Abstract:
A method and system for playing a casino style card game, referred to as “Go Fish 21,” in conjunction with standard rules for Blackjack, using a shoe of five or six standard decks of cards and a special set of 14 Go Fish playing cards. These 14 cards, which include standard cards valued 3-10, Jack, Queen, King, and Ace, along with 2 Jokers, are placed face down prior to play of the game. In conjunction with standard Blackjack play, prior to dealing any cards, the players optionally place a selection for play of Go Fish 21, including wager, to receive a special bonus card in the event that the participating player is dealt a “Blackjack” hand. Upon a “Blackjack” hand being dealt to a player selecting to play Go Fish 21, that player selects one of the remaining Go Fish cards. A payout is made based on the card.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/237,682 filed Oct. 5, 2000. The entirety of that provisional application is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    This invention relates to a game, and in particular to a casino-style game played with at least one standard deck of cards and  14  special cards, the game being played in accordance with the rules of Blackjack.  
           [0004]    2. Background of the Technology  
           [0005]    It is known in the art to provide card games, such as Blackjack, in a casino environment or consistent with casino style rules. In these games, the gaming establishment typically seeks to attract as many participants to a game as possible to increase the money collected at the gaming table. In addition, the number of games played during a specified time, such as the number of hands per hour, is also an important metric used to evaluate the return potential for a game. That is, the more hands that are played during a unit of time, the greater the money collected by the house and the corresponding profit realized.  
           [0006]    There is a need for card games having improved play over standard Blackjack to attract and maintain customer participation. There is a further need for such games that include features, such as additional card selection and drawing for bonus play, to maintain player interest and play after initial dealing of the hand.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    The present invention relates to a method and system for playing a casino style card game, referred to as “Go Fish 21,” which is played in conjunction with standard rules for Blackjack, also known as “21,” using a shoe of five or six decks of cards and a set of special “Go Fish” bonus cards. The game may be played, for example, on a gaming table by players and a dealer using standard cards and special “Go Fish” bonus cards, or, for example, on a terminal, such as a computer or other electronic medium, using representations of various features of the game on a display device using a graphical user interface (GUI). The terminal can include, for example, a personal computer, minicomputer, microcomputer, or mainframe computer and a display device or coupling to a display device. The game is also playable in electronic form or in conjunction with electronic features over a network, such as the Internet or using other gaming devices, such as slot machines.  
           [0008]    For play of Go Fish 21, in an embodiment of the present invention, a special set of 14 Go Fish playing cards or representations thereof are used. These 14 cards, which include standard cards valued 3-10, Jack, Queen, King, Ace, along with 2 Jokers, are shuffled and fanned face down prior to play of the game commencing. In conjunction with play of Blackjack, including standard rules for wagering during play (e.g., placing ante bets and wagers during the course of play), for each hand, prior to dealing any cards, Go Fish 21 provides for the optional placement of a selection, including wager, by each player to receive a special bonus card in the event that the participating player is dealt a “Blackjack” hand. Upon a “Blackjack” hand being dealt to a player selecting to play Go Fish 21, that player is prompted to select one of the remaining Go Fish cards. This selection is made, for example, by placing a lammer, other marker, or other indication, such as by electronic selection, at a location corresponding to or indicating the card to be selected. The card selected is then revealed to the player, and a payout is made based on the card. In one variation, if a Joker is revealed, a second card is selected by the player, and the bonus is increased.  
           [0009]    Additional advantages and novel features of the invention set forth in part in the description that follows, considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures, will become more apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following or upon learning by practice of the invention. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are designed solely for the purposes of illustration and not as a definition of the limits of the invention. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES  
       [0010]    In the drawings:  
         [0011]    [0011]FIGS. 1A and 1B depict a flow diagram of play of a game in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 2 presents a table layout in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 3 shows example card backs for the “Go Fish” cards for use with an embodiment of the present invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0014]    The game in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes play essentially similar to standard five or six deck Blackjack dealt from a shoe. Other numbers of decks may also be used. One variance from standard Blackjack play is that when a player obtains a “Blackjack” hand, that player has the opportunity to draw a card (such as one of fourteen from a markedly different deck of cards that are kept tightly fanned on the table) for an additional or bonus payout.  
         [0015]    For a player to be able to “go fish” after obtaining “Blackjack,” the player must place a dollar bet in the top left comer of the wager spot before the hand is dealt. It is legal for no players, one player, two, three, or any number of players to buy “fishing rights” for any or all hands. The side wager is placed on a hand to hand basis.  
         [0016]    When and if no player(s) receive a “Blackjack” hand, the dealer “locks up” the “go fish” wager for each player as the dealer gets to that player&#39;s hand, prior to “hitting” the hand (e.g., dealing an additional card). If the “go fish” player receives a “Blackjack” hand, the side wager is kept by the player. Next, play is quickly suspended for the player to place, for example, a lammer on the particular corresponding number of the card position from which that player wishes to draw.  
         [0017]    Placing a lammer on the number, in accordance with this embodiment of the present invention, provides the quickest, least disruptive method to “go fish.” Without players reaching and touching cards, the game continues at its pace. If a player places a lammer over number “5,” for example, the dealer picks the card that is positioned in the fifth position from the players&#39; far left. Obviously, if only 10 cards remain, and the player places a lammer over position 13, the dealer must be astute enough to tell the player that there are only 10 cards remaining. The dealer then exposes the drawn card to the whole table and promptly pays the player the bonus won.  
         [0018]    The “go fish” cards and their bonus payouts (based on an example $1 bet), in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, are as follows:  
         [0019]    Ace: $25  
         [0020]    10, J, Q, K: $20  
         [0021]    2 through 9: Double the card face value ($4 to $18)  
         [0022]    Joker: The player selects another card and receives triple the dollar amount of the face value of the card. For example, the player picks the Joker; the player then picks an Ace; the player receives a $75 bonus. In another example, the player picks the Joker; the player then selects the “3”; the player receives an $18 bonus.  
         [0023]    After a player uses a “go fish” card, that card is placed in a separate “dead fish pile” or otherwise discarded. Each card is only used once per shoe. Once each card is used, it is effectively out of play until the commencement of the next shoe. This provides a nearly infinite amount of playing options. For example, on the third hand, a “go fish” player receives a “Blackjack” hand, then draws a Joker and a “3.” That Joker—the triple bonus multiplier card—will not be used again until the next shoe. This is what is referred to as “a tragic waste of a Joker.” Conversely, if there are but six “go fish” cards remaining, and the players know that a Joker and a ten remain, it will not be surprising to see every player place the side wager and become more concerned about getting a “Blackjack” than being concerned about the ubiquitous 15 and 16 hands that are inherent to the game.  
         [0024]    At the conclusion of each shoe, the fishing cards are washed and fanned, and the game begins again with a fresh deck of 14 “Go Fish” cards.  
         [0025]    Play in Strange Scenarios and Infrequent Situations  
         [0026]    If both the dealer and the “go fish” player have “Blackjack,” the “Go Fish” wager is pushed, and the player proceeds to “Go Fish.” 
         [0027]    In the very unlikely possibility that the “Go Fish” player draws the last “Go Fish” card, and that card happens to be the Joker, that player receives a $500 bonus.  
         [0028]    If two players have placed “Go Fish” wagers, and both receive “Blackjack” hands, but only one “Go Fish” card remains to be drawn, both players receive that payout. For example, a player at first base receives a “Blackjack” hand, as does a player at third base (third position at the table). The “Blackjacks” are simultaneous, although first base is first in order to draw the “Go Fish” card. The first base player then draws the “King” as the last “Go Fish” card. Both the first base player and the third base player are paid a $20 bonus for the “King.” 
         [0029]    If all 14 “Go Fish” cards are used during the shoe (highly unlikely), it is up to the house whether the “Go Fish” cards are to be re-washed and the game to continue for the remainder of that shoe. The house has the right to wait until the commencement of the shoe to wash and fan the “Go Fish” cards.  
         [0030]    Interesting Features of the Game  
         [0031]    1. Makes Blackjack more exciting for the players, dealers, and spectators.  
         [0032]    2. Encourages players to stick out a bad shoe for the possibility of “going fishing.” Encourages players to play on a dead table, because such tables provide more chances to “go fishing” and earn more bonus money.  
         [0033]    3. Does not require a separate table, such that poker game variations require. Can be played on a regular Blackjack table with very slight table layout modifications. Takes up no additional space/money investment from casinos.  
         [0034]    4. Can be played in conjunction with standard Blackjack. “Go Fish” changes no player&#39;s betting/playing strategies.  
         [0035]    5. Is very simple to deal, teach, and play.  
         [0036]    6. Is so simple, the game is no work to set up and monitor by the casino or gaming commissions.  
         [0037]    7. Offers a new chance to play or not to play for the bonus on each and every new hand.  
         [0038]    8. Is a unique, more interactive approach to Blackjack.  
         [0039]    Example Probability Calculations for Blackjack and Go Fish 21 in Accordance With An Embodiment of the Present Invention  
         [0040]    Example Probability Calculation for Blackjack  
         [0041]    1. Number of cards in 6 deck shoe: 6×52=312.  
         [0042]    2. Dealer cuts 1 deck short: 312−52=260.  
         [0043]    3. At approximately 3 cards/hand, the number of hands the dealer deals per shoe is as follows: 260/3≅87.  
         [0044]    4. With 5 players at table, the number of player hands (with one dealer hand) is as follows: 5/6×87=73.  
         [0045]    5. At 2.5 cards per hand, the number of hands the dealer deals is as follows: 260/2.5=104.  
         [0046]    6. For 5 players@2.5 cards per hand, the number of player hands the dealer deals is as follows: 5/6×104≅87.  
         [0047]    7. The probability of a “Blackjack” hand is as follows:  
         [0048]    The probability of an ace is 1 in 13=7.7%;  
         [0049]    The probability of a 10, J, Q, or K is 4 in 13≅30.8%;  
         [0050]    The probability of a “Blackjack” hand is therefore as follows: 7.7%×30.7%≅2.4%.  
         [0051]    8. For 5 players@2.5 cards per player, the expected number of “Blackjacks” per shoe is as follows: 87×2.4%=2.06.  
         [0052]    9. For 5 players@3 cards per player, the expected number of “Blackjacks” per shoe is as follows: 73×2.4%=1.73.  
         [0053]    Example Probability Calculation for Go Fish 21  
         [0054]    1. The probability of receiving a Joker is as follows: 2/14≅14.2%.  
         [0055]    2. The probability of receiving an Ace is as follows: 1/14≅7.1%.  
         [0056]    3. The probability of receiving a Joker followed by an Ace is as follows: 2/14×1/13≅1%.  
         [0057]    4. The probability of receiving a 10, J, Q, or K is as follows: 4/14≅28.6%.  
         [0058]    5. The probability of receiving a Joker followed by a 10, J, Q, K is as follows: 2/14×4/13≅4.3%.  
         [0059]    6. The probability of receiving a 3 through 9 after already receiving a Joker is as follows: 7/13≅53.8%.  
         [0060]    References will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.  
         [0061]    [0061]FIGS. 1A and 1B depict a flow diagram of play of a game in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1A, play of the underlying Blackjack game begins (block  12 ) following preparation of a shoe containing five or six decks of standard playing cards and 14 Go Fish bonus cards (block  11 ). In accordance with standard Blackjack play, players initially place a Blackjack wager (block  12 ). Players are then provided with the option to place a Go Fish wager, so as to indicate a decision to participate in the Go Fish bonus portion of the game (block  14 ). For each player declining to participate in the Go Fish portion, play proceeds as normal Blackjack (block  15 ).  
         [0062]    For players electing to participate in the Go Fish portion of play, those players failing to receive a Blackjack hand lose their Go Fish wagers (block  16 ). Those players receiving a Blackjack hand, push their Go Fish wager, and the Go Fish portion proceeds (block  17 ). Under the Go Fish portion of play, each player selects a Go Fish card, such as by placing a lammer adjacent to a number corresponding to a remaining Go Fish card (block  20 ). If a player draws any card other than a Joker, that player receives a predetermined payoff for the drawn card (block  21 ), and the dealer removes the selected Go Fish card, placing it out of play for the remainder of the shoe (block  22 ). Play then repeats, proceeding for each additional player and for the remainder of the shoe (block  30 ).  
         [0063]    If the player receives the Joker as the selected Go Fish card (block  23 ), the player selects a second Go Fish card, such as by placing the lammer adjacent to a number corresponding to another of the remaining Go Fish cards (block  24 ). The player is then paid the predetermined payoff for the card with a multiplier applied, such as a triple bonus (block  25 ). The Joker and the additional Go Fish cards are then placed out of play for the remainder of the shoe (block  26 ). Play then repeats, proceeding for each additional player and for the remainder of the shoe (block  30 ).  
         [0064]    Upon completion of the shoe, the dealer shuffles and fans out the Go Fish cards and prepares a new shoe for play (block  31 ). The entire sequence is then ready for repeat of play (block  32 ).  
         [0065]    [0065]FIG. 2 presents a table layout in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0066]    [0066]FIG. 3 shows example card backs for the “Go Fish” cards for use with an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0067]    Thus, while there have been shown, described, and pointed out fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to embodiments thereof, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions, and changes in the form and the details of the disclosed invention may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.