Chabbel Lin speeds to victory at the Lanthrym Invitational Bornarra Flats, Lanthrym: After a podrace that saw no less than sixteen crashes and eleven deaths, seasoned veteran Chabbel Lin roared to victory claiming the top prize in the 66th Annual Lanthrym Invitational. Competing against a field of twenty-two other competitors, the Arconan walked away with the trophy and twenty-thousand credit purse, despite a recent blaster wound and vehicle complications early in the race. “I’m thrilled to add this win to my long list of accomplishments. It’s unfortunate some of the competitors had to perish, but then it wouldn’t be podracing without some death, would it?” the champion remarked in a post race interview. The victory has caused skeptics to question the validity of the race. In recent years rumors have surfaced that the Lanthrym Invitational is fixed, it’s outcome controlled by the Norish Crime Syndicate. Race officials have dismissed these allegations vehemently, citing that “the ability to manipulate a podrace is equivalent to training a dewback to pilot a freighter.” Nonetheless, fans were left to wonder at the races’ legitimacy when an interference field, normally used to keep rogue spectators from entering the course, was mysteriously altered during the Invitational; the controls of several competitors pods were disrupted, resulting in a lethal crash that claimed eleven lives and injured five others. “That’s a lesson for those young toughs who think they have what it takes,” Lin said, “ if you are gonna podrace, expect death to hang on your every move. She’s a harsh mistress she is.”

Kabu Si is a Kaminoan handicapper who has gained notoriety in betting circles throughout the galaxy as being the most accurate Shockboxing handicapper in the last ten years. Kabu's column can be found in the Vashell Sector Times as well as the Intergalactic Sporting Gazette. The opinions expressed in this column are exclusively those of Kabu-Si and do not necessarily reflect those of this publication. Feedback can be left at holomail drop # 32444 care of this publication.

Recently a business associate came into a hefty sum of money (don’t ask how, I’m sure it was legal in some sectors), and expressed to me his desire to “bet it all in a sure thing.” Of course, being an accomplished odds-maker, I was the first one he called. “I want to turn this nestegg into a mountain of creds! Give me a ‘Sure Thing’” he screamed at me over the phone. I explained to him I wasn’t a Jedi and didn’t work miracles. After much begging and pleading, I finally relented and gave him my ‘sure thing.” “Save your money” I told him. After a period of silence he asked me if I was joking. I told him no and he informed me that I wasn’t all that my bio painted me to be and he would be better off picking his own “winner” in the upcoming race. I wished him luck and killed the holo. This is the problem of all amateur gamblers. They think there is a sure thing, a hands-on winner. The truth is that, unless you are prepared to dedicate your existence (as I have) to the pursuit of gambling as an occupation, you are better off sticking to quarter-cred slots at your local retirement-village casino. The sad fact is, that there is no “sure thing.” Races, fights, all manner of competition is determined by several factors: Random Chance, Crime lords, or skill. The other sad fact is that unless you are actively participating in the competition, you don’t know which factor is in effect. And if you do, you aren’t telling. Make no mistake, the world of high-stakes gambling and odds-making is a violent and difficult world. It requires a lot of money, time and intelligence. In my travels I have come across countless individuals who possess one or two of the aforementioned traits, but rarely all three. So, my advice, to him and you, is to save your credits. Buy your offspring a hoverboard. Take that trip to Adarlon you always wanted to take. Enjoy something tangible that you will have memories of to carry through your years. Those are the best bets you can make. Oh, and what did my rich friend do? Hang on, he’s busy polishing my boots. I’ll ask him when he’s done.