The opening played the theme music with various scenes inside the Jawa Arms Resort's 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.

After walking down the main aisle and onto the stage, Nod said, "Thank you very much. Welcome to Galactic Gambit and the conclusion of our tournament. We're down the final four contestants, and the overall winner will have a chance to pick up some bonus prizes. Let's meet the first two semifinalists playing today."

We have Director Krennic and Darth Vader.

"Gentlemen, welcome back to Galactic Gambit. Each of you have won 400 credits, and I'm sure you're eager to win more."

"I'm eager to keep winning," Krennic said.

"I've beaten a Mandalorian and my own daughter. I show no mercy to any opponent," Vader pointed out.

"Let's get our big day started. We have a new main deck and a new side deck for the match. Let me break the seals and give each of you a deck to cut. Our current Any 20 Jackpot hasn't been won in a while, so it's the highest it's been. Anyone who can get exactly 20 in this match will win a 3500-credit bonus."

News of the bonus draw oohs and cheers from the crowd.

"Before we begin, let me remind you that you each get up to three cards this match from the side deck. Now, let's get game one started by taking a look at the first main card. It's a two. Vader, you're the better seed this match, you can decide if you want the two, or if you want to pass it."

"I will pass," Vader replied.

"Krennic, you get the two and control of the cards. What will you do next?"

"Let me take the next card."

"To your two, we add a one. That gives you three and you keep control."

"You know, I'll pass this time."

"With so much on the line, players are suspicious of the lower cards. Vader gets the next card. You have a six. You have the slight edge over Krennic. Tell us what you want to do here.'

"I'll take the next card."

"Vader obviously wants a big card so he can consider staying. Look at that, it's nice big ten for a total of 16."

"Now, I'll stay."

"Vader elects to stay with 16. Krennic, you have three and you need at least 17 to win without busting. Let's see what we can do here. First, we give you the next main card. It's a five for a new total of eight. A nine or a ten would give you the win."

"Let's go ahead and take one more card," Krennic told Nod.

"Krennic, we'll turn over the next card and show you a two. You have ten, which is a pretty good place to be at right now."

"Let me take one more card and hope for a ten."

"Krennic, if it's a ten, you win game number one and our 3500-credit jackpot. The next card... is a ten! Krennic, you have 20, the win, and our 3500-credit jackpot!"

The audience briefly cheered Krennic's jackpot win.

"Krennic, you're up to 4000 credits in winnings so far, and one more win puts you in the championship game. Vader, you're not out of this match, and you once again have control as we start the next game. Let's look at the next card in the main deck. Do you want this eight?"

"Yes, I'll take it," Vader stated.

"Vader gets the eight and keeps control."

"I'll take the next card."

"Vader is hoping for another ten or big card. And we have a nine for 17."

"I'll stay. This time, I feel lucky."

"Vader, you'll be staying with 17. Krennic, you need 18 or better to win. And you start off with an eight, too."

"Excellent," Krennic replied. Let me play a side card to see if I can get to ten."

"We'll take the top side card off the deck and reveal a minus three. Just maybe a score of five is better than 11. Let's find out. Krennic, what will you do next?"

"I'll take the next main card."

"It's a three to put you right back where you were at eight."

"I'll take another card. The side cards don't seem to lucky right now."

"Krennic, to your eight, we add a nine. Wouldn't you know. Had you not played the side card, you'd have won with 20 and added another 3500-credit jackpot. Instead, we're tied at 17."

"Let me play my second side card."

"Krennic is hoping for a positive card three or lower to break the tie and win. The next side card is a plus two. That gives you 19, the game, and the match!"

The audience applauded and cheered Krennic's victory.

"Krennic, you advance to the championship against the winner of our next match between Emperor Palpatine and Poe Dameron."

"Thanks, but I think I'm a little … choked up," Krennic gasped.

"I know winning big is exciting, so it's understandable."

"No, I'm … really choking," Krennic insisted before he suddenly caught his breath again. Meanwhile, Vader discreetly hid his right hand.

"We'll, you can go regain your composure backstage while you wait. And we'll be right back with our second semifinal."

⁂

And now, back to Galactic Gambit

"Welcome back for our second semifinal. Poe Dameron and Emperor Palpatine are back to play for the right to face off against Krennic in the championship. Gentlemen, good luck."

"Thanks," the both said as they each received a deck of cards to unseal and cut.

"While our contestants cut these new decks of randomly-shuffled main and side cards, I'll remind you that you now have three side cards to play this match. With the Any 20 Jackpot being won a moment ago, it resets back to 500 credits. Palpatine, you have control of the deck and the first card which is a five."

"I have a feeling I should pass it," Palpatine said.

"Poe, you get the five to start off—along with control of the deck."

"I'll take the next card," Poe told Nod.

"Alright. We give you another card off the main deck. It's a seven for 12. You could stay, take another card, pass it to Palpatine, or play a side card."

"Let's take a side card. The first side card from our deck this match is plus or minus three. You can have 15 or nine. What do you want to do."

"I'll take another card."

"You can't bust here, so this card is safe. You have an eight. Plus three would bust you, so the side card is a minus three, giving you 17."

"I'll stay."

"Poe stays on 17. Palpatine, you have your work cut out for you. You start off with a two and you need 17."

"I better take another card," Palpatine conceded.

"Palpatine, the next card is going to be a nine. You have 11. You can either take another card or play a side card."

"I'll take a side card."

"Palpatine hopes to get closer to Poe's score here. That double card sure would come in handy because another nine would give you 20. Palpatine, the next side card is a plus six. You have 17, but we don't allow ties."

"I remember. I was hoping for maybe half that. Oh well, give me another card."

"If it's a low card—one, two, or three—you win game number one. Turning over the next card reveals a two. That gives you 19 and the win!"

"I can't believe I won again!" Palpatine exclaimed as the audience applauded.

"Poe, that side card may have hurt you. Without it, you would have had 20. But, you can still come back and win game number two. You have control of the first card: a ten."

"I'm definitely keeping that," Poe stated. "Let's take another card and hope for a ten again."

"Poe, your next card is a one. You have 11. You could stay if you want, pass, or play a main or side card."

"I'll take another card again."

"A ten would bust you, but anything else is a good card. Turning it over reveals a nine. Poe, that's 20. You win game number two and our 500-credit jackpot just like that!"

The audience applauded Poe's victory.

"In an instant, we're tied one game each, so this game decides who advances to face Director Krennic in the championship. Palpatine, you have control of the cards and the one on top."

"Pass," Palpatine replied.

"Poe, he's trying his successful game one strategy. What do you wan to do here?"

"I'll take the next card," Poe said.

"It's a two for a total of three."

"That's pretty low. Let me take another card."

"Poe, the next card is an eight for you, giving you 11 now."

"I'd like a nine, but I'm going to play a side card."

"Poe is going to use his second side card. It's a minus three to drop you back to eight."

"That actually helps. Let me take the next main card."

"The next card for Poe is another one. You have nine now."

"That's still good. Let me take another."

"We have a four to add to Poe's nine, giving him 13."

"I'll play my last side card."

"You might as well, right? It's a minus one to drop you back to 12."

"I need one more card, Nod."

"Nine or ten busts you. Instead, it's a six to give you 18."

"Now, I'll stay."

"Palpatine, Poe has stayed with 18. You need 19 or 20 to win. We're going to start you off with a three."

"Alright, give me the next one," Palpatine told the host.

"The next card is a five, giving you eight."

"I'll take another one."

"Palpatine, the next card is a six. You have 14 now, and you need five or six more to win."

"I'll play a side card."

"Palpatine has played his second side card. It's a plus four to give you 18. We have a tie, so you need to play at least one more card."

"I'll take my last side card."

"The double card, plus three, or the plus five cards would bust you. Let's hope for something else. You have the plus or minus six. Plus six would busy you, so we use the minus six to drop you back down to 12."

"This suspense is getting to me," Palpatine lamented.

"On the plus side, a seven or eight would give you the win. The next card... is an eight. Palpatine, you have 20, the win, the match, and 500 bonus credits!"

The audience applauded and cheered loudly for the win.

"Gentleman, that was our most exciting game so far here on Galactic Gambit. You combined to play 14 cards that game. It was a real battle. Poe, you played hard to the very end. You leave us with 2000 credits and parting gifts to thank you for making it this far in our tournament."

"Thanks, Nod. I had fun while it lasted," Poe said.

"Palpatine, you'll stay here as we have Krennic join us for the championship. That will be coming right after this."

⁂

Today's defeated players on Galactic Gambit will receive a complimentary weekend featuring a room for two and 500 credits in betting money here at the Jawa Arms Resort. Find success at the sabaac table, pleasure playing pazaak, or a superb time at the slot machines. During your stay, you may also enjoy live entertainment or relaxing in your climate-controlled room.

And now, it's time to wrap up our tournament on Galactic Gambit.

"Thanks," Nod said. "We're here with Palpatine and Krennic. The winner of whom will advance to our bonus round for a chance to add prizes to their winnings. We have pre-shuffled decks of main and side cards. The seals are being broke and Palpatine will cut the main deck while Krennic cuts the side deck. After our exciting match a moment ago, the Any 20 Jackpot remains at 500 credits. And, you each have the ability to play up to four side cards this match. That has the potential to make everything interesting. Palpatine, you're the top seed again, so you get to decide what happens with the first card. We'll turn it over to reveal a five."

"I want that, Nod," Palpatine stated. "And I'll go ahead and take the next card."

"Very well. We'll turn over the next card to show you a three. You now have eight."

"Let me take another."

"Palpatine wants to see what the main card is before he considers a side card. A ten would be great here, wouldn't it? The next card is a six for fourteen. You could stay if you want, or use your other options."

"I'll take a side card now."

"Palpatine is hoping for a six to get 20, the win, and the jackpot. Your side card is the two/four invert. Since you don't have any twos or fours, that card proves useless. Again, you have the same options though."

"I'll play my second side card and save the rest."

"Palpatine is hoping for a more useful card this time, let's see if we have one. The next side card is.. a six! That gives Palpatine 20, the win, and 500 bonus credits in addition to 100 for the win!"

As the audience applauded, Palpatine exclaimed, "I can't believe this is really happening to me."

"Believe it. Krennic, you'd need to win two games in a row, but it's definitely possible. You also get to start with control of the deck in game two. Let's show you the next main card, a four."

"I have to keep it so Palpatine doesn't play again," Krennic replied. "Let me take the next one, too."

"Krennic wants a high score, so let's see if the cards cooperate. Krennic, the next card is a six. You have ten, and another ten would help you even up the championship match."

"Don't I know it. Let's take the next card."

"Krennic needs a ten or other high card to have a chance this match. We turn over the next card and it's a ten! Krennic, just like that, you've won game two, 100 credits, and 500 credits for hitting 20!"

The audience loudly applauded Krennic's quick win.

"Gentleman, we have the makings of another exciting match here on Galactic Gambit. Both of you have hit 20, and we have to go to game three to decide which of you is crowned champion. Palpatine, you'll have control in our deciding game. The first card is going to be a six."

"I definitely want that. I'll take next card, too," Palpatine quickly replied.

"Palpatine is eager to get another high score. If we could get another 20, though would be the most exciting match of our tournament. The next card is a nine. You have 15. You could stay, play a side card, or take or pass the next card."

"I'll use a side card."

"Plus six is out of play, so Palpatine is hoping for a plus card that will bring him closer to 20. Palpatine, the next side card is a minus four—dropping you down to 11."

"Let me use my last side card."

"You might as well, since this is the last match. I don't think any of the remaining side cards can hurt you too much here. This side card is a plus five to bring you back up to 16. What do you want to do next."

"I'm scared the next card is high, so I'm going to stay."

"Palpatine stays with 16."Krennic, you need 17 or more to win. Let's start you off with a main card. It's a one."

"Hmm, let me take another card, then I'll consider my side cards," Krennic said.

"Krennic, the next card... is a three for a total of four."

"OK, now it's time to play a side card."

"Krennic is hoping for a big side card. Instead, we have a minus two to drop you to two."

"I may as well play another. I have three left."

"The next side card is plus or minus one or two. You can have a score of anything from zero to four."

"Bring me back to four."

"That makes the card a plus two, and you're right back where you were."

"Let me try one more side card. "

"Krennic, your third side card out of four is plus one to move you up to five. You need to beat 16."

"I guess I better take a main card now, then."

"Krennic needs a good card here. We have another one card to give you six. You'll need at least two cards to win, and you've played six cards so far."

"Let's take the next one."

"Krennic, the next card... is yet another one card. You have seven with seven cards. You could very well win depending on what happens."

"That could be interesting. Let's take another card."

"The next main card on the deck is... a nine. Krennic, let's talk. You have 16, and you know we don't allow ties. You've also played eight cards. Your next card is the last and it determines your fate. If you can get anything four or less, you win automatically. If your score ends up less than 20, you earn a 900-credit bonus for a nine-card win. If you get 20, you earn the Any 20 Jackpot. If you go over 20, Palpatine wins."

"Let me take my last side card."

"Krennic, from what's left in the side deck, only the double card can hurt you. It's plus or minus four. Plus four gives you 20."

"I want that then!" Krennic called out.

"Krennic, 20 gives you the win, the match, another 100 credits, and the 500 Any 20 Jackpot!"

The audience applauded and cheered wildly for Krennic's championship.

"Palpatine, you played so well today, but the cards didn't quite work out in that deciding match. However, you leave us with 3200 credits in case and a nice parting gift."

"Oddly, I'm not too disappointed I lost. This is the best game show I've ever been on. Maybe you can have me back sometime."

"We'll see," Nod replied, adding a chuckle. "Thanks for being part of our Galactic Gambit Tournament. Krennic, you'll join us in a moment for our bonus game."

⁂

"Welcome back to Galactic Gambit where Director Krennic is going to play our bonus game," Nod told the audience. "We have 12 squares on our bonus board. You will call squares one at a time and we will reveal the prize underneath. You also get a card. Once again, the object is to come as close to 20 without busting. You can stop any time with a score of 11 or more. There are no side cards. Prizes range from the luxurious such as a new speeder to the trivial: our cheap, four-credit refresher brush. And there are plenty of prizes in between. And during our bonus round, the Any 20 Jackpot increases by 5000 credits. So, getting 20 now is worth 5500 credits."

The audience briefly oohed with excitement,

"Go ahead and tell us which number you want first."

"I'll take number seven," Krennic stated.

"Number 7 is... our Shili Safari. That's one week exploring Shili. Your first card is a four. You have to continue, so pick another number."

"Hmm, that could be interesting. Let's see what's next door at number eight."

"Krennic, number eight is a week's vacation for two here at our sponsor, the Jawa Arms Resort. I think there's also 1000 complementary casino credits that go with it."

"Very nice."

"Indeed. Krennic, your next card is a two for six. What number would you like next?"

"I'll take number five."

"Behind square number five is our game table. You can play a number of games with that table. If you love entertaining people, this is the perfect prize. The card you get with that number is a seven. You have 15. You can stay and keep your prizes, or continue and try for 20. If you bust, you lose everything."

The audience shouted its advice, but Krennic finally told Nod, "I think I'll stay. I got some great prizes and I don't want to lose them."

"Krennic, that might be a good decision. You have the Safari, the week here at the resort with a guest, and the game table. Just for fun, what number would you have chosen next."

"I think I'd take number nine next."

"That would have been butler service for a week," Nod told Krennic. "More importantly, your next card would have been a ten, which would have been too much. You made the right decision to quit when you did."

"Thank the maker," Krennic replied.

"Krennic, the three prizes you picked up are just over 8900 credits in value. So, combine that with your cash you won, and you leave us as tournament champion with just under 14300 in cash and prizes. I hope you enjoy all of that."

"Thanks, Nod. I hope I do."

"Let's bring out our semifinalist to congratulate them one last time. From all of us here at Galactic Gambit, thanks for joining us, and we hope to see you again sometime. See you, now.'

The semifinalists and Nod all mingled with the audience one last time.

Galactic Gambit is a Mallet Media Production. Those of you watching on Shili, stay tuned for the premier episode of Bowling for Thimiars.

Closing Commentary

This proved to be a fun tournament to write, even though I didn't have the last chapter written right away when I started posting to commemorate May the 4th. It wasn't until after I started this that I remembered the card game Sabaac. Perhaps that can be used should I hold a similar tournament next year.

I'm not going to delve too deeply into game statistics, but I will share some brief numbers on the winners. Characters from The Wampa's Lair won ten times over those from The Canon Cantina in the 15 matches. The top seed only won eight times out of 15, showing parity without regard to seeding. That's not too surprising in a tournament where the outcomes were largely decided by random chance.

Should I conduct another similar tournament next year, I might make a small tweak or two. Until then, thanks for reading and for your support.