WO2011126782A2

WO2011126782A2 - Method for playing a card game

Info

Publication number: WO2011126782A2
Application number: PCT/US2011/030121
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ronald Chamberlain
Original assignee: Vegas Gaming Group, Llc
Priority date: 2010-03-29
Filing date: 2011-03-27
Publication date: 2011-10-13
Also published as: WO2011126782A3; US20120068409A1

Abstract

A method of playing a card game. The first step is to provide a deck of cards, wherein each playing card has a specific numeric value. A player places an Ante. The dealer then deals an initial hand of two cards face down to the dealer and to the player. The player views the initial hand of two cards in order to decide whether to stay or fold. The player forfeits his ante if the player decides to fold. Next, the player places a bet if the player decides to stay. The player then reveals his cards. The next step is to determine if the point value of the player's initial two-card hand is fourteen or fifteen. If the player's initial two-card hand has a point value of fourteen or fifteen, then the player is provided with an option to either (i) double down on the player's bet and take only one additional card, or (ii) not double down on the player's bet and take two additional cards. Thereafter, the dealer deals either the single additional card or the two additional cards face up to the player, depending upon the player's decision. If the player's initial two-card hand does not have a point value of fourteen or fifteen, then the player is required to take two additional cards. These additional two cards are dealt face up. The player's hand may never contain more than four cards. The dealer continues to deal cards to himself until the point value of the dealer's hand is greater than or equal to twenty one. The player loses if the point value of his hand exceeds twenty- five. The player wins if the player's hand has a point value of twenty- five and the dealer's hand has a point value that does not equal twenty-five, or if the point value of the player's hand is less than twenty-five and the point value of the dealer's hand is greater than twenty-five. There are other scenarios in which the player can win and there are scenarios in which the dealer can win.

Description

METHOD FOR PLAYING A CARD GAME CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS:

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application no. 12/255,159, filed October 21, 2008, which claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application no. 60/981,533, filed October 22, 2007. The entire disclosures of U.S. application nos. 12/255,159 and 60/981 ,533 are hereby incorporated by reference. This application also claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application 61/318,507, filed March 29, 2010. The entire disclosure of U.S. application no. 61/318,507 is hereby incorporated by reference. TECHNICAL FIELD:

The present invention generally relates a method for playing a card game. BACKGROUND ART :

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 twenty-one. 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. 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. Patent 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. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION:

It is one object of the present invention to provide a card game that is similar to blackjack but which generates additional unpredictability, excitement, and revenue for both players and casinos.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent in view of the ensuing description. 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.

In accordance with one embodiment of the card game of the present invention, 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 a predetermined number, other than twenty-one, without going over that predetermined number. In accordance with the invention, the predetermined number is twenty-five (25). First Embodiment

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 decks 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. Each player places an Ante. The minimum and maximum amount of the Ante is determined by the house. The maximum number of cards a player can have is four cards. The dealer deals an initial hand of two cards face down to himself and to each player. The player then views his cards and then decides whether to stay or fold. If the player decides to stay, he must place a bet in order to receive additional cards. The player then shows his or her cards. Next, it is determined if the point value of the player's hand is fifteen. If the player's hand has a point value of fifteen, then the player is provided with an opportunity to double down on the player's bet and take only one additional card. The additional card is dealt face up. In this case, the player will complete the game with only three cards. If the player chooses not to double down on his bet, he must take two additional cards. These additional cards are dealt face up. If the player's hand does not have a point value of fifteen, then the player must take two additional cards. The dealer deals these two additional cards face up. If the player's hand has point value that exceeds twenty-five (25), the player "busts" and is out. The dealer is permitted to have more than four cards. The dealer must stand on twenty-one (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 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 winnings are determined by a predetermined pay-table set by the house. If 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 the same point value and this point value is less than or equal to 25. In one embodiment, in the event of a tie or push, the dealer returns the player's initial ante and subsequent bet. In an alternate embodiment, in the event of a tie or a push, the player loses his ante and subsequent bet. 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 predetermined pay-table or payout schedule set by the house (e.g. casino). Second Embodiment

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the method of playing a card game comprises the steps of providing a single deck of cards, wherein each playing card has a specific numeric value, placing an Ante by at least one player, and dealing an initial hand of two cards face down to a dealer and to each player. Next, the player views the initial hand of two cards in order to decide whether to stay or fold. The player loses his or her Ante if the player decides to fold. The player places a bet if the player decides to stay. In a preferred embodiment, the bet is greater than or equal to the Ante. The player then shows his or her cards. Next, it is determined if the point value of the player's initial two-card hand is fourteen or fifteen. If the player's hand has a point value of fourteen or fifteen, then the player is provided with an opportunity to double down on the player's bet and take only one additional card. The additional card is dealt face up. In this case, the player will complete the game with only three cards. If the player chooses not to double down on his bet, he must take two additional cards. These additional cards are dealt face up. If the player's initial two-card hand does not have a point value of fourteen or fifteen, then the player must take two additional cards. The dealer deals these two additional cards face up. The player's hand may never contain more than four cards. The dealer continues to deal cards to himself until the point value of the dealer's hand is greater than or equal to twenty one. Thus, the dealer must stand on twenty-one. Next, the point value of the player's hand is determined. The player loses if the point value of his hand exceeds twenty- five. The player is declared the winner if (i) the player's hand has a point value of twenty-five and the dealer's hand has a point value that does not equal twenty- five, or (ii) if the point value of the player's hand is less than twenty-five and the point value of the dealer's hand is greater than twenty-five, or (iii) if the point value of the dealer's hand is twenty-one and point value of the player's hand is greater than twenty-one and less than twenty-five, or (iv) if the point value of both the player's hand and the dealer's hand is twenty-five and the player's hand contains fewer cards then the dealer's hand, or (v) if the point value of both the player's hand and the dealer's hand is less than twenty-five but the point value of the player's hand is closer to twenty-five. The dealer is declared the winner if (i) the point value of both the dealer's hand and the player's hand is less than twenty-five but the point value of the dealer's hand is closer to twenty-five, or (ii) the dealer's hand has a point value of twenty- five and the player's hand has a point value that is less than or greater than twenty-five, or (iii) the point value of the player's hand is twenty- five and the point value of the dealer's hand is twenty-five and the dealer's hand contains fewer cards than the player's hand. A tie or push is declared if both the player's hand and dealer's hand have the same point value and this point value is less than or equal to twenty-five and both the player's hand and dealer's hand have the same number of cards.

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 gaming machines (e.g. such as electronic video gaming machines) which may be located in a casino or 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 can be implemented with lottery scratch-type tickets that are sold by many state governments. Third Embodiment

In a further embodiment, the present invention is directed to a method for playing a card game on an electronic gaming machine. The first step comprises providing an electronic gaming machine. The electronic machine comprises a display screen, an activation device for allowing a player to activate various actions during play of the card game, a wager input device for inputting a player's Ante or bet, and a computer for storing therein an electronic signal representation of each card of a standard deck of cards and for analyzing displayed hands of cards. Next, at least one deck of playing cards is displayed on the display screen. Each playing card has a specific numeric value. Next, the player inputs an Ante into wager input device. The method for playing a card game further comprises the steps of displaying on the display screen a deal of an initial hand of two cards face down to the dealer and to the player to form the dealer's initial hand and the player's initial hand, and displaying in the display screen the player's initial hand of two cards so as to allow the player to decide whether to stay or fold. The player forfeits his or her Ante if the player decides to fold. The player inputs a bet into the wager input device if the player decides to stay. Next, the display screen displays the player's cards. The computer then analyzes the player's hand to determine if the point value of the player's initial two-card hand is fourteen or fifteen. If the player's hand has a point value of fourteen or fifteen, then the player is provided with the opportunity to double down on the player's bet and take one additional card. The additional card is dealt face up to the player. The display screen displays the deal of this additional card to the player. The player may double down only if the point value of the player's hand is fourteen or fifteen. If the player chooses to double down, he will have only three cards for the remainder of the game. If the player chooses not to double down, then the player must take two additional cards. The display screen displays the deal of these additional two cards face up. If the point value of the player's initial two-card hand does not equal fourteen or fifteen, the player must take two additional cards. The display screen displays the deal of these two additional cards face up. All of the player's cards are now displayed on the display screen. The player's hand cannot have more than a total of four cards. The method of playing a card game further comprises the steps of displaying on the display screen cards being continually dealt to the dealer until the point value of the dealer's hand is equal to twenty-one or greater than twenty-one and analyzing the player's hand to determine the point value of the player's hand. The player loses if the point value of his or her hand exceeds twenty- five. The player is declared the winner if: (i) the player's hand has a point value of twenty- five and the dealer's hand has a point value that does not equal twenty-five, or (ii) if the point value of the player's hand is less than twenty- five and the point value of the dealer's hand is greater than twenty-five, or (iii) if the point value of the dealer's hand is twenty-one and the point value of the player's hand is greater than twenty-one and less than twenty- five, or (iv) if the point value of both the player's hand and the dealer's hand is twenty-five and the player's hand contains fewer cards than the dealer's hand, or (v) if the point value of both the player's hand and the dealer's hand is less than twenty-five but the point value of the player's hand is closer to twenty- five. Winnings are awarded to the player if the player is declared the winner. The dealer is declared the winner if: (i) the point value of both the dealer's hand and the player's hand is less than twenty- five but the point value of the dealer's hand is closer to twenty-five, or (ii) the dealer's hand has a point value of twenty-five and the player's hand has a point value that is less than or greater than twenty- five, or (iii) the point value of the player's hand is twenty-five and the point value of the dealer's hand is twenty-five and the dealer's hand contains fewer cards than the player's hand. A tie or push is declared if both the player's hand and dealer's hand have the same point value and this point value is less than or equal to twenty-five, and both the player's hand and dealer's hand have the same number of cards. In one embodiment, the activation device, which allows the player to activate various actions, comprises a button panel that has buttons that the player may press. In another embodiment, the activation device comprises a touch screen. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:

Although the scope of the present invention is much broader than any particular embodiment, a detailed description of the preferred embodiments follows together with illustrative figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like components, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a gaming table of the type that may be used to facilitate a live embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagram of an electronic gaming machine on which the card game of the present invention may be played; and

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the interconnection of the main components of the electronic gaming machine of FIG. 2. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION:

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. In the live embodiment of the card game of the present invention, a gaming table is used by a dealer and at least one player. The players sit at or stand adjacent to a respective portion of a gaming or card table designated as a player station. The dealer usually represents the house or the casino in the play of the game and stands or sits adjacent to a dealer station. Referring to FIG. 1 , there is shown one embodiment of a gaming table suitable for playing the card game of the present invention. Table 10 has dealer station 1 1, a plurality of card receiving areas 12 for the players and the dealer, and "Ante" areas 14 for each player to place his Ante. Table 10 includes "bet" areas 16 for the players to place bets that are subsequent to the Ante. Table 10 also includes extra or spare wagering areas 18. In one embodiment, a payout schedule (or pay-table) corresponding to the card game of the present invention is printed on gaming table 10.

In the live embodiment of the card game of the present invention, all of the sets (i.e. decks) 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 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 term "Ante" means the initial amount of money put up the player in order to receive an initial hand of two cards. The terms "wager" and "bet" have the same meaning and refer to additional amounts of money put up by the player subsequent to the initial Ante.

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. Patent No. 6,572,107 shows a typical structure of such lottery scratch-type tickets. The entire disclosure of U.S. Patent No. 6,572,107 is hereby incorporated by reference.

Thus, the terms "cards", "playing cards" or "hand" are defined herein to include:

a) physical playing cards,

b) computer-generated images of playing cards on an electronic gaming machine, c) graphically generated images of playing cards on an electronic gaming machine, and d) images of playing cards formed on lottery scratch-type tickets.

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 may have a numeric value of either one or eleven.

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 (or total point value) of thirty -two. In another example, a hand consisting of "2, 6, 7, 10" shall have a point value (or total point value) of twenty-five (25).

In accordance with the invention, a player wins when the player obtains a hand of cards having a total point value that is close as possible to a predetermined number, other than twenty - one, without going over that predetermined number. In accordance with the invention, the predetermined number is twenty- five (25). First Embodiment

In accordance with this embodiment of the invention, the first step of the game is to provide a plurality of decks of cards. Next, the player, or each player, places his Ante. The minimum and maximum amount of the Ante is determined by the house. Next, the dealer deals an initial two- card hand. Preferably, the dealer deals the 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 cards and then decides whether to stay or fold. If the player decides to stay, he must place a bet to receive additional cards. Next, it is determined if the point value of the player's initial two-card hand is fifteen. If the player's hand has a point value of fifteen, then the player is provided with an opportunity to double down on the player's bet and take only one additional card. The additional card is dealt face up. In this case, the player will complete the game with only three cards. If the player chooses not to double down on his bet, he must take two additional cards. These additional cards are dealt face up. If the player's initial two-card hand does not have a point value of fifteen, then the player must take two additional cards in order to achieve a four-card hand. The dealer deals these two additional cards face up. The player now reveals all of his cards. 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 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. If the dealer's hand has a point value of 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. If both the player's hand and the dealer's hand have a point value that is equal to 25 and the player's hand has fewer cards than the dealer's hand, then the player wins. If both the player's hand and the dealer's hand have a point value that is equal to 25 and the dealer's hand has fewer cards than the player's hand, then the dealer wins. 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. A tie or push occurs when the player's hand and dealer's hand 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, in the event of a tie or a push, the dealer returns the player's initial Ante and subsequent bet to the player. In an alternate embodiment, in the event of a tie or a push, the player loses his Ante and subsequent bet. Any time the player wins, his winnings are determined by the amount of the Ante, the amount of the second bet, whether the player chose to double-down on his bet and the predetermined pay-schedule (or pay-table) set by the house or casino.

The following examples illustrate the scenarios described above. In these examples, "J" represents a Jack, "Q" represents a Queen and "K" represents King. The suite of each card is not shown since it is the numeric value of the card that is of interest. An ACE may have a numeric value of either one or eleven. EXAMPLE 1 Dealer's Hand: Four Cards (4, 8, 8, ACE) Point Value: 21 Player: Four Cards (3,5,7,7) Point Value: 22 Winner: Player EXAMPLE 2 Dealer's Hand: Five (2,4,4,7,8) Point Value: 25 Player: Four Cards (3,4,7,9) Point Value: 23 Winner: Dealer EXAMPLE 3 Dealer's Hand: Four Cards (3,6,7,8) Point Value: 24 Player: Four Cards (2, 4, 9, J) Point Value: 25 Winner: Player EXAMPLE 4 Dealer's Hand: Three Cards (7, 7, ACE) Point Value: 25 Player: Four Cards (2, 4, 9, J) Point Value: 25 Winner: Dealer EXAMPLE 5 Dealer's Hand: Three Cards (6, 7, 8) Point Value: 21 Player: Four Cards (2, 4, J, Q) Point Value: 26 Winner: Dealer

EXAMPLE 6 Dealer's Hand: Four Cards (2, 6, 7, 8) Point Value: 23 Player: Four Cards (2, 4, 7, 8) Point Value: 21 Winner: Dealer EXAMPLE 7 Dealer's Hand: Four Cards (3, 4, 6, K) Point Value: 23 Player: Four Cards (2, 2, 9, Q) Point Value: 23 Winner: Tie or Push

EXAMPLE 8 Dealer's Hand: Four Cards (3, 5, 7, K) Point Value: 25 Player: Four Cards (2, 6, 8, 9) Point Value: 25 Winner: Tie or Push EXAMPLE 9 Dealer's Hand: Three Cards (10, 10, K) Point Value: 30

Player: Four Cards (2, 6, 7, 8) Point Value: 23

Winner: Player EXAMPLE 10 Dealer's Hand: Three Cards (10, 10, K) Point Value: 30

Player: Four Cards (2, 8, 9, 10) Point Value: 29

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 that may be located in a casino or 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 can be implemented with lottery scratch-type tickets that are sold by many state governments.

Although in the foregoing description, the predetermined number is 25, it is to be understood that the predetermined number can be another number, other than 21 or 25. 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 hand or dealer's hand. Second Embodiment

In a second embodiment, the present invention is directed to a card game which uses one deck of cards and is played with up to four players plus the dealer. The deck of cards may be contained within a shoe or automatic card shuffler. As with the previous embodiment, the players sit at or stand adjacent to a respective portion of a gaming or card table designated as a player station. As described in the foregoing description, the gaming or card table comprises a table layout having a dealer location with a card area associated therewith and at least one player location with a card area, first betting area and second betting area associated therewith. Gaming table 10 may be used to play the card game of this second embodiment of the invention. The 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 may have a numeric value of either one or eleven. The first step of the card game is to provide a single deck of cards. The method of playing cards further includes the steps of placing an Ante by at least one player, and dealing an initial hand of two cards face down to a dealer and the player. The player views the initial hand of two cards in order to decide whether to stay or fold. The player loses his Ante if the player decides to fold. The player places a bet if he decides to stay. The bet is greater than or equal to the Ante. The player then shows his cards. The next step is to determine if the point value of the player's initial two-card hand is fourteen or fifteen. If the player's initial two- card hand has a point value of fourteen or fifteen, then the player is provided with the option of either (i) doubling down on the player's bet and taking only one additional card, or (ii) not doubling down on the player's bet and taking two additional cards. The additional card or cards are dealt face up to the player. If the player chooses to double-down, he will continue the game to the end with three cards. If the player's initial two-card hand does not have a point value of fourteen or fifteen, then the player must take two additional cards. These two additional cards are dealt face up to the player. The player's hand may never contain more than 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. The dealer continues to deal cards to himself until the point value of the dealer's hand is greater than or equal to twenty one. The next step is determining the point value of the player's hand. The player loses if the point value of his hand exceeds twenty-five. The player is declared the winner if: (i) the player's hand has a point value of twenty-five and the dealer's hand has a point value that does not equal twenty-five, or (ii) if the point value of the player's hand is less than twenty-five and the point value of the dealer's hand is greater than twenty-five, or (iii) if the point value of the dealer's hand is twenty-one and the point value of the player's hand is greater than twenty-one and less than twenty- five, or (iv) if the point value of both the player's hand and the dealer's hand is twenty-five and the player's hand contains fewer cards then the dealer's hand, or (v) if the point value of both the player's hand and the dealer's hand is less than twenty-five but the point value of the player's hand is closer to twenty- five. Any time the player wins, his winnings are determined by the amount of the Ante, the amount of the second bet, whether the player chose to double-down on his bet and the predetermined pay-schedule (or pay-table) set by the house. The dealer is declared the winner if the point value of both the dealer's hand and the player's hand is less than twenty-five but the point value of the dealer's hand is closer to twenty- five. The dealer is also declared the winner if the dealer's hand has a point value of twenty-five and the player's hand has a point value that is less than or greater than twenty-five. The dealer is declared the winner if the point value of the player's hand is twenty-five and the point value of the dealer's hand is twenty-five and the dealer's hand contains fewer cards than the player's hand. A tie or push is declared if both the player's hand and dealer's hand have the same point value and this point value is less than or equal to twenty-five and both the player's hand and dealer's hand have the same number of cards.

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 (e.g. gaming table 10), (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. Patent Nos. 5,823,873, 6,478,675, 6,517,074 and 7,694,970, the disclosures of which patents are hereby incorporated by reference . Third Embodiment

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, there is shown a diagram of an electronic gaming machine on which the card game of the present invention may be played. Electronic gaming machine 100 comprises console 102 which has an upper section 104, middle section 105 and lower section 106. Electronic gaming machine 100 further comprises display screen 108, computer 1 10 and activation panel 112. Computer 110 is in electronic data signal communication with display screen 108 and activation panel 112. Display screen 108 may be configured as a video screen display or an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). Display screen 108 is mounted on upper section 104 of console 102. Display screen 108 displays the playing cards that will be used during the play of the card game. Thus, display screen 108 displays the player's hand of cards 200 and also displays the dealer's hand of cards 202. Display screen 108 also displays other information and data to the player to allow the player to understand the play of the game and the progress of the game. In a preferred embodiment, display screen 108 displays credit meter 1 14. Display screen 108 displays the amount of the Ante, and the amount of the second bet and whether the player has doubled down on his bet. Display screenl08 includes touch screen locations to allow the player to show his cards and request a single additional card or two additional cards. Display screen 108 also displays information related to the winner of the game (e.g. dealer or player) and the amount of any winnings to be awarded to the player. Display screen 108 also includes touch screen locations to allow the player to stay or fold, and to select the value of an ACE if the player should receive an ACE. The player may select a value of one or eleven for the ACE. In one embodiment, activation panel 112 comprises a button panel which includes typical buttons that the player may press to activate various actions during play of the card game. A "CASH OUT" button 120 is provided to allow the player to collect any credits that the player has accrued on credit meter 1 14. An "ANTE" button 122 allows the player to place the initial Ante and start the game. "BET ONE" button 124 and "BET MAX" button 126 pertain to the bets made after the ANTE and are provided to allow the player to bet either the minimum of one credit or bet the maximum amount of credits. Activation panel 112 includes "STAY" button 128 and "FOLD" button 130. Activation panel 1 12 also includes "DOUBLE-DOWN" button 132 which allows the player to double-down on his bet.

Activation panel 1 12 also includes a "NO DOUBLE-DOWN" button 134 which allows a player to choose not to double down on his bet. The player may optionally use buttons 120, 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, 132 and 134 instead of the touch screen locations on display screen 108. In an alternate embodiment, activation panel 1 12 is configured as a touch screen. Electronic gaming machine 100 further comprises wager input device 140 that comprises two portions. The first portion is coin slot 142 which allows the player to insert coins or tokens. The second portion of wager input device 140 is device 144 which is configured to accept bills, vouchers, coupons, or other suitable script. Wager input device 140 includes electronic circuitry, well known in the art, which generates electronic data signals representing the amount and type of wager. These electronic data signals are inputted into computer 110. Computer 1 10 comprises a processor 150 and sufficient memory such as read-only-memory (ROM) and random access memory (RAM). Electronic data representing each card in a deck of playing cards is stored in the memory of computer 1 10.

Computer 1 10 also comprises other electronic circuits such as cache memory, signal processing circuits and driver circuitry which are known in the art. Computer 110 is programmable and can be programmed with a predetermined pay-out table or pay schedule. Computer 1 10 implements many functions such as randomly shuffling a deck (or decks) of cards and analyzing the hands of cards held by the dealer and the player, and determining or calculating the point value of the hand of cards held by the dealer or player. Thus, computer 110 is also programmed with the rules of the card game.

As with the previous embodiments, the 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 may have a numeric value of either one or eleven. The player's hand may never contain more than four cards. The dealer's hand may have more than four cards. Thus, the method of playing a card game in accordance with this embodiment comprises the following steps: a) providing electronic gaming machine 100;

b) displaying a deck of playing cards on display screen 108;

c) the player using wager input device 140 to place an initial Ante;

d) displaying on display screen 108 a deal of an initial hand of two cards face down to the dealer and to the player to form the dealer's initial hand and the player's initial hand; e) displaying on display screen 108 the player's initial hand of two cards so as to allow the player to decide whether to stay or fold;

f) the player using activation panel 1 12 to stay or fold, wherein the player forfeits his Ante if the player decides to fold;

g) if the player decides to stay, then the player using wager input device 140 to input a bet; h) using computer 1 10 to analyze the player's hand to determine if the point value of the player's initial two-card hand is fourteen or fifteen;

i) if the player's initial two-card hand has a point value of fourteen or fifteen, then

providing the player with an option to either (i) double down on the player's bet and take only one additional card, or (ii) not double down on the player's bet and take two additional cards, wherein all additional cards are dealt face up to the player;

j) displaying on the display screen 108 the additional card or cards dealt to the player; k) if the player's hand does not have a point value of fourteen or fifteen, then the player is required to take two additional cards, wherein the additional cards are dealt face up and are displayed on display screen 108;

1) displaying, on display screen 108, cards being continually dealt to the dealer until the point value of the dealer's hand is equal to twenty one or greater than 21 ; m) using computer 1 10 to analyze the player's hand to determine the point value of the player's hand, wherein the player loses if the point value of his hand exceeds twenty- five;

n) declaring the player the winner if: (i) the player's hand has a point value of twenty-five and the dealer's hand has a point value that does not equal twenty-five, or (ii) if the point value of the player's hand is less than twenty- five and the point value of the dealer's hand is greater than twenty-five, or (iii) if the point value of the dealer's hand is twenty-one and the point value of the player's hand is greater than twenty-one and less than twenty-five, or (iv) if the point value of both the player's hand and the dealer's hand is twenty-five and the player's hand contains fewer cards than the dealer's hand, or (v) if the point value of both the player's hand and the dealer's hand is less than twenty- five but the point value of the player's hand is closer to twenty-five;

o) awarding winnings to the player if the player is declared the winner and displaying on display screen 108 the amount of the winnings;

p) declaring the dealer the winner if: (i) the point value of both the dealer's hand and the player's hand is less than twenty-five but the point value of the dealer's hand is closer to twenty- five, or (ii) the dealer's hand has a point value of twenty-five and the player's hand has a point value that is less than or greater than twenty- five, or (iii) the point value of the player's hand is twenty-five and the point value of the dealer's hand is twenty-five and the dealer's hand contains fewer cards than the player's hand; and q) declaring a tie or push if both the player's hand and dealer's hand have the same point value and this point value is less than or equal to twenty-five, and both the player's hand and dealer's hand have the same number of cards. As with the other embodiments, if the point value of the player's hand is either fourteen or fifteen and the player chooses to double-down, he receives only one additional card and will continue the game with only three cards. This means he will never have more than three cards.

Any time the player wins, his winnings are determined by the amount of the Ante, the amount of the second bet, whether the player chose to double-down on his bet and the

predetermined pay-schedule set by the house.

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 March 2, 2006, now U.S. Patent No. 7,429,044. The disclosure of U.S. Patent No. 7,429,044 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.

Claims

CLAIMS: WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A method of playing a card game on top of a table layout having a dealer location with a card area associated therewith and at least one player location with a first betting area, a second betting area and a card area associated therewith, said method comprising the steps of: providing a deck of cards, wherein each playing card has a specific numeric value; placing an ante in the first betting area by at least one player; dealing an initial hand of two cards face down to a dealer and to the player on top of the corresponding card areas; viewing the initial hand of two cards by the player in order to decide whether to stay or fold, wherein the player forfeits his ante if the player decides to fold; placing a bet on the second betting area by the player if the player decides to stay; the player showing his or her cards; determining if the point value of the player's initial two-card hand is fourteen or fifteen; if the player's initial two-card hand has a point value of fourteen or fifteen, then providing the player with an option to either (i) double down on the player's bet and take only one additional card, or (ii) not double down on the player's bet and take two additional cards; thereafter, dealing either the single additional card or the two additional cards face up to the player, depending upon the player's decision; if the player's initial two-card hand does not have a point value of fourteen or fifteen, then requiring the player to take two additional cards and dealing the two additional cards to the player face up; the dealer continuing to deal cards to himself on top of the dealer card area until the point value of the dealer's hand is equal to twenty one or greater than 21; determining the point value of the player's hand, wherein the player loses if the point value of the player's hand exceeds twenty-five; declaring the player the winner if (i) the player's hand has a point value of twenty-five and the dealer's hand has a point value that does not equal twenty-five, or (ii) if the point value of the player's hand is less than twenty-five and the point value of the dealer's hand is greater than twenty-five, or (iii) if the point value of the dealer's hand is twenty-one and point value of the player's hand is greater than twenty-one and less than twenty-five, or (iv) if the point value of both the player's hand and the dealer's hand is twenty-five and the player's hand contains fewer cards then the dealer's hand, or (v) if the point value of both the player's hand and the dealer's hand is less than twenty-five but the point value of the player's hand is closer to twenty-five; and awarding winnings to the player if the player is declared the winner.

2. The method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of declaring the dealer the winner if (i) the point value of both the dealer's hand and the player's hand is less than twenty-five but the point value of the dealer's hand is closer to twenty-five, or (ii) the dealer's hand has a point value of twenty-five and the player's hand has a point value that is less than or greater than twenty- five, or (iii) the point value of the player's hand is twenty-five and the point value of the dealer's hand is twenty-five and the dealer's hand contains fewer cards than the player's hand.

3. The method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of declaring a tie or push if both the player's hand and dealer's hand have the same point value and this point value is less than or equal to twenty-five, and both the player's hand and dealer's hand have the same number of cards.

4. A method of playing a card game on an electronic gaming machine comprising the steps of: providing an electronic gaming machine comprising a display screen, activation panel, wager input device and a computer, wherein the computer is in electronic signal communication with the display screen, activation panel and wager input device, the computer comprising a processor programmed to execute steps of the card game and analyze the hands of cards to determine the point value of the hands of cards; displaying a pre-shuffled deck of cards on the display screen, wherein each playing card has a specific numeric value; the player using the wager input device to place an initial ante; displaying on the display screen a deal of an initial hand of two cards face down to the dealer and to the player to form a dealer's initial hand and a player's initial hand; displaying on the display screen the player's initial hand of two cards so as to allow the player to decide whether to stay or fold; the player using the activation panel to stay or fold, wherein the player forfeits his ante if the player decides to fold; the player using the wager input device to place a bet if the player decides to stay; using the computer to analyze the player's hand to determine if the point value of the

player's hand is fourteen or fifteen; if the player's initial two-card hand has a point value of fourteen or fifteen, then providing the player with an option to either (i) double down on the player's bet and take only one additional card, or (ii) not double down on the player's bet and take two additional cards; thereafter, displaying on the display screen a deal of either the single additional card face up or the two additional cards face up to the player, depending upon the player's decision; if the player's initial two-card hand does not have a point value of fourteen or fifteen, then requiring the player to take two additional cards and displaying on the display screen a deal of the two additional cards face up to the player, wherein the player cannot have more than a total of four cards in his hand; displaying, on the display screen, cards being continually dealt to the dealer until the point value of the dealer's hand is greater than or equal to twenty one; using the computer to analyze the player's hand to determine the point value of the player's hand, wherein the player loses if the point value of his or her hand exceeds twenty- five; declaring the player the winner if: (i) the player's hand has a point value of twenty- five and the dealer's hand has a point value that does not equal twenty-five, or (ii) if the point value of the player's hand is less than twenty-five and the point value of the dealer's hand is greater than twenty-five, or (iii) if the point value of the dealer's hand is twenty-one and the point value of the player's hand is greater than twenty-one and less than twenty-five, or (iv) if the point value of both the player's hand and the dealer's hand is twenty-five and the player's hand contains fewer cards than the dealer's hand, or (v) if the point value of both the player's hand and the dealer's hand is less than twenty-five but the point value of the player's hand is closer to twenty-five; and awarding winnings to the player if the player is declared the winner.

5. The method of playing a card game according to claim 4 further comprising the step of displaying on display screen the amount of the winnings awarded to the player if the player is declared to the winner.

6. The method of playing a card game according to claim 4 further comprising the step of declaring the dealer the winner if: (i) the point value of both the dealer's hand and the player's hand is less than twenty- five but the point value of the dealer's hand is closer to twenty- five, or (ii) the dealer's hand has a point value of twenty-five and the player's hand has a point value that is less than or greater than twenty-five, or (iii) the point value of the player's hand is twenty-five and the point value of the dealer's hand is twenty-five and the dealer's hand contains fewer cards than the player's hand.

7. The method of playing a card game according to claim 4 further comprising the step of declaring a tie or push if both the player's hand and dealer's hand have the same point value and this point value is less than or equal to twenty-five, and both the player's hand and dealer's hand have the same number of cards.