Method of playing a combination poker-like and blackjack-like wagering card game

A method and for playing a card game between a house and one or more players in which each player wagers three bets on the five card hand they will receive from the house. The house randomizes the cards and distributes the randomized cards into seven hands. The through of dice establishes which of the hands goes to the house and each player in the card game. Each player arranges their five cards into a high blackjack hand and a low blackjack hand, as does the house. Additionally, each hand is used to create a poker hand. A poker hand is created by combining the randomized cards of the high blackjack hand and the low blackjack hand. By comparing each player's hand with the house's hand winning poker hands, winning high blackjack hands, and winning low blackjack hands are established. Winnings are allocated from each of the bets based on the comparison. An optional progressive jackpot bet may be included.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
A card game and apparatus are disclosed that have for each player a 
plurality of different hands and associated wagering or betting plans and 
strategies. More particularly, related is a card game and table apparatus 
that utilize a standard 52 card deck and incorporate elements of American 
stud poker, blackjack or "21", and an ancient Chinese game of poker. From 
their initially distribution of cards, each player and the house or dealer 
form three different hands (one hand is poker-like and the other two hands 
are blackjack-like). Up to four bets are linked to the outcome of each 
player's cards as compared with the result of the house's cards. 
2. Description of the Background Art 
The games of poker and blackjack or similar equivalents have existed for 
centuries. Specifically, U.S. Pat. No. 4,836,553 discloses a poker game in 
which five cards are dealt to each player and the dealer. Should the 
dealer not have an ace and a king or better each player wins, but if the 
dealer has an ace and a king or better then standard poker hands establish 
the winner between each player and the dealer. Betting is coupled into 
each possible winning scenario. 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,861,041 describes methods of progressive jackpot gaming in 
which either a live gaming table or a token accepting electro-mechanical 
apparatus is utilized. A cumulative jackpot is included and betters win 
either all or a portion of this jackpot by having a hand containing a 
predetermined arrangement of cards. 
Malek has developed casino games presented in related U.S. Pat. Nos. 
5,265,882; 5,328,189; and 5,395,120. The '882 game is a combination of 
blackjack, draw poker, and baccarat in which each player play at least two 
of the three games against the dealer and other players. In the '189 game 
blackjack and baccarat are combined and each player can play both games 
against the dealer and other player. For the '120 game, the games of 
modified draw poker and blackjack are mixed into a situation in which each 
player bets and plays against other players and the house dealer. 
A method of playing a multiple hand card game is presented in U.S. Pat. No. 
5,322,295. The game involves multiple bettings. As each bet or wager is 
made a portion of the hand is dealt. 
U.S. Pat. No. 5,417,430 relates a progressive wagering method and game. A 
game wager and optional jackpot bet are made before the cards are dealt. 
The dealer then deals two cards to him/herself and three to each player, 
all face down. Wagers and jackpot bets are then decided in a stepwise 
manner. 
A method and apparatus for playing a poker-like game are presented in U.S. 
Pat. No. 5,486,005. After wagers are made, an array of seven hands, each 
with four cards face-up, are dealt by the dealer. A variety of final 
betting combinations am then selected by the players and three more cards 
are dealt face-up. The dealer then determines the winners and losers. 
Option jackpot means are provided. 
The foregoing patents reflect the state of the art of which the applicant 
is aware and are tendered with the view toward discharging applicant's 
acknowledged duty of candor in disclosing information which may be 
pertinent in the examination of this application. It is respectfully 
submitted, however, that none of these patents teach or render obvious, 
singly or when considered in combination, applicant's claimed invention. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
An object of the present invention is to furnish a method of playing a card 
game that presents several chances for each player to win from the cards 
received from the house. 
Another object of the present invention is to provide a card game between a 
house and at least one player in which poker and blackjack hands exits for 
each player in combination with mandatory and optional wagering. 
A further object of the present invention is to describe a card game 
between a house and at least one player in which each player has one poker 
hand, a low blackjack hand, and a high blackjack hand in which a mandatory 
bet is associated with each of the three hands and an optional progressive 
jackpot bet is linked to the outcome of the poker hand. 
Still another object of the present invention is to supply a card game 
between a house and at least one player in which the assignment of hands 
is based on a comparison between a randomly generated number and assigned 
numbers for each player location. 
Yet a further object of the present invention is to produce a gaming 
apparatus utilized in playing a card game between a house and at least one 
player in which poker and blackjack hands exits for each player in 
combination with mandatory and optional wagering. 
Disclosed is a method of playing a card game between a house and one to six 
players. Every player in the game selects at least one of six player 
positions at a card table. The players then wager at least one bet and 
usually a mandatory poker bet, a mandatory high blackjack bet, a mandatory 
low blackjack bet, and an optional poker fourth bet. The house, a dealer 
or automated machine, randomizes cards within a deck of 52 cards and 
distributes the randomized cards in a face down manner into seven five 
card hands, one hand for the house and one hand for each player. 
Usually, the roll of three dice, or other means, produces a random number 
that is utilized to determine which of the hands is placed at a house 
position on the table and which of the hands is placed at each of the 
player positions on the table. Generally, the numbers 1, 8, and 15 are 
assigned to the house position and numbers 2-7, 9-14, and 16-18 to the 
player positions in a clockwise manner from the house position. Using the 
established random number, the assigned number is matched to the 
established random number to produce a first hand position. From this 
position on the house places a first of the five card hands at the first 
hand position and continues placing the hands in a clockwise distribution 
process until all seven of the hands am located at the house position and 
the player positions. Extra randomized cards not found within any of the 
hands and any of the hands at the player positions not matched with a 
player am placed into a discard area. 
Each player arranges two or three of their the five card hand into a high 
blackjack hand and places the high blackjack hand face down into a high 
hand designated area at their position on the card table. The remainder of 
their the five card hand is arranged into a low blackjack hand and placed 
face down into a low hand designated area at their position on the card 
table. 
The house turns its five card had face up and sets its five card hand into 
a two or three card high blackjack hand and places the high blackjack hand 
face up into a high hand designated area at the house position on the card 
table. The remainder of the house's five card hand is arranged into a low 
blackjack hand and placed face up into a low hand designated area at the 
house position on the card table. 
A poker hand for the house is created out of its the randomized cards and a 
poker hand is created for each player hand out of their randomized cards. 
Each players hand is compared with the house's hand to establish a winning 
poker hand, a winning high blackjack hand, and a winning low blackjack 
hand. Winnings are allocated from each of the mandatory bets based on the 
comparison. Further, a determination, based on a schedule listing eligible 
winning poker hands, is made of winnings for each of the players who bet 
the optional fourth bet. Usually, the optional fourth bet is a progressive 
jackpot bet that is paid based on a table of applicable percentages and is 
paid even if the house's poker hand is higher. 
A game apparatus utilized in playing a card game between a house and one to 
six players comprises: a playing surface; a house position inscribed on 
the playing surface; a plurality of player positions designated on the 
playing surface for presenting player hands; a plurality of first betting 
regions marked on the playing surface for placing mandatory first bets; a 
plurality of second betting regions marked on the playing surface for 
placing mandatory second bets; a plurality of third betting regions marked 
on the playing surface for placing mandatory third bets; and a plurality 
of fourth betting regions marked on the playing surface for placing 
optional fourth bets. 
Usually, each of the plurality of player positions comprises a first domain 
for placing cards selected to be within a low blackjack hand and a second 
domain for placing cards selected to be within a high blackjack hand. 
Also, usually each of the plurality of first betting regions is proximate 
the first domain for placing cards selected to be within a low blackjack 
hand and each of the plurality of second betting regions is proximate the 
second domain for placing cards selected to be within a high blackjack 
hand. 
Other objects, advantages, and novel features of the present invention will 
become apparent from the detailed description that follows, when 
considered in conjunction with the associated drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a preferred embodiment of a gaming 
table layout of the subject invention. Comprising the subject invention is 
an apparatus and method of playing a card game between a house or dealer 
(for purposes of this specification and appended claims, the term house or 
dealer are equivalent and used interchangeably) and one or more players. 
The game is usually played between a house and one to six players. 
Generally, the subject game comprises the steps of: each player wagering 
at least one bet and preferably three; the house randomizing cards within 
a deck of cards; the house distributing the randomized cards into a 
predetermined number of hands; establishing by hand selection means which 
of the predetermined number of hands goes to the house and each player in 
the card game; each player arranging their randomized cards into a high 
blackjack hand and a low blackjack hand; the house setting its randomized 
cards into a high blackjack hand and a low blackjack hand; creating a 
poker hand for the house out of its randomized cards and a poker hand for 
each player out of their randomized cards; comparing each player's hand 
with the house's hand to establish a winning poker hand, a winning high 
blackjack hand, and a winning low blackjack hand; and allocating winnings 
from each bet based on the comparison. 
More specifically, the subject card game employs the gaming or card table 
or covering shown in FIG. 1. A playing surface 10 is fabricated from 
suitable materials including natural and synthetic materials or coating 
such as felt, felt-like cloths, cardboard, plastics, and the like. The 
playing surface 10 is usually patterned to conform to the shape of casino 
tables and the like or may be produced is any desired geometric 
configuration such as semi-circular, circular, rectangular, and the like 
or with any suitable regular or irregular boundaries. The playing surface 
10 may be placed on a game board for use at locations other than in a 
typical gambling casino. Symbols, writing, and the like are marked on the 
playing surface 10 by standard means such as printing, painting, drawing, 
and similar techniques. 
Player positions 15 are denoted on the playing surface 10. The number of 
player positions 15 may vary between one and six, however, preferably, the 
number of player positions 15 is six, as shown in FIG. 1. A house position 
20 is marked in a suitable manner on the playing surface 10, usually 
opposite to or across from the location of the player positions 15. 
Usually, each player position 15 comprises a low blackjack designated area 
25 and a high blackjack designated area 30. Additionally, three, usually 
mandatory betting regions are provided. Specifically, a first betting 
region 35 is marked proximate the low blackjack designated area 25, a 
second betting region 40 is marked proximate the high blackjack designated 
area 30, and a third betting region 45 is marked on the playing surface 10 
in any suitable location, usually somewhere between the blackjack areas 25 
and 30 and the house position 20, although other locations are possible. 
Also, a fourth betting region 50, usually for an optional bet, is marked 
on the playing surface 10. As with the third betting region 45, the fourth 
betting region 50 is marked on the playing surface 10 in any suitable 
location, usually somewhere between the blackjack areas 25 and 30 and the 
house position 20, although other location are possible. 
Generally, the house position 20 occupied by the dealer comprises six 
designated spaces aligned in outer 55 and inner 56 three card spaces, but 
other notations may be utilized to denote house cards with low and high 
blackjack hands. For example, two cards in a high blackjack hand may be 
placed in two of the aligned three outer or bottom spaces 55 and the other 
three cards in a low blackjack hand may be placed in three of the other 
aligned inner or top spaces 56. The basic notion for the house position, 
like with the player positions is to present a display area for exhibiting 
the low and high blackjack hands. 
The method by which the subject game is played is now described in terms of 
a preferred set of elements, however, those skilled in the art will 
appreciate that equivalent substitutions are also within the realm of the 
subject invention. Six player positions are used as a preferred 
illustrative example and not by way of limitation, as are the exemplary 
minimum opening hands, winning hands, hands that are considered to be 
ties, and the like. 
Object of the Game 
The object of the card game of the subject invention is for any one of the 
player's three hands to be higher than any one of the or dealer's three 
hands. Preferably, each player's five card stud poker hand (other types of 
suitable poker are considered equivalent) needs to contain a pair of 
deuces, (any pair through tens), or higher to qualify for play against the 
dealer's five card stud poker hand. Equal value hands between dealer and 
player in the poker hand is considered a loss for the player. 
The player now splits the five cards into two blackjack hands. A low 
blackjack hand, of the player's choice and containing two or three cards, 
can be played to the value of 21. If the player's hand is greater than 21 
the player "busts," thereby resulting in the loss of the wagered bet. A 
high blackjack hand, containing two or three cards depending on if three 
or two cards, respectively, are in the low hand, of the player's choice 
may be played to the value of 21. Each hand is played separately against 
the dealer's equivalent hand. For the blackjack hands, each hand 
consisting of the same value between the player and the dealer is 
considered a "push" or tie with no winner. 
Play of the Game 
The house, specifically the dealer, shuffles the cards and deals seven 
hands in a left to right array in front of or over the dealer's position 
20 on the playing surface 10. Each hand contains five cards that are dealt 
face down. Usually, the dealer checks to verify that all 52 cards are 
accounted for, then places the balance of the cards in a discard holder. 
Generally, a dice cup containing three dice is shaken by the dealer or 
selected player to determine who receives the first hand. The first hand 
is defined as the hand dealt to the dealer's far left within the array of 
hands. The numbers 1, 8, and 15 are assigned to the house position 20 and 
the numbers 2-7, 9-14, and 16-18 are assigned to the player positions 15 
in a clockwise manner from the house position 20. Using the random number 
generated by rolling the three dice or other means, the random number is 
matched to the assigned number to produce a first hand position. The 
dealer places the far left hand at the first hand position and continues 
distributing the hands until all seven hands are located at the player 
positions 15 and the house position 20. Hands that are not matched to an 
actual player are placed in the discard area or holder. 
Each player then arranges the cards in their hand into a two or three card 
high blackjack hand and places it in the high blackjack hand designated 
area 30, with the hand being better if it is closer to 21 in the standard 
manner. The remainder of the cards are placed in the low blackjack hand 
designated area 25. 
The dealer does not look at their cards until all of the player's have set 
their hands in the designated areas 25 and 30 face down. Once all of the 
player cards have been placed face down in the selected areas 25 and 30, 
the dealer turns the dealer's cards face up and creates the dealer's low 
and high blackjack hands. For consistency, house rules are applied to 
establish how the dealer forms the low and high hands. The house rules 
follow general blackjack procedures but are flexible and varied by 
individual house requirements. The dealer then places the created hands in 
the dealer's position 20, low hand on top and high hand on bottom. 
To determine winning hands, each of the player's hands is then compared 
with the dealers equivalent hand. Player wagers that are lost are removed 
from the betting regions. A player wager that is a "push" is left on the 
in its betting region. Cards that are within a losing player hand, by 
virtue of being of lesser value than the dealers equivalent hand or by 
going "busted" by exceeding 21, are removed and placed in the discard area 
or holder. 
Generally, winning poker hands are paid according to a bonus payout 
schedule (see below). Although the payout may vary, usually, winning high 
and low blackjack hands pay even money. Winning progressive jackpot hands 
are paid after all other payoffs are made according to a progressive 
jackpot schedule (see below). 
Game Bets 
Preferably, there are four different bets in the subject game and are 
placed before the card are dealt. Usually and preferably, one of these 
bets is optional, but the other three are mandatory. The three mandatory 
bets are: a five card stud poker wager (placed in area 45 on the playing 
surface 10) that pays according to a predetermined payout schedule (see 
below); a low blackjack hand wager (placed in area 35 on the playing 
surface 10) that pays according to standard blackjack odds (in most cases 
even odds); and a high blackjack hand wager (placed in area 40 on the 
playing surface 10) that is preferably exactly twice the amount of the low 
blackjack hand wager and pays according to standard blackjack odds (in 
most cases even odds). The optional fourth bet is a jackpot wager (placed 
in area 50 on the playing surface 10) that entitles the player to a 
progressive jackpot payoff according to a predetermined schedule (see the 
Table 2 Progressive Jackpot Payoff Schedule below). 
Bonus Payout Schedule 
The player may be eligible for a bonus payout if the player's hand is 
higher than the dealer's hand with any of the following hands. The 
qualifying hands and cited odds are only by way of reference and not 
intended to be limiting and may vary according to the wishes or standards 
of the house. 
TABLE 1 
______________________________________ 
Bonus Odds 
Hand Odds* 
______________________________________ 
One Pair Even 
Two Pairs 2 to 1 
Three of a Kind 3 to 1 
Straight 4 to 1 
Flush 5 to 1 
Full House 7 to 1 
Four of a Kind 20 to 1 
Straight Flush 50 to 1 
Royal Flush 100 to 1 
______________________________________ 
*Up to the table's maximum payout. 
Progressive Jackpot Wager 
The player has the option to place a fourth bet or wager in the jackpot 
area 50 on the betting surface 10. If the player chooses to play this 
wager, it must be placed at the same time all other wagers are placed. 
Players may qualify for the progressive jackpot payoff by drawing one on 
the five poker hands listed in Table 2. This jackpot bet is paid even if 
the dealer's hand is higher. In the event two of more players qualify for 
the progressive jackpot in the same hand, the player's share in the 
jackpot in a pro-rated system. The exact jackpot payoff values shown in 
Table 2 may vary and be set by the house's standards to low or higher 
quantities. 
TABLE 2 
______________________________________ 
Progressive Jackpot Payoff Schedule 
Hand Payoff 
______________________________________ 
Royal Flush $1000.00 or 100%* 
Straight Flush 
$250.00 or 10%* 
Four of a Kind 
$100.00 
Full House $75.00 
Flush $50.00 
______________________________________ 
*Percentage paid of progressive jackpot, where applicable. 
Additional Preferred Specific Rules of the Game 
Various specific rules can be created by the house to facilitate operation 
of the subject game under diversified conditions or requirements. Listed 
below are eight rules that are usually and preferably applied to the 
subject game. 
1. Players are not allowed to show their hands or talk to other player's 
about their hands before all of the cards are exposed. 
2. Any player who sets their hand incorrectly (e.g., the two or three card 
low blackjack hand ranks higher than the two or three card high blackjack 
hand or the player places more than three cards in either blackjack hand) 
is an automatic losing hand. Players am responsible for arranging their 
own hands. 
3. Before the dice am uncovered all wagers must be placed in betting 
regions. No wagers are allowed after the dice are exposed. 
4. For the stud poker hand, players must have a pair or better to qualify. 
All non-qualifying hands are considered a losing hand. Each player hand 
must be of higher value than the dealer's hand and all equal value hands 
will be considered a losing hand. 
5. All five cards must be played in forming the low and high blackjack 
hands with a minimum of two cards and a maximum of three cards in both the 
low and high blackjack hands. 
6. Any high blackjack hand or low blackjack hand over 21 is considered a 
"busted" hand and automatically is a losing hand. 
7. A two card blackjack (a combined card count total of 21 with only two 
cards) is a higher value hand than a three card 21 hand. 
8. Numbered cards have their associated number value, face cards count ten, 
and aces are counted as one or eleven. 
The invention has now been explained with reference to specific 
embodiments. Other embodiments will be suggested to those of ordinary 
skill in the appropriate art upon review of the present specification. 
Although the foregoing invention has been described in some detail by way 
of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it 
will be obvious that certain changes and modifications may be practiced 
within the scope of the appended claims.