TOURNAMENT 2
EPISODE 8
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.
And tonight, on a very SPECIAL CBJ, the reigning champion goes up against her most hated nemesis... and two of his brothers! Lets meet the four celebs competing tonight (and their charities):
Caroline Rhea
(The Dream Foundation)
Reigning Celebrity Blackjack champion; comedianne, actress and hostess
Billy Baldwin
(YWAM Baltimore)
One of Caroline's victims at the Final table;
Stephen Baldwin
(YWAM Baltimore)
Celebrity Mole two-time loser;
Daniel Baldwin
(YWAM Baltimore)
Uh...hasn't been in reality shows yet; CPS vet
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 ready to RUMBLLLLLLLLLE! Caroline 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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Daniel BANK: $100,000 |
Caroline BANK: $100,000 |
Billy BANK: $100,000 |
Stephen BANK: $100,000 |
Bet: $1000 | Bet: $1000 | Bet: $1000 | Bet: $1000 |
9-8 = 17 |
7-A = 8/18 |
5-J = 15 |
5-A = 6/16 |
DEALER: 4 |
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STAND |
DOUBLE: $2000 |
STAND |
HIT: A = 7/17 HIT: Q = 17 STAND |
Basic blackjack strategy (or "da book"): when the Dealer has a low card (2 through 6), stand on 13 and anything above. Also, double-down on any "soft" hand (one with an Ace in it) except for 19 or 20. |
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DEALER: 4-5 = 9 HIT: 3 = 12 HIT: K = 22 BUST |
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DD Card: 4 Total: 12 |
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WIN |
WIN |
WIN |
WIN
|
BANK: $101,000 |
BANK: $102,000 |
BANK: $101,000 |
BANK: $101,000 |
HAND 2 |
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Caroline BANK: $102,000 |
Billy BANK: $101,000 |
Stephen BANK: $101,000 |
Daniel BANK: $101,000 |
Bet: $4000 | Bet: $5000 | Bet: $2000 | Bet: $5000 |
6-10 = 16 |
3-7 = 10 |
10-K = 20 (split) |
8-3 = 11 |
DEALER: 8 |
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HIT: K = 26 BUST |
DOUBLE: $10,000 |
STAND |
DOUBLE: $10,000 |
When the Dealer has a HIGH card (7 and up), make LIKE the Dealer: hit on 16 and lower, stand on 17 and higher. And ALWAYS double-down on 11 and NEVER split 10-point cards. Double-down on a 10 ONLY when it's not a 10-point card or an Ace for the Dealer. So EVERYONE went by "da book"... |
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DEALER: 8-10 = 10 HIT: K = 20 MUST STAND |
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DD Card: 7 Total: 17 |
DD Card: 3 Total: 14 |
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...but only the one that didn't touch his cards won. |
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LOSS |
LOSS |
WIN |
LOSS |
BANK: $98,000 |
BANK: $91,000 |
BANK: $103,000 |
BANK: $91,000 |
HAND 3 |
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Billy BANK: $91,000 |
Stephen BANK: $103,000 |
Daniel BANK: $91,000 |
Caroline BANK: $98,000 |
Bet: $1000 | Bet: $2000 | Bet: $20,000 | Bet: $5000 |
8-2 = 10 |
10-7 = 17 |
4-5 = 9 |
K-Q = 20 (split) |
DEALER: 10 |
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The Dealer must check for a Blackjack if he has a 10-point card. If there's an Ace as the down card, he shows the Blackjack and the hand ends with everyone losing. But, here, it's NOT an Ace so the game continues. |
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DOUBLE: $2000 |
STAND |
HIT: 9 = 18 STAND |
STAND |
Doubling-down a 10 AGAINST a 10 has only a 43% chance of winning. |
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DEALER: 10-K = 20 MUST STAND |
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DD Card: 6 Total: 16 |
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LOSS |
LOSS |
LOSS |
PUSH |
BANK: $89,000 |
BANK: $101,000 |
BANK: $71,000 |
BANK: $98,000 |
You have a pair of 4s. The Dealer has a 3. Do you split, hit or double down? We'll tell you what "da book" says later.
HAND 4 |
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Stephen BANK: $101,000 |
Daniel BANK: $71,000 |
Caroline BANK: $98,000 |
Billy BANK: $89,000 |
Bet: $5000 | Bet: $25,000 | Bet: $7000 | Bet: $20,000 |
9-2 = 11 |
6-6 = 12 (split) |
5-JOKER = ?? |
8-10 = 18 |
DEALER: 6 |
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New Card: 10 6-10 = 16 |
Daniel's 6 5-6 = 11 |
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DOUBLE: $10,000 |
STAND |
DOUBLE: $14,000 |
STAND |
DEALER: 6-7 = 13 HIT: 8 = 21 MUST STAND |
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DD Card: Q Total: 21 |
DD Card: 3 Total: 14 |
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PUSH |
LOSS |
LOSS |
LOSS |
BANK: $101,000 |
BANK: $46,000 |
BANK: $84,000 |
BANK: $69,000 |
HAND 5 |
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Daniel BANK: $46,000 |
Caroline BANK: $84,000 |
Billy BANK: $69,000 |
Stephen BANK: $101,000 |
Bet: $25,000 | Bet: $25,000 | Bet: $25,000 | Bet: $25,000 |
Looks like Daniel has already given up and is trying to get out of the table as quickly as possible. Of course, it looks like this grudge match has made EVERYONE go for the heavy hits! |
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7-10 = 17 |
6-8 = 14 |
4-8 = 12 |
A-2 = 3/13 |
DEALER: 3 |
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STAND |
STAND |
STAND |
HIT: 9 = 12 HIT: 8 = 20 STAND |
Daniel should've HIT his 12 against a Dealer 3. Hit a 12 on a Dealer 2, 3 or 7 or higher. Stephen did the RIGHT thing just hitting instead of doubling-down. Had Billy hit, he AND Stephen would have had 21. |
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DEALER: 3-8 = 11 HIT: 9 = 20 MUST STAND |
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LOSS |
LOSS |
LOSS |
PUSH |
BANK: $21,000 |
BANK: $59,000 |
BANK: $44,000 |
BANK: $101,000 |
HAND 6 |
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Caroline BANK: $59,000 |
Billy BANK: $44,000 |
Stephen BANK: $101,000 |
Daniel BANK: $21,000 |
Bet: $10,000 | Bet: $5000 | Bet: $5000 | Bet: $15,000 |
J-2 = 12 |
2-9 = 11 |
J-2 = 12 |
6-J = 16 |
DEALER: 2 |
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HIT: J = 22 BUST |
DOUBLE: $10,000 |
DOUBLE: $10,000 |
STAND |
Stephen is getting CRAZY! You should NEVER double-down on a 12! You should always assume that the next card is a 10, since there are more 10s than any other card. Stephen is looking to bust for twice the price! Stephen only has a 35% chance to win here. |
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DEALER: 2-5 = 5 HIT: K = 17 MUST STAND |
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DD Card: 3 Total: 14 |
DD Card: A Total: 13 |
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LOSS |
LOSS |
LOSS |
LOSS |
BANK: $49,000 |
BANK: $34,000 |
BANK: $91,000 |
BANK: $6000 |
Billy & Daniel have each lost FIVE STRAIGHT HANDS! |
"The book" says that, if you have a pair of 3s against a Dealer 4, you should only HIT. Only split 4s against a Dealer 5 or 6.
HAND 7 |
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Billy BANK: $34,000 |
Stephen BANK: $91,000 |
Daniel BANK: $6000 |
Caroline BANK: $49,000 |
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Bet: $20,000 | Bet: $2000 | Bet: $5000 | Bet: $10,000 | |
Daniel will have JUST ENOUGH to make a minimum bet in the next hand should he lose. |
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9-JOKER = ?? |
A-5 = 6/16 |
8-6 = 14 |
10-Q = 20 (split) |
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DEALER: 3 |
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Stephen's A 9-A = 10/20 |
New Card: 7 7-5 = 12 |
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STAND |
STAND |
STAND |
STAND |
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DEALER: 3-K = 13 HIT: Q = 23 BUST |
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Chips on the house! Everybody wins (for ONCE)! |
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WIN |
WIN |
WIN |
WIN |
|
BANK: $54,000 |
BANK: $93,000 |
BANK: $11,000 |
BANK: $59,000 |
HAND 8 |
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Stephen BANK: $93,000 |
Daniel BANK: $11,000 |
Caroline BANK: $59,000 |
Billy BANK: $54,000 |
Bet: $5000 | Bet: $5000 | Bet: $15,000 | Bet: $25,000 |
A-8 = 9/19 |
5-10 = 15 |
8-3 = 11 |
8-2 = 10 |
DEALER: J |
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STAND |
HIT: 4 = 19 STAND |
DOUBLE: $30,000 |
HIT: J = 20 STAND |
Stephen: "Shut up, Caroline." Matt: "Hand 8. The first 'Shut up, Caroline' is in Hand 8." Caroline: "'Vascetomy' back off!' |
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DEALER: J-Q = 20 MUST STAND |
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DD Card: 2 Total: 13 |
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LOSS |
LOSS |
LOSS |
PUSH |
BANK: $88,000 |
BANK: $6000 |
BANK: $29,000 |
BANK: $54,000 |
HAND 9 |
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Daniel BANK: $6000 |
Caroline BANK: $29,000 |
Billy BANK: $54,000 |
Stephen BANK: $88,000 |
Bet: $5000 | Bet: $5000 | Bet: $20,000 | Bet: $12,000 |
A-5 = 6/16 |
2-8 = 10 |
5-K = 15 |
Q-6 = 16 |
DEALER: 3 |
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HIT: 9 = 15 STAND |
DOUBLE: $10,000 |
STAND |
STAND |
DEALER: 3-3 = 6 HIT: A = 17 MUST STAND |
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Dealer's must stand on ALL hands 17 or higher, be it soft or hard. |
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DD Card: 7 Total: 17 |
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LOSS |
PUSH |
LOSS |
LOSS |
BANK: $1000 |
BANK: $29,000 |
BANK: $34,000 |
BANK: $76,000 |
HAND 10 |
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Caroline BANK: $29,000 |
Billy BANK: $34,000 |
Stephen BANK: $76,000 |
Daniel BANK: $1000 |
Bet: $10,000 | Bet: $5000 | Bet: $24,000 | Bet: $1000 |
10-JOKER = ?? |
9-K = 19 |
5-2 = 7 |
9-7 = 16 |
DEALER: 3 |
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Billy's K 10-K = 20 (split) |
New Card: 6 9-6 = 15 |
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STAND |
STAND |
HIT: Q = 17
STAND |
STAND |
DEALER: 3-5 = 8 HIT: J = 18 MUST STAND |
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WIN |
LOSS |
LOSS |
LOSS |
BANK: $39,000 |
BANK: $29,000 |
BANK: $52,000 |
OUT! |
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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Billy BANK: $29,000 |
Stephen BANK: $52,000 |
Caroline BANK: $39,000 |
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Bet: $5000 | Bet: $5000 | Bet: $10,000 | |
A-2 = 3/13 |
2-2 = 4 (split) |
A-Q = 11/21 |
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DEALER: 4 |
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Remember that, in tournament play, Caroline doesn't HAVE to take the 3-to-2 Blackjack. SHe can call the Ace a 1-point card and double down on the 11. |
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HIT: 3 = 6/16 HIT: 8 = 14 STAND |
SPLIT $5000 apiece |
BLACKJACK! |
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2-A = 3/13 DBLE: $10,000 |
2-4 = 6 HIT: A = 7/17 HIT: 4 = 21 AUTO STAND |
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DEALER: 4-2 = 6 HIT: A = 17 MUST STAND |
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DD Card: J Total: 13 |
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LOSS |
LOSS |
WIN |
WIN 3-to-2 |
BANK: $24,000 |
BANK: $47,000 |
BANK: $54,000 |
HAND 12 |
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Stephen BANK: $47,000 |
Caroline BANK: $54,000 |
Billy BANK: $24,000 |
Bet: $20,000 | Bet: $5000 | Bet: $19,000 |
3-5 = 8 |
9-7 = 16 |
J-7 = 17 |
DEALER: K |
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HIT: 5 = 13 HIT: 5 = 18 STAND |
STAND |
STAND |
Caroline's 16 will only win 23% of the time against a Dealer's 10-pointer... |
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DEALER: K-6 = 16 |
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...and this would be one of that 23%. |
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WIN |
WIN |
WIN |
BANK: $67,000 |
BANK: $59,000 |
BANK: $43,000 |
HAND 13 |
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Caroline BANK: $59,000 |
Billy BANK: $43,000 |
Stephen BANK: $67,000 |
Bet: $15,000 | Bet: $5000 | Bet: $10,000 |
5-K = 15 |
2-9 = 11 |
10-A = 11/21 |
DEALER: 9 |
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HIT: J = 25 BUST |
DOUBLE: $10,000 |
BLACKJACK! |
DEALER: 9-K= 19 |
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DD Card: 6 Total: 17 |
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LOSS |
PUSH |
WIN |
BANK: $44,000 |
BANK: $33,000 |
BANK: $82,000 |
The table is 1-for-11 in double downs so far. |
HAND 14 |
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Billy BANK: $33,000 |
Stephen BANK: $82,000 |
Caroline BANK: $44,000 |
Bet: $25,000 | Bet: $10,000 | Bet: $20,000 |
6-10 = 16 |
JOKER-4 = ?? |
4-10 = 14 |
DEALER: 5 |
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New Card: 3 3-10 = 13 |
Billy's 6 6-4 = 10 |
|
STAND |
DOUBLE: $20,000 |
STAND |
DEALER: 5-9 = 14 |
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DD Card: 7 Total: 17 |
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WIN |
WIN |
WIN |
BANK: $58,000 |
BANK: $102,000 |
BANK: $64,000 |
And Stephen goes into the black, the first time since Hand 6. |
HAND 15 |
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Stephen BANK: $102,000 |
Caroline BANK: $64,000 |
Billy BANK: $58,000 |
Bet: $5000 | Bet: $50,000 | Bet: $5000 |
6-9 = 15 |
3-2 = 5 |
9-7 = 16 |
DEALER: 4 |
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STAND |
HIT: 5 = 10 HIT: J = 20 STAND |
STAND |
DEALER: 4-5 = 9 |
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LOSS |
WIN |
LOSS |
BANK: $97,000 |
BANK: $114,000 |
BANK: $539,000 |
HAND 16 |
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Caroline BANK: $114,000 |
Billy BANK: $53,000 |
Stephen BANK: $97,000 |
Bet: $10,000 | Bet: $40,000 | Bet: $10,000 |
5-6 = 11 |
4-K = 14 |
Q-9 = 19 |
DEALER: A |
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Believe it or not, this is the FIRST Ace Dealer Dave has had all night. He asks if the players want insurance against a Blackjack at the cost of up to half their original bet |
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No Insurance |
No Insurance |
No Insurance |
Insurance is a sucker bet. Dave now checks his down card for a 10-pointer. If he has it, the hand ends. He FAKES flipping it over... |
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DEALER: A-K = 21 |
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...and THEN flips it for real. If someone had taken insurance, they'd get 2-to-1 back on it. As it is, everybody loses! |
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LOSS |
LOSS |
LOSS |
BANK: $104,000 |
BANK: $13,000 |
BANK: $87,000 |
HAND 17 |
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Billy BANK: $13,000 |
Stephen BANK: $87,000 |
Caroline BANK: $104,000 |
|
Bet: $5000 | Bet: $30,000 | Bet: $15,000 | |
7-4 = 11 |
6-9 = 15 |
A-A = 2/12 (split) |
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DEALER: 10 |
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ALWAYS split Aces. But, remember, this tournament only allows ONE card per split Ace. And a 10-point card will NOT make Blackjack, just a 21. |
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DOUBLE: $10,000 |
HIT: 8 = 23 BUST |
SPLIT $15,000 apiece |
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A-JOKER Dealer's 10 = 21 |
A-2 = 13 |
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Billy COULD have doubled-for-less. As it is, if he loses this hand, he's out since he won't have enough to bet the minimum in the next hand. Caroline could only take the Dealer's card or the next one off the shoe, since Billy and Stephen's hands were dead. Since the Dealer has a 10, well.. |
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New Dealer Card: 2 |
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Caroline lost one split hand and won one split hand, which equals a push. |
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DD Card: 7 Total: 18 |
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WIN |
LOSS |
PUSH |
|
BANK: $23,000 |
BANK: $57,000 |
BANK: $104,000 |
|
Billy is 1-for-5 in double downs |
HAND 18 |
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Stephen BANK: $57,000 |
Caroline BANK: $104,000 |
Billy BANK: $23,000 |
Bet: $40,000 | Bet: $5000 | Bet: $15,000 |
Q-10 = 20 (split) |
Q-Q = 20 (split) |
4-J = 14 |
DEALER: 5 |
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STAND |
STAND
|
STAND |
DEALER: 5-2 = 7 |
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That makes, in case you lost count, ELEVEN hands of 20 or 21 tonight for the Dealer!! |
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DD Card: 9 Total: 20 |
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PUSH |
PUSH |
LOSS |
BANK: $57,000 |
BANK: $104,000 |
BANK: $8000 |
HAND 19 |
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Caroline BANK: $104,000 |
Billy BANK: $8000 |
Stephen BANK: $57,000 |
Bet: $15,000 | Bet: $8000 | Bet: $40,000 |
K-10 = 20 (split) |
10-2 = 12 |
3-9 = 12 |
DEALER: 2 |
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STAND |
HIT: J = 22 BUST! |
HIT: Q = 22 BUST |
DEALER: 2-3 = 5 |
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WIN |
LOSS |
LOSS |
BANK: $119,000 |
OUT! |
BANK: $17,000 |
It looks pretty bad for Stephen...but remember that ANYTHING can happen in no-limit games. If Caroline bets more than the minimum and Stephen doubles-up twice, there's a possibility of an upset. |
HAND 20 |
|
Stephen BANK: $17,000 |
Caroline BANK: $119,000 |
Bet: $17,000 | Bet: $10,000 |
If Stephen loses, this will be the first CBJ game to not MAKE it to the Final Hand. |
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4-7 = 11 |
4-Q = 14 |
DEALER: 6 |
|
HIT: 4 = 14 STAND |
STAND |
Caroline may have goofed betting 10 grand, but she made up for it by not doubling-down |
|
DEALER: 6-10 = 16 |
|
WIN |
WIN |
BANK: $34,000 |
BANK: $129,000 |
It all comes down to this one hand. The winner gets $25,000 for his charity and a spot in the Semi-Final Table. The others (including the two Baldwins that are out) 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 it's revealed...and, in THIS case, it won't be revealed until AFTER the hand is over.
FINAL HAND! |
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Caroline BANK: $129,000 |
Stephen BANK: $34,000 |
Q-4 = 14 |
J-4 = 14 |
DEALER: Q |
|
HIT: 9 = 23 BUST |
HIT: JOKER PASS Q = 24 BUST |
Caroline will most likely win...unless she was an IDIOT and beat everything. Stephen HAD to take the next card, since taking the Dealer's 10 would have busted him ANYHOW. |
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LOSS |
LOSS
|
Bet: $5000 |
Bet: $34,000 |
BANK: $124,000 WINNER! |
BANK: $0 |
So The Dream Foundation gets $25,000 thanks to Caroline Rhea's continuing dominance over the Baldwin Boys! She's off to the Semi-Final Table to see who ELSE she can destroy!