TOURNAMENT 2
EPISODE 6
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.
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):
Dennis Rodman
(Rodman Fund)
NBA "bad boy"; recently signed with the ABA; CPS Finalist
Marissa Jaret Winokur
(Popsmear.org)
Tony Award-winning Broadway actress
Adam Carolla
(Schizophrenia Foundation)
so-creator of The Man Show and Crank Yankers; currently the voice of "Spanky Ham" on Drawn Together
Giuliana Depandi
(Operation Smile)
E! News Live correspondant.
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! Dennis 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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Adam BANK: $100,000 |
Guiliana BANK: $100,000 |
Dennis BANK: $100,000 |
Marissa BANK: $100,000 |
Bet: $5000 | Bet: $10,000 | Bet: $10,000 | Bet: $5000 |
8-J = 18 |
10-A = 11/21 |
2-6 = 8 |
2-6 = 8 |
DEALER: Q |
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Remember, Guiliana doesn't HAVE to call that a Blackjack; in tournament blackjack, you can call the Ace a 1-point card and double down...though taking the 3-to-2 IS safer. However, the Dealer MUST check the down card if the up card is a 10-point card. If an Ace is under there, the hand hends and all hands lose...except for the Blackjack, which would be a push. However, Dave DOESN'T have Blackjack, so the hand continues. |
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STAND |
BLACKJACK! |
HIT: J = 18 STAND |
HIT: 8 = 16 HIT: 3 = 19 STAND |
Basic blackjack strategy (or "the book"): become LIKE the Dealer when he has a 10-point card. Hit on 16 and lower, stand on 17 and higher You should also stand on a "soft" 19 or 20 (that's A-8 or A-9) and hit every other soft hand.. |
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DEALER: Q-10 = 20 MUST STAND |
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LOSS |
WIN 3-to-2 |
LOSS |
LOSS
|
BANK: $95,000 |
BANK: $115,000 |
BANK: $90,000 |
BANK: $95,000 |
HAND 2 |
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Guiliana BANK: $115,000 |
Dennis BANK: $90,000 |
Marissa BANK: $95,000 |
Adam BANK: $95,000 |
Bet: $10,000 | Bet: $15,000 | Bet: $3000 | Bet: $10,000 |
2-8 = 10 |
4-Q = 14 |
9-8 = 17 |
9-3 = 12 |
DEALER: A |
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When the Dealer has an Ace up, he asks the table if they want "insurance" against a Blackjack. It'll cost up to half their original bet, but it'll pay 2-to-1 if he DOES have Blackjack. |
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No Insurance |
No Insurance |
No Insurance |
No Insurance |
Insurance is a "sucker bet" in cash games...but it might help later on. The Dealer then checks the down card for the Blackjack. But he doesn't have it, so the show goes on. |
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HIT: 5 = 15 HIT: 8 = 23 BUST |
HIT: 6 = 20 STAND |
STAND |
HIT: 6 = 18 STAND |
DEALER: A-7 = 18 MUST STAND |
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It doesn't matter if it's a soft hand or a hard hand; the Delar MUST stand on ALL hands 17 and higher. |
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LOSS |
WIN |
LOSS |
PUSH |
BANK: $105,000 |
BANK: $105,000 |
BANK: $92,000 |
BANK: $95,000 |
HAND 3 |
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Dennis BANK: $105,000 |
Marissa BANK: $92,000 |
Adam BANK: $95,000 |
Guiliana
BANK: $105,000 |
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Bet: $10,000 | Bet: $5000 | Bet: $10,000 | Bet: $20,000 | |
8-A = 9/19 |
6-JOKER = ?? |
9-10 = 19 |
7-5 = 12 |
|
DEALER: 5 |
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Guilana's 5 6-5 = 11 |
New Card: K 7-K = 17 |
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STAND |
DOUBLE: $10,000 |
STAND |
STAND |
|
ALWAYS double-down on 11s, ESPECIALLY with a Dealer low card (2 through 6). Otherwise, stand on 13 and higher. Marissa has a 63% chance of winning. |
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DEALER: 5-2 = 7 HIT: 3 = 10 HIT: 6 = 16 HIT: Q = 26 BUST |
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DD Card: 2 Total: 13 |
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WIN |
WIN |
WIN |
WIN |
|
BANK: $115,000 |
BANK: $102,000 |
BANK: $105,000 |
BANK: $125,000 |
If you had an A-3 (soft 14) against a Dealer's 4, what SHOULD you do? Hit, stand or double? Answer later on.
HAND 4 |
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Marissa BANK: $102,000 |
Adam BANK: $105,000 |
Guiliana BANK: $125,000 |
Dennis BANK: $115,000 |
Bet: $5000 | Bet: $25,000 | Bet: $10,000 | Bet: $15,000 |
9-8 = 17 |
3-6 = 9 |
5-9 = 14 |
5-Q = 15 |
DEALER: 6 |
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STAND |
DOUBLE: $50,000 |
STAND |
STAND |
Adam IS following "da book". You should double-down on a 9 with ANY Dealer low card EXCEPT a 2. |
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DEALER: 6-5 = 11 HIT: 4 = 15 HIT: 3 = 18 MUST STAND |
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DD Card: 7 Total: 16 |
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LOSS |
LOSS |
LOSS |
LOSS |
BANK: $97,000 |
BANK: $55,000 |
BANK: $115,000 |
BANK: $100,000 |
Adam lost almost HALF HIS CHIPS in that hand! |
HAND 5 |
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Adam BANK: $55,000 |
Guiliana BANK: $115,000 |
Dennis BANK: $100,000 |
Marissa BANK: $97,000 |
Bet: $10,000 | Bet: $20,000 | Bet: $5000 | Bet: $5000 |
Adam (explaining his bet): "I'm drunk, I'm an Atheist, I'm angry..." Matt: "He just described half of Hollywood." |
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9-7 = 16 |
K-9 = 19 |
5-8 = 13 |
2-A = 3/13 |
DEALER: A |
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No Insurance |
No Insurance |
No Insurance |
No Insurance |
STAND |
STAND |
HIT: Q = 23 BUST |
HIT: 6 = 9/19 STAND |
DEALER: A-9 = 20 MUST STAND |
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LOSS |
LOSS |
LOSS |
LOSS |
BANK: $45,000 |
BANK: $95,000 |
BANK: $95,000 |
BANK: $92,000 |
HAND 6 |
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Guiliana BANK: $95,000 |
Dennis BANK: $95,000 |
Marissa BANK: $92,000 |
Adam BANK: $45,000 |
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Bet: $10,000 | Bet: $3000 | Bet: $4000 | Bet: $5000 | |
7-J = 17 |
J-4 = 14 |
K-10 = 20 (split) |
3-8 = 11 |
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DEALER: 4 |
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STAND |
HIT: Q = 24 BUST |
SPLIT $4000 apiece |
DOUBLE: $10,000 |
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K-A = 21 STAND |
10-A = 21 STAND |
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NEVER split 10-point cards. Marissa is just very, VERY, VERY fortunate to get Aces. However, on split pairs, an Ace and a 10-point card does NOT make a Blackjack; "only" a 21. Adam has a 61% chance of winning...though I don't blame him for being trepidacious. |
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DEALER: 4-A = 5/15 HIT: Q = 15 HIT: 8 = 23 BUST |
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DD Card: 7 Total: 18 |
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WIN |
LOSS |
WIN |
WIN |
|
BANK: $105,000 |
BANK: $92,000 |
BANK: $100,000 |
BANK: $55,000 |
"The book" says that, if you have a soft 14 against a Dealer 4, to stand on a 16 with ANY Dealer card 6 or lower.
HAND 7 |
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Dennis BANK: $92,000 |
Marissa BANK: $100,000 |
Adam BANK: $55,000 |
Guiliana BANK: $105,000 |
Bet: $25,000 | Bet: $5000 | Bet: $25,000 | Bet: $5000 |
5-Q = 15 |
7-Q = 17 |
K-10 = 20 (split) |
10-6 = 15 |
DEALER: 10 |
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HIT: J = 25 BUST |
STAND |
STAND |
STAND |
DEALER: 10-2 = 12 HIT: K = 22 BUST |
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The moral, boys and girls, is don't ALWAYS go by "da book". |
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LOSS |
WIN |
WIN |
WIN |
BANK: $67,000 |
BANK: $105,000 |
BANK: $80,000 |
BANK: $110,000 |
HAND 8 |
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Marissa BANK: $105,000 |
Adam BANK: $80,000 |
Guiliana BANK: $110,000 |
Dennis BANK: $67,000 |
Bet: $10,000 | Bet: $10,000 | Bet: $15,000 | Bet: $25,000 |
10-K = 20 (split) |
7-Q = 17 |
3-JOKER = ?? |
4-J = 14 |
DEALER: K |
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New Card: 2 |
Adam's 7 3-7 = 10 |
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STAND |
HIT: 9 = 21 AUTO STAND |
DOUBLE: $30,000 |
HIT: 5 = 19 STAND |
DEALER: K-8 = 18 MUST STAND |
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DD Card: 9 Total: 19 |
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WIN |
WIN |
WIN |
WIN |
BANK: $115,000 |
BANK: $90,000 |
BANK: $140,000 |
BANK: $92,000 |
HAND 9 |
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Adam BANK: $90,000 |
Guiliana BANK: $140,000 |
Dennis BANK: $92,000 |
Marissa BANK: $115,000 |
Bet: $15,000 | Bet: $10,000 | Bet: $25,000 | Bet: $5000 |
2-A = 3/13 |
8-3 = 11 |
7-Q = 17 |
8-K = 18 |
DEALER: J |
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HIT: J = 13 HIT: 2 = 15 HIT: 3 = 18 5-CARD CHARLIE! |
DOUBLE: $20,000 |
STAND |
STAND |
DEALER: J-7 = 17 MUST STAND |
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DD Card: 4 Total: 15 |
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WIN |
LOSS |
PUSH |
WIN |
BANK: $105,000 |
BANK: $120,000 |
BANK: $92,000 |
BANK: $120,000 |
HAND 10 |
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Guiliana BANK: $120,000 |
Dennis BANK: $92,000 |
Marissa BANK: $120,000 |
Adam BANK: $105,000 |
Bet: $20,000 | Bet: $25,000 | Bet: $5000 | Bet: $1000 |
That's Dennis' FOURTH max bet in a row! Either he has a plane to catch or...? |
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A-J = 11/21 |
J-J = 20 (split) |
9-K = 19 |
Q-A = 11/21 |
DEALER: 2 |
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BLACKJACK! |
STAND |
STAND |
DOUBLE: $6000 |
Adam doubles-down instead of taking the sure Blackjack. And why not? He's only losing two grand if it doesn't work. He's 58% to win. |
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DEALER: 2-Q = 12 HIT: K = 22 BUST |
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Hey, it worked! Whatdayaknow? |
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DD Card: 6 Total: 17 |
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WIN 3-to-2 |
WIN |
WIN |
WIN |
BANK: $155,000 |
BANK: $117,000 |
BANK: $125,000 |
BANK: $107,000 |
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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Dennis BANK: $117,000 |
Marissa BANK: $125,000 |
Adam BANK: $107,000 |
Guiliana BANK: $120,000 |
Bet: $20,000 | Bet: $20,000 | Bet: $5000 | Bet: $15,000 |
J-A = 11/21 |
A-2 = 3/13 |
6-2 = 8 |
JOKER-Q = ?? |
DEALER: 4 |
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New Card: 5 J-5 = 15 |
Dennis' A A-Q = 21 |
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STAND |
DOUBLE: $30,000 |
DOUBLE: $10,000 |
BLACKJACK! |
Marissa has "doubled for less", which is legal in tournaments. You don't HAVE to bet double, only UP to it. Adam doubles on an 8...which is NOT a good idea UNLESS it's a soft 18 against a low card. He's only 46% to win THIS time. |
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DEALER: 4-6 = 10 HIT: 6 = 16 HIT: 8 = 24 MUST STAND |
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DD Card: A Total: 14 |
DD Card: 3 Total: 11 |
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WIN |
WIN |
WIN |
WIN 3-to-2 |
BANK: $137,000 |
BANK: $155,000 |
BANK: $117,000 |
BANK: $177,500 |
It's CBJ history, folks! Adam has won with the WORST...PLAYER HAND...EVER!! |
HAND 12 |
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Marissa BANK: $155,000 |
Adam BANK: $117,000 |
Guiliana BANK: $177,500 |
Dennis BANK: $137,000 |
Bet: $20,000 | Bet: $25,000 | Bet: $15,000 | Bet: $50,000 |
9-7 = 16
|
4-4 = 8 (split) |
9-6 = 15 |
4-8 = 12
|
DEALER: 5 |
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STAND |
DOUBLE: $50,000 |
STAND |
STAND |
You should only spilt 4s if a 5 or 6 is showing for the Dealer. But doubling down again? That's just NUTS!
|
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DEALER: 5-K = 15 HIT: Q = 25 BUST |
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And, yet, it WORKS! |
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DD Card: 5 Total: 13 |
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WIN |
WIN |
WIN
|
WIN |
BANK: $175,000 |
BANK: $167,000 |
BANK: $192,500 |
BANK: $187,000 |
In the last four hands, Dennis has won $120,000! |
HAND 13 |
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Adam BANK: $167,000 |
Guiliana BANK: $192,500 |
Dennis BANK: $187,000 |
Marissa BANK: $175,000 |
Bet: $167,000 | Bet: $25,000 | Bet: $75,000 | Bet: $5000 |
Adam is all-in! If he wins, it'll be a HUGE lead. If he doesn't...he's history. |
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Q-2 = 12 |
4-JOKER = 7 |
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2-K = 12 |
DEALER: K |
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Adam tries to convince Marissa to take his 2 and try for "Charlie"...but there's ANOTHER 2 on the board so Marissa KNOWS he's scamming her. Instead, she decides to take the next card off the shoe... |
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New Card: 7 4-7 = 11 |
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HIT: 4 = 16 STAND |
DOUBLE: $50,000 |
HIT: 4 = 17 STAND |
HIT: 10 = 22 BUST |
DEALER: K-9 = 19
MUST STAND |
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DD Card: K Total: 21 |
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LOSS |
WIN |
LOSS |
LOSS |
OUT! |
BANK: $242,500 |
BANK: $112,000 |
BANK: $170,000 |
HAND 14 |
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Guiliana BANK: $242,500 |
Dennis BANK: $112,000 |
Marissa BANK: $170,000 |
Bet: $15,000 | Bet: $112,000 | Bet: $30,000 |
This could, conceivably, be the shortest edition of CBJ yet! |
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A-5 = 6/16 |
9-10 = 19 |
3-4 = 7 |
DEALER: 5 |
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HIT: 5 = 21 AUTO STAND |
STAND |
HIT: 8 = 15 STAND |
DEALER: 5-J = 15 |
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WIN |
WIN |
WIN |
BANK: $257,500 |
BANK: $224,000 |
BANK: $200,000 |
HAND 15 |
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Dennis BANK: $224,000 |
Marissa BANK: $200,000 |
Guiliana BANK: $257,500 |
Bet: $50,000 | Bet: $50,000 | Bet: $45,000 |
9-5 = 14 |
Q-A = 11/21 |
7-6 = 13 |
DEALER: 10 |
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HIT: Q = 24 BUST |
BLACKJACK! |
HIT: 5 = 18 STAND |
DEALER: 10-7 = 17 |
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LOSS |
WIN 3-to-2 |
WIN |
BANK: $174,000 |
BANK: $275,000 |
BANK: $302,500 |
HAND 16 |
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Marissa BANK: $275,000 |
Guiliana BANK: $302,500 |
Dennis BANK: $174,000 |
Bet: $35,000 | Bet: $30,000 | Bet: $5000 |
10-JOKER = 6/16 |
3-7 = 10 |
6-J = 16 |
DEALER: A |
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The rules state that Marissa can pick a card BEFORE the Dealer asks for insurance. Gee, wonder which one she'll pick? :) |
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Dealer's A 10-A = 11/21 |
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DEALER: 9 |
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BLACKJACK! |
DOUBLE: $60,000 |
STAND |
Again, Guiliana is going by "da book"; you double on a 10 with ANY Dealer card EXCEPT a 10 or an Ace. Standing on 16, however... |
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DEALER: 9-2 = 11 |
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DD Card: J Total: 20 |
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WIN 3-to-2 |
WIN |
LOSS |
BANK: $327,500 |
BANK: $362,500 |
BANK: $169,000 |
Guiliana has lead this ENTIRE GAME! And Marissa contract Tourette's! |
HAND 17 |
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Guiliana BANK: $362,500 |
Dennis BANK: $169,000 |
Marissa BANK: $327,500 |
Bet: $35,000 | Bet: $5000 | Bet: $60,000 |
4-K = 14 |
6-A = 7/17 |
2-3 = 5 |
DEALER: 10 |
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STAND |
HIT: K = 17 STAND |
HIT: A = 6/16 HIT: 8 = 14 HIT: 6 = 20 5-CARD CHARLIE! |
DEALER: 10-8 = 18 |
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LOSS |
LOSS |
WIN |
BANK: $327,500 |
BANK: $164,000 |
BANK: $387,500 |
Oops...guess I jinxed her. |
HAND 18 |
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Dennis BANK: $164,000 |
Marissa BANK: $387,500 |
Guiliana BANK: $327,500 |
Bet: $5000 | Bet: $35,000 | Bet: $60,000 |
J-2 = 12 |
7-7 = 14 (split) |
4-10 = 14 |
DEALER: Q |
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Split 7s when the Dealer has 7 or less. |
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HIT: A = 13 HIT: A = 14 HIT: 5 = 19 5-CARD CHARLIE! |
HIT: 10 = 24
BUST |
HIT: 2 = 16 STAND |
That's THREE Charlies in one GAME! There were only three in the last FIVE games COMBINED! |
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DEALER: Q-5 = 15 |
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WIN |
LOSS |
LOSS |
BANK: $169,000 |
BANK: $352,500 |
BANK: $267,500 |
HAND 19 |
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Marissa BANK: $352,500 |
Guiliana BANK: $267,500 |
Dennis BANK: $169,000 |
Bet: $42,000 | Bet: $100,000 | Bet: $5000 |
7-Q = 17 |
10-J = 20 (split) |
10-K = 20 (split) |
DEALER: 3 |
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STAND |
STAND |
HIT: 8 = 15 STAND |
DEALER: 3-6 = 9 |
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PUSH |
WIN |
WIN |
BANK: $352,500 |
BANK: $367,500 |
BANK: $174,000 |
And Guiliana LEAPS back up front! |
HAND 20 |
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Guiliana BANK: $367,500 |
Dennis BANK: $174,000 |
Marissa BANK: $352,500 |
Bet: $20,000 | Bet: $165,000 | Bet: $10,000 |
10-10 = 20 (split) |
J-3 = 13 |
K-A = 11/21 |
Marissa: "I shoulda put down more money!!" |
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DEALER: 4 |
||
STAND |
STAND |
BLACKJACK! |
DEALER: 4-4 = 8 |
||
WIN |
LOSS |
WIN 3-to-2 |
BANK: $387,500 |
BANK: $9000 |
BANK: $367,500 |
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! Dennis needs for BOTH girls to go all-in and lose and him to at LEAST push to win this game.
FINAL HAND! |
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Dennis BANK: $9000 |
Marissa BANK: $367,500 |
Guiliana BANK: $387,500 |
Bet: $9000 | Bet: $300,000 | Bet: $19,000 |
It's essentially on Marissa's shoulders now. If she wins this hand, she wins the game. If she loses, she loses. If she PUSHES,...then Guiliana will win even if she loses the hand. Dennis is pretty much dead. |
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3-J = 13 |
8-9 = 17 |
4-K = 14 |
DEALER: J |
||
If Dave has the Blackjack, Guiliana wins...but he doesn't...and Marissa is RELIEVED! |
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HIT: 9 = 22 BUST |
STAND |
STAND |
DEALER: J-3 = 13 |
||
Had Dennis stood, Dave would've gone over and Marissa would win. If Dave busts, that's what'll happen. But, if he makes a hand (ANY hand between 17 and 21), it's all Guiliana! |
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HIT: 5 = 18 |
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LOSS |
LOSS |
LOSS |
BANK: $0 |
BANK: $67,500 |
BANK: $368,500 WINNER! |
So, as Marissa stomps, shouts and cries over her loss, Operation Smile gets $25,000 thanks to Guiliana Depandi's exceptional play! She's going to the Semi-Final Table...but REFUSES to talk about her "system"!