21 Poker

Abstract

A gaming method is disclosed and comprises: dealing two cards to at least one player and to the dealer; allowing each player and the dealer to decide whether to use at least one community card from a plurality of community cards to form their blackjack hand; players and dealer creating a blackjack hand comprising the two cards dealt to them and optionally one or more community cards; players and dealer creating a poker hand comprising the two cards dealt to them and the plurality of community cards; and resolving all bets In alternate embodiments, players may make optional side bets that their poker hand will form a certain winning poker combination. In one embodiment, the players and the dealer are each dealt two cards and three community cards are dealt. Players may `buy` one or more community cards to form their blackjack hand by placing additional bets.

Description

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of and claims priority from the filing date of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/554,826, filed Oct. 31, 2006, which is a continuation-in-part of and claims priority from the filing date of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/404,138, filed Apr. 15, 2006, both of which applications are hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention generally relates to a method and apparatus for playing a card game. More particularly, the present invention relates to a modified blackjack game that may be played as a casino table game or as a video game.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Blackjack is the most popular card game offered in casinos today. In fact, casinos will often devote more tables to blackjack than to all other forms of card games combined. Blackjack is based on simple concepts and procedures that are readily understood by novice and regular players alike. Additionally, the game allows players to use basic strategies that provide some degree of player control and that allow for heightened excitement.

[0004] Blackjack requires the use of at least one standard deck of 52 playing cards. These cards each have a numerical or letter value, and a suit associated with them. A standard deck consists of four sets (of thirteen cards each) numbered as follows: A (ace), 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, J (jack), Q (queen), and K (king). There are four cards of each value, one of each "suit": spades, diamonds, clubs, and hearts. For the purposes of blackjack, the suit is irrelevant, and only the value of the card is considered. Again, for the purposes of blackjack, the value of the cards is computed as follows: for cards valued two through nine, they are given the value shown on the card; tens, jacks, queens, and kings are each valued as ten points; and aces may be valued as one point, or as eleven points, at the player's discretion. While blackjack may be played with only a single deck of cards, casinos will usually use "shoes" of multiple decks mixed together to discourage card-counting.

[0005] A blackjack game involves one dealer (in casinos, the dealer represents the "house," or the casino), and one or more players. Blackjack is scored by comparing the combined value of each player's cards against the dealer's. In other words, each player's hand is compared individually to the dealer's hand; every player at a table may win any given hand against the dealer, or every player may lose to the dealer. More commonly, some players will beat the dealer and others will lose. Players do not compete against each other.

[0006] To determine whether the player or the dealer wins a hand, the value of each card the player has is added together. For example, a player with a seven (of any suit) and a queen (of any suit) has a hand value of 17. If the value of all the cards in a player's hand ever exceeds 21, then the player "busts" and loses the hand (keeping in mind that the player may choose to value aces as one if necessary). The same is true of the dealer's hand; however, players are always given the opportunity to bust first, giving an advantage to the dealer. If a player busts and then the dealer subsequently busts, the dealer wins the hand.

[0007] If neither the player nor the dealer bust, then the person with the cards that total the highest value wins the hand. If the player loses the hand, he loses his original bet. If the player wins the hand, he is paid an amount equal to his original bet. However, if the combined values of the cards in the player's hand and the dealer's hand are the same, then the hand is usually a "push," wherein neither the player nor the dealer wins the hand and the player's original bet is returned.

[0008] In most cases, if the player's first two cards are an ace and any card with a value of ten (i.e., a ten, jack, queen, or king), this is known as a "blackjack" or "twenty-one," and the player wins immediately and typically will be paid one-and-a-half times his original bet. Similarly, if the dealer gets a "blackjack," then each player loses, unless a player also had a "blackjack," in which case that player "pushes" that hand.

[0009] To begin a hand, the dealer will deal one card to the person to his left, and continue to deal one card to each player in a clockwise pattern until each player has one card. These cards are usually dealt face up (i.e., with the value and suit exposed). The dealer will then deal himself a single card, almost always face down. The dealer will then repeat the process by dealing each player a second card (usually also face up), and then will deal himself a second card, usually face up as well. Each player will therefore begin with two cards (usually both face up), and the dealer will have two cards (usually one face up and one face down).

[0010] After the player looks at the value of his cards, he may choose to "stand," which means that he keeps the two cards that he was dealt. He may also "hit," which means that he receives another card from the deck. The value of this new card is added to the total of his hand. The player may then choose to stand or hit again, and can receive as many additional cards as he wants. However, if the sum of the player's cards exceeds a score of 21, the player busts and loses his bet.

[0011] In most casinos, the player also has the option of "doubling down," usually only if the first two cards add up to a total of nine, ten, or eleven. To double down, the player doubles his original bet and receives one, and only one, more card. In most casinos players also have the option of "splitting" when both cards have the same value (i.e., both are eights or both are tens--players can not split if one card is a ten and the other is a different card also with a value of ten). To split, the player takes his two cards and makes two different hands, adding a new bet to the new hand created. The dealer then deals an additional card to each hand, so the player now has two hands with two cards each, each with a bet of the original amount. The two hands are then played normally.

[0012] Once each player has gone in turn and either busted or decided to stand (and not receive any more cards), the dealer flips both of his cards face up. If the dealer's hand has a certain total value (usually 17), the dealer stands, otherwise, the dealer hits. Dealers will often also hit if they have an ace and a six which is known as a "soft" 17, since the ace can be used as a one instead of an eleven if the card drawn would otherwise increase the dealer's hand over 21. A "soft 17" is a hand that contains at least one ace and the total value of the hand can equal either 7 or 17 since an ace can be valued as either a one or an eleven. A soft 17 is a hand which adds up to 17 counting an ace as an eleven. Other examples of soft 17 hands include, but are not limited to, hands comprised of: (ace-4-2), (ace-3-3), (5-ace-ace), (2-2-2-ace), or (4-ace-ace-ace).

[0013] If the dealer busts, then all players who had not previously busted win the hand. Once the dealer stands (on a 17, 18, 19, 20, or 21), his hand total is compared to each player who had not busted in turn, and each player wins an amount equal to his bet, loses his bet, or pushes, based on which hand value is higher as described above.

[0014] There are a number of variations on the rules described above, including "insurance bets," single-deck blackjack, and games wherein both of the dealer's cards are dealt face up. However, blackjack and most variations thereof suffer from a number of drawbacks. For instance, the player must generally keep the two cards he is dealt, and he does not have the option to discard either of them. The player may thus feel that he does not have sufficient control with respect to the cards that are dealt to him.

[0015] Another drawback to conventional blackjack games is that the amount that a player can win is severely limited by his starting bet. The player is not afforded sufficient betting opportunities that could lead to bigger payouts. As such, other betting options are desirable for the blackjack player other than just varying the size of their wagers. In conventional blackjack, a player may earn one-and-a-half times his original bet on a "blackjack," but otherwise he is limited to winning the amount that he wagers (even by splitting or doubling down, the player must double his original bet for a chance to win only that doubled amount). There is no possibility in conventional blackjack for a player to make "side bets," and there is no opportunity to win five, ten, or even sixty times his original bet. The addition of such variations would likely make blackjack more fun and exciting for players, as it increases the unpredictability of blackjack and increases the payouts that a player may receive. The addition of side bets or other betting opportunities would also likely make blackjack more profitable for casinos.

[0016] Blackjack games may also be further improved by incorporating elements of other popular games. For instance, poker is very popular in America and around the world. Poker especially has benefited from a recent popularity explosion due to high-stakes tournaments being played that receive enormous national television coverage. There are many different poker tournaments, celebrity poker games, poker tutorials, and other poker-related shows on television; there are also countless poker-related sites on the Internet, where players may learn the rules of poker, be shown various strategies for playing poker, and even wager on poker games. Even laptop computers, personal digital assistants, and cell phones offer poker games for players on the go. The game is so popular, several airlines now offer poker games on television screens embedded in each seat wherein players on a flight may compete against other players on that flight. If traditional blackjack could tap into the popularity of poker and the rankings and odds of poker hands, the game could be greatly improved. An improvement of blackjack that offers elements of the five-card poker-hand-based betting of poker games would be ideal as it will provide an exiting and attractive variation to players.

[0017] The above-mentioned variations are therefore likely to increase the popularity of blackjack even further. Other advantages of the present invention will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in light of the ensuing description of the present invention.

SUMMARY

[0018] The present invention is directed to a method of playing a modified blackjack game that incorporates elements of traditional poker and generates additional excitement, player control, and more revenue for both players and casinos than conventional blackjack. The present invention provides the player with added options with respect to the cards that are dealt to him. As such, the player may feel like he has more control of the outcome of the game. The present invention also provides additional betting opportunities and an opportunity for larger payouts than conventional blackjack games. Providing players with more opportunities to win and the opportunity for bigger payouts would bring greater excitement and interest to players and will likely attract new players to the game.

[0019] To achieve the foregoing and in accordance with the purposes of the present invention, the present invention is directed to a gaming method that comprises: dealing two cards to at least one player and to the dealer; allowing each player and the dealer to decide whether to use at least one community card from a plurality of community cards to form their blackjack hand; each player and the dealer forming a blackjack hand comprising the two cards dealt to them and optionally one or more community cards; each player and the dealer forming a poker hand comprising the two cards dealt to them and the plurality of community cards; comparing each player's blackjack and poker hands to the dealer's blackjack and poker hands; and resolving all bets.

[0020] One embodiment of the present invention is directed to a method of playing a modified blackjack game comprised of both a blackjack game and a poker game, the method comprising: (a) requiring each player to make a bet on the blackjack hand ("blackjack bet") and a bet on the poker hand ("ante") before receiving any cards; (b) dealing two face down cards to each player; (c) dealing one face up card and one face down card to the dealer; (d) dealing three community cards face down; (e) requiring each player to either bet or fold the poker hand (which is comprised of the player's two face down cards and three community cards); (f) requiring each player who decided to bet the poker hand to place a "play bet" equal to the ante; (g) allowing each player to either stand or buy a first community card to form his blackjack hand by placing an additional bet equal to his blackjack bet; (h) revealing the first community card; (i) allowing each player who bought the first community card to either stand or buy a second community card to form his blackjack hand by placing an additional bet equal to his blackjack bet; (j) revealing the second community card; (k) allowing each player who bought the second community card to either stand or buy a third community card to form his blackjack hand by placing an additional bet equal to his blackjack bet, (l) revealing the third community card; (m) revealing the dealer's face down card; (n) requiring the dealer to use as many community cards necessary to pair with his face up card and face down card to reach a value of at least "17" (o) determining the outcome of the blackjack game by using blackjack scoring as a basis to make a comparison between each player's blackjack hand and the dealer's blackjack hand; (p) determining the outcome of the poker game by using traditional poker rankings as a basis to make a comparison between each player's poker hand and the dealer's poker hand.

[0021] In the foregoing embodiment, each player's blackjack hand is comprised of the two face down cards dealt to him and optionally one or more of the community cards. The dealer's blackjack hand is comprised of the dealer's face up card, the dealer's face down card, and one or more of the community cards wherein the possibility of the dealer's use of the first, second, and third community cards is dependent on whether the community cards are necessary for the dealer's hand to reach at least "17." Each player's poker hand is comprised of the player's two face down cards and the three community cards; and the dealer's poker hand is comprised of the dealer's face up card, the dealer's face down card, and the three community cards.

[0022] In alternate embodiments of the invention, the gaming method may further comprise allowing each player to make an optional side wager. The side wager may be based on the outcome of any combination of the following cards: one or both of the player's face down cards, either or both of the dealer's face up card and face down card, and/or one or more of the community cards. In one embodiment, the side wager is based on forming a certain winning five-card poker combination comprised of the player's two face down cards and the three community cards.

[0023] The above description sets forth a summary of embodiments of the present invention so that the detailed description that follows may be better understood and contributions of the present invention to the art may be better appreciated. Some of the embodiments of the present invention may not include all of the features or characteristics listed in the above summary. There may be, of course, other features of the invention that will be described below and may form the subject matter of claims. In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in further detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of the construction and to the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or as illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways; for example, the invention may be carried out through software on a computer, via the Internet, or other electronic medium. Furthermore, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0024] Other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, various features of embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] FIG. 1 depicts a block diagram showing generally the steps of a gaming method in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] FIG. 2 depicts a flowchart showing a sequence of steps of a gaming method in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] FIG. 3 depicts a flowchart showing a sequence of steps used to resolve bets in a gaming method in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] FIG. 4 depicts a top plan view of a gaming layout in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a player position of the gaming layout shown in FIG. 4 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0030] In the following description of embodiments of the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this application. The drawings show, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0031] The order in which the steps are presented below is not limited to any particular order and does not necessarily imply that they have to be performed in the order presented. It will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the order of these steps can be rearranged and performed in any suitable manner. It further will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that some steps may be omitted or added and still fall within the spirit of the invention.

Gaming Method

[0032] The present invention comprises a gaming method and an apparatus that may be used to implement the gaming method. In general, the gaming method is designed to reward players who have compiled blackjack hands that are better than the dealer's blackjack hand based on conventional blackjack rules and to reward players who have compiled poker hands that beat the dealer's poker hand.

[0033] Traditional blackjack rules are used to value the cards and to determine the outcome of the blackjack component of the gaming method of the present invention. At least one standard deck of 52 playing cards is used in the present invention although up to eight decks of cards may be used on a blackjack-sized table. These cards each have a numerical or letter value, and a suit associated with them. A standard deck consists of four sets (of thirteen cards each) numbered as follows: A (ace), 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, J (jack), Q (queen), and K (king). There are four cards of each value, one of each "suit": spades, diamonds, clubs, and hearts. As in conventional blackjack, the suit is irrelevant for purposes of the blackjack game component of the present invention, and only the value of the card is considered. The value of the cards is computed as follows: for cards valued two through nine, they are given the value shown on the card; tens, jacks, queens, and kings are each valued as ten points; aces may be valued as one point or as eleven points, at the player's discretion.

[0034] To determine whether the player or the dealer wins a blackjack hand, the value of each card in the player's blackjack hand is added together. If the value of all the cards in a player's blackjack hand ever exceeds a score of 21, then the player "busts" and loses the hand (keeping in mind that the player may choose to value aces as one if necessary). If the player does not bust, then the person with the cards that total the highest value wins the hand. If the combined values of the cards in the player's blackjack hand and the dealer's blackjack hand are the same, then the hand is usually a "push," wherein neither the player nor the dealer wins the hand.

[0035] With reference to the poker component of the present invention, each poker hand includes five cards although in alternate embodiments, the poker hand may be comprised of a different number of cards such as a three card poker hand. Unlike the blackjack component of the present invention, the suit of the cards is relevant for purposes of determining the outcome of the poker game component. Traditional poker combinations and their corresponding ranks are used- namely (ranked in ascending order) pair, two pairs, three of a kind, straight, flushes, four of a kind, full house, straight flush, and royal flush.

[0036] For purposes of describing various embodiments herein, the term "dealer" represents the "house" or the casino; or a dealer may refer to a virtual dealer in embodiments of the invention that involve computers, the Internet, and/or other forms of electronic media.

[0037] As depicted in the block diagram of FIG. 1, the gaming method of the present invention generally comprises: dealing two cards to at least one player and to the dealer (block 500); allowing each player and the dealer to decide whether to use at least one community card from a plurality of community cards to form their blackjack hand (block 600); each player and the dealer creating a blackjack hand comprising the two cards dealt to them and optionally one or more community cards (block 700); each player and the dealer creating a poker hand comprising the two cards dealt to them and the plurality of community cards (block 800); comparing each player's blackjack and poker hands to the dealer's blackjack and poker hands (block 900); and resolving all bets (block 1000). In certain embodiments of the invention, the set of community cards may be comprised of three community cards.

[0038] Referring now to FIG. 2, in one embodiment of the present invention, the gaming method of the invention begins with a dealer shuffling a set of cards (step 110). A single deck or multiple decks of cards may be used. The players are then asked to place their blackjack bets and ante bets (step 120) before any cards are dealt. The "blackjack bet" is a bet on the player's blackjack hand, and the "ante" bet is a bet on the player's poker hand. The blackjack bet and the ante bet do not have to be equal. In alternate embodiments of the present invention, the gaming method may further comprise allowing players to make an optional side wager bet.

[0039] After the dealer shuffles the cards and the players have placed their blackjack bets and ante bets, the dealer deals two face down cards to each player (step 130). The dealer also deals a face up card and a face down card to himself (step 140). (The term "face up" card may be used to refer to a card that is laid out to the players and to the dealer such that the card's game indicia are visible to the players and the dealer.) At this juncture, the dealer and players are not yet permitted to view the dealer's face down card. The dealer also deals three community cards face down (step 150).

[0040] Next, at step 160, after seeing their two face down cards and the dealer's face up card, each player must decide whether to bet or fold his poker hand. (The player's poker hand is comprised of his two face down cards and the three community cards, and the dealer's poker hand is comprised of the dealer's face up card, the dealer's face down card, and the three community cards). If the player decides to fold, he loses his ante bet (step 162), but the blackjack component of the gaming method is unaffected. If the player decides to bet, he places a play bet equal to the ante (step 164). The poker game component of the gaming method is settled after the blackjack game.

[0041] If the combination of a player's initial two card hand (i.e., his two face down cards) forms a blackjack, then the player is an automatic blackjack winner, he will be paid three-to-two on his blackjack bet, and he is not allowed to make any additional bets. If the player did not fold his poker hand, his cards will be tucked under his ante poker bet and the poker game will continue for him.

[0042] At step 170, the remaining players must decide whether to stand or `buy` the first community card. If the player decides to stand, no further bets can be made (step 172) and his blackjack hand is then comprised of only his two face down cards. If the player decides to buy the first community card, he places an additional bet ("first blackjack bet") equal to the blackjack bet to buy the first community card (step 174) so that his blackjack hand is comprised of his two face down cards and the first community card. After the players have decided whether to buy the first community card and have placed their first blackjack bets, the first community card is revealed (step 176).

[0043] If at any time, the value of a player's blackjack hand exceeds 21, the player busts and loses the blackjack game immediately; however he may proceed to play the poker game unless he folded his poker hand. Thus, if a player busts, his ante bet remains in action (unless he folded his poker hand) and his cards may be tucked under his ante bet. The dealer will collect all blackjack bets wagered before busting except that the last buy bet wagered will be returned to the player.

[0044] The players who bought the first community card must decide whether to stand or buy the second community card (step 180). If the player decides to stand, no further bets can be made (step 182) and his blackjack hand is then comprised of his two face down cards and the first community card. If the player decides to buy the second community card, he places an additional bet ("second blackjack bet") equal to the blackjack bet to buy the second community card (step 184) so that his blackjack hand is comprised of his two face down cards, the first community card, and the second community card. After the players have decided whether to buy the second community card and have placed their second blackjack bets, the second community card is revealed (step 186).

[0045] The players who bought the second community card must then decide whether to stand or buy the third community card (step 190). If the player decides to stand, no further bets can be made (step 192) and his blackjack hand is then comprised of his two face down cards, the first community card, and the second community card. If the player decides to buy the third community card, he places an additional bet ("third blackjack bet") equal to the blackjack bet to buy the third community card (step 194) so that his blackjack hand is comprised of his two face down cards, the first community card, the second community card, and the third community card. After the players have decided whether to buy the third community card and have placed their third blackjack bets, the third community card is revealed (step 196).

[0046] The dealer then reveals his face down card (step 210). Next, the dealer is given the opportunity to use as many community cards needed to reach at least "17" (step 220). If the sum of the dealer's face up card and his face down card does not equal at least "17", then the dealer must use the first community card to form his blackjack hand. If the sum of the dealer's face up card, face down card, and the first community card, still does not equal at least "17", then the dealer must use the second community card to form his blackjack hand. Finally, if the sum of the dealer's face up card, face down card, the first community card, and the second community card still does not equal at least "17", then the dealer must use the third community card to form his blackjack hand. If at any point, the dealer's hand reaches a soft "17" (for example, a hand comprised of (A-6), (A-4-2), (A-3-3), (5-A-A), (2-2-2-A), or (4-A-A-A), then the dealer must stand. The dealer does not `buy` additional community cards like the players must do by making additional bets as described above in steps 174,184, and 194. In alternate embodiments of the invention, the method and rules used by the dealer in deciding whether to use additional community cards may vary according to a predetermined set of house rules. Such house rules may vary depending on the preference of the gaming establishment.

[0047] Once the dealer has played out his blackjack hand, he will compare his hand with each player's blackjack hand (step 230) and the blackjack bets are then resolved (step 240) according to a predetermined payout schedule. If the dealer's blackjack hand exceeds "21" at any point while playing his blackjack hand, then the dealer busts and loses to all remaining players; and all of the remaining players' blackjack bets are paid even money. A dealer's two-card blackjack will push any player's blackjack hand of "21." In the event the dealer's blackjack hand ties with the player's blackjack hand, then it is a push.

[0048] After the blackjack game is finished, the dealer will form his poker hand which is comprised of his face up card, face down card, and the three community cards (step 250). Each player forms his poker hand which is comprised of his two face down cards and the three community cards (step 260). The dealer then compares his poker hand with each player's poker hand (step 270), and the ante and play bets are then resolved (step 280).

[0049] FIG. 3 illustrates how the ante and play bets may be resolved. First, it must be determined whether a player's poker hand qualifies with a King-Jack or better (step 282). If the player's poker hand qualifies, the next step in the inquiry is to determine whether the player's poker hand beats the dealer's poker hand (step 283). If the player's poker hand beats the dealer's poker hand, then the player's ante bet and play bet win even money (step 284). If the player's poker hand does not beat the dealer's poker hand, then the player loses both his ante bet and play bet (step 285).

[0050] On the other hand, if the player's poker hand does not qualify with a King-Jack or better, then the next step in the inquiry is to determine whether the player's poker hand beats the dealer's poker hand (step 286). If the player's poker hand beats the dealer's poker hand, then the player's ante bet wins one-to-one and the play bet pushes (step 287). If the player's poker hand does not beat the dealer's poker hand, then the player loses both his ante bet and play bet (step 288).

[0051] In alternate embodiments, the ante and play bets may be resolved according to a different set of rules and the requirements to qualify may also vary.

Side Bet

[0052] In alternate embodiments of the invention, an optional side bet may be incorporated into the gaming method of the present invention. In such embodiments, when making the blackjack and ante bets, the player may choose to make an additional side bet before any cards are dealt to him. Such side bets may be made for the occurrence of any variety of events. For instance, the side bet may be based on the outcome of any combination of the following cards: one or more of the player's cards, one or more of the dealer's cards, and/or one or more of the community cards.

[0053] For instance, a player may make a side bet that their poker hand (their two face down cards and the three community cards will form a certain winning five-card poker hand (e.g., pair, two pairs, three of a kind, straight, flushes, four of a kind, full house, straight flush, and royal flush). In one embodiment of the present invention, a player may make a side bet that their poker hand will form either: a royal flush, straight flush, four of a kind, full house, flush, straight, three of a kind, two pair, or a pair of 6's or better. In such embodiments that incorporate a side bet, the ante bet and blackjack bet have no bearing on the side bet. If the player busts or obtains a blackjack, he is still eligible to win on his side bet (his side bet remains in action and his cards may be tucked under his side bet). In one embodiment, the payout schedule to resolve the side bets may be as follows:

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Pay Table A Hand Type Pays (to 1) Royal Flush 500 Straight Flush 100 4 of a Kind 40 Full House 15 Flush 8 Straight 6 3 of a kind 4 Two Pair 3 Pair of 6s or Better 1

[0054] In a further embodiment of the invention wherein a player may make a side bet that his poker hand will form either a royal flush, straight flush, four of a kind, full house, flush, straight, three of a kind, two pair, or a pair of 6's or better, the following payout schedule may also be used:

TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Pay Table B Hand Type Pays (to 1) Royal Flush 500 Straight Flush 100 4 of a Kind 40 Full House 12 Flush 9 Straight 6 3 of a kind 4 Two Pair 3 Pair of 6s or Better 1

Gaming Layout

[0055] Referring now to FIG. 4, an embodiment of a gaming layout 60 of the present invention is shown. Gaming layout 60 may be made with the common shapes of conventional casino gaming tables such as a semi-circular shape. Gaming layout 60 may also be made with materials of conventional gaming tables, such as felt, vinyl, wood, plastic, laminate, and/or marble. In alternate embodiments of the present invention, gaming layout 60 may be a video or computer representation of a conventional gaming table.

[0056] Gaming layout 60 includes a plurality of player positions 62A-G, which is adapted to distinguish each player's bets and cards from those of the other players. Although seven player positions 62A-G are depicted in FIG. 4, any suitable number of player positions may be included in a gaming layout of the present invention. The number of player positions may vary depending on the size of the gaming table and the number of players a casino wishes to accommodate in one given game. Also, it is not necessary that all player positions be utilized while the game is being played. At least one player position needs to be utilized for the game to be played.

[0057] Gaming layout 60 further includes a dealer position 64 which may include a chip tray to store gaming chips 66, a card dispensing apparatus such as a dealing shoe 61, and a discard holder 63 for discarded cards. The dealer may place the cards dealt to himself in any designated area of the gaming layout per the casino's preference. For example, the dealer may deal his face up card and place it on card position 67 and deal his face down card and place it on card position 68.

[0058] Gaming layout 60 also includes a community card area 91 somewhere in the center area of the table. Community card area 91 includes three distinct community card positions 92, 94, and 96 located substantially in the center of the gaming layout or the board. The three community card positions 92, 94, and 96 may be individually adapted to identify each community card distributed during the course of the game. For example, community card position 92 may be labeled "1" to indicate that the first community card should be placed thereon; community card position 94 may be labeled "2" to indicate that the second community card should be placed thereon; and community card position 96 may be labeled "3" to indicate that the third community card should be placed thereon. In an alternate embodiment, community card position 92 may be labeled "1.sup.st Card" to indicate that the first community card should be placed thereon; community card position 94 may be labeled "2.sup.nd Card" to indicate that the second community card should be placed thereon; and community card position 96 may be labeled "3.sup.rd Card" to indicate that the third community card should be placed thereon.

[0059] Referring now to FIG. 5, which depicts an enlarged view of one of the player positions 62A-G of FIG. 4, each player position includes a blackjack bet position 70, an ante position 74, and a side bet position 78. Blackjack bet position 70 is where the player places his bet on his blackjack hand, and ante position 74 is where the player places his bet on his poker hand. Side bet position 74 is where the player places his optional side bet.

[0060] Each player position also includes: a play bet position 76, a first card bet position 71, a second card bet position 72, and a third card bet position 73. Play bet position 76 is where the player places his play bet if he decided not to fold his poker hand. The first card bet position 71, second card bet position 72, and third card bet position 73 are adapted to designate use of the first community card, second community card, and third community card respectively. If the player decides to make an additional bet (first blackjack bet) to buy the first community card to form his blackjack hand, he would place his bet on the first card bet position 71. If the player decides to make an additional bet (second blackjack bet) to buy a second community card to form his blackjack hand, he would place his bet on the second card bet position 72, and if the player decides to make an additional bet (third blackjack bet) to buy a third community card to form his blackjack hand, he would place his bet on the third card bet position 73. Although the terms "1.sup.st Card," "2.sup.nd Card," and "3.sup.rd Card" are used to designate use of the first community card, second community card, and third community card respectively in the embodiment depicted in FIG. 5, any combination of words, numbers, colors, logos and/or other symbols may be used in first card bet position 71, second card bet position 72, and third card bet position 73 to designate the different community cards. For example, in alternate embodiments, the terms "1.sup.st Blackjack Bet," "2.sup.nd Blackjack Bet," and "3.sup.rd Blackjack Bet," may be used to designate use of the first community card, second community card, and third community card respectively.

[0061] Also, the number of community cards incorporated into the game is not limited to three community cards. For instance, in other variations of the invention there may be two, four, or more community cards. Naturally, in such embodiments, the number of additional betting positions correlate with the number of community cards used in the game.

[0062] The player position depicted in FIG. 5 also includes card positions 32 and 34. When the cards are being dealt to each player, one of the two face down cards is placed on card position 32, and the other face down card is placed on card position 34. Any combination of colors, patterns, designs, words, numbers, logos and/or other symbols may be used to designate the area to receive the player's face up cards.

[0063] Of course, locations, and designs of the player's betting positions and/or card positions may be adjusted as desired so long as they remain within reasonable access and view for the player and the dealer. Also, any designation (any combination of colors, patterns, designs, words, numbers, logos and/or other symbols) may be included within the betting locations and/or card positions so long as the meaning of the designation is clear to the players and dealer. Other features may be included within the gaming layout 60 such as payout schedules/tables, rules of play, logos, trademarks, casino name, designs and/or various artistic elements.

CONCLUSION AND ALTERNATE EMBODIMENTS

[0064] It can be realized from the embodiments described herein that the present invention provides a modified blackjack game that adds new excitement and larger rewards than traditional blackjack games. The above-described embodiments of the present invention have many advantages. For instance, the embodiments that incorporate a side bet and utilize the payout schedules presented above may provide the player with games that are more rewarding (for both players and gaming establishments). In conventional blackjack, a player may earn one-and-a-half times his original bet on a "blackjack," but otherwise he is limited to winning the amount that he wagers (even by splitting or doubling down, the player must double his original bet for a chance to win only that doubled amount). In contrast, the present invention offers the possibility for a player to make side bets for an opportunity to win up to five hundred times his original side bet (see TABLES 1 and 2). Thus, the present invention offers the possibility of huge payouts for the players.

[0065] The present invention retains some of the features and advantages of blackjack while also providing the player with more control of the cards dealt to him and the dynamics of a side wager and additional betting opportunities for enhanced player anticipation and enjoyment. A player may feel like he has more control because the present invention provides him with options. For instance, in the present invention, the player has the option of making additional bets to buy additional community cards to form his blackjack hand.

[0066] The invention therefore benefits the player who desires a novel variation of blackjack and/or poker as well as the player who does not want to have to learn new rules for valuing cards and scoring hands, but desires some variety. Additionally, with the incorporation of a side bet and additional betting opportunities, the invention provides gaming establishments with the potential of generating more revenue. Nonetheless, it is advantageous to offer blackjack players and poker players some variation to maintain their long-term interest.

[0067] Additionally, the poker element of the present invention has a number of advantages over traditional poker games. The present invention's incorporation of a poker game allows multiple players to win against a dealer in a single poker round. Providing players with multiple opportunities to win in one game (e.g., blackjack game, poker game, side bet, etc . . . ) would bring excitement and interest to the players. In the poker game component of the present invention, the players do not compete against each other but compete against the dealer, and thus more than one player may win in each poker round. Competing against a dealer can be more enticing to new players as it may be less intimidating than playing against other more experienced players. Playing against a dealer may also create an atmosphere of camaraderie among the players and invoke a feeling of belonging together for the same cause, which is to beat the dealer. The present invention further adds excitement by providing multiple betting opportunities and opportunity for bigger payouts than conventional poker games.

[0068] Additionally, various embodiments of the present invention have reasonable odds for both the player and the house. This is another advantage of the invention because, to be a viable casino game, the gaming method should provide opportunity for a reasonable return for both the house and the player.

[0069] It is to be understood, that although some advantages of the present invention are described herein, it is not necessary that all the advantageous features and/or all the advantages need to be incorporated into every embodiment of the invention.

[0070] Although the present invention has been described above in considerable detail with reference to certain versions thereof, other versions are possible. For example, the gaming method described above is not limited to being played as a table game. The gaming method may be played as a board game or by using computers or electronic devices having audio and video outputs. Thus, the term "cards" as used in this application refers to traditional cards made of paper stock having traditional game indicia, such as numbers (2-10), suits (diamonds, hearts, spades, and clubs), and characters (aces, jacks, queens, and kings). The term "cards" is also used to refer to electronic images of traditional cards. The term "dealer" may be an actual person distributing the cards. It is noted that the dealer may also be a player, and the dealer does not have to be associated with a business entity having a stake in any profits derived from operating the game. The term "dealer" may also be used to refer to a virtual dealer that is programmed through an electronic device or computer.

[0071] The invention can be readily implemented in a wide variety of additional forms and media including, but not limited to: single player slot video machines, multi-player slot video machines, electronic games and devices, lottery terminals, scratch-card formats, software, as well as in-flight, home, and Internet entertainment. Furthermore, the invention can be readily implemented in software, which can be stored on a disk (e.g., magnetic disk, compact disc (CD), USB memory stick, etc.) and used with a computer system. In one embodiment, the gaming method of the present invention may be implemented as a computer game that may be executed via disk or downloaded from the Internet and played using a computer, gaming console, or an electronic handheld device (e.g., personal digital assistants (PDA), mobile phones, etc.). Such embodiments may be played individually or may be played with other players. In another embodiment, the present invention may be played as an interactive online gambling game wherein the player may play against the dealer individually or with other players via the Internet. The dealer may be an actual person or a virtual dealer. Similarly, the other players may be actual people or they may be computer generated virtual players. In other embodiments of the invention, the gaming method may be played against a casino or wagering establishment from a remote location via the Internet or any other type of network.

[0072] Some steps of the gaming method described herein may be added, omitted, modified, or performed in various sequences. Additionally, some of the steps described in the various embodiments herein are for illustrative purposes, and as such, some of the steps may be modified, added, or omitted without departing form the scope of the invention. Nonetheless, the various embodiments of the invention which are described herein may be incorporated in a variety of contexts as mentioned above.

[0073] While the description above refers to particular embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood that many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit thereof. The presently disclosed embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

Claims

1. A method of playing a modified blackjack game between a dealer and at least one player, the method comprising: (a) requiring each player to make a blackjack bet and an ante bet; (b) dealing two player cards to each player; (c) dealing two dealer cards to the dealer; (c) dealing a plurality of community cards face down; (d) allowing each player and the dealer to decide whether to use at least one additional card from the plurality of community cards to form their blackjack hand, wherein each player is required to buy the at least one additional card; (e) revealing the plurality of community cards; (f) each player forming a blackjack hand comprised of the two player cards and optionally the at least one additional card; (g) the dealer forming a dealer blackjack hand comprised of the two dealer cards and optionally the at least one additional card; (h) resolving the blackjack bet by using blackjack scoring to compare each player's blackjack hand with the dealer blackjack hand; (i) each player forming a poker hand comprised of the two player cards and the plurality of community cards; (j) the dealer forming a dealer poker hand comprised of the two dealer cards and the plurality of community cards; and (k) resolving the ante bet by using poker rankings to compare each player's poker hand with the dealer poker hand.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein each player buys the at least one additional card by placing an additional bet equal to the blackjack bet.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the plurality of community cards is comprised of a first community card, a second community card, and a third community card.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising allowing each player to make an optional side bet.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the optional side bet wins if the player's two player cards and the plurality of community cards form a winning poker combination.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising requiring each player to either fold and lose the ante bet or place a play bet on his poker hand before the plurality of community cards are revealed.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the dealer must decide to use the at least one additional card according to predetermined house rules, wherein the predetermined house rules is comprised of requiring the dealer to use the at least one additional card if the two dealer cards total less than 17.

8. A method of playing a modified blackjack game between a dealer and at least one player, the method comprising: (a) requiring each player to make a blackjack bet and an ante bet; (b) dealing two player cards to each player; (c) dealing a face up card and a face down card to the dealer; (d) dealing a first community card, a second community card, and a third community card face down; (e) requiring each player to either fold and lose the ante bet or place a play bet on a poker hand comprised of the two player cards, the first community card, the second community card, and the third community card; (f) allowing each player to decide whether to stand and form a blackjack hand comprised of the two player cards or place a first blackjack bet; (g) requiring each player who decided to place the first blackjack bet to add the first community card to his blackjack hand; (h) revealing the first community card; (i) allowing each player who placed the first blackjack bet to decide whether to stand or place a second blackjack bet; (j) requiring each player who decided to place the second blackjack bet to add the second community card to his blackjack hand; (k) revealing the second community card; (l) allowing each player who placed the second blackjack bet to decide whether to stand or place a third blackjack bet; (m) requiring each player who decided to place the third blackjack bet to add the third community card to his blackjack hand; (n) revealing the third community card; (o) requiring the dealer to reveal the face down card; (p) requiring the dealer to use the first community card for the dealer's blackjack hand if the face down card and the face up card totals less than 17; (q) requiring the dealer to use the second community card for the dealer's blackjack hand if the face down card, the face up card, and the first community card totals less than 17; (r) requiring the dealer to use the third community card for the dealer's blackjack hand if the face down card, the face up card, the first community card, and the second community card totals less than 17; (s) resolving the blackjack bet, the first blackjack bet, the second blackjack bet, and the third blackjack bet by using blackjack scoring to compare each player's blackjack hand with the dealer's blackjack hand; (t) the dealer forming a dealer poker hand comprised of the face up card, the face down card, the first community card, the second community card, and the third community card; and (u) resolving the ante bet and the play bet by using poker rankings to compare each player's poker hand with the dealer poker hand.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising allowing each player to make an optional side bet.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the optional side bet wins if the two player cards, the first community card, the second community card, and the third community card form a winning five-card poker combination.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the optional side bet is resolved according to a predefined payout schedule as follows: TABLE-US-00003 Hand Type Pays (to 1) Royal Flush 500 Straight Flush 100 4 of a Kind 40 Full House 15 Flush 8 Straight 6 3 of a kind 4 Two Pair 3 Pair of 6s or Better 1

12. The method of claim 10 wherein the optional side bet is resolved according to a predefined payout schedule as follows: TABLE-US-00004 Hand Type Pays (to 1) Royal Flush 500 Straight Flush 100 4 of a Kind 40 Full House 12 Flush 9 Straight 6 3 of a kind 4 Two Pair 3 Pair of 6s or Better 1

13. The method of claim 8 wherein the first blackjack bet, the second blackjack bet, and the third blackjack bet each equals the blackjack bet.

14. The method of claim 8 wherein the play bet is equal to the ante bet.

15. The method of claim 8 wherein: the ante bet and the play bet both win even money if the player's poker hand qualifies and beats the dealer poker hand, the ante bet and play bet are both lost if the player's poker hand qualifies and does not beat the dealer poker hand, the ante bet wins even money and the play bet pushes if the player's poker hand does not qualify and beats the dealer poker hand, and the ante bet and play bet are both lost if the player's poker hand does not qualify and does not beat the dealer poker hand.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the player's poker hand qualifies with at least a King-Jack.

17. A method of playing a modified blackjack game between a dealer and at least one player, the method comprising (a) requiring each player to make a blackjack bet and an ante bet; (b) allowing each player to make an optional side bet; (b) dealing two face down cards to each player; (c) dealing a face up card and a face down card to the dealer; (d) dealing a first community card, a second community card, and a third community card face down; (e) requiring each player to either fold and lose the ante bet or place a play bet on a poker hand comprised of the two face down cards, the first community card, the second community card, and the third community card, wherein the play bet is equal to the ante bet; (f) allowing each player to decide whether to stand and form a blackjack hand comprised of the two face down cards or buy the first community card to add to his blackjack hand; (g) requiring each player who decided to buy the first community card to make a first blackjack bet equal to the blackjack bet; (h) revealing the first community card; (i) allowing each player who bought the first community card to decide whether to stand or buy the second community card to add to his blackjack hand; (j) requiring each player who decided to buy the second community card to make a second blackjack bet equal to the blackjack bet; (k) revealing the second community card; (l) allowing each player who bought the second community card to decide whether to stand or buy the third community card to add to his blackjack hand; (m) requiring each player who decided to buy the third community card to make a third blackjack bet equal to the blackjack bet; (n) revealing the third community card; (o) requiring the dealer to reveal the face down card; (p) requiring the dealer to use the first community card for the dealer's blackjack hand if the face down card and the face up card totals less than 17; (q) requiring the dealer to use the second community card for the dealer's blackjack hand if the face down card, the face up card, and the first community card totals less than 17; (r) requiring the dealer to use the third community card for the dealer's blackjack hand if the face down card, the face up card, the first community card, and the second community card totals less than 17; (s) resolving the blackjack bet, the first blackjack bet, the second blackjack bet, and the third blackjack bet by using blackjack scoring to compare each player's blackjack hand with the dealer's blackjack hand; and (t) resolving the ante bet and the play bet by using poker rankings to compare each player's poker hand with the dealer's poker hand, wherein the dealer's poker hand is comprised of the face up card, the face down card, the first community card, the second community card, and the third community card.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the optional side bet wins if the player's two face down cards, the first community card, the second community card, and the third community card form a winning five-card poker combination, and wherein the optional side bet is resolved according to a predefined payout schedule as follows: TABLE-US-00005 Hand Type Pays (to 1) Royal Flush 500 Straight Flush 100 4 of a Kind 40 Full House 15 Flush 8 Straight 6 3 of a kind 4 Two Pair 3 Pair of 6s or Better 1

19. The method of claim 17 wherein the optional side bet wins if the player's two face down cards, the first community card, the second community card, and the third community card form a winning five-card poker combination, and wherein the optional side bet is resolved according to a predefined payout schedule as follows: TABLE-US-00006 Hand Type Pays (to 1) Royal Flush 500 Straight Flush 100 4 of a Kind 40 Full House 12 Flush 9 Straight 6 3 of a kind 4 Two Pair 3 Pair of 6s or Better 1

20. The method of claim 17 wherein the player's poker hand qualifies with at least a King-Jack, and wherein the ante bet and the play bet both win even money if the player's poker hand qualifies and beats the dealer's poker hand, the ante bet and play bet are both lost if the player's poker hand qualifies and does not beat the dealer's poker hand, the ante bet wins even money and the play bet pushes if the player's poker hand does not qualify and beats the dealer's poker hand, and the ante bet and play bet are both lost if the player's poker hand does not qualify and does not beat the dealer's poker hand.