CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONSThis application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application No. 60/981,533, filed Oct. 22, 2007. The entire disclosure of U.S. application No. 60/981,533 is hereby incorporated by reference.
The present invention generally relates a method for playing a card game.
Casinos and wagering establishments are always looking for new, novel and exciting card games that entice players to play such card games and hold the players' interest. Exciting card games increase revenues to casinos and wagering establishments. On the other hand, prospective, players are always looking for new card games that are challenging and exciting. The game of “blackjack” or “twenty-one” is perhaps the most popular card game played in casinos throughout the United States. Blackjack is typically played with a standard deck of playing cards containing fifty-two cards in four different suits. The object of the game is for each player to collect a number of cards in his or her hand whereby the total point value assigned to the cards in a player's hand is as close as possible to twenty-one without going over. Numbered cards (i.e., 2-10) are assigned a numerical value equal to their face value and face cards (i.e., king, queen and jack) are assigned a numerical value of ten points each. An ace card may be assigned either a point value of one or eleven—whichever value gives a more favorable hand to the player. If the point value in a player's hand exceeds twenty-one points, the player “busts” and is eliminated from further play until a winner is declared and the next hand is dealt. Blackjack is typically played at tables that include a location for a dealer and up to seven additional players. Each player places a wager and, along with the dealer, initially receives two cards. In traditional blackjack, each player is playing against the dealer or “house”. The dealer or house acts as the bank, paying all losses and collecting all winnings from the other players at the table. In order to win his or her wager, the cards in a player's hand must have a higher total point value than the total point value in the dealer's hand without going over twenty-one points. During a player's turn, a player may elect to draw additional cards (i.e., take a “hit”) or play only the cards currently held in his or her hand (i.e. “stand”). A player may continue to receive additional cards in order to try to reach a point total of twenty-one without exceeding twenty-one. It is not necessary to reach twenty-one points to win a game; it is only necessary to come closer to twenty-one points than the dealer. Since the dealer receives one of his two initial cards facedown (i.e., a “hole” card), the players know only half of the cards in the dealer's initial hand. This adds an element of uncertainty to a player's decision to take a hit or stand. The risk of losing a hand by exceeding twenty-one points (i.e., “busting”) by taking an additional card increases as the point total of the cards in the player's hand approaches twenty-one. A player increases the probability of beating the dealer's card total by selectively and strategically hitting or standing on a particular card situation. Under most house rules, the dealer must take a hit on any point total of sixteen or less and must stand on any point total of seventeen or more. Any player whose hand has a point total that does not exceed twenty one and is closer to twenty-one than the dealer, wins his or her wager. Conversely, each player who “busts” or who does not achieve a higher point total than the dealer loses the hand and the corresponding wager for that hand. Even if the dealer also busts, the player still loses when the player busts. A “blackjack” occurs when a player or the dealer receives an ace and a face card or ten. A blackjack by the dealer ends the game, causing all other players to lose their wagers. A blackjack for a player is the best possible hand for the player and beats the dealer unless the dealer also has a blackjack. Ties between the player and the dealer are a “push” and are typically won by the house. Players at a blackjack table will typically play multiple successive hands and players may enter and leave the game at any time between hands. After all of the players have taken hits or have stood on their hand, the dealer stands or hits based on pre-established rules of the game. The conventional manner of play requires the dealer to take a hit whenever the dealer's hand is a “soft 17” count. However, in other casinos, the dealer stands on a soft 17 count. The term “soft” means that the ace is valued as a count of eleven, instead of as a count of one. A soft 17 occurs when the dealer has an ace and a six (or multiple cards that add up to six). The dealer will stand on soft 18s, soft 19s and soft 20s. Different card games are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,947,822, 6,027,118, 6,131,908, 6,179,711, 6,609,711, 6,749,200, 6,877,748, and 7,222,854, Patent Application Publication No. US2004/0124585 and Great Britain Patent No. 2216322.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a modified version of blackjack that generates additional unpredictability, excitement, and revenue for both players and casinos in comparison to traditional forms of blackjack.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent in view of the ensuing description of the present invention.
As used herein, the term “modified blackjack” refers to the card game of the present invention wherein the object of the game is for each player to collect a number of cards in his or her hand whereby the total point value assigned to the cards in a player's hand is as close to possible to a predetermined number, other than twenty-one, without going over that predetermined number. In a preferred embodiment, the predetermined number is 25.
As used herein, the term “point value”, when used relative to a “hand of cards” refers to the total numeric value of the hand of cards. The total numeric value of the hand of cards is found by totaling the point values of the individual cards in the hand.
The game is played with a suitable gaming or card table. The players stand or sit at respective player locations spaced about the periphery of the gaming or card table.
The first step of the game is to provide a plurality of sets of playing cards wherein each playing card has a specific numeric value. In a preferred embodiment, the game is played with between five and nine decks of cards. More preferably, the game is played with between six and eight decks of cards. Next, an ante or initial wager is placed by at least one player. The minimum and maximum amount of the ante or initial wager is determined by the house. The dealer deals an initial hand of two cards to himself and the player. These initial cards are dealt face down. The player then views his or her cards and then decides whether to stay, fold or place a second wager to obtain up to two additional cards. The maximum number of cards a player can have is four cards. Thus, the player can request just one additional card or can request two additional cards to achieve the maximum number of cards. The additional cards are dealt face up. The player may double down if at any time the point value of the player's cards equals fifteen (15). However, the player may only double down only when the point value of the player's cards equals fifteen (15). If the player's hand has point value that exceeds 25, the player “busts” and is out. The dealer is permitted to have more than four (4) cards. The dealer must stand on 21. This means that the dealer must continue to deal himself additional cards until the point value of the dealer's hand is either 21 or greater than 21. If the point value of the dealer's hand is greater than 25, the dealer busts and is out. If the player's hand has a point value of 25 and the dealer's hand does not have a point value of 25, the player wins and his or her winnings are determined by a predetermined pay-table set by the house.
If the dealer's hand has a point value that is 21 and the player's hand has a point value that is greater than 21 but less than or equal to 25, the player wins and his or her winnings are determined by a predetermined pay-table set by the house.
If the both the player's hand and the dealer's hand have a point value that is equal to 25 and the player has fewer cards than the dealer, then the player wins.
If the both the player's hand and the dealer's hand have a point value that is equal to 25 and the dealer has fewer cards than the player, then the dealer wins.
A tie or push would occur if both the player's and dealer's hands have the same number of cards and same point value and this point value is less than or equal to 25. In one embodiment, the dealer returns the player's initial ante and subsequent wagers to the player in the event of a tie or push. In an alternate embodiment, the player loses his or her ante and subsequent wagers in the event of a tie or push.
If the dealer's hand has a point value of 25 and the point value of the player's hand is less than or greater than 25, the player loses and the dealer wins.
If the dealer holds on 21, but the point value of the player's hand has a point value that is less than 21, the player loses and the dealer wins.
If the point value of both the player's hand and the dealer's hand is less than twenty five (25), then whoever has the hand with a point value closest to twenty five (25) will win.
If the player should win, the winnings paid to the player are based on the player's wagers, any double down bets, and a predetermined payout schedule.
The card game of the present invention can be played: (i) in a casino or other wagering establishment in a manner similar to conventional card games, i.e. “live table version” wherein a group of players and a dealer are positioned at a gaming table, (ii) on electronic video gaming machines such as electronic video poker gaming machines which may be located in a casino other wagering establishment, or (iii) on linked, electronic video gaming machines located in a casino or wagering establishment. The card game of the present invention also can be implemented on slot machines. Furthermore, the card game of the present invention also can be implemented with lottery scratch-type tickets that are sold by many state governments.
The card game of the present invention can be played with up to six players plus the dealer. A single player also may play the card game. The players sit at or stand adjacent to a respective portion of a gaming or card table designated as a player station. In one embodiment, all of the sets of cards are contained in a shoe, known in the art, from which the dealer may draw one card at a time. In another embodiment, all of the sets of cards are contained in an automatic card shuffler. In a preferred embodiment, the game is played with between five and nine decks of cards. More preferably, the game is played with between six and eight decks of cards.
As used herein, the terms “ante”, “wager” and “bet” have the same meaning and are used interchangeably. The card game of the present invention can be implemented on an electronic gaming machine such as the type used to realize an electronic video gaming machine. In such electronic gaming machines, images of playing cards are electronically generated and then displayed on a display screen. If the card game of the present invention is implemented on an electronic gaming machine, the electronic gaming machine is preferably configured to generate a single deck of 52 cards. Additionally, the card game of the present invention can be realized with a lottery scratch ticket wherein images of playing cards are covered by a substance that is removed by players with a coin or other suitable object. U.S. Pat. No. 6,572,107 shows a typical structure of such lottery scratch-type tickets. Thus, the terms “cards”, “playing cards” or “hand” are defined herein to include:
a) physical playing cards,
b) computer-generated images of playing cards,
c) graphically generated images of playing cards, and
d) images of playing cards formed on lottery scratch-type tickets.
As is well known in the art, each player station of the game table includes an area for placing the player's cards and a betting area. Preferably, each player's station also has a payout schedule corresponding to the card game of the present invention. The game table includes a dealer playing station or area and an area wherein the dealer may place the dealer's cards.
As used herein, the terms “numeric value” or “value” refer to the numeric value assigned to each playing card. In accordance with the present invention, number cards (e.g. 2, 3, 8, etc.) are assigned a numeric value that is the same as the face value of the card. For example, the “eight” card shall have a numeric value of eight. Picture or face cards such as Jack, Queen and King shall each have a numeric value of ten. The Ace shall have a numeric value of either one or eleven. In an initial hand of cards, the Ace may be assigned a numeric value of eleven so as to enable a player to achieve modified blackjack.
As used herein, the phrase “total point value” or “point value” shall refer to the total of the numeric values of all of the cards in a hand. For example, a hand of “Five, Eight, Nine, Queen” shall have a point value of thirty two (32). In another example, a hand consisting of “2, 6, 7, 10” shall have a point value of 25.
In accordance with the invention, the term “modified blackjack” occurs when a player collects a number of cards in his or her hand whereby the total point value of the hand is as close as possible to a predetermined number, other than twenty-one, without going over that predetermined number. In a preferred embodiment, the predetermined number is 25.
The first step of the game is to provide the plurality of decks of cards wherein each playing card has a specific numeric value.
An ante or initial wager is placed by at least one player. The minimum and maximum amount of the ante or initial wager is determined by the house.
Next, the dealer preferably deals an initial two card hand in a left-to-right motion starting from the dealer's left. The cards are dealt face down. The dealer also deals himself an initial two card hand.
The player then views his or her cards and then decides whether to stay, fold or place a second wager to obtain additional cards. If the player wants additional cards, the player places the second wager. The player may request only one additional card, or he may request two more additional cards to achieve a four card hand. These additional cards are dealt face up.
The maximum number of cards a player may have is four cards. Therefore, the dealer cannot deal more than four cards to any one player. However, the dealer may deal himself more than four cards.
If at any time the point value of the player's hand is fifteen (15), the player may “double down”. However, the player may double down only when the point value is fifteen (15).
If the player's cards have a total point value that exceeds 25, the player “busts” and is out.
The dealer must stand on 21. This means that the dealer must continue to deal himself additional cards until the point value of the dealer's hand is either 21 or greater than 21. If the point value of the dealer's hand is greater than 25, the dealer busts and is out.
If the player's hand has a point value of 25 and the dealer's hand does not have a point value of 25, the player wins and his or her winnings are determined by a predetermined pay-table set by the house.
If the dealer's hand has a point value that is 21 and the player's hand has a point value that is greater than 21 but less than or equal to 25, the player wins and his or her winnings are determined by a predetermined pay-table set by the house.
If the both the player's hand and the dealer's hand have a point value that is equal to 25 and the player has fewer cards than the dealer, then the player wins.
If the both the player's hand and the dealer's hand have a point value that is equal to 25 and the dealer has fewer cards than the player, then the dealer wins.
A tie or push would occur if player's and dealer's hands both have the same point value and this point value is less than or equal to 25, and both dealer and player have the same number of cards. In one embodiment, the dealer returns the player's initial ante and subsequent wagers to the player in the event of a tie or push. In an alternate embodiment, the player loses his or her ante and subsequent wagers in the event of a tie or push.
If the dealer's hand has a point value of 25 and the point value of the player's hand is less than or greater than 25, the player loses and the dealer wins.
If the dealer holds on 21, but the point value of the player's hand has a point value that is less than 21, the player loses and the dealer wins. If the point value of both the player's hand and the dealer's hand is less than twenty five (25), then whoever has the hand with a point value closest to twenty five (25) will win.
If the player should win, the winnings paid to the player are based on the player's wagers, any double down bets, and a predetermined payout schedule.
The following examples illustrate the scenarios described above.
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| Dealer's Hand: | Four Cards (4, 8, 8, Ace) | Point Value: 21 |
| Player: | Four Cards (3, 5, 7, 7) | Point Value: 22 |
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| Winner: Player |
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| Dealer's Hand: | Three Cards (2, 4, 4, 7, 8) | Point Value: 25 |
| Player: | Four Cards (3, 4, 7, 9) | Point Value: 23 |
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| Winner: Dealer |
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| Dealer's Hand: | Four Cards (3, 6, 7, 8) | Point Value: 24 |
| Player: | Four Cards (2, 4, 9, J) | Point Value: 25 |
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| Winner: Player |
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| Dealer's Hand: | Three Cards (7, 7, Ace) | Point Value: 25 |
| Player: | Four Cards (2, 4, 9, J) | Point Value: 25 |
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| Winner: Dealer |
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| Dealer's Hand: | Three Cards (6, 7, 8) | Point Value: 21 |
| Player: | Four Cards (2, 4, J, Q) | Point Value: 26 |
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| Winner: Dealer |
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| Dealer's Hand: | Four Cards (2, 6, 7, 8) | Point Value: 23 |
| Player: | Four Cards (2, 4, 7, 8) | Point Value: 21 |
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| Winner: Dealer |
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| Dealer's Hand: | Four Cards (3, 4, 6, K) | Point Value: 23 |
| Player: | Four Cards (2, 2, 9, Q) | Point Value: 23 |
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| Winner: Tie or Push |
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| Dealer's Hand: | Four Cards (3, 5, 7, K) | Point Value: 25 |
| Player: | Four Cards (2, 6, 8, 9) | Point Value: 25 |
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| Winner: Tie or Push |
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| Dealer's Hand: | Three Cards (10, 10, K) | Point Value: 30 |
| Player: | Four Cards (2, 6, 7, 8) | Point Value: 23 |
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| Winner: Player |
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| Dealer's Hand: | Three Cards (10, 10, K) | Point Value: 30 |
| Player: | Four Cards (2, 8, 9, 10) | Point Value: 29 |
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| Winner: No winner, player loses all bets. |
The card game of the present invention can be played: (i) in a casino or other wagering establishment in a manner similar to conventional card games, i.e. “live table version” wherein a group of players and a dealer are positioned at a gaming table, (ii) on electronic video gaming machines such as electronic video poker gaming machines which may be located in a casino other wagering establishment, or (iii) on linked, electronic video gaming machines located in a casino or wagering establishment. The card game of the present invention also can be implemented on slot machines. Furthermore, the card game of the present invention also can be implemented with lottery scratch-type tickets that are sold by many state governments.
Although the foregoing description is in terms of the predetermined number for Modified Blackjack being 25, it is to be understood that the predetermined number can also be another number, other than 21. For predetermined numbers higher than 40, the game of the present invention may be modified to increase the maximum number of cards that can be in a player's or dealer's hand.
It is to be understood that the card game of the present invention can be played: (i) in a casino or other wagering establishment in a manner similar to conventional card games, i.e. “live table version” wherein a group of players and a dealer are positioned at a gaming table, (ii) on electronic video gaming machines which may be located in a casino other wagering establishment, or (iii) on linked, electronic video gaming machines located in a casino or wagering establishment. Electronic video gaming machines are generally described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,823,873, 6,478,675 and 6,517,074, disclosure of which patents are hereby incorporated by reference. The card game of the present invention also can be implemented on slot machines, and lottery scratch tickets. Lottery scratch tickets are known in the art and are described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US2006/0043670, published Mar. 2, 2006 (now U.S. Pat. No. 7,429,044), the disclosure of which publication is hereby incorporated by reference.
The principles, preferred embodiments and modes of operation of the present invention have been described in the foregoing specification. The invention which is intended to be protected herein should not, however, be construed as limited to the particular forms disclosed, as these are to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. Variations in changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing detailed description should be considered exemplary in nature and not limited to the scope and spirit of the invention as set forth in the attached claims.