 17. Chewbacca, you have nine. An eight through ten would give you the win and force a tie-breaker game. Remember, we disallow ties because of the tournament format."

Chewbacca nodded as he waited for the next card to be turned.

"Chewbacca, your card is a four to give you 13. You need a five to win and a seven would give you 20, the win, and our Any 20 Jackpot. The next card on top is another four. You have 17, but I just mentioned the no tie rule, so you have to take another card. You need anything that's three or lower to win, otherwise Shaak will advance."

Chewbacca looked on curiously as Nod turned over the next card.

"It's another four. Chewbacca, you've gone busy. Shaak wins the game and the match."

The audience cheered and applauded as the contestants exchanged a handshake.

"Chewbacca, the cards didn't quite work out in your favor. But you played them as well as you could and we thank you for being part of our tournament."

«Thanks, Nod,» Chewbacca replied. «I actually enjoyed myself, but I better win at least once if I come back.»

"Let me make note of that, let the Wookie win. Shaak, you're going to wait off-stage because you've advanced to lay the winner of our next semifinal. That match will take place when we return to Galactic Gambit right after this."

⁂

Returning from the break, Nod said, "Welcome back to Galactic Gambit. We now have two new players looking to advance and compete in the group final against Shaak Ti. Who are those players?"

Nod, we have two people who believe themselves to be skilled pilots: Anakin Skywalker and Poe Dameron.

"Anakin, welcome to our show and tournament."

"Thanks, Nod," Anakin responded. "I'm surprised I even have the downtime to be here today, but I hope to make the most of it."

"Let's hope. Poe, welcome to Galactic Gambit."

"Thanks," Poe said. "I hope I rise to new heights today."

"We'll see what happens. You both reviewed the rules before we started and you saw our first game, so you know what to expect. Since nobody won our Any 20 Jackpot, we'll add 500 more credits to it for a total of 1000. Poe, you can cut the main deck while Anakin cuts the side deck. We always show the first card face up, and it's a ten. Anakin, as the higher seed, I think you'll want to take that card."

"Definitely," Anakin replied."

"Anakin you have ten. Do you want to take the next card and hope for another ten, or do something else?"

"I'll take the next card."

"Alright, Anakin. If it's a ten, you get the automatic win with 20 point and our 1000 credit jackpot. The next card is a one for 11. You can play your side card available for this match, take the next card, or pass the next card. Oh, and you can stay and hope Poe doesn't beat 11."

"I think I'll pass the next card."

"Poe, you now have control of the cards. Let's see what Anakin passed to you. It's a one. You can pass, take the next card, or play your side card."

"I want another card," Poe replied.

"The next card is a seven for a total of eight. You have the same options."

"Let me have one more."

"OK, we turn over the next card to reveal a six. You have 14 now. You can stay at 14, play a side card, take the next card, or pass it."

"Let me have one more card."

"We're looking for anything six or lower. The card is a two for a total of 16."

"I think I'll stay."

"Poe is frozen at 16. Anakin, you have 11 and you need at least 17 to win. A six through nine will help you with nine giving you not only the win by the Any 20 Jackpot. Your next card is a four. You only have 15 and you need at least 17. Let's see the next card."

"A five would be nice right now," Anakin stated.

"Indeed. Anakin, you got a ten – about two cards too late. You bust and Poe wins game one."

The audience briefly applauded.

"Poe, you won the first in our best of three. Win again and you advance tot he group final against Shaak Ti. Anakin, you need a win this game to force the tie-breaking game. We'll start with you again and show you a three. Do you want it, or do you want to pass?"

"Nod, I'll pass," Anakin told him.

"Poe, the three is yours and you have control."

"Let me take the next card," Poe said.

"The next card on the deck is a six for a total of nine. What would you like to do?"

"I'll keep going and take the next card."

"This time, your card is a two. You have 11. You could free or take your other options."

"Nod, I'd like to use my side card and try to go for the win."

"Very well. As you know, side cards are shuffled at random. It could help or hurt you. You ended up with a Double card. That card doubles the last card you played, so we add another two to your score for 13. What do you want to do now."

"I don't think 1 is enough, so I'll take one more."

"You need a seven or less, and you got a three. You now have 16."

"Now, I'll stay."

"Poe, you stay at 16. Anakin will need 17 or better to win. All the cards are yours until you beat 17 or bust. Let's see your first card. It's a nine. That puts you in good shape."

"Let's get another nine."

"Indeed, Anakin, that would give you 18 and the win. Eight, nine or ten would help here. And it's another nine! You win game two with 18 to Poe's 16."

Once again, the audience briefly applauded.

"Anakin, you evened the match and we'll go into our tie-breaking game. Poe has control of a two."

"I'll take it," Poe stated.

"The two is yours. What do you want to do now?"

"I'll take the next one."

"Flipping he card reveals a seven for a total of nine. What will you do?"

"I'll pass the next card."

"Poe passes control to Anakin. I bet he kicks himself if this next card is a ten. And, it's an eight. Poe gave up the chance for 17 and Anakin now has eight and control."

"I'll take the next card," Anakin told the host.

"It's a ten for a score of 18."

"I'll stay!" Anakin exclaimed.

"I can't blame you with only two numbers helping you. Poe, you have nine and you need ten or 11 points to beat Anakin."

"Let's get another ten," Poe said."

"It's not ten but a seven. Poe, you have 16. you need three points for the win or four for the win and our jackpot."

"Either would be nice."

"Let's reveal the next card. It's a four! That gives you 20, our 1000-credit jackpot , and the match win."

Anakin and Poe shook hands as the audience cheered and applauded.

"Poe, you'll be staying here to face Shaak Ti in today's final match. Anakin, you had some pretty good cards in the last two games, but Poe managed to squeak by with 20."

"I wish I had won, but luck was on Poe's side," Anakin conceded.

"You're gracious in defeat. We have some parting gifts to thank you for being on Galactic Gambit. Poe will face Shaak in a moment when we return to Galactic Gambit."

⁂

Today's parting contestants on Galactic Gambit receive gift certificates for Thimiar King. With locations in Corvala and Cover City, more to come, and a new delivery service available over the HoloNet, you can enjoy an authentic Shili meal anywhere anytime. At Thimiar King, we kill 'em and you grill 'em. And now, back to Galactic Gambit and Nod Demaltrain.

"Thanks and welcome to our championship," Nod told everyone. "Poe Dameron, who won our last match will take on our first winner, Shaak Ti. Everything is the same as before, except you each get to play up to two side cards in this match. Also, our Any 20 Jackpot was won last time, so it resets to 500 credits. Shaak has cut the main deck and Poe cut the side deck. So, we'll show the first card to Shaak and let her decide if she wants it. It's a two."

"I'll pass," Shaak replied.

"Shaak opts to pass the low card to Poe. You can now play a side card or choose to pass or take the next card without knowing what it is."

"I'll go ahead and take it," Poe stated.

"Poe, the card is a five for a seven. What would you like to do."

"I think I'll play one of my side cards."

"OK, we'll draw one from the randomly-shuffled side deck and see it's the plus one tie-break card. The tie-break part isn't too helpful, but you get one more added to your score for eight. What do you want to do now?"

"Give me the next card."

"It's a three for 11. You now have the option to stay now."

"Eleven is too low, I need to take another card."

"OK. If it's a ten, you bust. Anything else helps you out. Turning over the card reveals a nine! That gives you 20, the automatic win, and the 500 credit jackpot."

The audience briefly applauded.

"Poe, that gives you the first game and another win will advance you to the semifinals. Shaak, you didn't even get to play a card."

"Funny how that worked out," she conceded.

"We'll start the second game right now. Shaak, you have control of the first card which is a seven."

"I'll take it."

"I thought you might. The seven is yours and you can play a side card or choose to take or pass this next card."

"I'll take this one, too."

"This card is an eight for 15. You can stay, play a side card, or decide what happens to the next main card."

"Nod, I'll play a side card."

"Shaak wants to try to boost her score or even get a 20. Let's hope she doesn't get a six or double here. Your side card is going to be the plus/minus one or two card. You can add one or two to your score or subtract either amount."

"I'll add two and stay."

"Shaak bumps her score up to 17 and stays. Poe, you need at least 18 to beat Shaak and advance. All the cards now are yours, and your first one is going to be an eight. Ten now would give you the win. "

"Sounds good to me, let's go for it now."

"Poe, your next card is... a one for a new total of nine. You have to take a card form either deck."

"Let's take the next main card."

"Poe is looking for a nine or a ten. He gets a seven for 16—one point behind Shaak."

"I really want to save my side-card just in case we go to another round, go I'll take the next card instead."

"Poe, you need a two, three, or four. A higher amount busts you. It's a nine, putting you over. Shaak wins game two."

The audience once again applauded the win.

"Let's go ahead and start the tie-breaker. Poe, you have control of the first card, a one."

"Pass it," Poe said.

"Shaak, you get the one and control of the cards."

"I'll take the next one," she told Nod.

"It's a five for a total of six."

"Let me take this one, too."

"Shaak is hoping for a ten most likely in the hops she can get 16. We see she gets the ten! You have 16 now."

"I'll definitely stay."

"Poe, 17 is what you need to advance. Let's get started by turning over the next card. You start your hand with a three. Do you want to use your side card."

"Not yet," Poe replied. "I'll see what the next card is first."

"This time, you get a six for a score of nine."

"Let me take one more, Nod."

"Poe elects to take another main card. If it's eight or higher, he'll advance. His card is... a ten! Poe, that gives you 19, the win, and the win for the match!"

The audience cheered as Shaak and Poe shook hands.

"Poe, you'll advance to our semifinal round to play whomever wins twice next time. Congratulations. You have 1900 credits in winnings. Shaak, you did play well, but poe had the better cards when he needed them. You'll leave us with 100 credits for your win and a nice parting gift to thank you for being on Galactic Gambit."

"Thanks, Nod," Shaak replied.

"That's all we have for today. For everyone here on Galactic Gambit, we'll see you next time."

Nod interacted with Poe and Shaak some before leaving the stage to mingle with the audience during the closing credits.

Galactic Gambit is a Mallet Media Production.