Blackjack & The Elf

[Geoff Hall]

Sitting at a Blackjack table in Las Vegas there is this guy at third base with his life savings bet in front of him. He is staring at a 17 vs. dealer 10 and is just about to signal a 'stand' when a little elf appeared on his shoulder.

"Take a card" says the elf.

Realising that nobody else can apparently see this elf the man whispers "But I have 17" to which the elf responds "It doesn't matter, take a card".

The man, feeling that this is an act from above, signals for a 'Hit' to the dealer.

"You realise that you have 17 Sir ?" ,quips the dealer, to which the man replies "Yes, I Know, but I feel like taking a card".

The dealer turns over the next card and it is an Ace which now gives a total of 18 to the player. A few players have noticed this and a few murmurs are heard between those watching.

The man is just about to signal a 'stand' when the elf pipes up again "Take another card" he says.

"But I have 18 now" replies the man there aren't too many cards that will help me now".

"Just take another card, go on, take a 'Hit', take another card, tell the dealer you want another card" ,says the elf impatiently, so the man signals another 'Hit' to the dealer.

"Are you sure Sir ?" asks the dealer. By this time a small crowd is forming around the table partly due to the amount of money being bet by third base but mainly due to the strange plays that were occurring.

"I'm sure' replied the man "give me another card".

The dealer turns over the next card and it is a 2. The crowd of players gasp and the man sinks back in his chair with a huge sense of relief. After gathering himself he is just about to signal 'Stand' when the elf turns to him again.

"Take 1 more card" the elf says.

"But I have 20, only an Ace will be any good to me" replies the man, who is beginging to sweat rather profusely at this latest suggestion.

"Look, I don't care what you have, just take another card" says the elf "c'mon just 1 more card, ask the dealer for another card, go on, just 1 more".

Eventually the man decides to follow the elf's advice and signals to the dealer that he wishes to have another card. there are gasps from the growing crowd of onlookers and the pit bosses have also come to witness this strange occurance.

"You have 20 Sir" says the dealer "surely you do not want to hit that ?".

"Just give me another card" replies the man, who can barely look at this point.

The dealer looks at his pit bosses and they give him the 'nod' to deal another card to the player. Slowly the card turns over and it is ... ... ... ... ... ... an Ace !!!

The pitbosses nearly fall over and the dealer stands there with a shocked look on his face. The crowd of onlookers, by now, are shouting and cheering at this amazing play.

The man has slumped so far down his chair that he can hardly see over the table. Beads of perspiration are visible on his forehead and his face has turned red with the combination of terror and anticipation. The adrenalin is racing through his veins as he turns wide-eyed towards the elf to which the elf responds :-
.
.
.
"You lucky f#*#er"

:-)