CELEBRITY BLACKJACK

TOURNAMENT 2
EPISODE 9
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):

Sara Rue
(Rock The Vote)
CBJ vet; comedianne; from TV's Less Than Perfect.

Warren G
(American Breast Cancer Foundation & City of Hope)
Rapper and hip-hop artist; singer of "Regulate".

Carnie Wilson
(The Carl Wilson Foundation)
One-third of group "Wilson Phillips"; former talk show host

Ralphie May
(American Cancer Society)
Last Comic Standing finalist; "stout" comidean from "Da Hood", as he calls it.

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 to it!  Sara 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
Warren G
BANK: $100,000
Carnie
BANK: $100,000
Ralphie
BANK: $100,000
Sara
BANK: $100,000
Bet: $1000 Bet: $1000 Bet: $3000 Bet: $6000
J-7 = 17
2-A = 3/13
A-6 = 7/17
10-2 = 12
DEALER: 8
STAND
HIT: J = 13
HIT:
4 = 17
STAND
HIT: 10 = 17
STAND
HIT: Q = 22
BUST
Basic blackjack strategy (or "da book"): when the Dealer has a high card (7 or higher), hit on 16s and stand on 17s, just like the Dealer. You can hit on "soft" hands (those with Aces) since you really have NO chance of busting with one more card.
DEALER: 8-6 =14
HIT: 8 = 22
BUST
WIN
WIN
WIN
LOSS
BANK: $101,000
BANK: $101,000
BANK: $103,000
BANK: $94,000

 

HAND 2
Carnie
BANK: $101,000
Ralphie
BANK: $103,000
Sara
BANK: $94,000
Warren G
BANK: $101,000
Bet: $2000 Bet: $5000 Bet: $1000 Bet: $1000
2-K = 12
K-10 = 20 (split)
4-10 = 14
2-4 = 6
While the first cards are being dealt, Warren's cell phone rings...and Sara ANSWERS it. The guy on the phone cusses her out when she tells him Warren's playing blackjack.
DEALER: 4
STAND
STAND
STAND
HIT: Q = 16
STAND
When the Dealer has a LOW card (2 through 6), stand on 13s and higher. Also, NEVER split 10-point cards.
DEALER: 4-A = 5/15
HIT: 7 = 12
HIT:
A = 13
HIT:
6 = 19
MUST STAND
LOSS
WIN
LOSS
LOSS
BANK: $99,000
BANK: $108,000
BANK: $93,000
BANK: $100,000

 

HAND 3
Ralphie
BANK: $108,000
Sara
BANK: $93,000
Warren G
BANK: $100,000
Carnie
BANK: $99,000
Bet: $10,000 Bet: $1000 Bet: $2000 Bet: $4000
A-JOKER = ??
4-9 = 17
4-8 = 12
5-5 = 10 (split)
DEALER: 8
Sara's 9
A-9 = 10/20
New Card: J
4-J = 14
   
STAND
HIT: J = 24
STAND
HIT: 2 = 14
HIT: A = 15
HIT:
10 = 25
BUST
DOUBLE: $8000
Never split 5s, either. Also, "da book" DOES say to double on a 10 on anything but a Dealer Ace or 10-pointer.
DEALER: 8-3 = 11
HIT:
9 = 20
MUST STAND
 
DD Card: 4
Total: 14
PUSH
LOSS
LOSS
LOSS
BANK: $108,000
BANK: $92,000
BANK: $98,000
BANK: $91,000

Say you have a pair of 9s and the Dealer has an 8 showing. Do you split, stand or double down? We'll tell you what "da book" says in a few hands.

HAND 4
Sara
BANK: $92,000
Warren G
BANK: $98,000
Carnie
BANK: $91,000
Ralphie
BANK: $108,000
Bet: $1000 Bet: $2000 Bet: $2000 Bet: $10,000
9-Q = 19
K-9 = 19
7-A = 8/18
3-Q = 13
DEALER: 4
STAND
STAND
STAND
STAND
"Da book" says you should double-down a "soft" 18 against a Dealer 3 through 6. You can win or push 60% of the time that way.
DEALER: 4-5 = 9
HIT: K = 19
MUST STAND
PUSH
PUSH
LOSS
LOSS
BANK: $92,000
BANK: $98,000
BANK: $89,000
BANK: $98,000

 

HAND 5
Warren G
BANK: $98,000
Carnie
BANK: $89,000
Ralphie
BANK: $98,000
Sara
BANK: $92,000
Bet: $2000 Bet: $5000 Bet: $5000 Bet: $1000
3-3 = 6 (split)
Q-J = 20 (split)
K-4 = 14
8-5 = 13
DEALER: 3
SPLIT
$2000 apiece
STAND
STAND
STAND
3-7 = 10
DOUBLE: $4000
3-4 = 7
HIT: 9 = 16
STAND
Split 2s through 7s when the Dealer has a 3.
DEALER: 3-2 = 5
HIT: Q = 15
HIT: 7 = 22
BUST
DD Card:7
Tot: 17
       
WIN
WIN
WIN
WIN
BANK: $104,000
BANK: $94,000
BANK: $103,000
BANK: $93,000

 

HAND 6
Carnie
BANK: $94,000
Ralphie
BANK: $103,000
Sara
BANK: $93,000
Warren G
BANK: $104,000
Bet: $3000 Bet: $10,000 Bet: $1000 Bet: $2000
8-4 = 12
A-3 = 4/14
10-8 = 18
2-JOKER = ??
DEALER: 4
New Card: Q
Q-4 = 14
Carnie's 8
2-8 = 10
STAND
HIT: J = 14
STAND
STAND
HIT: 7 = 17
STAND
DEALER: 4-5 = 9
HIT:
8 = 17
MUST STAND
LOSS
LOSS
WIN
PUSH
BANK: $91,000
BANK: $93,000
BANK: $94,000
BANK: $104,000

"The book" says that, if you have a pair of 9s against a Dealer 8, you should SPLIT. Split 9s EXCEPT when the Dealer has a 7, a 10-pointer or an Ace.

HAND 7
Ralphie
BANK: $93,000
Sara
BANK: $94,000
Warren G
BANK: $104,000
Carnie
BANK: $91,000
Bet: $10,000 Bet: $6000 Bet: $2000 Bet: $4000
10-J = 20 (split)
7-10 = 17
A-4 = 5/15
5-9 = 14
DEALER: 7
STAND
STAND
HIT: 6 = 21
AUTO STAND
HIT: 5 = 19
STAND
DEALER: 7-2 = 9
HIT: 4 = 13
HIT: 6 = 19
MUST STAND
WIN
LOSS
WIN
PUSH
BANK: $103,000
BANK: $88,000
BANK: $106,000
BANK: $91,000

 

HAND 8
Sara
BANK: $88,000
Warren G
BANK: $106,000
Carnie
BANK: $91,000
Ralphie
BANK: $103,000
Bet: $3000 Bet: $2000 Bet: $5000 Bet: $10,000
Ralphie: "You win some, you lose some. It's called gambling."
Matt: "Actually, in gambling, you win some, you lose MORE!"
10-9 = 19
10-K = 20 (split)
Q-3 = 13
4-8 = 12
DEALER: 6
STAND
STAND
STAND
STAND
Ralphie followed "da book" here. You stand on 12 with a Dealer 4, 5 or 6 and hit with everything else.
DEALER: 6-3 = 9
HIT: 7 = 16
HIT:
8 = 22
BUST
WIN
WIN
WIN
WIN
BANK: $91,000
BANK: $108,000
BANK: $96,000
BANK: $113,000
Here, Dave complains that there's no animosity like in other games.

 

HAND 9
Warren G
BANK: $108,000
Carnie
BANK: $96,000
Ralphie
BANK: $113,000
Sara
BANK: $91,000
Bet: $10,000 Bet: $10,000 Bet: $10,000 Bet: $25,000
10-7 = 17
7-5 = 12
J-Q = 20 (split)
J-10 = 20 (split)
DEALER: 9
STAND
HIT: 8 = 20
STAND
STAND
STAND
DEALER: 9-9 = 18
MUST STAND
Dealers can't split or double down; they can only hit or stand.
LOSS
WIN
WIN
WIN
BANK: $98,000
BANK: $106,000
BANK: $123,000
BANK: $116,000
And EVERYBODY'S singing AC/DC 'cause they're all "Back In (the) Black"!

 

HAND 10
Carnie
BANK: $106,000
Ralphie
BANK: $123,000
Sara
BANK: $116,000
Warren G
BANK: $98,000
Bet: $10,000 Bet: $10,000 Bet: $1000 Bet: $10,000
2-Q = 12
Q-A = 11/21
2-Q = 12
A-3 = 4/14
Remember that, in tournament play, Ralphie doesn't HAVE to take the 3-to-2 for a Blackjack; he can call the Ace a 1-pointer and double-down instead. But, at this stage, it's safer to take the money.
DEALER: 9
HIT: 6 = 18
STAND
BLACKJACK!
HIT: A = 13
HIT: J = 23
BUST
HIT: 2 = 6/16
HIT: 4 = 10/20
HIT: 7 = 17
5-CARD CHARLIE!
DEALER: 9-K = 19
MUST STAND
LOSS
WIN 3-to-2
LOSS
WIN
BANK: $96,000
BANK: $138,000
BANK: $115,000
BANK: $108,000

Heading into the halfway point, the stakes are raised to no-limit.  The minimum bet is $5000...but there is NO maximum!

HAND 11
Ralphie
BANK: $138,000
Sara
BANK: $115,000
Warren G
BANK: $108,000
Carnie
BANK: $96,000
Bet: $10,000 Bet: $5000 Bet: $15,000 Bet: $15,000
JOKER-6 = ??
9-A = 10/20
3-8 = 11
8-10 = 18
DEALER: 4
Warren G's 3
3-6 = 9
 
New Card: 10
10-8 = 18
 
DOUBLE: $20,000
STAND
STAND
STAND
Doubling down on a 9 with a Dealer 4 is not bad strategy at all. A little more RISKY than doubling down on a 10 or 11, but a low Dealer card means the Dealer might bust.
DEALER: 4-K = 14
HIT:
K = 24
BUST
DD Card: 3
Total: 12
     
WIN
WIN
WIN
WIN
BANK: $158,000
BANK: $120,000
BANK: $123,000
BANK: $111,000
Ralphie has bet $10,000 on his last six hands...and has won the last five.

 

HAND 12
Sara
BANK: $120,000
Warren G
BANK: $123,000
Carnie
BANK: $111,000
Ralphie
BANK: $158,000
Bet: $35,000 Bet: $25,000 Bet: $25,000 Bet: $10,000
9-J = 19
J-A = 11/21
3-2 = 5
Q-8 = 18
DEALER: 4
STAND
BLACKJACK!
HIT: K = 15
STAND
STAND
DEALER: 4-5 = 9
HIT:
Q = 19
MUST STAND
PUSH
WIN 3-to-2
LOSS
LOSS
BANK: $120,000
BANK: $160,500
BANK: $86,000
BANK: $148,000

 

HAND 13
Warren G
BANK: $160,500
Carnie
BANK: $86,000
Ralphie
BANK: $148,000
Sara
BANK: $120,000
Bet: $5000 Bet: $25,000 Bet: $20,000 Bet: $5000
K-4 = 14
2-3 = 5
5-7 = 12
5-9 = 14
DEALER: Q
A Dealer with a 10-point card must check to see if he has an Ace as the down card. If he does, he shows thew Blackjack and eveyrbody loses. But he doesn't this time so the game continues.
HIT: 6 = 16
HIT: J = 26
BUST
HIT: K = 15
HIT: 8 = 23
BUST
HIT: 8 = 20
STAND
HIT: 2 = JOKER
PASS
HIT:
7 = 21
AUTO STAND
Since all the other hands are dead, Sara could only take the Dealer's card or the next one off the top of the shoe. Since Dave's Queen would bust her... she had to take the 21. :)
DEALER: Q-10 = 20
MUST STAND
LOSS
LOSS
PUSH
WIN
BANK: $155,500
BANK: $61,000
BANK: $148,000
BANK: $125,000

 

HAND 14
Carnie
BANK: $61,000
Ralphie
BANK: $148,000
Sara
BANK: $125,000
Warren G
BANK: $155,500
Bet: $10,000 Bet: $20,000 Bet: $5000 Bet: $5000
3-K = 13
9-8 = 17
7-2 = 9
3-2 = 5
DEALER: Q
HIT: 8 = 21
AUTO STAND
STAND
HIT: 10 = 19
STAND
HIT: 9 = 14
HIT: A = 15
HIT: 3 = 18
5-CARD CHARLIE!
THat's the first time ANYONE has gotten TWO "Charlie"s in a game.
DEALER: Q-3 = 13
HIT:
6 = 19
MUST STAND
WIN
LOSS
PUSH
WIN
BANK: $71,000
BANK: $128,000
BANK: $125,000
BANK: $160,500

 

HAND 15
Ralphie
BANK: $128,000
Sara
BANK: $125,000
Warren G
BANK: $160,500
Carnie
BANK: $71,000
Bet: $30,000 Bet: $5000 Bet: $5000 Bet: $15,000
3-2 = 5
A-10 = 11/21
A-K = 11/21
J-5 = 15
Been a while since there've been TWO Blackjacks in the same hand.
DEALER: J
HIT: A = 6/16
HIT: 7 = 13
HIT: 4 = 17
5-CARD CHARLIE!
BLACKJACK!
BLACKJACK!
HIT: J = 25
BUST
DEALER: J-2 = 12
HAND OVER
Since all the hands were already decided (the two Blackjacks, the Charlie and the bust), Dave doesn't HAVE to hit.
WIN
WIN 3-to-2
WIN 3-to-2
LOSS
BANK: $158,000
BANK: $132,500
BANK: $168,000
BANK: $56,000

 

HAND 16
Sara
BANK: $132,500
Warren G
BANK: $168,000
Carnie
BANK: $56,000
Ralphie
BANK: $158,000
Bet: $5000 Bet: $5000 Bet: $10,000 Bet: $25,000
6-8 = 14
5-8 = 13
Q-J = 20 (split)
5-JOKER = ??
And that is Ralphie's THIRD Joker of the game!
DEALER: 9
New Card: 5
5-8 = 13
Sara's 6
5-6 = 11
HIT: 8 = 19
STAND
HIT: J = 23
BUST
STAND
DOUBLE: $50,000
DEALER: 9-6 = 15
HIT:
A = 16
HIT: 5 = 21
STAND
Ut oh...unless Ralphie has a 10-pointer (which is a distinct possibility) and push, he'll lose 50 "large"!
     
DD Card: 2
Total: 13
Owie...
LOSS
LOSS
LOSS
LOSS
BANK: $127,500
BANK: $163,000
BANK: $46,000
BANK: $108,000

 

HAND 17
Warren G
BANK: $163,000
Carnie
BANK: $46,000
Ralphie
BANK: $108,000
Sara
BANK: $127,500
Bet: $5000 Bet: $15,000 Bet: $25,000 Bet: $45,000
2-7 = 9
5-6 = 11
7-7 = 14 (split)
5-J = 15
Split 7s when the Dealer has a 7 or less.
DEALER: 8
HIT: K = 19
STAND
DOUBLE: $30,000
SPLIT
$25,000 apiece
HIT: Q = 25
BUST
7-K = 17
STAND
7-5 = 12
HIT: 3 = 15
HIT:10= 25
BUST
DEALER: 8-A = 19
MUST STAND

That's $100,000 lost in two hands by Ralphie.

 
DD Card: 4
Total: 15
     
PUSH
LOSS
LOSS
LOSS
LOSS
BANK: $163,000
BANK: $16,000
BANK: $58,000
BANK: $82,500
And CARNIE has lost $95,000 in SIX hands!

 

HAND 18
Carnie
BANK: $16,000
Ralphie
BANK: $58,000
Sara
BANK: $82,500
Warren G
BANK: $163,000
Bet: $5000 Bet: $25,000 Bet: $5000 Bet: $10,000
6-9 = 15
3-3 = 6 (split)
4-K = 14
4-6 = 10
DEALER: 10
HIT: 6 = 21
AUTO STAND
HIT: 8 = 14
HIT: 7 = 21
AUTO STAND
HIT: A = 15
HIT: J = 25
BUST
HIT: 2 = 12
HIT: K = 22
BUST
DEALER: 10-J = 20
MUST STAND
WIN
WIN
LOSS
LOSS
BANK: $21,000
BANK: $83,000
BANK: $77,500
BANK: $153,000

 

HAND 19
Ralphie
BANK: $83,000
Sara
BANK: $77,500
Warren G
BANK: $153,000
Carnie
BANK: $21,000
Bet: $50,000 Bet: $5000 Bet: $20,000 Bet: $10,000
Q-Q = 20 (split)
7-Q = 17
6-3 = 9
2-Q = 12
DEALER: 6
STAND
STAND
DOUBLE: $40,000
HIT: 4 = 16
STAND
DEALER: 6-10 = 16
HIT:
2 = 18
MUST STAND
   
DD Card: A
Total: 20
 
WIN
LOSS
WIN
LOSS
BANK: $133,000
BANK: $72,500
BANK: $193,000
BANK: $11,000
Sara has lost four straight hands...while Ralphie is back in the hunt. Such is no-limit blackjack.

 

HAND 20
Sara
BANK: $72,500
Warren G
BANK: $193,000
Carnie
BANK: $11,000
Ralphie
BANK: $133,000
Bet: $67,000 Bet: $5000 Bet: $6000 Bet: $75,000
Both ladies will have JUST ENOUGH to cover a minimum bet should either of them lose.
9-5 = 14
9-6 = 15
A-6 = 7/17
3-J = 13
DEALER: 9
HIT: 6 = 20
STAND
HIT: 9 = 24
BUST
HIT: 5 = 12
HIT: Q = 22
BUST
HIT: J = 23
BUST
Sara is an 82% to win...
DEALER: 9-9 = 18
MUST STAND
..and lo and behold she's in the running!
WIN
LOSS
LOSS
LOSS
BANK: $139,500
BANK: $188,000
BANK: $5000
BANK: $58,000

It all comes down to this one hand.  The winner gets $25,000 for his/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 it's revealed.

FINAL HAND!
Warren G
BANK: $188,000
Carnie
BANK: $5000
Ralphie
BANK: $58,000
Sara
BANK: $139,500
Bet: $20,000 Bet: $5000 Bet: $58,000 Bet: $139,000
It's more-or-less between Warren and Sara right now. If Sara wins the hand, she wins the game. Otherwise, it's all "G".
J-2 = 12
7-10 = 17
K-7 = 17
8-Q = 18
DEALER: K
HIT: 10 = 22
BUST
STAND
STAND
STAND
DEALER: K-10 = 20
MUST STAND!
   
DD Card: A
Total: 20
 
LOSS
LOSS
LOSS
LOSS
BANK: $168,000
WINNER!
BANK: $0
BANK: $0
BANK: $500

So the American Breast Cancer Foundation & City of Hope split $25,000 thanks to Warren G's "regulating" the table! He's off to the Semi-Final Table to see about 'rapping' up MORE money for them!