EPISODE 4
NOTES FROM THE AUTHOR
What follows is a televised-hand-by-televised-hand account. There were quick hands this time so, though it's only a one-hour show, every hand is televised.
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? Why, you get CELEBRITY BLACKJACK!
Much like World Series of Blackjack, Celebrity Blackjack will be contested in five-player single-table matches with the winners getting $25,000 and advancing to the Final Table for a crack at the $100,000 first prize, all for their charities.
For rules on how blackjack is played, see the small tutorial in the first recap of the series. But know that this is a blackjack tournament, meaning every player starts with $100,000 in chips and must bet between $1000 and $25,000 on each hand to start. After 21 hands, the one with the most money wins $25,000 and a seat at the $100,000 Final Table. There is a "Dealer Button" which goes around the table, but it signifies who BETS and PLAYS first, not who the dealer starts dealing cards to first. This is significant, though, since betting is a HUGE part of tournament blackjack.
And, remember, for this special tournament, four 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.
Lets meet the five celebs competing tonight (and their charities):
D.L. Hughley
(Batter Women's Center & Dorsey High School Band)
Comedian; star of ABC and UPN's The Hughleys; was recent host of Comedy Central's Premium Blend
Shannen Doherty
(American Diabetes Association)
Played child roles on Little House: A New Beginning and Full House and a young adult role on Beverly Hills 90210
Bijou Phillips
(Carol Baldwin Cancer Foundation)
Half-sister to CBJ winner Chynna, this singer/actor/model was in "Almost Famous"
Willie Garson
(IFP West)
"Evil Willie" from his CPS appearances; was Stanford Blatch on Sex & The City
Caroline Rhea
(Much Love Animal Rescue & Project ALS)
Comedianne; played Hilda Spellman on "Sabrina the Teenage Witch"; hosted "The Caroline Rhea Show"
We have your hosts Matt Vasgersian and Alex Boorstein calling the action. Our dealer tonight is "Bad Boy of Blackjack", "Hollywood" Dave Stann...so let's get it on! D.L. 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 | ||||
Bijou BANK: $100,000 |
Willie BANK: $100,000 |
Caroline BANK: $100,000 |
D.L. BANK: $100,000 |
Shannen BANK: $100,000 |
Bet: $2000 | Bet: $2000 | Bet: $2000 | Bet: $5000 | Bet: $5000 |
5-3 = 8 | K-7 = 17 | Q-5 = 15 | 4-4 = 8 (SPLIT) | 9-3 = 12 |
DEALER: K | ||||
When the Dealer has a 10-point card up, he must check his down card to see if he has an Ace. If he doesn't, play continues as normal... | ||||
DEALER: K-A = 21 BLACKJACK! |
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...but, if there IS an Ace, the Dealer shows the Blackjack and everybody LOSES! | ||||
LOSS | LOSS | LOSS | LOSS | LOSS |
BANK: $98,000 | BANK: $98,000 | BANK: $98,000 | BANK: $95,000 | BANK: $95,000 |
Caroline: "What a HORRIBLE way to start a charity event!" |
HAND 2 | |||||
Willie BANK: $98,000 |
Caroline BANK: $98,000 |
D.L. BANK: $95,000 |
Shannen BANK: $95,000 |
Bijou BANK: $98,000 |
|
Bet: $2000 | Bet: $2000 | Bet: $5000 | Bet: $5000 | Bet: $10,000 | |
6-8 = 14 | 6-7 = 13 | 10-8 = 18 | J-5 = 15 | 2-2 = 4 (SPLIT) | |
DEALER: 2 | |||||
STAND | STAND | STAND | STAND | SPLIT $10,000 apiece |
|
2-5=7 H:10=17 STAND |
2-6=8 H:4=12 H:2=14 STAND |
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Basic blackjack strategy time: when the Dealer has a low up card (2 through 6), it's best to stand on any hand 13 or higher. Normally, splitting 2s is not a good idea but, in this case, Bijou has a better chance. | |||||
DEALER: 2-3 = 5 HIT: 4 = 9 HIT: Q = 19 MUST STAND |
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Never said it was a GREAT chance...just a BETTER chance than usual. | |||||
LOSS | LOSS | LOSS | LOSS | LOSS | |
BANK: $96,000 | BANK: $96,000 | BANK: $90,000 | BANK: $90,000 | BANK: $78,000 |
HAND 3 | ||||
Caroline BANK: $96,000 |
D.L. BANK: $90,000 |
Shannen BANK: $90,000 |
Bijou BANK: $78,000 |
Willie BANK: $96,000 |
Bet: $5000 | Bet: $6000 | Bet: $10,000 | Bet: $2000 | Bet: $2000 |
JOKER-9 = ? | 8-J = 18 | 8-6 = 14 | A-10 = 11/21 | K-7 = 17 |
DEALER: K | ||||
Bijou's A A-9 = 10/20 |
New Card: K K-10 = 20 (SPLIT) |
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Bijou CAN split her hand (her cards have the same value)...but splitting 10-point cards isn't advisable, especially with a King showing for the Dealer. | ||||
STAND | STAND | HIT:
K = 24 BUST |
STAND | STAND |
DEALER: K-7 = 17 MUST STAND |
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WIN | WIN | LOSS | WIN | PUSH |
BANK: $101,000 | BANK: $96,000 | BANK: $80,000 | BANK: $80,000 | BANK: $96,000 |
Bijou: "It's so cold in here." Willie: "Yeah, my nipples are cutting through my shirt." Bijou: "I can make ICE with my nipples." Caroline: "She won! I can't top that." |
HAND 4 | |||||
D.L. BANK: $96,000 |
Shannen BANK: $80,000 |
Bijou BANK: $80,000 |
Willie BANK: $96,000 |
Caroline BANK: $101,000 |
|
Bet: $7000 | Bet: $20,000 | Bet: $10,000 | Bet: $3000 | Bet: $10,000 | |
A-4 = 5/15 | 7-8 = 15 | A-A = 2/12 | 6-5 = 11 | 7-K = 17 | |
DEALER: 2 | |||||
Two quick basic strategy tips: 1) ALWAYS split Aces. The only drawbacks in this case are that Bijou would only get ONE card for each Ace and a 10-point card would NOT count as a Blackjack. 2) ALWAYS double down on an 11, since the chances of getting a 10-point card to make 21 are very good. |
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DOUBLE: $14,000 | STAND | SPLIT $10,000 apiece |
DOUBLE: $6000 | STAND | |
A-J=21 | A-J=13 | ||||
D.L. is NOT following basic strategy; doubling-down with a "soft" hand (one with an Ace) against a Dealer's 2 is not advisable. | |||||
DEALER: 2-7 = 9 HIT: J = 19 MUST STAND |
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DD Card: 5 Total: 20 |
DD Card: Q Total: 21 |
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WIN | LOSS | WIN | LOSS | WIN | LOSS |
BANK: $110,000 | BANK: $60,000 | BANK: $80,000 | BANK: $102,000 | BANK: $91,000 |
HAND 5 | ||||
Shannen BANK: $60,000 |
Bijou BANK: $80,000 |
Willie BANK: $102,000 |
Caroline BANK: $91,000 |
D.L. BANK: $110,000 |
Bet: $10,000 | Bet: $3000 | Bet: $6000 | Bet: $2000 | Bet: $1000 |
6-Q = 16 | 6-Q = 16 | K-A = 11/21 | 5-K = 15 | J-Q = 20 (SPLIT) |
Willie doesn't HAVE to call that a Blackjack; in tournament blackjack, he can call that 11 and double down. But an easy 3-to-2 is better than risking it for a 2-to-1. | ||||
DEALER: A | ||||
In this tournament (I'm only NOW figuring out), there is no insurance to buy against Blackjack. However, Willie can decide to take "even money" instead of the 3-to-2 a Blackjack usually pays. | ||||
EVEN MONEY | ||||
Now the Dealer checks his down card. If it's a 10-point card, the Blackjack is shown and everyone else loses. But Dave doesn't have Blackjack so the hand continues. | ||||
HIT:
7 = 23 BUST |
HIT:
J = 26 BUST |
HIT:
K = 25 BUST |
STAND | |
DEALER: A-9 = 20 MUST STAND |
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It doesn't matter that it's a soft hand; Dealer MUST stand on ALL hands of 17 or higher. | ||||
LOSS | LOSS | WIN | LOSS | PUSH |
BANK: $50,000 | BANK: $77,000 | BANK: $108,000 | BANK: $89,000 | BANK: $110,000 |
Shannen has not won a hand YET! |
HAND 6 | ||||
Bijou BANK: $77,000 |
Willie BANK: $108,000 |
Caroline BANK: $89,000 |
D.L. BANK: $110,000 |
Shannen BANK: $50,000 |
Bet: $5000 | Bet: $9000 | Bet: $25,000 | Bet: $12,000 | Bet: $2000 |
3-K = 13 | K-4 = 14 | K-3 = 13 | 8-4 = 12 | 9-6 = 15 |
DEALER: Q | ||||
HIT:
JOKER D.L.'s 8 = 21 AUTO STAND |
HIT:
10 = 24 BUST |
HIT:
2 = 15 HIT: 3 = 18 STAND |
New Card: Q Q-4 = 14 HIT: 8 = 22 BUST |
HIT:
6 = 21 AUTO STAND |
DEALER: Q-J = 20 MUST STAND |
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WIN | LOSS | LOSS | LOSS | WIN |
BANK: $82,000 | BANK: $99,000 | BANK: $64,000 | BANK: $98,000 | BANK: $52,000 |
HAND 7 | ||||
Willie BANK: $99,000 |
Caroline BANK: $64,000 |
D.L. BANK: $98,000 |
Shannen BANK: $52,000 |
Bijou BANK: $82,000 |
Bet: $3000 | Bet: $10,000 | Bet: $2000 | Bet: $4000 | Bet: $3000 |
K-7 = 17 | K-A = 11/21 | 7-6 = 13 | 10-Q = 20 (SPLIT) | J-5 = 15 |
DEALER: A | ||||
EVEN MONEY | ||||
STAND | HIT:
10 = 23 BUST |
STAND | HIT:
8 = 23 BUST |
|
Dealer only busts about 11% of the time with an Ace up. | ||||
DEALER: A-2 = 3/13 HIT: 9 = 12 HIT: K = 22 BUST |
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Well, what do ya know? | ||||
WIN | WIN | LOSS | WIN | LOSS |
BANK: $102,000 | BANK: $74,000 | BANK: $96,000 | BANK: $56,000 | BANK: $79,000 |
HAND 8 | ||||
Caroline BANK: $74,000 |
D.L. BANK: $96,000 |
Shannen BANK: $56,000 |
Bijou BANK: $79,000 |
Willie BANK: $102,000 |
Bet: $20,000 | Bet: $20,000 | Bet: $4000 | Bet: $20,000 | Bet: $6000 |
8-2 = 10 | Q-10 = 20 (SPLIT) | 10-6 = 16 | K-4 = 14 | 4-7 = 11 |
DEALER: 5 | ||||
DOUBLE: $40,000 | STAND | STAND | STAND | DOUBLE: $12,000 |
Dave: "You may want to try some
crazy split action." D.L.: "I may NOT. I'm good." (Good call, D.L.) Doubling down on 10 is risky...but relatively safe when the Dealer has a low card. |
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DEALER: 5-Q = 15 HIT: 2 = 17 MUST STAND |
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DD Card: 2 Total: 12 |
DD Card: 4 Total: 15 |
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LOSS | WIN | LOSS | LOSS | LOSS |
BANK: $34,000 | BANK: $116,000 | BANK: $52,000 | BANK: $59,000 | BANK: $90,000 |
HAND 9 | ||||
D.L. BANK: $116,000 |
Shannen BANK: $52,000 |
Bijou BANK: $59,000 |
Willie BANK: $90,000 |
Caroline BANK: $34,000 |
Bet: $2000 | Bet: $5000 | Bet: $5000 | Bet: $4000 | Bet: $2000 |
D.L. is utilizing something celebs rarely do in these kind of events: actual strategy. He has a decent lead, so he's betting small and forcing the others to try to catch up. Too bad nobody can with THOSE bets. | ||||
Q-A = 11/21 | 7-10 = 17 | 10-K = 20 (SPLIT) | A-6 = 7/17 | 10-J = 20 (SPLIT) |
DEALER: 9 | ||||
BLACKJACK! | STAND | STAND | HIT:
5 = 12 HIT: 8 = 20 STAND |
STAND |
More basic strategy: NEVER stand on a "soft" 17...since you really can't lose and there's ALWAYS a chance to better your hand. | ||||
DEALER: 9-K = 19 HIT: 10 = 23 BUST |
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WIN 3-to-2 | LOSS | WIN | WIN | WIN |
BANK: $119,000 | BANK: $47,000 | BANK: $64,000 | BANK: $94,000 | BANK: $36,000 |
HAND 10 | ||||
Shannen BANK: $47,000 |
Bijou BANK: $64,000 |
Willie BANK: $94,000 |
Caroline BANK: $36,000 |
D.L. BANK: $119,000 |
Bet: $10,000 | Bet: $10,000 | Bet: $8000 | Bet: $4000 | Bet: $1000 |
5-A = 6/16 | 3-8 = 11 | 4-Q = 14 | 9-3 = 12 | 10-6 = 16 |
DEALER: 9 | ||||
HIT:
J = 16 HIT: 6 = 22 BUST |
DOUBLE: $20,000 | HIT:
6 = 20 STAND |
HIT:
5 = 17 STAND |
HIT:
7 = 23 BUST |
DEALER: 5-9 = 14 HIT: 10 = 24 BUST |
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LOSS | WIN | WIN | WIN | LOSS |
BANK: $37,000 | BANK: $84,000 | BANK: $102,000 | BANK: $40,000 | BANK: $118,000 |
HAND 11 | ||||
Bijou BANK: $84,000 |
Willie BANK: $102,000 |
Caroline BANK: $40,000 |
D.L. BANK: $118,000 |
Shannen BANK: $37,000 |
Bet: $5000 | Bet: $12,000 | Bet: $15,000 | Bet: $10,000 | Bet: $20,000 |
7-9 = 16 | 10-2 = 12 | 5-4 = 9 | 3-7 = 10 | A-6 = 7/17 |
DEALER: 5 | ||||
STAND | STAND | DOUBLE: $20,000 | DOUBLE: $20,000 | DOUBLE: $37,000 |
Caroline and Shannen become the first players in the tournament to "double-down for less". In tournament blackjack, you don't HAVE to put twice your bet in when you double-down. By the way, doubling down on a 9 is even riskier than doubling down on a 10. But, again, the low dealer card helps improve the odds. Now Shannen is all-in; if she doesn't at least tie the Dealer, she's out of the tournament. | ||||
DEALER: 5-2 = 7 HIT: 3 = 10 HIT: J = 20 MUST STAND |
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DD Card: 4 Total: 13 |
DD Card: 6 Total: 16 |
DD Card: 5 Total: 12 |
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LOSS | LOSS | LOSS | LOSS | LOSS |
BANK: $79,000 | BANK: $90,000 | BANK: $20,000 | BANK: $98,000 | OUT! |
Alex: "Lady Luck can be such a filthy whore..." |
HAND 12 | |||
Willie BANK: $90,000 |
Caroline BANK: $20,000 |
D.L. BANK: $98,000 |
Bijou BANK: $79,000 |
Bet: $10,000 | Bet: $12,000 | Bet: $5000 | Bet: $10,000 |
4-A = 5/15 | 6-K = 16 | 8-A = 9/19 | 9-5 = 14 |
DEALER: 9 | |||
HIT: J = 15 HIT: Q = 25 BUST |
HIT: 3 = 19 STAND |
STAND | HIT: 3 = 17 STAND |
DEALER: 9-2 = 11 HIT: 8 = 19 MUST STAND |
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LOSS | PUSH | PUSH | LOSS |
BANK: $80,000 | BANK: $20,000 | BANK: $98,000 | BANK: $69,000 |
HAND 13 | |||
Caroline BANK: $20,000 |
D.L. BANK: $98,000 |
Bijou BANK: $69,000 |
Willie BANK: $80,000 |
Bet: $10,000 | Bet: $5000 | Bet: $5000 | Bet: $10,000 |
A-7 = 8/18 | J-8 = 18 | 2-K = 12 | 6-9 = 15 |
DEALER: K | |||
STAND | STAND | HIT:
8 = 20 STAND |
HIT: 4 = 19 STAND |
Even more basic strategy: hit a soft hand against a face card. | |||
DEALER: K-5 = 15 HIT: J = 25 BUST |
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WIN | WIN | WIN | WIN |
BANK: $30,000 | BANK: $103,000 | BANK: $74,000 | BANK: $90,000 |
This is the first time all night everyone has won the same hand. |
HAND 14 | |||
D.L. BANK: $103,000 |
Bijou BANK: $74,000 |
Willie BANK: $90,000 |
Caroline BANK: $30,000 |
Bet: $6000 | Bet: $10,000 | Bet: $15,000 | Bet: $20,000 |
4-3 = 7 | 6-3 = 9 | 6-K = 16 | 5-Q = 15 |
DEALER: 2 | |||
HIT: 10 = 17 STAND |
HIT: 3 = 12 HIT: 4 = 16 STAND |
STAND | STAND |
DEALER: 2-10 = 12 HIT: A = 13 HIT: 3 = 16 HIT: 8 = 24 BUST |
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WIN | WIN | WIN | WIN |
BANK: $109,000 | BANK: $84,000 | BANK: $105,000 | BANK: $50,000 |
HAND 15 | |||
Bijou BANK: $84,000 |
Willie BANK: $105,000 |
Caroline BANK: $50,000 |
D.L. BANK: $109,000 |
Bet: $20,000 | Bet: $25,000 | Bet: $30,000 | Bet: $25,000 |
9-5 = 14 | 9-10 = 19 | 3-8 = 11 | 2-J = 12 |
DEALER: 7 | |||
HIT: 9 = 23 BUST |
STAND | DOUBLE: $40,000 | HIT: 7 = 19 STAND |
DEALER: 7-2 = 9 HIT: 3 = 12 HIT: 7 = 19 MUST STAND |
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DD Card: Q Total: 21 |
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LOSS | PUSH | WIN | PUSH |
BANK: $64,000 | BANK: $105,000 | BANK: $90,000 | BANK: $109,000 |
HAND 16 | |||
Willie BANK: $105,000 |
Caroline BANK: $90,000 |
D.L. BANK: $109,000 |
Bijou BANK: $64,000 |
Bet: $25,000 | Bet: $30,000 | Bet: $29,000 | Bet: $25,000 |
J-2 = 12 | K-A = 11/21 | Q-10 = 20 (SPLIT) | 2-J = 12 |
DEALER: 9 | |||
HIT: 5 = 17 STAND |
BLACKJACK! | STAND | HIT: 7 = 20 STAND |
DEALER: 9-Q = 19 MUST STAND |
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LOSS | WIN 3-to-2 | WIN | PUSH |
BANK: $80,000 | BANK: $135,000 | BANK: $138,000 | BANK: $64,000 |
Caroline has gone from $20,000 to $135,000 in the span of four hands! She's only $3000 behind the lead! |
HAND 17 | |||
Caroline BANK: $135,000 |
D.L. BANK: $138,000 |
Bijou BANK: $64,000 |
Willie BANK: $80,000 |
Bet: $15,000 | Bet: $17,000 | Bet: $45,000 | Bet: $30,000 |
3-4 = 7 | 5-7 = 12 | 10-7 = 17 | 8-3 = 11 |
DEALER: 4 | |||
HIT: JOKER Willie's 3 = 10 HIT: 3 = 13 STAND |
HIT: 10 = 22 BUST |
STAND | New Card: Q 8-Q = 18 STAND |
DEALER: 4-J = 14 HIT: 10 = 24 BUST |
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WIN | LOSS | WIN | WIN |
BANK: $150,000 | BANK: $121,000 | BANK: $109,000 | BANK: $110,000 |
HAND 18 | |||
D.L. BANK: $121,000 |
Bijou BANK: $109,000 |
Willie BANK: $110,000 |
Caroline BANK: $150,000 |
Bet: $50,000 | Bet: $30,000 | Bet: $40,000 | Bet: $5000 |
6-Q = 16 | 6-2 = 8 | 2-2 = 4 (SPLIT) | J-A = 11/21 |
DEALER: 9 | |||
HIT: 9 = 25 BUST |
HIT: 3 = 11 HIT: K = 21 AUTO STAND |
HIT:
7 = 11 HIT: 9 = 20 STAND |
BLACKJACK! |
DEALER: 9-9 = 18 MUST STAND |
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Unlike the celebs, the Dealer only has two options: hit and stand. No splits or double downs allowed. | |||
LOSS | WIN | WIN | WIN 3-to-2 |
BANK: $71,000 | BANK: $139,000 | BANK: $150,000 | BANK: $157,500 |
HAND 19 | |||
Bijou BANK: $139,000 |
Willie BANK: $150,000 |
Caroline BANK: $157,500 |
D.L. BANK: $71,000 |
Bet: $75,000 | Bet: $50,000 | Bet: $15,000 | Bet: $71,000 |
Q-9 = 19 | Q-J = 20 (SPLIT) | A-10 = 11/21 | 3-5 = 8 |
DEALER: J | |||
STAND | STAND | BLACKJACK! | HIT: Q = 18 STAND |
DEALER: J-4 = 14 HIT: 7 = 21 MUST STAND |
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LOSS | LOSS | WIN 3-to-2 | LOSS |
BANK: $64,000 | BANK: $100,000 | BANK: $180,000 | OUT! |
In deep contrast to Caroline, D.L. went from first to dead in the course of three hands. |
HAND 20 | ||
Willie BANK: $100,000 |
Caroline BANK: $180,000 |
Bijou BANK: $64,000 |
Bet: $45,000 | Bet: $5000 | Bet: $64,000 |
8-9 = 17 | 4-8 = 12 | 10-8 = 18 |
DEALER: 4 | ||
STAND | STAND | STAND |
DEALER: 4-8 = 12 HIT: 8 = 20 MUST STAND |
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LOSS | LOSS | LOSS |
BANK: $55,000 | BANK: $175,000 | OUT! |
FINAL HAND! | |
Willie BANK: $55,000 |
Caroline BANK: $175,000 |
4-10 = 14 | A-9 = 10/20 |
DEALER: J | |
Dave (after checking the hole card): "How about we finish it off like THAT..." | |
DEALER: J-A = 21 BLACKJACK! |
|
LOSS | LOSS |
Bet: $55,000 | Bet: $5000 |
BANK: $0 | BANK: $170,000 WINNER! |
So Much Love Animal Rescue and Project ALS split $25,000 thanks to the witch Caroline Rhea! While D.L. and Willie plot her demise, she'll be going to the Final Table and a shot at $100,000 more!