U.S. patent application number 11/558461 was filed with the patent office on 2008-03-20 for blackjack game with additional betting options.
Invention is credited to Todd Wikstrom.
Application Number | 20080067745 11/558461 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39187770 |
Filed Date | 2008-03-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080067745 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wikstrom; Todd |
March 20, 2008 |
Blackjack Game With Additional Betting Options
Abstract
A blackjack game which offers additional betting options. After
a player is dealt his or her initial cards, the player can make a
wager on the next card if the player hits or doubles. If the player
wishes to split, the player can make a wager that the next card
dealt will match the previous two identical cards.
Inventors: |
Wikstrom; Todd; (Las Vegas,
NV) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MUSKIN & CUSICK LLC
30 Vine Street, SUITE 6
Lansdale
PA
19446
US
|
Family ID: |
39187770 |
Appl. No.: |
11/558461 |
Filed: |
November 10, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60845902 |
Sep 20, 2006 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
273/292 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F 1/00 20130101; A63F
2001/003 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
273/292 |
International
Class: |
A63F 1/00 20060101
A63F001/00 |
Claims
1. A method to play a hand of blackjack, the method comprising:
receiving a main wager from a player; dealing a player's initial
hand to the player and a dealer's initial hand to a dealer;
allowing the player to place a double wager alongside the main
wager and if the player places a double wager then offering the
player to make a double side wager, and if the player wishes to
make the double side wager then receiving the double side wager
from the player, dealing a double card to the player, wherein if
the player made the double side wager, then if the double card is a
predetermined card, then the player wins the double side wager and
the double side wager is paid according to a paytable otherwise the
player loses the double side wager; and finishing the blackjack
hand to resolve the main wager.
2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the player wins the
double side wager when the double card is a ten valued card.
3. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein a payout on the double
side wager when the double card is a ten valued card is 2:1.
4. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising: if the
player does not double, then if the player wishes to make a hit
side wager then receiving a hit side wager from the player and
dealing a hit card to the player, wherein if the player made the
hit side wager, then if the hit card is a predetermined card, then
the player wins the hit side wager and the hit side wager is paid
according to a paytable otherwise the player loses the hit side
wager; and
5. The method as recited in claim 4, wherein if the hit card is a 2
through 7 then the player wins the hit side wager.
6. The method as recited in claim 5, wherein a payout on the hit
side wager when the hit card is a 2 through 7 is even money.
7. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising: if the
initial hand comprises two equally ranked cards and the player
splits, then if the player wishes to make a split side wager then
receiving a split side wager from the player and dealing a third
card to the player, wherein if the player made the split side
wager, then if the third card matches rank with one of the equally
ranked cards then the player wins the split side wager and the
split side wager is paid according to a paytable otherwise the
player loses the split side wager.
8. The method as recited in claim 7, wherein the split side wager
is only allowed if each of the equally valued cards is ranked
either an 8 or an Ace.
9. The method as recited in claim 4, further comprising: if the
initial hand comprises two equally ranked cards and the player
splits, then if the player wishes to make a split side wager then
receiving a split side wager from the player and dealing a third
card to the player, wherein if the player made the split side
wager, then if the third card matches rank with one of the equally
ranked cards then the player wins the split side wager and the
split side wager is paid according to a paytable otherwise the
player loses the split side wager.
10. A method to play a hand of blackjack, the method comprising:
receiving a main wager from a player; dealing a player's initial
hand to the player and a dealer's initial hand to a dealer;
allowing the player to take a hit and if the player takes a hit
then offering the player to make a hit side wager, and if the
player wishes to make the hit side wager then receiving the hit
side wager from the player, dealing a hit card to the player,
wherein if the player made the hit side wager, then if the hit card
is a predetermined card, then the player wins the hit side wager
and the hit side wager is paid according to a paytable otherwise
the player loses the hit side wager; and finishing the blackjack
hand to resolve the main wager.
11. The method as recited in claim 10, further comprising: if the
player does not hit, then allowing the player to place a double
wager alongside the main wager and if the player places a double
wager then offering the player to make a double side wager, and if
the player wishes to make the double side wager then receiving the
double side wager from the player, dealing a double card to the
player, wherein if the player made the double side wager, then if
the double card is a predetermined card, then the player wins the
double side wager and the double side wager is paid according to a
paytable otherwise the player loses the double side wager; and
finishing the blackjack hand to resolve the main wager.
12. The method as recited in claim 11, further comprising: if the
initial hand comprises two equally ranked cards and the player
splits, then if the player wishes to make a split side wager then
receiving a split side wager from the player and dealing a third
card to the player, wherein if the player made the split side
wager, then if the third card matches rank with one of the equally
ranked cards then the player wins the split side wager and the
split side wager is paid according to a paytable otherwise the
player loses the split side wager.
13. The method as recited in claim 10, further comprising: if the
initial hand comprises two equally ranked cards and the player
splits, then if the player wishes to make a split side wager then
receiving a split side wager from the player and dealing a third
card to the player, wherein if the player made the split side
wager, then if the third card matches rank with one of the equally
ranked cards then the player wins the split side wager and the
split side wager is paid according to a paytable otherwise the
player loses the split side wager.
14. A method to play a hand of blackjack, the method comprising:
receiving a main wager from a player; dealing a player's initial
hand to the player and a dealer's initial hand to a dealer; if the
initial hand comprises two equally ranked cards and the player
splits, then if the player wishes to make a split side wager then
receiving a split side wager from the player and dealing a third
card to the player, wherein if the player made the split side
wager, then if the third card matches rank with one of the equally
ranked cards then the player wins the split side wager and the
split side wager is paid according to a paytable otherwise the
player loses the split side wager; and finishing the blackjack hand
to resolve the main wager.
15. The method as recited in claim 14, wherein the split side wager
is only allowed if each of the equally valued cards is ranked
either an 8 or an Ace.
16. The method as recited in claim 14, further comprising: allowing
the player to place a double wager alongside the main wager and if
the player places a double wager then offering the player to make a
double side wager, and if the player wishes to make the double side
wager then receiving the double side wager from the player, dealing
a double card to the player, wherein if the player made the double
side wager, then if the double card is a predetermined card, then
the player wins the double side wager and the double side wager is
paid according to a paytable otherwise the player loses the double
side wager.
17. The method as recited in claim 14, wherein if the player wishes
to make a hit side wager then receiving a hit side wager from the
player and dealing a hit card to the player, wherein if the player
made the hit side wager, then if the hit card is a predetermined
card, then the player wins the hit side wager and the hit side
wager is paid according to a paytable otherwise the player loses
the hit side wager.
18. The method as recited in claim 16, wherein if the player does
not double, then if the player wishes to make a hit side wager then
receiving a hit side wager from the player and dealing a hit card
to the player, wherein if the player made the hit side wager, then
if the hit card is a predetermined card, then the player wins the
hit side wager and the hit side wager is paid according to a
paytable otherwise the player loses the hit side wager.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims benefit to provisional application
No. 60/845,902, filed Sep. 9, 2006, which is incorporated by
reference herein in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1.Field of the Invention
[0003] The present general inventive concept is directed to a
method, apparatus, and computer readable storage medium directed to
a blackjack game that offers additional betting options.
[0004] 2.Description of the Related Art
[0005] Casino blackjack is one of the most popular games in the
casino. Casinos are always looking for new and improved versions of
blackjack wherein the casino has the ability to earn additional
money.
[0006] What is needed is a slot machine that can allow a player to
play and/or view results in a more entertaining and exciting
fashion.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] It is an aspect of the present invention to provide a
blackjack game with additional betting options.
[0008] The above aspects can be obtained by a method that includes
(a) receiving a main wager from a player; (b) dealing a player's
initial hand to the player and a dealer's initial hand to a dealer;
(c) allowing the player to place a double wager alongside the main
wager and if the player places a double wager then offering the
player to make a double side wager, and if the player wishes to
make the double side wager then receiving the double side wager
from the player, dealing a double card to the player, wherein if
the player made the double side wager, then if the double card is a
predetermined card, then the player wins the double side wager and
the double side wager is paid according to a paytable otherwise the
player loses the double side wager; and (d) finishing the blackjack
hand to resolve the main wager.
[0009] The above aspects can also be obtained by a method that
includes: (a) receiving a main wager from a player; (b) dealing a
player's initial hand to the player and a dealer's initial hand to
a dealer; (c) allowing the player to take a hit and if the player
takes a hit then offering the player to make a hit side wager, and
if the player wishes to make the hit side wager then receiving the
hit side wager from the player, dealing a hit card to the player,
wherein if the player made the hit side wager, then if the hit card
is a predetermined card, then the player wins the hit side wager
and the hit side wager is paid according to a paytable otherwise
the player loses the hit side wager; and (d) finishing the
blackjack hand to resolve the main wager.
[0010] The above aspects can also be obtained by a method that
includes (a) receiving a main wager from a player; (b) dealing a
player's initial hand to the player and a dealer's initial hand to
a dealer; (c) if the initial hand comprises two equally ranked
cards and the player splits, then if the player wishes to make a
split side wager then receiving a split side wager from the player
and dealing a third card to the player, wherein if the player made
the split side wager, then if the third card matches rank with one
of the equally ranked cards then the player wins the split side
wager and the split side wager is paid according to a paytable
otherwise the player loses the split side wager; and (d) finishing
the blackjack hand to resolve the main wager.
[0011] 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
[0012] 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:
[0013] FIG. 1 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method of
implementing a blackjack game, according to an embodiment;
[0014] FIG. 2A is a first example of a betting layout used in
accordance with embodiments described herein; and
[0015] FIG. 2A is a second example of a betting layout used in
accordance with embodiments described herein.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0016] 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.
[0017] The present inventive concept relates to a method,
apparatus, and computer readable storage to implement an improved
blackjack game that offers additional betting options.
[0018] After a player is dealt his or her initial two cards, the
player is presented with additional betting options. These betting
options can provide the player with additional excitement, and can
also provide the house with additional avenues to generate
additional action. The additional side bets can be required to be
either: equal to the main blackjack wager; or equal or less than
the main blackjack wager; or equal or more than the main blackjack
wager; or any amount.
[0019] If the player's first two cards are identical, the player
can split his hand into two hands by placing an additional wager
equal to the original wager, then the two cards are split into two
hands and each hand is played out separately.
[0020] In an embodiment, when the player wishes to split, in
additional to placing the additional wager, the player can
optionally place a split side wager. If the next card dealt matches
the previous two cards (which already match since the player is
splitting), the player wins a payout on the split side wager. If
the next card dealt does not match the previous two cards, then the
player loses the split side wager.
[0021] In an embodiment, the player may be allowed to place a split
side wager only if the player has a pair of certain cards. For
example, the player may be allowed to place the split side wager if
the player has either aces or eights. Table I is a sample paytable
that can be used for the split side wager which the player can make
if the player has aces or eights. In a further embodiment, the
player may always be allowed to place a split side wager as long as
the ranks of the initial cards match.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE I Table I Number of If the dealer up card If
the dealer up card is different Decks matches as the player's pair
from the player's pair 1 40 to 1 20 to 1 2 15 to 1 12 to 1 4 to 8
11 to 1 11 to 1
[0022] Of course, the payouts in Table I is merely exemplary, and
other payout structures can be used as well. If the player makes
the split side wager, then the player is not allowed to place a hit
side wager or a double side wager during the same game.
Alternatively, if the player makes the split side wager, then the
player would be allowed to place a hit side wager and/or a double
side wager during the same game.
[0023] If, after viewing the initial two cards, the player wishes
to double, then the player can place an additional wager alongside
his or her original wager.
[0024] In an embodiment, the player can also optionally place a
double side wager, wherein the player is betting on the outcome of
the double (next) card. The player would win a payout based on the
double card. If the double card is not a predetermined card, then
the player would lose the double side wager.
[0025] For example, if the player places the double side wager and
the double card is a ten valued card, then the payout on the double
side wager is 2 to 1, otherwise the player loses the double side
wager.
[0026] If, after viewing the initial two cards, the player wishes
to hit, then the player can place an additional optional hit side
wager, in which the player is betting on the outcome of the hit
(next) card. The player would win a payout based on the hit card.
If the hit card is not a predetermined card, then the player would
lose the hit wager.
[0027] For example, if the player places the hit side wager and the
hit card is a 2 through 7, then the player is paid even money,
otherwise the player loses the hit side wager. FIG. 1 is a
flowchart illustrating an exemplary method of implementing a
blackjack game, according to an embodiment.
[0028] The method can start with operation 100, which receives the
player's main wager. This can be done as known in the art.
[0029] The method can proceed to operation 102, which deals the
player's two cards and the dealer's two cards. This can be done as
known in the art.
[0030] From operation 102, the method can proceed to operation 104,
which determines if the player wishes to place a split wager. If
the player wishes to place a split wager the player can indicate as
such by placing a split wager identical in size to the main wager
and the method can then proceed to operation 104 which determines
if the player wishes to place a split side wager. If the player
wishes to place the split side wager the player can do so by
placing the split side wager in a betting circle.
[0031] If in operation 104, the player does not wish to place the
split side wager, then the method can proceed to operation 108,
which deals the player his or her split card and the method can
proceed to operation 114.
[0032] If in operation 104, the player does wish to place the split
side wager (and has placed the split side wager), then the method
can proceed to operation 110 which deals the player the split card.
The method can then proceed to operation 112, which resolves the
split side wager according to predetermined rules, as described
herein. The method can then proceed to operation 114.
[0033] From either operation 104, 108, or 112, the method can
proceed to operation 114, which determines if the player places a
double wager. If the player wishes to place a double wager the
player can place the double wager alongside the main wager. If the
determining in operation 114 determines that the player places the
double wager (and the player then places the double wager), the
method can then proceed to operation 116, which determines if the
player places a double side wager. The player can place the double
side wager by placing the double side wager in a betting
circle.
[0034] If the determining in operation 116 determines that the
player does not place the double side wager, then the method can
proceed to operation 118, which deals the player a double card (the
next card in the deck). The method can then proceed to operation
134.
[0035] If the determining in operation 116 determines that the
player does place the double side wager, then the method can
proceed to operation 120, which deals the player a double card (the
next card in the deck). The method can then proceed to operation
122, which resolves the double side wager according to
predetermined rules, as described herein. The method can then
proceed to operation 134.
[0036] From operation 114 (or possibly operation 132), the method
can proceed to operation 124, which determines if the player wishes
to hit. The player indicates he wishes to hit typically by pointing
on the table to the dealer. If the player does not wish to hit,
then the method can proceed to operation 134, which finishes the
blackjack game and resolves the main wager.
[0037] If the determining in operation 124 determines that the
player wishes to hit, then the method can proceed to operation 125,
which determines if the player wishes to player wishes to place a
hit side wager. The player can place a hit side wager in a betting
circle if the player so desires. If the determination in operation
126 determines that the player does not place a hit side wager,
then the method can proceed to operation 128, which deals the
player a hit card (the next card in the deck). The method can then
proceed to operation 124.
[0038] If the determination in operation 126 determines that the
player does place a hit side wager, then the method can proceed to
operation 130, which deals the player a hit card (the next card in
the deck). From operation 130, the method can proceed to operation
132, which resolves the hit side wager according to predetermined
rules, as described herein. The method can then proceed to
operation 124.
[0039] It is noted that any bets can be resolved at any time and
not in the order illustrated in FIG. 1. For example, operation 112,
which resolves the split side wager, can be performed at any time,
such as at the end of the game when the dealer is accounting for
the main wager.
[0040] FIG. 2A is a first example of a betting layout used in
accordance with embodiments described herein.
[0041] A main wager betting circle 202 can be used by the player to
place the player's main blackjack wager. A side wager betting
circle 200 can be used by the player to place the player's side
blackjack wager. A single betting circle can be used for all three
of the side bets described herein (hit side bet, double side bet,
and split side bet).
[0042] FIG. 2A is a second example of a betting layout used in
accordance with embodiments described herein.
[0043] A main wager betting circle 210 can be used by the player to
place the player's main blackjack wager. A hit side bet betting
circle 212 can be used by the player to place the player's hit side
bet. A double side bet betting circle 214 can be used by the player
to place the player's double side bet. A split side bet betting
circle 216 can be used by the player to place the player's split
side bet.
[0044] Examples of embodiments described herein will now be
presented. A blackjack game is offered on a casino table game using
standard Las Vegas rules (e.g., 6 deck shoe, dealer stands on soft
17, player can resplit pairs up to three times, blackjack pays
2:1). The double side wager pays as follows: if the double card is
a ten valued card, then the payout on the double side wager is 2 to
1, otherwise the player loses the double side wager. The hit side
wager pays as follows: if the hit card is a 2 through 7, then the
player is paid even money, otherwise the player loses the hit side
wager. The split side wager is paid according to Table I, i.e., a
win pays 11:1.
[0045] John bets $1 on the main wager. John is dealt a 10h and a
5c, the dealer's upcard is a 9h. John wishes to hit and John also
places a $1 hit side wager. The hit card (next card dealt) is a
10c. Jon loses the hit side wager (since the card is not a 2
through 7). The blackjack game is finished and since John busted
(exceeded 21) John also loses his $1 main wager. Thus John has lost
$2.
[0046] As another example, John bets $1 on the main wager. John is
dealt a 10h and a 5c, the dealer's upcard is a 9h. John wishes to
hit and John also places a $1 hit side wager. The hit card (next
card dealt) is a 7c. Jon wins the hit side wager (since the card is
a 2 through 7) and wins $1 on the hit side wager. The blackjack
game is finished and since John busted (exceeded 21) John loses his
$1 main wager. Thus John has broken even.
[0047] As another example, John bets $1 on the main wager. John is
dealt a 10h and a 5c, the dealer's upcard is a 9h. John wishes to
hit and John also places a $1 hit side wager. The hit card (next
card dealt) is a 6c. Jon wins the hit side wager (since the card is
a 2 through 7) and wins $1 on the hit side wager. The blackjack
game is finished and the dealer's hole card is revealed which turns
out to be a 10d. Since John has a point total of 21, this beats the
dealer's point total of 19, and John wins the main wager as well
for $1. Thus, John has won $2 overall.
[0048] As another example, Gina bets $1 on the main wager. Gina is
dealt a 5h and a 6c, and the dealer's upcard is a 4c. Gina wishes
to double and places a double wager of $1. Gina also wishes to
place a double side wager and places a double side wager of $1. The
double card is dealt (the next card) to Gina which is a 5c. Since
this is not a ten valued card, Gina loses the double side wager.
The blackjack game is continued and the dealer's hole card is
revealed to be a 10h. The dealer then draws (since under standard
blackjack rules the dealer draws until the dealer has 17 or higher)
and the dealer draws a 9s. Since the dealer has busted (the dealer
exceeds 21), Gina wins the main wager for $1. Thus Gina has broken
even.
[0049] As another example, Gina bets $1 on the main wager. Gina is
dealt a 5h and a 6c, and the dealer's upcard is a 4c. Gina wishes
to double and places a double wager of $1. Gina also wishes to
place a double side wager and places a double side wager of $1. The
double card is dealt (the next card) to Gina which is a 10c. Since
this is a ten valued card, Gina wins the double side wager and wins
$2. The blackjack game is continued and the dealer's hole card is
revealed to be a 10h. The dealer then draws (since under standard
blackjack rules the dealer draws until the dealer has 17 or higher)
and the dealer draws a 9s. Since the dealer has busted (the dealer
exceeds 21), Gina wins the main wager for $1. Thus Gina has win $3
overall.
[0050] As a further example, Fred bets $1 on the main wager. Fred
is dealt a 8h and a 8c, and the dealer's upcard is a 10s. Fred
wishes to split and places $1 additional wager to split. Fred
wishes to place a split side wager and places a split side wager of
$1. The split card (next card dealt) to Fred is a 10c. Fred loses
the split side wager since the split card is not equal to 8. The
game continues as normal with Fred now playing two hands with $1
bet on each of them.
[0051] As a further example, Fred bets $1 on the main wager. Fred
is dealt a 8h and a 8c, and the dealer's upcard is a 10s. Fred
wishes to split and places $1 additional wager to split. Fred
wishes to place a split side wager and places a split side wager of
$1. The split card (next card dealt) to Fred is a 8c. Fred wins the
split side wager since the split card is equal to 8. Thus Fred wins
$11. The game continues as normal with Fred now playing two hands
with $1 bet on each of them. It is noted that if the dealer's
upcard were also an eight (and the game was being dealt with one
deck, using Table I), then Fred's payout on the win on the split
side wager would be higher.
[0052] A casino can offer all three side wagers (hit side wager,
double side wager, split side wager) at once, can offer only one
(any one) of these three side wagers (e.g., offer the split side
wager only, the double side wager only, or the hit side wager
only), or any combination of two of the side wagers as well (e.g.,
the hit side wager+double side wager, or the hit side wager+split
side wager, or the double side wager+split side wager). If a casino
wishes to offer less than all three side wagers, then a modified
flowchart can be created from FIG. 1 with the side wager(s) which
are not offered be eliminated from the FIG. 1. For example, if the
split side wager isn't available, then operation 106 is not
available and the method flows from operation 104 directly to
operation 108. If the hit side wager isn't available, then
operation 126 is not available and the method would flow from
operation 124 to operation 128. If the double side wager is not
available, then operation 116 is not available and the method would
flow from operation 114 to operation 118.
[0053] The embodiments herein can be implemented using any standard
52 card deck of cards. Any other number of decks can be used as
well, such as 2-10 decks. A continuous shuffling machine can also
be used as well. Any embodiments described herein can also be used
with non-standard decks of cards, such as decks with one or more
wild card(s), Spanish decks, etc. Any embodiments described herein
can also be applied to other variations of blackjack as well, such
as "Spanish 21." The embodiments described herein can also be
applied to any other casino games as well, such as baccarat.
[0054] For example, the wagers described herein can be applied to
baccarat as follows. When the baccarat dealer has dealt the dealer
two cards that are equal in rank and the dealer is going to take a
third card, the player can place a wager that the third card will
match in rank to the two dealer cards. The payouts can be the same
as described herein. Similarly, if the player is dealt two player
cards equal in rank and the player is going to take a third card,
the player can place a wager that the third card will match in rank
to the two player cards.
[0055] It is also noted that any and/or all of the above
embodiments, configurations, variations of the present invention
described above can mixed and matched and used in any combination
with one another.
[0056] Moreover, any description of a component or embodiment
herein also includes hardware, software, and configurations which
already exist in the prior art and may be necessary to the
operation of such component(s) or embodiment(s).
[0057] Further, the operations described herein can be performed in
any sensible order. Any operations not required for proper
operation can be optional. Further, all methods described herein
can also be stored on a computer readable storage to control a
computer.
[0058] 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.
* * * * *