STREETWISE BLACKJACK

Streetwise Blackjack

Wild Card

By Peter Ruchman

      Every few months I participate in a tournament in this city. I do it for several reasons, some possibly obvious, some subtler. Naturally, I try to win, and although it usually doesn't do much good to enter these events thinking you will win, it helps to believe that it is possible.

      The folks at Bally's run a tri-annual blackjack tournament (Spring, Summer, Fall) and bi-annual craps tournament usually attended by 300-350 people. This time more than 400 players showed. I give the management of the casino credit--there is no entrance fee. People fly in from all over the world to compete in the tournament and a shot at the $50,000 grand prize with an additional $50,000 for those who come in from 18th to 2nd places. The players win by having such a sweet pot dangling and the casino wins by having so many people in house, most of whom arrive with additional friends and family in tow. This translates to lots of action on the casino floor.

      There is a catch and it works for everyone -- the wild card. No dummies here, these folks have figured in a backdoor to keep everyone interested, in the house -- and alive in the tournament. It works like this: All players and their guests are greeted at an opening reception from 6-8 p.m. Sunday night. There is a live band to accompany a fine spread ranging from unusual hors d'oerves to piles of shrimp to bowtie pasta and rigatoni sautéed with herbs and spices and garlic cooked fresh on the spot to brisket and turkey plus a fine array of petit fours and other wicked desserts.

      Veteran tournament director Len Burney reads the rules and answers questions while the registration process is going on, with players assigned to any one of five possible sessions from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. the following day. There are 12 tables with up to 7 seats at each, additional sessions added as needed. Players are given a complimentary gift to welcome them; then they are unleashed onto the casino floor.

      On Monday, preliminary sessions start, running throughout the day. The second round begins Tuesday morning at 10, preceded by a drawing. Twenty-four names are selected from a drum using entry cards for all eliminated players, with twelve to play right away, the next group at noon. These are the quarter-finals. The wild card gives any player a real opportunity to get back into the tournament. The casino gets the play from those who can't wander too far since there is a drawing every two hours for more wild cards to enter each round.

      Prior to the semi-finals, two names are drawn and for the last table, one card plucked from the drum. As you might imagine, there are hundreds of people crowded around the tournament pit area, festooned with balloons and signs, all hopeful and expectant once they are tossed. As tournament director Burney is fond of saying, "It ain't over 'till it's over." I should know. Last year, I made it to the semis and was eliminated. I do a radio show each day with my cohorts Lee Pete and Andy Iskoe and waited for the wild card drawing at 2. When my name wasn't drawn, I began walking away, chatting with then casino manager Jimmy Wikke. He reminded me that there was one more drawing to take place for the final table. I explained that my commitment to my radio partners overrode the tournament. I don't get paid for doing the show, but I had a responsibility to my partners which took precedence Jimmy shrugged and wished me luck.

      I got back in time to do the show and the engineer broke in about half-way through. Chris said there was a Jimmy from Bally's on the line. We usually don't take callers, but I told Chris to put him through. Jimmy told our listening audience that he had just drawn my name for the finals, and I was an automatic winner of $1,000. I had three minutes to get from Charleston and 11th Street where Gambler's Book Shop is located, to Bally's in the heart of the Strip in order to qualify for the prize and the money. Superman couldn't have done it. Jimmy has never let me forget it, nor have my radio partners. What could I do with a thousand clams...? But the point is that, despite the odds, your name can be drawn! And no, there is no possible fix. The drum sits out in the pit all day in front of thousands of people, never leaves, and is rotated scores of times before the cards are drawn.

      That it is possible to win from the wild card has been amplified any number of times. The last three winners of the Bally's tournament have each been the last-minute wild card entrants. It happened again this time. Your faithful correspondent talked to the last man eliminated. He lost when he held back on his bet, having been the chip leader from the get-go.

      In this tournament structure, each player starts with $5,000 in non-negotiable chips. In the preliminary rounds, the two players who have the greatest amount move on. All hands are counted down at round 25 to assure everyone has the same information. For the last couple of rounds, only one player advances. This fellow was in front from hand 1-29. With the lead and one to go, he made a small play. Naturally, his opponent made a large bet in order to catch him. When Nervous Nellie in first drew to a 20, he stood against the dealers 7. Second-place was looking at a face and a deuce. He peered at his chips, shrugged, and pushed a stack out for a double. The throng gasped and then burst into whoops and shrieks as he drew the nine and won.

      My fate? No glory here‹just another day at the office. I went out in the opening round, my dealer sparked by 5 blackjacks, and fine case of happy little cards appearing at magical moments. I think he busted once. Oh well. I should be used to this. I will say that anyone who pictures gamblers as caricature creatures foaming at the mouth, degenerates of the worst sort, ought to meet the folks who attend these tournaments. They are plainly some of the nicest people anywhere. The point is to come out, have some fun, take a shot, and hope your wild card gets drawn if you lose. No guts, no glory.

      Aside to Casino and Television Industries: This one is a no-brainer. Casino Survivor! Twenty people from all walks of life are "marooned" in Las Vegas, with $10,000 each as a bankroll. They must live and play using their capital, attacking the casino games of their own choice, then compete against each other in activities like, "Long Line Challenge," "Beat the Buffet," "Caribbean Stud Endurance," "Crossing the Strip," and "Blackjack Behavior." The one who exhibits the most ingenious methods of coping with the daily Strip traffic woes without damaging either vehicle or pedestrian and hunts/gathers the greatest amount of money in the 13-week run, gets a choice of moving on to the next level‹casino manager or mayor. Just a thoughtŠ