Celebrity Blackjack

Celebrity Blackjack was a short-lived gambling game show that ran on Game Show Network. Celebrities played blackjack for their favorite charities. The series premiered on GSN July 5, 2004, and ended its run January 11, 2005. Alex Borstein (Lois Griffin on Family Guy) hosted the first season; Matt Vasgersian hosted the second season. “Hollywood” Dave Stann was the dealer.

Season One Gameplay

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 hands 11-20, the minimum bet was $5,000 and there was no maximum bet. The bets for the 21st and final hand were secret, with each player writing his/her bet prior to the hand being played. The deck included jokers. A player who was dealt a joker could switch the joker for any visible unplayed card on the table. Caroline Rhea was the champion in season one, winning $100,000 for her charities (Much Love Animal Rescue and Project ALS).

Season Two Gameplay

Gameplay was the same in season two, but with exceptions:

• Four celebrities per table, not five
• The tournament featured preliminary and semifinal rounds
• The “five-card charlie” was in effect. If any player had five cards and did not bust, he or she automatically won.

Jason Alexander was the champion in season two. He won $300,000 for his charity.