Abstract: A variation of the popular casino game of Blackjack makes provision for an optional bonus bet. If a bonus bet is made and the player making the bonus bet receives a matching pair in his initial two cards and elects to stand on the point count indicated by the sum of his two initial cards, he is awarded a bonus payment if the dealer breaks or fails to beat or tie the player's point count value. The bonus payment may be a multiple of the player's base bet, it may vary with the size of the pair, and it may be enhanced if the cards in the player's pair are in the same suit.