From 09aca8cb5aa29c579ca1a8ce204ffa3d2b300fab Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: "exercism-solutions-syncer[bot]"
 <211797793+exercism-solutions-syncer[bot]@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Thu, 30 Apr 2026 06:05:56 +0000
Subject: [PATCH] [Sync Iteration] python/black-jack/1

---
 solutions/python/black-jack/1/black_jack.py | 104 ++++++++++++++++++++
 1 file changed, 104 insertions(+)
 create mode 100644 solutions/python/black-jack/1/black_jack.py

diff --git a/solutions/python/black-jack/1/black_jack.py b/solutions/python/black-jack/1/black_jack.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..78c5409
--- /dev/null
+++ b/solutions/python/black-jack/1/black_jack.py
@@ -0,0 +1,104 @@
+"""Functions to help play and score a game of blackjack.
+
+How to play blackjack:    https://bicyclecards.com/how-to-play/blackjack/
+"Standard" playing cards: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Standard_52-card_deck
+"""
+
+
+def value_of_card(card):
+    """Determine the scoring value of a card.
+
+    :param card: str - given card.
+    :return: int - value of a given card.  See below for values.
+
+    1.  'J', 'Q', or 'K' (otherwise known as "face cards") = 10
+    2.  'A' (ace card) = 1
+    3.  '2' - '10' = numerical value.
+    """
+
+    if card in ["J", "Q", "K"]:
+        return 10
+    elif card == "A":
+        return 1
+    else:
+        return int(card)
+
+
+def higher_card(card_one, card_two):
+    """Determine which card has a higher value in the hand.
+
+    :param card_one, card_two: str - cards dealt in hand.  See below for values.
+    :return: str or tuple - resulting Tuple contains both cards if they are of equal value.
+
+    1.  'J', 'Q', or 'K' (otherwise known as "face cards") = 10
+    2.  'A' (ace card) = 1
+    3.  '2' - '10' = numerical value.
+    """
+
+    v1 = value_of_card(card_one)
+    v2 = value_of_card(card_two)
+
+    if v1 > v2:
+        return card_one
+    elif v2 > v1:
+        return card_two
+    else:
+        return card_one, card_two
+
+
+def value_of_ace(card_one, card_two):
+    """Calculate the most advantageous value for an upcoming ace card.
+
+    :param card_one, card_two: str - card dealt. See below for values.
+    :return: int - either 1 or 11 value of the upcoming ace card.
+
+    1.  'J', 'Q', or 'K' (otherwise known as "face cards") = 10
+    2.  'A' (ace card) = 11 (if already in hand)
+    3.  '2' - '10' = numerical value.
+    """
+
+    if card_one == "A" or card_two == "A":
+        return 1
+    total = value_of_card(card_one) + value_of_card(card_two)
+    if total + 11 <= 21:
+        return 11
+    return 1
+
+
+def is_blackjack(card_one, card_two):
+    """Determine if the hand is a 'natural' or 'blackjack'.
+
+    :param card_one, card_two: str - card dealt. See below for values.
+    :return: bool - is the hand is a blackjack (two cards worth 21).
+
+    1.  'J', 'Q', or 'K' (otherwise known as "face cards") = 10
+    2.  'A' (ace card) = 11 (if already in hand)
+    3.  '2' - '10' = numerical value.
+    """
+
+    ten_cards = ["10", "J", "Q", "K"]
+
+    # Check for Ace + ten-card in either order
+    return (card_one == "A" and card_two in ten_cards) or \
+           (card_two == "A" and card_one in ten_cards)
+
+
+def can_split_pairs(card_one, card_two):
+    """Determine if a player can split their hand into two hands.
+
+    :param card_one, card_two: str - cards dealt.
+    :return: bool - can the hand be split into two pairs? (i.e. cards are of the same value).
+    """
+
+    return value_of_card(card_one) == value_of_card(card_two)
+
+
+def can_double_down(card_one, card_two):
+    """Determine if a blackjack player can place a double down bet.
+
+    :param card_one, card_two: str - first and second cards in hand.
+    :return: bool - can the hand can be doubled down? (i.e. totals 9, 10 or 11 points).
+    """
+
+    total = value_of_card(card_one) + value_of_card(card_two)
+    return total in [9, 10, 11]