U.S. patent application number 12/351835 was filed with the patent office on 2010-07-15 for blackjack variation with bust recovery option.
Invention is credited to Nick Cipiti.
Application Number | 20100178972 12/351835 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42319456 |
Filed Date | 2010-07-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100178972 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cipiti; Nick |
July 15, 2010 |
Blackjack Variation with Bust Recovery Option
Abstract
A method, system, and computer readable storage medium to
provide a blackjack variation to be played in a casino. When the
player busts (receives a point total that exceeds 21), the player
is allowed the option to backtrack by placing an additional wager
and taking an backtrack card. The backtrack card is then subtracted
from the player's point total, and the game then continues
normally. Thus, if a player busts then the player has a recourse in
order to stay in the game if the player wishes to wager an
additional amount. If the player does not wish to exercise the
backtrack option, then the player will then lose the hand as in
standard blackjack.
Inventors: |
Cipiti; Nick; (Clinton
Township, MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MUSKIN & CUSICK LLC
100 West Main Street, SUITE 205
Lansdale
PA
19446
US
|
Family ID: |
42319456 |
Appl. No.: |
12/351835 |
Filed: |
January 10, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/12 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F 3/00157 20130101;
A63F 2001/003 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/12 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Claims
1. A method to play a wagering game, the method comprising:
providing a physical deck(s) of cards; receiving a main wager from
a player; dealing an initial player's hand and an initial dealer's
hand using the deck(s) on a gaming table; allowing the player to
draw additional card(s) until the player stands or the player's
point total is over 21; if the player's point total is over 21,
then offering the player an option to backtrack, and if the player
backtracks then dealing to the player a backtrack card; resolving
the dealer's hand according to predetermined rules; and determining
a player's point total and a dealer's point total; if the player's
point total is over 21 then the player loses the main wager; if the
player's point total is not over 21 and the dealer's point total is
over 21 then the player wins an award based on the main wager; if
the players point total is not over 21 and the dealer's point total
is not over 21, then if the player's point total is higher than the
dealer's point total then the player wins an award based on the
main wager; if the player's point total is not over 21 and the
dealer's point total is not over 21, then if the player's point
total is lower than the dealer's point total then the player loses
the main wager; wherein if the player exercised the backtrack
option, then the player's point total is computed by adding the
numerical values of the initial player's hand and all additional
card(s) dealt to the player minus the numerical value of the
backtrack card.
2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein if the player
backtracks then the player must place a backtrack wager before
receiving the backtrack card.
3. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein the backtrack wager is
equal in value to the main wager.
4. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein if the player wins the
main wager then the player pushes on the backtrack wager.
5. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein if the player loses
the main wager then the player also loses the backtrack wager.
6. A method to play a wagering game on an electronic gaming
machine, the method comprising: performing the following on an
electronic gaming machine: receiving a main wager from a player;
dealing an initial player's hand and an initial dealer's hand;
allowing the player to draw additional card(s) until the player
stands or the player's point total is over 21; if the player's
point total is over 21, then offering the player an option to
backtrack, and if the player backtracks then dealing to the player
a backtrack card; resolving the dealer's hand according to
predetermined rules; and determining a player's point total and a
dealer's point total; if the player's point total is over 21 then
the player loses the main wager; if the player's point total is not
over 21 and the dealer's point total is over 21 then the player
wins an award based on the main wager; if the players point total
is not over 21 and the dealer's point total is not over 21, then if
the player's point total is higher than the dealer's point total
then the player wins an award based on the main wager; if the
player's point total is not over 21 and the dealer's point total is
not over 21, then if the player's point total is lower than the
dealer's point total then the player loses the main wager; wherein
if the player exercised the backtrack option, then the player's
point total is computed by adding the numerical values of the
initial player's hand and all additional card(s) dealt to the
player minus the numerical value of the backtrack card.
7. The method as recited in claim 6, wherein if the player
backtracks then the player must place a backtrack wager before
receiving the backtrack card.
8. The method as recited in claim 7, wherein the backtrack wager is
equal in value to the main wager.
9. The method as recited in claim 6, wherein if the player wins the
main wager then the player pushes on the backtrack wager.
10. The method as recited in claim 6, wherein if the player loses
the main wager then the player also loses the backtrack wager.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present inventive concept relates to a system, method,
and computer readable storage, for playing a variation of a casino
blackjack game.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] A standard game of casino blackjack is well known in the art
and can be played as follows. To start the game the player places a
wager, typically using chips which are redeemable for cash. The
dealer deals an initial two card hand to the dealer (one card face
up, one card face down), and two cards to the player (either face
up or face down, however the player is permitted to view both of
his or her own cards). The player can then decide to hit or stand.
If the player decides to hit, the player is then dealt an
additional card (typically face up). The player can continue to hit
until the player decides to stand, or until the player's point
total has exceeded 21 (in which the player has "busted" and
loses).
[0005] Once the player has finished playing out his or her hand,
the dealer then reveals the dealer's initial two card hand and
decides to hit or stand according to predetermined house rules. For
example, the dealer can continue to hit until the dealer has a
total (either soft or hard) of 17, or until the dealer's hard point
total exceeds 21 (in which the dealer has busted).
[0006] After the dealer has played out the dealer's hand, a point
total of the player's hand is compared to a point total of the
dealer's hand. If the player's point total is higher than the
dealer's point total (and the player has not busted), then the
player wins (and typically gets paid even money on the player's
wager). If the player's point total is lower than the dealer's
point total, then the player loses and the house takes the player's
wager. If the player's point total ties the dealer's point total,
then the hand is considered a "push" and the player does not win or
lose.
[0007] The player can also double after viewing the player's
initial two cards and the dealer's upcard by placing a double wager
alongside the player's original wager. The double wager is equal in
amount to the player's original wager. The player then receives
only one additional card.
[0008] The standard game of blackjack has become boring to some
players, who are looking for new and exciting games. Therefore,
what is needed is a new and exciting blackjack variation in which
some players may find more exciting than the standard version.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] It is an aspect of the present general inventive concept to
provide an improvement to the standard casino game of
blackjack.
[0010] The above aspects can also be obtained by a method that
includes (a) providing a physical deck(s) of cards; (b) receiving a
main wager from a player; (c) dealing an initial player's hand and
an initial dealer's hand using the deck(s); (d) allowing the player
to draw additional card(s) until the player stands or the player's
point total is over 21; (e) if the player's point total is over 21,
then offering the player an option to backtrack, and if the player
backtracks then dealing to the player a backtrack card; (f)
resolving the dealer's hand according to predetermined rules; and
(g) determining a player's point total and a dealer's point total;
(h) if the player's point total is over 21 then the player loses
the main wager; (i) if the player's point total is not over 21 and
the dealer's point total is over 21 then the player wins an award
based on the main wager; (j) if the players point total is not over
21 and the dealer's point total is not over 21, then if the
player's point total is higher than the dealer's point total then
the player wins an award based on the main wager; (k) if the
player's point total is not over 21 and the dealer's point total is
not over 21, then if the player's point total is lower than the
dealer's point total then the player loses the main wager; (l)
wherein if the player exercised the backtrack option, then the
player's point total is computed by adding the numerical values of
the initial player's hand and all additional card(s) dealt minus
the numerical value of the backtrack card.
[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 wagering game, according to an embodiment;
[0014] FIG. 2 is an example table layout that can be used to
implement a wagering game, according to an embodiment; and
[0015] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of exemplary hardware that can be
used to implement an electronic version of a wagering game,
according to an embodiment.
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 general inventive concept relates to an improvement of
the standard casino blackjack game. Blackjack is a well known
casino game and is described in US application publication
2003/0155715, which is incorporated by reference herein in its
entirety for all purposes.
[0018] When a player busts (achieves a hand with a point total that
must be greater than 21), according to the standard rules of
blackjack, the player loses (regardless of what the dealer's total
is). In an embodiment of the present inventive concept, the player
can optionally avail himself to a "backtrack" option, which allows
the player to recover from a losing bust hand. The way the
backtrack option works is that when the player busts, if the player
opts to (the player is not required to), the player can place an
additional wager (typically equal to the player's main wager) and
receive a "backtrack" card. The numeric value of the backtrack card
is then subtracted from the player's point total, and then the
player has completed playing his or her hand, and this player's
point total is ultimately compared to the dealer's point total to
determine who the winner is.
[0019] FIG. 1 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method of
implementing a wagering game, according to an embodiment.
[0020] The method can begin with operation 100, which receives a
main wager. This can be done as known in the art, for example the
player places chips in a betting circle in front of the player.
[0021] From operation 100, the method can proceed to operation 102,
wherein a dealer deals a player's hand and a dealer's hand.
Typically, the player gets two initial cards (dealt either face up
or face down but viewable by the player), and the dealer gets two
initial cards (typically one is face up (the "upcard") and one is
dealt face down (the "hole" card).
[0022] From operation 102, the method proceeds to operation 104,
wherein the player takes action (hit or stand). The player can
indicate his or her action by speaking to the dealer, using hand
signals, or pressing an appropriate button on the gaming table.
[0023] If in operation 104, the player decides to hit, the method
can then proceed to operation 105, which deals the player an
additional card (typically face up so that the player can see
it).
[0024] From operation 106, the method can proceed to operation 108,
which determines whether the player breaks. If the player's point
total is greater than 21 (and all aces are being counted as a 1)
then the player breaks (has "busted"). In the standard prior-art
game of blackjack, if the player breaks, then the player
automatically loses.
[0025] If in operation 108, the player has not busted (also known
is breaking), then the method can return to operation 104, wherein
the player is free to take another card (hit) or stand (not take
any additional cards and keep the player's current hand as is).
[0026] If in operation 108, the player has busted, then the method
can proceed to operation 110, wherein the player has the option to
backtrack. If the player does not wish to backtrack, then since the
player has busted, the method proceeds to operation 122, wherein
the dealer (house) takes the main wager (placed in operation 100)
and the player's hand is over (the player has lost).
[0027] In one embodiment, the player can always backtrack if the
player has busted. In another embodiment, there can be conditions
before the player is allowed to backtrack. For example, the player
must have busted with a 23 or greater in order to be allowed to
backtrack; thus, if the player has busted with a 22 the player will
not be allowed to backtrack and the player will have lost.
[0028] If in operation 110, the player decides to backtrack (the
player can indicate his or her action by verbal actions, hand
signals, or pressing a button), then the method proceeds to
operation 112, which deals the player a backtrack card. Typically,
in order to receive a backtrack card, the player will have to place
a backtrack wager, which is equal to the amount of the main wager
placed in operation 100. In an alternate embodiment, the backtrack
wager is not required to be equal to the main wager. In a further
alternate embodiment, the player does not place a backtrack wager
in order to receive a backtrack card. A single backtrack card is
then dealt to the player (typically face up, although not required
to be). The player's point total is the total of the value of all
of the player's cards dealt in operation 102 (the players initial
two cards) plus the total value of all of the card(s) dealt to the
player in operation 106 (all additional cards the player drew)
minus the value of the backtrack card. Thus, by drawing the
backtrack card, the player has an opportunity to possibly turn a
bust hand (over 21) into a playable hand (under 22).
[0029] From operation 112, the method proceeds to operation 114,
wherein all of the dealer's cards are revealed and the dealer's
hand is then resolved. Typically the dealer's hand is resolved
according to predetermined rules (e.g., the dealer keeps hitting
until the dealer has a point total of 17 or greater).
[0030] From operation 114, the method proceeds to operation 116,
which tabulates the player's point total and the dealer's point
total. The dealer's point total is tabulated is known in the art,
that is by adding all of the numerical values of cards in the
dealer's hand. The player's point total is determined as described
in operation 112, that is by adding all of the numerical values of
cards in the player's hand but for the backtrack card (if there is
one) which is subtracted from the point total.
[0031] From operation 116 the method proceeds to operation 118,
which determines whether the player wins or the dealer wins. This
can be done as known in the art. For example, if both the player
and the dealer have a point total over 21, then the dealer
typically wins. If the player has a point total over 21 and the
dealer does not have a point total over 21 then the dealer wins. If
the dealer has a point total over 21 and the player does not have a
point total over 21 then the player wins. If the player's point
total is not over 21 and the dealer's point total is not over 21
and both point totals are equal to each other then the hand is a
push (tie) and typically nobody wins. If the player's point total
is not over 21 and the dealer's point total is not over 21 and the
player's point total is higher than the dealer's point total, then
the player wins. If the player's point total is not over 21 and the
dealer's point total is not over 21 and the dealer's point total is
higher than the player's point total then the dealer wins. Aces can
count as either 11 (eleven) or 1 (one) and typically take on the
value which is more favorable to the player or the dealer.
[0032] From operation 118, if the player wins (dealer loses), then
the player wins even money on the main wager. The backtrack wager
pushes (is neither taken nor paid) and the player can thus take the
backtrack wager back. In an alternate embodiment, the backtrack
wager can be paid on a player win as well. The game can end at this
operation and a new game can be dealt.
[0033] From operation 118, if the dealer wins (player loses), then
the dealer takes the player's main wager. The dealer would also
take any backtrack wager that the player may have made. The game
can end at this operation and a new game can be dealt.
[0034] From operation 118, if there is a tie (push), then the
player's main wager does not win and does not lose. The player is
free to take back the main wager and he or she may wish to bet it
again. Any backtrack wagers placed would also push as well. In
alternate embodiments, backtrack wagers can lose or win on a tie.
The game can end at this operation and a new game can be dealt.
[0035] Tables I-III below are optimal strategy charts for the
following rule set: The game is dealt from a standard shoe of eight
standard decks of 52 cards each. If the player hits an undoubted
hand (the player did not double) busts with a total of 23 or
higher, the player will have an opportunity to place an additional
backtrack bet equal to the player's original (main) bet, upon which
the player will be dealt one final backtrack card with an ace
counting as only one, the backtrack card being deducted from the
player's total. If the player's hand still totals over 21, the
player has busted and loses both bets. If the player's hand is now
below 21 after the backtrack card, the player then plays against
the dealer in the standard manner, but the if the player wins the
player will win even money on the main bet and push on the
backtrack bet. If the player loses, then the player loses both the
main bet and the backtrack bet. A winning blackjack is paid at even
money. The dealer draws until a hard 17 or soft 18, the player may
double on any two cards, double after split, any pair may be split
three times except aces which can draw only one card on each ace,
and late surrender is not available. Of course, it can be
appreciated that the methods described here can be applied to other
sets of rules as well and this rule set is merely one example.
[0036] With the rule set described in the above paragraph, the
house will win, on average, an amount equal to 1.57% of the initial
bet if the player plays optimal strategy. Of course, if the player
does not play optimally, the house can expect to win more than
this.
[0037] Table I below is a chart indicating the optimal strategy for
no-pair hands. S represents stand, H represents hit, and D
represents double. For example, if the player is dealt a hard 15
and the dealer's upcard is a 6, the player's optimal strategy is to
stand.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE I A 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 H21 S S S S S S S S S S
H20 S S S S S S S S S S H19 S S S S S S S S S S H18 S S S S S S S S
S S H17 S S S S S S S S S S H16 H S S S S S H H H H H15 H S S S S S
H H H H H14 H H H H H H H H H H H13 H H H H H H H H H H H12 H H H H
S S H H H H H11 H D D D D D D D D D H10 H D D D D D D D D H H9 H H
D D D D H H H H H8 H H H H H H H H H H H7 H H H H H H H H H H H6 H
H H H H H H H H H H5 H H H H H H H H H H H4 H H H H H H H H H H S21
S S S S S S S S S S S20 S S S S S S S S S S S19 S S S S S D S S S S
S18 H D D D D D S S H H S17 H H D D D D H H H H S16 H H H D D D H H
H H S15 H H H H D D H H H H S14 H H H H D D H H H H S13 H H H H H D
H H H H
[0038] Table II below is a chart indicating the optimal strategy
for pair hands (when the player is dealt a pair of like card
ranks). The legend is the same as for Table I with the addition
that Sp represents split. For example if the player is dealt a pair
of 7's and the dealer's upcard is a 2, the player should optimally
split.
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE II A 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 AA Sp Sp Sp Sp Sp Sp
Sp Sp Sp Sp 10/10 S S S S S S S S S S 99 S Sp Sp Sp Sp Sp Sp Sp Sp
S 88 Sp Sp Sp Sp Sp Sp Sp Sp Sp Sp 77 H Sp Sp Sp Sp Sp Sp H H H 66
H Sp Sp Sp Sp Sp Sp H H H 55 H D D D D D D D D H 44 H H H H Sp Sp H
H H H 33 H Sp Sp Sp Sp Sp Sp Sp H H 22 H Sp Sp Sp Sp Sp Sp H H
H
[0039] Table III below is a chart indicating the optimal strategy
for when the player should and should not backtrack. L represents
lose, in other words the player should take a loss, and B
represents backtrack, that is that the player should opt to
backtrack. For example, if the player has busted with a point total
of 24 and the dealer's upcard is a 3, then the player should place
the backtrack bet and backtrack. If the player has busted with a
point total of 24 and the dealer's upcard is an A, then the player
should lose (take the loss) and not backtrack.
TABLE-US-00003 TABLE III A 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 H26 L B B B B B B B L
L H25 L B B B B B B B B L H24 L B B B B B B B B B H23 B B B B B B B
B B B
[0040] FIG. 2 is an example table layout that can be used to
implement a wagering game, according to an embodiment.
[0041] A physical gaming table 200 can be used to implement the
wagering methods described herein. The gaming table 200 can be a
standard gaming table as known in the art with a custom felt on top
of the gaming table 200 which contains the game layout illustrated
in FIG. 2.
[0042] A dealer's hand 202 is dealt to the dealer and a player's
hand 204 is dealt to the player. A main wager betting circle 206 is
where the player can place chips representing the player's main
wager. A backtrack wager betting circle 208 is where the player can
place chips representing the player's backtrack wager.
[0043] The table illustrated in Figure can accommodate six
simultaneous players although of course such a table can
accommodate any number of players as well. In FIG. 2, only one
player is playing (the third spot from the left).
[0044] An example of a wagering game described herein will now be
presented. Joe is a player and places a $1 main wager on the gaming
table. The dealer deals Joe a 10-clubs and a 5-hearts. The dealer's
upcard is a 8-spades. Note that the suits generally have no effect
on the game. Joe decides to hit and receives a 9-spades for a total
of 24. Joe has busted and would lose under standard blackjack
rules. Joe has the option to either take the loss of the $1 main
wager or place an additional $1 backtrack wager and backtrack. Joe
decides to place the $1 backtrack wager. The dealer then deals Joe
a 3 spades. Joe's point total is now 21 (10+5+9-3). The dealer then
reveals the dealer's hole card to be a 8-diamonds. The dealer then
hits and receives a 4-clubs, for a total of 20 (8+8+4). Since the
player has not busted (21 is not over 21) and the player's point
total (21) is higher than the dealer's point total (20), the player
wins. The player wins $1. Thus, the dealer gives the player an
additional $1 chip and leaves the players main wager ($1) and
backtrack wager ($1) on the table. Thus, Joe has actually bet $2
(the main wager and the backtrack wager) and won an additional $1
in profit. Thus, Joe collects the $3 in chips on the table that are
his and a new game can begin.
[0045] Another example is presented as follows. Jane places a $2
main wager on the gaming table. Jane is then dealt a 4-hearts and
9-clubs. The dealer's upcard is 10-spades. Jane decides to hit and
is dealt a 10-diamonds for a point total of 23. Jane decides to
backtrack and places a $2 backtrack wager on the gaming table. The
dealer then deals Jane a backtrack card of ace-diamonds. In the
rule set being applied, aces must always count as 1 when they are
dealt as a backtrack (although in alternative embodiments they can
count as 11, or both 1 or 11). Thus, Jane's point total is 23-1 or
22. The point total of 22 is over 21, and thus Jane still has a
bust hand and the game considers that Jane busted (regardless that
a backtrack was exercised). Thus Jane automatically loses her $2
main wager and her $2 backtrack wager (for a total loss of $4) and
the game ends.
[0046] As a further example, Bob places a $1 main wager and is
dealt a 2-spades and a 10-clubs for a point total of 12. The
dealer's up-card is a 10-hearts. Bob hits, and dealer deals Bob a
10-diamonds, giving Bob a point total of 22. Bob would like to
backtrack, but according to the rule set being applied, a player
cannot backtrack with a point total of 22, and thus Bob cannot
backtrack and thus has busted. Thus, bob loses his $1 main wager
and the game has ended. In an alternative embodiment, the player
would be allowed to backtrack with a point total of 22. Different
variations may have different point total(s) that the player can
and cannot backtrack on. The reason for preventing the player from
backtracking on certain player point totals is so that the house
advantage can be preserved.
[0047] As one last example, Tina places a $3 main wager and is
dealt a 5-spades and a 5-hearts. The dealer's hand is dealt and the
dealer's upcard is a 7-spades. Tina hits and receives a 6-hearts
for a point total of 16. Tina hits again and receives a 9-spades
for a point total of 25. Tina decides to backtrack and places a $3
backtrack wager in the respective betting circle on the table. Tina
is dealt a backtrack card of 10-hearts, giving Tina a point total
of 15. Now the blackjack game is resolved and the dealer reveals
his hole card to be a 9-diamonds, giving the dealer a point total
of 16. Since the dealer will continue to hit until the dealer has a
point total of 17, the dealer hits and receives a 2-clubs, giving
the dealer a point total of 18. Since the dealer's point total of
18 is greater than the player's point total of 15, the dealer wins
and Tina loses both the $3 main wager and the $3 backtrack
wager.
[0048] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of exemplary hardware that can be
used to implement an electronic version of a wagering game,
according to an embodiment.
[0049] A processing unit 300 can be a microprocessor and its
associate components (e.g., cache, bus, etc.) The processing unit
300 can be connected to an output device 301 such as a touch
screen, CRT, LCD, etc. The processing unit 300 can also be
connected to an input device 302 such as a keyboard, buttons, touch
screen, etc. The processing unit 300 can also be connected to a
network connection 303 which can connect the unit to a computer
communication network(s) such as the Internet, a LAN, WAN, etc. The
processing unit 300 can also be connected to a RAM 304, RAM 305,
storage device 306 such as a hard drive, CD-ROM drive, DVD drive,
EPROM, etc. A computer readable storage medium 307 such as a CD-ROM
(or DVD, flash memory, etc.) can store instructions and assets
needed to implement the electronic version of the wagering game. A
financial apparatus 308 can be used to receive funds from the
player, such as cash (using a bill validator) or a debit/credit
card and credit funds to the machine in the form of machine credits
which the player can wager with. When the player wishes to redeem
the machine credits, the player can cash out (by pressing a button
on the machine) and the financial apparatus 308 can issue cash (or
coins) directly to the player or can electronically credit the
player with the credits (e.g., directly in an account associated
with the player).
[0050] Thus, in addition to playing the wagering games described
herein, an electronic gaming machine as illustrated in FIG. 3 can
be used to implement the games as well. Of course, the hardware in
FIG. 3 is merely one example, and one of ordinary skill in the art
can implement the wagering games described herein using numerous
different electronic components.
[0051] In the electronic gaming context, the concept of "dealing
cards" correlates to displaying random virtual cards from a virtual
deck(s) on an output device. Instead of placing physical chips as
in the live version, in the electronic version the player can use
buttons or a touch screen in order to indicate the player's
wager(s) and actions.
[0052] It is noted that the methods described herein can be played
using any number of decks (e.g., 1-8 or more). Standard physical
decks of 52 cards can be used, as well as other kinds of decks,
such as Spanish decks, decks with wild cards, etc. The operations
described herein can be performed in any sensible order.
Furthermore, numerous different variants of house rules can be
applied. For example, the dealer can hit on soft 17 or stand on
soft 17, depending on house rules. Cards can be given their
standard point values as known in the art (e.g., 2-10 have their
face value, jack, queen, and king, have a point value of 10, and
ace has a point value of 1 or eleven).
[0053] Wagers can be placed by placing physical chips on a gaming
table, the chips representative of a dollar amount and can be
directly redeemable for cash at a casino cashier. When the player
wins, additional chips (of the appropriate amount) are then placed
in front of the player on the gaming table. When the player loses,
the player's losing wager(s) are collected from the player and
typically placed in a chip tray in front of the dealer.
[0054] The descriptions provided herein also include any hardware
and/or software known in the art and needed to implement the
operations described herein. Further, all methods described herein
can be programmed on a digital computer and stored on any type of
computer readable storage medium.
[0055] 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.
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