U.S. patent application number 11/901003 was filed with the patent office on 2008-05-15 for method for playing blackjack with a two-card poker wager(21+ 2).
Invention is credited to Ermirjona Hasanaj Kekempanos, Larry Emmanuel Kekempanos, James Thomas Kenny.
Application Number | 20080113703 11/901003 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39369813 |
Filed Date | 2008-05-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080113703 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kekempanos; Ermirjona Hasanaj ;
et al. |
May 15, 2008 |
Method for playing blackjack with a two-card poker wager(21+ 2)
Abstract
Card games that combine the play of Blackjack ("21") with a
2-card Poker wager or side bet ("21+2"). Each player places a basic
Blackjack wager and an optional 2-card Poker wager/side wager
before the cards are dealt. Each player is then dealt a card with
the dealer receiving a face-up card. Each player is dealt a second
card. At this point, the outcome of each 2-card Poker hand is
determined, where a player's 2-card Poker hand consists of the
2-card hand dealt to that player and/or using the dealer's face-up
card. After settling the Poker wagers, the game of Blackjack
continues in a typical fashion. The invention advantageously
retains all the features and advantages of Blackjack as well as
provides the dynamics of 2-card Poker, without interfering with the
card sequence, for enhanced player anticipation and enjoyment. The
game can be played with Baccarat wherein each player places a basic
player or banker or tie wager and an optional 2-card Poker
wager/side wager before the cards are dealt.
Inventors: |
Kekempanos; Ermirjona Hasanaj;
(Oak Lawn, IL) ; Kekempanos; Larry Emmanuel; (Oak
Lawn, IL) ; Kenny; James Thomas; (Shorewood,
IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Ermirjona Hasanaj Kekempanos;Kings Gaming, Inc.
10444 South Keating Avenue
Oak Lawn
IL
60453
US
|
Family ID: |
39369813 |
Appl. No.: |
11/901003 |
Filed: |
September 15, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60858213 |
Nov 9, 2006 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/12 ; 273/292;
463/25 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F 1/00 20130101; A63F
2001/003 20130101; A63F 2001/005 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/12 ; 273/292;
463/25 |
International
Class: |
A63F 1/00 20060101
A63F001/00; A63F 9/24 20060101 A63F009/24 |
Claims
1-42. (canceled)
43. A method, comprising: providing a published set of game rules
for a wagering card game comprising a first wagering game and a
poker side wager game, a set of predetermined poker hand rankings,
and a pay scale; providing a game deck comprising a plurality of
cards from at least one deck of playing cards; accepting from a
first player a first wager corresponding to the first wagering
game; accepting from the first player a second wager corresponding
to the poker side wager game; commencing the first wagering game by
dealing at least two cards to one or more player hands from the
game deck; determining whether the first player wins the poker side
wager game based on the set of predetermined poker hand rankings
and based on a poker hand formed from at least two of the cards
dealt to the player hands or to a dealer hand; determining whether
the first player wins the first wagering game according to the game
rules; and resolving the first wager and the second wager according
to the games rules and the pay scale.
44. The method of claim 43, wherein the first wagering game
comprises a game of blackjack played between one or more players
and a dealer.
45. The method of claim 43, wherein the first wagering game
comprises a game of baccarat played between one or more players and
a banker.
46. The method of claim 43, wherein determining whether the first
player wins the poker side wager game comprises: identifying a
first player poker hand comprising two or more cards in a player
hand; identifying a dealer poker hand comprising two or more cards
in a dealer hand; and comparing the first player poker hand to the
dealer poker hand according to the set of predetermined poker hand
rankings.
47. The method of claim 43, wherein determining whether the first
player wins the poker side wager game comprises: identifying a
first player poker hand comprising two or more cards in a player
hand; and comparing the first player poker hand to the set of
predetermined poker hand rankings and a corresponding set of
payoffs.
48. The method of claim 43, wherein the poker side wager game
comprises a two card poker game and determining whether the first
player wins the poker side wager game comprises: receiving from the
first player a selection of one of the player hands or a dealer
hand; and identifying a first player poker hand comprising the
first two cards dealt to the hand selected by the first player.
49. The method of claim 43, wherein the poker side wager game
comprises a two card poker game and determining whether the first
player wins the poker side wager game comprises: receiving from the
first player a selection of one of the player hands or a dealer
hand; and identifying a first player poker hand comprising the best
two card poker hand possible from the cards in the hand selected by
the first player.
50. The method of claim 43, wherein the poker side wager game
comprises a two card poker game and determining whether the first
player wins the poker side wager game comprises: identifying a
first player poker hand comprising the best two card poker hand
possible from a combination of cards in a player hand and a dealer
hand.
51. The method of claim 43, wherein the poker side wager game
comprises a three card poker game and determining whether the first
player wins the poker side wager game comprises identifying a first
player poker hand comprising three cards from a hand in the first
wagering game.
52. The method of claim 43, wherein the game rules comprise a rule
that a player cannot increase the amount of that player's wager in
the poker side wager game for subsequent hands of the first
wagering game until the game deck is changed or reshuffled.
53. A computing device, comprising: a processor; a display device;
one or more user input controls; memory storing instructions for
controlling the computing device to perform a method comprising:
providing a published set of game rules for a wagering card game
comprising a first wagering game and a poker side wager game, a set
of predetermined poker hand rankings, and a pay scale; providing a
game deck stored in the memory of the computing device
corresponding to a plurality of cards from at least one deck of
playing cards; accepting via the user input controls from a first
player a first wager corresponding to the first wagering game;
accepting via the user input controls from the first player a
second wager corresponding to the poker side wager game; commencing
the first wagering game by dealing via the display device at least
two cards to one or more player hands from the game deck;
determining whether the first player wins the poker side wager game
based on the set of predetermined poker hand rankings and based on
a poker hand formed from at least two of the cards dealt to the
player hands or to a dealer hand; determining whether the first
player wins the first wagering game according to the game rules;
and resolving the first wager and the second wager according to the
games rules and the pay scale.
54. The computing device of claim 53, wherein the first wagering
game comprises a game of blackjack played between one or more
players and a dealer.
55. The computing device of claim 53, wherein the first wagering
game comprises a game of baccarat played between one or more
players and a banker.
56. The computing device of claim 53, wherein determining whether
the first player wins the poker side wager game comprises:
identifying a first player poker hand comprising two or more cards
in a player hand; identifying a dealer poker hand comprising two or
more cards in a dealer hand; and comparing the first player poker
hand to the dealer poker hand according to the set of predetermined
poker hand rankings.
57. The computing device of claim 53, wherein determining whether
the first player wins the poker side wager game comprises:
identifying a first player poker hand comprising two or more cards
in a player hand; and comparing the first player poker hand to the
set of predetermined poker hand rankings and a corresponding set of
payoffs.
58. The computing device of claim 53, wherein the poker side wager
game comprises a two card poker game and determining whether the
first player wins the poker side wager game comprises identifying a
first player poker hand comprising two cards from a hand in the
first wagering game.
59. The computing device of claim 53, wherein the game rules
comprise a rule that a player cannot increase the amount of that
player's wager in the poker side wager game for subsequent hands of
the first wagering game until the game deck is changed or
reshuffled or randomized by the computing device.
60. One or more computer readable media storing computer-executable
instructions which, when executed on a computer system, perform a
method comprising: providing a published set of game rules for a
wagering card game comprising a first wagering game and a poker
side wager game, a set of predetermined poker hand rankings, and a
pay scale; providing a game deck stored in a memory of the computer
system corresponding to a plurality of cards from at least one deck
of playing cards; accepting from a first player a first wager
corresponding to the first wagering game; accepting from the first
player a second wager corresponding to the poker side wager game;
commencing the first wagering game by dealing at least two cards to
one or more player hands from the game deck; determining whether
the first player wins the poker side wager game based on the set of
predetermined poker hand rankings and based on a poker hand formed
from at least two of the cards dealt to the player hands or to a
dealer hand; determining whether the first player wins the first
wagering game according to the game rules; and resolving the first
wager and the second wager according to the games rules and the pay
scale.
61. The computer readable media of claim 60, wherein the first
wagering game comprises a game of blackjack played between one or
more players and a dealer.
62. The computer readable media of claim 60, wherein the first
wagering game comprises a game of baccarat played between one or
more players and a banker.
63. The computer readable media of claim 60, wherein determining
whether the first player wins the poker side wager game comprises:
identifying a first player poker hand comprising two or more cards
in a player hand; identifying a dealer poker hand comprising two or
more cards in a dealer hand; and comparing the first player poker
hand to the dealer poker hand according to the set of predetermined
poker hand rankings.
64. The computer readable media of claim 60, wherein determining
whether the first player wins the poker side wager game comprises:
identifying a first player poker hand comprising two or more cards
in a player hand; and comparing the first player poker hand to the
set of predetermined poker hand rankings and a corresponding set of
payoffs.
65. The computer readable media of claim 60, wherein the poker side
wager game comprises a two card poker game and determining whether
the first player wins the poker side wager game comprises
identifying a first player poker hand comprising two cards from a
hand in the first wagering game.
66. The computer readable media of claim 60, wherein the game rules
comprise a rule that a player cannot increase the amount of that
player's wager in the poker side wager game for subsequent hands of
the first wagering game until the game deck is changed or
reshuffled or randomized by the computer system.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/858,213 filed on Nov. 09, 2006.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The invention relates to card games. More particularly, the
invention relates to Blackjack variant card game, with an optional
two-card poker side bet.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] With the expansion of gaming and the increase in
competition, casinos are striving to offer a wider variety of
games. The growth in slot machine popularity and the increase in
variety of specialty games have resulted in the overall reduction
in conventional Blackjack ("21") tables.
[0006] Many casinos, however, are reluctant to further reduce the
number of Blackjack tables because of the inherent game
attractiveness to both players and casinos. The game is based on
simple concepts and procedures that are readily understood by
casual and regular players alike. In addition, the game allows
players to use basic strategies that provide some degree of player
control and that allow for heightened excitement. For the casino
operators, the game requires relatively low overhead to facilitate
and monitor. In an attempt to accommodate the desire for variety
and the retention of a significant Blackjack presence, several
Blackjack variant games have been introduced. These games include
Multiple Action Blackjack, Spanish 21, Face-Up 21, and Royal Match.
See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,673,917 to Vancura. Although Blackjack
variants typically provide additional waging options, these games
tend to either negatively alter the flow of the Blackjack game or
add very little game dynamics. Another Blackjack variant is Action
Gaming's 21 Stud. In this game, each player has the option of
placing a side wager in addition to the basic Blackjack wager. The
side wager is a bet that a dealer's 5-card hand will be above a
certain rank and has a variable payoff scale according to rank.
Since a Blackjack player may be satisfied with a hand before being
dealt 5-cards (e.g., when the player is dealt an Ace and a Jack for
the first two cards), 21 Stud provides for a dealer settling all
Blackjack wagers after standing or busting. The game then allows
the dealer to draw extra cards, if necessary until having a total
of 5 cards. The dealer's first 5 cards form a Poker hand. A
standing hand occurs on the odd occasions that more than 5 cards
were required for the dealer to reach 17 or more.
[0007] 21 Stud, however, has several drawbacks. Firstly, because
all players with the side wager are betting on the same outcome the
game is very volatile. Secondly, with the range of payoff odds
required with a 5-card game there is a risk of a high payoff
amount. Accordingly, the game will likely never be offered with a
$1 side bet and may require extra surveillance. Thirdly, the
Blackjack hand is the primary part of the game for the majority of
players. However, Blackjack wagers are settled first, so the
potential anticipatory thrill time is lower on the primary wager.
Fourthly, when 5-card hands are dealt face-up, one at a time, there
is usually very little excitement because after 3 cards it is often
obvious that a premium hand cannot be created. For example when the
first 3 cards dealt are 10, 5, and 2 (off-suit), no straight,
flush, full house or better are possible. Fifthly, and probably
most significantly, the dealer is usually required to take extra
cards. This aspect of the game is particularly problematic because
it slows the game down and deters potential players who are
generally adverse to waiting for other players or the dealer from
taking additional cards and those potential players who do not like
the run of cards to be altered.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The invention provides card games that combine the play of
Blackjack ("21") with a 2-card Poker wager ("21+2"). In a casino
embodiment, the invention can be played in conjunction with a
conventional Blackjack casino-type table and at least a single
standard deck of 52 playing cards. The table surface not only has
the regular Blackjack bet area, but also an extra bet area for an
optional 2-card Poker side wager. In such an embodiment, the table
also displays a payoff scale on the side wager and further
instructional and promotional information.
[0009] At the beginning of a game, each player places a basic
Blackjack wager and an optional 2-card Poker wager. A dealer deals
each player a card, with the dealer receiving a face-up card. Each
player also receives a second card. A player's 2-card hand can
consist of the 2-card hand dealt to that player, or can consist of
the best 2 cards dealt to the player and the up card or cards (up
and down cards) of the dealer. At this point, the outcomes of the
2-card Poker hands are determined. In one embodiment of the
invention, a pair or more ("Pair or More") constitutes a winning
hand. After settling the Poker wagers, the game of Blackjack
continues.
[0010] The invention advantageously retains all the features and
advantages of Blackjack (and Blackjack variants) as well as
provides the dynamics of 2-card Poker, without interfering with the
card sequence, for enhanced player anticipation and enjoyment. The
invention thus benefits the player who desires a Pair or More type
of game as well as the player who does not want to leave a
Blackjack game, but desires some variety. In addition, the
invention provides casino operators with added revenue generating
features without requiring additional casino tables, space, or
extra game surveillance.
[0011] Another feature of the invention is that it can be practiced
with a variety of Blackjack deck modes including one deck, double
deck, three deck, four deck, five deck, six deck, and eight deck,
etc. or any other numbered card deck(s) with each mode having an
appropriate payoff scale.
[0012] The invention can also be readily implemented in a wide
variety of additional forms and media including, and or apparatus,
such as 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 flight, home,
and Internet entertainment. Moreover, the invention can be readily
implemented in software, which can be stored on a disk (e.g.,
magnetic disk, compact disk (CD), etc.) and used with a computer
system.
[0013] The foregoing, and other features and advantages of the
invention, will be apparent from the following, more particular
description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, the
accompanying drawing, and the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0014] FIG. 1 illustrates a playing surface (layout) of a
casino-type table in accordance with the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0015] The preferred embodiments of the invention are now described
with reference to the figure where like reference numbers indicate
like elements.
[0016] The invention provides card games that combine the play of
Blackjack ("21") with a 2-card Poker wager or side bet ("21+2").
The first preferred embodiment of the invention is used in
connection with a casino-type Blackjack table and a single standard
deck of 52 playing cards. FIG. 1 illustrates a playing surface
(layout) 10 of the Blackjack table which includes a primary betting
area 12 for each of a plurality of players, which in this
embodiment is seven players. Primary betting area 12 is used for
the placement of a Blackjack wager. Play surface 10 also includes a
secondary betting area 14, corresponding with each area 12, for an
optional 2-card Poker wager. In addition, playing surface 10
includes a dealer area 16, displays of a predetermined payoff scale
20, and displays of predetermined game rules 18. As would be
apparent to one skilled in the relevant art, the predetermined
payoff scales and game rules used in a particular embodiment can be
based on the teachings of the invention and well known gaming
principles and casino specific requirements. Other wager areas
and/or information can be displayed on playing surface 10, such as
the "21+2" promotional markings illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0017] In this preferred embodiment, each player must place a
Blackjack wager at betting area 12 in order to participate in the
game. Each player, however, has the option to place an additional
2-card Poker wager at betting area 14. In another embodiment of the
invention, both the Blackjack and Poker wagers are required and in
yet another embodiment only the Poker wager is required. Additional
wagers and wager features can be practiced with the invention.
[0018] The allowable limit of the 2-card Poker wager (placed in
area 14) is both governed by predetermined game rules 20 and
relative to the Blackjack wager (placed in area 12). For example,
with each player having a separate hand and with a payoff scale
with a highest payoff similar to Craps or Roulette, an embodiment
of the invention can be operated with a minimum 2-card Poker wager
equal to a table minimum for Blackjack, typically $5 or more. In
addition, a maximum 2-card Poker wager for a player can be set to
the first hand 2-card Poker wager made by that player after each
shuffle or at the beginning of that shoe. This would negate the
impact of well-known techniques such as card counting, shuffle
tracking, and card locating used by proficient players.
[0019] Once the wagers have been placed, a dealer then deals, in
rotation, each player a first card and the dealer receives a
face-up card. Each player, again in rotation, is then dealt a
second card and the dealer receives a second card face-down.
Alternatively, the second face-down card can be retained in the
deck. In accordance with the invention, a player's 2-card Poker
hand consists of the 2-card hand that player was dealt.
[0020] Thus at this point, the outcomes of the 2-card Poker wagers
are determined and settled prior to continuing with the Blackjack
game. In this preferred embodiment, a player wins the 2-card Poker
bet with a more ("Pair or More"). The following delineates hand
ranking of this embodiment (wherein Ace, King, Queen, Jack, and 10
are represented as "A", "K", "Q", "J", and "T", respectively; "sss"
indicates that the two cards are of the same suit (i.e., all
diamonds, hearts, spades, or clubs); and the reference "in
sequence" does not denote the order in which the cards were
received by a player, but the actual relationship of the two cards
together): [0021] Winning 2-Card Hands Straight Flush Two cards of
one suit in sequence (e.g., A K ss; 9 8 ss; 3 2 ss) Two of a Kind
Two cards of the same rank, whether suited or not (e.g., J J; 4, 4;
or 7 7 ss with multiple deck embodiments) Straight Two cards in
sequence (e.g., A K; 6 5; 3 2) Flush Two cards of the same suit
(including pairs or not, but not including two of a kind) (e.g., T
8 6 sss; K Q 2 ss; or 5 5 9 sss with multiple deck embodiments)
Pair Two cards of the same rank (but not when all two are suited
with multiple deck embodiments) (e.g., 9 9 5; 8 8 T; 667) Losing
3-Card Hands High card only None of the above (e.g., K Q 2; J T 3)
The 2-card Poker wagers are now settled. If the player has a losing
2-card Poker hand, their bet (from area 14) is removed. If the
player has a winning 2-card Poker hand, they are paid in accordance
the predetermined game rules, predetermined payoff scale, and the
amount of their bet placed in area 14. In this single deck
preferred embodiment, the payoff scale is as follows: [0022]
Straight Flush 35 to 1 Two of a Kind 33 to 1 Straight 6 to 1 Flush
4 to 1 Pair 1 to 1.
[0023] As would be apparent to one skilled in the relevant art,
alternative payoff scales (e.g., in accordance with the particular
casino requirements) can be practiced with the invention. In
addition, multiple decks including double deck, three deck, four
deck, five deck, six deck, and eight deck, etc. modes can be used
with appropriate predetermined payoff scales. For multiple deck
embodiments of the invention, exact hand rankings should be
determined for two-way hands. The following illustrates a couple of
instances of two-way hands:
TWO-WAY HANDS EXAMPLES
[0024] A) The 2-card Poker hand consisting of King Diamonds, and
Queen Diamonds, could be either:
[0025] Option 1: Flush
[0026] Option 2: Flush/Straight Flush
[0027] B) The 2-card Poker hand consisting of King Diamonds, and
King Diamonds, could either:
[0028] Option 1: Flush,
[0029] Option 2: Two of a Kind, or
[0030] Option 3: Flush/Two of a Kind.
[0031] In each instance, the 2-card Poker hand constitutes any of
the options. Within a particular game, however, the two-way should
be consistently resolved. For example, the same option (i.e.,
Option 1, 2, or 3) should be used in both instances A and B above.
In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the superior of
the two regular hand ranks (i.e., Option 2 for both instances
above) is chosen to avoid creating additional hand ranks. As would
be apparent to one skilled in the relevant art, a wide range of
payoff scales for multiple deck games can be used with the present
invention.
[0032] After settling the 2-card Poker wages, the dealer proceeds
with a Blackjack game. In this embodiment, the Blackjack game is
conventional. However, other variant Blackjack games can be
practiced with the invention. The Blackjack wagers are settled in
accordance with well known principles and the particular aspects of
the Blackjack (or Blackjack variant) game.
[0033] The invention advantageously retains all of the features and
advantages of Blackjack, Baccarat and or any other casino wagering
game where a two-card poker hand can be made, as well as provides
the dynamics of the 2-card Poker, without interfering with the card
sequence, for enhanced player anticipation and enjoyment. The
invention thus benefits the player who desires a Pair Plus type of
game as well as the player who does not want to leave a Blackjack
game, or other suited casino game, but desires some variety. In
addition, the invention provides casino operators with additional
revenue generating features for Blackjack and other casino games
with acceptable volatility.
[0034] Another predominate feature of the invention, is that casino
embodiments of invention do not require additional space or tables
to practice the invention, rather the invention can be practiced
with existing tables, preferably modified as illustrated in FIG.
1.
[0035] An additional feature is that the invention does not require
any more game surveillance than a conventional Blackjack game.
[0036] As would be apparent to one skilled in the relevant art, the
invention can be embodied in a wide variety of 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. In addition the
invention can be readily implemented as a computer program product
(e.g., floppy disk, compact disk (CD), etc.) comprising a computer
readable medium having control logic recorded therein to implement
the features of the invention as described in relation to the other
preferred embodiments. The control logic can be loaded into the
memory of a computer and executed by a central processing unit
(CPU) to perform the operations described herein.
[0037] Although the invention has been particularly shown and
described with reference to several preferred embodiments thereof,
it will be understood by those skilled in the relevant art that
various changes in form and details may be made therein without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in
the appended claims.
* * * * *