CARD GAME AND METHOD OF PLAYING

Abstract

A method of playing a playing card game comprising: placing a first wager within a table limit by a participating player; dealing a first player card to the player; dealing a first dealer card to a dealer; and determining a winning hand, wherein a winning hand is one of: having a player hand closer to a first designated value than the dealer hand without exceeding a second designated value or having the dealer hand go over the second designated value when the player does not go over the second designated value, wherein the second designated number is equal to the first designated number plus one.

Description

BACKGROUND

[0001] This invention relates generally to a playing card game, and more specifically, to a playing card wagering game that may be played with one or more decks of playing cards or by video machine technology wherein players try to obtain a hand closest to a first designated value without exceeding a second designated value and that offers multiple payouts.

[0002] Presently, there are many different wagering games used in gambling establishments. The problem with many of these games is that they are difficult to understand. This relates to not only how to play but the strategy involved in playing. Thus, many people who would normally like to play and gamble, end up not playing.

[0003] Most people like to play wagering games that are fairly simple to understand and play. Ideally, a wagering game should have different wagering options for the players, yet be able to be played rapidly to a wager resolving outcome. Wagering games, particularly those intended primarily for play in gambling establishments, should provide players with a sense of participation and control, the opportunity to make decisions, and reasonable odds of winning even though the odds will favor the gambling establishment.

[0004] Twenty-one or blackjack has been a popular card game for many years. Twenty-one is a standard table game in most casinos. The popularity of this game is due in large part to the fact the players have a better chance of beating the house then in other table games at the casino. The card game twenty-one is described in several U.S. patents. U.S. Pat. No. 5,257,789 issued to LeVasseur and U.S. Pat. No. 5,413,353 issued to Demarest et al., both disclose how to play the standard method of playing twenty-one.

[0005] However, as stated above, a drawback of current twenty-one games is there are limited payouts. Payouts are given when the player beats the dealer and the player reaches 21/blackjack.

[0006] Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a card game and method that overcomes the above problems.

SUMMARY

[0007] A method of playing a playing card wagering game comprising: placing a first wager within a table limit by a participating player; dealing a first player card to the player; dealing a first dealer card to a dealer; and determining a winning hand, wherein a winning hand is one of: having a player hand closer to a first designated value than the dealer hand without exceeding a second designated value or having the dealer hand go over the second designated value when the player does not go over the second designated value, wherein the second designated number is equal to the first designated number plus one.

[0008] The features, functions, and advantages can be achieved independently in various embodiments of the disclosure or may be combined in yet other embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Embodiments of the disclosure will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0010] FIG. 1 depicts a method of playing a card wagering game according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0011] Referring to the FIGURE, a card wagering game is disclosed. The object of the card wagering game is to beat the dealer. The player can do this in one of two ways: 1) having a hand closer to a first designated value than the dealer without exceeding a second designated value or 2) having the dealer go over the second designated value when the player does not. The total count is determined by simply adding the card values. In general, the second designated number may be equal to the first designated number plus one.

[0012] In accordance with one embodiment, the first designated value is eleven and the second designated value is twelve. Thus, the player can win by 1) having a hand closer to eleven than the dealer without exceeding twelve or 2) having the dealer go over twelve when the player does not.

[0013] The card wagering game may be played using a standard deck of playing cars with the jacks, queens and kings removed. In general, either six or eight standard decks of playing cards with the jacks, queens and kings removed may be used. Two special cards are added per deck. In accordance with one embodiment, the special card is a colored card called a Pepperjack card.

[0014] Thus, each deck may consist of 42 cards. The card suits have no relevance. Card values may be as follows: cards 2 through 10 count at face value. The ace and the special card, named Pepperjack, count as eleven or one, i.e. count as eleven as a first card and as one thereafter. A hand where the count exceeds twelve is a busted hand and loses immediately. A hand having a count of twelve is superior to a hand having a count of 9 or less. A player's hand having a count of 12 ties a dealer's hand having a count of 10. Similarly, a player's hand having a count of 10 ties a dealer's hand having a count of 12.

[0015] In order to play a round, each player makes an initial wager. The initial wager may be anywhere from a minimum $5 to a maximum $500. The above are given as an example and should not be seen in a limiting manner. The limits of the initial wager may be set by the establishment where the game is being played. A bonus wager may also be made by each participating player. The bonus wager may range from $1 to $25. Again, the above are given as an example and should not be seen in a limiting manner. The limits of the bonus wager may be set by the establishment where the game is being played.

[0016] Once the initial wager is made by each participating player and the optional bonus wagers have been made by the participating players, the dealer deals one card face up to each player and one card face up to the dealer's hand. If the first card is a Pepperjack, the first card Pepperjack is a natural and is superior to all other first cards including an ace. A Player's first card Pepperjack is an automatic winner and, if not tied is paid even money, 1 to 1 except versus the dealer's 8, 9, 10 or ace when it is paid 3 to 2. All other winning initial player wagers are paid even money, 1 to 1. There is an exception when the dealer has a count of twelve; a player's hand having a first card ace is paid 2 to 1. A first card dealer Pepperjack, unless tied, wins versus all player first card values and round is concluded.

[0017] After the first card has been dealt, the player, by signaling to the dealer, may stand pat or request additional hit cards until achieving a desired total. The hit cards may be dealt face up and may be placed uniformly in proximity to the first card dealt to the player. Since tied hands of 8 and 9, the player loses, when tied with a dealer's first card of 8 or 9, the player in general will intuitively hit until achieving a winning total or bust trying. Ties of 10 vs. 10, 12 vs. 10, 10 vs. 12 and 11 vs. 11 push and no money is exchanged.

[0018] The game may allow for a raise option. The raise option may be for any amount up to the original initial wager. The raise wager is placed beside the initial wager and a sole hit card is dealt face up and placed perpendicular to the first player card making the raise wager.

[0019] When the final player has finished acting it is the dealer's turn. A first dealer card of 8, 9, 10, or 11 (ace) is a pat hand and the dealer takes no further action. If the dealer's first card is a 7 or less, the dealer continues to hit until reaching a total of 8 through 12, i.e. hits 2 through 7 and stands on 8 through 12. A hand exceeding 12 is a busted hand and all players who have not busted are automatic winners no matter the total value of the player's hand.

[0020] The present embodiment of the game may offer different payouts for the bonus wager as discussed above. For example, each participating player may receive a payout on a being dealt a first player card ace, first player card Pepperjack, the player and the dealer having matching first card aces or first card Pepperjacks and the like. Each participating player may further a payout on the player having a first card ace and the dealer having a first card Pepperjack. A further payout may be made wherein the player has a hand of five or more playing cards that total 11 and the dealer has a first card ace. The above are given as examples and should not be seen in a limiting manner.

[0021] The following is a proposed bonus pay table:

TABLE-US-00001 Hand Payout First Card Ace 1 to 1 First Card Pepperjack 2 to 1 First Card 8, 9, oe 10 Match 10 to 1 First Card Ace Match 12 to 1 First Card Pepperjack Match 40 to 1 Bad Beat: Ace beaten by Pepperjack 25 to 1 Good Tie: Five or more cards Eleven vs. Ace 200 to 1

[0022] While embodiments of the disclosure have been described in terms of various specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments of the disclosure can be practiced with modifications within the spirit and scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A method of playing a playing card game comprising: placing a first wager within a table limit by a participating player; dealing a first player card to the player; dealing a first dealer card to a dealer; and determining a winning hand, wherein a winning hand is one of: having a player hand closer to a first designated value than the dealer hand without exceeding a second designated value or having the dealer hand go over the second designated value when the player does not go over the second designated value, wherein the second designated number is equal to the first designated number plus one.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising, drawing at least one additional player card by the player.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising, drawing at least one additional dealer card by the dealer.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising: removing all face cards from each standard deck of playing cards; and adding two special cards to each standard deck of playing cards, the special cards all matching.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising placing a bonus wager.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein placing a bonus wager further comprises providing a payout for at least one of: the player hand having a first card ace, both the player hand and the dealer hand having first card aces; the player hand having a first card special card; both the player hand and the dealer hand having first card special cards; the player hand having a first card ace and the and the dealer hand having first card special card; and a player hand having at least five card having a total value equal to the first designated number and the dealer hand having a first card ace.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising: designating the first designated number as 11; wherein a push occurs when one of: the player hand totals 12 and the dealer hand totals 12, the player hand totals 10 and the dealer hand totals 12, the player hand totals 12 and the dealer hand totals 10, the player hand totals 11 and the dealer hand totals 11, and the player hand totals 10 and the dealer hand totals 10.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the player loses when the player hand and the dealer hand tie with respective totals of eight or nine.

9. A method of playing a playing card game comprising: designating a first designated number as 11 and a second designated number as 12; inserting two matching special cards for each deck of playing cards used; placing a first wager within a table limit by a participating player; dealing a first player card to the player; providing a player option for at least one additional player card; dealing a first dealer card to a dealer; providing a dealer option for at least one additional dealer card; and determining a winning hand, wherein a winning hand is one of: having a player hand closer to the first designated value than the dealer hand without exceeding the second designated value or having the dealer hand go over the second designated value when the player does not go over the second designated value; wherein a push occurs when one of: the player hand totals 12 and the dealer hand totals 12, the player hand totals 10 and the dealer hand totals 12, the player hand totals 12 and the dealer hand totals 10, and the player hand and the dealer hand total both have a respective total of 10.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising placing a bonus wager.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein placing a bonus wager further comprises providing a payout on at least one of: the player hand having a first card ace, both the player hand and the dealer hand having first card aces; the player hand having a first card special card; both the player hand and the dealer hand having first card special cards; the player hand having a first card ace and the and the dealer hand having first card special card; and a player hand having at least five card having a total value equal to the first designated number and the dealer hand having a first card ace.

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