IMPROVED CARD GAME

Related Application

This application is a continuation in part application of Application Serial No. 11/868875 filed October 8, 2007, by the same named inventor and incorporated by reference herein.

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an improved card game having aspects of the games of baccarat and blackjack.

Background of the Invention

The rules of the game of baccarat, also known as punto banco, are well-known. Two hands are dealt - a "dealer" hand and a "player" hand. Each hand initially receives two cards, and the goal is to achieve the highest point total when adding the value of the cards making up the hand. A series of rules govern whether the player hand or the dealer hand is dealt a third card.

Special rules apply to the determining of card values for adding purposes. 10's and face cards have no value, Aces have a value of one, and the remaining cards have their face value. If the added value of the cards is greater than 10 (e.g., two sevens have an added value of 14), the first digit is ignored and only the second one is considered in determining value (e.g., the baccarat value of two sevens is "4" and not "14"). As a result of these adding rules, the highest baccarat hand achievable is nine.

Blackjack is also a popular card game, especially when played in a casino setting. In the game of blackjack (also known as "21"), one or more players play against a dealer. The object

of the game is to beat the dealer's hand by either receiving a cumulative point card total greater than the dealer's, although not greater than 21, or by receiving a cumulative point card total of 21 or less while the dealer receives a cumulative point card total of greater than 21. Therefore, if neither the blackjack player nor the blackjack dealer receives a cumulative point card total of greater than 21, then whichever hand has the higher cumulative point card total is the winning hand.

In blackjack, numerical cards (i.e. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10) have a point card value equal to their face card value. Picture (or "face") cards (i.e. Jacks, Queens and Kings) have a point card value of 10 points. Aces have a point card value of either 1 or 11 points. Both the blackjack player and the blackjack dealer receive an initial two cards. The player may choose to draw one or more additional cards (known as "hitting" or "taking a hit") until the player either chooses to stop drawing cards (known as "sticking" or "standing") or until the cumulative point card total for the player is greater than 21 (known as a "bust" or "busting"). The blackjack dealer, on the other hand, is required to draw additional cards as long as the dealer's cumulative point card total is 16 or less. When blackjack is played for money, players wager that their hand will beat the dealer's hand.

The present invention is directed to an improved card game method having aspects of baccarat and blackjack.

Summary of the Invention

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a method of playing a card game is disclosed. The method comprises: accepting a wager from a player; providing two cards to the player to comprise a player hand; providing two cards to a dealer to comprise a dealer

hand; determining a value of the player hand; determining a value of the dealer hand; comparing the value of the player hand and value of the dealer hand; wherein a highest value for a winning hand is nineteen; determining whether the value of the player hand is equal to, less than, or greater than the value of the dealer hand; and determining an outcome of the wager based on whether the value of the player hand is equal to, less than, or greater than the value of the dealer hand and whether the wager was for the player to achieve a greater value hand or an equal value hand as compared to the dealer hand.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a method of playing a card game is disclosed. The method comprises: accepting a wager from a player; providing two cards to the player to comprise a player hand; providing two cards to a dealer to comprise a dealer hand; determining a value of the player hand; determining a value of the dealer hand; presenting the player with the option to add to the player hand by receiving up to two additional cards, and thereafter not permitting the player to add any additional cards to the player hand; wherein a value often cards and face cards is, alternatively, ten or zero; comparing the value of the player hand and value of the dealer hand; wherein a highest value for a winning hand is nineteen; determining whether the value of the player hand is equal to, less than, or greater than the value of the dealer hand; and determining an outcome of the wager based on whether the value of the player hand is equal to, less than, or greater than the value of the dealer hand and whether the wager was for the player to achieve a greater value hand or an equal value hand as compared to the dealer hand.

In accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, a method of playing a card game is disclosed. The method comprises: accepting a wager from a player; providing two cards to the player to comprise a player hand; providing two cards to a dealer to comprise a

dealer hand; determining a value of the player hand; determining a value of the dealer hand; presenting the player with the option to add to the player hand by receiving up to two additional cards, and thereafter not permitting the player to add any additional cards to the player hand; wherein a value often cards and face cards is, alternatively, ten or zero; comparing the value of the player hand and value of the dealer hand; wherein the highest value hand comprises two cards adding up to nineteen; wherein the next highest hand comprises at least three cards adding up to nineteen; determining whether the value of the player hand is equal to, less than, or greater than the value of the dealer hand; and determining an outcome of the wager based on whether the value of the player hand is equal to, less than, or greater than the value of the dealer hand and whether the wager was for the player to achieve a greater value hand or an equal value hand as compared to the dealer hand.

In accordance with a further embodiment of the invention, a method of playing a card game is disclosed. The method comprises accepting a wager from a player; providing two cards to the player to comprise a player hand; providing two cards to a dealer to comprise a dealer hand; determining a value of the player hand; determining a value of the dealer hand; wherein the value often cards and face cards is ten and the value of an Ace is one or eleven; comparing the value of the player hand and value of the dealer hand wherein the value of the player and dealer hands is the sum of the value of the cards in the respective hand and if the value is 20 or more, the value is reduced by 10 until the value is less than 20; wherein a highest value for a winning hand is nineteen; determining whether the value of the player hand is equal to, less than, or greater than the value of the dealer hand; and determining an outcome of the wager based on whether the value of the player hand is equal to, less than, or greater than the value of the dealer

hand and whether the wager was for the player to achieve a greater value hand or an equal value hand as compared to the dealer hand.

In accordance with a further embodiment of the invention, a method of playing a card game is disclosed. The method comprises accepting a wager from a player; providing two cards to the player to comprise a player hand; providing two cards to a dealer to comprise a dealer hand; determining a value of the player hand; determining a value of the dealer hand; presenting the player with the option to add to the player hand by receiving up to two additional cards, and thereafter not permitting the player to add any additional cards to the player hand; wherein a value often cards and face cards is ten and the value of an Ace is one or eleven; wherein the value of the player and dealer hands is the sum of the value of the cards in the respective hand and if the value is 20 or more, the value is reduced by 10 until the value is less than 20; comparing the value of the player hand and value of the dealer hand; wherein the highest value hand comprises two cards adding up to nineteen; wherein the next highest hand comprises at least three cards or an Ace and an eight adding up to nineteen; wherein the second next highest value hand has a value closest to nineteen; determining whether the value of the player hand is equal to, less than, or greater than the value of the dealer hand; and determining an outcome of the wager based on whether the value of the player hand is equal to, less than, or greater than the value of the dealer hand and whether the wager was for the player to achieve a greater value hand or an equal value hand as compared to the dealer hand.

The dealer draws an additional card when the value of the dealer hand is a soft 16 or lower and the dealer has fewer than five cards, and wherein the dealer stands when the dealer has five cards or the value of the dealer hand is a hard 16 or higher.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 is a table of hand values for use in a card game method consistent with an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a table of hand values for use in another card game method consistent with another embodiment of the present invention ;

Figure 3 is a table of basic strategy moves for the player in the card game method using hand values as shown in Figure 2; and

Figure 4 is a table of basic strategy moves for the player in a tie- wager game method consistent with another embodiment of the present invention using hand values as shown in Figure 2.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

In one embodiment, the card game of the present invention is played using a standard 52- card deck. (In a casino setting, it will be preferred that the dealer use a plurality of decks, with six decks being preferred.) The number cards up to nine (i.e., two through nine) will have their face value. The Ace, consistent with prior art blackjack, may be a one or an eleven. Number ten and the face cards (i.e., Jack, Queen and King) may be ten or zero. The goal of the game will be to achieve a 19. As described below, it is possible to achieve a "natural" 19, or a "mix" 19.

With respect to the number ten and the face cards, a player receiving multiple such cards may treat one as ten and the other has zero. Alternatively, as described below, the player may treat all such cards as having the value of zero.

A "natural" 19 is a two card hand that has the value of 19. It may consist of a King and a nine, a Queen and a nine, a Jack and a nine, a ten and a nine, and an Ace and an eight. A "mix" 19 will be a hand containing three or more cards, where the total value is nineteen.

In typical prior art blackjack as played in casinos, a dealer deals two cards to each player and to itself. Each player receives his or her two cards down, and the dealer receives one up card and one down card. After checking to see if he has a blackjack (if the dealer's up card is an ace through a machine that will read its down card), the dealer then turns to the player on his left, who must make the decision to hit, stand, double down or split his pair. As long as a player has not exceeded 21 , there is no limit on the number of times a player may hit. After all the players have played their hand, the dealer plays his hand. The dealer has set rules which generally require him to stand on 17 or higher, unless the dealer has a soft seventeen (i.e., an ace and a 6), in which case the dealer has to hit.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a player is restricted to hitting no more than two times, so that the largest hand would be a four card hand. In another embodiment, the number of hits would be unlimited, as long as a player does not go bust. It can be seen that where the player has all tens and/or face cards, a player can achieve a hand having a value of zero.

There are several ways to rank hands, according to the card game of the present invention. According to one embodiment, a natural 19 is the highest hand, and a mix 19 is the second highest hand. Thereafter, hand value is dictated by the value of the cards, with the hand having the higher value being the winning hand.

In one embodiment of the present invention, which may be utilized for play in a casino setting, players are first asked to place a wager. In one embodiment, players may wager on

having a winning hand over the dealer, or having a push with the dealer. A win may pay 1 to 1 , while a successful push wager may pay at higher odds, for example 6 to 1. The dealer will deal two cards to each player, face down, and two to itself, one face up and one face down - as in prior art games. Each player, in turn, will be given the opportunity to "hit" up to two times, in an effort to develop a high value hand. The dealer will then complete its hand, according to a rule that dictates when a dealer must hit and when a dealer must stick. In one embodiment, the rule dictates that a dealer must draw on a soft 16 (e.g. Ace and five or ten and six) or lower, and must stand on a hard 16 (e.g., a seven and nine) or higher.

After all hands are complete, the outcome of each player bet is determined by a comparison of dealer and player hands, by reference to a table of hand values like that shown in Figure 1. Where the player and dealer each have equal value hands, the result is a push. In one embodiment, the dealer will win if both the player and dealer have hand values equal to zero (i.e., a hand comprising four tens and/or face cards). In one embodiment, after dealing two cards, the dealer may announce a check for "naturals." Players may check first and then, if the dealer has a ten, face card or nine showing, the dealer.

In another embodiment as described herein, the number cards up to nine (i.e., two through nine) will have their face value. The Ace may be a one or an eleven. Number ten and the face cards (i.e., Jack, Queen and King) may be a ten. The hand values for this embodiment are shown in Figure 2. The value of the hand is the sum of the values of the cards in the hand. If the value is 20 or more, the value is reduced by 10 until the value is less than 20. The final value of every hand is between 4 and 19 (inclusive). There are no hands that bust. The goal of the game will be to achieve a 19. As described above, it is possible to achieve a "natural" 19, or a "mix" 19. A "natural" 19 in this embodiment is a two card hand that has the value of 19. It may

consist of a King and a nine, a Queen and a nine, a Jack and a nine, a ten and a nine. A "Mix 19" will be a hand containing three or more cards, or a two card hand consisting of an Ace and an eight, where the total value is nineteen. Other examples of hand valuations in this embodiment include the following:

The hand (King, Queen, Jack, Nine) has value 10 + 10 + 10 + 9 =39. 39 is reduced by 10 until the value is 19. This hand is a "Mix 19".

The hand (Ace, Five) has value 11 + 5 = 16. This hand is called a "soft 16." "Soft 16" refers to any hand with an Ace whose natural total is exactly 16.

The hand (King, Ace, Five) has value 10 + 11 + 5 =26. 26 is reduced by 10 until the value is also 16. As in typical prior art blackjack, this hand is referred to as a "hard 16."

The hand (Deuce, Deuce, Deuce, Deuce) has value 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 = 8.

There are several ways to rank hands (See FIG. 2), according to the card game of the present invention. According to one embodiment, a natural 19 is the highest hand, and a mix 19 is the next highest hand. Thereafter, hand value is dictated by the value of the cards, with the hand having the higher value being the winning hand. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, the highest hand may be a natural 19, the next highest hand may be a mix 19, and the second next highest hand may be the hand with a value closest to nineteen. The objective for the Player is to achieve the best possible point total competing against the Dealer.

The game may be utilized for play in a casino setting. Players are first asked to place a wager. In one embodiment, players may wager on having a winning hand over the dealer, or having a push with the dealer. A win may pay 1 to 1 , while a successful push wager may pay at higher odds, for example 6 to 1. The dealer will deal two cards to each player, face down, and two to itself, one face up and one face down - as in prior art games. In one embodiment, after

dealing two cards, the dealer may announce a check for "naturals." Players may check first and then, if the dealer has a ten, face card or nine showing, the dealer. The player(s) having a natural 19 have a winning hand. A natural 19 for the player beats a dealer natural 19. If the dealer has a natural 19 and the player does not have a natural 19, the dealer wins and the player forfeits the wager.

If neither the player nor the dealer has a natural 19, each player, in turn, will be given the opportunity to "hit" up to two times, in an effort to develop a high value hand. A player is restricted to hitting no more than two times, so that the largest player hand would be a four card hand. As shown in FIG. 3, the basic strategy for the player is that if the player has two cards, the player should hit all hands of 16 or less, and stand on all hands of 17 or more. If the player has three cards, the player should hit all hands of 15 or less, stand on 16, except when the dealer shows a 7 or 8, in which case the player should hit. The player should stand on all hands of 17 or more. The basic player strategy is the same whether the game is being played with one deck, six decks or an infinite deck case.

The dealer will then complete its hand, according to a rule that dictates when a dealer must hit and when a dealer must stick. In one embodiment, the rule dictates that a dealer must draw on a soft 16 (e.g. Ace and five) or a hand totaling 15 or less, and the dealer has fewer than five cards. The dealer must stand on a hard 16 (e.g., a seven and nine), with a hand totaling 17 or higher, or if the dealer has five cards. The dealer's hand always totals 10 or more.

After all hands are complete, the outcome of each player bet is determined by a comparison of dealer and player hands, by reference to a table of hand values like that shown in FIG. 2. The hand with the larger total wins. If the player loses, the player forfeits his wager. Where the player and dealer each have equal value hands, the result is a push.

With the rules (including a 1 -to- 1 payout) as stated above, using infinitely many decks (each card has the same probability of occurrence on each draw), the dealer has an edge over the player of 2.298%. Using one deck of playing cards, the dealer has an edge over the player of approximately 1.75%±.01%. Using six decks of playing cards, the dealer has an edge over the player of approximately 2.20% ±.01%. Computation of the edge given a 1-to-l payout was determined through a C++ program that used combinatorial analysis to cycle through every possible sequence of cards and completed by exhaustive spread sheet analysis.

In another embodiment, the objective for the player is to achieve the same point total as the Dealer in a "Tie Wager" game using the hand values as shown in FIG. 2. The dealer will deal two cards to each player, face down, and two to itself, one face up and one face down - as in prior art games. If the dealer has either a 9 or a 10 value face up card, the dealer checks for a natural 19. If the dealer has a natural 19, the dealer turns over his cards. If the dealer has a natural 19 and the player does not have a two-card natural 19 or a two-card mix 19, the dealer wins and the player forfeits his or her wager. If the dealer has a natural 19 and the player has a two-card natural 19 or a two-card mix 19, the player wins (i.e. receives a payout) on his or her wager. If the player has a natural 19, and the dealer does not have a natural 19, the dealer stands or draws according to rules whereby the dealer draws with either a soft 16 or a hand totaling 15 or less and the dealer has fewer than five cards.

If neither the player nor the dealer has a natural 19, the player, in turn, will be given the opportunity to "hit" up to two times, in an effort to develop a high value hand. The dealer will have up to three times to draw a mix 19. As shown in FIG. 4, if the player's hand totals 15 or less and the player has fewer than four cards, the player should hit. Otherwise the player should stand. After all hands are complete, the outcome of each player bet is determined by a

comparison of dealer and player hands. If the dealer and player have hands with the same point total, the player is paid on his or her wager. If not, the player forfeits the wager.

With the rules as stated above for the tie-wager game, using infinitely many decks (each card has the same probability of occurrence on each draw), the dealer has an edge over the player of 5.269%. Using one deck of playing cards, the dealer has an edge over the player of approximately 6.56%±.01%. Using six decks of playing cards, the dealer has an edge over the player of approximately 5.49% ±.01%. A 7-to-l payoff to the player give a player an edge of about 8.2% ± .01%.

In another embodiment, which may be utilized in a player banker setting, the hand values will be as described above, and the player banker will occupy the position of the dealer and be treated as a dealer (e.g., the player banker will win if both the player and player banker have a hand value of zero (FIG. I)). In this embodiment, the player banker position may rotate clockwise. Other rules will be as described above with respect to play of the game in with a casino dealer.

It may be desired to play the game in a baccarat style, with one dealer hand and one player hand, with players wagering on either the dealer hand or player hand to win.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.