alex_greene
Guest
Presenting the first in an occasional, random, dip into the sort of worlds that high-skill Travellers occupy - the ones who get the lucrative jobs based on their renown, their reputation ... and level 5 or greater in their primary skill.
Today, it's Gambler.
It is only when Gambler is the Traveller's highest skill that he gains the reputation of being a professional gambler; someone who makes his money primarily by gambling. Level 4 and 5, or higher, represents the pinnacle of achievement in the field of games of chance - a Master of the odds, a Prince of Probabilities.
Here is a short list of what is to be expected of such a skilled operator.
1. Courteous Behaviour
Gambler skill is often not enough to get along; a professional needs to cultivate an air of cool professionalism and detachment, acting like a King to encourage people to treat him like one. Cultivating one's SOC is essential, and the best gamblers enter play with at least a +1 SOC DM, preferably +2 or +3 if possible.
Gambler 4 and an Average or negative SOC DM not only looks bad - it is bad. A Traveller with a low SOC and a high Gambler skill looks and feels out of place, and are likely to attract unwanted attention if they start to lose, or to win, too heavily. Low SOC DM means they can see you sweat, and all the neighbourhood sharks will be circling to bleed you dry.
2. Style
When a Traveller plays on his professional level Gambler skill, he must never skimp on the fashion.
Go for the best suits - the silk weave, the shirts that breathe like summer cotton, trousers with hems which gently caress, shiver, on the shoes rather than break on them like ocean waves. Hand stitching, right down to the buttonhole in the left lapel. All the accessories, in solid platinum no less. A Traveller who owns multiple black tie dinner jackets carries a lot more weight than one who rents just the one; and no matter how much playboys would like to define their own wardrobe by having multiple copies of the same thing, a grey hoodie, chinos and sneakers simply will not get one in through the front door.
A Traveller with only one Ally in the world can still cut a swash, if that Ally is a fine Atelier. But we'll come to the Profession skill some other time.
3. Signature Games
A Master Gambler does not just play every single table going. He picks one or two games of chance, and makes them his own. Each game carries a certain style and reputation - Poker is flashy and brash, played by cool heads; Bridge is a cosy back room game played by fierce competitors (always four, two pairs of partners) who nonetheless develop deep levels of trust. Backgammon is played almost like a meditation by statesmen, high priests and pillars of the community; and Baccarat is traditionally the favourite gaming pastime of interplanetary master spies, whereas Craps is the game for playboy millionaires and billionaires who like to play to the crowd as much as to win.
Each game has its merits and its chosen players; and speaking of ...
4. Social Gaming
High stakes gaming must necessarily be social. Whether one is betting against a croupier, betting with competitors against the house or playing against an equal opponent, gaming must be social.
Note: social does not mean sociable. The game is still going to be ruthless and cutthroat, and while some win, others will lose; but in the high level games, there must be another player against whom the gambler must compete. No AIs or cold machines. Online poker and playing the slots really are for the Gambler 0 suckers.
5. Assets
Travellers with the best Gambler skill often need more than just their skill, a lot of luck and a high SOC DM. Sometimes, the most important assets are not internal, but external - Contacts and Allies, and even Rivals and Enemies. Contacts are vital to supply the Traveller with news on high stakes games in the region, and Allies can arrange introductions to the organisers of high-stakes competitions.
Sometimes, the presence of a Rival or Enemy with equal or greater Gambler skill is enough to get the house to organise VIP passes to the Traveller, just to enable them to arrange the equivalent of the Rumble In The Jungle between two old foes.
Rivals with the exact same high skills and high SOC DM are truly a Gambler's best friend here; because at the rarefied heights of Gambler 4 and 5, it is often so difficult to find someone else who can pose a real challenge; and when playing against an opponent who would happily take you to the cleaners, the stakes can never be higher - as it should be.
Other benefits include TAS Membership, to give the Traveller a place to cultivate new Contacts and Allies; and while Credits are good to have, they are not nearly as important an asset as you think.
In conclusion: a good Gambler knows how to bet. A great Gambler knows how much to bet. The best Gamblers know why they bet.
And that is Gambler skill.
Today, it's Gambler.
It is only when Gambler is the Traveller's highest skill that he gains the reputation of being a professional gambler; someone who makes his money primarily by gambling. Level 4 and 5, or higher, represents the pinnacle of achievement in the field of games of chance - a Master of the odds, a Prince of Probabilities.
Here is a short list of what is to be expected of such a skilled operator.
1. Courteous Behaviour
Gambler skill is often not enough to get along; a professional needs to cultivate an air of cool professionalism and detachment, acting like a King to encourage people to treat him like one. Cultivating one's SOC is essential, and the best gamblers enter play with at least a +1 SOC DM, preferably +2 or +3 if possible.
Gambler 4 and an Average or negative SOC DM not only looks bad - it is bad. A Traveller with a low SOC and a high Gambler skill looks and feels out of place, and are likely to attract unwanted attention if they start to lose, or to win, too heavily. Low SOC DM means they can see you sweat, and all the neighbourhood sharks will be circling to bleed you dry.
2. Style
When a Traveller plays on his professional level Gambler skill, he must never skimp on the fashion.
Go for the best suits - the silk weave, the shirts that breathe like summer cotton, trousers with hems which gently caress, shiver, on the shoes rather than break on them like ocean waves. Hand stitching, right down to the buttonhole in the left lapel. All the accessories, in solid platinum no less. A Traveller who owns multiple black tie dinner jackets carries a lot more weight than one who rents just the one; and no matter how much playboys would like to define their own wardrobe by having multiple copies of the same thing, a grey hoodie, chinos and sneakers simply will not get one in through the front door.
A Traveller with only one Ally in the world can still cut a swash, if that Ally is a fine Atelier. But we'll come to the Profession skill some other time.
3. Signature Games
A Master Gambler does not just play every single table going. He picks one or two games of chance, and makes them his own. Each game carries a certain style and reputation - Poker is flashy and brash, played by cool heads; Bridge is a cosy back room game played by fierce competitors (always four, two pairs of partners) who nonetheless develop deep levels of trust. Backgammon is played almost like a meditation by statesmen, high priests and pillars of the community; and Baccarat is traditionally the favourite gaming pastime of interplanetary master spies, whereas Craps is the game for playboy millionaires and billionaires who like to play to the crowd as much as to win.
Each game has its merits and its chosen players; and speaking of ...
4. Social Gaming
High stakes gaming must necessarily be social. Whether one is betting against a croupier, betting with competitors against the house or playing against an equal opponent, gaming must be social.
Note: social does not mean sociable. The game is still going to be ruthless and cutthroat, and while some win, others will lose; but in the high level games, there must be another player against whom the gambler must compete. No AIs or cold machines. Online poker and playing the slots really are for the Gambler 0 suckers.
5. Assets
Travellers with the best Gambler skill often need more than just their skill, a lot of luck and a high SOC DM. Sometimes, the most important assets are not internal, but external - Contacts and Allies, and even Rivals and Enemies. Contacts are vital to supply the Traveller with news on high stakes games in the region, and Allies can arrange introductions to the organisers of high-stakes competitions.
Sometimes, the presence of a Rival or Enemy with equal or greater Gambler skill is enough to get the house to organise VIP passes to the Traveller, just to enable them to arrange the equivalent of the Rumble In The Jungle between two old foes.
Rivals with the exact same high skills and high SOC DM are truly a Gambler's best friend here; because at the rarefied heights of Gambler 4 and 5, it is often so difficult to find someone else who can pose a real challenge; and when playing against an opponent who would happily take you to the cleaners, the stakes can never be higher - as it should be.
Other benefits include TAS Membership, to give the Traveller a place to cultivate new Contacts and Allies; and while Credits are good to have, they are not nearly as important an asset as you think.
In conclusion: a good Gambler knows how to bet. A great Gambler knows how much to bet. The best Gamblers know why they bet.
And that is Gambler skill.
