Abstract: Disclosed is a method for playing a modified form of Blackjack ("Twenty-One") using one or more standard 52-card decks, and having rule variations to increase the excitement of the game while retaining the same "take" for the house within approximately 1%. By paying even-money on any blackjack (even on a "push"), rather than 1.5:1 if there is no push, shifts the take in favor of the house sufficiently to create several special rules greatly adding to the excitement of the game. Specifically, blackjack in a specified suit pays 2:1. Five or more cards totaling exactly 21 pays 2:1. Six-cards totaling 20 or less pays 1:1. No bonuses are paid on double-down hands. The player may split all equal-value cards three times, including Aces. The player may double-down on any number of cards, even after splitting and hitting, including Aces. The player may surrender one half her bet on any "unbusted" hand, even after hitting, doubling-down or splitting.