The Germans love science fiction, probably because it challenges our ideas about the world, nature, and people in general. Both in films and television shows, sci-fi themes always have a huge following (their Austrian neighbour Frtiz Lang got the ball rolling with Metropolis) because there’s always bound to be something new within their plots. These are either celestial, or usually something more (bio)mechanical involving robotics, and audiences are always awed by the extraordinary. And don’t let it be said that they can’t laugh at themselves during the process, for instance, in the Berlinale this year, the second most popular film was the Finnish sci-fi nazi space invasion comedy Iron Sky. The German viewing public exalted it; it sold more tickets than any film by Werner Herzog or starring Angelina Jolie. Basically if it’s sci-fi, there’s a good chance it’ll strike box office gold.
Aside from being fond of genre TV and cinema, Germans are also partial to a hand or two of the universal card game. In fact, statistics published by Academia.edu show that Germany has the biggest poker market in Europe, and PokerPlayersResearch.com says that 1.2% of adults in Germany play online poker. Through whatever platform, be it live in Casino Baden Baden or online at PartyPoker, participating in poker matches has become part of the German lifestyle, much like science fiction – so it stands to reason that the presence of poker in popular sci-fi franchises would appeal immensely.
Games of chance feature heavily in sci-fi; Sabaac in Star Wars, Pyramid/Triad in BattleStar Galactica (original series/RDM repectively), Dabo in DS9 – but poker itself also makes an appearance from time to time…
Star Trek: The Next Generation
This is not completely unexpected since, in one episode, Captain Picard was caught saying that Commander Riker gives master lectures in poker. How fun will it be if the officers of the Enterprise gather around a holographic poker table? Just imagine: the great bluffer Commander Riker, going against Geordie’s X-ray vision (which would enable him see his opponent’s cards). Or better yet, Data’s photographic memory and skills in statistics which will naturally give him the upper hand, pitted against Troi’s power of empathy which will enable her to detect if someone is bluffing. It would be a match for the ages and would be fascinating – how will each player outwit the others? This epic battle of Sci-fi skill and chance would be heard in Germany, all over Europe, and even across galaxies…
Stargate SG-1
Playing poker is the favorite pastime of the characters in this franchise. In the episode ‘The Uninvited’ the team (consisting of Mitchell, Vala, Teal’c and Sam Carter) retired to Jack O’Neill’s cabin to get their poker fix in. It was a hard fought game that involved Teal’c paraphrasing Kenny Rogers “A true warrior… knows when to fold them.” as well as Sam trying to convince everyone that she’s not much of a gambler, whilst ending up as the night’s big winner. This writer is sure she would’ve made German poker champ Pius Heinz proud.
