[IJ BLACKJACK AND POKER GAME COMBINATION

[2] Cross References to Related Applications

[3] None '

[4] Field of Invention

[5] The present invention relates to methods of playing games of chance, particularly games of Blackjack and Poker.

[6] Background

[7] Conventional betting games, such as slot machines, video poker games, and various table games, such as roulette, blackjack, poker, and craps, are the main attractions of casinos and gambling places like Las Vegas, as they have been for many years. Many casino patrons enjoy playing these conventional betting games for many reasons, including the patrons may have developed what they believe to be winning techniques or strategies; they may have become accustomed to the frequency and size of the awards; or, they may have become very well accustomed with the rules. Some of these casino patrons desire some change in these games to

add flavor and excitement to these old games and to add new challenges to their gaming experiences. The applicant has discovered ways to modify existing blackjack and poker games in a manner that the applicant believes preserves the attractiveness and familiarity of players with

conventional blackjack and poker games while at the same time providing the flavor, excitement,

and challenge that casino patrons seek.

[8] Several patents and patent applications disclose modifications to the conventional games of

blackjack and poker. For instance, U.S. Patent Application Publication number US

2004/0000758 of Yurkins appear to disclose a game that combines blackjack and poker. The Yurkins patent application involves the players being invited to play either blackjack, poker, or both games, and the players who have opted to play poker are given a total of five cards.

[9] At least one problem with the game disclosed in Yurkins is that it requires the dealer to use substantially more cards than the conventional blackjack game. In the game of blackjack, players often seek high cards, such as kings, jacks, queens, tens, and aces, for their two initial cards to maximize their chances of having two initial cards with the highest possible predetermined value, or to minimize the chances of having to "hit" or obtain an additional card and "busting" or exceeding twenty one. Some players may feel that high cards are being used up quickly in the game of Yurkins, which makes the game of blackjack more favorable to the house. A modified blackjack and poker game that uses fewer cards than the card consumption in Yurkins is desired. [10] Another problem with the game of Yurkins is that it utilizes five cards to play poker. Blackjack players who are not familiar with conventional five card poker combinations, such as straight, flush, royal flush, and full house, may feel disinterested in learning a game that is substantially different from blackjack. A blackjack/poker game combination that does not require players to be able to form or evaluate conventional five card poker combinations, such as

straights, flushes, full house, or variations thereof, is desired.

[11] Yet another problem with the game disclosed by Yurkins is that dealers have to evaluate substantially more winning combinations than the winning combinations involved in

conventional blackjack. Thus, Yurkins's game appears to require that the dealers be trained in evaluating both blackjack and five card poker combinations. This poses additional operating cost

or overhead expenses to casino operators. Yurkins's game may also require casino operators or

dealers to take extra time during each game to evaluate the outcomes of blackjack plus the five card poker. A modified blackjack and poker game that allows dealers to move quickly from one

game to another is desired.

[12] Another blackjack/poker combination is disclosed in U.S. patent numbers' 6,854,733, 6,012,719, and 6,523,831, which are all issued to Webb. Webb discloses a three card poker and blackjack combination wherein the poker hand consists of two cards that the player obtains from playing blackjack and the card of the dealer that is shown to the player. Webb provides certain definitions of winning three card hands and losing three card hands. Like the problem with the game of Yurkins, the dealers executing the games of Webb may have to be trained with the definitions of winning three card hands and losing three card hands. The dealers may have to take extra time during each game to evaluate the outcomes of blackjack and the three card poker. [13] From the players' perspective, players may have to get acquainted with these definitions as well. Some players may find the definitions of winning three card hands and losing three card hands overwhelming, and they may be hesitant to learn them. A blackjack/ poker game combination that allows both players and dealers to quickly learn and understand the game is desired. Finally, a blackjack/poker game combination that does not substantially have the disadvantages of the references cited above is desired.

[14] Brief Description of the Preferred Embodiments of the Present Invention [15] A gaming method is disclosed and 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. [16] The above description sets forth, rather broadly, a summary of embodiments of the present invention so that the detailed description that follows may be better understood and contributions of the present invention to the art maybe better appreciated. Some of the embodiments of the present invention may not include all of the features or characteristics listed in the above summary. There may be, of course, other features of the invention that will be described below

and may form the subject matter of claims. In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of the construction and to the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or as illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and

should not be regarded as limiting.

[17] Brief Description of the Drawings

[18] Figure 1 is substantially a flowchart of one embodiment of the blackjack/poker game combination of the present invention.

[19] Figure 2 is substantially a top plan view of a betting layout that may be used to implement a combination blackjack/poker game embodiment.

[20] Description of the Preferred Embodiments

[21] In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, reference is made to the

accompanying drawings, which form a part of this application. The drawings show, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made Without departing from the scope of the present invention. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

[22] The order in which the steps are presented below is not limited to any particular order and does not necessarily imply that they have to be performed in the order presented. It will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the order of these steps can be rearranged and performed in any suitable manner. It will further be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that some steps maybe omitted or added and still fall within the spirit of the invention.

[23] The present invention comprises various embodiments of a method of playing a blackjack and poker game combination. Referring to figure 1, one embodiment is shown wherein at step

21 a dealer preferably shuffles a plurality of cards. The players may then place their bets for a game of blackjack (step 22). At step 24, the players are preferably invited to play a game of poker. If at least one player wants to play poker, at step 26, the player is preferably required to place an ante.

[24] Regardless of whether any player wants to play poker, the dealer preferably deals two cards to each player and two cards to the dealer. In the preferred embodiment, one of the dealer's cards

preferably shows a gaming symbol, such as numbers, suit, or rank, to the players and the dealer (step 28) (hereinafter "face" card). It can be realized that the face card gives some indication to

the players of how they will perform against the dealer in both blackjack and poker games. Thus, based on the face card, the players may decide whether to continue playing the poker game at

step 30.

[25] For the players that placed an ante for poker, these players preferably have to decide whether to continue playing poker (step 30). If the player decides not to continue playing poker, the ante from step 26 is preferably surrendered to the dealer (step 32). If the player decides to continue playing poker, at step 36, the player is preferably required to place a poker bet, which is preferably twice that of the ante from step 26. Of course, the proportion between the ante and the poker bet may be modified and still fall within the scope of the invention.

[26] After the player places the poker bet or if the player decided not to play poker, the blackjack game is preferably played. In blackjack, each player preferably competes against the dealer to have a set of cards that has a combined value that is closest to twenty one. The set of cards that is closest to twenty one between one player and the dealer is preferably awarded even money. The combination of either a king, queen, jack, or ten and an ace is preferably awarded 3 to 2. Kings, queens, and jacks preferably have a numerical value often. Aces may count either as one

or eleven.

[27] The blackjack game is preferably played starting at step 42 wherein the player is asked whether the player wants to split his cards. If the player wants to split his cards, the dealer preferably hands the player one card for each hand created from the split (step 44). hi the

preferred embodiment, the player may only be allowed to split his cards once. Of course, this rule may be modified and each player may be allowed to split his hands as many times as the

player wishes. Next, at step 46, the player may decide whether to double down. If the player

decides to double down, the player preferably places his double down bet. One card may then be

provided to the player (step 52).

[28] The dealer and the players may be prompted to "hit" or obtain more cards to get closer to twenty one (step 50). In the preferred embodiment, the player who has doubled down is preferably prevented from obtaining more than one card after the double down bet was placed. If a player or a dealer hits, one card is preferably provided to that person (step 52). The dealer preferably may not be allowed to "hit" or has to "stand" when he has a two-card value amounting 17 and the two card value includes a ten, a queen, a jack, or a king. The dealer preferably has to "hit" or obtain at least one more card when the dealer's two-card value is 17 and the dealer's set of cards includes an ace (commonly referred to as a "soft 17"). It is noted that this rule may be preferred when the house wants to take the opportunity to improve the dealer's poker hand by virtue of the extra card that the dealer will obtain fro'm the required "hit."

[29] The player may hit as many times as he wants to get closer to twenty one. However, the player preferably cannot hit anymore once the dealer hits or once the player's turn to hit has passed. If the player stands or busts, the dealer is preferably asked whether to hit or stand (step 50). It is noted that the above rules regarding the ability of the player or the dealer to "hit" are mainly for describing one embodiment of how the invention may be practiced. Other embodiments of playing the blackjack and poker game combination of the present invention may be executed, which may include slight modifications of the above rules. For instance, when the house wants to increase the player's chance for winning the poker game, the above rule may be

modified such that the dealers may be required to stand on all 17s even if the dealer's 17 is a soft 17. By virtue of this modification, the dealer waives the opportunity to obtain an additional card

that may improve his poker hand. These other embodiments still fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.

[30] Once the dealer is finished hitting by deciding to stand or by busting, the blackjack outcome is preferably determined by comparing the values of the player and the dealer's hand (step 56). The hand that has a value that is closest to twenty one wins. The dealer and the players may

"bust" if they exceed twenty one. If a player's blackjack hand busts, the hand loses and the blackjack bet may be collected. Otherwise, the player may be awarded depending on how close the sum of his cards is to twenty one compared to the dealer's cards (step 54).

[31] Next, if no player has placed an ante and a poker bet, the game preferably ends (step 58). It is noted that even if the player or the dealer's blackjack hand busts, the player may continue to

play poker if he has placed an ante and a poker bet. If the dealer's blackjack hand busts, but the dealer has a card that is at least as high as the qualifying card, the dealer may also continue to play poker. As used herein, the term "qualifying card" means a card of a particular number, suit, or rank that sets the minimum card value for the dealer to possess in order to participate in the poker game, hi the preferred embodiment, the qualifying card is a queen regardless of suit. Thus, the dealer must have a queen or higher to continue playing poker, hi other embodiments, the qualifying card may be the card that is determined from statistical studies to provide the optimal advantage to the house. If at least one player has placed an ante and a poker bet, at step 38, the dealer preferably determines whether he has a card that has at least the value of a qualifying card (step 38).

[32] If the dealer does not have at least the value of the qualifying card, the dealer preferably

pays the player an amount equivalent to the player's ante (step 40). All the players who have indicated an intention to play poker wins an amount preferably equivalent to the ante, and the poker game preferably terminates. If the dealer has a qualifying card or better, the game of poker is preferably played by selecting preferably the two best cards of each player and the dealer (step

Traditional blackjack procedures, such as allowing players to buy insurance, preferably apply to

the blackjack game of the present invention.

[35] With reference now to figure 2, betting layout 80 may be used to implement the

embodiments of the present invention. Betting layout 80 preferably includes a plurality of

phrases 82, 84, and 86 that recite some of the rules and some of the awards of the game. For instance, betting layout 80 preferably includes phrase 84, which states "dealer must hit on soft 17." Phrase 82 preferably states "blackjack pays 3 to 2," and phrase 86 preferably states "insurance pays 2 to 1." Of course, the language, positions, and numbers of phrases 82, 84, and 86 may be varied. For instance, if the desired rale is that the dealers must stand on all 17s, phrase 84 may be modified to state "dealer must stand on all 17s."

^■ [36] Betting layout 80 preferably includes a plurality of sets of player betting spots 88a-g. The number of sets of player betting spots maybe varied. Ideally, seven sets of player betting spots are provided to accommodate up to seven players. Each set of player betting spot preferably includes a blackjack bet position 90, a poker ante position 92, and a poker bet position 94. Blackjack bet position 90 is preferably the position where players place their blackjack bets from step 22. Poker ante position 90 is preferably the position where players place their antes from step 26. Poker bet position 94 is preferably the position where players place their poker bets

from step 36. The designs or shapes of bet positions 90, 92, and 94 may be varied. The betting layout 80 may be published on a gaming table, a video screen, or other means of conveying a message to a player.

[37] It can now be realized that the blackjack game of the present invention closely follows the

conventional blackjack. Therefore, it can be appreciated that players used to playing traditional

blackjack will most likely be attracted to the methods of the present invention, as most of the

steps involved in playing traditional blackjack are preserved. These players may also realize that

the invention presents them with an opportunity to play a second game along with blackjack. The second game may provide them with a means of breaking the monotony inherent in traditional blackjack games. The second game may also provide them with more opportunities to win money. The present invention opens up various winning strategies for players to win either blackjack, poker, or both and encourages the players to use their creativity and imagination.

[38] They are further provided with new challenges that may be easy to understand and meet. These new challenges may not make conventional blackjack fans feel uncomfortable because of unfamiliarity of the rules or unfamiliarity of the ways to win. The traditional blackjack players may realize that the poker component of the present invention may not use any cards that are substantially more than what is needed to play the blackjack component. Players and dealers alike will find that the present invention is easy to understand and play. [39] From the casino operators' perspective, it can further be appreciated that certain embodiments of the present invention provides more opportunities to encourage wagers from players while at the same time maintains a desirable speed of play. The poker game component of the present invention does not utilize winning combinations associated with the use of traditional five card poker, such as flushes, straights, and full house. The present invention does not utilize complex modifications to traditional five card poker combinations, such as those presented in the Webb patents. Thus, the game outcomes of the present invention are easy and quick to evaluate. Finally, many casino operators may find the difference between number of

games that can be played with the present invention per unit of time versus the number of games

per unit of time with conventional poker or conventional blackjack alone minimal and

acceptable.

[40] Although the description above contains many specifications, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the

presently preferred embodiments of this invention. For example, the rules pertaining to the number of decks of cards to be used, the required amount of ante and poker bet, and the dealer standing on all 17s maybe varied depending on the gaming preference of a casino operator.

[41] The methods of the present invention need not be implemented using traditional cards made out of paper stock. The methods maybe implemented on slot machine bonus games, video games, handheld electronic or electromechanical devices, and computers that may generate

images of traditional cards. As used herein, the term "card representations" may be used to refer to real images or artificially generated images of a card having at least a gaming symbol utilized .for playing a game of chance.

[42] Some steps may be added or omitted. For instance, bonus features and progressive games may be added to the blackjack/poker combination of the present invention. A bonus feature of rewarding the player if the player possesses a pair of the same suit or rank maybe included. The reward may be in a form where the player's poker bet is multiplied, or the reward may be in a form of a progressive prize. The number of players that can be accommodated in a single game may be varied. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. The invention is not limited in its application to the details of the construction and to the arrangement of the components set forth in the above description or as illustrated in the drawings.