Game Guides Archive
Thread: How to play Mini-Sabacc!
Mini-Sabacc is a cut-down version of the famous card game, Sabacc,that I haveadapted to work in SWG. A game for two players, each must have a deck of cards and a 12 sided die. I have been making decks of cards on Starsider, but I'll detail how to make your own (for other servers) below.
Requirements - As mentioned, both players must have a deck of four cards, and a die. The players must be able to trade and must have about 40 credits in their pockets, at least.
Aim - To end your turn, closer to a total score of 21 than your opponent, without ending above 21.
How to play -
1) Players both roll a die to see who goes first - the highest starts.
2) The first player rolls their die and adds it to theirtotal in the 'credits' box of the trade window. That is their current score. (In the first turn, their total will be 'roll+0')
3) They get the option to play a card from their deck, or to decline to. Only one card may be played a turn. To play a card, it is put into the trade window so that the other player can see it. The value of that card then affects the score - for example. Player one has a score of 8. They play a *-2* card and place it in the trade window for their opponent to see. That modifies their score by -2, and they change their score in the credits box to 6.
4) The player then gets to decide whether they will 'Hold' or 'Play. If they 'Hold' they will take no more turns, and can play no more cards. They have decided to stick with what they have. If they 'Play' then they have decided to continue, and will roll as normal next turn.
5) The other player takes their turn - with parts 2 to 4 in effect. They roll, they play a card (if they choose) and they decide to hold or play.
If one of the two players ends their turn on a score greater than 21, they automatically lose. If both players 'Hold' the one closest to 21 wins.
How to MAKE Mini-Sabacc!
Making Mini-Sabacc decks is time consuming and a bit of a responsibility. I make decks from four armourweave segments and a 12 sided dice. I put them in a backpack for ease of use. How to make them is follows.
The cards -
The heart of the game, the cards are made from armour segments (the most 'card' looking object I could find). Each deck has four cards of various values ranging from *-5* to *+5*, with 0 ignored. To prevent cheating, I have set up a system where each set of four cards has a unique number after it to show which deck it has come from. For example you'd find a card like this in one of my decks.
*-4* Mini-Sabacc Card. (0032)
That's one of the cards from the 0032 deck of cards. That way, people won't be able to just make a hugfe stack of cards and use what ever they please. You may say that they'll still be able to cheat - just make a duplicate card with the same number. In which case, it must be made by a trusted crafter - in my case, I am on my honour that I won't make more than four cards for any deck.
The die -
Fairly standard stuff - a twelve sided die to roll.
The rules -
When I put them up for sale, I include a short version of the rules in the description and offer to mail a copy to buyers. Probably the kindest way of doing it.
So there you go - how to play, and how to make. I hope you'll buy some on Starsider (try Theed bazaar, or wait for my dedicated vendor) or become a trusted distributer for your own server. Any questions?
In Sabaac, the object is to get as close to 23 as possible and the cards are much different.
Makes it dynamic : cool !!!
They should implement this in game. Pazaak and that battle chess that was shown in ANH.
Once I understood Pazaak in KOTOR, it became really fun. Games like that and the one you described would add alot to SWG.
Nice work.
Tinkergirl wrote:
The cards -
The heart of the game, the cards are made from armour segments (the most 'card' looking object I could find). Each deck has four cards of various values ranging from *-5* to *+5*, with 0 ignored. To prevent cheating, I have set up a system where each set of four cards has a unique number after it to show which deck it has come from. For example you'd find a card like this in one of my decks.
*-4* Mini-Sabacc Card. (0032)
There's still something I don't understand... You have 4 cards ranging from -5 to +5, does it mean it's like you can have :
- One deck with (+4) (-3) (-1) (+2)
- Another deck with different values... and so on ?
And then choose a deck to play, and of course not swap cards inside the same game from another deck...
Is that it ?
Gobson wrote:
I play on starsider, where can I get these things? You said the Theed bazaar but what catagory is it under?
I'd say Misc/wearable containers since Tinkergirl might have put the set of cards in a bag
!
FortunoFiasco wrote:
Tinkergirl wrote:
The cards -
The heart of the game, the cards are made from armour segments (the most 'card' looking object I could find). Each deck has four cards of various values ranging from *-5* to *+5*, with 0 ignored. To prevent cheating, I have set up a system where each set of four cards has a unique number after it to show which deck it has come from. For example you'd find a card like this in one of my decks.
*-4* Mini-Sabacc Card. (0032)
There's still something I don't understand... You have 4 cards ranging from -5 to +5, does it mean it's like you can have :
- One deck with (+4) (-3) (-1) (+2)
- Another deck with different values... and so on ?
And then choose a deck to play, and of course not swap cards inside the same game from another deck...
Is that it ?
Yes, that's it. It was the only way I could think of to make it fair. No doubt people will find ways around it, (naughty people) but it was as good as I could manage.
Probably the people who play each other often will need more than one deck to keep their opponent guessing. I had toyed with the idea of a 'house rule' that people trade their cards with their opponent after a match, to keep the cards circulating, but people might think they'd lost a 'good' deck, so people can decide their own house rules.
Oh - and the chess-table thing can be seen in the ranger's highest/best camp - there's one there with two chairs. Imagine- chess in the wilderness!
Thanks for the comments, everyone!