Kabu

Kabu is a minigame in Suikoden III.

Description[]

Kabu is a card game played by two or more players. It is usually played for gambling purposes and is a simplified version of Blackjack.

Rules[]

The goal is to reach or come closest to a total of 9 points with a maximum of three cards from a standard deck of which all the figures have been taken. First the dealer places three cards at random, face up, on the table. The player selects a cards and places a bet comprised between 100 and 9000 potch. After that, another card is taken from the deck and added to the first one. If the addition of both cards is satisfyingly close to 9 points, the player can choose to stop. Otherwise, one last card can be added to adjust the total. After the player's turn, the dealer does the same actions for himself. When he has finished, the turn ends and the player whose total is closest to 9 wins. If both get the same total, it's a tie and no one wins. If winning, the player can choose to take his gains or bet them anew, risking to lose the whole amount in the next round.

The cards' have the same value as their number. An ace is worth one point. If the total exceeds 9 points, it is reset. For instance, if you draw a 5 and then an 8, 5+8=13 which counts as 3. If the total reaches exactly 9, it is called "Kabu" and the player's wisest move is to stop. However, the dealer will still try to make a "Kabu" as well, or a role.

Roles[]

The roles are special configurations of cards which will mean automatic win, even if the dealer makes a "Kabu". If both players draw a role, it's a tie and no one wins.

Kuppin is a role only the dealer can have. It is made of an ace and a 9 of any two suits, in any order.

Shippin is a role only the players can have. It is made of an ace and a 4 of any two suits, in any order. A Shippin means a doubled gain for the lucky player.

Jun-shuntsu is a three-card role both the dealer and players can have. It consists in three consecutive cards. Note that 10 and ace are not consecutive. Order must be respected. Drawing a 4-5-6 will be a Jun-shuntsu, whereas 6-5-4 or 6-4-5 will not. Drawing a Jun-shuntsu will triple the win of the lucky player.

Shuntsu has the same general rule than Jun-shuntsu, except that the three consecutive cards must also be of the same suit. This role will allow the lucky player to gain five times the bet.

Arashi is a role you get if you draw three same numbers, like 2-2-2. This configuration will triple the win.

O'arashi is the same as Arashi but only for a triple ace, 3, 5 or 10. Drawing a 3-3-3 will quintuple the win.