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 the main aisle and took the stage.
"Thank you, and welcome to another day of our Galactic Gambit Tournament," Nod said. "If you missed yesterday, we had three exciting matches, and we hope for more of the same today. Let's meet the first two of our contestants today."
Nod, today, we have Maul and Han Solo.
"Maul, welcome to our tournament."
"Thank you, Nod," Maul replied. "I look forward to winning so I can have my potential rematch with Kenobi."
"First things first. Win this match, and you might get your chance. Han, we also welcome you to our show and tournament as well."
"There's no way I could have passed up this opportunity!" Han exclaimed. "Any chance to earn risk-free credits is a good thing."
"That sounds good. Well, good luck to both of you. Here on Galactic Gambit, we play the old card game Pazaak with a twist. We use one main deck of 40 cards and the object is to score 20 exact for an automatic win or finish with the higher score. One player has control of the deck and can take or pass the next card. We always show the first card face up, but subsequent ones are face down. We also have a common side deck of 23 cards that's shuffled. In this match, you each have one draw from that deck at your disposal. You never know if it will help you or hurt you.
"With that out of the way, let's start. Our first card is a two. Maul, as our higher seed, you ca take the two and control the deck, or pass to Han."
"A two isn't too helpful, so I'll pass," Maul said.
"Han, you get the two and control of the deck. You could play a side card if you want, take the next card not knowing what it is, or pass it to Maul."
"I'm feeling lucky, so I'll take the next card."
"Han, the next card is a five. You have seven points now, and you have the same options."
"Nod, I want that card. A ten would be amazing right about now."
"The next card for Han is another five. Han, you have 12 now and a bit of a dilemma. You can choose to stay because a nine or ten would bust you. You could play your side card and hope it brings you closer to 20, or you could pass and stay in the game, or you can stay at 12 and hope Maul doesn't beat you."
"Decisions, decisions. You know, I'm feeling lucky, so give me one more card."
"The next card... is a ten! Han, you have 22 which is too much. Maul wins without playing a card."
"Easy victories are always sweetest," Maul said.
"Han, I thought maybe you had a chance, but 12 put you in a tough spot."
"I have no regrets. I didn't get where I was playing it too safe," Han admitted.
"I like that attitude. We'll start game two. If I forgot to mention it before, we have a special jackpot for anyone who gets an exact score of 20. Right now, that jackpot is 500 credits. Han, we'll reveal the top card and show you a ten. I have a feeling you want that."
"You bet!"
"Han, you have plenty of options, and another 10 would give you 20, the win, and the jackpot."
"I definitely want the next card."
"Han, you'll get a six for a total of sixteen."
"That's worth staying on."
"Han has chosen to stay at 16. Maul, you'll need 17 or better without going over because we don't allow ties. We'll turn over the next card and start you off with an eight. Nine or ten would give you the win, the match, and advance you to the group championship."
"Yes, let's get that next card, Nod," Maul stated.
"Maul, we have a three for you for a total of 11. You need a six, seven, eight, or nine for the win. You could also see if a side card helps you, if you wish."
"I think I'll save that for the tie-breaker in case I lose. Give me the next card."
"The next card is a six. You have 17 which is just enough to win the game and the match!"
The audience applauded and cheered while Han and maul shook hands.
"Han, you did everything you could, but it wasn't quite enough. We do have some parting gifts for you to thank you for being on Galactic Gambit."
"Thanks, Nod," Han replied. "This was fun, and anything I get for free is appreciated."
"Maul, go relax backstage. You've won 200 credits so far and you might win more when you return to play the group championship match. For now, we'll set up for the next match and continue Galactic Gambit right after this."
⁂
And now, back to Galactic Gambit and Nod Demaltrain.
"Thanks, and welcome back to Galactic Gambit," Nod told the audience. "We're ready to play our second semifinal of the day, so let's meet our contestants."
Our next match features Obi-Wan Kenobi and Emperor Palpatine.
"Welcome to our show and tournament, Obi-Wan."
"Thanks, Nod," Obi-Wan replied. "It appears I have my hands full, but cards are the ultimate equalizer."
"It sure seems that way at times, doesn't it? Palpatine, thanks for being part of our tournament."
"I'm quite the glutton for punishment," Palpatine admitted. "I never do well on these game things. Just give me more than a bottle of eye drops and I'll be happy."
"Well, I'm pretty sure you'll get something better—especially if you win at least once here. You both know how we play, and you saw the first match, so let's get started. Obi-Wan is cutting our common side deck while Palpatine cuts the main deck. Before I forget, let me remind you that nobody won our Any 20 Jackpot so we're going to add 500 credits for a new total of 1000 for this match. We'll show you the first card face up and it's a two. Palpatine, as the top seed, you can decide to take it or pass it."
"I think I'll pass it to Obi-Wan. Small cards scare me."
"Obi-Wan, you have a two and control. What would you like to do next?"
"I'll take the next card," Obi-Wan answered after stroking his beard.
"We'll show you the next card, and it's an eight. With a score of ten you're in a good position. What will you do now?"
"Nod, I think I'll be taking the next card as well."
"If it's a ten, you win game one and the Any 20 Jackpot. Let's see... it's a one. You have eleven. You can stay, take the next card, pass it, or play your side card."
"Hmm, Let me take the next card again."
"If it's a ten you'll bust. Anything else helps you. We turn it over and reveal another one. You have twelve and another tough decision."
Obi-Wan pondered his options. Finally, he said, "Let me take one more card."
"Alright. Eight gives you 20. Nine and ten bust you. We have a five for a total of 17."
"I'll stay now, Nod."
"OK. Obi-Wan has elected to stay on 17. Palpatine, you get the cards now and you need 18 or higher to win. Your first card is going to be an eight."
"Hmm, that sounds good," Palpatine said.
"A ten would give you the win. I take it you want to go ahead and take the next card."
"I might as well. It's too soon to play my side card."
"Palpatine, your next card is going to be a seven for a total of 15. You need three, four, or five."
"Well, let's hope my luck has changed today."
"We'll turn over the next card to reveal a seven. That puts you over and Obi-Wan wins game one and 100 credits."
The audience briefly cheered.
"Palpatine, you came pretty close, but that last card was just a little too high. We'll strt game two and you can tell us whether you want the top card which is a five."
"I think I want that," Palpatine stated.
"Alright. You keep control, so you can decide what to do next."
"I'll take the next card. Fifteen would be helpful if I can get a ten."
"Palpatine, your next card is going to be a six for a total of 11. You have a tough choice now."
"Your right about that. Being emperor is far easier. What the heck, give me another card."
"Let's hope it's not a ten. We have a six. You have 17 now."
"Now, I'll stay!"
"Palpatine stays with 17. Obi-Wan, you need 18 or better without going over to win the game and the match," Nod informed the Jedi Master.
"We may as well get started," Obi-Wan replied.
"Your first card is going to be a four. You need 18, so we'll need another card."
"Go ahead and show me."
"Obi-Wan, your next card is... a three. You have seven. Ten won't help too much because that would only tie. You can play your side card or take the next card."
"I'll take the next card and see what happens."
"Turning over the card reveals a two. You have nine. A nine or a ten will win the game and the match."
"Let's play one more card here, Nod."
"Obi-Wan is hoping for a big card and a win. What he gets is a one for a total of ten. This sure is interesting. Another ten gives you 20, the win, the jackpot, and the match."
"We may as well see what's waiting, huh?"
"The next card on the deck is... a five. You have 15 and you need 18 or better. You could see if a side card helps, you take the next card."
"I want to keep my side card just in case I bust here. Let's take the next one again."
"Obi-Wan needs a three, four, or five. He'll get a seven. You bust with 22 unless you want to play a side card and hope for a negative card."
"I'll concede the game and hope to win the tie breaker."
"In that case, Palpatine wins game two and 100 credits."
"Yes!" Palpatine exclaimed as the audience cheered. "I actually won something!"
"We're tied at one game each, so we'll start the tie-breaker now. Obi-Wan, you have control of the first card—a six."
"Hmm, let me take that. A ten with it would help me out," Obi-Wan said.
"OK, the card is yours and you get to decide what happens next."
"I'll take the next card. Let's hope for a ten."
"We'll turn over the next card for you and reveal a one. You have seven and plenty of choices."
"I'll go ahead and take another card."
"This time, you have a seven for a total of 14. You can stay, now, take another card, pass it, or play a side card."
"You know, I think I'll take a side card now. A six would give me 20."
"Obi-Wan is right that a six would give him 20. But we have no idea what card is on top of the side deck. We'll take that card and reveal a minus three. That drops you to 11."
"That didn't quite work as I hoped. Let me take one more card."
"Drawing from the main deck again gives you... a ten. Obi-Wan, you bust, and Palpatine wins the match without playing a single card this game."
"I can't believe it, I actually won?" Palpatine asked in disbelief as the audience cheered and Obi-Wan shook his hand.
"Indeed, you won the match and another 100 credits for a total of 200, and you'll get to face Maul for the chance to advance to our tournament semifinals."
"This is amazing. I have to play this game more often."
"Maybe you can win again. Obi-Wan, you started out so well and then busted twice in a row. We'll have some parting gifts to thank you for being part of our Galactic Gambit Tournament."
"Thanks, Nod. It was fun even if I lost today," Obi-Wan replied.
"Let's take another break and we'll conduct today's final match when we return."
⁂
Today's parting contestants on Galactic Gambit receive gift certificates for the Dathomir Curio Shop. Find all sorts of magic objects, tokens, chance cubes, and other assorted items from their unique inventory both in store and at their HoloNet site. And now, back to Galactic Gambit and Nod Demaltrain.
"Thanks," Nod said. "We're set to begin today's championship match featuring Maul and Palpatine. Gentlemen, you already know how we play. This time, you can play up to two side cards in the match, and Palpatine starts with control of the main deck he's cutting now while Maul cuts the side deck. Because nobody won our Any 20 Jackpot last time, it's now up to 1500 credits. Let's take a look at the first card. It's a three."
"I'll pass that," Palpatine said.
"Maul gets the three and control. What would you like to do?"
"Palpatine is too tricky with these cards, so I'm going to keep control and take another one."
"Maul, we'll reveal the next card and find it's a one. You now have a total of four."
"It's too early to do anything else. Let me take another card."
"Maul wants another card, and we'll be giving him a two. You have six now, what will you do?"
"I think we're due for a big card here. I want it."
"A ten would be very helpful here. The next card is a six for a total of 12. Maul, you have a decision to make now. You could stay, play a side card, take the next card, or pass to Palpatine."
"I'm definitely not passing. I'll play a side card, Nod."
"The first card in our common side deck is a minus four. That drops you down to eight."
"That might be useful. Let me take the next card."
"It looks like that minus card paid off. You have a nine for a total of 17."
"Now, I'll stay."
"Maul stays at 17. Palpatine, you need 18 or better to win the first game. Let's start you off with the next main card, an eight."
"That could be good. A ten would be nice here," Palpatine stated.
"A ten would definitely be good to give you a win. But let's see what that card when we turn it over. We have for you a six. That gives you 14 and a bit of a dilemma."
"What the heck, I've had good luck the past two games. I'll take another card, Nod."
"Palpatine, a six gives you 20, the win, and the Any 20 Jackpot. The next card for you is a... six! Palpatine, that's 20, the game, and the 1500-credit jackpot."
The audience briefly applauded.
"Maul, Palpatine was on fire, but you get to start with control in this game. Let's reveal the top card: it's a five."
"I'll keep it and take another," Maul said.
"To your five, we will be adding a four. You have nine now, and you do have one more side card you can play."
"I'll hold onto that and take another card."
"To your nine, we will add an eight. Maul, you have 17."
"Stay!" Maul called out.
"Maul stays with 17. Palpatine, you know what happened last time when Maul stayed with 17. Let's see what happens now. We'll show you the next card and start you off with a five."
"That's not too bad. Obviously, I have to take another card," Palpatine stated.
"Alright, we'll take the next main card and show everyone that it's a four. You have a nine just like Maul did a moment ago. Do you want to play a side card?"
"Not yet. Let's take the next card."
"We don't have any 11 cards, so you can't get 20. But, a nine or a ten would give you the win and the match. We reveal the next card, and it's a nine. Palpatine, you have 18. You win the game and the match!"
The audience cheered and applauded as Maul reluctantly shook Palpatine's hand.
"Palpatine, you've won 1900 credits today, and you advance to the semifinals where you'll eventually face Poe Dameron."
"This is absolutely amazing. I'm so happy to finally win at something!" Palpatine exclaimed joyously.
"Maul, you won a match, but Palpatine proved to have the same good luck he had in his first match. You'll leave us with 100 credits and a parting gift."
"It was fun while it lasted. I'm sure I'll be back again sometime," Maul replied.
"That's all we have for today. We thank all our contests for being here on Galactic Gambit. From everyone else and me, we'll see you next time."
Nod shook both contestants' hands before leaving the stage to mingle with the audience during the closing credits.
Galactic Gambit is a Mallet Media Production.