TOURNAMENT 2
EPISODE 10
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) in the final qualifying table:
Carrie Fisher
(The Midnight Mission)
Princess Leia
from the original Star Wars trilogy; writer of "Postcards From the
Edge".
Kelli Williams
(CARE & The Young
Stroytellers)
RWas Lindsay Dole Donnell on The Practice; is now
Dr. Natalie Durant on NBC's Medical Investigation.
Eric
Roberts
(Best Friend's Animal Society)
Will Butler on Less Than
Perfect; brother to Julia Roberts
Chynna Phillips
(Tribe of Heart)
Singer in "Wilson
Phillips"; won her prelim table last year but husband Billy Baldwin took her
place in the Final Table.
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 going! Carrie 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 | ||||
Chynna BANK: $100,000 |
Carrie BANK: $100,000 |
Kelli BANK: $100,000 |
Eric BANK: $100,000 | |
Bet: $2000 | Bet: $2000 | Bet: $2000 | Bet: $5000 | |
8-4 = 12 |
3-J = 13 |
7-7 = 14 (split) |
4-5 = 9 | |
DEALER: 4 | ||||
HIT:
A = 13 HIT: 5 = 18 STAND |
STAND |
SPLIT $2000 apiece |
HIT:
K = 19 STAND | |
7-4 = 11 DOUBLE: $4000 |
7-10 = 17 STAND | |||
Basic blackjack strategy (or "da book"): when the
Dealer has a low card (2 through 6), stand on 13s and higher. Split 7s on
a low card or a 7. And ALWAYS double-down on 11s. | ||||
DEALER: 4-6 = 10 HIT: 2 = 12 HIT: 9 = 21 MUST STAND | ||||
DD Card:K
Total: 21 |
||||
LOSS |
LOSS |
PUSH |
LOSS |
LOSS |
BANK: $98,000 |
BANK: $98,000 |
BANK: $98,000 |
BANK: $95,000 |
HAND 2 | |||
Carrie BANK: $98,000 |
Kelli BANK: $98,000 |
Eric BANK: $95,000 |
Chynna BANK: $98,000 |
Bet: $2000 | Bet: $3000 | Bet: $5000 | Bet: $4000 |
4-5 = 9 |
A-6 = 7/17 |
A-3 = 4/14 |
J-7 = 14 |
DEALER: 3 | |||
DOUBLE:
$4000 |
HIT:
10 = 17 STAND |
HIT:
5 = 9/19 STAND |
STAND |
When the Dealer has a LOW card (2 through 6), stand
on 13s and higher. Also, NEVER split 10-point cards. Also doubling down on
a 9 is good as long as it's not a Dealer 2. | |||
DEALER: 3-K = 13 HIT: 9 = 22 BUST | |||
WIN |
WIN |
WIN |
WIN |
BANK: $102,000 |
BANK: $101,000 |
BANK: $100,000 |
BANK: $102,000 |
HAND 3 | |||
Kelli BANK: $101,000 |
Eric BANK: $100,000 |
Chynna BANK: $102,000 |
Carrie BANK: $102,000 |
Bet: $4000 | Bet: $25,000 | Bet: $16,000 | Bet: $4000 |
6-4 = 10 |
4-A = 5/15 |
3-2 = 5 |
4-9 = 13 |
DEALER: A | |||
When the Dealer has an Ace showing, he must ask the
players if they want "insurance" against a Blackjack by betting up to half
their original bet and getting 2-to-1 back if the Dealer has a 10-point
card underneath the Ace. | |||
No Insurance |
No Insurance |
No Insurance |
No Insurance |
Insurance is a sucker bet in cash games, but might
be useful in tournament play in later hands. The Dealer now checks his
down card and, if he doesn't have a 10-point card, the hand continues as
normal... | |||
DEALER: A-Q = 21 BLACKJACK! | |||
...but if the Dealer DOES have a 10-pointer, he
shows the Blackjack and pays off the insurance bets while taking all the
original bets. Since there WERE no insurance bets, everybody loses.
| |||
LOSS |
LOSS |
LOSS |
LOSS |
BANK: $97,000 |
BANK: $75,000 |
BANK: $86,000 |
BANK: $98,000 |
OK, I've been telling you this all season long; let's see if you remember. Which of the following pairs do you ALWAYSA split? Aces, 7s or 2s. We'll tell you what "da book" says in a few hands.
HAND 4 | |||
Eric BANK: $75,000 |
Chynna BANK: $86,000 |
Carrie BANK: $98,000 |
Kelli BANK: $97,000 |
Bet: $5000 | Bet: $7000 | Bet: $5000 | Bet: $5000 |
7-J = 17 |
8-2 = 10 |
JOKER-2 = ???
|
7-J = 17 |
DEALER: 6 | |||
New Card: Q Q-2 = 12 |
Chynaa's 8 8-2 = 10 |
||
STAND |
HIT:
3 = 15 STAND |
HIT:
K = 20 STAND |
STAND |
"Da book" says you should double-down a 10 against a
Dealer card other than a 10-pointer or an Ace. Carrie missed a golden
opportunity...and Matt says so. Carrie thanks Matt for his
support.. | |||
DEALER: 6-A = 17 MUST STAND | |||
It doesn't matter if it's a "soft" hand (with an
Ace) or a "hard" one; the Dealer MUST stand on ALL hands 17 or more.
| |||
PUSH |
LOSS |
WIN |
PUSH |
BANK: $75,000 |
BANK: $79,000 |
BANK: $103,000 |
BANK: $97,000 |
HAND 5 | |||
Chynna BANK: $79,000 |
Carrie BANK: $103,000 |
Kelli BANK: $97,000 |
Eric BANK: $75,000 |
Bet: $8000 | Bet: $5000 | Bet: $10,000 | Bet: $10,000 |
2-9 = 11 |
Q-5 = 15 |
K-K = 20 (split) |
5-A = 6/16 |
DEALER: 9 | |||
DOUBLE:
$16,000 |
STAND |
STAND |
HIT:
10 = 16 STAND |
"Da book" says, on a Dealer high card (7 or higher),
you should hit on 16 and lower, stand on 17 and higher. just like the
Dealer. | |||
DEALER: 9-6 = 15 HIT: 8 = 23 BUST | |||
DD Card: Q Total: 21 |
|||
WIN |
WIN |
WIN |
WIN |
BANK: $95,000 |
BANK: $108,000 |
BANK: $107,000 |
BANK: $85,000 |
HAND 6 | |||
Carrie BANK: $108,000 |
Kelli BANK: $107,000 |
Eric BANK: $85,000 |
Chynna BANK: $95,000 |
Bet: $6000 | Bet: $15,000 | Bet: $10,000 | Bet: $12,000 |
Q-2 = 12 |
J-4 = 14 |
J-A = 11/21 |
A-8 = 9/19 |
DEALER: 10 | |||
Eric doesn't have to call this a 3-to-2 Blackjack.
In tournament play, he can call the Ace a 1-point card and double-down.
However, the Blackjack is the safer bet. But FIRST, the Dealer must check
for an Ace as the down card. If it is there, the hand ends, everybody
loses and Eric will push. But, in this case, the Dealer DOESN'T have an
Ace, so the hand continues. | |||
HIT:
5 = 17 STAND |
HIT:
5 = 19 STAND |
BLACKJACK! |
STAND |
DEALER: 10-5 = 15 HIT: J = 25 BUST | |||
WIN |
WIN |
WIN 3-to-2 |
WIN |
BANK: $114,000 |
BANK: $122,000 |
BANK: $100,000 |
BANK: $107,000 |
"The book" says that you should ALWAYS split Aces and eights.
HAND 7 | ||||
Kelli BANK: $122,000 |
Eric BANK: $100,000 |
Chynna BANK: $107,000 |
Carrie BANK: $114,000 | |
Bet: $20,000 | Bet: $10,000 | Bet: $21,000 | Bet: $10,000 | |
JOKER-K = ???
|
6-8 = 14 |
10-3 = 13 |
9-5 = 14 | |
DEALER: 6 | ||||
Chynna's 10 10-K = 20 (split) |
New Card: 10 10-3 = 13 |
|||
STAND |
STAND |
HIT:
K = 23 BUST |
HIT:
J = 24
BUST | |
DEALER: 6-3 = 9 HIT: 2 = 11 HIT: 10 = 21 MUST STAND | ||||
LOSS |
LOSS |
LOSS |
LOSS | |
BANK: $102,000 |
BANK: $90,000 |
BANK: $86,000 |
BANK: $104,000 |
HAND 8 | |||
Eric BANK: $90,000 |
Chynna BANK: $86,000 |
Carrie BANK: $104,000 |
Kelli BANK: $102,000 |
Bet: $10,000 | Bet: $15,000 | Bet: $6000 | Bet: $5000 |
Q-Q = 20 (split) |
2-3 = 5 |
7-6 = 13 |
7-5 = 12 |
DEALER: A | |||
No Insurance |
No Insurance |
No Insurance |
No Insurance |
STAND |
HIT: A =
6/16 HIT: 7 = 13 HIT: Q = 23 BUST |
HIT: 10 = 23 BUST |
HIT: 9 =
21 AUTO STAND |
Dave: "It's on you (Carrie), baby." Carrie: "Don't CALL me that...unless you're naked." | |||
DEALER: A-A = 2/12 HIT: 10 = 12 HIT: 2 = 15 HIT: 3 = 18 MUST STAND | |||
Dealers cannot split Aces...or ANY pair. And the
five-card Charlie rule does not apply. He can only hit or
stand. | |||
WIN |
LOSS |
LOSS |
WIN |
BANK: $100,000 |
BANK: $71,000 |
BANK: $98,000 |
BANK: $107,000 |
HAND 9 | |||
Chynna BANK: $71,000 |
Carrie BANK: $98,000 |
Kelli BANK: $107,000 |
Eric BANK: $100,000 |
Bet: $23,000 | Bet: $5000 | Bet: $10,000 | Bet: $10,000 |
8-JOKER =
17 |
10-K = 20 (split) |
J-K = 20 (split) |
6-9 = 15 |
DEALER: J | |||
Dealer's J 8-J = 18 |
|||
DEALER: 9 | |||
STAND |
STAND |
STAND |
STAND |
DEALER: 9-8 = 17 MUST STAND | |||
WIN |
WIN |
WIN |
LOSS |
BANK: $94,000 |
BANK: $103,000 |
BANK: $117,000 |
BANK: $90,000 |
HAND 10 | |||
Carrie BANK: $103,000 |
Kelli BANK: $117,000 |
Eric BANK: $90,000 |
Chynna BANK: $94,000 |
Bet: $10,000 | Bet: $15,000 | Bet: $15,000 | Bet: $8000 |
7-6 = 13 |
3-J = 13 |
2-3 = 5 |
J-2 = 12 |
DEALER: 4 | |||
STAND |
STAND |
HIT: 7 =
12
HIT: 6 = 18 BUST |
HIT: J = 22
BUST |
"Da book" says to STAND on a 12 with a Dealer 4, 5
or 6...and Chynna should've listened. | |||
DEALER: 4-10 = 14 HIT: 6 = 20 MUST STAND | |||
HAD Chynna stood, Dave would've busted and EVERYBODY
would've won. As it is... | |||
LOSS |
LOSS |
LOSS |
LOSS |
BANK: $93,000 |
BANK: $102,000 |
BANK: $75,000 |
BANK: $86,000 |
Heading into the halfway point, the stakes are raised to no-limit. The minimum bet is $5000...but there is NO maximum!
HAND 11 | |||
Kelli BANK: $102,000 |
Eric BANK: $75,000 |
Chynna BANK: $86,000 |
Carrie BANK: $93,000 |
Bet: $10,000 | Bet: $25,000 | Bet: $19,000 | Bet: $7000 |
6-9 = 15 |
2-5 = 7 |
9-9 = 18 (split) |
8-5 = 13 |
DEALER: 4 | |||
STAND |
HIT: 4 = 11 HIT: 9 = 20 STAND |
STAND
|
STAND |
DEALER: 4-5 = 9 HIT: K = 19 BUST | |||
And, with that, Eric goes from worst to first! See
for yourself... | |||
LOSS |
WIN |
LOSS |
LOSS |
BANK: $92,000 |
BANK: $100,000 |
BANK: $67,000 |
BANK: $86,000 |
HAND 12 | |||
Eric BANK: $100,000 |
Chynna BANK: $67,000 |
Carrie BANK: $86,000 |
Kelli BANK: $92,000 |
Bet: $5000 | Bet: $13,000 | Bet: $7000 | Bet: $10,000 |
10-8 = 18 |
3-Q = 13 |
3-Q = 13 |
A-JOKER = ??
|
DEALER: 7 | |||
New Card: 5 5-8 = 13 |
Eric's 10 A-10 = 11/21 | ||
HIT: K = 23
BUST |
HIT: Q = 23
BUST |
HIT: 6 =
19
STAND |
BLACKJACK! |
DEALER: 7-Q = 17 MUST STAND | |||
LOSS |
LOSS |
WIN |
WIN 3-to-2 |
BANK: $95,000 |
BANK: $54,000 |
BANK: $93,000 |
BANK: $107,000 |
HAND 13 | |||
Chynna BANK: $54,000 |
Carrie BANK: $93,000 |
Kelli BANK: $107,000 |
Eric BANK: $95,000 |
Bet: $20,000 | Bet: $9000 | Bet: $20,000 | Bet: $10,000 |
K-8 = 18 |
K-4 = 14 |
5-9 = 14 |
10-J = 20 (split) |
DEALER: K | |||
STAND |
HIT: Q =
24 BUST |
HIT: 6 =
20
STAND |
STAND |
DEALER: K-8 = 18 MUST STAND | |||
PUSH |
LOSS |
WIN |
WIN |
BANK: $54,000 |
BANK: $84,000 |
BANK: $127,000 |
BANK: $105,000 |
HAND 14 | |||
Carrie BANK: $84,000 |
Kelli BANK: $127,000 |
Eric BANK: $105,000 |
Chynna BANK: $54,000 |
Bet: $9000 | Bet: $25,000 | Bet: $30,000 | Bet: $26,000 |
J-10 = 20 (split) |
9-5 = 14 |
7-3 = 10 |
4-2 = 6 |
DEALER: 10 | |||
STAND |
HIT: 4 =
18 STAND |
HIT: 10 = 20
STAND |
HIT: 4 =
10 HIT: JOKER Dealer's 10 = 20 STAND |
All other hands were dead, so Chynna had to take the
Dealer's card or the next card in the shoe. | |||
DEALER NEW CARD: 8 DEALER: 8-Q = 18 MUST STAND | |||
WIN |
PUSH |
WIN |
WIN |
BANK: $93,000 |
BANK: $127,000 |
BANK: $135,000 |
BANK: $80,000 |
HAND 15 | |||
Kelli BANK: $127,000 |
Eric BANK: $135,000 |
Chynna BANK: $80,000 |
Carrie BANK: $93,000 |
Bet: $15,000 | Bet: $15,000 | Bet: $22,000 | Bet: $12,000 |
4-2 = 6 |
3-7 = 10 |
3-2 = 5 |
8-4 = 12 |
DEALER: 10 | |||
HIT: 9 =
15 HIT: 4 = 19 STAND |
HIT: 3 =
13 HIT: 6 = 19 STAND |
HIT: 6 =
11
HIT: 3 = 14 HIT: A = 15 5-CARD CHARLIE! |
HIT: Q =
22 BUST |
DEALER: 10-J = 20 MUST STAND | |||
LOSS |
LOSS |
WIN |
LOSS |
BANK: $112,000 |
BANK: $120,000 |
BANK: $102,000 |
BANK: $81,000 |
HAND 16 | |||
Eric BANK: $120,000 |
Chynna BANK: $102,000 |
Carrie BANK: $81,000 |
Kelli BANK: $112,000 |
Bet: $15,000 | Bet: $19,000 | Bet: $12,000 | Bet: $10,000 |
10-7 = 17 |
Q-3 = 13 |
9-Q = 19 |
10-8 = 18 |
DEALER: A | |||
Insurance = $2000 |
No Insurance |
No Insurance |
No Insurance |
If Dave has a Blackjack, Eric LOSES the $15,000 but
gets BACK $4000. But he doesn't, so Eric's $2000 is taken.
| |||
STAND |
HIT: 8 =
21 AUTO STAND |
STAND
|
STAND |
DEALER: A-8 = 19 MUST STAND | |||
LOSS |
WIN |
PUSH |
LOSS |
BANK: $103,000 |
BANK: $121,000 |
BANK: $81,000 |
BANK: $102,000 |
In the last three hands, Chynna's jumped $67,000!
|
HAND 17 | |||
Chynna BANK: $121,000 |
Carrie BANK: $81,000 |
Kelli BANK: $102,000 |
Eric BANK: $103,000 |
Bet: $11,000 | Bet: $12,000 | Bet: $10,000 | Bet: $8000 |
A-J = 11/21 |
JOKER-8 = ??
|
3-K = 13 |
7-10 = 17 |
DEALER: A | |||
The rules state that Carrie can replace her Joker
BEFORE the Delaer checks for a Blackjack or asks for Insurance.
| |||
Dealer's A A-8 = 9/19 |
|||
DEALER: A | |||
Can you @#$%ing BELIEVE THAT?! NOW, he asks for
Insurance...and, in Chynna's case, "even money" instead of a push.
| |||
EVEN MONEY! |
No Insurance |
No Insurance |
No Insurance |
|
STAND |
HIT: 9 =
22
BUST |
STAND |
DEALER: A-3 = 4/14 HIT: K = 14 HIT: 9 = 23 BUST | |||
WIN |
WIN |
LOSS |
WIN |
BANK: $132,000 |
BANK: $93,000 |
BANK: $92,000 |
BANK: $111,000 |
In the last three hands, Chynna's jumped $67,000!
|
HAND 18 | |||
Carrie BANK: $93,000 |
Kelli BANK: $92,000 |
Eric BANK: $111,000 |
Chynna BANK: $132,000 |
Bet: $12,000 | Bet: $10,000 | Bet: $30,000 | Bet: $22,000 |
2-7 = 9 |
Q-6 = 16 |
6-K = 16 |
2-K = 12 |
DEALER: 3 | |||
DOUBLE:
$24,000 |
STAND |
STAND |
HIT: 6 = 18
STAND |
Carrie, still acting depressed from how badly the
Dealer's been treating her, tries to eat the money chips in front of her!
Dave apologizes for everything... and Carrie gets advice from Matt on how
to play this by "da book". | |||
DEALER: 3-7 = 10 HIT: 9 = 19 MUST STAND | |||
Carrie needs an Ace to win this hand. She flips Dave
off (for the umpteenth time this game) and Dave tells her to "use the
Force"... | |||
DD Card: A Total: 20 |
|||
Well, well...the Force is STRONG in this one! :)
| |||
WIN |
LOSS |
LOSS |
LOSS |
BANK: $117,000 |
BANK: $82,000 |
BANK: $81,000 |
BANK: $110,000 |
While Carrie thanks Dave and talks about her drug of choice...let's move on...
HAND 19 | |||
Kelli BANK: $82,000 |
Eric BANK: $81,000 |
Chynna BANK: $110,000 |
Carrie BANK: $117,000 |
Bet: $20,000 | Bet: $30,000 | Bet: $32,000 | Bet: $16,000 |
8-J = 18 |
K-K = 20 (split) |
Q-5 = 15 |
2-2 = 4 (split) |
DEALER: K | |||
Only split 2s against a Dealer 2 through 7.
| |||
STAND |
STAND |
STAND
|
HIT: 2 = 6 HIT: 6 = 12 HIT: 6 = 18 5-CARD CHARLIE! |
DEALER: K-7 = 17 MUST STAND | |||
WIN |
WIN |
LOSS |
WIN |
BANK: $102,000 |
BANK: $111,000 |
BANK: $78,000 |
BANK: $133,000 |
Carrie's won 52 "large" in the last three hands!.
|
HAND 20 | |||
Eric BANK: $111,000 |
Chynna BANK: $78,000 |
Carrie BANK: $133,000 |
Kelli BANK: $102,000 |
Bet: $35,000 | Bet: $73,000 | Bet: $27,000 | Bet: $35,000 |
Chynna will JUST have enough to bet in the Final
Hand if she loses...unless she "doubles-down for less". | |||
5-A = 6/16 |
Q-K = 20 (split) |
2-5 = 7 |
J-A = 11/21 |
DEALER: 9 | |||
HIT: 8 =
14 STAND |
STAND |
HIT: 10 =
17 STAND |
BLACKJACK! |
DEALER: 9-3 = 12 HIT: 9 = 21 MUST STAND | |||
Uh....ICK! | |||
LOSS |
LOSS |
LOSS |
WIN 3-to-2 |
BANK: $76,000 |
BANK: $5000 |
BANK: $106,000 |
BANK: $154,500 |
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! | |||
Chynna BANK: $5000 |
Carrie BANK: $106,000 |
Kelli BANK: $154,500 |
Eric BANK: $76,000 |
Bet: $5000 | Bet: $30,000 | Bet: $44,000 | Bet: $76,000 |
Carrie and Kelli's bets knocks Chynna out of the
running. Everybody else are still in it. | |||
5-J = 15 |
7-2 = 9 |
J-7 = 17 |
8-8 = 16 |
Eric can't split those 8s because he has no money
left to be ABLE to split 'em. | |||
DEALER: 2 | |||
HIT: Q = 25
BUST! |
DOUBLE:
$60,000 |
STAND
|
STAND |
Eric lost the game by standing on that 16. He had to
beat Kelli to have a chance... but "da book" tells him to stand and he
did. If the Dealer busts or gets 20 or 21, Kelli wins. Else it'll come
down to Carrie's double-down card. | |||
DEALER: 2-Q = 12 HIT: 9 = 21 MUST STAND! | |||
No matter WHAT Carrie's double-down card is, she
can't beat the Dealer. | |||
LOSS |
LOSS |
LOSS |
LOSS |
BANK: $0 |
BANK: $46,000 |
BANK: $114,500 WINNER! |
BANK: $0 |
So CARE & The Young Stroytellers split $25,000 thanks to Kelli's...well, let's face it, it was her sheer dumb luck that won this crazy game for her! She's off to the Semi-Final Table to join nine other semi-finalists for more 21, more fun and, with ANY luck, more money!