CELEBRITY BLACKJACK

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
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
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.
DEALER: 8-8 = 16
HIT: 7 = 23
BUST
The Dealer cannot split or double-down. He can only hit or stand.
LOSS
LOSS
WIN
LOSS
BANK: $95,000
BANK: $94,000
BANK: $101,000
BANK: $93,000

 

HAND 2
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
Dave's 4
7-4 =11
New Card = 5
5-Q = 15
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!
DEALER: 5-10 = 15
HIT: K = 25
BUST
DD Card: K
Total: 19
DD Card: 8
Total: 18
DD Card: 3
Total: 14
WIN
WIN

WIN

WIN
BANK: $104,000
BANK: $103,000
BANK: $103,000
BANK: $105,000

 

HAND 3
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
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.
DEALER: 7-3 = 10
HIT: 10 = 20
MUST STAND
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
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.
7-2 = 9
7-8 = 15
8-A = 9/19
JOKER-4 = ??
DEALER: 3
New Card: 6
Q-7 = 14
Dave's 7
7-4 = 11
DOUBLE: $22,000
STAND
STAND
DOUBLE: $6000
Doubling an 11 against a Dealer's 3 wins 60% of the time.
DEALER: 3-3 = 6
HIT:
Q = 16
HIT:
5 = 21
MUST STAND
DD Card: 9
Total: 18
DD Card: 4
Total: 145
LOSS
LOSS
LOSS
LOSS
BANK: $72,000
BANK: $73,000
BANK: $102,000
BANK: $96,000

 

HAND 5
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
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.
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...
DEALER: A-Q = 21
BLACKJACK!
...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.
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
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
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...
   
Dealer's Ace
4-A = 5/15
DEALER: 3
STAND
STAND
STAND
HIT: 7 = 12
HIT: 3 = 15
STAND
DEALER: 3-8 = 11
HIT:
Q = 21
MUST STAND
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
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
Just as you should never split 5s, you should NEVER split 10-point cards.
No Insurance
No Insurance
No Insurance
No Insurance
DEALER: A-J = 21
BLACKJACK!
Not that it MATTERS. That's "Hollywood" Dave's FOURTH 21 in a row!
LOSS
LOSS
LOSS
LOSS
BANK: $90,000
BANK: $48,000
BANK: $30,000
BANK: $67,000

 

HAND 8
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
DOUBLE: $8000
HIT: 8 = 20
STAND
STAND
HIT: 10 = 24
BUST
DEALER: 8-8 = 16
HIT: K = 26
BUST
DD Card: A
Total: 12
   
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
Dave
BANK: $33,000
Gabby
BANK: $72,000
Tori
BANK: $88,000
Jamie-Lynn
BANK: $56,000
Bet: $4000 Bet: $5000 Bet: $1000 Bet: $16,000
8-JOKER = ??
6-10 = 16
A-J = 11/21
7-7 = 14 (split)
DEALER: 7
Tori's Ace
8-A = 9/19
New Card: Q
Q-J = 20 (split)
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.)
STAND
HIT: J = 26
BUST
STAND
SPLIT
$16,000 apiece
7-K = 17
STAND
7-8 = 15
HIT: 9 = 24
BUST
"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.
DEALER: 7-10 = 17
MUST STAND
WIN
LOSS
WIN
PUSH
LOSS
BANK: $37,000
BANK: $67,000
BANK: $89,000
BANK: $40,000

 

HAND 10
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.
7-5 = 12
8-Q = 18
4-3 = 7
Q-2 = 12
DEALER: A
That is the FOURTH Ace that the Dealer has drawn!
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.
HIT: 7 = 19
STAND
STAND
HIT: 4 = 11
HIT: J = 21
AUTO STAND
HIT: K = 22
BUST
DEALER: A-9 = 20
MUST STAND
It doesn't matter if it's a soft 20 or a hard one; the Dealer MUST stand on ALL hands 17 or over.
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
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.
5-5 = 10 (split)
7-Q = 17
8-Q = 18
J-4 = 14
DEALER: K
Remember what we said about 5s earlier?
HIT: K = 20
STAND
STAND
STAND
HIT: J = 24
BUST
Tori did the right thing.
DEALER: K-2 = 12
HIT:
J = 22
BUST
WIN
WIN
WIN
WIN
BANK: $92,000
BANK: $59,000
BANK: $39,000
BANK: $55,000

 

HAND 12
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
FIVE Aces in TWELVE hands...and there are only 24 in the six-deck shoe!
Dealer's Ace
A-3 - 4/14
 

 
DEALER: 9
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
WIN
LOSS
WIN
LOSS
BANK: $79,000
BANK: $29,000
BANK: $64,000
BANK: $87,000

 

HAND 13
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

4-5 = 9

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.
DEALER: 9
STAND
STAND
HIT: A = 10/20
STAND
HIT: 8 = 20
STAND
DEALER: 9-2 = 11
HIT: 2 = 13
HIT: 8 = 19
MUST STAND
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
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
SIXTH Ace! DA-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-AMN!
Dealer's Ace
A-7 - 8/18
DEALER: 7
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.

DEALER: 7-9 = 16
HIT: 2 = 18
MUST STAND

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
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
DOUBLE: $20,000
STAND
HIT: 10 = 20
STAND
HIT: 10 = 23
BUST
DEALER: J-10 = 20
MUST STAND
DD Card: A
Total: 12
     
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
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
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.
DEALER: 5-A = 6/16
HIT: 2 = 18
MUST STAND
DD Card: 7
Total: 18
DD Card: 6
Total: 13
PUSH
LOSS
LOSS
LOSS
BANK: $99,000
BANK: $15,000
OUT!
BANK: $62,000

 

HAND 17
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)
DEALER: K
Dave: "I'm gonna hit that $#!+, son!"
HIT: K = 25
BUST
STAND
SPLIT
$15,000 apiece
A-5 = 16
A-6 = 17
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.
DEALER: K-J = 20
MUST STAND
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
Tori
BANK: $47,000
Jamie-Lynn
BANK: $74,000
Bet: $20,000 Bet: $10,000
5-2 = 7
6-6 = 12 (split)
DEALER: 6
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.
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: $7000

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!!