Celebrity Blackjack

What follows is a televised-hand-by-televised-hand account. This final match is a 90-minute show, so every hand is televised.

It's time to crown a king (or queen) of CELEBRITY BLACKJACK! After five rounds of 21 hands apiece, the field has been narrowed to five celebs, all vying for an even BIGGER payday 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 $100,000 for their charity. 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.

Ben Stein
(Friends of Animals)
Through play as conservative as his politics, Ben bet low throughout his table and surged ahead with a Blackjack on the final hand

Shannon Elizabeth
(Animal Avengers)
Shannon was a real mathematician at the table. She stayed on pace and took the win from Jason Alexander on the last hand

Billy Baldwin [playing for wife Chynna Phillips, who couldn't make it for the finals]
(Tribe of Heart)
Chynna was CLUELESS about the game and, yet, won nine straight hands to win. Billy choked in HIS table (that Ben Stein won).

Caroline Rhea
(Much Love Animal Rescue & Project ALS)
Caroline was down to a mere $20,000 but fought back with seven straight winning hands (3 as Blackjacks) for the victory

Dean Cain
(Malibu Foundation for Youth and Families)
Dean bet strategically and won his table before the final hand was dealt simply by betting the minimum on said hand

We have your hosts Matt Vasgersian and Alex Boorstein calling the action. Our dealer is "Bad Boy of Blackjack", "Hollywood" Dave Stann...so let's get it started! Ben 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
Billy BANK: $100,000	Caroline BANK: $100,000	Dean BANK: $100,000	Ben BANK: $100,000	Shannon BANK: $100,000
Bet: $5000	Bet: $1000	Bet: $5000	Bet: $1000	Bet: $5000
7-4 = 11	7-4 = 11	9-4 = 13	7-Q = 17	J-10 = 20 (SPLIT)
Shannon CAN split her hand, since both cards are of the same value...but it's not recommended.
DEALER: 5
DOUBLE: $10,000	DOUBLE: $2000	STAND	STAND	STAND
Basic blackjack strategy says to ALWAYS double-down on 11. Also, you should stand on all hands 13 and higher against a Dealer's low card (2 through 6) since he's likely to bust. The higher his card, the more likely the bust possibility is.
DEALER: 5-7 = 12 HIT: 6 = 18 MUST STAND
Did I say the Dealer would ALWAYS bust? No, I didn't. Just said it was more LIKELY.
DD Card: K Total: 21	DD Card: 10 Total: 21
*WIN*	*WIN*	LOSS	LOSS	*WIN*
BANK: $110,000	BANK: $102,000	BANK: $95,000	BANK: $99,000	BANK: $105,000

HAND 2
Caroline BANK: $102,000	Dean BANK: $95,000	Ben BANK: $99,000	Shannon BANK: $105,000	Billy BANK: $110,000
Bet: $5000	Bet: $5000	Bet: $1000	Bet: $10,000	Bet: $1000
3-8 = 11	JOKER-4 = ??	2-10 = 12	Q-2 = 12	6-2 = 8
DEALER: J
	Billy's 6 6-4 = 10			New Card: J J-2 = 12
The Dealer must check his down card to see if he has an Ace and, therefore, a Blackjack. If he does, he shows the Blackjack and everyone loses. In this case, though, he doesn'r, so the hand continues.
DOUBLE: $10,000	HIT: 8 = 18 STAND	HIT: 5 = 17 STAND	HIT: 9 = 21 AUTO STAND	HIT: A = 13 HIT: 10 = 23 BUST
Shannon did not bust even ONCE during her preliminary table.
DEALER: J-9 = 19 MUST STAND
DD Card: Q Total: 21
*WIN*	LOSS	LOSS	*WIN*	LOSS
BANK: $112,000	BANK: $90,000	BANK: $98,000	BANK: $115,000	BANK: $109,000

HAND 3
Dean BANK: $90,000	Ben BANK: $98,000	Shannon BANK: $115,000	Billy BANK: $109,000	Caroline BANK: $112,000
Bet: $11,000	Bet: $1000	Bet: $10,000	Bet: $1000	Bet: $15,000
Q-5 = 15	Q-K = 20 (SPLIT)	A-7 = 8/18	5-J = 15	9-2 = 11
DEALER: 7
HIT: Q = 25 BUST	STAND	STAND	HIT: 8 = 23 BUST	DOUBLE: $30,000
When the Dealer has a high card (7 through 10), you should hit on 16 and lower and stand on 17 and higher. When the Dealer shows an Ace, it's more difficult to work out.
DEALER: 7-A = 18 MUST STAND
The Dealer must stand on ALL hands 17 points or more, even the "soft" hands (with an Ace)
				DD Card: 8 Total: 19
LOSS	*WIN*	PUSH	LOSS	*WIN*
BANK: $79,000	BANK: $99,000	BANK: $115,000	BANK: $108,000	BANK: $142,000
In case you're scoring at home (or even by yourself), that's THREE STRAIGHT doubled-down wins for Caroline!

HAND 4
Ben BANK: $99,000	Shannon BANK: $115,000	Billy BANK: $108,000	Caroline BANK: $142,000	Dean BANK: $79,000
Bet: $1000	Bet: $10,000	Bet: $15,000	Bet: $5000	Bet: $1000
A-9 = 10/20	3-2 = 5	K-K = 20 (SPILT)	4-A = 5/15	3-A = 4/14
DEALER: 3
STAND	HIT: 8 = 13 STAND	STAND	HIT: 4 = 9/19 STAND	HIT: 2 = 6/16 HIT: 4 = 10/20 STAND
Caroline COULD have doubled down AGAIN. But, against such a low card, it's not always recommended. A Dealer with a 3 only busts about a third of the time of the time
DEALER: 3-7 = 10 HIT: J = 20 MUST STAND
PUSH	LOSS	PUSH	LOSS	PUSH
BANK: $99,000	BANK: $105,000	BANK: $108,000	BANK: $137,000	BANK: $79,000

HAND 5
Shannon BANK: $105,000	Billy BANK: $108,000	Caroline BANK: $137000	Dean BANK: $79,000	Ben BANK: $99,000
Bet: $10,000	Bet: $5000	Bet: $1000	Bet: $11,000	Bet: $2000
5-9 = 14	3-A = 4/14	K-A = 11/21	6-3 = 9	9-J = 19
Caroline doesn't HAVE to call it Blackjack. In tournament blackjack, she can call it an 11 and double-down. But, hey, 3-to-2 gaurenteed is MUCH better than risking it for 2-to-1.
DEALER: 2
HIT: J = 24 BUST	HIT: A = 5/15 HIT: 7 = 12 HIT: 10 = 22 BUST	BLACKJACK!	HIT: 7 = 16 STAND	STAND
DEALER: 2-5 = 7 HIT: 3 = 10 HIT: 3 = 13 HIT: J = 23 MUST STAND
LOSS	LOSS	*WIN 3-to-2*	*WIN*	*WIN*
BANK: $95,000	BANK: $103,000	BANK: $138,500	BANK: $90,000	BANK: $101,000

HAND 6
Billy BANK: $103,000	Caroline BANK: $138,500	Dean BANK: $90,000		Ben BANK: $101,000	Shannon BANK: $95,000
Bet: $25,000	Bet: $10,000	Bet: $1000		Bet: $2000	Bet: $15,000
Somewhere, at their home, Chynna is yelling at her TV at Billy.
9-Q = 19	K-2 = 12	8-8 = 16 (split)		8-10 = 18	6-7 = 13
DEALER: 10
STAND	HIT: A = 13 HIT: 2 = 15 HIT: 4 = 19 STAND	SPLIT $1000 apiece		STAND	HIT: 2 = 15 HIT: JOKER (Discard) HIT: 6 = 21 AUTO STAND
		8-5 = 13 HIT: 2=15 HIT: 3=18 STAND	8-J =18 STAND
Caroline: (after getting 19): "I have giant balls!" Alex: "Thanks for sharing that..." Basic strategy says ALWAYS split Aces or 8s. Jokers give celebs a chance to trade it for any live card...but the only live card left was the Dealer's 10, so she had to choose between that and the next card off the top of the shoe (the device the six decks of cards are encased in). Since trading for the 10 would bust her, she HAD to take the next card...and she gets a 21!
DEALER: 10-2 = 12 HIT: 4 = 16 HIT: 3 = 19 MUST STAND
PUSH	PUSH	LOSS		LOSS	*WIN*
BANK: $103,000	BANK: $138,500	BANK: $88,000		BANK: $99,000	BANK: $110,000
Somewhere, at home, Chynna is breathing a sigh of deep relief!

HAND 7
Caroline BANK: $138,500	Dean BANK: $88,000	Ben BANK: $99,000	Shannon BANK: $110,000	Billy BANK: $103,000
Bet: $15,000	Bet: $1000	Bet: $2000	Bet: $10,000	Bet: $1000
9-J = 19	6-4 = 10	9-8 = 17	9-8 = 17	6-8 = 14
DEALER: 6
STAND	DOUBLE: $2000	STAND	STAND	STAND
Doubling on 10 is a bit more risky than on 11...but, with a 6, the Dealer has a good chance of busting.
DEALER: 6-K = 16 HIT: 10 = 26 BUST
	DD Card: J Total: 20
*WIN*	*WIN*	*WIN*	*WIN*	*WIN*
BANK: $153,500	BANK: $90,000	BANK: $101,000	BANK: $120,000	BANK: $104,000

HAND 8
Dean BANK: $90,000	Ben BANK: $101,000	Shannon BANK: $120,000	Billy BANK: $104,000	Caroline BANK: $153,500
Bet: $15,000	Bet: $2000	Bet: $20,000	Bet: $25,000	Bet: $5000
Going back to her prelim, Caroline has won 13 of her last 16 hands, with 4 double-downs and 4 Blackjacks! Being ahead, she bets low. She won't lose her lead even if she loses and Shannon wins.
9-3 = 12	7-10 = 17	J-Q = 20 (SPLIT)	7-8 = 15	J-9 = 19
DEALER: 2
Basic strategy goes a little askew when it comes to holding a 12, especially against a low card. But "the book" (of basic strategy) says to stand when the Dealer has a 4, 5 or 6 and hit on everything else.
HIT: 6 = 18 STAND	STAND	STAND	STAND	STAND
Dean followed basic strategy...and it worked...for now.
DEALER: 2-A = 3/13 HIT: 2 = 5/15 HIT: 6 = 21 MUST STAND
LOSS	LOSS	LOSS	LOSS	LOSS
BANK: $75,000	BANK: $99,000	BANK: $100,000	BANK: $79,000	BANK: $148,500
One word to describe this: OUCH!

HAND 9
Ben BANK: $99,000	Shannon BANK: $100,000	Billy BANK: $79,000	Caroline BANK: $148,500	Dean BANK: $75,000
Bet: $2000	Bet: $15,000	Bet: $25,000	Bet: $15,000	Bet: $1000
5-8 = 13	JOKER-K = ??	Q-4 = 14	Q-9 = 11	4-8 = 12
DEALER: Q
	Caroline's Q Q-K = 20 (SPLIT)		New Card: 9 9-2 = 11
HIT: K = 23 BUST	STAND	HIT: 5 = 19 STAND	DOUBLE: $20,000	HIT: 10 = 22 BUST
Caroline "doubled-down for less", which is legal in tournaments. She doesn't HAVE to put in twice her bet; she can put in UP to twice. This is good strategy. If she wins, she wins $5000 more than usual. If not, she still hangs on to the lead.
DEALER: Q-K = 20 MUST STAND
			DD Card: 5 Total: 16
LOSS	PUSH	LOSS	LOSS	LOSS
BANK: $97,000	BANK: $100,000	BANK: $54,000	BANK: $128,500	BANK: $74,000

HAND 10
Shannon BANK: $100,000	Billy BANK: $54,000	Caroline BANK: $128,500	Dean BANK: $74,000	Ben BANK: $97,000
Bet: $10,000	Bet: $25,000	Bet: $5000	Bet: $6000	Bet: $2000
Billy promises not to jump on the table should he win, unlike what his wife did.
10-10 = 20 (SPLIT)	2-J = 12	6-Q = 16	K-10 = 20 (SPLIT)	9-7 = 16
DEALER: 10
STAND	HIT: 6 = 18 STAND	HIT: J = 26 BUST	STAND	STAND
DEALER: 10-K = 20 HIT: 7 = 21 MUST STAND
PUSH	LOSS	LOSS	PUSH	LOSS
BANK: $100,000	BANK: $29,000	BANK: $123,500	BANK: $74,000	BANK: $95,000

We're at the half-way point, so we go no-limit. $5000 minimum bets...but NO MAXIMUMS!

HAND 11
Billy BANK: $29,000	Caroline BANK: $123,500	Dean BANK: $74,000		Ben BANK: $95,000	Shannon BANK: $100,000
Bet: $24,000	Bet: $5000	Bet: $6000		Bet: $5000	Bet: $15,000
Bill SAID "$25,000"...but, in blackjack, what counts are the chips you put in, and he only put in $24,000 worth. At least he will have enough to make a minimum bet in the next hand should he lose.
Q-K = 20 (SPLIT)	5-6 = 11	Q-Q = 20 (SPLIT)		4-A = 5/15	K-9 = 19
DEALER: 6
STAND	DOUBLE: $10,000	SPLIT $6000 apiece		HIT: 8 = 13 STAND	STAND
		Q-6=16	Q-5=15
As said, splitting 10-point cards is NOT recommended...though the Dealer having a 6 DOES make it a little better odds-wise. Dean: "I'll move the 5 over there (to his 6) and ask for another card." (Sorry, Dean, but this ain't "Blackjack Switch".) Strategy ALSO says Ben should've doubled-down...but he just hit.
DEALER: 6-9 = 15 HIT: 3 = 18 MUST STAND
	DD Card: J Total: 21
*WIN*	*WIN*	LOSS		LOSS	*WIN*
BANK: $53,000	BANK: $133,500	BANK: $62,000		BANK: $90,000	BANK: $115,000
Had Dean not split the Queens, he would've won $6000. Instead, he LOST $12,000. Had Ben doubled-down, he'd've lost $10,000. Instead, he only lost $5000. The lesson to learn: don't ALWAYS go by "the book".

HAND 12
Caroline BANK: $133,500	Dean BANK: $62,000	Ben BANK: $90,000		Shannon BANK: $115,000	Billy BANK: $53,000
Bet: $15,000	Bet: $5000	Bet: $5000		Bet: $15,000	Bet: $25,000
Caroline tries to give advice to Billy, but Ben says, "Do what your heart tells you. Don't listen to that (bleep)!"
4-10 = 14	4-3 = 7	A-A = 2/12 (SPLIT)		K-7 = 17	5-4 = 9
DEALER: 7
HIT: 7 = 21 AUTO STAND	HIT: 4 = 11 HIT: 3 = 14 HIT: 7 = 21 AUTO STAND	SPLIT $5000 apiece		STAND	HIT: 5 = 14 HIT: A = 15 HIT: 6 = 21 AUTO STAND
		A-5 = 16	A-8 = 19
In this tournament, if you split Aces, you only get ONE CARD for each Ace. Furthermore, if you get a 10-point card added to your Ace, it is NOT a Blackjack; it is merely a 21. As it stands, Ben and Shannon have a good possibility to push (assuming the 10-point card as the Dealer's down card...which you should always do).
DEALER: 7-J = 17 MUST STAND
See? Told ya. Ben wins with the 19 but loses with the 16, so he's lost nothing and gained nothing.
*WIN*	*WIN*	PUSH		PUSH	*WIN*
BANK: $148,500	BANK: $67,000	BANK: $90,000		BANK: $115,000	BANK: $78,000

HAND 13
Dean BANK: $67,000	Ben BANK: $90,000	Shannon BANK: $115,000	Billy BANK: $78,000	Caroline BANK: $148,500
Bet: $5000	Bet: $5000	Bet: $15,000	Bet: $50,000	Bet: $20,000
3-5 = 8	K-5 = 15	9-3 = 12	3-K = 13	5-10 = 15
DEALER: 10
HIT: A = 9/19 STAND	HIT: Q = 25 BUST	HIT: 9 = 21 AUTO STAND	HIT: 6 = 19 STAND	STAND
Shannon: (to Dave after getting her 21) "You (Dave) are SO getting some for this!"
DEALER: 10-6 = 16 HIT: 10 = 26 BUST
*WIN*	LOSS	*WIN*	*WIN*	*WIN*
BANK: $72,000	BANK: $85,000	BANK: $130,000	BANK: $128,000	BANK: $168,500
In three winning hands, Billy has gone from dead last...to a mere $40,500 behind the leader!

HAND 14
Ben BANK: $85,000	Shannon BANK: $130,000	Billy BANK: $128,000	Caroline BANK: $168,500	Dean BANK: $72,000
Bet: $5000	Bet: $20,000	Bet: $50,000	Bet: $15,000	Bet: $5000
5-10 = 15	J-3 = 13	6-10 = 16	5-7 = 12	K-2 = 12
DEALER: 8
STAND	HIT: 4 = 17 STAND	STAND	HIT: A = 13 HIT: JOKER Dealer's 8 = 21 AUTO STAND	HIT: 3 = 15 STAND
Caroline's choices were: Dean's King, Dean's 2, the Dealer's 8 or another card from the shoe. The 8 gives her 21, so...
DEALER: 7 (New Card) DEALER: 7-2 = 9 HIT: 10 = 19 MUST STAND
LOSS	LOSS	LOSS	*WIN*	LOSS
BANK: $80,000	BANK: $110,000	BANK: $78,000	BANK: $183,500	BANK: $67,000
With her 21 (thanks to the Joker), Caroline goes into a BIG lead...but that doesn't mean ANYTHING with "no-limit"!

HAND 15
Shannon BANK: $110,000			Billy BANK: $78,000	Caroline BANK: $183,500	Dean BANK: $67,000	Ben BANK: $80,000
Bet: $30,000			Bet: $50,000	Bet: $15,000	Bet: $5000	Bet: $5000
A-A = 16			9-J = 19	4-3 = 7	K-K = 20 (SPLIT)	4-8 = 12
Matt: "Shannon's got the bullets...and Kings for Dean! This would be a great Hold 'Em hand!"
DEALER: 5
SPLIT $30,000 apiece			STAND	HIT: 10 = 17 STAND	STAND	STAND
A-A=12(sp)		A-8 = 19
A-8=19	A-2=13
Yes, you can re-split a split pair...and re-re-split, ad infinitum. If the Dealer busts, Shannon will take the lead...though just by $2500.
DEALER: 5-A = 6/16 HIT: 9 = 15 HIT: 4 = 19 MUST STAND
Shannon only lost her original bet, since two of the three split hands were pushes.
LOSS			PUSH	LOSS	*WIN*	LOSS
BANK: $80,000			BANK: $78,000	BANK: $168,500	BANK: $72,000	BANK: $75,000

HAND 16
Billy BANK: $78,000	Caroline BANK: $168,500	Dean BANK: $72,000	Ben BANK: $75,000	Shannon BANK: $80,000
Bet: $50,000	Bet: $20,000	Bet: $5000	Bet: $5000	Bet: $40,000
Ben finally dropped his conservative play and bets more than the minimum...though only a little more.
5-4 = 9	4-2 = 6	9-K = 19	10-3 = 13	6-Q = 16
DEALER: 7
HIT: 9 = 18 BUST	HIT: 3 = 9 HIT: K = 19 STAND	STAND	HIT: 7 = 20 STAND	HIT: 6 = 22 BUST
Caroline has had six 19s and six 21s in this game ALONE! Caroline talks politics, being the only Democrat in a room full of Republicans. She claims she HAS to win now because the Republicans will get rid of all the charities over time.
DEALER: K-7 = 17 MUST STAND
WIN	WIN	WIN	WIN	LOSS
BANK: $128,000	BANK: $188,500	BANK: $77,000	BANK: $80,000	BANK: $40,000

HAND 17
Caroline BANK: $188,500	Dean BANK: $77,000	Ben BANK: $80,000	Shannon BANK: $40,000	Billy BANK: $128,000
Bet: $15,000	Bet: $25,000	Bet: $5000	Bet: $20,000	Bet: $100,000
4-8 = 12	3-9 = 12	9-4 = 13	9-A = 10/20	6-J = 16
Billy yells at Matt and Alex for their commenting on his misfortunes.
DEALER: Q
HIT: 4 = 16 HIT: 5 = 21 AUTO STAND	HIT: 10 = 22 BUST	HIT: 3 = 16 STAND	STAND	HIT: 2 = 18 STAND
Billy is told by Dave that hitting ona 16 is like a coin flip...so Billy flips a coin to decide whether to hit or stand. But even AFTER he flips, he's undecided. Caroline gets restless and BEGS Billy to hit...but Ben and Shannon tell him to take his time. He finally hits...and gets an 18 and stands.
DEALER: Q-4 = 14 HIT: 3 = 17 MUST STAND
WIN	LOSS	LOSS	WIN	WIN
BANK: $203,500	BANK: $52,000	BANK: $75,000	BANK: $60,000	BANK: $228,000
And Billy takes the lead...which he FAILED to ever do in his prelim match!!

HAND 18
Dean BANK: $52,000	Ben BANK: $75,000	Shannon BANK: $60,000	Billy BANK: $228,000	Caroline BANK: $203,500
Bet: $5000	Bet: $5000	Bet: $45,000	Bet: $5000	Bet: $50,000
10-7 = 17	6-2 = 8	A-2 = 3/13	10-3 = 13	J-A = 11/21
DEALER: Q
STAND	HIT: 5 = 13 HIT: Q = 23 BUST	HIT: 2 = 5/15 HIT: 9 = 14 HIT: 10 = 24 BUST	HIT: 9 = 2 BUST	BLACKJACK!
DEALER: Q-5 = 15 HIT: A = 16 HIT: 3 = 19 MUST STAND
LOSS	LOSS	LOSS	LOSS	WIN 3-to-2
BANK: $47,000	BANK: $70,000	BANK: $15,000	BANK: $223,000	BANK: $288,500
And Caroline re-takes the lead with her seventh 21 (and first Blackjack) of the night!

HAND 19
Ben BANK: $70,000	Shannon BANK: $15,000	Billy BANK: $223,000	Caroline BANK: $288,500	Dean BANK: $47,000
Bet: $5000	Bet: $5000	Bet: $100,000	Bet: $5000	Bet: $37,000
Caroline swats Billy's finger away from scratching his nose...and Billy ends up bleeding. Billy stuff a tissue up his nose to stop the bleeding. (They actually show an INSTANT REPLAY of the swat!)
4-4 = 8 (SPLIT)	8-J = 18	7-2 = 9	4-8 = 12	5-J = 15
DEALER: 8
HIT: 6 = 14 HIT: A = 15 HIT: 5 = 20 STAND	STAND	HIT: 8 = 17 STAND	HIT: 3 = 15 HIT: 3 = 18 STAND	HIT: 6 = 21 AUTO STAND
DEALER: 8-A = 19 MUST STAND
WIN	LOSS	LOSS	LOSS	WIN
BANK: $75,000	BANK: $10,000	BANK: $123,000	BANK: $283,500	BANK: $84,000

HAND 20
Shannon BANK: $10,000	Billy BANK: $123,000	Caroline BANK: $283,500	Dean BANK: $84,000	Ben BANK: $75,000
Bet: $5000	Bet: $100,000	Bet: $20,000	Bet: $79,000	Bet: $5000
Dean and Shannon will still have JUST ENOUGH to be in the final hand should they lose. Ben has bet the minimum throughout the no-limit round.
8-3 = 11	5-6 = 11	4-5 = 9	A-J = 11/21	A-J = 11/21
DEALER: 6
HIT: A = 12 STAND	DOUBLE: $123,000	DOUBLE: $40,000	BLACKJACK!	BLACKJACK!
Shannon decides to play it safe and hit instead of going all-in with a double-down. She DOES follow strategy and stands on 12 with a Dealer showing 6. Billy...he's gutsy...or "ballsy" as Caroline puts it. But, if he loses, he's out. Caroline's doubling means that, if she loses and he wins, Billy re-takes the lead.
DEALER: 6-5 = 11 HIT: J = 21 MUST STAND
OUCH! Caroline CAN'T beat or even tie the dealer...and Billy needs a 10 or a face card to push and stay alive!
	DD Card: Q Total: 21	DD Card: 6 Total:15
As the saying goes, it's better to be lucky than good sometimes.
LOSS	PUSH	LOSS	WIN 3-to-2	WIN 3-to-2
BANK: $98,000	BANK: $123,000	BANK: $243,000	BANK: $202,500	BANK: $82,500

It all comes down to this one hand. The winner gets $100,000 for his or her charity. The others leave with the $25,000 they have already won for their respective charities. For the final hand, the players all make blind bets, so nobody knows what the others bet until they're revealed before the hand!

*FINAL HAND!!*
Billy BANK: $123,000	Caroline BANK: $243,500	Dean BANK: $202,500	Ben BANK: $75,000	Shannon BANK: $5000
Bet: $123,000	Bet: $115,000	Bet: $31,000	Bet: $60,000	Bet: $5000
Billy also wrote, "Dear Caroline, Please eat me! Love, Billy." Caroline claims Billy wouldn't satisfy her. Caroline writes, "Available for sitcoms and soft porn". Dean bet "Uncle Mark's number". Shannon writes an apology for her rudeness towards Caroline and plugs her charity with a phone number and web site address. Ben, who wrote nothing, needs a Blackjack he'll be out of the running just like Shannon is.
3-5 = 8	8-7 = 15	7-6 = 13	6-6 = 12 (SPLIT)	5-A = 6/16
DEALER: Q
Ben can't split because he doesn't have enough to make two equal bets (you can only double-down for less). If the Dealer has Blackjack, Dean will win...but he doesn't, so let's get busy.
HIT: 9 = 17 STAND	STAND	HIT: K = 23 BUST	HIT: 4 = 16 STAND	STAND
Caroline SHOULD have bet, according to strategy...but she locked Billy out of the running; Billy can't win not matter what the Dealer has. Dean is still in it; if the Dealer doesn't bust, he'll win. Otherwise, it's Caroline's (vocal) victory. Unfortunately for Caroline, the Dealer busts on a 10-point card only 23% of the time
DEALER: Q-4 = 14 HIT: A = 15 HIT: K = 25! *BUST!!*
WIN	WIN!!	LOSS	WIN	WIN
BANK: $246,000	BANK: $358,500 CBJ CHAMPION!! $125,000!	BANK: $171,500	BANK: $135,000	BANK: $10,000

So Much Love Animal Rescue and Project ALS split $125,000 thanks to Caroline's betting and luck (and partially to her loud mouth)! This proves that you can be a "rhymes with witch" and STILL take home the big prize! Now...let's all throw chips at Matt Vasgersian and let him wait for the next casino show on GSN!