A Man’s Dying Wish

Stanton Tweni

“Stan!  Time to wake up!”  I could hear my Mother’s voice etching its way into my dreams, pervading them.  “Stan!  Your breakfast is on the table.  Quickly get in the shower and get dressed, you have to be at school in half an hour.”

I was in my Dad’s casino.  There was no one there. The slots were spinning on their own.  They were moving faster and faster.  When all of a sudden everything stopped.  The lights turned off and a spotlight shone on the Blackjack table.  I could hear my Mother calling me.  The doors slammed shut – no one was going to interrupt me.  I could feel this was a critical moment.  The dealer who was not there.  Anyway.  He was showing a 10.  My cards were blank.  Blank!  Blank!?

“Stanton!”  My Mother was standing over me, pink in the face (probably a combination of running up the stairs and shouting – her voice was hoarse).  “Stan, what’s that in your hands?”  I was still clutching Daniel’s tattered sheet: “Stan?”  She looked at me expectantly: “Mom, it’s just something that Daniel gave me, it’s important.  Please don’t take it.  Please Mom.  Please?”  I looked at her imploringly.  “Son, I don’t know why you think I would do such a thing.  You understand what will happen if your teachers see it?  Or worse, your classmates?”

“Yes Mom, I do.”  I knew she had a point.  We did not need people asking questions.  Dad’s establishment wasn’t exactly on the right side of the law.  Nonetheless, I slotted the worn piece of paper into the back of my Math book and went off to school.  I remember sitting in class, literally twitching with excitement (Daniel was yet to teach me my Poker face).  “Mr Tweni, this is the fifth time I am talking to you.  Please. Focus.  I will not speak again,” Ms Bondusky stared me down.  This time she caught me pea-shooting Thomas.  I just could not sit still.  And I couldn’t stop thinking about that dream.  I would never let myself be faced with that indecision.  I would find what Daniel’s strategy was all about, in just 5 minutes…

The bell rang and I don’t know if I’ve ever moved faster.  I raced to the playground where I ran and stopped.  They would find me here.  I turned and headed for the library.  Once inside I grabbed a book off the shelf (I think it was on magic), I headed for a desk tucked away in the corner.  I opened the book and pulled out Daniel’s sheet of paper.  My hands were shaking.  I opened the sheet of paper and I was faced with sprawling handwriting.  In retrospect, judging by the wear on the folds and the style of handwriting that sheet of paper must have been 50 years old.  All I knew at the time was I had to look after it.  And I had to learn.  It took me a while to decipher the handwriting but this is what I read:

There are some things you should always be aware if you want to have a good strategy.  Daniel, I have watched you play now for two years with your friends.  Yes, I know you’re way too old to be up in that tree house.  You’re 16, boy. 

I digress.  Son, I’m sure your Mother has told you that I’m dying.  I don’t want to make a fuss, but that is the fact.  I intend to leave you with a parting gift: a Blackjack strategy.  And for God’s sake son: make better choices than I did.  Devote yourself to your family.  And come home happy after a day’s work.  And when you play, never play for greed.  Play to win.  There is a difference.  You will understand.  Once you’ve made your target – walk away.

Remember:

1. 1.       The dealer always has the advantage because you go first.  A dealer might bust after you but, it doesn’t matter, you busted first
2. 2.       Aim for a better hand than the dealer, ideally as close to 21 as possible
3. 3.       There are two different ways to win: holding a higher hand than the dealer or standing when you believe the dealer is likely to bust.  Now, working as a Professor of Mathematics has its advantages because I have worked out a number things for you, like when a dealer is most likely to bust:

1. 4.        Finally.  Remember: this is a corrupt city.  I can see it turning south.  Always watch the dealer; he has to follow the rules.  If he is winning on a 16, he has to draw and he can bust when he draws another card.

Blackjack in this town ain’t easy.  You gotta watch your strategy and watch the dealer.  To help you out I’ve made a list of plays for soft and hard hands – remember a soft hand holds an Ace valued at 11 (that can be changed to 1).  Hard hands are hands that don’t have an Ace in them or that have an Ace valued at 1.

Those are some basic guidelines.  If you follow these guidelines, you’ll do better than the rest of them fools at the tables.  But if you want to be good, and I mean one of the best – you got a lot more to learn son.

So. On to splitting pairs: never split 5s or 10s.  Two 10s gives you a 20 and two 5s a 10 – you’re a clever boy, you can work out the rest.  By now you’re probably scratching you’re head in wonder.  Well, you’re likely to draw a 10 – that’s why you always split Aces and 8s (and never fours).  Here’s a table to simplify it:

Only surrender if you have a hard 16 and the dealer is showing a 9, 10 or Ace or when the dealer is showing a 10 and you have a hard 15.  Otherwise, avoid the hard 15 at all costs.

Finally, learn to card count before you think of using the insurance bet.  Otherwise, it’s just a bad bet.  I’ve seen your friend Johnny Tweni play, his Dad’s been playing with me for years.  He’s good; he’s always had the dealer’s fooled.  He doesn’t have my strategy, but he can count.  Stay close to Tweni.  The two of you will be unstoppable.

Lastly, if you’re reading this – I’ve passed.  I’m sorry I wasn’t there more, son.  Look after your Mother.  My lucky deck is yours.

I love you Danny Boy, I always have,

Your Father

I felt a rush of excitement.  I couldn’t believe that Daniel had entrusted me with this treasured document.  (That thought lasted about two seconds.)  My Dad could card count!?  It sounded like he was the best, and that Daniel wanted him to teach me.

The bell rang.  I quickly packed up the letter.  I couldn’t wait to get to the casino that night…