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 |
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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 |
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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. |
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DEALER: 8-6 =14 HIT: 8 = 22 BUST |
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WIN |
WIN |
WIN |
LOSS
|
BANK: $101,000 |
BANK: $101,000 |
BANK: $103,000 |
BANK: $94,000 |
HAND 2 |
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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. |
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DEALER: 4 |
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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. |
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DEALER: 4-A = 5/15 HIT: 7 = 12 HIT: A = 13 HIT: 6 = 19 MUST STAND |
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LOSS |
WIN |
LOSS |
LOSS |
BANK: $99,000 |
BANK: $108,000 |
BANK: $93,000 |
BANK: $100,000 |
HAND 3 |
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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 |
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Sara's 9 A-9 = 10/20 |
New Card: J 4-J = 14 |
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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. |
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DEALER: 8-3 = 11 HIT: 9 = 20 MUST STAND |
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DD Card: 4 Total: 14 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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. |
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DEALER: 4-5 = 9 HIT: K = 19 MUST STAND |
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PUSH |
PUSH |
LOSS |
LOSS |
BANK: $92,000 |
BANK: $98,000 |
BANK: $89,000 |
BANK: $98,000 |
HAND 5 |
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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 |
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SPLIT $2000 apiece |
STAND |
STAND |
STAND |
|
3-7 = 10 DOUBLE: $4000 |
3-4 = 7 HIT: 9 = 16 STAND |
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Split 2s through 7s when the Dealer has a 3. |
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DEALER: 3-2 = 5 HIT: Q = 15 HIT: 7 = 22 BUST |
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DD Card:7 Tot: 17 |
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WIN |
WIN |
WIN |
WIN |
|
BANK: $104,000 |
BANK: $94,000 |
BANK: $103,000 |
BANK: $93,000 |
HAND 6 |
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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 |
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New Card: Q Q-4 = 14 |
Carnie's 8 2-8 = 10 |
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STAND |
HIT: J = 14 STAND |
STAND |
HIT: 7 = 17 STAND |
DEALER: 4-5 = 9 HIT: 8 = 17 MUST STAND |
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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 |
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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 |
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STAND |
STAND |
HIT: 6 = 21 AUTO STAND |
HIT: 5 = 19 STAND |
|
DEALER: 7-2 = 9 HIT: 4 = 13 HIT: 6 = 19 MUST STAND |
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WIN |
LOSS |
WIN |
PUSH |
|
BANK: $103,000 |
BANK: $88,000 |
BANK: $106,000 |
BANK: $91,000 |
HAND 8 |
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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!" |
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10-9 = 19 |
10-K = 20 (split) |
Q-3 = 13 |
4-8 = 12 |
DEALER: 6 |
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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. |
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DEALER: 6-3 = 9 HIT: 7 = 16 HIT: 8 = 22 BUST |
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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 |
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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 |
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STAND |
HIT: 8 = 20 STAND |
STAND |
STAND |
DEALER: 9-9 = 18 MUST STAND |
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Dealers can't split or double down; they can only hit or stand. |
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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 |
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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. |
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DEALER: 9 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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Warren G's 3 3-6 = 9 |
New Card: 10 10-8 = 18 |
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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. |
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DEALER: 4-K = 14 HIT: K = 24 BUST |
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DD Card: 3 Total: 12 |
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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 |
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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 |
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STAND |
BLACKJACK! |
HIT: K = 15
STAND |
STAND |
DEALER: 4-5 = 9 HIT: Q = 19 MUST STAND |
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PUSH |
WIN 3-to-2 |
LOSS |
LOSS |
BANK: $120,000 |
BANK: $160,500 |
BANK: $86,000 |
BANK: $148,000 |
HAND 13 |
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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 |
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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. |
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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. :) |
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DEALER: Q-10 = 20 MUST STAND |
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LOSS |
LOSS |
PUSH |
WIN |
BANK: $155,500 |
BANK: $61,000 |
BANK: $148,000 |
BANK: $125,000 |
HAND 14 |
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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 |
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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. |
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DEALER: Q-3 = 13 HIT: 6 = 19 MUST STAND |
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WIN |
LOSS |
PUSH |
WIN |
BANK: $71,000 |
BANK: $128,000 |
BANK: $125,000 |
BANK: $160,500 |
HAND 15 |
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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. |
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DEALER: J |
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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 |
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Since all the hands were already decided (the two Blackjacks, the Charlie and the bust), Dave doesn't HAVE to hit. |
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WIN |
WIN 3-to-2 |
WIN 3-to-2 |
LOSS |
BANK: $158,000 |
BANK: $132,500 |
BANK: $168,000 |
BANK: $56,000 |
HAND 16 |
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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! |
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DEALER: 9 |
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New Card: 5 5-8 = 13 |
Sara's 6 5-6 = 11 |
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HIT: 8 = 19 STAND |
HIT: J = 23 BUST |
STAND
|
DOUBLE: $50,000 |
DEALER: 9-6 = 15 HIT: A = 16 HIT: 5 = 21 STAND |
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Ut oh...unless Ralphie has a 10-pointer (which is a distinct possibility) and push, he'll lose 50 "large"! |
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DD Card: 2 Total: 13 |
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Owie... |
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LOSS |
LOSS |
LOSS |
LOSS |
BANK: $127,500 |
BANK: $163,000 |
BANK: $46,000 |
BANK: $108,000 |
HAND 17 |
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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. |
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DEALER: 8 |
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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 |
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DEALER: 8-A = 19 MUST STAND |
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That's $100,000 lost in two hands by Ralphie. |
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DD Card: 4 Total: 15 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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WIN |
WIN |
LOSS |
LOSS |
BANK: $21,000 |
BANK: $83,000 |
BANK: $77,500 |
BANK: $153,000 |
HAND 19 |
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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 |
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STAND |
STAND |
DOUBLE: $40,000
|
HIT: 4 = 16 STAND |
DEALER: 6-10 = 16 HIT: 2 = 18 MUST STAND |
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DD Card: A Total: 20 |
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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 |
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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. |
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9-5 = 14 |
9-6 = 15 |
A-6 = 7/17 |
3-J = 13 |
DEALER: 9 |
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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... |
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DEALER: 9-9 = 18 MUST STAND |
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..and lo and behold she's in the running! |
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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! |
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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". |
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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! |
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DD Card: A Total: 20 |
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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!