History Main / BatmanGambit

[[caption-width-right:350:Franchise/{{Batman}} got [[NiceJobFixingItVillain the Joker to save him]] simply by counting on [[Characters/BatmanTheJoker the Joker]] to [[TheOnlyOneAllowedToDefeatYou be himself]].]]

[[caption-width-right:350:Franchise/{{Batman}} [[NiceJobFixingItVillain got the Joker to save him]] simply by counting on [[Characters/BatmanTheJoker the Joker]] [[TheOnlyOneAllowedToDefeatYou to be himself]].]]

-->-- '''Batman''', ''ComicBook/DarkKnightIIITheMasterRace''

Contrast MacGuffinDeliveryService. A failed attempt sometimes results in SpringtimeForHitler. Also see IndyPloy for the lack of a plan. A gambit that relies on the victim knowing he's being "played" but not knowing ''how'' is a KansasCityShuffle. If things do go wrong, but the person keeps adjusting things so that Plan A works anyway, he's playing XanatosSpeedChess. TheTapeKnewYouWouldSayThat is a subtrope, as is TheComplianceGame.

Contrast with the MacGuffinDeliveryService. A failed attempt sometimes results in SpringtimeForHitler. Also see IndyPloy for the lack of a plan. A gambit that relies on the victim knowing he's being "played" but not knowing ''how'' is a KansasCityShuffle. If things do go wrong, but the person keeps adjusting things so that Plan A works anyway, he's playing XanatosSpeedChess. TheTapeKnewYouWouldSayThat is a subtrope, as is TheComplianceGame.

Contrast with the MacGuffinDeliveryService. A failed attempt sometimes results in SpringtimeForHitler. Also see IndyPloy for the lack of a plan. A gambit that relies on the victim knowing he's being "played" but not knowing ''how'' is a KansasCityShuffle. If things do go wrong, but the person keeps adjusting things so that Plan A works anyway, he's playing XanatosSpeedChess. TheTapeKnewYouWouldSayThat is a subtrope.

Named after Franchise/{{Batman}}, a character known as the World's Greatest Detective, who through careful analysis can often predict his foes' actions to psychic-like accuracy.

See also ManipulativeBastard, for the character most likely to attempt/pull these off; UnwittingPawn, for the people who unwittingly help the Gambit along, and SpannerInTheWorks[=/=]UnwittingInstigatorOfDoom, for the people who [[DidntSeeThatComing unintentionally send it spinning into disaster]]. Can sometimes fail if the victim is TooDumbToFool. Also see EvilCannotComprehendGood for a common reason why villainous attempts fail.

'''Warning: Spoilers'''

!!Examples

* BatmanGambit/ProWrestling

->''"''Predictability'' has always been the sidekick I don't talk about."''

->'''Sterling''': Of course, you know your entire plan depended on me being a self-serving utter bastard.\\
'''Nate''': Mmm, yeah, that's a stretch.
-->-- ''Series/{{Leverage}}'', "The Second David Job"

[[caption-width-right:350:Franchise/{{Batman}} [[NiceJobFixingItVillain got the Joker to save him]] simply by counting on ComicBook/TheJoker [[TheOnlyOneAllowedToDefeatYou to be himself]].]]

A [[ThePlan plan]] that revolves entirely around people doing exactly what you'd ''expect'' them to do. This trope relies heavily on FlawExploitation manipulating, remembering that "flaws" include "virtues" as well. Sometimes the flaw is that the villains are so predictable that they'll [[VillainBall take the first chance they have]] [[DickDastardlyStopsToCheat to do something mean and underhanded]]. Other times, the flaw is that the heroes are [[ChronicHeroSyndrome so heroic]] [[HeroBall that they'll act for the greater good]] [[DudleyDoRightStopsToHelp without even thinking about it]]. One might recognize the fact that [[TheGoodGuysAlwaysWin heroes always win]]—and design a plan [[NiceJobBreakingItHero based on the assumption that they will succeed]].

The key difference between the XanatosGambit and the Batman Gambit is that while the former is structured so that any reasonable outcome will work to the advantage of the gambit instigator (and is thus "foolproof"), the Batman Gambit does have a failure condition. Indeed, this failure condition will often be quite obvious and foreseeable to the audience, who have the benefit of perspective and objectivity: The failure condition in a Batman Gambit relies on someone acting out of character—or at least how the planner perceives their character. Consequently, Batman Gambits are only as successful as their planner is knowledgeable and insightful about those involved.

Named after Batman, a character known as the World's Greatest Detective, who through careful analysis can often predict his foes' actions to psychic-like accuracy.

Not an ComicBook/AmalgamUniverse character. Also not a SlashFic involving Franchise/{{Batman}} or ComicBook/{{Gambit}}.

** BatmanGambit/{{Batman}}

-->-- ''Series/{{Leverage}}'', [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nK0BXucd10A "The Second David Job"]]

* [[BatmanGambit/{{Batman}} Batman Gambits Involving Batman Himself]]

%%One quote is sufficent. Place others on the quotes page.

A [[ThePlan plan]] that revolves entirely around people doing exactly what you'd ''expect'' them to do. This trope relies heavily on FlawExploitation manipulating, although it can work with virtues instead of "flaws" just as easily. Sometimes the flaw is that the villains are so predictable that they'll [[VillainBall take the first chance they have]] [[DickDastardlyStopsToCheat to do something mean and underhanded]]. Other times, the flaw is that the heroes are [[ChronicHeroSyndrome so heroic]] [[HeroBall that they'll act for the greater good]] [[DudleyDoRightStopsToHelp without even thinking about it]]. One might recognize the fact that [[TheGoodGuysAlwaysWin heroes always win]]—and design a plan [[NiceJobBreakingItHero based on the assumption that they will succeed]].

* BatmanGambit/Radio

A [[ThePlan plan]] that revolves entirely around people doing exactly what you'd ''expect'' them to do. This trope relies heavily on FlawExploitation manipulating, although it can work with virtues instead of "flaws" just as easily. Sometimes the flaw is that the villains are so predictable that they'll [[VillainBall take the first chance they have]] [[DickDastardlyStopsToCheat to do something mean and underhanded]]. Other times, the flaw is that the heroes are [[ChronicHeroSyndrome so heroic]] [[HeroBall that they'll act for the greater good]] [[DudleyDoRightStopsToHelp without even thinking about it]]. A particularly GenreSavvy person will recognize the fact that [[TheGoodGuysAlwaysWin heroes always win]]—and design a plan [[NiceJobBreakingItHero based on the assumption that they will succeed]].