CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This patent application is related to and claims priority from U.S. Patent Application Serial Number 12/608,097 filed

October 29, 2009. This patent application is also related to and claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial

Number 61/319,514 filed June 23, 2009.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention is related to methods of playing Blackjack. The basic rules of Blackjack involve adding the value of an initial two card hand in hopes of being dealt a value of twenty- one .

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a variation of playing Blackjack.

The primary difference relative to traditional Blackjack is, if a player busts, he can buy back into the game and receive one card only (just like a double-down) with that card value being subtracted from the player's total. If the new value is 22 or more, the player loses both bets. If the new value is 21 or less, the player waits for the dealer to finish all other hands and regular Blackjack rules apply. A win for the player wins the second bet and pushes the original bet. A loss for the player loses both bets. Preferably, bets are paid 1:1 to winning players and player's 21 are paid immediately at the accordance of obtaining 21. Also optionally, dealer's 22 pushes all remaining bets. Preferably, if a player gets blackjack on the first two cards dealt then the bet pays 2:1, but all other bets are paid 1:1.

In several embodiments the invention is a method of playing a variation of a Blackjack game includes providing a predetermined number of decks of playing cards to a dealer . Each card in each of such decks of playing cards having at least one predetermined value according to conventional rules of Blackjack. Placing at least one first bet by at least one player of at least a first predetermined amount of money on at an outcome of at least a portion of such game. Dealing cards by such dealer from such predetermined number of decks of playing cards according to conventional rules of Blackjack to such at least one player and such dealer until such at least one player elects to stop receiving cards. Providing an option to such at least one player of such at least one player receiving one additional card upon a sum of such at least one player's card values exceeding 21 if such at least one player matches a total value of such at least one first bet. Subtracting such at least one predetermined value of such one additional card from such sum of such at least one player's card values thereby providing a possibility of such sum being reduced to a number less than or equal to 21. Dealing such cards by such dealer to such dealer according to conventional Blackjack rules to complete such dealer's hand. Determining at least one of at least one winner of such game, at least one push, and a combination thereof according to conventional Blackjack rules regarding point values of each playing hand and such dealer's hand. Thereafter collecting predetermined winnings by such at least one winner if there is such at least one winner.

It is presently preferred that if such one additional card is an ace then such ace is worth only one point.

According to a second embodiment, a method of playing an extended Blackjack game includes providing a predetermined number of decks of playing cards to a dealer. Each card in each of such decks of playing cards having at least one predetermined value according to conventional rules of Blackjack. Placing a first bet by at least one player of a first predetermined amount of money on an outcome of such game.

Optionally, placing a side bet of one dollar by at least one player of a second predetermined amount of money on an outcome of such game. Dealing cards by such dealer from such predetermined number of decks of playing cards according to conventional rules of Blackjack to such at least one player and such dealer until such at least one player elects to stop receiving cards. Providing an option to such at least one player of such at least one player receiving one additional card upon a sum of such at least one player's card values exceeding 21 if such at least one player places an additional bet. Subtracting such at least one predetermined value of such one additional card from such sum of such at least one player's card values thereby providing a possibility of such sum being reduced to a number less than or equal to 21. Dealing such cards by such dealer to such dealer according to conventional Blackjack rules to complete such dealer's hand. Determining at least one of at least one winner of such game, at least one push, and a combination thereof according to at least one of conventional Blackjack rules, whether such at least one player's playing hand consists of such first three cards dealt including one ace valued at eleven points and two cards each having a value of ten and further including such one additional card valued at ten resulting in the value of such at least one player's hand equaling 21, and a combination thereof. Collecting predetermined winnings by such at least one winner if there is such at least one winner .

It is meant that such player may win a jackpot having a predetermined value if such at least one player's hand includes such player being originally dealt three cards totaling 31, as previously indicated the cards must include one ace valued at eleven points and two ten count cards, then if such player places such additional bet and receives one additional card which has a value of 10 and which value of 10 is then subtracted from the original total of 31 resulting in the player's hand having an ultimate value of 21.

The above referenced variations of the game are meant to provide an opportunity for a player whose hand has busted to undo the bust and continue in the game.

The second variation is meant to provide the opportunity for the player to place a side bet of one dollar or other amount, prior to being dealt, to try to win a jackpot. In order to win the jackpot certain conditions must be met. Specifically, such player must make the side bet of one dollar and thereafter such player must be dealt certain predetermined cards such as an ace valued at eleven points and two ten point cards for a total point value of 31 points. It is presently preferred that such player receive an ace and a ten point card as the first two cards dealt in his or her hand. The player may then place an additional bet and receive his or her final card. The final card must be valued at 10 points, if it is not a 10 point card the player does not win the jackpot. If the final card value equals 10 points then such 10 point value is subtracted from the hand value of 31 to give the player a total of 21 points resulting in the player winning a portion of or all of the jackpot. If the final card value does not equal 10 then the player may still win a small odds payout though not the jackpot .

Conventional rules of Blackjack, also known as 21, apply in every embodiment unless specified otherwise. Additionally, it is noted that if such dealer obtains blackjack the game is over according to the conventional rules of Blackjack, Blackjack being defined as two cards having point values the sum of which totals 21. However, if the player obtains blackjack and has followed the procedure for attempting to win the jackpot as outlined above in the second embodiment, such player would receive a payout on the first two cards dealt to such player.

It is preferred that such side bet of one dollar is a bet of about one dollar. It is presently preferred that if the player places the side bet of one dollar and gets blackjack, and then is dealt a 10 point card, such player will receive a small odds payout. It is presently preferred that all hands at a dealer's table play through the traditional rules of Blackjack, before playing as in the first or second embodiments above. OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore one of the primary objects of the present invention to provide an alternative method of playing Blackjack. Another object of the present invention is to provide a variation of Blackjack comprising providing a playing card for subtracting from a score of cards.

In one embodiment the invention is a method of playing a Blackjack type game using at least one standard deck of fifty- two playing cards, said method comprising the steps of: a player busting, said player receiving a new playing card, wherein said new playing card's value is subtracted from said player's score. In another embodiment said player pays an additional bet for said new playing card after said player has bust. In still another method a winning hand pays 1:1 of an amount betted on said winning hand. In yet another embodiment if said player's score reaches 21, then said player is paid a betted amount. In still another embodiment if said player score reaches 21, then said player is paid a betted amount without regard to other conditions. In yet another embodiment if a dealer score reaches 22, then all remaining bets are pushed. In still another embodiment if said player's score reaches 21, then said player is immediately paid a betted amount.

In another embodiment the invention is a method of playing a Blackjack type game using at least one standard deck of fifty- two playing cards, wherein said method comprises the rules: a player's blackjack beats a dealer's blackjack, said player is paid 2:1 on a bet if said player receives blackjack. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are merely exemplary of the invention, and are intended to provide an overview or framework for understanding the nature and character of the invention as it is claimed. The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate various embodiments of the invention; and together with the description serve to explain the principles and operation of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a general perspective drawing of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a general perspective drawings of a preferred embodiment of an electronic gaming machine embodying the present invention .

Figure 3 illustrates a schematic view of a variation of Blackjack (21) video gaming machine according to one embodiment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF A PRESENTLY

PREFERRED AND VARIOUS ALTERNATIVE

EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Prior to proceeding to the more detailed description of the present invention it should be noted that, for the sake of clarity and understanding, identical components which have identical functions have been identified with identical reference numerals throughout the several views illustrated in the drawing figures .

Reference is now made, more particularly, to Figure 1 which is a general perspective drawing of a hand of one embodiment of the present invention. Dealer's hand 10 comprises an eight of hearts and a ten of diamonds for a total hand value of 18. Player's hand 12 initially comprises a 10 of clubs and a two of diamonds for an initial value of 12. Player then receives a king of spades and busts with a value of 22. Player then requests to "doubleback" and receives an ace of hearts which allows him to subtract one from his score thus changing his score to 21. In this hand player won via the "doubleback" option.

Reference is now made to Figure 2 and Figure 3, which show a variation of Blackjack (21) video gaming machine including a display device, a program memory containing a variation of Blackjack (21) video game program, processing circuitry electrically coupled to such program memory, display circuitry connected to such processing circuitry and a display device; and a payout device identifying an amount to be paid to a player for a winning combination of cards in a variation of Blackjack (21) hand displayed on such display device. It is presently preferred that such payout device is a payout memory. Figure 2 illustrates one of the many embodiments of a variation of Blackjack (21) video gaming machine, generally designated 6, which may be used for playing such variation of Blackjack (21) . The particular machine shown in Figure 2 is of the type at which a player may sit and play for extended periods of time. Such variation of Blackjack (21) video gaming machine 6 includes primarily a housing 8, a display device 14 such as an LCD screen, a bill verifier 16, a coin input 18, a payout tray 20, display glass 22 identifying the payouts for various hands and other information, various control inputs 24 such as depressible buttons for inputting player choices. The outer design of the gaming machine, the control inputs, and the electronic hardware are conventional. Various patents, incorporated herein by reference, describe video gaming machines, therefore adequate disclosure of software modification to existing video gaming machines may consist of describing the high level of operation of the machine rather than circuitry details of a conventional design. These patents include U. S Pat. Nos. 5,542,669; 5,531,441; 5,511,781; 5,100,137; 5,033,744, and 6,149,521. As is usual, it is meant that to play a game on such video variation of Blackjack (21) game machine, a player first inserts coins, bills, a credit card, or other payment form into the gaming machine and places a bet by depressing a predetermined button a desired number of times and such game is thereafter initiated. The various input controls 24, including but not limited to a deal button 26, a hit button 28, a stay button 32, a double down button 36, at least one betting button 38, a payout button and the like, enable such player to interact with such variation of Blackjack (21) video gaming machine 6.

According to one embodiment of such variation of Blackjack (21) video gaming machine 6, a processor 42 receives instructions from a program memory 44 for carrying out the play of the game. Cards are dealt using a random number generator 46 of conventional design. The random number generator may be included in the program memory 44. The display of the cards on the display device 14 is performed conventionally. A code generated by such processor 42 is converted into a pixel pattern of a card by an image memory 52. Such image memory 52 may be conventional and identifies the illumination levels of the various pixels on screen to create the image displayed to the player. A display driver 54 converts the output of image memory into electrical signals for the screen. The player inputs his or her chosen action relating to his or her hand using the various input controls 24. When the player's final hand is displayed on the display device a payout may be awarded by a payout mechanism 60 if such final hand is a winning hand according to the rules of such variation of Blackjack (21) game. The processor 42 keeps track of the player's hand and the displayed combination is applied to a payout table 58 which cross-references the combination of cards to a player's winnings. Figure 2 illustrates a schematic view of such variation of Blackjack (21) video gaming machine according to one embodiment .

It is presently preferred that such program memory of such variation of Blackjack (21) video gaming machine contains instructions for proceeding through such game interactively with such player following at least the following method performed by such variation of Blackjack (21) video gaming machine: providing a predetermined number of decks of electronic playing cards to an electronic dealer, each card in each of such decks of electronic playing cards has at least one predetermined value according to conventional rules of Blackjack; placing at least one first bet by at least one player of at least a first predetermined amount of money on at an outcome of at least a portion of such game; dealing cards by such electronic dealer from such predetermined number of decks of electronic playing cards according to conventional rules of Blackjack to such at least one player and such electronic dealer until such at least one player elects to stop receiving cards; providing an option to such at least one player of such at least one player receiving one additional card upon a sum of such at least one player's card values exceeding 21 if such at least one player matches a total value of such at least one first bet; subtracting such at least one predetermined value of such one additional card from such sum of such at least one player's card values thereby providing a possibility of such sum being reduced to a number less than or equal to 21; dealing such cards by such electronic dealer to such electronic dealer according to Conventional Blackjack rules to complete such electronic dealer's hand; determining at least one of at least one winner of such game, at least one push, and a combination thereof according to conventional Blackjack rules regarding point values of each playing hand and such electronic dealer's hand; thereafter providing a payout of predetermined winnings to such at least one winner if there is such at least one winner. It is presently preferred that if such one additional card is an ace then such ace is worth only one point. Furthermore, it is preferred that such predetermined winnings are a percentage of such at least one first bet and that such percentage may exceed one hundred percent. Alternatively, the other variations of Blackjack discussed above may be applied to a Blackjack (21) video gaming machine of the present invention. While a presently preferred and various alternative embodiments of the present invention have been described in sufficient detail above to enable a person skilled in the relevant art to make and use the same it should be obvious that various other adaptations and modifications can be envisioned by those persons skilled in such art without departing from either the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.