Pazaak is a card game resembling Blackjack. Playing is optional, but it can be a good way to get credits and some other rewards.
You can always ask Atton to teach you to play Pazaak once you've traveled to Telos: Citadel Station, playing Republic Senate rules (no wager) since he's out of credits.
Pazaak Rules Basics: The object of the game is to have your face up cards total higher than your opponent's hand without exceeding a total of 20. If a player's total is greater than 20 at the end of a turn (a 'bust'), the opponent wins the set. A player must win 3 sets to win the match and collect the wager.
Equipment: Pazaak is played with a 40 card main deck made up of 4 of each card numbered 1 through 10, and a side deck of up to 10 cards with values ranging from -6 through +6.
Rules of Play:
Each player draws 4 random cards from their side deck to form their HAND. These cards are available to the player for all the sets of the match. Each hand card can only be played once per match.
The first player draws a card from the main deck and plays it face up to begin their turn.
After drawing a card, a player has the option of playing one of the cards from their hand. Playing a card from the hand is optional.
Only one hand card can be played each turn. REMEMBER: A player's 4 card hand must last through all sets of the match.
The player now has the option to STAND or to END TURN. A player who stands cannot draw again or play any more cards from their hand during the set. When one player stands, the opponent can continue to take turns until they either stand or bust.
If a player chooses to end turn they will automatically draw another card at the beginning of their next turn. After one player chooses to stand or end turn, the opponent draws a card to begin their next turn.
Players continue to alternate turns until both players choose to stand, or until one player ends a turn with a total greater than 20 (a 'bust'). REMEMBER: You only lose if you are over 20 at the end of your turn. A player can draw a card from the main deck that puts them over 20, then play a negative card from the 'hand' that brings the total back under 20.
In the case of a tie, another set must be played. No new cards from the side deck are drawn.
A player can never have more than nine cards in play during one set. (This includes cards from the hand as well as cards dealt from the deck.) Once you have nine cards in play you automatically stand. (and win the set.)
A +/- card played from the side deck must be declared as a positive or negative when played. Once played it cannot be changed.
Gold cards have special rules associated with them. With some you can alter their number before you play them. Others can break a tie, change cards in play, or double the value of the last card played.
The first player to win 3 sets wins the match and the wager.
Your Pazaak Side Deck only has one of each card from +1 to +6, and -1 to -4:
Pazaak requires both a main deck and a side deck. You can store all your side deck cards here and bring them out when you start a game.
+/- Cards are obviously more useful than purely positive or negative cards and thus cost more credits, but cost doesn't always indicate usefulness: for example, negative cards are normally more useful than positive cards since you start with fewer of them, and they can be used to avoid a bust before you end turn, forcing your opponent to take another turn and draw another card, thus making it more likely that your opponent goes bust or has to use a card to avoid it (this is particularly true when you draw first in the set, starting at a disadvantage).
Buying cards from at least Mebla Dule and Pato Ado is recommended before playing, as you're not restricted to their worlds before encountering a Lost Jedi: you can play them, or travel elsewhere.
Cards can also be acquired from a final wager after defeating your opponents a certain number of times:
Any cards acquired aren't displayed in Inventory but simply added to your side deck, so you cannot sell unwanted cards.
Gold cards have special rules associated with them:
Pazaak Card
This is an advanced pazaak side deck card, for use with a pazaak deck.
1±2
1±2
This card can change both its sign and its value.
Before playing this card, you can change its value to 1, 2, -1 or -2.
Double
D
This card doubles the value of last flipped card.
This card doubles the value of the last card you are dealt.
Tie Breaker
±1T
If the score is tied (and the opponent has chosen to stand), then playing this card results in a win.
Subtracts or adds 1 from your score and allows you to win tied games.
Flip 2&4
2&4
This card changes the sign (positive orto negative) of all of your 2s and 4s in play.
This card flips all positive 2's and 4's you have in play to negative.
Flip 3&6
3&6
This card changes the sign (positive orto negative) of all of your 3s and 6s in play.
This card flips all positive 3's and 6's you have in play to negative.
Gold cards can normally only be selected from the side decks of the three organic opponents of the cantina's Pazaak Den in Nar Shaddaa's entertainment promenade.
1±2 Cards can be selected by Geredi (1) and The Champ (2). Both sign and value must be declared before playing (after which they cannot be changed), so it's effectively +/-1 and +/-2 in one card, and it's normally only played on 18-22 after a card is dealt.
Double cards can be selected by Dahnis (1), Geredi (1) and The Champ (2). It doubles the value of the last card dealt, so it's normally only played if the turn then ends on 20.
Tie Breaker cards can be selected by Geredi (1) and The Champ (2). It's effectively +/-1, but in the case of a tie when the opponent stands, the player wins. It's normally played at 19 (+1) or 21 (-1) to end on 20 and almost guarantee a win, but if its played at less than 19, ending below 20, then the opponent can still win by exceeding it or playing nine cards without going bust.
Flip cards can be selected by Geredi (2&4 (2) and 3&6) and The Champ (2 each). These cards flip all your positive 2s & 4s or 3s & 6s played (including +/- cards declared positive) to negative, but have no effect on negative cards declared or played. When first played, changing sign effectively makes these -4 & -8 or -6 & -12; if more are played, any affected cards are already negative, effectively making these just -2 & -4 or -3 & -6. They're normally only played when 2s & 4s or 3s & 6s have been played to avoid going bust, but they can result in negative totals, making it much more likely that nine cards are in play without going bust, thus automatically standing and winning.
Never Tell Me the Odds
Won a Pazaak game with a full board
A player can never have more than nine cards in play during one set, including cards from the hand as well as cards dealt from the deck, so once you have nine cards in play you automatically stand and win the set. Winning a Pazaak game with a full board like this is easiest with a side deck of negative, +/- and Flip 2&4 and 3&6 cards (the latter can be particularly powerful).
Although you can normally wager for as little as a single credit, it resets to maximum at the start of each match so it's best to wager for the maximum amount. However, even after you've upgraded your deck, you're still at a disadvantage: although you and your opponent alternate drawing first from the main deck at the beginning of each set, you always draw first in the first set, which means you'll most likely be the first to stand, go bust or use a card, all of which make it more likely that you'll be defeated. It may be exploitative, but you can save game before playing and after winning, and load game after losing to offset this (although there's no need once the wager isn't for credits).
On Telos: Citadel Station, Mebla Dule stands in the bottom left corner of the Entertainment module's cantina Gaming Room. Before playing, you should upgrade your deck by buying cards from her to replace your own: she sells the +/- 1, +/-3 and +/-4 cards, as well as the powerful Flip 2&4 and 3&6 cards (Dendis Dobo also sells some standard cards back outside in Entertainment's Dobo Brother's Emporium).
Mebla Dule: Hey there. Care for a game of pazaak?
1. Let's play.
Mebla Dule: Sure thing! Just for fun, or shall we lay some credit down?
3. Never mind. I'll be going now.
Otherwise:
1. Let's play for fun.
1. Let's play again, just for fun.
2. We'll play for credits.
Mebla Dule: Let's have a seat and get to it, then!
Mebla Dule: If you insist!
Maximum wager is 40 credits, and Mebla Dule always uses the same side deck:
Mebla Dule: Looks like luck was on my side, this time. Up for another game?
If you speak after defeating her 3 times, even for fun (or not in a row):
Mebla Dule: Whew! Three in a row! I suppose my lucky card isn't so lucky anymore. Here - why don't you take it. I think I'll take a break from the game for a time.
On Telos: Citadel Station, the Twi'lek Doton Het stands to the right of the stage at the top end of the Entertainment module's cantina, where you can play a match for High Stakes (1000 credits, which can be lost but not received) to win the Twi'lek dancer Ramana.
On Nar Shaddaa, the droid S4-C8 stands at the bottom end of the entertainment promenade's pazaak den, but you can only play pazaak if you haven't already repaired the droid:
S4-C8: Oh! Hello! You have caught me at a rare time. Usually there are many players who seek to play, but you are fortunate to have caught me at a moment of quiet.
3. If you're ready to play pazaak, so am I.
Maximum wager is 100 credits, and S4-C8 always uses the same side deck:
On Nar Shaddaa, the Twi'lek female Dahnis stands in the lower of the two partitioned areas at the top of the entertainment promenade's pazaak den. She sells the +/- 2, +/- 5 and Flip 3&6 cards.
You can only play Dahnis yourself if Atton, Disciple and Bao-Dur are not in your party. If you're female:
♀ Dahnis: What do you want?
♀ 1. I just want to play some pazaak.
♀ Dahnis: Are you ready?
♀ 1. Let's play.
If you're male:
♂ Dahnis: Hello. Looks like Nar Shaddaa finally coughed up someone worth my time.
♂ 1. Hello yourself, gorgeous.
♂ Dahnis: What can I do for you, handsome?
♂ 3. I just want to play some pazaak.
♂ 1. A little game of pazaak would be wonderful.
♂ Dahnis: Oh, I don't know if I can compete against one so skilled in the ways of winning.
♂ Dahnis: That was... magnificent. Thank you for such a stimulating game.
Otherwise, after saying hello:
♂ 2. You can cool your engines long enough for us to play a game of pazaak.
♂ Dahnis: Are you ready?
♂ 1. Let's play.
Maximum wager is 100 credits, and Dahnis always uses the same side deck:
Each card has 40% chance of being one of the four selected.
You have defeated your opponent!
You have been defeated.
Credits Received: 1-100
Credits Lost: 1-100
Dahnis: You handled yourself well. Care to try again?
Dahnis: Perhaps this is not your game. You could always try cantina dancing.
After defeating Dahnis 3 times, you cannot play again:
Dahnis: You are too much for me to handle... which is a rare thing.
Pazaak Den: Dahnis You have managed to gain Dahnis' respect and gain some recognition at the pazaak den.
Otherwise, you can exit the entertainment promenade and return after adding Atton, Disciple or Bao-Dur to your party to play Dahnis instead. In either case, if you speak again:
On Nar Shaddaa, the Duros Geredi stands in the upper of the two partitioned areas at the top of the entertainment promenade's pazaak den.
Geredi: Searching for a game, hu-man, hmmmn? Must be willing to lose if you play, no time for great human upsets and accusations, very troubling, very upsetting.
3. Fine. Let's play.
Maximum wager is 100 credits, and Geredi can start with this side deck:
Geredi: Congratulations, hu-man. It is not often that I find another who can challenge me.
Geredi: That is too bad, hu-man. I will put these credits to good use. Come back anytime.
1. Let's play.
2. I'll be going now.
After defeating Geredi 3 times, you cannot play again:
Geredi: You beat me for last time, hu-man! Take your credits and go!
Pazaak Den: Geredi You have managed to remove Geredi as an obstacle and gain some recognition at the pazaak den.
Geredi can also be removed as an obstacle after speaking to the Gran Twik'gar outside the Pazaak Den, then returning to tell Geredi he's got some friends waiting out front and using minimum Persuade rank 11 or Affect Mind to get him outside, or tell him about the thugs and get him to throw your match, in either case moving closer to the dark side of the Force.
Subtracts or adds 1 from your score and allows you to win tied games.
The Champ can also be persuaded to lose and give you a Golden Card with Dominate Mind or minimum Persuade rank 10, or threatened into doing so with minimum Persuade rank 6 if you're willing to move closer to the dark side of the Force. This gains the attention of the Exchange, but playing pazaak and defeating him 3 times does not.
On Onderon, Nikko stands outside the Swoop Registration and Bar in the Iziz cantina when you first travel there, but he cannot be played once you've met the Lost Jedi and escaped Iziz.
Nikko: Nice to meet you, sentient. Are you interested in a friendly game of pazaak? The deck is warm, the drink is plentiful, and the company amiable. Can I tempt you?
Nikko: Welcome back. My deck is still warm, if you're up for pazaak.
2. Let's play some pazaak.
Nikko: We haven't played before, so you should know I don't pull any punches. Every game, I play to win. You prove your mettle and I might throw in a bonus one of these rounds. But enough of my cautionary advice, let's play!
Maximum wager is 250 credits, and Nikko always uses the same side deck:
On Dantooine, the Ithorian Pato Ado stands in the lower right corner of the docking bay on the Khoonda plains. He sells the +/-1, +/-6 and Flip 2&4 cards.
After asking Pato Ado why he's so anxious to go and leave Dantooine, he tells you about his offer to wager rare components, useful in the making of armor, while playing pazaak, and asks if you have a deck and an inclination to pass time with him:
1. I'm interested. Can I play for the armor components?
Pato Ado: You are? That is good to hear! Unfortunately, I save my armor components for special games. Perhaps after a few hands...? I have many credits. We could play for 250 credits a game, if you would like.
Dialog
2. I can't afford that.
Pato Ado: We don't have to play pazaak for credits at all, though most humans seem to insist on it. I prefer playing just for the company. Shall we play just for diversion?
3. I've changed my mind.
Pato Ado: That is unfortunate. I was hoping that I would finally have someone to play with again. Perhaps we will see each other at a later time.
Otherwise:
1. Let's go.
1. Certainly.
Pato Ado: I am looking forward to this. I will play with my oldest deck. It was good at making friends long ago. Shall we begin?
So you can play for up to 250 credits a game, or just play for the company, not credits.
You have defeated your opponent!
You have been defeated.
Credits Received: 0-250
Credits Lost: 0-250
Dialog
Pato Ado: Now that was a good game, and fortune was with you. I am eager for another game.
Pato Ado: An enjoyable game... Hopefully you will play with me again. After I win games, I've noticed that humans are not as enthusiastic about playing again.
Pato Ado: If you desire we can change the stakes. Betting is not very interesting to me. I merely like sharing a good game with someone.
Pato Ado: But we can change the stakes to your liking.
5. I'll be going now.
Otherwise, you can only change the stakes after forfeiting or completing a game:
Dialog
2. I'd like to change the stakes.
Pato Ado: Over the weeks of playing pazaak, I've found myself with more credits than I need. We can play for many credits or for none at all.
4. Can we play for your special armor components?
Pato Ado: I would only wager those if I had nothing else to bet. They are rare and useful to my work.
Otherwise:
1. Let's just play a friendly game. No credits involved.
Pato Ado: That is definitely to my liking. We are kindred spirits in this.
Otherwise:
2. How about a small bet - 250 credits.
3. A moderate wager of 500 credits?
4. Can you afford 750 credits a hand?
Pato Ado: If that is what you would like. Shall we play now?
2. Maybe later. I don't have 250 credits.
2. Maybe later. I don't have 500 credits.
2. Maybe later. I don't have 750 credits.
1. Let's play a hand of pazaak.
1. Let's play another game.
1. Let's go.
Pato Ado: I am looking forward to this next match.
You now play a friendly game with no credits involved, or for up to 250, 500 or 750 credits. The side deck he uses is based on the maximum wager:
Maximum Wager
Pazaak Card
+1
+2
+3
+4
+5
+6
-1
-2
-3
-4
-5
-6
±1
±2
±3
±4
±5
±6
0
2
2
2
2
2
250
1
2
2
2
1
2
500
1
2
1
2
1
1
1
1
750+
2
4
2
2
Even if you subsequently reduce the maximum wager before playing, this has no effect on the side deck used (so reducing 750 credits to 500, 250 or even less doesn't change it).
You have defeated your opponent!
You have been defeated.
Credits Received: 0-750
Credits Lost: 0-750
You cannot play for his special armor components until you've won maximum wagers totaling 2500 credits. Once again, this is based on maximum values and not actual credits received, and any credits lost have no effect.
To achieve this in just 4 games, play for 250 and win once, and then for 750 and win 3 times, as 250 + (750 * 3) = 2500 (and it wouldn't matter if you subsequently reduced each wager to 1 before playing, and won just 4 in total). You could also play for 500 and win 5 times, or play for 250 and win 10 times.
To win most credits, you can play for maximum 750 and win 4 times, as 750 * 4 = 3000. Otherwise, you can play for maximum 250 and win once, 500 and win once, and finally 750 and win 3 times, as 250 + 500 + (750 * 3) = 3000 as well.
In any case, once you've won maximum wagers totaling 2500 credits:
Pato Ado: All of the credits I have won on this planet are in your hands. But it was quite worth it to play against such a master of the game. The only thing I have left to wager are the armor components I spoke of earlier. Do you want to play for them?
1. Let's play for the armor components.
Pato Ado: This is good news. If you win you get the components. If I win I get 1000 credits. Is this acceptable?
1. Let's play then.
2. Perhaps later.
Pato Ado: Then let the game begin!
You can only play for the armor components from now on, although you can still lose credits even if you can't receive them:
Pato Ado: My games with you have been the most enjoyment I've had in weeks. You are a skilled pazaak player.
You have been defeated.
Credits Lost: 1000
Pato Ado: A good game. Perhaps you will fare better next time. Would you like to try again?
Otherwise:
You have defeated your opponent!
Pato Ado: And you have won yet again! Here are the armor components, as I promised. I hope you're still interested in playing. But it appears I have nothing more to bet. We could always play for the sheer enjoyment of the game, though.
Five upgrade items are normally received, the first three of which are always received and always the same. The two remaining upgrade items are normally selected based on experience level (codes = level + 4 and level + 6), then two overlays, two underlays or one of each can normally be selected.
* If the code of one of the three upgrade items always received is selected, then a code + 1 overlay or underlay is selected instead:
Code
Upgrade item
Levels
Overlay
Underlay
07
Environment Underlay Mark II
1
3
Heavy Bonded Plates I
Biorestorative II
10
Armorply Plating Mark II
4
6
Sound Dampening II
Flexible II
15
Bonded Plates Mark II
9
11
Heavy Bonded Plates II
Strengthening III
The same occurs when the upgrade item selected is already in Inventory. At levels 25-26 a single overlay and underlay are both normally received, and at level 27 and beyond nothing is received.
4. Perhaps another time. I'll be going.
Pato Ado: May your journeys be equally fortunate, friend!
Once you've played for and won the armor components you can only play for fun, without wager:
Pato Ado: I do not suppose you are here to play pazaak? I have nothing more to bet, but we could play for fun.
1. I'm still up for a game.
Pato Ado: I was hoping you would say that. Let's begin!
You have defeated your opponent!
You have been defeated.
Pato Ado: You have bested me again. You should enter a tournament. The humans here hold my skills in high regard, but you are even better.
Pato Ado: Victory is mine this time. A good game, though.
Pato Ado: Would you like to play again? I have nothing more to offer, however. But we can still have an enjoyable time.
Pazaak Rules
Mebla Dule: Hey there. Care for a game of pazaak?
Credits Received: 0-40
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Mebla Dule
