Abstract:
A method for maintaining an equally likely mode on a gaming table in a gaming system, the method comprising initiating acquisition of more game points than a game dealer without exceeding a predetermined total. Initiating accumulation of a winning game sequence without exceeding the predetermined total, whereby a player plays more than one position while a plurality of cards is displayed on the gaming table. On completion of the winning game sequence, the game dealer begins untangling the plurality of cards while ensuring that a game sequence of the game dealer and a game sequence of the player remains intact.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to games but more particularly to a combination of the games of poker and Black Jack. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    There are several variations to popular card games that have been developed in recent years such as Texas Hold Em for example and Black Jack variations such as Spanish 21 or Lucky 7. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    It is a main advantage of this invention to provide for a game that can be as profitable to casinos as it is to players. It is mostly interesting in the large amounts that a player can earn. 
         [0004]    To attain these ends, the present invention generally comprises a method for maintaining an equally likely mode on a gaming table in a gaming system, wherein initiating acquisition of more game points than a game dealer without exceeding a predetermined total. 
         [0005]    Initiating accumulation of a winning game sequence without exceeding the predetermined total, whereby a player can play more than one position while a plurality of cards is displayed on the gaming table. 
         [0006]    The player splitting identical cards and aces in the plurality of cards for a multiple number of times whereby each split hand is automatically linked to the corresponding progressive lottery bets and fixed lottery bets, whereby if an original player hand does not participate in the progressive lottery bets and fixed lottery bets for a whole duration of a playing hand if the progressive bet has been placed initially, subsequently if the player did not place a progressive bet all his split hands for this position will not be admissible for poker combination bonuses for the entire hand. 
         [0007]    The player placing a first half of an initial player wager on a specified spot on an insurance line on the gaming table to benefit from a first insurance bet; and the player placing a bet of 10 percent of the initial player wager on the specified spot (Insurance Poker bet) and after completing the first insurance bet for giving a chance to the player to execute a poker bet for completing a poker hand if the game dealer makes the winning sequence, whereby if the game dealer makes a winning sequence and for the player with executed poker bet receives a set of five cards if the player does not go over the predetermined total before completion of a gaming round on the gaming table. 
         [0008]    The initiating acquisition of more game points than a game dealer without exceeding a predetermined total comprises acquiring more points than the game dealer without exceeding a total of 21. 
         [0009]    The game dealer is a croupier collecting and paying bets at the gaming table. 
         [0010]    Initiating accumulation of a winning game sequence without exceeding the predetermined total comprises accumulating a Blackjack game composed of 5 cards that constitutes a valid poker hand without exceeding a total of 21. 
         [0011]    The valid poker hand beats any other normal Blackjack result of the game dealer except if the game dealer has a better valid poker hand sequence accordingly to the rules applied on the gaming table. 
         [0012]    The game is a system having a gaming table, a plurality of decks (5 to 8) of playing cards, a plurality of players, wherein the system is operable by a method of initiating acquisition of more game points than a game dealer without exceeding a predetermined total. Initiating accumulation of a winning game sequence without exceeding the predetermined total, whereby a player can play more than one position while a plurality of cards is displayed on the gaming table. 
         [0013]    There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
         [0014]    In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
         [0015]    As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
         [0016]    These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter which contains illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  Top view of the table configuration. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Parts 
       [0000]    
       
         
           
               10  Slot for Poker bonus bet 
               12  Player betting spot 
               14  Poker Insurance bet 
               16  Insurance bet 
               18  Dealer tray 
               20  Progressive jackpot electronic panel 
           
         
       
     
         [0024]    Game Description: 
         [0025]    Five Star Black Jack is a game made up of 5, 6 or 7 betting spots. It has two objectives, the first being to acquire more points than the croupier without exceeding 21. Aces can be worth one (1) or eleven (11), figures are worth ten (10) and all other cards have their numerical value. A Blackjack happens when a total of 21 is reached with the first two cards dealt. A Blackjack beats all other forms of 21. However, a house Blackjack does not beat a player&#39;s poker hand. 
         [0026]    The second goal of Five Star Black Jack is to accumulate a Blackjack game composed of five (5) cards constituting a valid poker hand without ever exceeding the total of 21. A poker hand beats any other result that is not a higher or identical poker hand. 
         [0027]    Using a five (5), six (6), seven (7) or eight (8) pack card dispenser, the croupier distributes two (2) cards to each player as well as to himself; only one of the croupier&#39;s cards is revealed. The players one after the other, going from position one (1) to last, can choose to take additional cards to improve there hands or simply stand to try to beat the dealer with a total being closer to 21. If the total of the player&#39;s hand exceeds 21, his hand will be considered to be &lt;&lt; over &gt;&gt; and his bet will be lost. If the player succeeds in making a poker hand, he will only lose his bet if the dealer makes a higher poker hand. If the total of the croupier&#39;s hand exceeds 21, all remaining hands on the table will automatically win. If the croupier&#39;s and player&#39;s hands are equal, neither of them will have won or lost. If the player succeeds in making a poker hand and the dealer makes the identical poker hand, a tie will be announced. Otherwise, the hand closest to 21 will be considered the winner. 
         [0028]    The Game: 
         [0029]    The game sequence for Five Star Blackjack is the same as for traditional Blackjack. Doubling bet procedures are the same. The difference is in the collection of the poker payout bonus bets which must be done at every hand. There will also be slight corrections and specifications for split hands. The last difference is when the croupier makes a “Blackjack” with an open ace. 
         [0030]    The gaming sequence in Five Star Blackjack requires that the player playing more than one position must terminate his first hand before passing to the second one. In order to qualify each of his hands for any poker payout, the player needs to place an appropriate fixed bonus bet for each one of them. 
         [0031]    The collection of the bonus bets will happen right after the Croupier&#39;s Hand Sweep Gesture. 
         [0032]    The Split Hand: 
         [0033]    Identical cards of the same value can be split in Five Star Blackjack. Note that every split hand is automatically linked to the poker payouts if the original hand is participating in it. However if the original hand does not participate in the poker payouts, for the whole duration of the hand, all subsequent unfolding hands will not be admissible. Therefore the player has additional chances to win with a poker hand without having to pay an additional bonus bets if he places his bet to split. In other words, the player must place the equivalent of his initial bet to split his hand, but does not have to place another bonus bet to participate to any poker payout. Furthermore, if the player acquires two progressive lotteries in the same distribution, we will treat the second hand before the first; we will subtract the amount owing on the progressive lottery before paying the rest of the hands. If there are more than two qualifying hands, then we will treat the third before the second and so on. 
         [0034]    The Doubled Hand: 
         [0035]    With regards to a Doubled Hand, the house can maintain its rules and initial procedures because this facet of the game is not influenced by the new game sequence. The only inconvenience for the player is that by doubling down for one (1) card, he automatically loses any chance for a poker hand. 
         [0036]    Insured Bet: 
         [0037]    Betting Options: 
         [0038]    Insurance Bet: 
         [0039]    In Five Star Blackjack, two (2) betting options are placed on the insurance line. The first being the Insurance bet that works the same way as in traditional Blackjack. To benefit from it, the player simply has to place half of his initial wager on the specified spot on the Insurance line. 
         [0040]    Insurance Poker Bet: 
         [0041]    The second betting option on the insurance line is called “Insurance Poker” and it also costs ten percent (10%) of the player&#39;s initial wager. To calculate the ten percent (10%) needed, the croupier will round up the bet of the player to the superior dozen. In addition, to be able to place an “Insurance Poker” bet, a player must first take the insurance bet. The role of the “Insurance Poker” bet is to give the player a chance to complete a poker hand in case the croupier makes Blackjack which explains why the insurance bet is needed. Therefore if the croupier makes Blackjack, the player that took the “Insurance Poker” bet will be receiving up to three (3) cards, making the player&#39;s hand reach a possible total of five (5) cards if he does not go over 21 before reaching this goal. 
         [0042]    Insurance Sequence: 
         [0043]    When the croupier shows an ace as an open card, he opens the insurance. Then the player is allowed to take the insurance bet or not to avoid losing his initial wager to a Blackjack and he can also take the “Insurance Poker” bet only if he decides to take the insurance bet first. The “Insurance Poker” will guaranty that the player will have a chance to complete a poker hand no matter what the croupier shows. After closing the insurance, if the croupier does not have Blackjack he will collect all the insurance bets and he will give back the “Insurance Poker” bets to the players that took it. 
         [0044]    If after closing the insurance, the croupier shows a Blackjack, everyone loses except for the players who also had Blackjack and the ones that took the insurance bet. For the player that won his insurance bet, if he also took the “Insurance Poker” bet, for him the hand is not over yet. The croupier will collect all the losing hands and pay all the insurance bet. Once the croupier is done, he will then complete the hands of the players that took the “Insurance Poker” bet. Here is how he will do so: 
         [0045]    Going from the left to the right, position one (1) to last, as to know with which hand he will start first, the croupier will add a card to the player&#39;s hand. If it does not go over 21, the croupier will add another one. If the hand still does not go over 21, he will add one last card. Once the player&#39;s hand has reached the objective of five (5) cards, if it goes over 21 or did so before reaching the objective then the croupier will collect the “Insurance Poker” bet and the initial bet. If the five (5) cards hand does not go over 21 and does not have any valid poker sequence, the croupier will also collect the “Insurance Poker” bet and the initial bet. And if the player gets a five (5) cards hand that includes a valid poker sequence and that does not go over, he will lose his “Insurance Poker” bet but he will see his initial wager getting paid accordingly to the poker sequence that he received. 
         [0046]    At no time during this procedure is the player allowed to double or stay before reaching a total of five (5) cards. Only the croupier can stop giving cards in the case of the hand going over. No ordinary result can beat a Blackjack; therefore a poker hand has to be completed at all cost. In summary, a player cannot double or decide to stay before having five (5) cards when it comes to the “Insurance Poker” procedures. 
         [0047]    To recapitulate, if a player fails to complete a poker hand, if he goes over 21 he loses his “Insurance Poker” and initial bet. If he fails to make a poker hand but does not go over 21, he still loses his “Insurance Poker” bet and initial bet. When he succeeds in making a valid poker hand, he loses his “Insurance Poker” bet but gets his initial bet paid accordingly to the poker hand that he received. Note that the player will always receive his insurance bet when the croupier will show a Blackjack. When the croupier does not have Blackjack, he will collect the insurance bet and give back to the players their “Insurance Poker” bet before continuing the hand. 
         [0048]    Croupier&#39;s Black Jack with an Open Figure: 
         [0049]    In this case, nothing is earned. If the croupier has a Blackjack with an opened figured card, all bets will be lost, except for the players who will have had a Blackjack. 
         [0050]    If the no peek rule is applied to the game (the croupier only reveals his hidden card when all the players have completed their hands), the players with Blackjacks will tie with the dealer and the players who will have completed a valid poker hand will win. 
         [0051]    The Croupier&#39;s Hand: 
         [0052]    When the croupier deals, the first card that he gives himself is opened and the last one is hidden. Once all the players have played, the croupier will turn his hidden card. Then, depending on the Table&#39;s rules, the croupier will keep his game intact if he has a result equal to or more than 18. If the croupier acquires a hard 17, he will not take a card. As for a soft 17, the croupier will have to follow the Table&#39;s rules for the Five Star 
         [0053]    Blackjack does not have any specific rule regarding this. In the case where the croupier acquires a result below 17, he will take cards until the total is equal to or above 17. If the croupier exceeds 21, then all players having a valid hand will win. It is to be noted that if the croupier acquires a hand of five (5) cards forming a poker hand, it will count (while this rule is critical, it can also be ignored without changing the nature of the game). Therefore a croupier is also able to win with a poker hand. (The player&#39;s advantage is that the croupier does not have any free will. If the croupier gets a soft 18 with four (4) cards, he has to stay even if pulling a fifth card would guaranty him a valid poke sequence.) In this case, all the players who have normal Blackjack results will lose their hands. The only winners will be those who had Blackjack and were paid before the croupier made his poker hand and those who succeeded in making a poker sequence of a higher value than the one that the croupier made. Depending on the rules applied by the house, a player that reached 21 with three (3) cards or more can also be paid immediately before the croupier makes his hand. 
         [0054]    Croupier&#39;s Poker Hand Treatment: 
         [0055]    In case of the croupier obtaining a poker hand, all the players remaining in the game having only normal Blackjack results will lose. The croupier will also win if his poker hand is superior to the one a player may have formed. 
       Example 
       [0056]      
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 Croupier 
                 4-4-3-2-5 
                 Win 
               
               
                   
                 Player 
                 2-2-5-6-3 
                 Lost 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0057]    If the croupier obtains a poker hand that includes a pair and that a player also obtains a poker hand that includes that same pair, then we will compare the highest kickers to determine the winning hand. If there is still a tie, then we will compare the second highest kicker to determine the wining hand and so on. 
       Example 
       [0058]      
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 Croupier 
                 3-3-7-4-2 
                 Lost 
               
               
                   
                 Player 
                 3-3-Ace-6-4 
                 Win 
               
               
                   
                 Croupier 
                 2-2-7-5-4 
                 Win 
               
               
                   
                 Player 
                 2-2-7-5-3 
                 Lost 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0059]    The same treatment will be applied for all the poker hands. 
         [0060]    Tied Poker Hand Treatment: 
         [0061]    For the croupier and the player who obtains a poker hand (minimum of a pair), a tie occurs when all five (5) cards have the same numerical value. A tie can be considered as one of the bonus hands in Five Star Black Jack. If a tie occurs with a hand that qualifies for the progressive lottery, it will be treated as one (see section below). Depending on the rules that the house applies, a player that obtains a hand qualifying him for the jack pot that sees the dealer having the exact same hand gets to decide which bonus he will win. 
         [0062]    Progressive Lottery and Poker Hand Treatment: 
         [0063]    The croupier will pay the winning bets that did not qualify for the progressive lottery and/or will collect the losing bets before paying the hands that did qualify for the progressive lottery. In case there is more than one hand qualifying for the progressive lottery during the same hand, they will be treated from the position (7) to the position (1). Then we will subtract the appropriate sum from he progressive lottery before paying the second hand. 
         [0064]    Details on the Progressive Lotteries: 
         [0065]    What concerns the progressive lots is relatively simple to explain. The player must place an invariable bet (one (1) token) which will qualify him for any poker payout possibility. This being said; only those who will place a poker payout bonus bet will be eligible to win with poker hands. 
         [0066]    The odds paid on the bonus payment schedule can be adjusted in any manner desirable; the preferred odds set forth herein were selected to return a reasonable profit to the house in the casino game version. Additionally, the game can be played by placing a maximum payout on any particular hand regardless of the number of tokens that are wagered by a particular player. This maximum payout feature can be used in the casino game version. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Name and Order of the Hands in Five Star Black Jack 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                  1 - Pair 
               
               
                   
                  2 - Two Pairs 
               
               
                   
                  3 - Three of a Kind 
               
               
                   
                  4 - Straight 
               
               
                   
                  5 - Full House 
               
               
                   
                  6 - Four of a Kind 
               
               
                   
                  7 - Flush 
               
               
                   
                  8 - Five Mania (Five cards of the same numerical value) 
               
               
                   
                  9 - Straight Flush 
               
               
                   
                 10 - Full in a Flush (Full house of the same suit) 
               
               
                   
                 11 - Four in a Flush (Four of a kind in the same suit) 
               
               
                   
                 12 - Bad Beat (Player loses with a straight or higher) 
               
               
                   
                 13 - Tie (Player and croupier&#39;s poker hand are identical) 
               
               
                   
                 14 - Five Stars (Five cards of the same suit and numerical value) 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Pay table: 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Name of the Hands 
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Progressive Payout 
                   
                 Payout Ratio 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                  1 - Pair 
                 pays 
                  1 to 1 
                 N/A 
               
               
                   
                  2 - Two Pairs 
                 pays 
                  2 to 1 
                 N/A 
               
               
                   
                  3 - Three of a Kind 
                 pays 
                  3 to 1 
                 N/A 
               
               
                   
                  4 - Straight 
                 pays 
                  7 to 1 
                 100$ 
               
               
                   
                  5 - Full House 
                 pays 
                  10 to 1 
                 250$ 
               
               
                   
                  6 - Four of a Kind 
                 pays 
                  20 to 1 
                 500$ 
               
               
                   
                  7 - Flush 
                 pays 
                  35 to 1 
                  1% 
               
               
                   
                  8 - Five Mania 
                 pays 
                  60 to 1 
                  5% 
               
               
                   
                  9 - Straight Flush 
                 pays 
                 100 to 1 
                 10% 
               
               
                   
                 10 - Full in a Flush 
                 pays 
                 150 to 1 
                 20% 
               
               
                   
                 11 - Four in a Flush 
                 pays 
                 250 to 1 
                 35% 
               
               
                   
                 12 - Bad Beat 
                 pays 
                 −1 
                 40% 
               
               
                   
                 13 - Tie 
                 pays 
                   0 
                 50% 
               
               
                   
                 14 - Five Stars 
                 pays 
                 500 to 1 
                 100%  
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0067]    What concerns the progressive lots is relatively simple to explain. The player must place an invariable bet which will qualify him for any poker payout possibility. This being said; only those who will place a poker payout bonus bet will be eligible to win with poker hands. 
         [0068]    Rules: 
         [0069]    Almost all of the rules that are applied to traditional Blackjack can be applied to Five Star Blackjack. Blackjack pays 6 to 5, surrender, double for less, dealer stands on soft 17, etc. all these rules can be applied to Five Star Blackjack without changing the core of the game. 
         [0070]    As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided.