Open Nar Shaddaa Pazaak Never Gets Old

[Kel Dryden]

The "Stacked Deck" Club
Tower S22-L44, Lower Levels
Hutta Town, Nar Shaddaa

Every planet where people played Pazaak or Sabacc had to have a club called "Stacked Deck". Nar Shaddaa alone had a few, and one of them was in Hutta Town. Kel frequented such places: they offered a chance to get a job, make connections, or at the very least find entertainment in various and sometimes unexpected forms. For the young scoundrel, all these options were equally appealing.

Wearing his standard outfit, and with only a DL-44 holstered on his right hip and set to stun, Kel didn't really stand out in the crowd. Ironically, everyone carrying a gun acted as a deterrent: people were less inclined to cheat or cause trouble when they knew that someone could try and settle a score just outside the club. Still, weapons weren't allowed inside, so Kel left his trusty blaster with a tough-looking Weequay bouncer who met the guests in the narrow entry corridor.

After going through the corridor, the scoundrel ended up in a slightly less narrow bar: a counter on one side, a few tables on the other, with a window overlooking the dance hall below. The music was ostensibly loud, but the sound dampers muffled it. to the point of it becoming a nice ambient for the bar, where it mixed with dozens of quiet and not so quiet voices in different languages. Unfortunately, almost all the tables and places by the counter were occupied.

With a quiet sigh, Kel went further into the bar, towards the staircase. The path down led to the dance floor, but that's not where Kel wanted to be right now. Instead, he went one level up, where the club's booths were. Much like the bar below, they had good view on the dance floor, but offered more privacy, and the music was even quieter there. A bit too quiet, classy, and expensive, but Kel had no other options.

Coming over towards the Rutian Twi'lek hostess wearing an elegant golden dress, the scoundrel extended few credit chips clenched between his fingers. Trying to make his confident smile as genuine as possible, he asked: "I'd like to rent a booth with a Pazaak deck. Opponents are welcome. Oh, I'll need a bottle of whiskey and two glasses." The Twi'lek accepted the credits with a warm smile of her own and a graceful nod: "Of course. This way, sir." The hostess gestured towards an empty booth, before pressing a button on her table and ordering the drinks and the cards.

Meanwhile, Kel sat on the couch by the window. Leaning on the armrests, he spent some time looking at the dance floor below, until the Twi'lek returned and placed the ordered drinks and card sets on the table. "If anyone willing to play Pazaak arrives, I'll make sure to let them know." Kel's only reply to that was a one-sided grin and a nod. As the hostess left, the scoundrel proceeded to shuffle the cards and prepare for the game.

Spoiler: OOC Note About Participation

Feel free to join the RP either as the opponent, or as a spectator.
To join as the opponent, roll 4d6 and 1d10 in the OOC thread.
The first one who does that becomes the opponent.

 

[Kolran Targall]

The Weequay in front of him blocked Kolran's path with an outstretched arm. "No guns." He said, gesturing towards the Power 5 blaster pistol at the ageing Morellian's side. Kolran let out a disgruntled sigh as he handed his weapon over after a moment's hesitation. "I'm here to gamble, not start a fight." He replied, already making his way past the bouncer and into the club, which it now occurred to him was probably too sophisticated for the scruffy looking jacket and shirt he was wearing. Kolran desperately needed something to take his mind off his current situation and maybe Nar Shaddaa wasn't the worst place to blend into the crowd. Pazaak would be just the right distraction.

A short exchange of words at the bar later, Kolran found himself being led upstairs to the table of a young looking man who had seemingly been waiting for an opponent to arrive. "Enjoy your game, gentlemen." The Twi'lek who he'd followed said with a smile. With an appreciative nod, Kolran sat down opposite from his new opponent in the booth. "Let's play, kid." Kolran said with a slight hint of urgency.

 

[Kel Dryden]

"Kid, huh?" Kel thought to himself, but replied only with a smirk and with a few credit chips that ended up on the table between him and the newcomer. The young man was betting enough credits for an evening at the cantina without going crazy, expecting the stranger to do the same. If not, he'd just shrug and pull the credit chips back towards.

Still silent, Kel shuffled the deck with a few quick motions and started dealing the cards, as he watched the person who joined him. The stranger sure looked older than Kel... Middle-aged? Scars indicated that he had been in some scraps, but to Kel, the man looked like a scoundrel ten years away from retirement... or a ring leader in his prime.

Having finished dealing the cards, Kel opened his hand and put the cards in front of him, indicating that he played by the Open Pazaak rules. Hiding a hand meant that the opponent could always cheat and slip some cards in the middle of the game. Open Pazaak prevented that... somewhat.

The four of his +/- cards were 2, 3, 4, and 5—a very versatile combo. After that, Kel drew another card from the deck and placed it on his side. A 1. The first round has begun, and it was the opponent's turn to show his hand and draw the first card.

Throughout all this, Kel remained silent, maintaining the air of an experienced gambler; he only smirked as he revealed his cards. The only thing worth doing first was shooting; talking first, on the other hand, could be left to his opponent.

// OOC: Kel's hand and first card //

 

[Kolran Targall]

Kolran met Kal's bet, placing an identical amount of credits on the table and watched his opponent deal. For a man who's most recent occupation had been managing the illicit gains of other criminals, he played surprisingly loose with his money. The young man before him seemed self assured, but not quite overconfident. Reminiscent of some of the people the Morellian had worked with in his prime and in a way Kal also reminded him of himself all those years ago. Kolran took a few final glances around the club, double checking he didn't recognise any of the patrons. After a few moments a satisfied look crossed his face and he turned back to the game.

"This guy can deal, if nothing else." Kolran thought to himself and he surveyed his hand. A 1, two 4s and a 5. Could be worse. Open Pazaak wasn't a ruleset he was used to playing, it didn't allow for any of the fancier tricks he'd become accustomed to using in play. However, they were only playing for a handful of credits this time. Kolran drew a 9 as his first card and gestured for Kel to make his next play. "You play Pazaak often?" He said, in a half interested tone.

 

[Kel Dryden]

"So, a silent type, huh? Got to be careful around that one," Kel thought. "Silence" and "age" were a combination that screamed "confidence" and "experience"... to Kel at least.

The young scoundrel drew the next card. A 10 added up to his score, making 11. A good enough situation—even if he were to go bust next turn, his hand would surely put his score into a comfortable spot. Kel wouldn't be risking anything next turn, so playing a card from hand or standing weren't an option yet.

"Every now and then," the young man replied to the stranger's question about Pazaak. While he waited for his opponent, he filled his own glass with whiskey and put the bottle back where it was. In some places it wasn't considered overly polite without offering a drink first. But this was the Outer Rim, and the presence of a second glass was a clear indicator that Kel didn't mind his opponent doing the same.

Kel pulled the glass to himself, but decided to wait until next turn to take a sip.

// OOC: Kel's second card //
@Headastator

 

[Kolran Targall]

Kolran drew his next card, another 9. 18 was a pretty solid place to be. A place that warranted a drink, Kolran thought. He slid the free glass across the table towards him and poured himself a glass of the whiskey. After a slight pause he took an enthusiastic sip. "What is this, Cheedoan?" He asked, shooting Kel a look of approval.

The Morellian seemed lost in thought for a moment, his gaze shifting from looking at Kel to almost looking through him. "Good stuff." He affirmed with a slight raise of the glass in his hand as he focused back in on the game at hand. It would be interesting to see how his opponent tried to play this now. "I'm gonna stand." Kolran declared decisively.

 

[Kel Dryden]

The young scoundrel wanted to drink, but he caught himself looking intently at the stranger's cards. 18 was a pretty solid position, and a good place to stand. Kel's opponent seemed to relax after that, even taking a drink. "Yeah, I think so... Either that... or a very good knockoff," the young man said in a somewhat slow distracted manner, still looking at the cards and forgetting about his full glass for a while.


"Of course you're gonna stand; that's what I would do," if Kel were to say it outloud, it would be in an irritated manner. But on the outside, it only showed in a brief twitching in the corner of his lip. He reached for the deck to draw another card: a 1. Kel was now sitting at 12, and in the safe zone. Still not giving the drink any thought, he hastily reached for another... And it was a 1 again.

Kel finally reached for a drink and took a quick sip. After that, he put the half-empty glass on the table and reached for another card. Although his position was pretty safe, the young man's heart was still pumping hard, even though he tried not to show it.

"A 4! Now we're onto something," he thought. But there came another dilemma: now that Kel was at 17, a 9 or 10 could bust him without a chance to recover. After thinking a moment and downing the drink, Kel played a "+/- 3" card from hand to bring the score to 20 and win the round.

After watching the cards for a moment, he looked at his opponent, hands now on the table: "That was close." He tried to say it without any extra emotions, gloating or consolation—just stating the situation.

// OOC: Kel's gambit to win the round //
@Headastator

 

[Kolran Targall]

Kolran watched Kel survey the cards in front of him as he arranged his next play. The kid held an impressively emotionless face but Kolran could just about make out the calm calculation going on behind that expression. The Morellian smirked as his opponent's total slowly made its way to 20. "Nice play." He said, finishing off his glass with a satisfied exhale. Kolran felt himself relax significantly as he settled into the game, the threat of the price on his head drifting to the back of his mind.

Reaching forward, Kolran drew the first card of the next round. A 2. A little low for his taste. He always seemed to have the best luck when the first card was high. Pouring himself another glass and taking a relaxed sip, Kolran recalled his last Pazaak game. "You know the last time I played this game, it was for my life." He said with a half smile of nostalgia.

 

[Kel Dryden]

Winning one round and gaining the advantage made Kel feel more confident. When his opponent commended him for nice play, the young man nodded and poured himself another glass. This advantage, no matter how small, was worth a reward.

While Kel was downing the drink in one go, the opponent drew a 2, starting the next round. As it was the stranger's turn to pour himself a drink, Kel reached for a card and drew a 5. Not a bad start, presumably.

Kolran's attempt to start conversation would usually set off an alarm for Kel. Keeping an opponent distracted allowed for all sorts of dirty tricks in a standard Pazaak game. In Open Pazaak though, those tricks were MUCH harder to pull off (if possible at all).

After taking a quick, barely noticeable glance at the stranger's open hand, Kel tilted his head: "Hmmm? I bet that's one hell of a story." His elbows on the table, Kel now rested his chin on the back of his palm, looking at the stranger while casting a glance at the game situation from time to time.

// OOC: Kel's first card in round 2 //
@Headastator

 

[Kolran Targall]

Kolran drew his second card, a 7 that brought his total up to 9. This was the part of the game where play could go anywhere, so there was no use in trying to make any kind of prediction yet. The kid seemed open to conversation at least. "It's not as impressive as it sounds. Foolish, really." Kolran said with a slight chuckle. "This Nautolan, real disagreeable guy, I owed him some money." He continued, taking a sip from his glass.

"See, this guy had some powerful friends and one thing lead to another. You know how it goes." The Morellian said with a dismissive hand gesture, as if Kel knew exactly what he was talking about. "Anyway, there I was with a blaster in my face and this guy brings out a Pazaak deck." He said, Kolran's face changing expressions ever so slightly as he recounted his story, as if he was reliving the memory. He had a bad habit for getting lost in the old days and tales of near death experiences had slowly become fond memories over the years. "Little did I know, this Nautolan, Jekur I think his name was, he had an obsession with this game." Kolran continued with a quick glance at both his and his opponent's hand.

 

[Kel Dryden]

Kel noted the stranger's new total of 9, but otherwise was listening to the story, not changing position just yet. The only thing he did was pour himself some more whiskey. The stranger sure knew how to tell a tale, and Dryden could bet that there was more where that came from.

The notion of someone being forced to play Pazaak for his life, with a blaster in his face, was a strange one... Why not force the guy to work off his debt instead? But then again, this was a strange galaxy. Maybe that Jekur guy just wanted some sort of weird satisfaction, knowing that the stranger had no way of repaying the debt. Who knows?

Either way, that situation made Kel smirk and let out a quick chuckle: "That Jekur sure sounds like a creep. But since you're here..." The young man nodded, reaching for a card of his own in the meantime. A 4 brought his own score to 9 as well, him and the stranger going nose to nose. This was looking up to be an interesting round. Still leaned slightly forward and listening for the story, Kel let his glass with whiskey stay unattended for a while.

// OOC: Kel's second card in round 2 //
@Headastator

 

[Kolran Targall]

Kolran kept a casual demeanour as Kel matched his score. "Yeah, I won the game fair and square and he just let me go. No fuss." He said with a smile. "He was either out of his mind or rich enough to not care about a few credits, but the guy was unsettling nonetheless." Kolran said as he drew his next card. Another 2, nothing special. He was in a fairly good place to keep playing next turn. "I'd much rather face a bloodthirsty Hutt than ever see Jekur again, I'll tell you that."

Glancing out over the dance floor into the seating area beyond it, Kolran suddenly noticed something he didn't like. A Trandoshan who looked better dressed for combat than a club sat staring out onto the dance floor, much like Kolran was. If the Morellian had to guess, he'd say this was a bounty hunter. Maybe this guy wasn't looking for Kolran but he'd rather not find out. Taking care to not show any change from his relaxed expression, he turned back to the game and continued nursing his drink. The best thing he could do now was keep on playing and blend in.

 

[Kel Dryden]

Kel nodded with a smirk as the stranger finished the tale. He found the outcome of the story somewhat anticlimactic, but the stranger probably had a different opinion. Especially since he had been on the receiving end of that Jekur Pazaak experience.

Meanwhile, the stranger got to 11. A very good position to continue, especially if you have a card or two on hand. With his opponent busy looking at the dance floor for a moment, Kel drew another card. And what a card it was! A 9 put Kel's total at 18, and he had just the card on hand to bring it to 20. After a few moments of thought, he played his "+/-2" with a content smile and a thought:"Pure Pazaak!"

There was a certain risk to that move: Kel had played one of the few valuable cards from hand. If the stranger could bring this round to a tie, especially without playing a card from hand, the young scoundrel would be in for a harder endgame. But for the moment, it seemed like the right move to make.

Leaning backwards and relaxing on the couch for a moment, Kel grabbed his drink and took a sip. "Well, guess you're lucky I'm not Jekur then." he said with a friendly chuckle.

// OOC: Kel's third card and gambit for 20 //
@Headastator

 

[Kolran Targall]

"Heh, you're right there." Kolran replied to Kel as his opponent brought his total up to 20 with a good draw. But Kolran wasn't out of this round just yet. His attention had been pulled back from his current predicament onto the game. He drew his next card, a 5. He'd been fairly conservative with his hand so far and now seemed as good a time as any to use it. With little hesitation, Kolran slid his "+/-4" card into play, matching Kel's total. "I'm not quite finished yet though." He said with a smile.

Finishing off his drink, Kolran left the glass empty on the table for a while. He was accustomed to a few drinks on most days, but considered it better to keep his wits about him with the possible threat of the Trandoshan nearby. "So, what's your name kid? And what brings you here tonight?" Kolran asked with a raised eyebrow. It was good to get to know your opponent in any competition, he'd always thought. Especially when you were planning on winning credits off them.

 

[Kel Dryden]

"Kriff!" Kel thought, exhaling and leaning towards the table again. Why did he have to brag?! The moment arrogance kicked in, the stranger took him down a notch with a well-played card from hand. On the bright side, at least the stranger was using his hand. If he hadn't, Kel would definitely be at a disadvantage in the later rounds. For now, they were somewhat even, even though Kel had scored 1 of the 3 rounds needed for victory.

"Good play there," he said with a nod, finishing his glass and putting it next to the almost-empty bottle. Without giving much thought to the game now, Kel drew the first card in the round, that being a 6. It's the stranger's question that got his attention. Kel's plans while playing Pazaak were always more than credits. Making acquaintances was just as important.

"The name is Dryden. Kel Dryden," he tilted his head slightly. "As for what brings me here tonight..." the young man paused, giving the stranger a long sideways look. "Business, I guess. Potential business more than anything else. You know what I mean?"

// OOC: Kel's first card in round 3 //
@Headastator

 

[Kolran Targall]

Kolran drew a 3 as his first card of this round. "I think I do know what you mean, Kel Dryden. I'm Kolran." He said in response to Kel. The man gave the impression of being some kind of criminal and Kolran smirked at the confirmation of this. "Lots of businessmen on this planet. I just so happen to be a businessman myself. Recently back in business, in fact." He continued with a knowing look. "However, I've come here tonight to get away from all that, so to speak."

Kolran second guessed himself for a moment. This guy didn't strike him as a bounty hunter, but he'd made that mistake before. If the security in this place were as insistent with everyone else as they were with him he probably didn't risk getting shot, but there were other ways to kill a man as Kolran very much knew. The Morellian himself always kept his easily concealable vibroknife tucked away somewhere in his clothing. You could never be too careful...

 

[Kel Dryden]

"I hear you, Kolran," Kel replied, reaching casually for the next card. A 1 put the total at 7. Comfortable, but it did keep Kel wondering just what the next card would be. Then again, the bet was nothing serious. Had they been betting something big, the young scoundrel would have been more tense.

"I also hear that places like this are good both for getting in and away from business. Figured I'd find more of the former here, and the latter there," he gestured to the dance floor and the bar below. After all, the top level with gambling tables was the place where the largest amounts of credits changed hands in that joint. "But I'm just as fine with a friendly Pazaak game," Kel shrugged.

// OOC: Kel's second card in round 3 //
@Headastator

 

[Kolran Targall]

Kolran scratched the scruffy grey goatee on his chin, pausing for a moment after Kel spoke. It was clear he was considering saying something, but instead drew his second card. Drawing an 8 raised his total to 11, a safe place to be with his current hand. However, he'd rather avoid using anything else from his hand this round, unless push came to shove. Despite the game being more of a distraction than his current focus, Kolran couldn't help getting engrossed whenever it came to a bet.

The Trandoshan on the dance stood up, seemingly scanning the dance floor. Kolran noticed quickly and kept watch over the situation with a sideways glance. The bounty hunter turned away, back towards the seating area, greeting someone who had approached them from behind. After what Kolran could only assume was a swift introduction they walked out of view, in the opposite direction to Kel and himself. With an internal sigh of relief, he turned back to the game. "You know, on second thoughts Kel, I may be looking for some hired help for an upcoming meeting I've got planned." Kolran said, with a genuine looking smile.

 

[Kel Dryden]

By now, Kel noticed Kolran's sideways glances, but avoided asking about the reason. After all, if Kolran wanted to bring it up, he would. Kel simply drew the card again. A 2 brought his total to 9. Almost perfect. Let alone the fact that Kel's earlier hunch about the place had been proven right. The "Stacked Deck" and its Pazaak tables were the place to go for extra work on the side.

On the outside, he only showed it by a brief smirk: "Right. And I may be interested," Kel tilted his head. "Depending on what the meeting implies" remained unsaid, but was left in the air. But if the terms were good enough, and if the job felt right, then Kel would definitely considered it. Something about the stranger made Kel feel he could trust him... until Kolran would prove it by his actions, that is.

// OOC: Kel's third card in round 3 //
@Headastator

 

[Kolran Targall]

Kolran nodded as Kel spoke, unsure of whether or not he could trust Kel. The Morellian probably had more to fear from sector rangers than a fellow scoundrel, but he would definitely be keeping an eye on his prospective ally. He drew another card, bringing his total up to 16. Not a great place to be, but he did have the option of playing another card from his hand. Then again, why not risk it and see what position his opponent ended up in first? Kolran didn't have a huge chance of going bust on the next draw, despite his recent stroke of bad luck.

"It's nothing too fancy, but I do have the credits to pay you more than enough." Kolran elaborated. "There's a ship on Dressel that needs to be returned to its rightful owners. Let's call it an asset seizure." He said, once again refilling his glass with a smaller amount than before. If all went to plan, what Kolran was saying was true. It shouldn't be too hard of a job to pull off and finally having his ship back would make it considerably easier to lay low until everything cooled off. Things hadn't been going to plan recently though.