Many of the examples in the book will center on simulations of a process with a number of moderately complex state changes. The card game of Blackjack involves a few rules and a few state changes during play. If you're unfamiliar with the game of Blackjack, here's an overview.
The objective of the game is to accept cards from the dealer to create a hand that has a point total that is between the dealer's total and twenty-one. The dealer's hand is only partially revealed, forcing the player to make a decision without knowing the dealer's total or the subsequent cards from the deck.
The number cards (2 to 10) have point values equal to the number. The face cards (Jack, Queen, and King) are worth 10 points. The Ace is worth either eleven points or one point. When using an ace as eleven points, the value of the hand is soft. When using...