The Complete Corellian Spike

Designers:
Disney/Lucasflm Ltd.

Star Wars: Solo Art Department,
Stephen Bridges, et al.

Lore Badges:

This entry includes canon, legends and campfire material.

Want to learn how to play Corellian Spike? Use this page to find everything you need.

INTRODUCING CORELLIAN SPIKE

Canon

A widely popular variant of Sabacc originating in the Corellian system. It was popular during the late stages of the Clone Wars and the era of Imperial rule. Han Solo won the Millenium Falcon from Lando Calrissian during a Corellian Spike match on Numidian Prime.

Legends

The game is a refined version of Corellian Gambit, a version of Classic Sabacc which changed the target value of the game from 23 to 0.

Campfire

Spike developed as a distinctive form of Sabacc generations ago amongst Corellian pilots, and was played by Corellian hyperspace scouts as they pushed the frontier in the High Republic era. It has lasted into the present day as a key fixture in cantinas and casinos from the Core to the Rim. Despite this, it retains an association with ‘tramp spacer’ culture, and some high-end establishments look down on it as a low-brow smuggler’s game.

Many variant forms and variant rules exist for Corellian Spike. Some of the most influential variations, such as Three Card Spike, Galaxy Series and Surabat Cycle have become distinctive forms of Sabacc in their own right.

Navigate our Complete Guide to Corellian Spike

Under Rules - A complete breakdown of the game, including table setup, game components, gameplay structure and order, win and loss conditions, and hand hierarchies and tables.

Under Tutorials - A link to our interactive online tutorial, where you can learn to play Kessel Sabacc right now.

Under Variants - Find house rules rules and variant rule sets for Corellian Spike from canon and developed in the Sabacc community.

Under Sources - Documented sources for Corellian Spike in the Star Wars canon, including published materials and merchandise.

Under Downloads - Player Resources for playing Corellian Spike. Download a copy of the rules.

You can play Kessel Sabacc against AI or other players online using the Holocard Cantina App.

RULES FOR CORELLIAN SPIKE

GOAL

In Corellian Spike Sabacc, the objective is to assemble a hand with a total value of zero or as close to zero as possible. The game uses cards with positive and negative values, and requires strategic betting and card selection to achieve the optimal hand.

SETUP

CARDS

The deck comprises 62 cards divided into three suits: Circles, Triangles, and Squares. Each suit contains:

10 positive cards: valued from +1 to +10.
10 negative cards: valued from -1 to -10.

Additionally, there are 2 special Sylop cards with a value of zero.

THE ARRAY

The Card Array or table layout for Corellian Spike consists of the Draw Deck and the Discard Pile.

The Draw Deck is the full deck of 62 Corellian Spike cards. All cards in this pile are face down.

The Discard Pile is begun by burning one card at the beginning of the game. All cards in this pile are placed face up.

SPIKE DICE

The game utilizes a pair of six-sided dice known as Spike Dice. They are marked with Corellian numeral symbols. The dice are rolled during the game to introduce an element of unpredictability. If the dice display matching symbols, a Sabacc Shift occurs, causing all players to discard their hands and draw an amount of cards equal to the previous hand size.

PLAYER STOCK

Each player begins the game with a stock of credits or chips which they use to pay the Ante and make bets. The goal of the game is to win all or as much of the chips on the table and from other players. Typically, chips or credits will come in different values. In Sabacc, these values are often represented by a selection of bronze/copper, silver and gold chips (or credits).

A typical buy-in for a lay game of Sabacc is 500 credits:

20 Bronzium Chips/Credits worth 5 credits (100)

8 Argentium Chips/Credits worth 25 credits (200)

4 Aurodium Chips/Credits worth 50 credits (200)

A typica buy-in for a tournament game is 1000 credits:

20 Bronzium Chips/Credits worth 10 credits (200)

8 Argentium Chips/Credits worth 50 credits (400)

4 Aurodium Chips/Credits worth 100 credits (400)

HAND POT

Antes and bets are placed in the hand pot. The winner of the hand at the end of the hand takes the contents of the Hand Pot and adds it to their Player Stock.

SABACC POT

A second ante is placed in the Sabacc pot. The winner of the hand can only take the content of the Sabacc pot if he wins with a hand of exactly 0.

HOW TO PLAY CORELLIAN SPIKE

Each player has a stock of credits or credit chips. Players compete in successive hands to win a portion of these credits. Each Hand opens with an Ante and the Card Deal. This is followed by 3 Rounds of play. Each Round has three phases: the Card phase, Betting phase, and the Dice phase. After three rounds, the hands are revealed to determine the winner.

The game is played until someone takes everyone’s credits, or players cash out of the game.

THE HAND

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

2. Ante: Each player contributes an ante to the hand pot and the Sabacc pot.

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

THE ROUND

Each round consists of three phases:

1. CARD PHASE

Players can take one of the following actions:

Gain — Draw a new card from the Draw Deck.
Discard & Gain — Discard a card from your hand and draw a new card from the Draw Deck.
Swap — Swap one card in your hand with the top card of the Discard Pile.
Stand — Keep your current hand.

2. BETTING PHASE

Players bet based on the strength of their hands, with options to check, bet, call, raise, or fold.

3. SPIKE DICE PHASE

The dealer rolls the spike dice. If the symbols match, a Sabacc Shift occurs. All players discard their hands to the Discard Pile, and are dealt the same number of new cards from the Draw Deck.

WINNING THE HAND

After three rounds, remaining players reveal their hands. The player with a hand total closest to zero wins the hand pot. If a player achieves a hand total of exactly zero, they win both the hand pot and the Sabacc pot.

In case of a tie, there are several special winning hands which are ranked in order of strength. See the tables below for the official Corellian Spike hand rankings and tiebreaker rules.

WINNING THE GAME

The game continues for a predetermined number of rounds or until players decide to conclude. The player with the most credits at the end of the game is declared the winner.

HAND RANKINGS

GAME VARIANTS

"We're playing Corellian Spike, Clan House Dice and Market Rules, with Sabacc Tax and Sylops High."

"What are we playing? A hand of Spike with Goldenrod Double-Down."

"The House is playing Three Card Spike."

"Galaxy Series Spike on the floor, with Sabacc Tax and Sylops Wild."

In Sabacc halls and gambling parlours across the galaxy, no version of Sabacc has spawned as many variants and house rules as Corellian Spike. Owing to the intracacies of its hand hierarchies, the frustrations of the Sabacc shift, and misunderstandings of the rules, Spike is probably the most modified and contested version of Sabacc on the scene. Any experienced gambler needs to be clear on the standard rules (employed in formal tournaments) and house rules played in the many public houses they will frequent on the travels. Here at the Holodex, we've collected some of the common and hepful rule variants.

NOTICE: If you use any of the Variant Rules below, or have been taught them as part of the game by others, be aware that they are non-standard rules. Unless specifically noted, expect organised competitions and tournaments to be played using only the Standard Rules. In the Holocards Cantina app, all Ranked Games are played according to the Standard Rules, and enabling Variant Rules will mean that the game no longer counts toward Ranked Standings.

GILDING THE SPIKE (SPIKE PHASE VARIATIONS)

ON THE PYKE

Only a roll of double 1 (the 'Spike' symbol) triggers a Sabacc shift. This changes the odds of a shift occurring from 1 in 6 to 1 in 36.

CLAN HOUSE RULES

CARTEL HOUSE RULES

DOUBLE-DOWN DICE SHIFT

The Spike Phase only occurs in one round, typically the second.

The Spike phase is used in rounds 1 & 2, but is skipped on the final Round before the Reveal.

All doubles on the dice trigger a shift, but different effects are triggered by different values. The effects are dictated by custom rule sets like Goldenrod Double-down and Kessel Rock Double-Down.

STRAIGHT SABACC

The game is played without the Spike Phase or the use of Spike Dice.

MARKET RULES (CARD PHASE VARIATIONS)

STOCK PILE

Adds a Trade Stock Pile - a third card pile between the draw deck and the discard pile. Cards are traded on this pile instead of from the DIscard Pile. Used in the Fort Ypso/Cinematic Extended Variant.

TRADE FROM THE DISCARD

Adds the option of discarding and gaining the top card from the DIscard Pile.

TRADE TARIFFS

Adds fees for card actions taken in the Card Phase:

DRAW FROM THE DECK (FREE)

DISCARD FROM HAND AND GAIN FROM DRAW DECK (1 CHIP)

SWAP WITH TOP OF THE DISCARD PILE (2 CHIPS)

(OPTIONAL) DRAW FROM DISCARD (2 CHIPS + 1 EXTRA CHIPS PER ROUND)

TRADE ARRAY

In every round, a card is drawn and laid out beside the draw pile. These cards can be purchased for an increasing fee (Round 1 = 1 chip, Round 2 = 2 chips, Round 3 = 3 chips). When a card is purchased the Array cards move left and the first Array card is replaced from the deck. Used in the Galaxy Series Spike Variant.

SABACC TAX

Specifies that all trading fees are paid into the Sabacc Pot rather than the hand pot, increasing the value of a Sabacc win.

SYLOP SPECIALS (CARD TYPE VARIATIONS)

SYLOPS WILD

A sylop in hand is treated as +1 or -1 on the value of another card, according to your need, and up to a total of 5. Does not count toward a highest positive card total in tiebreaking.

CLONE CARD

The Sylop is treated as a clone card, which mirrors the value of one of your nominated cards as the opposite positive/negative card.

SYLOPS HIGH

The Sylop is treated as a Trump card: any ranked hand with a Sylop outranks any ranked hand without a Sylop. This means that a Pair with Sylop outranks a Rhylet without a Sylop.

PROBABLE SABACC (HAND HIERARCHY VARIATIONS)

A number of variants are premised around alternative hand hierarchies which rank hands according to their statistical probability, which the Standard Hand Rankings do not reflect.

GALAXY SERIES SPIKE

The most popular form of Probable Sabacc is Galaxy Series. Galaxy Series Sabacc has its own entry on the Holodex, and can be played on the Holocard Cantina App. See Galaxy Series Spike.

FULL VARIANTS

Modifying the rules of Corellian Spike has led to several fully articulated variant forms of the game. Several significant variations are listed below. If the named Variant is a button, click to open it's Holodex entry or PDF download (other variants will be available soon):

SENATE SABACC

Senate Sabacc refers to playing Sabacc without any stakes or betting. Considered a pejorative by inverterate gamblers, the phrase is a cynical reference to perceptions of Senate deliberations as fruitless talk by individuals for whom there are no real stakes. Technically, the Standard Rules published with the Galaxy's Edge deck are a form of Senate Sabacc, since they lack betting rules.

FORT YPSO RULES

This variant reconstructs the game as played on the set of Star Wars: Solo (2015) during Han and Lando's game at Fort Ypso, which are said have differed in several key regards from the Standard Rules included in the Galaxy's Edge deck. This variant adds the Stock Pile and Trade Fees to the base rules. It is built on observations of the film and testimony from members of the set crew who developed, tested and played the game during filming. (COMING SOON)

GALAXY SERIES

Galaxy Series is a form of Probable Sabacc. It uses a probability-based Hand Ranking, a Clan House Spike phase and adds a Card Array and Trade Fees to the game.

THREE CARD SPIKE

An official variant introduced in Tales from Vandor. Three card Spike introduces several novel variants including a three card hand limit, a 'Spike' card, and alternate Hand Rankings.

SURABAT CYCLE

A Corellian Spike variant developed and played by members of the park cast at the Galaxy's Edge resort.

CREATOR CREDITS

Disney/Lucasflm Ltd., Star Wars: Solo Art Department, Stephen Bridges, et al. — Market Rules, Stock Pile

Doug Trefun (Daily Sabacc) — Sylop Specials (Sylops Wild, Clone Card)

D. Nelson Murray, Abby Carrasco, Daniel Stevenson & Shane Holloway — Galaxy Series, Market Rules, Trade Array

Rick Scott (Multiversal Exports) — On the Pyke, Double-Down Dice, Sabacc Tax

SUMMARY

Corellian Spike was invented for the film Solo: A Star Wars Story (2015) and presented a fresh take on the game that won Han Solo the Millenium Falcon. Opting for a different approach from the game seen in the 'Legends' continuity, the object of the game shifted from achieving a score of 23 to achieving a score of 0 with cards that cancel each other out. The game and its rules were developed not just for the film, but also for part of the visitor experience at Disney's Galaxy's Edge adventure park, where employees in the 'Cast Members' team have been known to teach the game.

APPEARANCE IN SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY (2015)

Scenes from Solo: A Star Wars Story

Behind the Scenes Documentary (DVD Extra Features)

SCENE A

SCENE B

VIDEO

STAR WARS: GALAXY'S EDGE RULESET

The official rules for Corellian Spike were published alongside the official Corellian Spike Deck sold in the Galaxy's Edge parks in Disneyland.

DOWNLOAD

OFFICIAL CORELLIAN SPIKE DECK

Game Cards, Box and Dice Set (Sold at Galaxy's Edge)

To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key.

HAN SOLO PROMOTIONAL CARD GAME

Promotional game published at the time of the Solo film. Simplified graphics and gameplay.

Game Cards, Box and Dice Set

To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key.

Rules Book

To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key.

SABACC ON THE SET OF SOLO: FORT YPSO RULES

Analysis of the scenes from Star Wars: Solo, as well as attested conversations with members on the team on set, suggest that the game of Corellian Spike is played with different rules than those in the Galaxy's Edge rulebook. Editing of the film makes it difficult to construct a coherent picture of the game from the film scenes alone. However, some fans claim to have spoken with production crew who shared their recollections of how the game worked. These rules have been reconstructed by fans based on this evidence, but there is no known documentation of these rules.

The mechanics gleaned from this evidence are referred to on the Holodex as 'Fort Ypso Rules', and include the addition of the Stock Pile to the Array, and fees for trade actions. See 'Array Variations' and 'Market Rules' under the Variants tab.

THE COMPLETE CORELLIAN SPIKE

Canon

RULES FOR CORELLIAN SPIKE

GOAL

WINNING THE HAND

WINNING THE GAME

HAND RANKINGS

DOWNLOAD THE RULES

SUMMARY

WORK IN PROGRESS

TRY THE GAME NOW

THE COMPLETE CORELLIAN SPIKE

Canon

RULES FOR CORELLIAN SPIKE​

GOAL

WINNING THE HAND

WINNING THE GAME

HAND RANKINGS

RULES FOR CORELLIAN SPIKE