American television program
Celebrity Blackjack is an American television show where celebrities played tournament style blackjack for charity. The show, which ran on Game Show Network, was hosted by Matt Vasgersian (and Alex Borstein in the first season). Dave Stann was the dealer. Season 1 aired weekly from July 5, 2004, through August 9, 2004. Season 2 premiered October 12, 2004, and ran weekly through January 11, 2005.
Overview.
Season 1.
Five celebrities started each tournament with $100,000 in tournament chips and played 21 hands of blackjack. Minimum bets were $1,000 and maximum bets were $25,000 for the first ten hands. For hand 11-20, the minimum bet was $5,000 and there was no maximum bet. Double down for less is permitted. All bets throughout the tournament MUST be in $1,000 increments. A player cannot bet the remaining $500 which it would count as an all-in bet when the minimum bet is $5,000. However, a player may use the remaining $500 for the insurance. Insurance pays 2 to 1. Blackjack pays 3 to 2. The bets for the 21st and final hand were secret, with each player writing the bet out prior to the hand being played.
The deck included four jokers into the six decks they play with. Whatever a player is dealt with a joker card as one of the first 2 cards, a player will have a choice to replace any card on the table still in play once a player has received their first two cards (meaning, once a hand is stood on, it's no longer in-play). A player can also take the dealer's up card, if they wish.
Final table results.
Caroline Rhea was the champion of Season 1, she won the title and $100,000 USD for her charities. ;br ;
1 Billy Baldwin substituted for his wife, Chynna Phillips, who won her preliminary table.
Season 2.
The play for the second season of Celebrity Blackjack was the same, with the following exceptions:
Final table results.
Jason Alexander was the champion of Season 2, he won the title and $300,000 USD for his charity.
1 Jeff Probst filled in for Shannon Elizabeth, who won her preliminary table.