FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for playing a card game.

BACKGROUND

There are many card games which can be used for gambling purposes. Popular card games include games where the banker's cards are played against the player's cards, (hereinafter referred to as "Banker versus Player" card games). Many of such card games provide options for players to place wagers on possible game outcomes of the cards on a bet layout, known as "side bet".

Baccarat is a popular casino card game. Players make a wager on whether the Banker's hand value or the Player's hand value would win, including side bet wagering areas.

Typically, a multiple number of decks of fifty-two standard playing cards are used, whereby decks are shuffled together and placed in a card dispensing shoe from which the cards are dealt during the play of the game.

In Baccarat, Ace counts as one, King, Queen, Jack and 10 count as zero, and cards from 2 to 9 count as their respective face values. The suit of a card has no effect on its hand value. In Baccarat, two cards are initially dealt to each Banker's position and Player's position. The rules require a potential third card to be drawn ("third card draw rules") for both the Banker's position and the Player's position. The total value of the cards in the Banker's position are added together to determine the Banker's hand value. Likewise, the total value of the cards in the Player's position are added together to determine the Player's hand value. If the total value exceeds 9, then the hand value is determined by subtracting 10 from the total value. For example, if the total value is 10, the hand value is 0 and if the total value is 18, the hand value is 8. Thus, the Banker's and the Player's hand values range from the lowest of 0 to the highest of 9.

The third card draw rules for both the Banker's position and the Player's position are complex in Baccarat, and even the more seasoned players get confused at times. It is desirable to provide a Banker versus Player card game with simpler game rules to reduce the possibility of dealer making errors in dealing cards and to provide players, especially newer ones, with more confidence in playing the game.

In conventional Baccarat, typical side bet wagering areas include "TIE", "BANKER PAIR" and "PLAYER PAIR". Such few betting options can limit the excitement to the game. It is desirable to provide novel betting options in a Banker versus Player card game, so as to increase the excitement for play and to enable the game operator to receive more wagers per game.

Although card games are well-liked among casino games, the lack of chance to win a bigger payout can cause players to lose interest in the game. It is desirable to provide some form of enhancement to the payouts, such as a possibility of an incremental odds payout and a possibility of a multiple odds payout for a single wager in a Banker versus Player card game to create more incentives for play.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to introduce simpler game rules, novel betting options and some form of enliancement to the payouts in a Banker versus Player card game.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, the present invention is a method of playing a card game, said method including steps of:

providing a wagering card game comprising wagering elements that include playing cards and a dice and an associated bet layout comprising discrete wagering areas where a group of wagering areas consists of a fixed odds payout (known as "Section A" of the bet layout) and another group of wagering areas consists of a single odds payout with a potential multiple odds payout (known as "Section B" of the bet layout);

one or more players placing a wager on possible wagering card game outcomes;

the dealer rolling a dice, having six faces containing scores from 1 to 6;

determining whether a Bonus event is triggered on any of the wagering areas in "Section B" of the bet layout based on the outcome of the dice;

displaying a Bonus indicator to indicate the wagering area on which the Bonus event has been triggered upon, if said event is triggered;

the dealer dealing six cards on a card playing area, whereby two cards are dealt on the two boxes for "Player" position, two cards are dealt on the two boxes for "Banker" position and two cards are dealt on the two boxes for "Round Two" additional draws of cards, known as the "Card A and Card B" positions;

determining the wagering card game outcome for each of the wagering area of the bet layout; and

deteiTnining whether the player wins on the game outcome on any wagering area, whereby if the player wins:

awarding a fixed odds payout to the player for a winning wager on a wagering area in "Section A" of the bet layout; awarding a single odds payout to the player for a winning wager on a wagering area in "Section B" of the bet layout where the Bonus event has not been triggered upon; and awarding a multiple odds payout to the player for a winning wager on a wagering area in "Section B" of the bet layout where the Bonus event has been triggered upon.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a gaming machine adapted to carry out the methods.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a software product to program a gaming system to carry out the methods.

The game apparatus comprises:

a dice;

a plurality of standard playing cards without Jokers; and

a table having a game surface comprising:

a dice rolling area;

Bonus indicator;

a card playing area for dealing six cards, consisting two boxes for "Player" position, two boxes for "Banker" position and two boxes for "Round Two" additional draws of cards, known as the "Card A and Card B" positions; and

a bet layout comprising discrete wagering areas where a group of wagering areas consists of a fixed odds payout ("Section A") and another group of wagering areas consists of a single odds payout with a potential multiple odds payout ("Section B").

The present method could be embodied in an electrical, mechanical, electro-mechanical, or video gaming device and any combinations thereof.

Further objects of the invention will become apparent from the description which follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a plan drawing of a bet layout according to an optional embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2A-2B-2C is an example of a pay table for the embodiment of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 is plan drawing of a bet layout according to an optional embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4A-4B is an example of a pay table for the embodiment of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is plan drawing of a game surface according to an optional embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 6A-6B is an example of a pay table for the embodiment of FIG. 5. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference is now made to the figures wherein like parts are referred to by like numerals throughout.

In the present invention, one or more decks of fifty-two standard playing cards are used, whereby decks are shuffled together and placed in a card dispensing shoe from which the cards are dealt during the play of the game.

Ace counts as one, King, Queen, Jack and 10 count as zero (where King, Queen and Jack are known as picture cards), and cards from 2 to 9 count as their respective face values. The suit of a card has no effect on its hand value.

FIGS. 1 , 3 and 5 comprise optional embodiments of the bet layout in the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the bet layout 100 comprises wagering areas in "Section B" 120 and wagering areas in "Section A" 121 separated by a horizontal dash line 122. As shown in FIG. 3, the bet layout 300 comprises wagering areas in "Section B" 320 and wagering areas in "Section A" 321 separated by a horizontal dash line 322. As shown in FIG. 5, the game surface 500 comprises wagering areas in "Section B" 520 and wagering areas in "Section A" 521 separated by a horizontal dash line 522.

The bet layout of the present invention comprises of the following wagering areas or any combinations of these in various possible embodiments:

(i) "BANKER WIN" wagering area 101 , 301 , 501 in "Section A" 121 , 321, 521 of the bet layout, whereby a winning wager of a fixed odds payout occurs when the Banker's hand value is higher than the Player's hand value, with half of the fixed odds payout when the Banker's hand value is 6;

(ii) "PLAYER WIN" wagering area 102, 302, 502 in "Section A" 121 , 321, 521 of the bet layout, whereby a winning wager of a fixed odds payout occurs when the Player's hand value is higher than the Banker's hand value, with half of the fixed odds payout when the Player's hand value is 6;

(iii) "BANKER WIN MARGIN" wagering area 103, 503 in "Section A" 121, 521 of the bet layout, whereby a winning wager of a fixed odds payout occurs when the Banker's hand value is higher than the Player's hand value by a margin of 4 or more, with a variation of the fixed odds payout depending on the outcome of the margin difference;

(iv) "PLAYER WIN MARGIN" wagering area 104, 504 in "Section A" 121, 521 of the bet layout, whereby a winning wager of a fixed odds payout occurs when the Player's hand value is higher than the Banker's hand value by a margin of 4 or more, with a variation of the fixed odds payout depending on the outcome of the margin difference;

(v) "BANKER DOUBLE BATTLE" wagering area 105, 505 in "Section A" 121, 521 of the bet layout, whereby a winning wager of a fixed odds payout occurs when the Banker's hand value is higher than the Player's hand value and the sum of the "Round Two" additional draws of Card A and Card B is an odd number;

(vi) "PLAYER DOUBLE BATTLE" wagering area 106, 506 in "Section A" 121, 521 of the bet layout, whereby a winning wager of a fixed odds payout occurs when the Player's hand value is higher than the Banker's hand value and the sum of the "Round Two" additional draws of Card A and Card B is an odd number;

(vii) "BANKER HIGH" wagering area 107, 303 in "Section A" 121 , 321 of the bet layout, whereby a winning wager of a fixed odds payout occurs when the Banker's hand value is from 5 to 9;

(viii) "BANKER LOW" wagering area 108, 304 in "Section A" 121 , 321 of the bet layout, whereby a winning wager of a fixed odds payout occurs when the Banker's hand value is from 0 to 4, whereby the hand value of 0 excludes "Banker Unique Zero", defined as a unique combination of two cards " 1,9", "2,8", "3,7", "4,6" or "5 5"·

(ix) "BANKER UNIQUE ZERO" wagering area 109, 305 in "Section B" 120, 320 of the bet layout, whereby a winning wager occurs when the Banker's hand value is 0 by a unique combination of two cards " 1,9", "2,8", "3,7", "4,6" or "5,5" and in such an event, the player participates in a "Round Two" additional draw of Card A, and if Card A is a picture card (where King, Queen and Jack are known as picture cards), the player participates in a "Round Two" additional draw of Card B, wherein a single odds payout is awarded when Card A is not a picture card, a step-up odds payout is awarded when Card A is a picture card and a higher step-up odds payout is awarded when Card B is a picture card, with a multiple odds payout instead of a single odds payout and a multiple step-up odds payout instead of a step-up odds payout when the wager wins, if the Bonus event is triggered; .

(x) "BANKER PICTURE" wagering area 110, 306, 507 in "Section B" of the bet layout, whereby a winning wager occurs when the Banker's position contains one or two picture cards (where King, Queen and Jack are known as picture cards) and in the event that it contains two picture cards, the player participates in a "Round Two" additional draw of Card A, and if Card A is a picture card, the player participates in a "Round Two" additional draw of Card B, wherein a single odds payout is awarded when the Banker's position contains one picture card, and when the Banker's position contains two picture cards but Card A is not a picture card, a step-up odds payout is awarded when Card A is a picture card and a higher step-up odds payout is awarded when Card B is a picture card, with a multiple odds payout instead of a single odds payout and a multiple step-up odds payout instead of a step-up odds payout when the wager wins, if the Bonus event is triggered;

(xi) "PLAYER LUCKY 7" wagering area 111, 307, 508 in "Section B" 120, 320, 520 of the bet layout, whereby a winning wager of a single odds payout occurs when the Player's hand value is 7, with a variation of the single odds payout depending on the outcome of the Banker's hand value, and with a multiple odds payout instead of a single odds payout when the player wins, if the Bonus event is triggered;

(xii) "PLAYER LUCKY 8" wagering area 1 12, 308, 509 in "Section B" 120, 320, 520 of the bet layout, whereby a winning wager of a single odds payout occurs when the Player's hand value is 8, with a variation of the single odds payout depending on the outcome of the Player's hand value, and with a multiple odds payout instead of a single odds payout when the player wins, if the Bonus event is triggered;

(xiii) "PLAYER or BANKER PAIR" wagering area 1 13, 309 in "Section B" 120, 320 of the bet layout, whereby a winning wager of a single odds payout occurs when either the Banker's position or the Player's position, or both the Banker's and the Player's individual positions contain two cards of same rank (for example "8, 8" or "Jack, Jack"), with a variation of the single odds payout depending on the outcome of the number of pairs, and with a multiple odds payout instead of a single odds payout when the player wins, if the Bonus event is triggered; and

(xiv) "PLAYER & BANKER FOUR CARDS" wagering area 1 14, 310, 510 in "Section B" 120, 320, 520 of the bet layout, whereby a winning wager of a single odds payout occurs when the Banker's and the Player's positions collectively contain four cards with a combination of "Two Pairs", "Three of a Kind", "Flush", "Straight", "Four of a- Kind" or "Straight Flush" (where said combination terminology refers to terms commonly known in a conventional poker game), with a variation of the single odds payout depending on the outcome of the cards combination, and with a multiple odds payout instead of a single odds payout when the player wins, if the Bonus event is triggered. A feature of the present invention is the multiple odds payout. The multiple odds payout is the single odds payout multiplied by a predetermined value of N, where N is a rational number of more than 1. For example, the value of N could be 1.5, 2 or 3. The value of N may differ for each wagering area in "Section B" of the bet layout.

In a preferred embodiment, the multiple odds payout comprises a standard value of N for all the wagering areas in "Section B" of the bet layout. The present embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 are examples of a multiple odds payout of 2 times the single odds payout for all the wagering areas in "Section B" of the bet layout. Since 2 times is equivalent to a double odds payout, the Bonus event according to FIGS. 1 to 6 is hereinafter referred to as a "Double Bonus" event, the multiple odds payout is hereinafter referred to as a double odds payout, and the multiple step-up odds payout is hereinafter referred to as a double step-up odds payout. The wagering areas in "Section B" of the bet layout comprise a predetermined Bonus event visibly indicated upon «ach of the wagering area.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, in an embodiment of a multiple odds payout of 2 times the single odds payout for all the wagering areas in "Section B" of the bet layout, the Bonus events visibly indicated upon each of the wagering area in "Section B" 120, 320 of the bet layout are "Double Bonus 1 ", "Double Bonus 2", "Double Bonus 3", "Double Bonus 4", "Double Bonus 5" and "Double Bonus 6", where the events correspond to the outcome of the dice scores of "1 ", "2", "3", "4", "5" and "6" respectively. Whereas in FIG. 5, in an embodiment of a multiple odds payout of 2 times the single odds payout for all the wagering areas in "Section B" of the bet layout, the Bonus events visibly indicated upon each of the wagering area in "Section B" 520 of the bet layout are "Double Bonus 3", "Double Bonus 4", "Double Bonus 5" and "Double Bonus 6", where the events correspond to the outcome of the dice scores of "3", "4", "5" and "6" respectively. In this game shown in FIG. 5, the outcome of the dice scores of " 1 " and "2" would not trigger any Double Bonus event. In other optional embodiments, the outcome of the dice scores and corresponding Bonus events triggered may differ.

In another optional embodiment, an outcome of the dice could trigger a Bonus event on more than one of the wagering areas in "Section B" of the bet layout. For example, a dice score of "1 " would trigger a Bonus event on two of the wagering areas in "Section B" of the bet layout.

Referring to FIG. 1, in one embodiment of the present invention, a bet layout is provided. The game begins with players making wagers on one or more wagering areas in the bet layout 100. A player may place a wager on a wagering area in "Section A" 121 of the bet layout having a fixed odds payout, for example, wagering area "BANKER WIN" 101, wagering area "PLAYER WIN" 102, wagering area "BANKER WIN MARGIN" 103, wagering area " PLAYER WIN MARGIN" 104, wagering area "BANKER DOUBLE BATTLE" 105, wagering area "PLAYER DOUBLE BATTLE" 106, wagering area "BANKER HIGH" 107, and wagering area "BANKER LOW" 108. In addition, players can place a wager on a wagering area in "Section B" 120 of the bet layout having a single odds payout and a step-up odds payout with a potential double odds payout and a double step-up odds payout, for example, wagering area "BANKER UNIQUE ZERO" 109, and wagering area "BANKER PICTURE" 1 10. In addition, players can also place a wager on a wagering area in "Section B" 120 of the bet layout having a single odds payout with a potential double odds payout, for example, wagering area "PLAYER LUCKY 7" 1 1 1 , wagering area "PLAYER LUCKY 8" 112, wagering area "PLAYER or BANKER PAIR" 1 13, and wagering area "PLAYER & BANKER FOUR CARDS 1 14".

The game is then carried out in a manner described in more detail below.

The dealer first rolls a dice, having six faces containing scores from 1 to 6.

After the outcome of the dice is determined, the dealer displays a Bonus indicator to indicate which wagering area the Bonus event has been triggered upon, if said event is triggered. For example, electronic tables can illuminate the area underneath the winning wagers with a Bonus event triggered where wagers are placed, in a different colour than the winning wagers without a Bonus event triggered.

In another example, for electronic gaming machines having a video display, a display text "BONUS!" can be provided to indicate which wagering area the Bonus event has been triggered upon, if said event is triggered, when the outcome of the dice is determined. On top of this, once the card game outcome is determined, the video display can illuminate the area underneath the winning wagers with a Bonus event triggered where wagers are placed, in a different colour than the winning wagers without a Bonus event triggered.

In a further example, for felt table games with a multiple odds payout of 2 times the single odds payout for all the wagering areas in "Section B" of the bet layout as shown in FIG. 5 in one embodiment, the dealer can place a "DOUBLE BONUS" button on one of boxes in the Double Bonus indicator area 503 according to the outcome of the dice.

The dealer then deals six cards on a card playing area, wherein two cards are dealt on the two boxes for "Player" position, two cards are dealt on the two boxes for "Banker" position and two cards are dealt on the two boxes for "Round Two" additional draws of "Card A and Card B" positions.

Preferably, the dealer deals in order, a first card face-up on a box for "Player" position, a second card face-up on a box for "Banker" position, a third card face-up on a box for "Player" position, and a fourth card face-down on a box for "Banker" position, a fifth and a sixth card face-down on two boxes for "Round Two" additional draws of "Card A and Card B" positions respectively.

Preferably, the dealer slowly uncovers, in order, the fourth, fifth and sixth cards. The method of slowly uncovering the cards comprises: the dealer revealing the physical card slowly, or using a card recognising technology to identify the face-down card, slowly displaying the outcome of the virtual card on a video display screen and then revealing the physical card. The total value of the two cards in the Banker's position are added together to determine the Banker's hand value. Likewise, the total value of the two cards in the Player's position are added together to determine the Player's hand value. If the total value is 10 or above, the hand value is determined by subtracting 10 from the total value. For example, if the total value is 10, the hand value is 0 and if the total value is 18, the hand value is 8. Thus, the Banker's and the Player's hand values range from the lowest of 0 to the highest of 9.

Based on the outcome of the dice and cards, wagers are paid, collected or pushed in a game. Conventional casino "push" rules apply for any tie game in that no money changes hands and the player has an option to remove, amend or make additional bets on the next game.

Referring to FIG. 1 , in one embodiment of the present invention and FIG. 2A-2B-2C, an example of a pay table for the embodiment of FIG. 1 , players make wagers on one or more wagering areas in the bet layout 100. The payouts for corresponding winning wagers of the game for each wagering area are described in more detail below.

Referring to the wagering area "BANKER WIN" 101 , if the Banker's hand value is higher than the Player's hand value, a player who placed a wager thereon wins. The fixed odds payout is: 1 to 1 if the Banker's hand value is other than 6, and 1 to 2 if the Banker's hand value is 6. In the event of a tie between the Banker's and the Player's hand values, the wager is pushed.

Referring to the wagering area "PLAYER WIN" 102, if the Player's hand value is higher than the Banker's hand value, a player who placed a wager thereon wins. The fixed odds payout is: 1 to 1 if the Player's hand value is other than 6, and 1 to 2 if the Player's hand value is 6. In the event of a tie between the Banker's and the Player's hand values, the wager is pushed. Referring to the wagering area "BANKER WIN MARGIN" 103, if the Banker's hand value is higher than the Player's hand value by a margin of 4 or more, a player who placed a wager thereon wins. The fixed odds payout is: 1 to 1 if the margin is 4 or 5, 2 to 1 if the margin is 6, 5 to 1 if the margin is 7 or 8, and 10 to 1 if the margin is 9. For example, if the Banker's hand value is 8 and the Player's hand value is 1, the fixed odds payout is 5 to 1 since the Banker win margin is 7 (8 - 1). In the event of a tie between the Banker and the Player hand values, the wager is pushed.

Referring to the wagering area "PLAYER WIN MARGIN" 104, if the Player's hand value is higher than the Banker's hand value by a margin of 4 or more, a player who placed a wager thereon wins. The fixed odds payout is: 1 to 1 if the margin is 4 or 5, 2 to 1 if the margin is 6, 5 to 1 if the margin is 7 or 8, and 10 to 1 if the margin is 9. For example, if the Player's hand value is 8 and the Banker's hand value is 1 , the fixed odds payout is 5 to 1 since the Player win margin is 7 (8 - 1). In the event of a tie between the Banker's and the Player's hand values, the wager is pushed.

Referring to the wagering area "BANKER DOUBLE BATTLE" 105, if the Banker's hand value is higher than the Player's hand value, a player who placed a wager thereon participates in a "Round Two" additional draws of Card A and Card B. If the sum of Card A and Card B is an odd number, the player wins. The fixed odds payout is 3 to 1. In the event of a tie between the Banker and the Player hand values, the wager is pushed.

Referring to the wagering area "PLAYER DOUBLE BATTLE" 106, if the Player hand value is higher than the Banker's hand value, a player who placed a wager thereon participates in a "Round Two" additional draws of Card A and Card B. If the sum of Card A and Card B is an odd number, the player wins. The fixed odds payout is 3 to 1. In the event of a tie between the Banker's and the Player's hand values, the wager is pushed.

Referring to the wagering area "BANKER HIGH" 107, if the Banlcer's hand value is from 5 to 9, a player who placed a wager thereon wins. The fixed odds payout is 1 to 1.

Referring to the wagering area "BANKER LOW" 108, if the Banlcer's hand value is from 0 to 4, whereby the hand value of 0 excludes "Banker Unique Zero", defined as a unique combination of two cards "1,9", "2,8", "3,7", "4,6" or "5,5", a player who placed a wager thereon wins. The fixed odds payout is 1 to 1.

Referring to the wagering area "BANKER UNIQUE ZERO" 109, if the Banlcer's hand value is 0 by a unique combination of two cards "1 ,9", "2,8", "3,7", "4,6" or "5,5", a player who placed a wager thereon wins and participates in a "Round Two" additional draw of Card A. If Card A is not a picture card, the single odds payout is 10 to 1 and the game ends, but if Card A is a picture card, the player participates in another "Round Two" additional draw of Card B. If Card B is not a picture card, the step-up odds payout is 20 to 1 , but if Card B is a picture card, the step-up odds payout is 30 to 1.

Referring to the wagering area "BANKER PICTURE" 1 10, if the Banker's position contains one or two picture cards (where King, Queen and Jack are known as picture cards), a player who placed a wager thereon wins. If it contains one picture card, the single odds payout is 1 to 1 and the game ends. If it contains two picture cards, the player participates in a "Round Two" additional draw of Card A. If Card A is not a picture card, the single odds payout is 1 to 1 and the game ends, but if Card A is a picture card, the player participates in another "Round Two" additional draw of Card B. If Card B is not a picture card, the step-up odds payout is 3 to 1 , but if Card B is a picture card, the step-up odds payout is 4 to 1.

Referring to the wagering area "PLAYER LUCKY 7" 11 1 , if the Player's hand value is 7, a player who placed a wager thereon wins. The single odds payout is: 3 to 1 if Player's hand value is higher than the Banker, 1 1 to 1 if Player's hand value is same as the Banker, 20 to 1 if Player's hand value is lower than the Banker.

Referring to the wagering area "PLAYER LUCKY 8" 1 12, if the Player's hand value is 8, a player who placed a wager thereon wins. The single odds payout is: 4 to 1 if Player's hand value is higher than the Banker, 10 to 1 if Player's hand value is same as the Banker, 30 to 1 if Player's hand value is lower than the Banker.

Referring to the wagering area "PLAYER or BANKER PAIR" 1 13, if either the Banker's position or the Player's position, or both the Banker's and the Player's individual positions contain two cards of same rank (for example "8, 8" or "Jack, Jack"), a player who placed a wager thereon wins. The single odds payout is: 4 to 1- if either the Banker's position or the Player's position contains two cards of same rank, and 1 1 to 1 if both the Banker's and the Player's individual positions contain two cards of same rank.

Referring to the wagering area "PLAYER & BANKER FOUR CARDS" 1 14, if the Banker's and the Player's positions collectively contain four cards with a combination of "Two Pairs", "Three of a Kind", "Flush", "Straight", "Four of a Kind" or "Straight Flush" (where said combination terminology refers to terms commonly known in a conventional poker game), a player who placed a wager thereon wins. The single odds payout is: 3 to 1 if it is a combination of "Two Pairs" or "Three of a Kind", 20 to 1 if it is a combination of "Flush" or "Straight", 100 to 1 if it is a combination of "Four of a Kind", and 200 to 1 if it is a combination of "Straight Flush". Referring to the wagering areas in "Section B" of the bet layout "BANKER UNIQUE ZERO" 109 and "BANKER PICTURE" 1 10, if a Double Bonus event is triggered on a winning wager, the player is paid a double odds payout or a double step-up odds payout.

Referring to the wagering areas in "Section B" of the bet layout "PLAYER LUCKY 7" 111 , "PLAYER LUCKY 8" 1 12, "PLAYER or BANKER PAIR" 1 13, and "PLAYER &

BANKER FOUR CARDS" 114, if a Double Bonus event is triggered on a winning wager, the player is paid a double odds payout.

However, if the game outcome of any of the wagering areas above is a losing wager, the wager would be collected.

In summary, wagers would be rewarded, pushed or collected as shown in the pay table of FIG. 2A-2B-2C.

The present method could take a number of different embodiments for the bet layout. For example, as shown in FIG. 3 in one embodiment, a bet layout is provided. The game begins with players making wagers on one or more wagering areas in the bet layout 300.

A player may place a wager on a wagering area in "Section A" 321 of the bet layout having a fixed odds payout, for example, wagering area "BANKER WIN" 301, wagering area "PLAYER WIN" 302, wagering area "BANKER HIGH" 303, and wagering area "BANKER LOW" 304. In addition, players can place a wager on a wagering area in "Section B" 320 of the bet layout having a single odds payout and a step-up odds payout with a potential double odds payout and a double step-up odds payout, for example, wagering area "BANKER

UNIQUE ZERO" 305, and wagering area "BANKER PICTURE" 306. In addition, players can also place a wager on a wagering area in "Section B" 320 of the bet layout having a single odds payout with a potential double odds payout, for example, wagering area

"PLAYER LUCKY 7" 307, wagering area "PLAYER LUCKY 8" 308, wagering area "PLAYER or BANKER PAIR" 309, and wagering area "PLAYER & BANKER FOUR CARDS 310".

The game is then carried out in a manner similar to the game as shown in FIG. 1 described as above.

Wagers would be rewarded, pushed or collected as shown in the pay table of FIG. 4A-4B. In another example, as shown in FIG. 5 in one embodiment, the game surface 500 arranged for a felt table depicts a card playing area 501 , a dice rolling area 502 and a Double Bonus indicator area 503. As shown, seven individual seated player wagering areas are arranged along the circumference of the game surface 500 and are spaced a similar distance apart. The number of individual seated player wagering areas can be more or less, but preferably this number is limited to seven to facilitate monitoring by the dealer. A minimum of one and a maximum of seven players may occupy a seated position in the game. More players may participate in the game via backline betting. The game begins with players making wagers on one or more wagering areas in the game surface 500.

A player may place a wager on a wagering area in "Section A" 521 of the bet layout having a fixed odds payout, for example, wagering area "BANKER WIN" 501 , wagering area "PLAYER WIN" 502, wagering area "BANKER WIN MARGIN" 1503, wagering area " PLAYER WIN MARGIN" 504, wagering area "BANKER DOUBLE BATTLE" 505, wagering area "PLAYER DOUBLE BATTLE" 506. In addition, players can place a wager on a wagering area in "Section B" 520 of the bet layout having a single odds payout and a step-up odds payout with a potential double odds payout and a double step-up odds payout, for example, wagering area "BANKER PICTURE" 507. In addition, players can also place a wager on a wagering area in "Section B" 520 of the bet layout having a single odds payout with a potential double odds payout, for example, wagering area "PLAYER LUCKY 7" 508, wagering area "PLAYER LUCKY 8" 509, and wagering area "PLAYER & BANKER FOUR CARDS 510".

The game is then carried out in a manner similar to the game as shown in FIG. 1 described as above.

Wagers would be rewarded, pushed or collected as shown in the pay table of FIG. 6A-6B. The bet layout of the invention is not so limited, and many different variations of the bet layout configurations are contemplated.

As alluded to above, the present game could be played on a mechanical, electrical, electromechanical, or video gaming device or any of the combinations thereof. For example, one embodiment may include a conventional mechanical game apparatus and a live dealer.

Another embodiment may include an electronic table and a live dealer.

A further embodiment may include an electronic table without any dealer.

In another further embodiment, the game is a multiplayer unit with individual bet stations and a central video representation of the game.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.