Game Tip - SW KoTOR - Playing Pazaak

There have been several questions on the Official BioWare KoTOR Forums about how to win Pazaak, so I thought I'd give you some of my tips. Pazaak is a fun little mini-game in KoTOR that you can play to win some extra credits and items. I wouldn't say that I'm an expert Pazaak player, but I've played it quite a bit to get credits to buy expensive items, and have learned a few things along the way.

If you've played Black Jack (also called 21), then you pretty much know the basics of Pazaak. The only real difference is the limit is 20 instead of 21, there is no automatic win (or 'Black Jack'), and Pazaak has negative cards that will allow you to go back to or under 20 if the cards dealt to you go over. I'm not going to go into the details, as you can find them out in the game when you practice with Mission.

Ok, so on to my tips.

First, be sure to buy +/- cards when you find them. These cards have two 'sides' of the same number, positive and negative. This will allow your side deck in the game to be 8 cards worth, instead of just four. Of course, you'll only have four cards, but since each will have a positive and negative side, it's like having two cards for each number. You need at least 10 +/- cards to pick the original set that the computer randomly chooses from for you to play with. If you play on Taris, you won't have that many, but every +/- card you can get will help. Pazaak can be won with regular, postive OR negative cards, but it's more difficult.

Second, be sure to save before you play Pazaak (except with Mission) each and every time you win, and when you start the first time with the opponent. This will allow you to keep your winnings, and reload the game each time you lose, so that you always win consistantly within the game. This means you never lose any credits, and always gain more. This is especially important if you want to get prizes other than credits from the opponents. Some will give you extra items for beating them 10 or more consecutive times. So, save when you start, save when you win, and reload when you lose. That way, you never lose.

Third, the way you play is very important. If you have +/- cards, you can hit more aggressively, and have greater chances of getting natural 20s. You won't have to worry about going over too much, because you'll have the negative sides of the cards to bring you back to the 'safe zone', at or under 20. Also, don't use your side-deck cards too early in the match. Just like Black Jack, if you're dealt a 17, 18, or 19 your first hand or two, leave it there and stand. Let the opponent try and catch up, and you might even force him to use HIS side-deck cards to reach the same number for a draw, or a higher number for a win. Even if you got a 19, stood, and he got a 20 and won, it's still early in the match. Take one for the team and just move on. I've had the opponent beat me two of the three times, and then I came back to win the next three and win the match. A loss or two doesn't mean you're going to lose the whole thing. Most of the time, especially if you have an 18 or 19, the opponent will end up busting, because he tried to catch you.

Last, but certainly not least, patience is a big virtue when you play Pazaak in KoTOR. It's going to take awhile to win the credits you want, and you'll probably have to play 'extra games' that you lose and reload to try again. The computer cheats a lot in Pazaak. It'll get more natural 20s than you can believe possible, and sometimes it'll seem to have just the right cards. That's OK. It won't have that happen every time. You just gotta go with the flow. Your 'good luck' will happen the next time around. Pazaak is 'randomly generated', so even if you lose a match and reload it, it won't be the same cards over again. Every match is different.

The best winnings you can get in Pazaak, not counting anything you may find at Yavin station in the Xbox DLC or PC version, is from the rodian named Kudos who you can play in the Tatooine Hunter's Lounge. He'll start with maximum wagers of 75 credits, and eventually go to 600 credits per match. The best part is that he'll NEVER run out of credits. You can win as much as you want from him. If you're looking to win, win there. That's where I always go.

I hope that helps in your future Pazaak games. Follow these tips, and you'll be a Champion Pazaak Player in no time! Ok, well, it'll take some time. But you'll enjoy reaping the benefits!

Until next time, may the Force be with you.