mitre

Create a Blackjack Game

The project is a Blackjack game implementation. It involves setting up a 52-card deck, dealing cards to the player and dealer, and allowing player actions like hit, stand, double down, split, and surrender. The dealer plays by fixed rules, and the winner is determined by comparing hand values. After each round, the players can choose to play another round. Use any language you'd like.

(F) Initial Setup
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Introduce the game of Blackjack, prepare the deck, and shuffle it.

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Read the Companion Article

I wrote a companion article which demonstrates how to go about developing a software solution to this project.

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(S) Introduce the Game

As a player, I want a reminder of the rules of Blackjack, so that I understand how to play and what to expect.

Key Points
  • Display a summary of the Blackjack rules at the start.
  • Explain the goal of the game and basic actions.
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(S) Deck Preparation

As a player, I want the game to use a standard deck of 52 cards, so that I can play with familiar rules.

Key Points
  • Implement a standard deck with four suits of 13 cards each.
  • Ensure there are no duplicate cards.
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(S) Shuffle the Deck

As a player, I want the deck to be shuffled, so that the order of the cards is randomized.

Key Points
  • Implement a shuffle function that randomizes the deck's order.
  • Shuffle the deck before each round.
(F) Initial Deal
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Deal cards to the player and dealer according to Blackjack rules.

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(S) Deal Cards

As a player, I want to be dealt two cards face up, while the dealer has one card face up and one face down, to begin the game.

Key Points
  • Deal two cards to the player, both face up.
  • Deal two cards to the dealer, one face up and one face down.
(F) Player Actions
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Allow the player to take actions based on their hand.

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(S) Blackjack Check

As a player, I want to know if I have Blackjack immediately, so that I can win instantly if the dealer doesn't have it too.

Key Points
  • Check for Blackjack for both player and dealer immediately after the initial deal.
  • Declare a win for the player if they have Blackjack and the dealer does not.
  • Declare a push if both have Blackjack.
  • Declare a win for the dealer if they have Blackjack and the player does not.
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(S) Player Decisions

As a player, I want to choose actions like hit or stand, so that I can play strategically.

Key Points
  • Allow the player to hit for additional cards.
  • Allow the player to stand with their current hand.
(F) Dealer Actions
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Play out the dealer's hand according to the rules.

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(S) Reveal Hole Card

As a player, I want the dealer to reveal their face-down card, so that I know the dealer's full hand.

Key Points
  • Reveal the dealer's face-down card after the player's turn ends.
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(S) Dealer Plays

As a player, I want the dealer to play according to fixed rules, so that I can anticipate their actions.

Key Points
  • Implement dealer rules to hit until reaching a hand value of 17 or more.
  • Ensure the dealer stands at 17 or higher.
(F) Resolution
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Determine the winner of the round.

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(S) Determine Winner

As a player, I want to know if I have won, lost, or pushed, so that I understand the outcome of the round.

Key Points
  • Compare the player's and dealer's hand values to determine the winner.
  • Declare a bust if any hand exceeds 21.
  • Declare the player a winner if their hand value is higher without busting.
  • Declare the dealer a winner if their hand value is higher without busting.
  • Declare a push if both hands have equal value.
(F) End of Round
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Reset for the next round of play.

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(S) Collect Cards

As a player, I want the cards to be collected at the end of the round, so that the game is reset for the next round.

Key Points
  • Implement a function to collect all cards back into the deck.
  • Shuffle the deck if necessary.
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(S) Continue

As a player, I want the option to play another round, so that I can continue enjoying the game.

Key Points
  • Prompt the player to decide whether to play another round.
  • Restart the game if the player chooses to continue.
(F) Advanced Gameplay
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Implement advanced player options for strategic gameplay.

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(S) Double Down

As a player, I want to double down to receive one more card and stand, so that I can increase my potential winnings.

Key Points
  • Allow the player to double down on their initial two-card hand.
  • Provide one additional card before the player automatically stands.
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(S) Split

As a player, I want to split my hand if I have two cards of the same value, so that I can play each hand separately.

Key Points
  • Allow splitting of the hand into two separate hands if the initial cards match in value.
  • Play out each hand independently with the standard rules.
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(S) Surrender

As a player, I want to surrender my hand, so that I can minimize losses if I believe I cannot win.

Key Points
  • Allow the player to surrender their hand and forfeit (exit) the game.