CNY Blackjack

Our family often get together for a game of Blackjack during Chinese New Year. There is always much fun and laughter around the table as the whole family bond over our bets and a deck of playing cards.

I can't remember when I started playing, probably in my teens. However, I do remember my younger cousins playing before they even know how to count properly! I also remember being excited every time my late Grandfather joins in the game. He being the most experienced player, will dispense advice willingly! Ah Gong, we called. Do I have enough? Do I need to draw some more cards? Even now, my Uncles and Aunts will invariably reminisce a good game of Blackjack with my late Grandfather taking the lead.

I don't know much about the rules of the game as played in the casino. Nor do I know the lingo as it should be used. At home, we played by our late Grandfather's rules and used our own terms in Teochew. Here's our glossary :

Banlat - Blackjack / Getting an ace and a 10 or equivalent.
Samban - Getting 2 aces, and entitled to double return
Ngou Leong - Literally 5 dragons. It means getting 5 cards without exceeding 21, and entitled to double return.
Pok - Hit / Drawing extra cards
Sa Pi - Literally 3 on the sides / 6, 7, 8
Si Pi - Literally 4 on the sides / 9, 10
Ah Pek - a 10 or equivalent
Chao - Busted or getting cards that exceed 21
Cao - A push between the player and the dealer / no win and no losses
Jiak - Literally it means "eat" / player loses
Puey - Dealer / Banker pays
Zheng kay - the dealer / the banker

There is always much amusement as we try to milk the dealer of all his money. To do that, there is plenty of superstitions going around the table. One year, someone brought to the table a lucky ox soft toy to enhance his luck. Sometimes, another will arrange his bets in such a way that will bring him good fortune. Many shapes have appeared on the table, i.e. Mickey Mouse, Petronas Twin Towers or even the Empire State Building. Lol. The dealer, is invariably my cousin A*****. He is a clown and he always has us in stitches. The best thing is, he always loses. Even though he claims to be using his lucky coin box. Lol.

My bet & my cards ;p

This year's session was held at my house, and we tried to persuade Grandma to join in the fun but she refused us. Some cousins and aunts were also missing from the picture this year, but we had a wonderful time anyway. My bets were the smallest on the table, and I had only won RM4.00. Lol.

Well, it's not so much about the money, but rather, it's the tradition in the family that we are trying to uphold. With the playing cards now kept away, all of us look forward to next Chinese New Year, till the family will come together once more to bond over a game or two.