Looking back at the history of the Star Wars franchise, with every new episode we are usually treated to a handful of fresh characters, as well as a new planet or two. The latest instalment – Star Wars: The Last Jedi – due out in December this year (14th December in the UK, 15th December in the US) promises more of the same and, in particular, there has been plenty of speculation flying around about a new Monte Carlo-style casino planet called Canto Bight.
Back in April, we got a tantalising insight into this new alien world thanks to some leaked set photos from The Last Jedi shoot in Dubrovnik, Croatia. It’s thought that Canto Bight will provide a similar setting to that of the infamous Cantina scene in Star Wars – Episode IV: A New Hope – a slightly sordid hive of debauchery that gives the audience a bit of comic relief as a counterpoint to the main thrust of the story. As you might expect, further plot details are being closely guarded by writer and director Rian Johnson at this stage, although a few sources are suggesting that it will likely be featured in Finn’s storyline.
What we do know is that this isn’t the first time that casino gaming or betting culture has cropped up in a Star Wars film; in fact, there have been numerous instances that we’ve encountered as part of the films, books and extended universe. Here are a few of our favourite examples….
Podracing: The Boonta Eve Classic
Even if you’re not a huge fan of the second trilogy, few will forget Watto’s role in Star Wars – Episode I: The Phantom Menace. A junk dealer and slave trader, Watto certainly had a penchant for wagering on a whim, which is exactly what Qui-Gonn Jin turned to his advantage when attempting to rescue a young Anakin Skywalker from his home planet of Tatooine.
If you recall, the bet was on Anakin’s upcoming podrace in the Boonta Eve Classic. The first stipulation was that, if Anakin lost, Watto got the Naboo ship plus the winnings; however, if Anakin won, Watto still kept the winnings but Qui-Gon got the T-14 Hyperdrive Generator he needed to fix the Naboo ship. But that’s not all. Following a cheeky back-and-forth between the two bettors, Qui-Gon sees an opportunity to up the stakes and persuades Watto to include Anakin’s freedom into the bargain, wagered against the podracer itself.
This entire passage of the film is one of the highlights of The Phantom Menace, and is still being talked about today as a masterstroke of George Lucas’ directorial approach. Good work, Mr. Lucas.
Sabaac: Han vs. Lando
Known for its complex nature, sabaac is a high stakes card game played across the Star Wars galaxy. The deck itself is comprised of 76 numbered cards that are divided into four suits. Each suit contains a variety of face cards – the Idiot, the Queen, the Evil One, for example – and a number of lesser-value pip cards. What makes the game so unpredictable is that the value of the cards change randomly as the game progresses, and a winning hand can become a losing one within a single turn.
Now, here’s a fun fact for you. Han Solo and Lando Calrissian were both keen players of sabaac, and both regularly attended dedicated tournaments looking to win big. It was actually during a game of sabaac that Lando Calrissian was forced to turn over keys to the Millennium Falcon to Han Solo.
If that’s enough to put you in the mood for a hand or two yourself, unfortunately we’ve not happened to come across an online casino that offers avid gamers the chance to play sabaac for themselves. That said, it’s basically a more extreme version of Texas Hold’em poker that you can play at many online casinos across the web.
Bonus Round: The Herglic
Ever heard of a herglic? These aquatic water-based mammals are probably best described as the whales of the Star Wars gambling universe. They’re pleasant and peaceful creatures, though they have an innate inclination for card games, casinos and pretty much every form of betting.
We’ve got a sneaky suspicion that we might see one or two herglics making an appearance in the bright lights of the Canto Bight casinos when The Last Jedi is finally released. With five months to go until release, we’re bound to find out a few more interesting insights along the way. Keep those eyes peeled.
Photo by Wuestenigel
