Of Sith and Sabaac Players

[DarthHERA]

The "Wolfsschanze" rose up into the underbelly of the Pleasure Barge Saiatah High Roller, a graceful parasite joining to its splendid host.

The occupants of the YT-2400, all friends, some new some old, prepared to disembark.

They had come to play some Sabaac, some for the first time, and to have a little R & R from the rigors of pillaging the galaxy.

Hera turned to look at Ahron who's expression varied almost never. She laughed slightly and clapped him on his great shoulders.

"You're gonna have yourself a hell of a time here Harresh"

[Lady Vader]

*LV waited at the docking doors as the crew diembarked from the ship, filing through the doors. Last to come, as LV had expected, was Hera.*

*It wasn't that LV spent a great deal of time on the Saiatah as it galavated across the universe, it was just that she had received word from Hera she would be visiting the pleasure craft, and LV had agreed to meet her there.*

*The Sith Mistress smiled broadly, clasping her friend and comrade in a tight embrace.*

Welcome aboard, Hera! So good to see you again!

[Ahron Harresh]

"Looks like it," he answers to Hera, though his tone changes just as little as his face. "Seems to be plenty ta do 'round...here..." His mumbling voice trails off as Lady Vader approaches them to embrace Hera. Ahron shuffles a few paces away to find something of interest to busy himself with; he doesn't want to intrude. If he's needed, Hera will call him. That's how it goes with bosses.

[DarthHERA]

Hera smiled warmly - she and Vader had had some adventures in the past, and through it all had formed a strong friendship. It was good to see the svelt sith again.

"You're looking as deadly as ever, LV - I hope you left me some males with which to practice my ladykiller technique on and not have them slaves to yourself already.."

Ahron took up his unassuming stand in the background, and Hera was becoming used to his quiet but reliable manner.

"I have brought a friend to teach the Sabaac ropes to, Ahron Harresh - meet Lady Vader, owner of this fine establishment"

[Lady Vader]

*LV smiled at Hera's comment.*

Oh, I'm sure there are plenty of males left to torture.

*Both shared a short chuckle togeter before Hera introduced her to Ahron. LV turned towards the man and extended her hand, palm downward, fingers slightly limp.*

Charmed, I'm sure.

[Ahron Harresh]

Ahron takes her hand and kneels to kiss it, standing back to his full height as he tries to make his mumbling speech somewhat louder and clearer.

"Pleasure t'meet ya," he replies, though he's at a loss for how he should continue their conversation. What do you say to your boss's friends?

"Heard a bit 'bout'cha. Boss lady sez yer the best there is at what'cha do."

There, a compliment. That'll work.

[Lady Vader]

"Heard a bit 'bout'cha. Boss lady sez yer the best there is at what'cha do."

*LV chuckled, looking from Ahron, back to Hera.*

I guess one could say that.

*She then gestured towards the portal that would lead them into a lift to take them to the entertaining and pleasureful decks of the Saiatah.*

Come, it's time to get you settled into one of our finest hotels and perhaps have a few games before dinner.

*They entered the lift and went up several flights before being spilled onto a busy deck with all sorts of beings and creatures roaming about.*

*Walking down the "street", she led them past several grambling casinos, shops, diners, restaurants, holovid theaters, stage and acting theaters... and further down were several more areas consisting of zoos, amusment parks, adult themed areas, gardens... everything one would wish to have in and on a resort.*

*She stopped at a grand hotel that loomed over them. At the entrance, the bell boy took their bags. LV looked to Hera.*

This young man will show you to your suites. I will wait down here for you once you have freshened up.

[DarthHERA]

LV - ever the thoughtful host - had seen to it that Hera, and her company lacked nothing.

She didn't even need an overnight bag, with the exception of her clothing, which Hera was certain LV could provide that also if it were needed. Every necessity from toothpaste to bathrobes was laid out for her guests.

Smiling to herself, Hera went about the business of showering and changing in her suite. In the adjacent room, Ahron was doing whatever it was he was doing, and Hera had told him to come by and get her in an hour.

Dressed, once more, the blonde Sith was ready for a night on the town. Her body, toned and tanned, looked every bit as dangerous as she really was.

A quick run of gloss across her lips while she waited for Ahron and she was ready to go meet Lady Vader who waited on the lower decks.

[Ahron Harresh]

The giant, for the first time in years, is adjusting the tie of a half-way decent suit. The style of it is old and outdated, and he grumbles at his reflection. He thinks he looks to be a fool.

The suit is actually doing wonders for him; he no longer carries the appearance of an oversized gargoyle. His hair turns out to be long, down to his shoulders. It took him almost half an hour to undo the nigh-permanent helmet hair his armor has cursed him with.

He ties it back with a piece of clothing, gathers his resolve, and goes to knock on Hera's door.

[DarthHERA]

Hera knew he was outside, and opened the door at the touch of a remote so that Ahron knocked on thin air. Or through thin air, as it were.

"So..there is a man beneath all that hardware." She grinned at him and gave his ponytail a flick as she pushed forward passed him and into the hallway.

"Im ready, lets go" she said redundantly and led the way to the turbo lift.

With a "ding" the lift arrived and opened its sleed black doors, expelling the occupants into the hubub of the gaming rooms of the High Roller.

Turning a mischeivious smirk to her fellow pirate, Hera looked rather devilish.

"Lets go take their money, after we find Vader again, of course."

[Ahron Harresh]

"Yes'm."

Ahron's speaking up a bit louder and clearer, trying to be a presentable gentleman. He lets her in ahead of himself and punches the floor they need, bending slightly to keep his head off the ceiling. He ducks out after Hera and looks about for Lady Vader.

[Lady Vader]

*LV was only a few feet away, waiting for them. She had slipped into a long black velvet dress, tight fitting, leaving the arms and back bare, with slits on either side of the skirt. She approached them as they exited the lift.*

I have made special VIP arrangements for you and your companion, Hera.

*She handed each a special badge which would allow them into private gaming facilities, velvetine boxes containing several chips worth hundreds of credits, and a new stack of Sabaac playing cards.*

*She gestured with a hand for them to follow her.*

If it would please you, our first stop is the Highway Casino, found in the Coruscant park.

*The ship was humongous to say the least, and it was sectioned off into various parks or lands, each depicting a different planet, basically transporting an individual to that planet's views and sounds. It was like being there, only they were traveling at a leisurley pace through the cold of space.*

*They got into a small sleek speeder that took them to the Coruscant park, and dropped them at the Highway Casino. The Speeder parked and waited for them as they went into try their hand at some games.*

[DarthHERA]

Moving through the various gaming tables, Hera looking for one she felt "luck" to join, she thanked Lady Vader once again for her generosity. It was good to have friends that ran the most luxurious Entertainment Vessell in the galaxy. And Hera said as much with a grin and a wink.

"This looks good" she announced as they came up to a table where a high-stakes game was already in progress.

As the four occupants of the table looked up at their arrival, Hera smiled demurely as she spoke.

"Mind if we join in?"

[Ahron Harresh]

Ahron shuffles his feet, trying to be at ease. The players are giving Hera and himself a good looking-over, and it's making him squirm. He doesn't want to embarrass his boss by doing something foolish, and he doesn't want to lose her money by playing a poor game of Sabaac. The tension between the players makes it clear to him that alot of money's riding on this game...he'd like to win it, if he only knew how.

[DarthHERA]

A Bith, a Rodian a human and Trandoshan all began to speak at once - each in his own native tongue, but the reaction was not for Hera and Ahron. The game had not gone the Bith's way, and seems he was unhappy about it.

The Trandoshan thudded both hands, palm-open, onto the pile of credits (the first pot, or "hand" pot) and pulled them toward himself, ignorant to the Bith's protests. It was only a second or two, and security was upon the Bith, who was now standing and gesticulating angrily, and in quick, tacit order was removed from the table, the the room, and eventually, from the premises all together.

"Well, then...seems there is an opening" Hera smiled conginially.

Taking the now vacated seat, and pulling one over for Ahron, the pair sat. As the dealer reset, Hera held up a staying hand to him.

"He's out this round" she said of Ahron, "but Im in"

The landing of Hera's bag of credits with a thud as she droped it on the playing table silenced any protest of the remaining players. Their greedy eyes assuming an easy windfall.

"My friend is here to learn the game gentleman, but I..." and this she said, a wicked glint to her blue eyes, ".....I am here to take your money."

The players laughed and the dealer set to dealing.

"Watch" she said to him, "and Ill explain the best I can."

She anted up (100 creds) into the hand pot.

"There are 2 "pots" to be won in Sabaac. The "Hand pot" which is won each round, and the "Sabaac Pot" which continually builds each round and is won on special hands, which Ill explain later."

She then tossed 100 creds into the Sabaac pot, which each player must do when joining the game.


The server brought them drinks, thoughfully ordered by Lady Vader who had turned aside to speak to some regulars, and gave Hera a few moments to explain more of the game.

"It is a bit like BlackJack. There are four suits - Sabres, Staves, Flasks, and Coins. And a set of face cards.

There are 16 face cards which all have a negative value. They also have a distinct name and symbol, and there are two of each kind of these cards per pack. (2 x 8 differenct face cards in other words).

The four other suits consist of 11 cards, numbered 1-11, and also ranked cards which are Commander (value:12) Mistress (value:13) Master (value:14) and Ace (value: 15).

The object of the game is to have the highest card total which is less than or equal to 23. Anything that is over 23, or under -23, or "0" is called a "bomb out." She frowned here and had a pained expression "You gotta pay a penalty for bombing out - you gotta pay the total of money that is in the "hand" pot into the "sabacc pot. Its a pain" she stated, wetting her lips with her rum.






*****************************

ooc: Information taken from:
http://www.ehnet.org/sabacc/rules.php

Sabaac Rules

[Ahron Harresh]

Ahron takes in Hera's explanation without so much as a blink. The penalties of "bomb out" are quite distressing, but this too is weathered without so much as a grumble. He takes a drink and hushes his voice even more than usual.

"So...how many cards do I get?"

The dealer's not done dealing; he's throwing cards lazily towards the players, distracted by Hera's money bag.

[Lady Vader]

*LV stood behind Hera, silently watching the game, with neither a smile nor frown on her face. After all, players, whether at the table or not, were only good if they knew how tocompose their faces: deadpan.*

[DarthHERA]

"Four" she answered Ahron, while inwardly acknowledged Vader's presence behind her.

Dealing completed, all players assessed their own hands, while trying to read the play of their opponents.

Hera held her cards at vantage for Ahron to see.

The hand revealed a Mistress of Staves, a Commander of Coin, a 10 of coin and a face card with a value of -8.

"Not such a bad hand" she murmered.

It was, in fact, a terrible hand. But odds were the roll of the dice that would follow next would prompt a "shift".

"Now we bet" she explained.

Being as they were to the immediate left of the dealer, Hera started the betting by tossing 100 creds into the pot and asked the player beside, who's turn it was next, if they wanted to fold. The Rodian "tsk tsked" her and tossed in 100 creds too. Around the table it went with others adding likewise. No one raised at this point...everyone was content to see just how the new player operated.

Scooping up the dice, Hera then rolled, hoping for a 1,2 or 3 which would initiate a "shift." She rolled a 3. Each player in turn plucked a random card from the player to their right and put it face down in the middle of the table. The dealer then took them up, shuffled and redealt them. There was a 1 in 4 chance you received back your same card. Hera lost her Mistress of Staves and gained a 5 of Flasks . She now held:

5 of Flasks = 5
Commander of Coin = 12
10 of Coin = 10
Face Card = -8

Total Hand value = 19

"Anyone want to call the hand?" she asked as per protocol

"I do." It was the Trandoshan. He was playing hot tonight, but his hand was not outstanding. He had a total of 21 in his hand - good enough. If he had not called- the betting, shifting, calling, drawing process would continue with each player in turn.(**note** usually no one can call until each palyer has first had a turn) The number of times this goes through varies from establishment to establishment, but the general rule is per-players in the game. This allows the pot to grow to a considerable amount.

Each player then had to place his cards face up on the table.

As they did so, a surge of low frequency was emitted from the table, locking the cards suspended to hover just above the table, holding the value of the cards in an untamperable feild.

The Trandoshan had 21, Hera 19, the Human 19 and the Rodian 16.

[DarthHERA]

Hera explained to Ahron,

"Each hand consists of these phases: Betting, Shifting, Calling and Drawing.

The last of which we'll do now. Seeming its still my turn, I get the option to draw from the deck and add it to my hand if I wish. We each get this option after the calling stage, and if it turns out we have more than two cards in hand as no one has "called" yet, we can simply exchange one in our hand and replace it with one from the deck. A clean swap. Or just keep adding to our hand. Depends on what works best for that particular hand.

Finally when the hand is called, if someone has a "Local Array" he or she is the winner. Or, if they have the highest card value whose absolute value is less than or equal to 23 wins. Or, of course, if everyone else folds, they win then too."

Hera turned to Lady Vader "What is the Local Array you play by here? The Mos Eisley? Casino?...oh wait..." she grinned, "The Corelian I bet?"

[Ahron Harresh]

Local Array? At the moment, that's the only thing messing with his head. The rest is settling in his mind, and he's sure that once this Local Array is cleared up, he'll be able to play.

[Lady Vader]

*LV smiled.*

Well, it really all depends on what "land" you are in within the Saiatah. Here we are residing in a Coruscant area, so it would be a Coruscant, or standard, hand.