U.S. patent application number 11/333397 was filed with the patent office on 2007-06-14 for blackjack game with side bet wager.
Invention is credited to Daniel J. Moses.
Application Number | 20070132183 11/333397 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38138526 |
Filed Date | 2007-06-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070132183 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Moses; Daniel J. |
June 14, 2007 |
Blackjack game with side bet wager
Abstract
The present invention is directed to a blackjack wagering game
including the steps of: wagering a first amount on an underlying
blackjack game involving a player playing against a dealer;
wagering a second amount on a side bet bonus game integrated with
the underlying blackjack game, wherein the wager includes selecting
at least one particular suit; providing one or more cards to the
player and the dealer to form a player's initial hand and a
dealer's initial hand; determining the outcome of the side bet
bonus game wager, wherein the outcome depends on at least one of
card of one of the initial hands including one or more cards of the
at least one selected suit; and playing the underlying blackjack
card game to determine a final outcome for the blackjack wager.
Inventors: |
Moses; Daniel J.; (Harrison,
NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Mark A. Litman & Associates, P.A.
York Business Center, Suite 205
3209 West 76th St.
Edina
MN
55435
US
|
Family ID: |
38138526 |
Appl. No.: |
11/333397 |
Filed: |
January 17, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11300088 |
Dec 14, 2005 |
|
|
|
11333397 |
Jan 17, 2006 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
273/292 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F 3/00157 20130101;
A63F 2001/003 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
273/292 |
International
Class: |
A63F 1/00 20060101
A63F001/00 |
Claims
1. A blackjack wagering game having a side bet bonus game
comprising: a) wagering a first amount on an underlying blackjack
game involving a player playing against a dealer; b) wagering a
second amount on a side bet bonus game integrated with the
underlying blackjack game, wherein the wager includes selecting at
least one particular suit associated with a winning event in the
side bet bonus game; c) providing one or more cards to the player
and the dealer to form a player's initial hand and a dealer's
initial hand; d) determining the outcome of the side bet bonus game
wager, wherein the outcome depends on at least one card in one of
the initial hands including one or more cards of the at least one
selected suit; e) playing the underlying blackjack card game to
determine a final outcome for the blackjack wager.
2. The blackjack wagering game according to claim 1, wherein the
player selects the at least one suit.
3. The blackjack wagering game according to claim 1, wherein the
player is provided with the opportunity to place multiple wagers
and select more than one suit.
4. The blackjack wagering game according to claim 1, wherein the at
least one suit is selected randomly.
5. The blackjack wagering game according to claim 1, further
comprising the step of paying an award on a winning side bet bonus
wager, wherein the award is a multiple of the second monetary
amount.
6. The blackjack wagering game according to claim 5, wherein the
multiple increases depending on the amount of decks used in the
underlying blackjack game.
7. The blackjack wagering game according to claim 1, wherein the
side bet bonus wager pushes if the player's initial hand includes
only one card of the at least one selected suit.
8. The blackjack wagering game according to claim 1, wherein the
outcome of the side bet bonus wager depends on the player's initial
hand including one or more cards of the at least one selected
suit.
9. The blackjack wagering game according to claim 8, wherein a
winning outcome of the side bet bonus wager depends on the player's
initial hand including all cards of the at least one selected
suit.
10. The blackjack wagering game according to claim 1, wherein the
step of providing one or more cards to the player and the dealer to
form a player's initial hand and a dealer's initial hand further
comprises providing two cards to the player and two cards to the
dealer, wherein one of the dealer's cards is displayed openly to
the player.
11. The blackjack wagering game according to claim 10, wherein the
outcome of the side bet bonus wager depends on the player's initial
hand and dealer's displayed card including one or more cards of the
selected suit.
12. The blackjack wagering game according to claim 10, wherein a
winning outcome of the side bet bonus wager depends on the player's
initial hand and dealer's displayed card including all cards of the
selected suit.
13. The blackjack wagering game according to claim 10, wherein a
winning outcome of the side bet bonus wager depends on the player's
initial hand including two cards of the at least one selected suit,
wherein the two cards are of the same selected suit.
14. The blackjack wagering game according to claim 10, wherein the
side bet bonus wager pushes if the player's initial hand includes
only one card of the at least one selected suit.
15. The blackjack wagering game according to claim 10, further
comprising the step of paying an award on a winning side bet bonus
wager, wherein the award is a multiple of the second monetary
amount.
16. The blackjack wagering game according to claim 15, wherein the
multiple increases if the player's initial hand is a blackjack.
17. The blackjack wagering game according to claim 15, wherein the
multiple increases if the player's initial hand forms a ranked hand
according to the rules of poker.
18. The blackjack wagering game according to claim 15, wherein the
multiple increases if the player's initial hand forms a pair
according to the rules of poker.
19. A blackjack wagering game having a side bet bonus game,
comprising the steps of: a) wagering a first amount on an
underlying blackjack game involving a player playing against a
dealer; b) wagering a second amount on a side bet bonus game
integrated with the underlying blackjack game, wherein the wager
includes selecting at least one particular suit to be associated
with a winning event in the side bet bonus game; c) providing two
cards to the player and two cards to the dealer to form a player's
initial hand and a dealer's initial hand, wherein the player's two
cards are displayed and one of the two dealer's cards is displayed;
d) determining the outcome of the side bet bonus game wager,
wherein the outcome depends on at least one card of the at least
one initial hand including one or more cards of the at least one
selected suit; and e) playing the underlying blackjack card game to
determine a final outcome for the blackjack wager.
20. The blackjack wagering game of claim 19, wherein the outcome of
the side bet bonus wager depends on the player's initial hand
including one or more cards of the at least one selected suit.
21. The blackjack wagering game of claim 19, wherein a winning
outcome of the side bet bonus wager depends on the player's initial
hand including two cards of the at least one selected suit.
22. The blackjack wagering game of claim 19, wherein a winning
outcome of the side bet bonus wager depends on the player's initial
hand including two cards of the at least one selected suit, wherein
the two cards are of the same selected suit.
23. The blackjack wagering game of claim 19, wherein the side bet
bonus wager pushes if the player's initial hand includes only one
card of the at least one selected suit.
24. The blackjack wagering game of claim 19, further comprising the
step of paying an award on a winning side bet bonus wager, wherein
the award is a multiple of the second monetary amount.
25. The blackjack wagering game of claim 19, wherein the multiple
increases if the player's initial hand is a blackjack.
26. The blackjack wagering game of claim 19, wherein the multiple
increases if the player's initial hand forms a pair according to
the rules of poker.
27. A blackjack wagering game having a side bet bonus game
comprising: a) wagering a first amount on an underlying blackjack
game involving a player playing against a dealer; b) wagering a
second amount on a side bet bonus game integrated with the
underlying blackjack game, wherein the second amount wager includes
selecting at least one particular suit to be associated with a
winning event in the side bet bonus game; c) selecting at least a
single card rank or a two card rank, card combination or card order
within the second amount wager; d) providing one or more cards to
the player and the dealer to form a player's initial hand and a
dealer's initial hand; e) determining the outcome of the side bet
bonus game wager, wherein the outcome depends on at least one card
in one of the initial hands including one or more cards of the at
least one selected suit and one of the single card rank or a two
card rank, card combination or card order; e) playing the
underlying blackjack card game to determine a final outcome for the
blackjack wager.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION DATA
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/300088, filed Dec. 14, 2005.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to games of chance, such as
card games, and more particularly to a card game, such as blackjack
or variants thereof, that facilitates multiple wagering
opportunities.
[0004] 2. Background of the Art
[0005] Card games have always been popular as wagering games. The
history of card games reaches back into biblical times. One of the
most popular card games, especially for gambling or gaming uses is
the card game known as blackjack ("Twenty-One" or "21"), the
general rules of which are well known throughout the world. A
summary of the rules is provided below.
[0006] The basic game of blackjack is played with one or more
standard decks of cards wherein each rank of card is associated a
numerical value (e.g., royalty is worth 10 points, Aces may be 1 or
11 points at the changeable option of the player, and actual
numbers have equal point values, that is 1=1, 2=2, 3=3, etc.). The
object of the game for the players is to be dealt or otherwise
develop a hand of cards having a cumulative value closer to 21 than
the dealer's hand, provided that no hands that exceed 21 remain in
play.
[0007] Players are each initially dealt hands consisting of two
cards which are displayed face up to compete against the dealer's
hand of two cards, with one card of the two dealer cards being
displayed face up while the other dealer card is hidden (e.g., face
down). The rules of the basic game then provide a round in which
each player has the opportunity to maintain the initial hand as
dealt (referred to as "sticking" or "standing") or to receive
additional cards (referred to as "hitting"). Cards can be added to
the player hand in a player hand determination portion of the round
until the cumulative value of the hand exceeds 21 or until the
player indicates that he will stand with the present point count. A
player with a cumulative hand value greater than 21 loses the game
before the dealer has exercised the stand/hit options (referred to
as "busting") and any wager that player has made is
relinquished.
[0008] Once this player hand determination portion of the round has
been completed, the dealer reveals the hidden or "hole" card to the
players and either stands or hits. In this basic version of the
game of blackjack, the dealer does not have the ability to decide
whether to stand or hit. Rather, the decision is dictated by the
house rules. For example, house rules may dictate that the dealer
must typically take another card if the cumulative hand value
equals 16 or less and must stand on any hand having a value of 17.
In other variants of the game of blackjack, the dealer must take a
hit on a "soft" 17, that is, a 17 that was made by a hand
comprising two or more cards, at least one of the cards being an
Ace that can be used to provide a total hand count of 7 (with the
Ace counting as 1) or 17 (with the Ace counting as 11).
Accordingly, if the dealer's hand should eventually exceed 21, the
dealer loses the game. Upon the dealer losing, the remaining
players (that is, players who have not yet busted and their hands
are still in play) win and are paid based on their wagers. In the
event that both the player and dealer have the same value hands,
this is a known as a "push" and the wager is returned to the
player.
[0009] The house or casino has the advantage because the blackjack
player must play and complete their hand before the dealer plays or
completes his hand. However, blackjack is relatively simple to
understand and is a fast and easy card game for most players to
play. Additionally, many players may exercise some form of strategy
when playing the game which betters their odds of winning. These
strategies are often based on assessing a combination of factors
such as the player's initial hand value, an estimation of the
dealer's hand based on the one visible card and mathematical
probability that the hidden card will be of a particular value,
along with the chances that taking any additional cards will cause
the player or dealer to eventually bust.
[0010] While the basic game of blackjack is a relatively fast-paced
card game, it is always desirable to offer the players
opportunities for variations in the game to maintain their
long-term interest. Other betting options are desirable for the
blackjack player other than just varying the size of their wagers.
Additional betting options increase the revenue earned by each
table. A blackjack game is needed that has wagering opportunities
which permit the blackjack player to have a chance to win a large
bet (as a regular option or an option after losing a number of
conventional bets to the dealer) without the risk of losing a large
amount.
[0011] Attempts have been made to vary the basic game of blackjack
to provide players with additional wagering options as compared to
the wagering options in the basic game. For example, some of these
variants allow for a player to wager on the dealer's hand value
being higher than the player's hand value but not more than 21.
Other variants allow the player to wager on the value of the
dealer's hidden card. In yet other variants, the players are
allowed to make separate wagers on the initial hand with payouts
dependent on the rank or suit of the cards dealt. In still other
variants, the players are allowed to make separate wagers having
payouts that depend on the player's cards and the dealer's viewable
card being forming a traditional poker hand such as a straight or
flush.
[0012] Another example of a blackjack variant wager is Royal Match
21.TM. game marketed by Shuffle Master, Inc., which includes an
optional side bonus bet for Blackjack that considers only the first
two cards that the player receives. If the cards are a King and
Queen of the same suit (i.e., a "Royal Match"), the player wins.
The game also includes an Optional Crown Treasure.TM. bonus wager
which may provide awards to the player if the player and the dealer
each receive a "Royal Match."
[0013] A series of Patents have been issued (including U.S. Pat.
Nos. 6,012,719; 6,293,551; 6,371,867; 6,481,719; 6,523,831;
6,863,274; and 6,902,167, Webb) disclose side bet wagers on cards
used in blackjack games, often but not always in a poker-type
arrangement of cards.
[0014] Many blackjack variants have not been successful for reasons
such as the variations unduly decrease the pace of game play, lack
exciting betting options or a large jackpot type of payout, or
incorporate side wagering options that are not widely utilized by
players because they are confusing or their benefits are unknown,
minimal or just unappreciated. Thus, there is a need in the art to
provide variants of the basic blackjack game which, among other
things, include easily understood wagering options and large
payouts that do not significantly slow down the game play.
Furthermore, there is always a need to provide additional
alternatives for people that enjoy games of chance.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0015] The present invention solves the problems cited above, among
other things, by providing a blackjack wagering game having a
unique side bet bonus game that provides a wager resulting at
relatively high multiples of the wager.
[0016] In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a method
of playing a blackjack wagering game that includes the steps of:
wagering a first monetary amount on an underlying blackjack game
involving a player playing against a dealer; wagering a second
monetary amount on a side bet bonus game integrated with the
underlying blackjack game, wherein the step of placing the side bet
bonus game wager includes selecting at least one particular suit as
an element of the side bet wager game; providing one or more cards
to each of the player and the dealer to form a player's initial
hand and a dealer's initial hand; and determining the outcome of
the side bet bonus game wager, wherein the outcome of the side bet
wager depends on at least one of the initial hands including one or
more cards of the at least one selected suit; and playing the
underlying blackjack card game to determine a final outcome for the
blackjack wager.
[0017] In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the step
of providing one or more cards to the player and the dealer to form
a player's initial hand and a dealer's initial hand includes
providing two cards to the player and two cards to the dealer,
wherein only one of the dealer's cards is displayed openly to the
player before the player may elect to stand or hit.
[0018] In one exemplary embodiment of the invention, the player
selects the one suit for a single wager. In another, the player is
provided with the opportunity to place multiple wagers and select
one or more than one suit for each wager. In yet another exemplary
embodiment, the suit is selected randomly (e.g., by a random event
selector, card cut, processor, etc.). The outcome of the side bet
bonus wager may depend on the player's initial hand including one
or more cards of any selected suit. Preferably, a winning outcome
of the side bet bonus wager depends on the player's initial hand
including all cards of one selected suit.
[0019] Alternatively, the outcome of the side bet bonus wager may
depend on the player's initial hand and dealer's displayed card
including one or more cards of a selected suit. A winning outcome
of the side bet bonus wager may then depend on the player's initial
hand and dealer's displayed card including all or a specific
minimum number of cards of one selected suit. For example, the
wager may also be made that specific sets of cards (such as the
player's cards or the player's cards and the dealer's up card) have
exactly 1, 2 or 3 cards of a specific suit. The specific cards may
vary with each game or format, and the award amount will depend
upon the probability of any specific card combination event
occurring. For example, wagers may be placed on any one of spades,
hearts, diamonds or clubs, and the specific combinations of, for
example, A-K, A-2, any running cards (e.g., 2-3, 6-7, 10-J, etc.)
or with multiple decks, even paired cards of the selected suit. A
point to be considered is that the suit may be selected independent
of the card combinations, as opposed to having a fixed wager on
only predetermined suit and card combinations.
[0020] The blackjack wagering game of the present invention may
also include the step of paying an award on a winning side bet
bonus wager, wherein the award is a multiple of the second monetary
amount. The multiple used to determine the award for a winning
outcome on the side bet bonus wager may be modified or increased
depending on the factors relating to attributes associated with the
cards forming the initial hands other than their respective suits.
For example, the multiplier may be modified if the player's initial
hand or dealer's initial hand is a blackjack (sum of ranks) or pair
according to the rules of poker, or a combination thereof. The
multiplier may also be modified depending on the quantity of decks
used to play the underlying blackjack game. Preferably, the side
bet bonus wager pushes if the player's initial hand includes only
one card of any selected suit.
[0021] These and other aspects of the present invention will become
more readily apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art
from the following detailed description of the invention taken in
conjunction with the detailed description of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0022] The following description illustrates various exemplary and
preferred embodiments of the game of the present invention, but is
not intended to limit the scope thereof.
[0023] The present invention is directed to a system and method for
providing an auxiliary game to an underlying game of blackjack
which can be played by one or more players and is configured or
adapted to provide an award (also referred to herein as a "bonus"
or "side bet bonus" award) at an intermediate stage of the game
prior to determining the ultimate outcome of the underlying
blackjack game.
[0024] In one embodiment of the present invention, a blackjack
wagering game played according to the standard rules of blackjack
is integrated with a bonus side bet game. The bonus bet may be
optional or mandatory. The game of the present invention is played
by first placing an ante wager on the underlying game of blackjack
and by making a second side bet wager. The player, or other
wagerer, selects one or more possible card suits (e.g., clubs,
diamonds, hearts and/or spades) in addition placing the side bet
wager. The selection of at least one particular suit can be a
distinct step in the practice of this described game. The game may
also be played with a predetermined suit predetermined as an
element of each side bet (e.g., only spades).
[0025] Preferably, each side bet wager comprises a separate bet on
the selected suit. Thus, one to four separate bets may be placed in
a traditional game of blackjack using standard cards. For example,
in a live table game, the side bet may be placed by placing poker
chips in a particular location within a designated side bet area of
the table having indicia printed thereon to represent the four
suits and four possible wagering selections. Alternatively, one or
more suits may be chosen randomly by an independent apparatus, such
as an electronic device or a spinning wheel, prior to the start of
a new game. The selected suit would be displayed to the players and
dealer.
[0026] After placing side bet wager, cards are then provided to the
player and the dealer to form a player's initial hand and a
dealer's initial hand. In a preferred embodiment, the player's
initial hand is compared with the side bet wager, that is, to
determine if the cards in the player's initial hand are of the same
suit as the one or more suits selected as part of placing the side
bet wager. Alternatively, one or both cards of the player's initial
hand and the one displayed card in the dealer's initial hand may be
used to compare with the one or more suits selected in the side bet
wager to determine a winner. Depending on the game rules and
winning criteria, the side bet award is granted, if appropriate.
After determining the outcome of the side bet, the underlying
blackjack game is played to a final outcome. The determination may
be made visually by the players and dealer and/or the determination
may be identified and indicated to the table by an automated card
reading systems, by way of non-limiting example, such as that
disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/622,321 and U.S.
Pat. Nos. 6,460,848; 6,517,435; 6,517,436; 6,520,857; 6,527,271;
6,530,836; 6,530,837; and others, which applications are
incorporated herein by reference.
[0027] The side bet award is preferably expressed as a mathematical
formula or odds payout, such as in a pay table, which prescribes
the winning criteria and amount to be awarded in relation to the
winning criteria and the amount wagered. Preferably, the amount to
be awarded is expressed as a multiple of the amount wagered. The
multiplier may be the same or different, depending on the winning
criteria satisfied.
[0028] For example, a greater multiplier may be applied to the
bonus wager if the player's initial hand includes two suited cards
of the same value, or a ranked hand according to the rules of
poker, such as a pair, rather than any two different cards of the
same suit. A greater multiplier may also be employed to determine
the bonus award if the player's initial hand along with the
dealer's displayed card includes one or more suited cards that form
a ranked hand according to the rules of poker. Similarly, different
multipliers may be employed if the player's initial hand includes
cards of a particular rank or a blackjack consisting of cards of
the selected suit. The award amount for winning hands may also be
modified depending on the number of decks used in the game.
Alternatively, the award may be all or a portion of a progressive
jackpot. The relative portion of the jackpot awarded may also
depend on the cards in the player's initial hand.
[0029] A preferred embodiment of the game is described below. In
this embodiment, if the suit of a single card in the player's
initial hand matches a selected suit, this results in a push (i.e.,
neither a win nor loss and the bet is returned). If both cards in
the player's initial hand are of the same suit as a selected suit,
the side bet wins odds. The bonus award is expressed as a multiple
of the amount wagered. The specific multiplier to be used in
calculating the award depends in part on which winning criteria is
satisfied, and the game being played, that is, the amount of decks
incorporated in the game. An exemplary pay table for this
embodiment is shown below. TABLE-US-00001 Two Match Two Match
Number of No One Two and a and a Decks Match Match Match Pair
Blackjack 1 Loss Push 7 to 1 NA 40 to 1 2 Loss Push 7 to 1 20 to 1
25 to 1 3 Loss Push 7 to 1 15 to 1 25 to 1 4 Loss Push 7 to 1 15 to
1 25 to 1 5 Loss Push 7 to 1 15 to 1 25 to 1 6 Loss Push 7 to 1 15
to 1 25 to 1 7 Loss Push 7 to 1 15 to 1 25 to 1 8 Loss Push 7 to 1
15 to 1 25 to 1
[0030] The above payable contains the winning criteria and
mathematical formulas, in terms of a multiple of the monetary
amount placed as a side bet wager, used in the following
illustrative examples of the aforementioned preferred embodiment.
In the examples, the game will be primarily described with respect
to the traditional game of blackjack, but it should be readily
apparent that the award or bonus wager and other features of the
present invention can be applied to other variants of blackjack,
such as Spanish 21.TM. game, other card games or other types of
gambling games. If a special deck of cards is used, the payout odds
are likely to be different. It should also be readily apparent that
various other winning criteria and formulas may be used in
conjunction with games of the present invention.
EXAMPLE 1
[0031] In a blackjack game using 1 deck according to the present
invention, the player makes an underlying blackjack wager of $10
and side bet wagers of $5 on hearts and $5 on diamonds. In this
example, the dealer's up card is not considered. The initial hands
are shown below: TABLE-US-00002 Player's Hand Dealer's Up-Card Ace
Jack 9.diamond-solid.
[0032] Since the player selected hearts, and the player's hand
satisfies one of the criteria described in the pay table above
(i.e., "Two match and a blackjack"), the player has won the side
bet bonus award of $200 (40.times. the side bet amount of $5)
according to the formula in the paytable (i.e., "40 to 1")
associated with this criteria and amount of decks of cards used in
the game. Although the dealer's up card is a diamond, and the
player selected a diamond, the player losses the $5 bet because in
this embodiment of the present invention, the suit of the up card
in the dealer's initial hand is not considered. After the side bets
are resolved the underlying blackjack game continues to an ultimate
resolution. Any amounts due to the player based on the outcome of
the underlying blackjack game are granted independently of the side
bet bonus award.
EXAMPLE 2
[0033] In a blackjack game using 4 decks according to the present
invention, the player makes an underlying blackjack wager of $10
and a side bet wager of $5 on hearts. The dealer's up card is not
considered in this example. The initial hands are shown below:
TABLE-US-00003 Player's Hand Dealer's Up-Card 10 Jack
9.diamond-solid.
[0034] Since the player selected hearts, and the player's hand
satisfies one of the criteria described in the pay table above
(i.e., "Two match"), the player has won the side bet bonus award of
$35 (7.times. the side bet amount of $5) according to the formula
in the paytable (i.e., "7 to 1") associated with this criteria.
Although the player's cards have the same count value (i.e., "10")
it should be noted that these cards do not form a pair according to
the rules of poker. After these side bets are resolved the
underlying blackjack game continues to an ultimate resolution.
EXAMPLE 3
[0035] In a blackjack game using 4 decks according to the present
invention, the player makes an underlying blackjack wager of $10
and side bet wagers of $5 on hearts and $5 on clubs. The dealer's
up card is not considered in this example. The initial hands are
shown below: TABLE-US-00004 Player's Hand Dealer's Up-Card Jack
Jack.diamond-solid. 9
[0036] With regard to the side bet on hearts, the player's hand
satisfies one of the criteria described in the pay table above
(i.e., "One match"), and the bet pushes (i.e., the player's bet of
$5 is returned) in accordance with the formula in the paytable.
With regard to the side bet of $5 on clubs, the player's hand
includes no cards having clubs (i.e., "No match"). Thus, the player
loses this bet in accordance with the pay table above. The
underlying blackjack game continues to an ultimate resolution after
these side bets are resolved.
EXAMPLE 4
[0037] In a blackjack game using 8 decks according to the present
invention, the player makes an underlying blackjack wager of $10
and a side bet wager of $5 on clubs. The dealer's up card is not
considered in this example. The initial hands are shown below:
TABLE-US-00005 Player's Hand Dealer's Up-Card Jack Jack 9
[0038] Since the player selected clubs, and the player's hand
satisfies one of the criteria described in the pay table above
(i.e., "Two match and a pair"), the player has won the side bet
bonus award of $75 (15.times. the side bet amount of $5) according
to the formula in the paytable (i.e., "15 to 1") associated with
this criteria and amount of decks used in the game. The underlying
blackjack game continues to an ultimate resolution after these side
bets are resolved.
EXAMPLE 5
[0039] In a blackjack game using 6 decks according to the present
invention, the player makes an underlying blackjack wager of $10
and side bet wagers of $5 on hearts, $5 on clubs, $5 on spades and
$5 on diamonds. Only the player's cards are considered in this
example for receiving the side bet. The initial hands are shown
below: TABLE-US-00006 Player's Hand Dealer's Up-Card 6 6 Ace
[0040] The player loses the side bet wagers on hearts, clubs and
diamonds, for a total loss of $15, but wins the side bet wager on
spades. Since the player's hand includes two spades and qualifies
as a pair according to the rules of poker, the player wins a side
bet bonus award of $75 (15.times. the side bet amount of $5)
according to the formula in the paytable (i.e., "15 to 1")
associated with this criteria and amount of decks used in the game.
The underlying blackjack game continues to an ultimate resolution
after these side bets are resolved.
[0041] For example, the game proceeds and dealer's hole card is
revealed to show a blackjack hand as follows: TABLE-US-00007
Player's Hand Dealer's Hand 6 6 Ace Jack
[0042] It should be noted that although the player has lost the $10
ante on the underlying blackjack game and the three side bets of
$5.00 each for a combined total of $25.00, the player has still won
the bonus award of $75, and thus has positive winnings of $50.
EXAMPLE 6
[0043] In a blackjack game using 6 decks according to the present
invention, the player makes an underlying blackjack wager of $10
and side bet wagers of $5 on hearts and $5 on clubs. In this
example, the dealer's up card is considered along with the player's
cards for comparison with the criteria set forth in the paytable.
The initial hands are shown below: TABLE-US-00008 Player's Hand
Dealer's Up-Card 8 6 Jack
[0044] The player loses the side bet wager on hearts for a loss of
$5, but wins the side bet wager on clubs for clubs since the
dealer's up card is included for comparison with the criteria.
Since the player's hand and dealer's up card includes two clubs,
the player wins a side bet bonus award of $35 (7.times. the side
bet amount of $5) according to the formula in the paytable (i.e.,
"7 to 1") associated with this criteria and amount of decks used in
the game. The underlying blackjack game continues to an ultimate
resolution after the side bets are resolved.
[0045] In the above description, variations within the generic
principles of the invention have been alluded to or described. One
of ordinary skill in the art can develop other alternatives or
additions within the scope of the invention. For example, special
wagering features such as coin accepting slots, proximity
detectors, or other wager indicators (particularly for the side bet
wager) can be provided on the gaming table for the play of the
exemplary blackjack game. Progressive bonuses may be designed for
use with the appearance of special hands (e.g., dealer and player
matching suited blackjacks or the like). Such a progressive bonus
may be indicated on a special meter. Other options and components
may be added to the play of the game without avoiding the
underlying generic concepts disclosed in this description and the
claims of the invention.
[0046] For example, the underlying game could be another
casino-style card game such as baccarat, pai gow poker, or a
specialty poker game. In the case of Pai Gow poker, each player and
the dealer receive 7 cards. The players and the dealer "set" their
hands, forming a five card hand and a two card hand. A side bet on
the occurrence of a designated suit in the player's two card hand
and/or the dealer's two card hand could be offered. Or, the
designated suit can be in one or more cards in the five card hands,
or combinations of the five and two card hands. Other casino games
such as Baccarat could be played in a manner similar to the
blackjack game described in detail above. The odds would have to be
adjusted, as the player's have more control over the positioning of
cards in Pai Gow poker.
[0047] Although exemplary and preferred aspects and embodiments of
the present invention have been described with a full set of
features, it is to be understood that the disclosed system and
method may be practiced successfully without the incorporation of
each of those features. It is to be further understood that
modifications and variations may be utilized without departure from
the spirit and scope of this inventive system and method, as those
skilled in the art will readily understand. Such modifications and
variations are considered to be within the purview and scope of the
appended claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *