TOURNAMENT 2
EPISODE 2
NOTES FROM THE AUTHOR
What follows is a televised-hand-by-televised-hand account. Obviously, since it's only a one-hour show, some hands may not be televised so you may see a little of jumping of the dealer button.
So what do you get when you take celebrities away from the limelight, put $100,000 in chips in front of them and force them to play 21 hands of blackjack for charity? You get the second season of CELEBRITY BLACKJACK!
This year, a full 13-week season will be contested. There will be ten four-player single-table matches with the winners getting $25,000 and advancing to the semi-finals. The top two from each of the two five-person semis will go to the Final Table for a crack at the $100,000 first prize, all for their charities. (It might be different but, according to the info on the official site on GSN.com, it would make the most sense.
For a brief explanation about the game of blackjack and how this tournament will be contested, check the first episode recap. But know that this match is played until a set amount of hands are played (in this case, the amount is 21). If a player runs out of the $100,000 worth of chips s/he starts with (or has less than the minimum bet), s/he's out of the game. The bets for each of the first ten hands must be between $1000 and $25,000. The final 11 hands will have a minimum bet of $5000, but NO maximum; a player can go all-in if so desired. After the set amount of hands are played, whoever has the most money will advance to the semi-finals.
And ALSO know that, for this special tournament, six JOKERS have been added to the six decks they play with. A Joker can be substituted for any card on the table still in play (meaning, once a hand is stood on, it's no longer in-play). There were four last season but, since there are only four players, they upped that number. Also this season is the addition of FIVE-CARD CHARLIE, the kid's rule that says that, if you get dealt five cards without busting, you automatically win.
Lets meet the four celebs competing tonight (and their charities):
Tori Spelling
(Much Love Animal Rescue)
Actress from "90210" and Scream 2; daughter of legendary TV producer Aaron Spelling
Jamie-Lynn Discala
(Jamie-Lynn Discala Foundatin & Ginger House)
Plays Tony's daughter
Meadow Soprano on (duh) HBO's "The Sopranos"
Dave Navarro
(Animal Avengers)
Member of hit rock group "Jans' Addiction"; Celebrity Poker Showdown Tournament 3 runner-up
Gabrielle "Gabby" Reece
(Kids In Need)
Professional beach volleyball player turned model
We have Matt Vasgersian doing the play-by-play and the "bad boy of Blackjack" Dave Stann back to deal the cards...so let's get it on! Jason will always be "first base", where the dealer starts dealing the cards. But the order shown, left to right, will be the betting and playing order starting with the "button".
HAND 1 |
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Dave BANK: $100,000 |
Gabby BANK: $100,000 |
Tori BANK: $100,000 |
Jamie-Lynn BANK: $100,000 |
Bet: $5000 | Bet: $6000 | Bet: $1000 | Bet: $7000 |
Q-3 = 13 |
J-6 = 16 |
3-K = 13 |
4-Q = 14 |
DEALER: 8 |
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HIT: J = 23 BUST |
HIT: 10 = 26 BUST |
HIT: 7 = 20 STAND |
HIT: 2 = 16 HIT: 8 = 22 BUST |
Basic Blackjack stratgey says that, when the Dealer has a high card (7 through Ace), you should stand on 17 and anything higher and hit on 16 and anything lower. You must ALWAYS assume a 10-point card as the Dealer's down-card and, thus, try to beat it. |
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DEALER: 8-8 = 16 HIT: 7 = 23 BUST |
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The Dealer cannot split or double-down. He can only hit or stand. |
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LOSS
|
LOSS |
WIN |
LOSS
|
BANK: $95,000 |
BANK: $94,000 |
BANK: $101,000 |
BANK: $93,000 |
HAND 2 |
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Gabby BANK: $94,000 |
Tori BANK: $101,000 |
Jamie-Lynn BANK: $93,000 |
Dave BANK: $95,000 |
Bet: $5000 | Bet: $1000 | Bet: $5000 | Bet: $10,000 |
2-7 = 9 |
3-7 = 10 |
7-JOKER = ?? |
4-Q = 14 |
DEALER: 5 |
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Dave's 4 7-4 =11 |
New Card = 5 5-Q = 15 |
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DOUBLE: $10,000 |
DOUBLE: $2000 |
DOUBLE: $10,000 |
STAND |
When a dealer has a LOW card (2 through 6) you should stand on any hard 13 or higher, since the Dealer most likely MUST hit and MIGHT bust. On soft hands (those with an Ace), you should hit on soft 17s or less and stand on soft 19s or 20s with a low Dealer card. On soft 18s, stand with a dealer 2 and double-down with a 3, 4, 5 or 6. Gabby and Tori followed "the book" and double-down on their 9 and 10. And you should ALWAYS double-down on 11! |
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DEALER: 5-10 = 15 HIT: K = 25 BUST |
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DD Card: K Total: 19 |
DD Card: 8 Total: 18 |
DD Card: 3 Total: 14 |
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WIN |
WIN |
|
WIN |
BANK: $104,000 |
BANK: $103,000 |
BANK: $103,000 |
BANK: $105,000 |
HAND 3 |
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Tori BANK: $103,000 |
Jamie-Lynn BANK: $103,000 |
Dave BANK: $105,000 |
Gabby BANK: $104,000 |
Bet: $1000 | Bet: $9000 | Bet: $10,000 | Bet: $10,000 |
A-2 = 3/13 |
2-4 = 6 |
4-9 = 13 |
Q-5 = 15 |
DEALER: 7 |
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HIT: 10 = 13 HIT: 2 = 15 HIT: J = 25 BUST |
HIT: 3 = 9 HIT: 10 = 19 STAND |
HIT: 10 = 23 BUST |
HIT: 6 = 21 AUTO STAND |
Tori was right to just hit that soft 13 against a 7, since doubling-down in that situation only wins 43% of the time. She was trying for a "Charlie", but didn't make it. |
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DEALER: 7-3 = 10 HIT: 10 = 20 MUST STAND |
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LOSS |
LOSS |
LOSS |
WIN |
BANK: $102,000 |
BANK: $94,000 |
BANK: $95,000 |
BANK: $114,000 |
OK, Blackjack master wannabes, what would you with two 5s against a Dealer 6? Would you split? Double-down? Just hit? We'll see what "the book says" later.
HAND 4 |
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Jamie-Lynn BANK: $94,000 |
Dave BANK: $95,000 |
Gabby BANK: $114,000 |
Tori BANK: $102,000 |
Bet: $11,000 | Bet: $22,000 | Bet: $12,000 | Bet: $3000 |
Jamie-Lynn has bet her wedding day number... and Dave, liking the idea, follows suit. And Tori FINALLY bets more than the minimum... but not MUCH more. |
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7-2 = 9 |
7-8 = 15 |
8-A = 9/19 |
JOKER-4 = ?? |
DEALER: 3 |
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New Card: 6 Q-7 = 14 |
Dave's 7 7-4 = 11 |
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DOUBLE: $22,000 |
STAND |
STAND |
DOUBLE: $6000 |
Doubling an 11 against a Dealer's 3 wins 60% of the time. |
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DEALER: 3-3 = 6 HIT: Q = 16 HIT: 5 = 21 MUST STAND |
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DD Card: 9 Total: 18 |
DD Card: 4 Total: 145 |
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LOSS |
LOSS |
LOSS |
LOSS |
BANK: $72,000 |
BANK: $73,000 |
BANK: $102,000 |
BANK: $96,000 |
HAND 5 |
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Dave BANK: $73,000 |
Gabby BANK: $102,000 |
Tori BANK: $96,000 |
Jamie-Lynn BANK: $72,000 |
Bet: $15,000 | Bet: $6000 | Bet: $2000 | Bet: $15,000 |
10-10 = 20 (split) |
A-7 = 8/18 |
5-8 = 13 |
2-4 = 6 |
DEALER: A |
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Since the dealer has an Ace, he asks if the players want to put up an extra amount of money - up to half their bets - for "insurance" against a Dealer blackjack. |
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No Insurance |
No Insurance |
No Insurance |
No Insurance |
With the assurance of no insurance, the Dealer must now check his down card for a 10-point card. If not, the hand goes on... |
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DEALER: A-Q = 21 BLACKJACK! |
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...but if there IS a 10-point card, he flips it, the hand is over and everybody loses. Had they TAKEN insurance, they would've doubled their insurance bet but lose the regular bet. |
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LOSS |
LOSS |
LOSS |
LOSS |
BANK: $58,000 |
BANK: $96,000 |
BANK: $94,000 |
BANK: $57,000 |
Jamie-Lynn: "This is so cruel! If it were our own money, we'd only be screwing ourselves. But, with charity involved, we're screwing animals..." Dave: "HELLO!" |
HAND 6 |
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Gabby BANK: $96,000 |
Tori BANK: $94,000 |
Jamie-Lynn BANK: $57,000 |
Dave BANK: $58,000 |
Bet: $19,000 | Bet: $2000 | Bet: $5000 | Bet: $25,000 |
3-K = 13 |
9-Q = 19 |
K-9 = 19 |
4-JOKER = ?? |
DEALER: A |
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According to the Joker rule, Dave can take the Dealer's Ace BEFORE the Dealer asks for insurance or looks at his down card. So... |
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Dealer's Ace 4-A = 5/15 |
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DEALER: 3 |
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STAND |
STAND |
STAND |
HIT: 7 = 12 HIT: 3 = 15 STAND |
DEALER: 3-8 = 11 HIT: Q = 21 MUST STAND |
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LOSS |
LOSS |
LOSS |
LOSS |
BANK: $77,000 |
BANK: $92,000 |
BANK: $52,000 |
BANK: $33,000 |
So...what should you do with a pair of 5s against a Dealer 6? "The book" says you should double down, since the chances of the Dealer busting are exceptional. You should NEVER split 5s! You should double down all hard 10s EXCEPT if the Dealer has a 10-point card or an Ace (then you just hit).
HAND 7 |
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Tori BANK: $92,000 |
Jamie-Lynn BANK: $52,000 |
Dave BANK: $33,000 |
Gabby BANK: $77,000 |
Bet: $2000 | Bet: $4000 | Bet: $3000 | Bet: $10,000 |
Q-7 = 17 |
8-10 = 18 |
J-J = 20 (split) |
2-K = 12 |
DEALER: A |
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Just as you should never split 5s, you should NEVER split 10-point cards. |
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No Insurance |
No Insurance |
No Insurance |
No Insurance |
DEALER: A-J = 21 BLACKJACK! |
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Not that it MATTERS. That's "Hollywood" Dave's FOURTH 21 in a row! |
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LOSS |
LOSS |
LOSS |
LOSS |
BANK: $90,000 |
BANK: $48,000 |
BANK: $30,000 |
BANK: $67,000 |
HAND 8 |
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Jamie-Lynn BANK: $48,000 |
Dave BANK: $30,000 |
Gabby BANK: $67,000 |
Tori BANK: $90,000 |
Bet: $4000 | Bet: $3000 | Bet: $5000 | Bet: $2000 |
6-5 = 11 |
2-10 = 12 |
J-9 = 19 |
4-J = 14 |
DEALER: 8 |
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DOUBLE: $8000 |
HIT: 8 = 20 STAND |
STAND |
HIT: 10 = 24 BUST |
DEALER: 8-8 = 16 HIT: K = 26 BUST |
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DD Card: A Total: 12 |
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WIN |
WIN |
WIN |
LOSS |
BANK: $56,000 |
BANK: $33,000 |
BANK: $72,000 |
BANK: $88,000 |
That's Tori's SIXTH straight loss. And Jamie-Lynn wins a LOUSY double-down hand. |
HAND 9 |
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Dave BANK: $33,000 |
Gabby BANK: $72,000 |
Tori BANK: $88,000 |
Jamie-Lynn BANK: $56,000 |
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Bet: $4000 | Bet: $5000 | Bet: $1000 | Bet: $16,000 | |
8-JOKER = ?? |
6-10 = 16 |
A-J = 11/21 |
7-7 = 14 (split) |
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DEALER: 7 |
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Tori's Ace 8-A = 9/19 |
New Card: Q Q-J = 20 (split) |
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Here, Matt says a line I'm sure he's been WAITING to say: "Dave Navarro's 'Been Caught Stealing' a blackjack!" ("Been Caught Stealing" was one of Jane's Addictions biggest hits.) |
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STAND |
HIT: J = 26 BUST |
STAND |
SPLIT $16,000 apiece |
|
7-K = 17 STAND |
7-8 = 15 HIT: 9 = 24 BUST |
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"The book" says Jamie-Lynn did the right thing in splitting those 7s against a Dealer 7; you should NOT split 7s if the Dealer has an 8 or higher. |
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DEALER: 7-10 = 17 MUST STAND |
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WIN |
LOSS |
WIN |
PUSH |
LOSS |
BANK: $37,000 |
BANK: $67,000 |
BANK: $89,000 |
BANK: $40,000 |
HAND 10 |
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Gabby BANK: $67,000 |
Tori BANK: $89,000 |
Jamie-Lynn BANK: $40,000 |
Dave BANK: $37,000 |
Bet: $6000 | Bet: $2000 | Bet: $4000 | Bet: $8,000 |
This is the last hand with a maximum bet limit; starting Hand 11, it'll be no-limit. |
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7-5 = 12 |
8-Q = 18 |
4-3 = 7 |
Q-2 = 12 |
DEALER: A |
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That is the FOURTH Ace that the Dealer has drawn! |
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No Insurance |
No Insurance |
No Insurance |
No Insurance |
Matt suggests that, should the Dealer have another blackjack, Dave should "go Nick Cage on him" and flip the table over. Fortunately, the Dealer DOESN'T have blackjack so the table stays put and the hand continues. |
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HIT: 7 = 19 STAND |
STAND |
HIT: 4 = 11 HIT: J = 21 AUTO STAND |
HIT: K = 22 BUST |
DEALER: A-9 = 20 MUST STAND |
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It doesn't matter if it's a soft 20 or a hard one; the Dealer MUST stand on ALL hands 17 or over. |
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LOSS |
LOSS |
WIN |
LOSS |
BANK: $61,000 |
BANK: $87,000 |
BANK: $44,000 |
BANK: $29,000 |
Tori has bet conservatively all night... and it has paid off. |
Heading into the halfway point, the stakes are raised to no-limit. The minimum bet is $5000...but there is NO maximum!
HAND 11 |
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Tori BANK: $87,000 |
Jamie-Lynn BANK: $44,000 |
Dave BANK: $29,000 |
Gabby BANK: $61,000 |
Bet: $5000 | Bet: $15,000 | Bet: $10,000 | Bet: $6000 |
Jeff and Steve almost put their watches up as a side bet between them. |
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5-5 = 10 (split) |
7-Q = 17 |
8-Q = 18 |
J-4 = 14 |
DEALER: K |
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Remember what we said about 5s earlier? |
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HIT: K = 20 STAND |
STAND |
STAND |
HIT: J = 24 BUST |
Tori did the right thing. |
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DEALER: K-2 = 12 HIT: J = 22 BUST |
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WIN |
WIN |
WIN |
WIN |
BANK: $92,000 |
BANK: $59,000 |
BANK: $39,000 |
BANK: $55,000 |
HAND 12 |
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Jamie-Lynn BANK: $59,000 |
Dave BANK: $39,000 |
Gabby BANK: $55,000 |
Tori BANK: $92,000 |
Bet: $20,000 | Bet: $10,000 | Bet: $9000 | Bet: $5000 |
JOKER-3 = ?? |
2-6 = 8 |
Q-4 = 14 |
2-6 = 8 |
DEALER: A |
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FIVE Aces in TWELVE hands...and there are only 24 in the six-deck shoe! |
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Dealer's Ace A-3 - 4/14 |
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DEALER: 9 |
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HIT: 5 = 19 STAND |
HIT: 9 = 14 HIT: 9 = 23 BUST |
HIT: 6 = 19 STAND |
HIT: 3 = 11 HIT: 2 = 13 HIT: 10 = 23 BUST |
DEALER: 9-5 = 14
HIT: J = 24 BUST |
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WIN |
LOSS |
WIN |
LOSS |
BANK: $79,000 |
BANK: $29,000 |
BANK: $64,000 |
BANK: $87,000 |
HAND 13 |
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Dave BANK: $29,000 |
Gabby BANK: $64,000 |
Tori BANK: $87,000 |
Jamie-Lynn BANK: $79,000 |
Bet: $5000 | Bet: $12,000 | Bet: $5000 | Bet: $25,000 |
10-Q = 20 (split) |
7-9 = 16 |
|
2-J = 12 |
Remember that you can split cards of the same VALUE, not necessarily the same RANK. But, again, it's not advisable for Dave to split. |
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DEALER: 9 |
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STAND |
STAND |
HIT: A = 10/20 STAND |
HIT: 8 = 20 STAND |
DEALER: 9-2 = 11
HIT: 2 = 13 HIT: 8 = 19 MUST STAND |
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WIN |
LOSS |
WIN |
WIN |
BANK: $34,000 |
BANK: $52,000 |
BANK: $92,000 |
BANK: $104,000 |
Had Gabby hit her 16 (like she SHOULD have), she'd've had 17, Tori a 17, Jamie-Lynn probably would have busted... and the Dealer most likely would've beaten EVERYONE. So it was lose-lose for Gabby. And, THANKS to Gabby, Jamie-Lynn takes the lead! |
HAND 14 |
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Gabby BANK: $52,000 |
Tori BANK: $92,000 |
Jamie-Lynn BANK: $104,000 |
Dave BANK: $34,000 |
Bet: $20,000 | Bet: $10,000 | Bet: $15,000 | Bet: $5000 |
7-10 = 17 |
JOKER-7 = ?? |
J-5 = 15 |
10-5 = 15 |
DEALER: A |
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SIXTH Ace! DA-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-AMN! |
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Dealer's Ace A-7 - 8/18 |
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DEALER: 7 |
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STAND |
STAND |
HIT: 6 = 21 AUTO STAND |
HIT: 8 = 23 BUST |
If you stand on a 15 with the Dealer holding a 7, you're a 3-to-1 underdog. |
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DEALER: 7-9 = 16 |
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LOSS |
PUSH |
WIN |
LOSS |
BANK: $32,000 |
BANK: $92,000 |
BANK: $119,000 |
BANK: $29,000 |
More "what-if". HAD Dave stood on 15, the Dealer would have busted and EVERYONE would've won. |
HAND 15 |
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Tori BANK: $92,000 |
Jamie-Lynn BANK: $119,000 |
Dave BANK: $29,000 |
Gabby BANK: $32,000 |
Bet: $10,000 | Bet: $20,000 | Bet: $24,000 | Bet: $12,000 |
5-6 = 11 |
9-Q = 19 |
2-8 = 10 |
Q-3 = 13 |
DEALER: J |
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DOUBLE: $20,000 |
STAND |
HIT: 10 = 20 STAND |
HIT: 10 = 23 BUST |
DEALER: J-10 = 20 MUST STAND |
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DD Card: A Total: 12 |
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KLOSS |
LOSS |
PUSH |
LOSS |
BANK: $72,000 |
BANK: $99,000 |
BANK: $29,000 |
BANK: $20,000 |
Upon seeing Jeff's name so close to his on the scoreboard, Jason says, "Welcome the the stratophrere, my friend." |
HAND 16 |
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Jamie-Lynn BANK: $99,000 |
Dave BANK: $29,000 |
Gabby BANK: $20,000 |
Tori BANK: $72,000 |
Bet: $10,000 | Bet: $14,000 | Bet: $10,000 | Bet: $10,000 |
4-7 = 11 |
K-4 = 14 |
6-A = 7/17 |
6-J = 16 |
DEALER: 5 |
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DOUBLE: $20,000 |
STAND |
DOUBLE: $20,000 |
STAND
|
In tournament Blackjack, one COULD double-down "for less". But Gabby's decided to get it over with. She did the right thing, though, according to "the book". Gabby gets up, not wanting to watch. |
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DEALER: 5-A = 6/16 HIT: 2 = 18 MUST STAND |
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DD Card: 7 Total: 18 |
DD Card: 6 Total: 13 |
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PUSH |
LOSS |
LOSS |
LOSS |
BANK: $99,000 |
BANK: $15,000 |
OUT! |
BANK: $62,000 |
HAND 17 |
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Dave BANK: $15,000 |
Tori BANK: $62,000 |
Jamie-Lynn BANK: $99,000 |
|
Bet: $15,000 | Bet: $15,000 | Bet: $15,000 | |
9-6 = 15 |
Q-10 = 20 (split) |
A-A = 2/12 (split) |
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DEALER: K |
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Dave: "I'm gonna hit that $#!+, son!" |
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HIT: K = 25 BUST |
STAND |
SPLIT $15,000 apiece |
|
A-5 = 16 |
A-6 = 17 |
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ALWAYS split Aces. In this tournament, though, split Aces only get ONE card each. ALSO, if a 10-point card shows, it's NOT a blackjack; it's only a 21. |
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DEALER: K-J = 20 MUST STAND |
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LOSS |
PUSH |
LOSS |
LOSS |
OUT! |
BANK: $62,000 |
BANK: $69,000 |
HAND 18 |
|
Tori BANK: $62,000 |
Jamie-Lynn BANK: $69,000 |
Bet: $5000 | Bet: $5000 |
9-4 = 13
|
5-4 = 9 |
DEALER: Q |
|
HIT: Q = 23 BUST |
HIT: 3 = 12 HIT: 4 = 16 HIT: J = 26 BUST |
DEALER: Q-6 = 16 |
|
LOSS |
LOSS |
BANK: $57,000 |
BANK: $64,000 |
Since all viable players busted, the Dealer doesn't HAVE to hit his 16. |
HAND 19 |
|
Jamie-Lynn BANK: $64,000 |
Tori BANK: $57,000 |
Bet: $5000 | Bet: $10,000 |
4-6 = 10 |
2-K = 12 |
DEALER: 3 |
|
DOUBLE: $10,000 |
HIT: Q = 22 BUST |
DEALER: 3-K = 13 HIT: 4 = 17 MUST STAND |
|
Double Down Card: J Total: 20 |
|
WIN |
LOSS |
BANK: $74,000 |
BANK: $47,000 |
HAND 20 |
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Tori BANK: $47,000 |
Jamie-Lynn BANK: $74,000 |
|
Bet: $20,000 | Bet: $10,000 | |
5-2 = 7 |
6-6 = 12 (split) |
|
DEALER: 6 |
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HIT: 5 = 12 STAND |
SPLIT $10,000 apiece |
|
6-4 = 10 DOUBLE: $20,000 |
6-7 = 13 STAND |
|
Steve's is only the third player blackjack of the entire night. Jeff made the right choice to stay alive in this tournament; a 17 against a dealer 10 only wins 23% of the time. It was just sickingly lucky that the deuce showed up. |
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DEALER: 6-J = 16 HIT: 2 = 18 MUST STAND |
||
DD Card: 10 Total: 20 |
||
LOSS |
WIN |
LOSS |
BANK: $27,000 |
BANK: $84,000 |
|
Jamie-Lynn won $10,000 in that hand: she won $20K for the double-down, but lost $10K for the other hand.. |
It all comes down to this one hand. The winner gets $25,000 for his or her charity and a spot in the Semi-Final Table. The others get $10,000 for their respective charities. For the final hand, the players all make blind bets, so nobody knows what the others have bet until its revealed!
FINAL HAND! |
|
Jamie-Lynn BANK: $84,000 |
Tori BANK: $27,000 |
The bets won't be revealed THIS time until the hand is over. |
|
J-4 = 14 |
A-2 = 3/13 |
This is the first time EVER on CBJ that no player has cashed in a blackjack! |
|
DEALER: 3 |
|
STAND |
HIT: Q = 13 STAND |
DEALER: 3-K = 13
HIT: A = 14 HIT: 3 = 17 MUST STAND |
|
LOSS |
LOSS |
It has essentially come down to this. If Jamie-Lynn bet less than $62,000, she will win not matter WHAT Tori bet. Otherwise, she has to hope that Tori bet big. If BOTH girls went all-in...ick! |
|
|
Bet: $27,000 |
BANK: $77,000 WINNER! |
BANK: $0 |
So Jamie-Lynn Discala Foundation & Ginger House split $25,000 thanks to Jamie-Lynn Discala's good betting in the final hand. Do you think she'll slow down at the Semi-Final Table? Fugetabout it!!