Blackjack Game

A fully-featured Blackjack game developed for CIS 1200 at the University of Pennsylvania, demonstrating mastery of core computer science concepts through practical implementation.

Key Technical Features:

• File I/O Operations - Dynamic card deck loading from external files for flexible game configuration • Java Collections - Efficient data management using TreeMap for predictable card ordering and hand tracking • Comprehensive Testing - Full JUnit test suite ensuring reliability and validating all game mechanics • Algorithmic Decision Making - 2D arrays implementing optimal dealer strategies through precomputed decision matrices

Architecture Components:

The implementation follows clean separation of concerns with specialized classes:

• GameGUI - Manages the complete user interface and game flow control
• Deck - Handles card initialization, shuffling, and deck management
• Hand - Tracks player cards and calculates scores with dynamic ace value handling
• CardScanner - Utility for efficient file reading and deck parsing

Technical Challenges Solved:

Successfully implemented dynamic ace card value management, ensuring accurate score calculations regardless of card order. The solution recalculates entire hand scores when needed, properly adjusting ace values between 1 and 11.

Design Principles:

The project demonstrates strong encapsulation with private internal states, clear method interfaces, and modular design patterns. Each component focuses on specific responsibilities while maintaining clean integration points.

This implementation represents a comprehensive understanding of Java programming, object-oriented design, and software engineering best practices delivered through an engaging casino game experience.