US20160136514A1 - Casino blackjack bonus poker bet triggered by dealer hand - Google Patents

Abstract

A method of combining an optional bonus poker hand side bet with a casino Blackjack card game that requires the dealer's hand to have a qualifying event to trigger a payout of the optional bonus side bet designated poker hand against a payout table. Normal casino Blackjack play regulations are followed. If no dealer trigger hand occurs the optional bonus side bet loses. A progressive poker bonus bet jackpot may be accumulated by portions of the bets at all casino Blackjack tables.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
• The present utility patent application claims the benefit of provisional application No. 61/998,825 filed Jul. 9, 2014.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
• Not Applicable.
THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
• Not Applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• 1. Field of the Invention
• The present invention relates to casino wagering games and in particular to a method for an optional dealer hand triggered poker bonus bet combined with a casino Blackjack card game, wherein a qualifying event in the dealer's hand triggers an optional poker bonus bet paid out according to a bonus bet payout table while playing a standard casino Blackjack card game.
• 2. Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98
• In the past, players were given the option to place additional wagers on Blackjack games based on outcomes of their cards or a comparison of their cards and the dealer's cards. Each player won or lost their wager independently of the other players on the table and their bet was eligible to win without any predetermined conditions.
• There are table games that allow the players to wager on the same event such as Craps and Baccarat but in these games, each player receives the same payout. There are wagers on Blackjack that allow the players to wager on the dealer's hand such as insurance wherein if the dealer's exposed card is an Ace, the players can make a wager that the unexposed card will be a ten value card and each player will receive the same odds on their wager if the dealer's dealt down card is a ten-count card.
• Prior art wagers that are classified as side or bonus wagers on a blackjack table require the dealer to evaluate each wager separately and each wager must be evaluated every time that the wager is made based on the rules of the game. This process will slow the pace of the game, as the dealer will need to determine the outcome of each player's wager on an individual basis.
• Side wagers on Baccarat such as the Pair wager and Dragon wager have been successful and create a team environment since every player that participated in the wager will win or lose together.
• None of the prior optional bonus bets are triggered by a dealer hand having a specified event, such as getting a two-card Blackjack in the dealer's two dealt cards or the dealer hand exceeding a total of 21 to trigger the optional bonus bet of a poker hand formed by designated cards against a payout table. Only one variation of blackjack in U.S. Pat. No. 6,523,831 mentions using the players two dealt cards combined with the dealer's two dealt cards to form a four-card hand bonus bet regardless of what cards are in the dealer's hand, but the prior art does not provide a player's optional bet made prior to dealing, which optional bonus bet loses unless a dealer has a specified Blackjack hand which triggers a payout to a poker hand formed by the players two dealt cards combined with other specified cards according to a bonus bet payout table, while allowing the casino Blackjack game to be played out according to standard rules.
• U.S. Pat. No. 6,523,831, issued Feb. 25, 2003 to Webb; Derek J., shows card games that combine the play of Blackjack (“21”) with a 3-card Poker wager or side bet (“21+3/4”). Each player places a basic Blackjack wager and an optional side wager before the cards are dealt. Each player is then dealt a card with the dealer receiving a face-up card. Each player is dealt a second card. At this point, the outcome of each 3-card hand is determined, where a 3-card hand consists of the 2-card hand dealt to that player and the dealer's face-up card. In a 4-card version, each 4-card hand consists of the 2-card hand dealt to the player, the dealer's face-up card, and the dealer's hole card. After settling the 3-card wagers, the game of Blackjack continues in a typical fashion. After exposing the dealer's hole card, 4-card wagers are then settled. The invention advantageously retains all the features and advantages of Blackjack as well as provides the dynamics of a proposition game, without interfering with the card sequence, for enhanced player anticipation and enjoyment.
• U.S. Pat. No. 6,012,719, issued Jan. 11, 2000, U.S. Pat. No. 6,371,867, issued Apr. 16, 2002, and U.S. Pat. No. 7,175,180, issued Feb. 13, 2007 to Webb; Derek J., is for card games that combine the play of Blackjack (“21”) with a 3-card Poker wager or side bet (“21+3”). Each player places a basic Blackjack wager and an optional 3-card Poker wager before the cards are dealt. Each player is then dealt a card with the dealer receiving a face-up card. Each player is dealt a second card. At this point, the outcome of each 3-card Poker hand is determined, where a player's 3-card Poker hand consists of the 2-card hand dealt to that player and the dealer's face-up card. After settling the Poker wagers, the game of Blackjack continues in a typical fashion. The invention advantageously retains all the features and advantages of Blackjack as well as provides the dynamics of 3-card Poker, without interfering with the card sequence, for enhanced player anticipation and enjoyment.
• U.S. Pat. No. 7,416,187, issued Aug. 26, 2008 to Forster; Michael, provides a gaming method that comprises the following steps, which need not necessarily be performed in the exact order: providing at least two card representations to a player, each card representation comprising a symbol, the symbol having a corresponding predetermined value; providing at least two card representations to a dealer, each card representation comprising a symbol, the symbol having a corresponding predetermined value; evaluating a blackjack game outcome by comparing the values of the player and the dealer's card representations, wherein the player wins the blackjack game if the sum of the predetermined values of the player's card representations is higher than the dealer's; using two of the player's card representations for a game of poker; using two of the dealer's card representations for a game of poker; defining values for a plurality of combinations of two card representations; and evaluating a poker game outcome based on the player and the dealer's two card representations, wherein the player wins the poker game when the player possesses a two card combination that has a higher predetermined value than any of the dealer's two card combination.
• U.S. Pat. No. 7,931,526, issued Apr. 26, 2011 to Ramirez; Anthony, shows a method of playing a Blackjack game provides a side-bet against a bust. Should a bust occur the bust card is combined with four subsequently dealt playing cards to define a five-card poker hand. This resulting poker hand is compared to a predetermined hierarchy of poker hands, and payouts are awarded for winning outcomes.
• U.S. Pat. No. 8,020,872, issued Sep. 20, 2011 to Forster; Michael Williams, claims a gaming method that comprises the following steps, which need not necessarily be performed in the exact order: allowing a player to play a first poker game using at least two card representations; allowing the player to play a blackjack game using card representations from the first poker game; and allowing the player to play a second poker game using the card representations used in the first poker game and the blackjack game.
• U.S. Pat. No. 8,382,113, issued Feb. 26, 2013 to Costa; Peter, describes a card game in which players compete against a dealer to obtain a poker hand and a blackjack hand that beats the dealer without busting by exceeding 21 points.
• U.S. Pat. No. 6,773,013, issued Aug. 10, 2004 to Caldwell; Adrian, discloses a method for enhancing a conventional game of Twenty-one including the steps of providing a player an opportunity to place a Twenty-one wager to participate in the conventional game of Twenty-one; providing the player an opportunity to place a match wager that an index value of at least one of an initial two cards dealt to the player will match an index value of a face-up card dealt to a dealer; dealing the initial two cards to the player and dealing the face-up card to the dealer; verifying that the player placed the match wager and paying the player a match winning amount on the match wager if the index value of at least one of the initial two cards dealt to the player matches the index value of the face-up card; and continuing with play of the conventional game of Twenty-one. The method can include the further steps of: providing the player an opportunity to place a poker wager that a two-card poker hand value of the initial two cards dealt to the player will equal one of a plurality of paying two-card poker hand values; and verifying that the player placed the poker wager and paying the player a poker winning amount if the two-card poker hand value of the initial two cards dealt to the player equals one of the plurality of paying two-card poker hand values.
• U.S. Pat. No. 6,536,767, issued Mar. 25, 2003 to Keller; David, indicates a variation of Blackjack (Blackjack Royal) in which a player may make a side bet on a dealer's face up card having a point value of ten and a plurality of side bets relating to a player's first two dealt cards.
• U.S. Pat. No. 6,158,741, issued Dec. 12, 2000 to Koelling; David C, puts forth a method of playing blackjack with a side wager that includes a side wager which is typically set at $1 per hand per player. Where the dealer shows a card having a value of ten, and the player shows two cards having a cumulative value of twenty, the player is a winner. Where either of these two conditions are not met, the player loses the side wager. Where the dealer has a ten-value up card and the player has two cards totaling twenty including aces and nines, the player wins a first amount. Where the player's cards are both of the same suit, the player wins a second, typically larger, amount. Where the player's cards are of the same rank, e.g. both Kings, the player wins a third amount. Where the player's cards are both the same rank and the same suit, the player wins a fourth amount. Where the player's cards are both the same suit and the same rank, and also the same suit and rank as the dealer's face up card, the player wins a significantly larger fifth amount. Where both of the player's cards and both of the dealer's cards are the same, e.g. all Queens of diamonds, then the player wins the jackpot. Because the game is played with multiple decks of cards, such an occurrence is possible. The game is adapted to both casino table, computer and video gaming device play.
• U.S. Pat. No. 7,562,877, issued Jul. 21, 2009 to Hess, legal representative, et al., concerns a method of playing a blackjack game permits a player to place two wagers, obtaining two blackjack hands, and a bonus wager to participate in a side bet. A dealer deals two up cards for each of the two wagers, and the side bet is resolved by evaluating the 4 up-cards in accordance with a predetermined hierarch of winning poker results. An alternative manner of play includes the dealer's up-card with the 4 up-cards of the player, with resolution obtained utilizing winning 5-card poker results.
• U.S. Pat. No. 7,222,855, issued May 29, 2007 to Sorge; Nicholas, illustrates a method for playing a modified blackjack game—called Poker blackjack game—between a dealer and at least one player. Each player places a first wager, the outcome of which is determined by conventional rules of blackjack play. Players may optionally place an additional wager or side bet corresponding to a five-card poker hand made up of two cards dealt to the player and three community cards. A predetermined multiple of an amount of the additional wager is paid out or collected based on the rank of the poker hand. Players may also place additional wagers corresponding to a predicted color of their initial two card hand.
• U.S. Pat. No. 7,066,465, issued Jun. 27, 2006 to Daines; Shirley discloses a side bet for blackjack style card game which may be implemented in any blackjack-style card game method provides an opportunity to win a bet based on combinations of three cards which may be the player's first two cards and the dealer's first card. The player may win the side bet with certain combinations of cards having different winning payouts.
• U.S. Patent Application #20040239033, published Dec. 2, 2004 by Zahedi, Fardin Maxmillian, claims a method of playing a card game based on the conventional game of Twenty-One and the conventional game of Poker. A player playing the game has the option of playing both poker and Twenty-One simultaneously and also has the option of participating in a bonus game for larger payouts. In the game, the face cards are revalued and the total value of the Poker hand may not exceed 21.
• U.S. Patent Application #20080113703, published May 15, 2008 by Kekempanos, Ermirjona Hasanaj et al., describes a method for playing blackjack with a two-card poker wager (21+2). The card games combine the play of Blackjack (“21”) with a 2-card Poker wager or side bet (“21+2”). Each player places a basic Blackjack wager and an optional 2-card Poker wager/side wager before the cards are dealt. Each player is then dealt a card with the dealer receiving a face-up card. Each player is dealt a second card. At this point, the outcome of each 2-card Poker hand is determined, where a player's 2-card Poker hand consists of the 2-card hand dealt to that player and/or using the dealer's face-up card. After settling the Poker wagers, the game of Blackjack continues in a typical fashion. The invention advantageously retains all the features and advantages of Blackjack as well as provides the dynamics of 2-card Poker, without interfering with the card sequence, for enhanced player anticipation and enjoyment. The game can be played with Baccarat wherein each player places a basic player or banker or tie wager and an optional 2-card Poker wager/side wager before the cards are dealt.
• Two prior art Blackjack casino card games also include a progressive payout with standard Blackjack play. Neither patent involves a progressive payout of an optional poker hand bonus bet triggered by a specific dealer hand event. The prior art progressive payouts are made only based on player hands, not involving the dealer hand, and the prior art payouts require that the Blackjack game is being played with multiple card decks, wherein the player hands would not be possible using only one deck of cards in the Blackjack game.
• U.S. Pat. No. 6,336,857, issued Jan. 8, 2002 to McBride; Scott, is for an electronic side bet progressive jackpot gaming table apparatus including a color-coded player's banking center which includes a coin slot an electronic button means, a digital display means. The apparatus also includes a dealer key pad having a plurality of electronic button means for the dealer to suitably conduct a side bet progressive jackpot game. The invention furthermore relates to a method of operating the electronic side bet progressive jackpot gaming table apparatus. In addition, methods of playing casino Blackjack games employing an inventive deck of same color-coded playing cards are disclosed.
• U.S. Pat. No. 5,577,731, issued Nov. 26, 1996 to Jones; Daniel A., provides a method of progressive jackpot twenty-one wherein the predetermined winning arrangement of cards include two aces, three aces and four aces. The method of the present invention involves a conventional live casino or video machine type Twenty-One game (also known as Blackjack), in which, in addition to his normal wager, a player has the option of making an additional wager that becomes part of, and makes the player eligible to win, a jackpot, and most preferably, a progressive jackpot. If the player's Twenty-One hand comprises a particular, predetermined arrangement of cards, the player will win all, or part of, the amount of the progressive jackpot. In a Twenty-One game using any number of decks of cards, the predetermined winning arrangements of cards preferred in the present invention are four black or red Aces; three suited Aces; three unsuited Aces; two suited Aces; and two unsuited Aces, which preferably win, respectively, highest, second highest, third highest, fourth highest, and fifth highest amounts of the jackpot.
• What is needed is a method of playing a combined Blackjack and optional Poker bonus bet casino card game based on a dealer hand qualifying event, a dealer trigger hand, for activating the optional bonus bet for bonus betting players to win according to a bonus poker bet payout table or for the players to lose the optional bonus bet if the dealer does not get a dealer trigger hand, wherein the dealer trigger hand may comprise a two-card Blackjack in the dealer's two dealt cards or the dealer's hand exceeding a total of 21 points during the course of play, either one or the other of which trigger a poker hand formed by the two dealt player cards combined with a designated number of other cards forming a poker hand paid out according to bonus poker payout table, wherein an additional progressive bonus payout may be made according for a top poker hand according to the payout table, and wherein the Blackjack game is played out according to standard casino Blackjack rules of play.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• A primary object of the present invention is to provide a method of playing a combined Blackjack and optional Poker bonus bet casino card game based on a dealer hand qualifying event, a dealer trigger hand, for activating the optional bonus bet for bonus betting players to win according to a bonus poker bet payout table or for the players to lose the optional bonus bet if the dealer does not get a dealer trigger hand, wherein the dealer trigger hand may comprise a two-card Blackjack in the dealer's two dealt cards or the dealer's hand exceeding a total of 21 points during the course of play, either one or the other of which trigger a poker hand formed by the two dealt player cards combined with a designated number of other cards forming a poker hand paid out according to bonus poker payout table, wherein an additional progressive bonus payout may be made according for a top poker hand according to the payout table, and wherein in every hand the Blackjack game is played out according to standard casino Blackjack rules of play.
• One embodiment of the invention is a method of playing a wager on a Blackjack game where the wager will win based on a payout table if the dealer's dealt hand is a Blackjack; a two-card combination consisting of an Ace and a ten-value card. The payout table will be based on a four-card poker hand formed by the combination of the dealer's dealt two-card hand that formed a two-card Blackjack and the player's dealt two-card hand. If the dealer's dealt hand is any other hand besides a two-card Blackjack, the wager will lose. The Blackjack game is played out according to standard casino Blackjack rules of play.
• Players that choose to make this additional bonus wager on a Blackjack game will place their wager in the identified bonus bet location. If the dealer's hand achieves the triggering combination of a Blackjack, the player's two dealt cards combined with the dealer's Ace and ten-count card form a four-card poker hand. Each wager will win based on the ranking of the poker hand compared with the payout table. One payout table will rank the hands in the following order; royal straight flush, three of a kind, straight, flush, two pairs, pair, and high card.
• In one version of this embodiment, a progressive meter is installed that will be won when a player initiates a wager and the dealer's dealt hand is a two-card Blackjack and the player's two cards combined with the dealer's two cards form a royal straight flush of a predetermined suit; an example would be a royal straight flush in spades. In another version of this embodiment, the top prize for a royal straight flush equals or exceeds 5,000 to 1 and is considered a jackpot type payout.
• Other embodiments of this invention allow for different predetermined qualifying events or triggers of the dealer's hand to initiate the bonus poker payout table for the wager. In every embodiment, if the dealer's hand fails to reach a qualifying event, the wager will lose. Additionally, in every embodiment, if the dealer's hand does meet the qualifying event, an additional consideration will be the determining factor to value the outcome. The additional consideration may or may not incorporate the dealer's hand that qualifies the wager to win.
• By incorporating a qualifying event for the dealer's hand that initiates the pay table for a wager such as a dealer's two-card dealt blackjack triggering the combination of the player's two cards and the dealer's two cards that formed the blackjack to make a four card poker hand, the team atmosphere exists but each player is rewarded at different amounts based on their combined hand. Additionally, by using a qualifying event based on the dealer's hand to initiate a pay table, all of the wagers lose if the qualifying event is not met which will not have as much of an affect on game pace and is easier for the dealer to facilitate the overall game. The Blackjack game is played out according to standard casino Blackjack rules of play.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
• These and other details of the present invention will be described in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are furnished only by way of illustration and not in limitation of the invention, and in which drawings:
• FIG. 1 is a plan view of a casino card game playing table layout for a standard casino blackjack card game played in combination with an optional four-card poker hand bonus side bet showing the player layouts, standard Blackjack payouts, and four-card poker hand bonus side bet payout tables facing the players and the dealer layout and payout table facing the dealer on the other side of the playing table from the players;
• FIG. 2 is an exploded plan view showing the Blackjack payout, dealer play limits, insurance bet with odds, and indication of the four-card poker hand cards shown in empty elongated curved boxes facing the players on the layout ofFIG. 1 for the standard casino blackjack card game played in combination with an optional four-card poker hand bonus bet of the present invention;
• FIG. 3 is an exploded plan view showing a player layout with demarked player betting locations for the Blackjack bets and the optional four-card poker hand bonus bets and the four-card poker bonus bet payout table on the casino card table ofFIG. 1 for the standard casino blackjack card game played in combination with an optional four-card poker hand bonus bet of the present invention;
• FIG. 4 is an elevational view of a simulation of the playing table layout of the standard casino Blackjack card game played in combination an optional four-card poker hand bonus side bet of the present invention shown on a screen of an electronic simulation device showing a simulation of the player layouts and payout tables and the dealer layout and pay table, a dealer card layout and a player card layout showing the Blackjack cards used for the Blackjack game and demarking which of the four Blackjack cards are used for the optional four-card poker hand bonus side bet, and the control areas for the player to activate in making choices during the play of the Blackjack game;
• FIG. 5 is an elevational view of a simulation of the playing table layout of the standard casino Blackjack card game played in combination with an optional four-card poker hand bonus side bet of the present invention shown on a screen of a computer device showing a simulation of the player layouts and the optional four-card poker hand bonus side bet payout table, and the dealer layout and pay table, a dealer card layout and a player card layout showing the Blackjack cards used for the Blackjack game and demarking which of the four Blackjack cards are used for the optional four-card poker hand bonus side bet, and the control areas for the player to activate in making choices during the play of the Blackjack game;
• FIG. 6 is an elevational view of a simulation of a player layout for the playing table layout of the standard casino Blackjack card game played in combination with an optional four-card poker hand bonus side bet of the present invention, shown on a touch screen of a wireless device showing a simulation of a player casino table layout and pay table and showing a dealer card layout and a player card layout showing the Blackjack cards used for the Blackjack game and demarking which of the four Blackjack cards are used for the optional four-card poker hand bonus side bet, and the control areas for the player to activate in making choices during the play of the Blackjack game.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
• InFIGS. 1-6, the present invention comprises a method of playing a standard casino Blackjack game in combination with an optional bonus side bet for a poker hand comprising at least the two player dealt cards without affecting the play of the standard casino Blackjack game provides a payout of the optional bonus side bet triggered by a dealer's hand comprising a predetermined qualifying event for triggering the optional bonus poker hand bet. The player optional bonus bet poker hand paid out according to a bonus poker bet payout table for a poker hand comprising one of a number of payout table options only if the dealer's hand has a predetermined qualifying event and the bonus poker bet will lose if the dealer's hand does not have the predetermined qualifying event. The Blackjack game is played out according to standard casino Blackjack rules of play.
• The method of the present invention may further comprise a step of paying out at least one of the payout table options based on a result that meets the criteria to win the funds accrued in a progressive meter based on accumulation of an amount taking a predetermined rate of increment of each wager.
• In the preferred method of the present invention, the dealer's hand predetermined qualifying event comprises a dealer's two dealt cards forming a two-card Blackjack comprising an Ace and any 10 value card to trigger a payout of the optional bonus poker hand side bet, the optional bonus side bet comprising a bet on a four-card poker hand formed by a combination of a player's two dealt cards with the dealer's dealt two-card Blackjack hand, having an Ace and any one of a Ten, a Jack, a Queen, or a King, to form a four-card poker hand paid out against a bonus bet four-card poker payout table; the optional bonus poker hand side bet being automatically lost if a dealer's two dealt cards do not form a two-card Blackjack.
• InFIGS. 1-6, a method of playing a standard casino Blackjack card game in combination with an optional bonus side bet for a four-card poker hand formed using the same cards used in the Blackjack game without affecting the play of the standard casino Blackjack game. A payout of the optional bonus side bet is triggered by a dealer's dealt hand comprising a two-card Blackjack hand comprising an Ace and any 10 point value card. The optional bonus side bet comprising a bet on a four-card poker hand formed by a combination of a player's two dealt cards with the dealer's dealt two-card Blackjack hand, formed by an Ace and any one of a Ten, Jack, Queen, or King, to form a four-card poker hand paid out against a bonus bet four-card poker payout table; the optional bonus side bet being automatically lost if a dealer's two dealt cards do not form a two-card Blackjack hand.
• The method comprises the following steps:
• a) a first step of providing at least one standard deck of playing cards used for playing a standard casino Blackjack card game;
• b) a second step of providing a casino Blackjack cardgame playing layout10 comprising: adealer location30 showing aBlackjack payout33, dealer play limits34, insurance bet withodds35, and acard indication36 of the four-card poker hand cards; at least oneplayer position20 comprising a first bettinglocation25 for standard Blackjack bets for a player; at least one second bettinglocation26 for four-card poker optional bonus side bets for the player; and at least one four-card poker optional bonus side bet payout table27, as shown inFIGS. 1 and 3;
• c) a third step of placing at least one standard bet on the casino Blackjack card game layout in the at least one first bettinglocation25;
• d) a fourth step of placing an optional four-card poker bonus side bet on the casino Blackjack card game layout in the at least one second bettinglocation26;
• e) a fifth step of dealing two cards to each player and two cards to the dealer for playing the standard casino Blackjack card game;
• f) if the dealer's two card dealt hand comprises a two-card Blackjack hand31, as shown inFIGS. 4, 5, and 6, having an Ace and one ten count card, a sixth step of turning all cards face up and paying out to each player making the optional bonus four-card poker side bet, a payout on a four-card poker hand formed by a combination of a player's two dealtcards31 with the dealer's dealt two-card Blackjack hand31 having an Ace and a ten count card to form a four-card poker hand paid out against an optional bonus side bet four-card poker payout table27; if the dealer's hand does not comprise a two-card Blackjack hand, an alternate sixth step of collecting the optional bonus four-card poker side bet from each player making the optional bonus side bet;
• g) a seventh step of proceeding with the play of the standard casino Blackjack card game, including paying out or collecting player Blackjack bets according to standard casino Blackjack rules.
• The sixth step of paying out the optional four card poker side bet according to the four card poker payout table comprises using the following set of odds for payout of the optional four card poker side bet:

• 	Royal Straight Flush (Spades)	25000 to 1
  	Royal Straight Flush	5000 to 1
  	Three of a Kind	200 to 1
  	Straight	100 to 1
  	Flush	75 to 1
  	TwoPair	50 to 1
  	Pair	15 to 1
  	Nothing	5 to 1

• The method may further comprise a step of providing a progressive bet meter funded by a predetermined rate of increment of each wager, wherein the sixth step comprises paying out a progressive jackpot if the four-card poker hand formed by the player's two dealt cards and the dealer's two card Blackjack dealt cards result in a royal straight flush in a predetermined suit, and wherein the sixth step of paying out the optional bonus four-card poker side bet according to the four card poker payout table including a progressive bet further comprises using the following set of odds for payout of the optional bonus four-card poker side bet:

• Royal Straight Flush (Spades)	10000+ to 1 (Progressive Jackpot)
  Royal Straight Flush	10000 to 1
  Three of a Kind	100 to 1
  Straight	75 to 1
  Flush	50 to 1
  TwoPair	40 to 1
  Pair	10 to 1
  Nothing	5 to 1

• InFIGS. 1-3, the second step of the casino Blackjack card game in combination with an optional bonus four-card poker side bet comprises providing the playinglayout10 on a casino Blackjack gaming table having at least oneplayer layout20 for at least one player sitting at the casino Blackjack gaming table and having adealer layout30 for a dealer at the casino Blackjack gaming table to play the casino Blackjack card game in combination with an optional bonus four-card poker side bet according to the method of the present invention.
• The second step of the casino Blackjack card game in combination with an optional bonus four-card poker side bet may comprise providing the casino Blackjack playing layout on a simulation device, resembling thecasino table layout10 ofFIG. 1, for at least one player to play the casino Blackjack card game in combination with an optional bonus four-card poker side bet according to the method of the present invention.
• The second step of the casino Blackjack card game in combination with an optional bonus four-card poker side bet may comprise providing the playing layout on a mechanical simulation device, resembling thecasino table layout10 ofFIG. 1, for at least one player to play the casino Blackjack card game in combination with an optional bonus four-card poker side bet according to the method of the present invention.
• InFIGS. 3-6, the second step of the casino Blackjack card game in combination with an optional bonus four-card poker side bet comprises providing the playing layout on anelectronic simulation device50,60, or70 having anelectronic viewing screen51,61, or71 of the playing layout for at least one player and further comprises providing a plurality ofcontrol areas40 on the electronic viewing screen for the player to activate in making choices during the play of the Blackjack game, includingHit41,Stand42,Surrender43,Double Down44,Split45, EvenMoney46, and Cash In47 to be selected electronically by the player for communication with the electronic device about the player choices during the play of the casino Blackjack card game in combination with an optional bonus four-card poker side bet according to the method of the present invention.
• InFIG. 6, the second step of the casino Blackjack card game in combination with an optional bonus four-card poker side bet comprises providing the playing layout on a handheldelectronic simulation device70, the handheld electronic simulation device comprising atouch screen71 means for interacting with the handheld electronic simulation device, the at least one player touching thescreen71 to control the electronic simulation device in making player choices during the play of the casino Blackjack card game in combination with an optional bonus four-card poker side bet according to the method of the present invention.
• InFIGS. 4, 5, and 6, the second step of the casino Blackjack card game in combination with an optional bonus four card poker side bet comprises providing the playing layout on anelectronic device50,60, and70 having a connection to a remote network to play the casino Blackjack card game in combination with an optional bonus four-card poker side bet according to the method of the present invention.
• The second step of the casino Blackjack card game in combination with an optional bonus four card poker side bet may comprise providing the playing layout on an electronic device having a connection to a remote network to play the casino Blackjack card game in combination with an optional bonus four-card poker side bet according to the method of the present invention on an electronic device taken from the list of electronic devices including a computer, a handheld device, a telephonic device, an entertainment device, a gaming device, and a television device.
• The first step of providing at least one standard deck of playing cards comprises providing any of the numbers of standard decks of playing cards taken from the list of decks including one deck, two decks, four decks, six decks, and eight decks.
• An alternate method of a casino Blackjack game combined with an optional poker hand bonus side bet comprises a dealer's hand predetermined qualifying event comprising a dealer's Blackjack hand exceeding a total of 21 points to trigger a payout of the optional poker hand bonus side bet, the optional poker hand bonus side bet comprising a bet on a poker hand paid out against an optional bonus bet poker payout table; the optional bonus side bet being automatically lost if a dealer's Blackjack hand does not exceed a total of 21.
• The alternate method may comprise a step that when the optional bet placing player hands that still have cards that meet the standards to be involved in the Blackjack game at the time the dealer's hand reached the predetermined total greater than 21, the step comprises combining the player cards and the dealer cards to form a five-card poker hand that will be compared with an optional bonus five-card poker side bet payout table.
• A second alternate method may comprise a step that when the dealer's dealt hand is a two-card Blackjack having a total of 21, the step comprises combining an optional betting player's two dealt cards with a predetermined number of cards that are introduced to the game from a subset of previously unexposed cards to form a poker hand to be compared with an optional bonus side bet payout table; if the dealer's hand is not a Blackjack, the wager will lose.
• The second alternate method comprises the step of the dealer issuing each player that initiated the optional bonus side bet one additional card combining with the players two dealt cards forming a three-card poker hand paid against a predetermined optional bonus side bet three-card poker payout table.
• The second alternate method may alternately comprise a step of the dealer issuing each player that initiated the optional bonus side bet two additional cards combining with the players two dealt cards forming a four-card poker hand paid against a predetermined optional bonus four-card poker side bet payout table.
• In use, according to the present method of playing a standard casino Blackjack card game combined with an optional poker hand bonus side bet, the standard casino Blackjack card game is played out until a dealer hand trigger event occurs and the optional poker hand bonus side bet is paid out against a designated poker hand and the Blackjack card game played to completion according to standard casino Blackjack regulations. If a dealer hand trigger event does not occur any optional poker hand bonus side bets are lost.
• The progressive jackpot may be accrued from portions of wagers at all Blackjack tables in a casino accumulated together.
• It is understood that the preceding description is given merely by way of illustration and not in limitation of the invention and that various modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed.

Claims (20)

1. A method of playing a casino Blackjack game in combination with an optional bonus side bet on a four-card poker hand formed from four cards used in the casino Blackjack game without affecting the play of the casino Blackjack game played using at least one standard deck of playing cards used for playing a casino Blackjack card game, the method comprising a payout of the optional bonus side bet being triggered by a Blackjack game dealer's hand comprising a predetermined qualifying event for triggering the optional bonus bet payout, a player making the optional bonus side bet on a player optional bet portion of a casino Blackjack game and optional bonus side bet table layout on a four-card poker hand using the Blackjack game cards will win the bonus side bet based on a payout table of multiple payout options, the payout table visible on the casino Blackjack game and optional bonus side bet table layout adjacent to the player optional bet portion, only if the Blackjack game dealer's hand has a predetermined qualifying event and the player making the optional bonus side bet a game of poker will lose the bonus side bet if the Blackjack game dealer's hand does not have the predetermined qualifying event, and the Blackjack game is played out according to casino Blackjack rules of play unaffected by the optional bonus side bet;

the dealer's hand predetermined qualifying event for triggering the optional bonus bet payout comprising a dealer's two dealt cards forma a two-card Blackjack comprising an Ace and any 10 value card to trigger a payout of the optional bonus side bet, the optional bonus side bet comprising an optional bonus side bet on a four-card poker hand formed by a combination of a player's two dealt cards with the dealer's dealt two-card Blackjack hand to form a four-card poker hand paid out according to the bonus side bet four-card poker hand a table; the optional bonus side bet being automatically lost if a dealer's two dealt cards do not form a two-card Blackjack.

2. The method ofclaim 1 further comprising a step of paying out at least one of the payout options based on a result that meets a criteria to win funds accrued in a progressive meter based on a predetermined rate of increment of each wager placed in the funds reported in the progressive meter.

3. (canceled)

4. The method ofclaim 1 wherein the optional bonus side bet wins if the combination of the player's two cards and the dealer's two-card Blackjack cards form a four card poker hand comprising a royal straight flush having Ace, King, Queen, Jack all of the same suit; three of a kind; a straight; a flush; two pairs; a pair; or a high card comprising a hand that does not meet any of the previous qualifications and is measured using the highest ranking card.

5. The method ofclaim 1 wherein the dealer's hand predetermined qualifying event comprises a dealer's Blackjack hand exceeding a total of 21 points to trigger a payout of the optional bonus side bet, the optional bonus side bet comprising a bonus side bet on a poker hand paid out against a bonus bet poker payout table; the optional bonus side bet being automatically lost if a dealer's Blackjack hand does not exceed a total of 21.

6. The method ofclaim 5 wherein the players making the optional bonus side bet and still having cards that meet the standards to be involved in the Blackjack game at the time the dealer's hand reached the predetermined total will use their cards and the dealer's cards to form a five-card poker hand that will be compared with an optional bonus bet five-card poker pay table.

7. The method ofclaim 1 wherein the qualifying event comprises a dealer having a dealt two-card Blackjack hand and a player making the optional bonus side bet having the player's two dealt cards being combined with a predetermined number of cards that are introduced to the game from a subset of previously unexposed cards to form a poker hand to be compared with an optional bonus side bet poker payout table; and alternately if the dealer's dealt two-card hand is not a Blackjack, any optional bonus side bet made by a player being lost.

8. The method ofclaim 7 wherein each player making the optional bonus side bet being given one additional card being combined with the player's two dealt cards to form a three card poker hand being paid out against a predetermined optional bonus side bet three-card poker payout table.

9. The method ofclaim 7 wherein each player making the optional bonus side bet being given two additional cards being combined with the player's two dealt cards to form a four-card poker hand being paid out against a predetermined optional bonus side bet four-card poker payout table.

10. A method of playing a casino Blackjack card game in combination with an optional bonus side bet on a four-card poker hand using the same cards used in the Blackjack game without affecting the play of the casino Blackjack game, a payout of the optional bonus side bet being triggered by a dealer's dealt hand comprising a two-card Blackjack hand comprising one Ace and one 10 point value card, the optional bonus side bet comprising a bet on a four-card poker hand formed by a combination of a player's two dealt cards with the dealer's dealt two-card Blackjack hand forming a four-card poker hand paid out against a bonus bet four-card poker payout table; the optional bonus side bet being automatically lost if a dealer's two dealt cards do not form a two-card Blackjack hand, the method comprising:

a) a first step of providing at least one standard deck of playing cards used for playing a casino Blackjack card game;

b) a second step of providing a combination casino Blackjack and bonus bet four-card poker hand card game casino table playing layout comprising: at least one player location comprising a first betting location for Blackjack bets by the at least one player and at least one bet payout odds indication for the casino Blackjack card game and further comprising at least one second betting location for a four-card poker hand optional bonus side bet by the at least one player and at least one four-card poker hand optional bonus side bet payout table;

c) a third step of placing at least one standard bet on the casino Blackjack card game layout in the at least one first betting location;

d) a fourth step of placing an optional four-card poker bonus side bet on the casino Blackjack card game layout in the at least one second betting location;

e) a fifth step of dealing two face-up cards to each player and dealing two cards to the dealer, one face-up and one face-down for playing the casino Blackjack card game;

f) if the dealer's two-card dealt hand is a dealer trigger hand for an optional bonus side bet payout wherein the dealer's dealt hand comprises a two-card Blackjack hand comprising one Ace and one Ten card or one Jack card or one Queen card or one King card, a sixth step of turning the dealer down card face up and paying out to each player making the optional bonus four-card poker hand side bet a payout on a four-card poker hand formed by a combination of a player's two dealt cards with the dealer's dealt two-card Blackjack hand to form a bonus bet four-card poker hand being paid out according to the optional bonus side bet four-card poker hand payout table; and alternately if the dealer's dealt hand does not comprise a two card Blackjack hand, an alternate sixth step of collecting the optional bonus four-card poker hand side bet from each player making the optional bonus side bet;

g) a seventh step of proceeding with the play of the casino Blackjack card game, including paying out or collecting player Blackjack bets according to casino Blackjack rules;

thereby providing a method of playing a casino Blackjack card game in combination with an optional bonus side bet on a four-card poker hand using the same cards used in the casino Blackjack game without affecting the play of the casino Blackjack game, a payout of the optional bonus side bet being triggered by a dealer's dealt hand comprising a two card Blackjack hand comprising an one Ace and one 10 value card, the optional bonus side bet comprising a bet on a four-card poker hand formed by a combination of a player's two dealt cards with the dealer's dealt two-card Blackjack hand to form a four-card poker hand paid out according to the optional bonus side bet four-card poker hand payout table; the optional bonus side bet being automatically lost if a dealer's two dealt cards do not form a two-card Blackjack hand.

11. The method ofclaim 10 wherein the sixth step of paying out the optional bonus four-card poker hand side bet according to the optional bonus side bet four-card poker hand payout table comprises using the following set of odds for payout of the optional four-card poker hand side bet:

Royal Straight Flush (Spades)25000 to 1Royal Straight Flush5000 to 1Three of a Kind200 to 1Straight100 to 1Flush75 to 1Two Pair50 to 1Pair15 to 1Nothing5 to 1

12. The method ofclaim 10 further comprising a step of providing a progressive bet meter funded by a predetermined rate of increment of each wager, wherein the sixth step comprises paying out a progressive jackpot if the four-card poker hand formed by the player's two dealt cards and the dealers two-card Blackjack dealt cards result in a royal straight flush in a predetermined suit, and wherein the sixth step of paying out the bonus optional four-card poker hand side bet according to the optional bonus side bet four-card poker hand payout table including a progressive bet further comprises using the following set of odds for payout of the optional bonus four card poker hand side bet:

Royal Straight Flush (Spades)10000+ to 1 (Progressive Jackpot)Royal Straight Flush10000 to 1Three of a Kind100 to 1Straight75 to 1Flush50 to 1Two Pair40 to 1Pair10 to 1Nothing5 to 1

13. The method ofclaim 10 wherein the second step comprises providing the combination casino Blackjack and bonus bet four-card poker hand card same casino table playing layout on a casino Blackjack gaming table having at least one player layout for at least one player sitting at the casino Blackjack gaming table and having a dealer layout for a dealer at the casino Blackjack gaming table to play the casino Blackjack card game in combination with an optional bonus four-card poker hand side bet according to the method of the present invention.

14. The method ofclaim 10 wherein the second step comprises providing the combination casino Blackjack and bonus bet four-card poker hand card game casino table playing layout on a simulation device for at least one player to play the casino Blackjack card game in combination with an optional bonus four-card poker hand side bet according to the method of the present invention.

15. The method ofclaim 14 wherein the second step comprises providing the combination casino Blackjack and bonus bet four-card poker hand card game casino table playing layout on a mechanical simulation device for at least one player to play the casino Blackjack card game in combination with an optional bonus four-card poker hand side bet according to the method of the present invention.

16. The method ofclaim 14 wherein the second step comprises providing the combination casino Blackjack and bonus bet four-card poker hand card game casino table playing layout on an electronic simulation device having an electronic viewing screen of the playing layout for at least one player and further comprises providing a plurality of control areas on electronic viewing screen for the at least one player to activate to control the electronic simulation device in making player choices during the play of the casino Blackjack card game in combination with an optional bonus four-card poker hand side bet according to the method of the present invention.

17. The method ofclaim 14 wherein the second step comprises providing the combination casino Blackjack and bonus bet four-card poker hand card same casino table playing layout on a handheld electronic simulation device, the handheld electronic simulation device comprising a touch screen means for interacting with the handheld electronic simulation device, the at least one player touching the screen to control the electronic simulation device in making player choices during the play of the casino Blackjack card game in combination with an optional bonus four-card poker hand side bet according to the method of the present invention.

18. The method ofclaim 14 wherein the second step comprises providing the combination casino Blackjack and bonus bet four-card poker hand card game casino table playing layout on an electronic device having a connection to a remote network to play the casino Blackjack card game in combination with an optional bonus four-card poker hand side bet according to the method of the present invention.

19. The method ofclaim 14 wherein the second step comprises providing the combination casino Blackjack and bonus bet four-card poker hand card game casino table playing layout on an electronic device having a connection to a remote network to play the casino Blackjack card game in combination with an optional bonus four-card poker hand side bet according to the method of the present invention on an electronic device taken from the list of electronic devices including a computer, a handheld device, a telephonic device, an entertainment device, a gaming device, and a television device.

20. The method ofclaim 10 wherein the first step of providing at least one standard deck of playing cards comprises providing any of the numbers of standard decks of playing cards taken from the list of decks including one deck, two decks, four decks, six decks, and eight decks.

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