Abstract:
A gaming method and system that allows a player to wager varying amounts on whether that player will win or lose an additional bet, contingent on the makeup of the first two cards dealt to a player in the game of blackjack. The first two cards will fall under predetermined, posted category of “Good Hand” or “Bad Hand.” Each category will be made up of playing card combinations that most players would view as good or bad playing card point totals in the game of blackjack. The player will have three wagering options: (1) make only a conventional bet; (2) make only the additional bet by selecting either the “Good Hand” or the “Bad Hand” from the posted categories of “Good Hands” and “Bad Hands”; or (3) Make both a conventional blackjack bet and an additional bet.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/406,034, which was filed on Apr. 2, 2003, and which is incorporated by reference herein for all that it contains. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The embodiments of the invention disclosed herein relate to casino gaming, and more particularly, to playing card games and methods of play for a blackjack-type card game. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    There is a constant demand and need for new or improved games of chance to attract gamblers to gaming establishments. 
         [0006]    A technique that can be used to increase the attraction of blackjack (21) is to allow the player to make a bet in addition to the conventional blackjack bet, whereby the player will win or lose the additional bet after the player&#39;s first two cards fall in the predetermined category of “Good Hand” or “Bad Hand.” 
         [0007]    What is needed is a gaming system and method whereby the “Good Hand” is only made up of number totals that most players would consider a “Good Hand.” Conversely, the “Bad Hand” would be made up of only numbers that most players would consider a “Bad Hand.” The listing of “Good Hands” and “Bad Hands” will offer the player every combination of number totals that can result within the first two cards dealt to the player in the conventional game of blackjack. 
         [0008]    If the player bets on the “Good Hand,” the gaming system and method will require that the “Good Hand” is dealt statistically fewer times than the “Bad Hand” in order than an appropriate hold (return) is received by the casino; however, the hold, representing the statistical advantage of the casino over the player, cannot be greater than the maximum percentage allowed by regulators and should not be so large that the player would be discouraged from playing the bet If the player bets on the “Bad Hand” and the first two cards dealt to the relevant player total thirteen (including an Ace and a two—soft thirteen), neither the player nor the casino would win the relevant bet in order to guarantee that an appropriate hold is received by the casino on every bet. 
         [0009]    There is no prior art for such a system. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    Previous side bets to the game of blackjack or pseudo blackjack games have been limited to exotic payoffs for certain card combinations, large payoffs for consecutive blackjack hands won, the offering of multiple blackjack games played simultaneously and games that trade off more liberal rules for the player, i.e. doubling or surrendering at will, while lowering blackjack payoffs to even money. 
         [0011]    What long has been overdue, is an additional blackjack bet that will win or lose approximately at the same ratio as a blackjack conventional bet. The frequency of the additional bet&#39;s payoff, as well as the casino&#39;s hold approximating a conventional bet hold, will increase blackjack volume significantly. 
         [0012]    Previous side bets have resulted in nominal increases in total blackjack volume, largely because of the exotic nature and infrequency of side bet payoffs as well as nominal maximum bet totals, because of the large payoff odds established by the casinos due to the infrequency of payoffs. 
         [0013]    The player for the first time may make two bets rather than one bet on the potential of winning and losing hands. The quality of only the player&#39;s first two cards will determine the result of the additional bet while both the quality of the dealer&#39;s and player&#39;s hand will determine the result of the conventional bet. 
         [0014]    In a further aspect of the present invention A method of playing blackjack comprising the steps of: providing a conventional bet receiving region and an additional bet chip receiving region for a “Good Hand—Bad Hand” bet; each player making a conventional bet of a denomination within the denomination range permitted by the rules of the game; and/or each player making a “Good Hand—Bad Hand” bet by placing the bet in said additional bet chip receiving region, the bet being of a denomination permitted by the rules of the game; dealing each player and a dealer two cards each; determining whether the two cards dealt each player represent a winning hand or losing hand according to a posted “Good Hand—Bad Hand” list; and the dealer pays each player having a winning bet an amount equal to the “Good Hand—Bad Hand” bet located in the additional bet chip receiving region for a “Good Hand—Bad Hand” bet, wherein said “Good Hand” playing card values comprise: Blackjack, Two Aces, Twenty, Nineteen, Eighteen, Soft Eighteen, Seventeen, Soft Seventeen, Eleven, Ten, and nine; and wherein said “Bad Hand” playing card values comprise: Sixteen, Fifteen, Fourteen, Twelve, Eight, Seven, Six, Five, Four, and Three. 
         [0015]    In as still further aspect of the present invention a method of playing a blackjack game between at least one player and a dealer using at least one standard deck of playing cards, comprising the steps of: providing each player with a posted list describing an additional bet of either a “Good Hand” bet or a “Bad Hand” bet; providing each player a conventional blackjack bet-receiving region and an additional bet-receiving region; each player placing a first wager, said first wager of each player identified as either a conventional blackjack bet or as said additional bet; each player optionally placing a second wager, differing in identity from said first wager and identified as either said conventional blackjack bet or as said additional bet; dealing each player placing at least said first wager an initial hand of two playing cards and dealing an initial hand of two playing cards to the dealer; evaluating the initial hand of each player placing said additional bet and comparing a playing card point value for said initial hand to said posted list describing a plurality of “Good Hand” bet playing card point values and a plurality of “Bad Hand” bet playing card point values; awarding each player obtaining a winning outcome; continuing play of game for each player placing said conventional blackjack bet under rules of play for conventional blackjack, wherein said plurality of “Good Hand” playing card point values comprise playing card point values of 21, 20, 19, 18, soft eighteen (Ace and seven), soft sixteen (Ace and six), 11, 10, 9, and 2 (two Aces), and wherein said plurality of “Bad Hand” playing card point values comprise playing card point values of 16, 15, 14, 12 (not two Aces), 8 (not using an Ace), 6, 5, 4 or 3. 
         [0016]    It is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details, manner, and order of play described hereinafter and illustrated in the drawing figures. Those skilled in the art will recognize that various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]    The foregoing aspects and other aspects of this disclosure are described in detail below in connection with the accompanying drawing figures in which: 
           [0018]      FIG. 1  is a plan view of a table layout for use in playing live casino versions of a blackjack game in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  is a partial, enlarged plan view showing a player position in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  is a first partial flowchart of the play of the game; 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  is a second partial flowchart of the play of the game, continuing game play as initiated in the flowchart of  FIG. 3 ; and 
           [0022]      FIG. 5  is a third partial flowchart of the play of the game, completing game play as continued in the flowchart of  FIG. 4 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0023]    Reference is now made to the drawings wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout. In  FIG. 1 , a playing surface  10  is provided with a plurality of inscribed geometric shapes to assist in the play of a card game described hereinafter. 
         [0024]    A plurality of player positions  16  and a dealer position  18  are spaced opposite one-another on the playing surface  10 . Each of the player positions  16  is provided with a conventional wagering area  22  for placement of wagers relating to the play of conventional Blackjack, and a second wagering area  24  that defines two separate wagers: a “Good Hand” wagering area  26  and a “Bad Hand” wagering area  28 . As will be discussed in greater detail hereinafter, a player may place a wager in only one of the two wagering areas, and by so doing, elects to wager either on a “Good Hand” outcome or a “Bad Hand” outcome. 
         [0025]    A preferred embodiment of the present invention contemplates the use of multiple decks of playing cards placed in a playing card shoe  32  that is used to deal each of the player&#39;s hands as well as the dealer&#39;s hand. A chip rack  34  is located adjacent the dealer position  18  and holds playing chips of typical gambling denominations. Also preferably inscribed are a plurality of pay tables that include identification of certain playing card point totals, one column identifying “Good Hand” point totals and the other point totals considered as “Bad Hand” totals (also see  FIG. 2 ). 
         [0026]    As mentioned above, it is presently contemplated that the game will be played with multiple 52-card decks of playing cards—although it is to be understood and appreciated that play with a single deck also lies within the present invention. 
         [0027]    With reference to  FIGS. 3 ,  4 , and  5  the play of the game will now be described in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a player is provided at  42  with a posted list for an additional bet of either a “Good Hand” bet or a “Bad Hand” bet, as well as providing a conventional Blackjack bet-receiving region and an additional chip bet-receiving region. 
         [0028]    At  44  the player decides to make a conventional bet, to be played under the conventional rules of Blackjack, and/or an additional bet, utilizing the “Good Hand”—“Bad Hand” feature bets provided in accordance with  42 , above. 
         [0029]    Based upon the decision of the player at  44 , three different bet-placing outcomes occur, which are shown and described at  46 . At  48  the player has decided to make only a conventional bet, thus placing the wager in the conventional bet-receiving region. At  52  the player has decided to make only an additional bet, and thus places the wager in either the “Good Hand” or “Bad Hand” additional bet-receiving areas. At  54  the player has decided to make both a conventional bet and an additional bet, so the wagers are placed in both the conventional bet-receiving region and in either the “Good Hand” or “Bad Hand” additional bet-receiving areas. 
         [0030]    With all wagers placed, at  56  the Dealer deals the player and the Dealer two cards each, in accordance with the rules of conventional Blackjack. A decision is then made at  108  as to whether the player did or did not place an additional bet. If an additional bet was not placed, the player waits at  62  for continuation of conventional Blackjack play. 
         [0031]    If an additional bet was placed by the player, at  64  a decision is made regarding whether the player received a winning additional bet hand from the dealer in step  56  or a losing additional bet hand—both as determined by matching the playing card point totals to the posted list. If a winning additional bet hand is made, at  66  the Dealer pays the player an amount equal to the additional bet of the player. If a losing additional bet hand is made, at  68  the Dealer removes the additional bet of the player from the additional bet-receiving region. Upon completion of the additional bet winning/losing evaluation, at  72  play of the game continues under the playing rules of conventional Blackjack, for those players having placed a conventional bet in steps  48  or  54 . 
         [0032]    As may be observed from the foregoing, the wagering system of the present invention can easily be incorporated within a blackjack table in which each player&#39;s seating area at the table is provided with a specific additional bet area having marks for receiving the additional bet. 
         [0033]    The player may select or bet value for the additional bet somewhere between the minimum and maximum bet range for the relevant table. The relevant casino may choose to set different minimum-maximum ranges. 
         [0034]    Conventional blackjack bets will continue to be made by placing chips in the conventional betting areas  22 , which are separate from the second wagering area  24 . In the play of each game, the player will make all bets prior to any cards having been dealt face up or face down. 
         [0035]    If the player bets “Good Hands” and the first two cards dealt to the player fall under the list of “Good Hands” listed in the table below, “Good Hands” will be declared as a winning hand to be paid by the dealer immediately after the first two cards are dealt to the player(s) and dealer, and before any further cards are dealt to the player(s) and/or dealer. 
         [0036]    Conversely, if the player has bet on a “Good Hands” and the first two cards dealt to the player fall under the list of “Bad Hands” listed in the table below, the relevant chips will be removed by the dealer from the additional bet mark immediately after the first two cards are dealt to the player(s) and dealer. 
         [0037]    If the player bets “Bad Hand,” the following “Bad Hands” will be considered winning hands to be paid by the dealer immediately after the first two cards are dealt to the player(s) and dealer and before any further cards are dealt to the player(s) and/or dealer. 
         [0038]    Conversely, if the player has bet on a “Bad Hand” and the first two cards dealt to the player fall under the posted list of “Good Hands,” the relevant chips will be removed by the dealer from the additional bet mark immediately after the first two cards are dealt to the player and dealer. 
         [0039]    Additionally, and as previously discussed, if the first two cards dealt to the relevant player total thirteen (13), neither the player nor the casino will win the relevant bet—in order to guarantee than an appropriate hold (return) is received by the casino on every bet. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 GOOD HAND 
                 Probability 
                 BAD HAND 
                 Probability 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Blackjack 
                 4.83 
                 Sixteen 
                 7.70 
               
               
                   
                 Two Aces 
                 0.45 
                 Fifteen 
                 8.44 
               
               
                   
                 Twenty 
                 10.26 
                 Fourteen 
                 8.90 
               
               
                   
                 Nineteen 
                 6.03 
                 *Thirteen 
                 8.45 
               
               
                   
                 Eighteen 
                 5.28 
                 Twelve 
                 8.88 
               
               
                   
                 Soft Eighteen 
                 1.21 
                 **Eight 
                 2.85 
               
               
                   
                 Seventeen 
                 6.05 
                 ***Seven 
                 2.42 
               
               
                   
                 Soft Seventeen 
                 1.21 
                 Six 
                 1.66 
               
               
                   
                 Eleven 
                 4.83 
                 Five 
                 1.21 
               
               
                   
                 Ten 
                 4.06 
                 Four 
                 0.45 
               
               
                   
                 Nine 
                 3.62 
                 Three 
                 1.21 
               
               
                   
                 Total = 
                 47.83 
                 Total = 
                 52.17 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 *Push (tie) 
               
               
                   
                 **Ace-Seven excluded - listed as a soft eighteen (Good Hand) 
               
               
                   
                 ***Ace-Six excluded - listed as a soft seventeen (Good Hand) 
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0040]    One presently preferred embodiment of the present invention is depicted in  FIGS. 2-4 , showing a method of playing blackjack starting with the step of providing a conventional bet receiving region and an additional bet chip receiving region for the “Good Hand”—“Bad Hand” additional bet (see  FIG. 1 ). The player then makes a conventional bet of a denomination range permitted by the relevant casino and regulatory body and/or the player makes a “Good Hand” or “Bad Hand” additional bet by placing the bet in the single betting region for the additional bet, the bet being of a denomination permitted by the relevant casino and regulatory body. 
         [0041]    That is, the player need not participate in the conventional play bet may choose to participate in only the additional bet. Alternatively, the player need not participate in the additional bet—choosing to participate in only the conventional bet. Alternatively, the player may participate in both the conventional bet and the additional bet. 
         [0042]    The dealer then deals the player and dealer two cards each. After the dealing of the two cards, it is determined whether the two cards dealt the player represent a winning hand or a losing hand according to the posted “Good Hand”—“Bad Hand” list and according to the player&#39;s bet selection of either a “Good Hand” or a “Bad Hand”. 
         [0043]    After the initial two cards are dealt to the player(s) and the dealer, the dealer pays the player an amount equal to the “Good Hand” or “Bad Hand” winning bet located in the single betting region for the alternative bet. After the determination of the outcome of the additional bet, conventional play continues be keeling the player and dealer additional cards, unless the player determines not to take any additional cards and the dealer has concluded his/her play according to the rules of the game. 
         [0044]    The rules and play of the game are described below in a series of examples. 
       Example 1 
       [0045]    All Players place their wagers in the conventional betting area, and none in the “Good Hand” or “Bad Hand” betting areas. The cards are dealt by the dealer as in a conventional Blackjack game, with winning wagers paid and losing wagers removed in accordance with the conventional rules of play for Blackjack. At the conclusion of play the dealer removes all cards from the table, placing them in the discard tray prior to starting play of the next game. 
       Example 2 
       [0046]    Player 1 places a wager in the “Good Hand” betting area. Player 2 places a wager in the “Bad Hand” betting area. Player 3 places a wager in the “Good Hand” betting area. Player 4 places a wager in the “Bad Hand” betting area. Player 1 is dealt two cards, having a point total (under the traditional rules of Blackjack) of 19. In a like manner Player 2 is dealt two cards having a point total of 20; Player 3 is dealt two cards having a point total of 20; and Player 4 is dealt two cards having a point total of 14. The Dealer hand consists of one face-up card and one face-down card—the point total is irrelevant for purposes of evaluating the “Good Hand”/“Bad Hand” wagers. 
         [0047]    Making reference to the payoff table for the “Good Hand”/“Bad Hand” wagers, the Dealer pays Player 1 the amount of the wager placed by Player 1 in the “Good Hand” wagering area, the 19 points being included in a “Good Hand” payoff; the Dealer removes the “Bad Hand” wager of Player 2, since 20 points is in the “Good Hand” listings; the Dealer pays Player 3 the amount of the “Good Hand” wager, 20 points being listed in the “Good Hand” listings; and the Dealer pays Player 4 the amount of the “Good Hand” wager of Player 4, 14 points being listed in the “Good Hand” listings. 
         [0048]    The hands of all players are removed by the Dealer and placed in the discard tray, including the two cards of the Dealer. 
       Example 3 
       [0049]    Prior to the dealing of the first card, Player 1 places a “Good Hand” wager and a conventional Blackjack wager; and Player 2 places a “Bad Hand” wager and a conventional Blackjack wager. Player 1 is dealt two cards having a point total of 19, and the two cards of Player 2 total 10. The Dealer is dealt two cards, the point totals being irrelevant for the initial evaluation of the “Good Hand” and “Bad Hand” wagers. 
         [0050]    Prior to the dealing of any additional cards, the Dealer pays Player 1 for his winning “Good Hand” wager, the point total being listed as one of the “Good Hands.” The cards of Player 1 are not removed, since Player 1 has also made a conventional Blackjack wager. 
         [0051]    Dealer removes the “Bad Hand” wager of Player 2, since the 10 points of Player 2 is in the “Good Hand” listing of point totals. The Dealer does not remove the playing cards of Player 2 since a conventional Blackjack wager has also been made by Player 2. 
         [0052]    The Dealer then commences the play of a conventional Blackjack game, inquiring first of Player 1 and then of Player 2 whether additional playing cards are desired, and if one or both Players do not bust, the Dealer then obtains additional cards in accordance with house rules. Winning and losing wagers are determined in accordance with the rules of conventional Blackjack. 
         [0053]    The present invention can be incorporated in an electronic gaming device with multiple player video screen and bet selections. Similarly, the present invention can be incorporated in a single play slot machine (video game) device. 
         [0054]    It should be recognized that the numerous descriptional functions and advantages of the subject invention as set forth herein are illustrative only; therefore, change may be made within the general principles of the invention as indicated by the terms expressed within the appended claims listed below.