World Series of Blackjack

The World Series of Blackjack is one more televised blackjack event that was created by the GSN network by the example of the World Series of Poker. This is a closed blackjack tournament and the participants are invited by the organizers or win the entries to the event at the satellite tournaments.

The first two seasons of the World Series of Blackjack were hosted by Matt Vasgersian and Max Rubin. The Season 3 that began on June 5, 2006 was the part of the Casino Night programming block on the cable channel GSN. This time the event was hosted by John Fugelsang and Ben Mezrich. The last, fourth season of the World Series of Blackjack started on June 4, 2007 and involved 40 players that competed for $1 million prize at the final tournament.

Rules

Based on the Season 4 the basic rules of the World Series of Blackjack tournaments are as follows:

Every player enters the tournament with $100,000 in chips.

The betting amount ranges from $1,000 min to $50,000 max.

Six decks are used at every blackjack game.

For every round the player gets a special power chip called as "Burger King Power Chip" which allows to switch one of the dealt cards with the next one in the deck. The player with the power chip can also replace the double-down card if needed.

The so-called "knockout cards" are used in the shoe at the World Series of Blackjack. Such card when drawn means that the player with the smallest number of chips will be eliminated for the next hand. The amount of bets usually increases after each knockout card.

The players are allowed to Split, Double Down and buy Insurance for less than their bet size.

The players who are do not have enough chips to place bet are eliminated.

The dealer must Stand on all soft 17s or higher.

The Blackjack pays 3 to 2.

Winners

Season 1: Mike Aponte, the former member of the famous MIT Blackjack Team won the $100,000 prize.

Season 2: Ken Einiger was awarded $250,000 for winning the major tournament.

Season 3: Dr. Jeff Bernstein took the first place and won the $500,000 prize.

Season 4: Alice Walker got the $500,000 prize for the victory in the season.