Category Archives: Blackjack

Over the years, gambling in various forms has featured in major Hollywood movies. One of the most popular settings, particularly in the USA, is a casino (usually in Las Vegas). Often, watching these movies will inspire you to hit a casino too, but if you cant quite afford a trip to Nevada, you can always go to the live casino online from Novibet. With so many gambling movies out there, were asking the question what is the most famous?

The GamblerReleased in 2014 as a modern remake of the 1974 classic, The Gambler follows the story of Jim Bennett, a literature professor from Los Angeles, California. Gambling is obviously illegal in the state of California, and so Jim must associate himself with underground illegal bookmakers, to whom he ends up owing $200,000. In a bid to repay this debt, he falls even further into the red and so must hatch a plan to repay the near half a million dollars that he owes to some very dangerous people.

Jim fixes a college basketball game that one of his students is playing in and sends someone to Las Vegas to place a huge bet on it, with the winnings leaving him able to pay off his debts and get him back in the black. Its not all plain sailing though and the game has added importance, as the lives of his family and his girlfriend all hinge on his ability to repay his debts.

Starring Mark Wahlberg as the titular character, The Gambler really delves into the incredible lows that are associated with gambling, especially when its done illegally. However, it is guilty of glorifying gambling slightly, as Jim eventually gets out of his jam by doing the one thing that got him into the mess in the first place gambling. Nevertheless, its still an enjoyable movie with a simplistic storyline.

21Named after the popular casino game blackjack, 21 was released in 2008 and focuses on a mathematics major from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Ben, who is accepted to Harvard Medical School, but is unable to afford the $300,000 to attend. After applying for a scholarship, for which the competition is intense, Ben is informed that its unlikely he will be accepted for the scholarship and must find another way to pay the tuition fee.

Micky Rosa, a professor at MIT, challenges Ben with the Monty Hall Problem and, after he successfully solves it, invites him to join his blackjack team, consisting of fellow students. The team uses card counting and secret signalling to increase their chances of winning and over the various trips to Vegas, win vast sums of money. The security team at the casino catch onto them though and so begins a thrilling cat and mouse storyline as the team try to win big and the security team try to stop them.

Starring Jim Sturgess in the lead role, with great support from Kevin Spacey, Laurence Fishburne and Kate Bosworth, 21 is a fun movie based on the real-life story of the MIT Blackjack Team.

Box officeIn terms of relative success, 21 is definitely the more successful movie, grossing almost $160 million at the box office. Unfortunately, The Gambler struggled to break even and only just made a profit, making it a pretty big flop by the 21st century standards of Hollywood movies.

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21 or the Gambler is the Most famous gambling film? - Film News

Ben Affleck has been a bad boy; he was once kicked out of a casino and can't ever go back to the tables.

Ben Affleck hasn't always made headlines for the most savory reasons. And he does have a number of regrets about his life and fame, including having starred in ex Jennifer Lopez's "Jenny from the Block" video.

But during and after his split from ex-wife Jennifer Garner, fans were actually pretty concerned about the actor's wellbeing, especially given his appearances out in public.

After some hard-partying behavior and a few other missteps, it seems like Ben finally got back on the straight and narrow. Of course, help from his current girlfriend Ana De Armas probably doesn't hurt.

RELATED:Heres How Matt Damon Helped His BFF Ben Affleck Overcome His Addiction

But years ago, Ben Affleck got himself banned from a casino, and he even spoke out publicly about the situation. In fact, he elaborated in-depth, noting that it wasn't even his fault that casino security kicked him out; he wasn't even breaking the law.

It's worth noting that Jennifer was with Ben at the time and that the couple was apparently gambling together (or Jen was at least hanging out while Ben gambled).

Hollywood Reporter reported that Ben was at the Hard Rock Cafe in Las Vegas back in 2014 when security told him he had to stop playing blackjack. Not only did he have to leave the tables for that game, but he was told to never come back, saysHollywood Reporter.

Though on a previous visit, he'd apparently cashed out on $800K at the blackjack tables, Hard Rock wasn't having Affleck's excuses this time. He was "good at the game" and casino security didn't like it, Vanity Fairquoted the actor as saying.

What itreally sounds like, elaboratesVanity Fair, is that Ben was counting cards, a practice that isn't necessarily legal butis frowned upon. Affleck even explained further, "I knew with blackjack that there's a way you can improve your odds," so he worked to become a better player.

Then, he noted, the casino penalized him for having gotten good at it. Though the tabloid headlines did get one part of the report wrong as Affleck left the casino floor: he wasn't banned for life. Just banned from the blackjack tables.

As the actor explained, Hard Rock security cautioned him against sitting down at the blackjack tables again, but they encouraged him to try his luck at craps or roulette instead. Ben didn't flat-out admit that he'd been counting cards, but he did say, "I mean, the fact that being good at the game is against the rules at the casinos should tell you something about casinos."

Well, following the rules is also something casinos appreciate, and it's clear that card counting isn't one of those permissible activities. And anyway, does Ben really need to take home some casino winnings on top of his staggering net worth?

NEXT:Why George Clooney Told Ben Affleck Not To Play Batman

Why Does Billie Eilish Still Sleep In Her Parents Bed?

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Here's Why Ben Affleck Was Once Kicked Out Of A Casino - TheThings

A

fter quietly launching a site New Brunswickers could access in August 2020, the Atlantic Lottery Corporation has announced its plans to allow play by residents of Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia.

New Brunswick residents are currently allowed to gamble up to $500 on a hand of blackjack, or up to $100 on a single pull of a virtual slot machine, through this site.

The launch of that site came as the culmination of efforts dating back a decade by Atlantic Lotto to get any of its shareholders the four provincial governments in Atlantic Canada to buy into the notion of an online casino.

After years of being turned down, Atlantic Lotto said the coronavirus pandemic proved to be the right time to launch its online effort, CBC reports.

"Offshore operators who are marketing to Atlantic Canadians really picked up steam over COVID," said Chris Keevill, CEO of Atlantic Lotto. "We don't think that they operate with the best interests and safety of Atlantic Canadians in mind."

According to ALC, about $100 million leaves the Atlantic region each year through gambling on offshore websites.

However, when asked how that figure was calculated, Keevill said it's "very difficult to track."

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Canada: Atlantic Lotto to expand its online casino into Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia - Yogonet International

Quick: when you think of Atlantic City, what comes to mind? If youre like most people, its the world-class casinos and old-timey oceanfront boardwalk (with the iconic Miss America pageant coming in third?).

But todays Atlantic City has so much more to offer visitors than beaches and blackjack since the resort town reopened in July after the shutdown due to the pandemic. With endless shopping options, a vibrant arts district and all-inclusive brewery tours,theres enough to keep visitors busy this winter that require neither betting nor warm weather. Add to that fabulous restaurants, spas and resorts that have all made safety adjustments to accommodateCOVID protocols, and Atlantic City just might be your go-to pandemic getaway.

While dates for many of the must-see shows and performers have been pushed back until spring, at the earliest, there are still plenty of activities to fill a whole weekend in Atlantic City. Grab your special someone or gather your pod, and make plans for one of theseCOVID-friendly activities:

1. Indulge in a spaaaaaah day at Hard Rock Spa & Salon

Lets face it: things have been a little stressful lately,and we all need to chill. The Rock Spa& Salonfeatures 31 newlydesigned treatment rooms where guests can choose from a variety of massages, facials and therapies of the worlds first fully music-centric spa menu. The playlist includes the Rock Spas Rhythm & Motion treatment, which utilizes vibrations, pressures and patterns as its soothing foundation. Keep on rocking in thesteam and sauna facilities followedbya tour of the Vitality pool area, which features a heated hydrotherapy tub, ambient temperature tub and specialty shower with three different experiences (Cool Mist, Caribbean Rain and Atlantic Ocean). If this doesnt help you take it easy, maybe you should just go your own way.

2. Drink and dont drive with City Brew Tour

Climb aboard theSouth Jersey City Brew Tourvan at the Tropicana for a tour of the areas hopping (get it?) craft brewery scene. New Jersey does have quite a few breweries,and we just keep adding more in the South Jersey area, said owner Lisa Lopez, who explained the 3.5-hour tours feature tastings at three local breweries, locally made snacks and an edu-taining look at the history of beer and how its made. Breweries could include nearby Garden State Beer Co., Somers Point Brewing Co. or Tuckahoe Brewing Co. that feature small batch beers on tap using premium ingredients, quality and flavor. If you love drinking really good beer, youll love it even more coming from the source, Lopezsaid. Learn about the Prohibition days of Atlantic City,and discover the new beer traditions being brewed right here in South Jersey. Cheers to that.

3. Ring in the Chinese New Year because we could all use something to celebrate

Add to your luck in 2021 by celebrating the Chinese New Year on Friday, Feb. 12 at Resort Casino and HotelsEastWind Restaurant. Featuring dishes like Good Luck Soup, Preserve Wealth and Triple Happiness, the menu seems designed to ensure that the new year brings better fortune than 2020.Just steps away from the casino floor and the famous Atlantic City Boardwalk, EastWind Chinese Restaurant and Noodle Bar is just one of Resorts many food and beverage options during your AC stay.

4. Make it legal and turn 21 in AC

Turning 21 in 2021? Assemble your squad and head to Resorts where you and your besties canown the night and celebrate in style.You and your guests will be eligible for food and drink discounts at eateries like Jimmy Buffets Margaritaville, drink specials including a free daiquiri tray at Wet Willies, 20%off your overnight stay and$20 in Match Play or Free Slot Play. Adulting has never been so fun.

5. Feeling trapped? Break out at an escape room

Escape ACis located right in the heart of Atlantic City at the Tropicana Casino Hotel and combines highly immersive sets with clever puzzling to deliver four themed and challenging escape room adventures. This winter, the familyfriendly rooms includeCasino Cage and The Boardwalk which are moderately challenging and the extremely challenging Poker Room and Backstage. If you survived quarantining with your family, solving these puzzles should be a piece of cake.

6. Remember old time rock n roll greats at the Hard Rock

The Hard Rocks extensivememorabilia tourfeatures historic pieces from the worlds top musicians, including the silk suit Prince wore to the 1988 Grammy Awards, handwritten lyrics from an unreleased Drake song, an ostrich-feather gown worn by Lady Gaga in a magazine shoot, and Elvis iconic Rolls Royce Phantom V. Whats perhaps most impressive and exclusive about the hotels collection of iconic items is what theyve compiled from great New Jersey-born and bred artists think: Lauryn Hill, Frank Sinatra, Nancy Sinatra, Bon Jovi, Whitney Houston, Bruce Springsteen and more. If that denim vest doesnt bring you back to 1984s Born in the USA tour and make you want to go out and buy some AquaNet, you dont know Bruce.

7. Call Borgata your work home this winter

Like many other New Jersey resorts and hotels, the Borgata is offering virtual workers the opportunity to get out of Dodge for a few daysand channel their inner Eloise. Why not break up the daytoday by working from one of the resorts guest rooms overlooking the Atlantic City Marina and enjoy in-room dining options or theBorgataEatstakeout program, which lets you order from one of its eateries? When the workday is done, you can slip away to their action-packed casino or treat yourself to a relaxing treatment at Spa Toccare. This takes your usual takeout and Netflix routine to the next level.

8. Buy one, get one at Showboat

During the week this winter you can buy one night and get another one free at Showboat.As a mainstay of ACs legendaryboardwalk, the hotel is close to nearby casinos with its own gym facilities and plenty of dining options, like the Atlantic City Eatery.

If youre looking to get away from the everyday grind and like a variety of activities, Atlantic Citys got you covered. Fromsippingbrewskisto getting pampered at a spa and hoping for a lucky 2021 theres always plenty to do in AC.

This article originally appeared in the Winter 2020 issue of Jerseys Best. Subscribeherefor in-depth access to everything that makes the Garden State great.

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8 ways to go beyond the boardwalks and blackjack this winter in Atlantic City - Jersey's Best

On next weeks Neighbours in Australia, Hendrix is in serious trouble and resorts to extreme measures to protect himself. Yet his plan backfires, quite literally, as Shane ends up getting shot.

These episodes air in Australia from Monday 11th January, and in the UK four weeks later from Monday 8th February.

In episodes airing this coming week in Australia, Hendrix (Benny Turland) loses Number 24 to criminal Kane after yet another blackjack bet gone wrong. He was simply trying to win enough to reduce his debt, and when he gets the chance to split his hand and ends up with 18 and 19 (two fairly strong hands, for the blackjack uninitiated), Kane offers him a deal.

If Hendrix wins this hand, his debt is wiped in its entirety but if he loses the hand, Kane gets Number 24. In an idiotic move that puts two Ramsay Street residents life in danger, he agrees to the bet. Moments later, as Kane deals the cards, he loses.

Of course, the major problem is that he doesnt even own the house Pierce signed it over to Chloe shortly before leaving and now Hendrix is in serious trouble.

Next week, owing Kane thousands of pounds, and a house, and with his previous death threat still fresh in his mind, Hendrix is terrified and fearing for his life. He figures he needs to protect himself from Kane, and in a moment of madness he steals a gun from another of the blackjack players.

He confides in Jay Rebecchi (Dhruv Malge), who freaks out about what Hendrix has done. He understands that Hendrix is in trouble, but knows a gun certainly isnt the way to solve things, and could land Hendrix with some serious time behind bars if he ever came to use it.

Managing to talk him out of using it, their next problem is how to dispose of it. Just as theyre discussing things at the Kennedy house, Bea and Levi arrive home. Thinking on his feet, Jay quickly heads to the garden and stashes the gun in Karl and Susans pizza oven.

Of course, pizza is just what Bea and Levi fancy for dinner! As the boys try to convince them to get a Thai takeaway instead, Bea heads to the garden and turns on the oven!

A few minutes later, the heat of the oven causes the gun to discharge, causing an explosion and a bullet to fly through the air. It hits Shane in the thigh, and he needs to be rushed straight to surgery. As if poor Shane hadnt had a hard enough time the last few months.

Thankfully Shanes injuries dont turn out to be life threatening, but the scare seriously shakes Jay up. He keeps making screw up after screw up, and this one could have cost his dad his life. He wants to turn things around, so decides to confess everything about the blackjack games to Shane and Dipi.

When the two parents discover what Jay has done, Shane realises he has no choice but to put his family first.Unfortunately for Amy Greenwood (Jacinta Stapleton), Shanes accident has left her on the outside. His whole family have rallied around him, including Dipi, and suddenly shes all but forgotten about.

At the tail end of next week, she makes a misjudged attempt to offer her support. She gives Jay some advice about facing his mistakes, but when Dipi finds out that her husbands new lover is giving her son advice, she isnt best pleased.

The troubles for Hendrix dont end there. He confesses everything to the police, as well as to Harlow. Understandably,shes livid at what her boyfriend has done. Shes torn, as she really loves Hendrix and wants to support him, but its far from the first misstep hes made, and this one is pretty hard to forgive.

She had no idea about his gambling, let alone about how much danger hes found himself in.

Shes so overwhelmed by the bombshell that she doesnt notice the danger lurking around the corner. As shes out walking alone, a white van pulls up behind her. Before she can even react, shes grabbed by a masked figure and pulled into the van.

Eventually, Yashvi manages to track down Kane but theres no sign of Harlow, and Paul and Terese are getting increasingly worried that Kane has something to do with her disappearance. Will Yashvi manage to get the truth out of him before its too late?

Monday 11th January (Episode 8533)

Des and Sheila stage a fake relationship to try and uncover the truth about Clives feelings for Jane.

Fearing for his life, Hendrix steals a gun from one of the blackjack players, with a petrified Jay hiding it in the Kennedys pizza oven.

Shane and Amy try their best to date without offending Dipi, but when Ned reveals his concerns for Jay, Shane puts his family first.

Tuesday 12th January (Episode 8534)

After the sudden explosion, its revealed that the bullet shot through Shanes leg and when Jay confesses, Shane and Dipi are unsure about who their son has become.

Amy is thrown to find out about Shanes injury but finds herself on the outer as his family rally around him.

Hendrix comes clean to Harlow, Chloe and the police.

Wednesday 13th January (Episode 8535)

Nicolette is paying the price for getting involved with Kanes illegal activities, leaving Aaron and David frustrated by her lack of judgement.

Hendrix frets for Harlow, who hasnt been seen or heard from by anyone all morning.

Thursday 14th January (Episode 8536)

Kyle learns that the judge for the Best Dish of Erinsborough has been poisoned, soon realising that Roxy picked death cap mushrooms for his dish.

Paul and Hendrix butt heads as Nicolette decides to talk to the blackjack gamers to see if anyone knows anything about Kane and Harlow.

Friday 15th January (Episode 8537)

Sheila feels terrible for her part in the breakdown of Dess friendships with Jane and Clive.

Dipi withdraws her nomination for Best Dish of Erinsborough when she learns that Kyles dish is a tribute to Gary.

In an attempt to offer her support, Amy gives Jay advice about facing his mistakes, which backfires when Dipi finds out about the conversation.

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Neighbours Spoilers Shane is shot as Hendrix's gambling problem spirals - Back to the Bay

By TOM LAVENTURE

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Wakefield TOWNSHIP The annual New Years Eve Torchlight Parade and Fireworks display on Thursday at Blackjack Mountain ski resort attracted hundreds of vacationing skiers and area residents to welcome 2021 or perhaps just to put 2020 behind them.

Pete and Jackie Cannon, of Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, said they are annual visitors to the area resorts and come to Indianhead often.

Its the snow and this is a good time of year to come between Christmas and New Years, Jackie Cannon said.

The couple watched the torchlight parade and fireworks from the upper deck of the Blackjack lodge. They commented that it was a wonderful way to spend New Years Eve.

I think its a great thing, Pete Cannon said. It brings the community together.

Dave Suchanek and Grayson Savoie came all the way from Los Angeles to ski the Upper Peninsula and attended the New Years Eve events while staying at the Indianhead Lodge. Suchanek was raised near Ann Arbor and his parents now live in Escanaba, but it was the first time for both of them to ski the western U.P.

Im kind of a beginner to skiing, Savoie said. Ive done skiing in California, which kind of has pretty tall mountains, and we thought it would be better to learn here on kind of smaller hills and mountains and so its a good place to learn.

Another reason for the trip was to spend the holidays outside of L.A., where the COVID-19 restrictions of a large metropolitan area can weigh more heavily than the open spaces of a remote ski resort.

We were staying up here and wanted to do some skiing and we heard about the big snow country, Suchanek said.

The two noticed that fellow skiers were practicing COVID-19 prevention and wearing masks but it didnt feel invasive for skiing which has a natural social distancing, he said. Having just arrived on Thursday the two spent their time exploring the Indianhead resort.

Its low key and charming in the best way, Suchanek said. It kind of feels like youre in the middle of nowhere but its got a cool charm to it.

The New Years Eve announcement was in the lodge and the two watched the torchlight parade and the fireworks from the upper deck of the Blackjack lodge.

There were changes this year to make the event more compliant with pandemic rules and the crowd was dispersed along a snow fence or on the upper deck of the main lodge. People were not allowed to observe from inside the lodge.

This years torchlight parade was named in honor of Mary Jendrusina, a former director of the volunteer ski patrol who passed away in December, said Misty Vander Wolde, events coordinator for Big Snow Resort, which included Indianhead Mountain and Blackjack Mountain resorts. The torchlight skiers lit their torches from one torch signifying Jendrusina, and left a single torch on the top of the mountain for the flame to go out on its own.

When someone on the hill passes away that is the tradition, Vander Wolde said of the volunteers and employees of the resort.

The torchlight parade was held at 6 p.m., where it normally would have been held at 10 p.m., she said. The fireworks followed immediately after the torchlight parade where they are usually set off at midnight.

Normally we would have live music and the lodge would be open all night until 2 a.m., Vander Wolde said. Normally we wouldnt be done this early but it is still a really fun night.

Lisa Trousil of Green Bay, said her family plans for skiing outings at the resorts around northern Wisconsin and the U.P. at this time every year. This was their first trip to Big Snow Resort and they also attended the New Years Eve events.

We came to the U.P. for some variety and something to do, Trousil said.

Her daughter, Alexis Trousil, said she enjoyed skiing the hills on Thursday. She plans to spend the weekend learning to use her new snowboard.

We only ski a couple of times a year but I just started snowboarding and so thats also fun, she said. I skied today but I want to snowboard tomorrow.

Area ski resort managers are optimistic that more regional skiers will stay closer to home this season and help boost the struggling pandemic economy in the new year. The recent snow has helped but time will tell if the busy start of the season will continue past the holidays.

All the ski hills and cross country ski trails are open with adjustments to operations that discourage crowds and lines. Area cross country ski events were canceled or have gone virtual such as the Sisu Ski Fest that starts Jan. 4.

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New year welcomed with torchlight parade, fireworks - The Daily Globe - Your Daily Globe.com

On 19 August 1923, a freezing evening drew in on Wrangel Island, 100 miles north of the coast of Siberia. As a thick blanket of fog rolled over the bleak Arctic landscape, Ada Blackjack sat swaddled in a thick reindeer parka, preparing her meagre evening meal.

Blackjack had arrived on the island two years earlier as the seamstress attached to a party of Arctic explorers. But the ill-fated expedition had been plagued by illness and bad weather, and she was now the only one of the five members left alive.

As she settled down to make her food that evening, Ada heard an unfamiliar noise. Deciding it must have been a duck or something, she retired to her tent and tried to sleep. At 6am the next morning, she heard the sound again, but this time, it sounded more like a boat whistle. Grabbing her binoculars, Blackjack ran outside. Sure enough, in the distance she spotted a schooner, its crewmen wandering about on the shore. Finally, Blackjacks salvation had arrived her two-year ordeal was over.

The Wrangel Island State Nature Reserve, an area in the Arctic Sea which includes Wrangel Island, Herald Island and surrounding waters. (Photo by Yuri SmityukTASS via Getty Images)

Under 5ft tall with no expedition experience, little desire for adventure and a crippling fear of polar bears, Ada Blackjack was an unlikely candidate for Arctic exploration. Born in 1898, she had been raised by Methodist missionaries in the tough Alaskan town of Nome. While many Iupiat people were well-versed in Arctic survival, these skills were never deemed necessary in Adas missionary upbringing instead, she was taught to clean, cook and sew.

But by 1921, 23-year-old Blackjack was a divorced and destitute single mother. After her abusive husband had abandoned her, she had desperately struggled to support her young son, Bennett, who was suffering from tuberculosis. But supporting him singlehandedly had become impossible, and Blackjack was forced to place him in an orphanage.

Blackjack was in desperate need of money in order to be reunited with her son when, in September 1921, a ship called the Victoria pulled into Nome. Hailing from Seattle, it carried four young men tasked with a daunting mission. At the behest of celebrated Canadian explorer Vilhjalmur Stefansson, they were heading to the remote Wrangel Island, 100 miles north of Siberia. The team made up of Lorne Knight, Frederick Maurer, Milton Galle and Allan Crawford planned to live on the uninhabited land for two years in order to claim the territory for the British government.

At just 20 years old, Allan Crawford was an inexperienced expedition leader. He was chosen because he was Canadian, which made him a British citizen necessary to stake a British claim for Wrangel Island. Stefansson wrote to his young captain ahead of the mission: Although I have confidence in you, you are in command through the accident of being British the wiser you are, the more you will follow the advice of your experienced men.

American Fred Maurer was no novice in the frozen north. Seven years earlier, the 28-year-old had even spent time on Wrangel Island, on Stefanssons doomed Karluk expedition. That mission had almost cost him his life 11 had died on that expedition. He married his sweetheart Delphine before setting off, with Stefansson as his best man.

My experience has been that generally the younger the man the more readily he adapts himself to northern conditions, Stefansson wrote to a friend when planning the Wrangel Island mission. His youngest recruit was 19-year-old Texan Milton Galle. In fact, it was in the Arctic that Galle grew his first beard. He was simply overjoyed to be chosen for the mission and was keen to record everything on his beloved typewriter.

Loud, raucous and straight talking, Seattle native Lorne Knight had a long-standing appetite for adventure. He had been on previous Arctic expeditions with Stefansson and had even suffered from scurvy recovering by gorging on fresh caribou tongue. Knight was close to his family, and his father wrote how proud they were that Lorne has become a real explorer.Blackjack found him to be a frightening figure and was intimidated by his broad frame, unpredictable temper and wild facial hair.

In Nome, they intended to recruit several Iupiat people to assist with camp duties, and Blackjack well known as a skilled seamstress was a perfect candidate. Initially she was reluctant, afraid of being away from home for so long and aware of her lack of experience. This ominous feeling was reinforced when the other Iupiat families that had been recruited backed out at the last moment. But Blackjack was desperate. The monthly salary of $50 was enough to bring Bennett home. It was an opportunity she could not afford to turn down.

On the afternoon of 9 September 1921, Blackjack joined the team as they pulled out of Nome aboard a different vessel, the Silver Wave. Within a week, Wrangel Island could be spotted on the horizon. On first impressions, it was far from the barren, ice-locked wasteland they had been warned of: the rocky outcrop was covered in lichen and mosses, the climate relatively temperate. Crawfords men wasted no time hoisting a British flag and burying a proclamation staking their claim for His Majesty George, King of Great Britain.

The first few months were tinged with optimism. Once they had set up camp they quickly fell into a routine, spending their days mapping the island or collecting geological and biological specimens, the long evenings whiled away gambling or reading the same few books cover to cover.

Assured by Stefansson that a ship would be arriving with more supplies in the summer, the team made no attempt to ration their six months worth of provisions, which they topped up with the islands seemingly plentiful wild game especially polar bears, which scared Blackjack half to death when they roamed close to camp. She cooked up whatever the men were able to catch, from seagulll to fox and owl. Polar bear steaks fried in seal blubber proved especially popular.

Slowly, though, the mood in camp began to shift. Hunting opportunities began to slip away as a disorientating Arctic winter brought 61 days of darkness. The desperately homesick Blackjack had quickly come to regret her decision and irritated the men with her changeable moods and anguished outbursts. Knight showed little sympathy, complaining in his diary: it is NOT funny for the four of us to have a foolish female howling and refusing to work and eating all of our good grub.

As well as its five human members, the expedition also had a feline explorer in its number a cat called Victoria. Named after the ship that had carried the team from Seattle, Vic snuggled in the teams sleeping bags at night and lived off scraps and leftovers. She also survived the two years on Wrangel Island.

Whatever their hardships, Ada and the team knew that if they could just tough it out until summer, Stefanssons ship would be arriving with new team members and supplies, as well as treasured letters from home. I shall not shave or dress up until next year, when Mr Stefansson and several other white men will come, the youthful Galle declared in his journal. The team tracked the progress of the ice floes with the changing seasons, eagerly awaiting the arrival. Little did they know that their relief vessel had come unstuck.

After a delayed departure due to a lack of funding, the resupply vessel Teddy Bear had been caught in some of the worst ice in 25 years. On 25 September 1922, its captain messaged Stefansson that they had been forced to turn back: Teddy Bear unsuccessful. Encountered Arctic pack, propeller damaged. All navigators here predicted failure due to unusual ice condition. For his part, Stefansson was not overly concerned, reflecting: We had no reason to think that the skill of the men already there was inadequate to meet the situation.

Back on Wrangel Island, as summer turned to autumn, the team slowly realised that no one was coming to relieve them. Their rations were almost exhausted, the polar bears that had once been so plentiful appeared to have all but vanished, and hunting missions were becoming ever more fruitless. It soon became clear that despite Blackjacks best efforts at serving up even the most inedible cuts of meat, there was simply not enough food to keep all five of them alive. Knight, meanwhile, had begun to feel weak and lethargic. His joints were aching and gums sore. Although he tried to keep these grisly symptoms from his teammates, he recognised them well from his previous Arctic expeditions. It was the early stages of scurvy.

In January 1923, with the looming spectre of starvation hanging over camp, Crawford made a difficult decision. Along with Galle and Maurer, he would embark on an ambitious trek back across the now-frozen sea to fetch help, leaving Blackjack at camp with the rapidly deteriorating Knight. As the three men set off with a tranche of supplies and the five remaining dogs, the dangers involved were not lost on them.

Whether I reach my goal or not remains to be seen, Maurer wrote in a final letter to his wife. If the fates favour me, Ill have the pleasure of telling you all about it, if against me, then someone else, no doubt, will tell you all. Blackjack was especially sad to bid farewell to Galle, who had shown her kindness and enjoyed listening to her folktales.

Just a couple of days after the three figures had disappeared over the horizon, the weather turned. A vicious gale struck up, blowing and drifting as hard as I have ever seen it, Knight noted downheartedly in his diary. Crawford, Galle and Maurer were never seen again.

At camp, Knight deteriorated quickly. He was soon confined to bed, suffering from aggressive nosebleeds and covered with mottled bruises, teeth falling from his softened gums. Although she had never used a gun, Blackjack realised that she would have to bring in fresh meat if she was going to keep Knight alive. Despite her diminutive frame, she taught herself to shoot with his huge, heavy rifle, and built a platform from which she could spot the dreaded polar bears. She was so afraid of the beasts that she began sleeping with the rifle above her bed in case any roamed too close to camp. Blackjack tended to Knight as best she could. But he was far from a grateful patient, constantly scolding, and even flinging books at her. As Blackjack saw her teammate slipping away, she began to despair at the thought of being left alone on the island. If anything happen to me and my death is known I wish if you please take everything to Bennett that is belong to me, she wrote in her diary. I dont know how much I would be glad to get home to folks. On 23 June, her fears were finally confirmed when she awoke to find Knight cold and unmoving.

Although the prospect of life all alone in such a vast, silent landscape was overwhelming, Blackjack ploughed on with the gruelling daily slog of staying alive. She counted off each day on a calendar crafted from Galles typewriter paper, but countless more still stretched out ahead. Yet even as hope was fading, Blackjack was determined to make it back to her son. She filled her journal with worries about Bennetts future, and sewed him a pair of slippers.

The skills Ada had taught herself were now essential to staying alive. After typing a note each morning detailing her whereabouts in case rescuers appeared, she set traps for foxes and learnt to shoot birds and seals. It was far from easy, and every lost opportunity meant an ever more uncertain fate. When the skin boat Ada had carefully crafted blew away in the night, she wept with frustration. But she refused to be defeated, finding solace in her Christian faith as she noted in her diary on 23 July: I thank God for living.

It was not until 20 August 1923 almost two years after she had landed on Wrangel Island that Adas ordeal finally came to an end. As the crew of the schooner Donaldson approached her camp, Blackjack was overwhelmed with emotion, and broke down sobbing. When the rescuers asked her where her teammates were, she could only reply: There is nobody here but me. I am all alone.

On her return to Alaska, Blackjack was plunged into the middle of a media storm. The press clamoured to hear how the female Robinson Crusoe had survived an ordeal so ghastly it had claimed the lives of the other heroic explorers, the pressure intensifying when accusations were made that she had not done enough to save Knight.All this invasive media attention did not sit easily with the private Blackjack, who simply wanted to be reunited with her son.

With her salary from the voyage, Blackjack was finally able to take Bennett to Seattle for treatment. But while she may have escaped Wrangel Island, her fight for survival was not over. Though Stefansson and others profited from writing sensationalist books about her ordeal, Blackjack continued to be plagued by poverty and hardship throughout her life. She later had a second son, Billy, but money problems forced her to place him and Bennett in a home for nine years. She later moved back to Alaska to work as a reindeer herder and lived until the age of 85.

Ellie Cawthorne is section editor at BBC History Magazine

This article was first published in the Christmas 2019 edition of BBC History Revealed

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Ada Blackjack: How The 'Female Robinson Crusoe' Escaped Death In The Arctic - BBC History Magazine

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Since the dawn of betting, people around the world have been trying to find ways to beat the system. Card counting, insider knowledge, fixed matches, and staking strategies are just a few examples of this.

It makes sense people enjoy winning and dislike losing. This is especially the case when money is involved.

The problem with betting systems is that most of them dont work. If its a well-known system, then you can guarantee that casinos and bookmakers are aware of it and have put measures in place to stop it from taking place.

One of the most common systems in this regard is the Martingale System, which newcomers gravitate towards because of its apparent simplicity.

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The Martingale System can be used for all casino games that contain a win that pays out 1:1, such as live blackjack, roulette, craps, and Baccarat.

For a simple example of a 1:1 pay out, consider live blackjack where a player has placed a 1 bet. For a standard win, the player will receive a pay out of 2 the 1 stake is returned plus an additional 1 in winnings.

The only time this differs is if the player has been dealt blackjack, at which point the winnings are increased, usually to a 3:2 pay out, or if the player has placed side bets.

The Martingale System requires you to double your stake after every loss. The idea here is that you will eventually win and recoup all your losses before starting the sequence again. For example, if you play a 1 hand of live blackjack and lose, you will then stake 2 for your next hand, and so on until you win.

The Martingale System is appealing because it seems like an easy way to make money when playing games like live blackjack. After all, the system makes sense mathematically eventually you will win a hand and recoup any losses.

However, this is a dangerous trap to fall into for a couple of reasons:

After a few losses, many people falsely assume that they are due a win. Although a win will come along eventually, there is no guarantee that it will be in the next few hands. What isnt immediately obvious when looking at the Martingale System of doubling bets is that the stake jumps quickly, as shown in the following sequence:

1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, 128, 256, 512, 1,024

Following a few losses, this sequence has jumped from a 1 starting stake all the way up to 1,024. With a few more losses, this player would be betting 5 figure sums on a single hand.

Ultimately, most players do not have an unlimited bankroll to keep betting in this way which means they can easily end up with losses that they cannot recoup.

Likewise, casinos understand that players use strategies such as the Martingale System and put restrictions in place to hinder their use. For example, casinos will often have bet limits on games such as live blackjack and roulette. This means that you could lose several times and then be unable to place your next Martingale double up bet. Again, youre left in a big hole that youre unable to climb out of.

There is mathematical legitimacy to the Martingale System but, eventually, youre likely to run into real-life restrictions such as a lack of funds or maximum betting rules that make it a dangerous system to adopt.

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Why You Should Not Use the Martingale System When It Comes to Blackjack - COED

Las Vegas official slogan is: What happens here, only happens here.

But when the Saints head to Sin City for a Monday Night Football matchup against the Raiders, all of their activities will be very similar to what happens in New Orleans as the team will mostly be confined to their hotel.

When we travel or when we're at home we go to a hard bubble, Saints coach Sean Payton said. We'll be in a secured area. Period. So, it's not like you can just stroll down the lobby and roll some dice for an hour."

Payton said he didnt have to implement those rules as the NFL put them in place as part of its efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

But not being able to hit the tables in Vegas shouldnt be much of a problem for the Saints as players reiterated this trip is to play the Raiders, not blackjack.

Were here to play football, Saints defensive end Cam Jordan said. We know that were of the same mindset. Its a business trip. I dont care if I dont leave the room. Im here to win a football game.

Jordan said on a normal road trip, hed walk to a mall or something along those lines but that wont be the case this weekend for the Pro Bowler or his teammates as they adhere to the safety measures.

Some guys like to go get dinner, some guys meet with their families, people come to the hotel, things like that, Saints running back Alvin Kamara said. With the world were living in, with the climate were in, its just something that we cant do right now.

Kamara said its an adjustment both players and coaches have to make but one he felt his team has done a good job of so far.

Weve got one goal in mind, Kamara said. So to protect that goal, weve got to do what we got to do, following the protocol.

Despite being sequestered, Saints quarterback Drew Brees said this trip will still be unique.

Its absolutely a historic moment, he said. First professional football team in Vegas, the opening of this new stadium, which Im sure is tremendous

Brees like his teammates said the focus is on moving to 2-0.

This is an up and coming team with a lot of talent and its Monday Night Football, Brees said. And, obviously, we want to continue to get better and take the next step as a team.

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Saints not rolling the dice on upcoming Las Vegas road trip - RADIO.COM

Photo: Courtesy of Raytheon Intelligence & Space

To the ancient Greeks, Argus Panoptes was a giant with a thousand eyes who always kept watch, even in his sleep.That constant vigilance resonates with those responsible for keeping the United States and its friends and allies safe. Its why the U.S. Air Force, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency and Raytheon Technologies are creating a new space-based blanket of advanced sensors to keep eyes always on in the lookout for potential missile attacks.

The pace of technology is on a near-exponential curve right now, said Wallis Laughrey, a vice president of Raytheon Intelligence & Space, a business of Raytheon Technologies. Our adversaries are testing new weapons that require a new means of detection.

The challenge is to field those new means quickly. To that end, the Air Force designated Next Gen OPIR a system of satellites to provide early warning of intercontinental and theater ballistic missile launches as a Go-Fast program. It replaces the Space-Based Infrared System by providing more survivable and resilient missile warning from geostationary orbit.

The Next Gen OPIR program consists of three GEO and two polar satellites, all of which are expected to be in orbit by 2029.

Our ability to counter the threat is only as good as our ability to see it, Laughrey said.

Defense contractor Lockheed Martin turned to Raytheon Technologies to design the payload for its Next Gen OPIR Block 0 resilient missile-warning satellites.

The first geostationary orbiting satellite is scheduled to launch in 2025. Raytheon Technologies GEO contract covers development through system-critical design review.

Next Gen OPIR is one piece of the space-based layer. Space-based systems need to be geographically spread out to offer the most coverage, just like ground-, sea- and land-based systems do. The only difference is that when youre operating from space, you have a lot more territory to cover.

Enter DARPAs Blackjack program. Blackjack provides another layer of persistent global coverage. Designed to operate in low Earth orbit, also referred to as LEO, Blackjack will network multiple sensors together. Blackjacks mission is to demonstrate sensors, including OPIR sensors, that are low in size, weight and power, and that can be mass-produced to fit on many different buses from many different providers for less than $2 million a payload.

Once the sensors are in space, one of their applications could be missile warning.

The beauty of Blackjack is its an autonomous system, said Mike Rokaw, a director at Raytheon Intelligence & Space. Once its in space, it will be able to task itself and (be) aware of its health. That means it will be able to automatically adjust to deliver info to the end user, without intervention from the operator.

To learn more about RIS Space Solutions visit here.

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The Eyes Of Argus - Breaking Defense