The Cloud City Sabacc Tournament took place in Cloud City on Bespin, and was a sabacc competition.
Around 17 BBY, this tournament became the location of a confrontation involving Darga, a Hutt, the forces of the Galactic Empire, and members of the Alderaanian Resistance.
Cix Trouvee lost the YT-1300 light freighter known as the Millennium Falcon to Lando Calrissian during the tournament in 5 BBY. Later, in 2.5 BBY, Han Solo emerged victorious, defeating Calrissian in the final round and claiming the Millennium Falcon as his prize.
Lasting four days, this tournament drew in some of the galaxy's most skilled players. The entry fee, or "buy-in," was set at 10,000 credits. Each day saw the elimination of more than half the participants, until only a single table remained for the final showdown.
While the gaming hall was typically reserved for players, spectators could observe the action from a holo-projection lounge. There were exceptions, such as the Twi'lek woman who accompanied Calrissian during the 2.5 BBY final.
This particular tournament unfolded within the Royal Casino, attracting over fifty participants. By the end of the second day, the remaining players included Lieutenant Armen Arandis, Creeska, Silas Draver, Lady Mirana Fioro, Captain Koroma Moro, Vorn Zaday, Szygar, and a representative of the Alderaanian Resistance.
The Alderaanian Resistance infiltrated the event to track down Darga the Hutt and gather information on the Sarlacc Project. The Resistance suspected that Darga and Lt. Arandis were using the tournament as a front for a secret exchange of funds involving tibanna and slaves, all tied to the Sarlacc Project. As the tournament neared its conclusion, Lt. Arandis strategically lost all his winnings to Fioro, revealing her to the Resistance as Darga's agent in the transaction.
The finalists consisted of Fioro, Moro, Zaday, and potentially the Alderaanian Resistance member, though the tournament's conclusion was disrupted by a chaotic awards ceremony. Silas Draver attempted to steal access codes to the bank account holding the total winnings, taking Fioro hostage in the process. The Alderaanian Resistance and security forces intervened, thwarting Draver's plan. Lt. Arandis was killed during the ensuing conflict.
Cix Trouvee participated in a competition in 5 BBY, organized by a group of Hutts who were placing bets on the outcome of an upcoming Imperial attack on Yag'Dhul insurgents. However, during the battle, the Imperials discovered the gamblers and, mistaking them for intelligence providers to the insurgents, launched an attack. Trouvee, along with his copilot, Waglin, escaped in his starship, the Millennium Falcon. As they fled, the Imperial I-class Star Destroyer Desolator opened fire, missing its target but hitting two TIE fighters. This increased the starfighter count beyond the number Trouvee had bet on. Desperate for credits, Trouvee entered this tournament, progressing to the third day. By then, the pot had grown to ninety thousand credits, and Trouvee believed he held an unbeatable hand. Having been forced to wager the Millennium Falcon, Trouvee was defeated by Calrissian, who won the Falcon with an Idiot's Array.
Han Solo emerged as the victor of this tournament, held in Yarith Bespin, which drew over a hundred competitors. The final game featured five finalists: a male Chadra-Fan, a male Bothan, a female Rodian, Lando Calrissian, and Han Solo. A Bith card dealer presided over the game.
After three and a half hours of play, the Bothan was eliminated. Shortly after, the Rodian folded and withdrew. At this point, the sabacc pot held just under 20,000 credits. The Chadra-Fan folded early in the final hand, leaving only Calrissian and Solo to compete for the title.
In addition to several thousand credits, Calrissian wagered any ship from his lot on Nar Shaddaa. Calrissian came close to winning, needing only one more card to complete an Idiot's Array. His final hand included the Idiot, the Two of Staves, and the Seven of Flasks. Solo won the tournament with the Queen of Air and Darkness, the Five of Coins, the Six of Staves, and the Master of Coins, achieving Pure Sabacc.
Solo claimed the 20,000 credits in the sabacc pot, along with approximately the same amount he had accumulated throughout the four days. When Calrissian offered Solo his choice of any ship on his lot, Han immediately selected the Millennium Falcon. Calrissian objected, arguing that it was his personal ship and not part of the deal, but Solo insisted that it was technically "on his lot" and therefore a valid choice. Calrissian ultimately conceded, and the Falcon became Han Solo's property.