Three card blackjack

Abstract

A blackjack variation that can be played in a casino. A player is dealt three initial cards and the player can then choose two out of the three cards as the player's initial hand and the dealer is dealt two cards. The blackjack game can then proceed normally using the chosen two cards. The player must also place a side bet based on a poker hand comprising the three initial cards and the dealer's upcard.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present inventive concept relates to a casino table game, and more particularly, to a variation of casino blackjack.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] Casino games are currently a billion dollar industry. Blackjack is currently a popular table game, although its popularity has been recently decreasing.

[0005] What is needed is a new game which can provide players with a more exciting game than a standard blackjack game.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] It is an aspect of the present invention to provide exciting variations of blackjack that can be played in casinos.

[0007] The above aspects can be obtained by a method that includes (a) receiving a blackjack wager and a poker wager; (b) dealing the player three initial player cards; (c) allowing the player to select a player's initial blackjack hand comprising two out of the three initial player cards, and allowing the player to also select a discard card which is a card from the three initial player cards not used in the initial blackjack hand; (d) revealing a dealer's upcard; (e) determining a rank of a poker hand comprising some of the initial player cards; (f) resolving the poker wager based on the rank using a paytable; (g) completing a blackjack hand using the player's initial blackjack hand and the dealer's upcard and a dealer's downcard which is revealed; and (h) resolving the blackjack wager based on a result of the completing.

[0008] The above aspects can also be obtained by an apparatus that includes (a) an output device; and (b) a processing unit using the output device and performing: (i) receiving a blackjack wager and a poker wager; (ii) dealing the player three initial player cards; (iii) allowing the player to select a player's initial blackjack hand comprising two out of the three initial player cards, and allowing the player to also select a discard card which is a card from the three initial player cards not used in the initial blackjack hand; (iv) revealing a dealer's upcard; (v) determining a rank of a poker hand comprising some of the initial player cards; (vi) resolving the poker wager based on the rank using a paytable; (vii) completing a blackjack hand using the player's initial blackjack hand and the dealer's upcard and a dealer's downcard which is revealed; and (viii) resolving the blackjack wager based on a result of the completing.

[0009] These together with other aspects and advantages which will be subsequently apparent, reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Further features and advantages of the present invention, as well as the structure and operation of various embodiments of the present invention, will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the preferred embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which:

[0011] FIG. 1 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method of implementing a blackjack variation game, according to an embodiment;

[0012] FIG. 2 is an exemplary table layout to implement a blackjack variation game, according to an embodiment;

[0013] FIG. 3A is an exemplary first state of a sample game, according to an embodiment;

[0014] FIG. 3B is an exemplary second state of a sample game, according to an embodiment;

[0015] FIG. 3C is an exemplary third state of a sample game, according to an embodiment;

[0016] FIG. 3D is an exemplary fourth state of a sample game, according to an embodiment;

[0017] FIG. 3E is an exemplary fifth state of a sample game, according to an embodiment; and

[0018] FIG. 4 is an exemplary block diagram of hardware that can be used to implement an electronic embodiment;

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

[0020] The present general inventive concept relates to a method, system, and computer readable storage which allows a casino to offer to player(s) a blackjack game which can provide a player with more excitement than a standard game.

[0021] This can be accomplished by a blackjack variation in which the player must make two mandatory and equal bets, a blackjack wager and a poker wager. The player is dealt three initial cards, upon which the player can select two out of the three cards as the player's initial blackjack hand. This would give the player a large advantage, so the poker wager would typically have a house advantage to offset the player advantage on the blackjack wager. Once the player has chosen his initial blackjack hand (two cards of the three initial cards), the dealer's upcard can then be revealed. The poker wager pays based on a rank of a poker hand made from dealt cards, such as the players initial three cards and the dealer's upcard. Then the blackjack game can continue as a normal blackjack game, using the blackjack hand (two cards) the player has chosen as the player's starting cards. The player can then proceed as normal, e.g., hit, stand, double, split, etc., after the dealer's upcard has been revealed. When the player (and other players at the table) have finished playing his or her hand, the dealer can then play out the dealer's hand according to house rules (e.g., the dealer can hit until the dealer has a point total of 17 or more, with the optional exception that the dealer may also hit soft 17). The player may also have the option to take insurance when the dealer's upcard is an ace.

[0022] Thus, the game described herein provides excitement to the player in that the player can select two cards out of three in order to improve his or her hand. Thus, the player will typically do well on the blackjack portion of the game, typically providing the player with a feeling of success and excitement.

[0023] FIG. 1 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method of implementing a blackjack variation game, according to an embodiment.

[0024] The method can begin with operation 100, which receives, from the player, a blackjack wager, and a poker wager. The blackjack wager and the poker wager should be equal amounts, although in a alternate embodiment these wagers may not be equal (e.g. one could be a multiple of the other).

[0025] From operation 100, the method can proceed to operation 102, which deals three initial player cards face down to each player and deals a dealer's upcard and a dealer's downcard, both face down. Note the upcard will be revealed later but is dealt face down initially (although in an alternative embodiment the upcard can be initially dealt face up).

[0026] From operation 102, the method can proceed to operation 104, which allows the player to examine his or her three initial player cards and select two out of these three cards as the initial blackjack hand. Typically, this is done without the player knowing what the dealer's upcard is, although in an alternate embodiment, the player may see the dealer's upcard before making this decision.

[0027] From operation 104, the method can proceed to operation 106, wherein the dealer's upcard is revealed (turned face up).

[0028] From operation 106, the method can proceed to operation 108, which determines a rank of a poker hand formed from the three initial player cards and the dealer's upcard, and resolves the poker wager. Alternatively, other combinations of cards can be used form the poker hand, such as only the player's initial three cards, the player's initial three cards and the dealer's downcard, the player's initial three cards and both the dealer's upcard and the dealer's downcard, the player's initial blackjack hand, the player's initial blackjack hand and the dealer's downcard, the player's initial blackjack hand and the dealer's upcard, the player's initial blackjack hand and both the dealer's upcard and the dealer's downcard, the player's discard and the dealer's upcard, the player's discard and the dealer's downcard, the player's discard and both the dealer's upcard and the dealer's downcard, etc.

[0029] After the rank is determined, if it is a winning rank according to the paytable being used, then the player is paid according to the paytable's multiple based on the player's poker wager. If the rank is a losing rank (e.g. nothing), then the player's poker wager is taken by the dealer.

[0030] From operation 108, the method can proceed to operation 110, which continues the blackjack game using the initial blackjack hand (two cards) for the player and the dealer's upcard and the dealer's downward for the dealer. The player, after seeing the dealer's upcard, can decide how to play his or her hand, such as hit, stand, double, split, etc.

[0031] From operation 110, the method can proceed to operation 112, which takes or pays the blackjack wager based on a result of the blackjack game.

[0032] It is noted that the order of operations described above can be performed in any sensible order. For example, the poker wager can be resolved after the blackjack wager is resolved, or at any other time.

[0033] Table I illustrates an exemplary set of rules for an embodiment of a blackjack variation game.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE I 1. The blackjack game uses the following rules: Player may double on any two initial cards. Player may double after splitting. Dealer must hit soft 17. Player may split up to 3 times (4 hand total). Aces can only be split one time and receive on card each. Blackjack pays 3:2. The game uses six decks. 2. Player places bets of equal size on a blackjack wager betting circle and a poker hand wager betting circle. 3. Three initial player cards are dealt to the player face down. Two cards are dealt to the dealer, face down. 4. The player sets his or her hand by selecting two cards out of the three initial player cards as the blackjack hand and places these two cards face up into a blackjack box. A discard card (the third card from the three initial player cards not used in the blackjack hand) is placed face up in a discard box. 5. After all players have set their hand (made their decisions and placed their cards), the dealer turns over the dealer's upcard. 6. A poker hand is formed from the four cards comprising the three initial player cards and the dealer's upcard. The rank of the poker hand is determined and the poker hand wager is taken or paid based on the rank using a paytable. 7. After all of the poker hand wagers have been resolved, the cards in all of the discard boxes are collected by the dealer and placed in the discard tray. 8. The player now plays blackjack with the blackjack hand (two cards) against the dealer.

[0034] Note that Table I illustrates one exemplary set of rules, but other modifications to these rules, as known in the art, could be employed as well. For example, any number of decks can be used (e.g. 1-8 or more). The dealer may stand on soft 17. The player may be allowed to split/resplit a particular number of times (e.g. 1-6, etc.) Any known set of blackjack rules can be used for the blackjack component of the game described herein.

[0035] Table II below illustrates different types of poker hands.

TABLE-US-00002 TABLE II Player's hand Description Example(s) Suited four of a kind Four cards of identical suit 8S 8S 8S 8S Royal flush Four sequential cards of the JH QH KH AH same suit, with ace as a high card Straight flush Four sequential cards of the 3C 4C 5C 6C same suit, non-ace high Four of a kind Four cards of equal rank, QD QH QS QC but not all of the same suit 4D 4D 4D 4H Flush Four cards of the same suit, 6D 7D 8D JD but not all of the same rank, 3S 3S 3S AS and not in sequence 4S 4S 6S 6S Straight Four cards in sequence, but 5C 6C 7D 8S not all the same suit Three of a kind Three cards of the same 4D KD KH KH rank and on card of a 7C TS TS TS different rank. Cards not all the same suit Two pairs Two pairs of cards. Cards JH JS AS AD not all the same suit. Pairs must be of different ranks. Jacks or better pair One pair of cards of rank J, 4D QD QS AS Q, K, or A. Cards not all the same suit. Low pair One pair of cards of rank 2 9C 9S TD AS T (ten). Cards not all the same suit Nothing A hand without a pair, not 4D 5S QC KD all of the same suit, and not in sequence

[0036] Table III below illustrates three different exemplary payout schedules (paytables), for the poker wager each with their own house edge. Table III assumes the poker hand is made of four cards. Table III is based on the rules enumerated in Table I.

TABLE-US-00003 TABLE III PLAYER'S HAND PAYOUT 1 PAYOUT 2 PAYOUT 3 Suited four of a kind 100 25 10 Royal flush 50 15 10 Straight flush 25 10 10 Four of a kind 15 8 10 Flush 10 2 10 Straight 8 5 10 Three of a kind 4 1 3 Two pair 3 1 3 Jacks or better pair 1 1 1 Low pair -1 0 (push) -1 Nothing -1 -1 -1 House edge 37.4745% 37.2274% 38.0064%

[0037] Table IV below illustrates a net house edge for each of the three paytables illustrated in Table III. Note that the net house edge is the sum of the poker hand house edge and the blackjack wager house edge. Thus, for example, using paytable 1 ("payout 1"), the house edge on the game is 3.4894% taking into consideration both the two wagers. Thus assumes optimal strategy by the player on the blackjack wager, and typically players will not play using perfect optimal strategy.

TABLE-US-00004 TABLE IV Poker hand poker hand 3 card BJ Net paytable house edge house edge house edge Payout 1 37.3915% -33.9021% 3.4894% Payout 2 37.2274% -33.9021% 3.253% Payout 3 38.0064% -33.9021% 4.1043%

[0038] FIG. 2 is an exemplary table layout to implement a blackjack variation game, according to an embodiment.

[0039] A dealer's cards area 200 is used to place the dealer's cards (e.g. the dealer's upcard, the dealer's downcard, and any cards the dealer may draw). A player blackjack wager betting circle 204 is used by the player to place chips for the blackjack wager, and a poker wager betting circle 208 is used by the player to place chips for the poker wager. A blackjack box 202 is used by the player (or dealer after the player makes his or her selections known) to set the cards the player has selected for the initial blackjack hand, and a discard box 206 is used by the player (or dealer) to set the discard. The other five players can use their respective elements similarly. Of course, FIG. 2 merely illustrates one example of a table layout, and other layouts can be used as well. The table can also accommodate other amounts of players besides six (e.g. 1-10 or more). In this example, the dealer stands on all 17's, although in an alternate embodiment the dealer may hit on a soft 17.

[0040] An example of a game will now be presented. Of course, the following example is merely just one example of an almost infinite number of game sequences which can occur. Assume the player wagers $1 on the blackjack wager and $1 on the poker wager.

[0041] FIG. 3A is an exemplary first state of a sample game, according to an embodiment. The player is dealt three initial cards 300, a ten of clubs, a nine of hearts, and an eight of spades. The cards can be dealt face up or face down (as long as the respective player is allowed to look at them). An initial dealer's hand 302 is also dealt face down, which comprises a dealer's upcard and a dealer's downcard. Note that the card referred to as the dealer's upcard can still be dealt face down initially, as it will be turned over later. FIG. 3A corresponds to operation 102 from FIG. 1.

[0042] FIG. 3B is an exemplary second state of a sample game, according to an embodiment. After reviewing the three initial cards 300, the player then sets his or her hand by choosing which two cards will comprise the player's initial blackjack hand 304 and a discard card 306. The player in this case has chosen the ten of clubs and nine of hearts as the initial blackjack hand 304, and these cards can be put inside the blackjack box 202 from FIG. 2. This is the proper play because the point total is 19, while choosing the ten of clubs and the eight of spades would make a point total of 18, and choosing the nine of hearts and the eight of spades would make a point total of 17. The object for the player in blackjack is to make as high of a point total as possible without exceeding 21. Thus, 19 is the best possible point total the player can make in this situation. Thus, the discard card 306 is the eight of spades, and this card can be put inside the discard box 206 from FIG. 2. Note that the uses of either or both of the blackjack box 202 and the discard box 206 may be optional, depending on an embodiment being implemented. FIG. 3B corresponds to operation 104 from FIG. 1.

[0043] FIG. 3C is an exemplary third state of a sample game, according to an embodiment. The dealer's upcard 313 is now revealed to the player(s) (the jack of spades) while the dealer's downcard 314 remains face down. FIG. 3C corresponds to operation 106 from FIG. 1.

[0044] FIG. 3D is an exemplary fourth state of a sample game, according to an embodiment. The player now has the opportunity to play out the player's initial blackjack hand 316, e.g., the player can hit, stand, double, split (if possible), or also take insurance (if the dealer has an ace showing). etc. In this case, since the player has a point total of 19, the player makes the correct play of standing (keeping his or her cards without taking another card which could cause the player to "bust" by exceeding 21). The player can play out his or her hand with knowledge of the dealer's upcard 313. Regardless of what the player has, in this particular case, the player should stand (although in other cases whether the player chooses to hit, stand, or other options, may depend on the dealer's upcard). This corresponds to operation 106 from FIG. 1.

[0045] Now that the upcard is revealed, all the cards are known to form a four card poker hand comprised of the player's three initial cards and the dealer's upcard. Note that these cards are: ten of clubs, nine of hearts, eight of spades, jack of spades. Note that this hand is considered a straight. Thus, for example, using payout I from Table III, a straight pays 8:1, thus the player would win $8 (and his original $1 wager would also be returned to him for a total of $9 in chips). This corresponds to operation 108 from FIG. 1.

[0046] When the player is done playing out his or her hand, the dealer then turns of the dealer's downcard 320. In this case, the downcard is revealed which is a five of clubs. This occurs during operation 110 from FIG. 1.

[0047] FIG. 3E is an exemplary fifth state of a sample game, according to an embodiment. After the player has played out his or her hand, the dealer then plays out the dealer's hand. This is done according to a standard set of house rules, e.g. the dealer continues to hit until the dealer reaches a point total of 17 (the dealer may optionally hit a soft 17 according to the house rules). In this example, the dealers initial hand 320 comprises a point total of 15, thus the dealer hits. The dealer draws a seven of diamonds, giving the dealer a point total of 22. The dealer has busted since the dealer has a point total of more than 21. Thus, the player has won the blackjack wager. Thus, the player is paid $1 on his or her blackjack wager (and the original $1 blackjack wager is also returned to the player). FIG. 3E occurs during operations 110 and 112 from Figure.

[0048] It is noted that the operations described above can be performed in numerous orders. For example, the poker wager can be resolved at any point in the game when all of the cards that are needed in the poker hand are known (e.g. if the poker hand uses the dealer's upcard, when the upcard is revealed). Thus, the poker wager can be resolved after the blackjack hand is resolved, or just before it is resolved, or at any other point.

[0049] In a further embodiment, a game as described herein can be played on an electronic device, such as an electronic gaming machine (EGM). The game can also be played over a computer communications network, such as the Internet, and can also be offered at online casinos.

[0050] FIG. 4 is an exemplary block diagram of hardware that can be used to implement an electronic embodiment.

[0051] A processing unit 404 can be connected to an output unit 400 (e.g. a CRT, LCD, etc.), an input unit 402 (e.g. a touch screen, keyboard, buttons, etc.), a network connection 406 (e.g. connection to a casino server or the Internet or other communication network), a ROM 408, a RAM 410, and a cash acceptance unit 412 (which can accept cash or other methods of payment to place wagers).

[0052] Any embodiments described herein can be played with a standard deck of cards or any type of special deck (e.g. a Spanish deck, etc.) The game can also be played with a single deck or multiple decks (e.g. 1-8 decks or more). Standard rules of blackjack can be used as well as any known variation of blackjack. Further, the order of any of the operations described herein can be performed in any order and wagers can be placed/resolved in any order. Any embodiments herein can also be played in electronic form and programs and/or data for such can be stored on any type of computer readable storage medium (e.g. CD-ROM, DVD, disk, etc.)

[0053] The many features and advantages of the invention are apparent from the detailed specification and, thus, it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such features and advantages of the invention that fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation illustrated and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A method to play a blackjack variation between a player and a dealer for a casino, the method comprising: receiving a blackjack wager and a poker wager; dealing the player three initial player cards; allowing the player to select a player's initial blackjack hand comprising two out of the three initial player cards, and allowing the player to also select a discard card which is a card from the three initial player cards not used in the initial blackjack hand; revealing a dealer's upcard; determining a rank of a poker hand comprising some of the initial player cards; resolving the poker wager based on the rank using a paytable; completing a blackjack hand using the player's initial blackjack hand and the dealer's upcard and a dealer's downcard which is revealed; and resolving the blackjack wager based on a result of the completing.

2. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the poker hand comprises all of the initial player cards and the dealer's upcard.

3. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the poker hand comprises all of the initial player cards and a dealer's card.

4. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the allowing is performed before the revealing.

5. A method as recited in claim 2, wherein the allowing is performed before the revealing.

6. A method as recited in claim 3, wherein the allowing is performed before the revealing.

7. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the blackjack wager and the poker wager are equal in value.

8. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein a house edge on the poker wager more than offsets a player advantage on the blackjack wager so that the casino has an overall advantage.

9. A method as recited in claim 2, wherein a house edge on the poker wager more than offsets a player advantage on the blackjack wager so that the casino has an overall advantage.

10. A method as recited in claim 3, wherein a house edge on the poker wager more than offsets a player advantage on the blackjack wager so that the casino has an overall advantage.

11. A method as recited in claim 4, wherein a house edge on the poker wager more than offsets a player advantage on the blackjack wager so that the casino has an overall advantage.

12. A method as recited in claim 5, wherein a house edge on the poker wager more than offsets a player advantage on the blackjack wager so that the casino has an overall advantage.

13. A method as recited in claim 6, wherein a house edge on the poker wager more than offsets a player advantage on the blackjack wager so that the casino has an overall advantage.

14. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising, placing, by the player, the player's initial blackjack hand in a blackjack box outlined on a playing table and placing, by the player, the discard in a discard box outlined on a playing table.

15. An apparatus to play a blackjack variation between a player and a dealer, the method comprising: an output device; and a processing unit using the output device and performing: receiving a blackjack wager and a poker wager; dealing the player three initial player cards; allowing the player to select a player's initial blackjack hand comprising two out of the three initial player cards, and allowing the player to also select a discard card which is a card from the three initial player cards not used in the initial blackjack hand; revealing a dealer's upcard; determining a rank of a poker hand comprising some of the initial player cards; resolving the poker wager based on the rank using a paytable; completing a blackjack hand using the player's initial blackjack hand and the dealer's upcard and a dealer's downcard which is revealed; and resolving the blackjack wager based on a result of the completing.