Rules for CLASSIC Sabacc

(as played on the Sabacc Cantina App)

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GOAL

In Classic Sabacc, the objective is to assemble a hand with a total value of 23 or -23, or as close these values as possible without exceeding them.

The game uses positive and negative cards across 5 suits, and involves strategic betting and card slection to achieve the optimal hand.

THE CARDS

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The deck comprises 76 cards divided into four main suits: Coins, Flasks, Sabers and Staves.

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Each of the main suits contains:

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• Numbered cards: Valued from 1 to 11

• Face cards: The Commander (120, Mistress (13), Master (14), Ace (15)

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Additionally, there is a special suit of 8 cards with negative or nuetral values:

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The Idiot: 0

The Queen (of Air & Darkness): -2

Endurance: -8

Balance: -11

Demise: -13

Moderation: -14

The Evil One: -15

The Star: -17

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DICE

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The game utilizes two six-sided dice. These dice are rolled during the game to introduce an element of unpredictability. If the dice display matching numbers, a Sabacc Shift occurs, causing all players to discard their hadns and draw new ones of the same size. Players may use the Stasis Field to protect specific cards from being affected by a Sabacc Shift.

ROUND SETUP

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1. Determine Starting Player: The starting player rotates clockwise each round.

2. Ante: Each player contributes an ante to both the Hand Pot and the Sabacc Pot.

3. Deal: Each player is dealt two cards face down.

4. Draw Pile: The remaining cards form the draw pile.

 

GAMEPLAY PHASES

 

1 - BETTING PHASE

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Players bet based on the strength of their hands, with options to Check, Bet, Call, Raise or Fold.

 

2 - TRADE PHASE

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Players may:

 

GAIN - Draw the top card from the draw pile

 

CHANGE - Discard one card from your hand and draw the top card of the draw pile

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STAND - Take no action

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At any time in their turn they may:

 

PLACE/REMOVE - Add or remove one card to/from the Stasis Field.

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CALL ALDERAAN: Declare the end of the hand if at least one (or more) rounds have passed. Remaining players in turn ave a chance to improve their hand before round concludes.

 

2 - DICE PHASE

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The dealer rolls the dice. If the symbols match, a Sabacc Shift occurs, and all players discard their hands (excluding cards in the Stasis Field) and draw new ones.

 

WINNING THE ROUND

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After a player calls Alderaan and the final Trade round is concluded, players revea their hands. The outcomes are determined by the following hands:

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Idiot's Array: A special hand consisting of The Idiot (0), a 2, and a 3 (a literal 23). This hand beats Pure Sabacc and can collect the Sabacc Pot.

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Pure Sabacc: A hand totaling exactly 23 or -23 wins both the Hand Pot and the Sabacc Pot.

Closest to 23 or -23: If no one has Pure Sabacc or Idiot's Array, the hand closest to 23 or -23 without exceeding these values wins the Hand Pot. A negative vaue beats a same integer positive value.

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Fairy Empress: A special hand consisting of two Queens (-2). This hand beats a -22 or +22 (or lower) but not an Idiot's Array or Sabacc, and can only collect the Hand Pot.

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Bomb-Out: Hands totalling over 23, under -23 or exactly 0 are considered 'Bombed Out' and are disqualified. Players with bombed out hands must pay a penalty to the Sabacc Pot.

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In case of a tie, a Sudden Demise occurs, where tied players draw an additional card to add to their hand and determine the winner.

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WINNING THE GAME

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The game continues for a predetermined number of rounds or until only one players has credits left. The player with the most credits at the end of the game is declared the winner.

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