Method of conducting a baccarat game

Abstract

An improved method for the play of a baccarat card game includes the player placing either a banker hand wager or a player hand wager. An initial player hand and initial banker hand are dealt. Depending upon the sum of the initial player hand, each player may have the option to designate the quantity of cards in the final player hand used to resolve that player's player hand wager. A final banker hand is formed. The final banker hand and the final player hand (including the player-designated quantity of cards when applicable) are compared and wagers are resolved.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to card games. Specifically, the present card game is a method of playing a card game between at least one player and a banker using conventional playing cards in which a subset of a quantity of dealt cards are selected to form a final hand for a player and a banker.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Casino games include many subsets of games. In one subset, players wager on which of two or more hands will win. For example, Baccarat is a live table game that uses a standard deck of fifty-two playing cards. The object of Baccarat is for a player to successfully wager on which of two hands, designated the Bank hand and the Player hand, is going to win. The player is paid even money for the wager if he or she wagers on the winning hand and loses the wager if he or she selects the losing hand.

Play of Baccarat is commenced after all wagers are made by dealing two cards to the Bank position and two cards are dealt from the shoe to the Player position on the table layout. The cards are turned face up and the values of the Bank hand and the Player hand is determined by summing the face values of the cards in each hand, with Aces counting as one, and pictures counting as zero. If the sum of the cards are added together, the total of the hand exceeds nine, then the hand value is determined modulo ten. In other words, all hand values range from a low of zero to a high of nine. For example, a seven and a eight total fifteen, but the hand value is five. An Ace and a nine total ten, but the hand value is zero. Whichever of the Bank hand or the Player hand is closest to a total of nine is the winner.

Depending on the point total of the initial Player hand and the initial Bank hand, one more card may be dealt to either the Player hand, the Bank hand or both. The rules for determining whether a third card is dealt are fixed; that is, there is no discretion for either the Player hand or the Bank hand on whether a third card is dealt.

Rule #1: If either the initial two card Player hand or the initial Banker two card hand has a point total of 8 or nine, both Player and Banker must stand and the winner is determined with no additional cards being dealt. Else, the play proceeds to Rules #2 thru #4.

Rule #2: If the initial two card Player hand has a point total of 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, the Player hand draws a third card. If the initial two card Player hand has a point total of 6 or 7, the Player hand stands and does not receive a third card.

Rule #3: If the Player hand stands and does not draw a third card, then the Bank hand follows Rule #1. In other words, if the Player hand has a point total of 6 or 7, the Bank hand draws a third card on a point total of 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 and the Bank hand stands on a point total of 6 or 7.

Rule #4: If the Player hand draws a third card, the Bank hand must draw or stand as follows:

Bank hand two		Bank hand STANDS
card point	Bank hand DRAWS when the	when the Player's
total:	Player's hand third card is:	hand third card is:
0, 1, or 2	Bank always draws
3	0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 9	8
4	2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7	0, 1, 8 or 9
5	4, 5, 6 or 7	0, 1, 2, 3, 8 or 9
6	6 or 7	0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8 or 9
7		Bank always stands

At the end of each hand, winning wagers are paid and losing wagers are collected by the house. Any commission due to the house is marked in commission boxes in the center of the table.

One drawback of Baccarat is that the draw rules are fixed. That is, as discussed above, there is no discretion in when a player may draw and when a player may stand. In effect, once the player has placed the initial wager, the hand is over and the result determined. It just takes a little time to figure out what it is. Many players dislike this lack of interactivity in Baccarat.

Additionally, all the wagers of Baccarat are mutually exclusive. That is, a player only has three mutually exclusive choices: Player, Bank, or Tie. Thus, when one player wagers on Bank and another player wagers on Player, the two players are playing against each other despite the fact that neither has a hand of his or her own.

There is therefore a need for an enhancement to the wagering and play of Baccarat which would permit a play to remain involved in the play and the results after the initial cards are dealt, and to permit players to have different, non-conflicting, wagers, such that both could win, although on different bases.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A card game is played between at least one player and a banker using one or more decks of conventional playing cards. In a first aspect of the present invention, the game begins with each player specifying an initial game wager and whether that wager will be placed on the banker hand or the player hand. A banker hand and a player hand are dealt with at least one card exposed in each hand. Optionally, the initial player hand includes two exposed cards and the initial banker hand includes one exposed card and one unexposed card. Hand are valued by adding the face values of the component cards, modulo ten, with Aces having a value of one, and face cards and tens having a value of zero.

In an optional embodiment, if the sum of the cards initially dealt to the player hand, e.g. the initial player hand, is a predetermined natural sum, no additional cards are dealt to the player hand or the banker hand. A reward is issued to players placing a player hand wager if the sum of the playing cards in the banker hand are less than the predetermined natural sum. If the sum of the playing cards in the banker hand is equal to the predetermined natural sum which is the sum of the cards initially dealt to the player hand, a tie results. A tie could result in a push, or could be resolved in favor of the player or the banker according to a predefined tie resolution procedure.

In an optional embodiment, if the sum of the cards initially dealt to the banker hand, e.g. the initial banker hand, is a predetermined natural sum, no additional cards are dealt to the player hand or the banker hand. Player hand wagers are collected if the sum of the playing cards in the player hand are less than the predetermined natural sum. Any player hand wagers are returned if the sum of the playing cards in the player hand Optionally, if the sum of the playing cards in the banker hand is equal to the predetermined natural sum which is the sum of the cards initially dealt to the player hand, a tie results. In such an optional embodiment, the tie may result in a push, or may be resolved according to a predefined tie resolution procedure.

In an optional embodiment, if the sum of the playing cards initially dealt to the player hand, e.g. the initial player hand, is a predetermined stand sum, no additional cards are dealt to the player hand such that player hand wagers. That is, where the sum of the initial player hand is a predetermined stand sum, the initial player hand is the final player hand. Player hand wagers are resolved by comparing the sum of the final player hand to the sum of the final banker hand. A a reward is issued to the player if the sum of the final player hand is closer to a predetermined target sum than the sum of the final banker hand. The player's wager is forfeited if the sum of the final banker hand is closer to the predetermined target sum that the sum of the final player hand. A tie results, and is resolved according to predetermined tie resolution procedures if the sum of the final banker hand differs from said the predetermined sum by the same amount as the final player hand.

In an optional embodiment, if the sum of the playing cards initially dealt to the player hand, e.g. the initial player hand, is a predetermined hit sum, at least one additional playing card is revealed so that the final player hand includes the initial player hand and at least one additional playing card. Player hand wagers are resolved by comparing the sum of the final player hand to the sum of the final banker hand and issuing a reward to the player if the sum of the final player hand is closer to a predetermined target sum than the sum of the final banker hand is. Optionally, the player hand wager is forfeited if the sum of the final banker hand is closer to the predetermined target sum than the sum of the final player hand is. In an optional embodiment, ties may be a push, or may be resolved in favor of the player or the banker according to a predefined tie resolution procedure.

If the sum of the cards initially dealt to the player hand, e.g. the initial player hand, is a predetermined player-option sum, each player who placed a player hand wager has the option to designate the quantity of cards used in resolving the player's player hand wager. In one optional embodiment, this means the player designates whether the initial player hand or the initial hand in combination at least one additional revealed playing card will be the final player hand. It is this player-designated final player hand that will be compared to the banker hand in resolving the player's player hand wager. At least one additional card is revealed in the player hand so that a final player hand includes the initial player hand plus at least one additional card. A reward is issued to players placing a player hand wager if the sum of the player-elected quantity of playing cards in the final player hand are closer to a predetermined target sum than the sum of the playing cards in the banker hand is. Optionally, the player wager is forfeited if the sum of the final banker hand is closer to the predetermined target sum than the sum of the player-elected quantity of cards in the player hand is. In an optional embodiment, ties may be a push, or may be resolved in favor of the banker or the player according to a predefined tie resolution procedure. For example, if the player elected to designate the initial player hand as the final player hand, the sum of the initially dealt cards of the initial player hand is compared to the sum of the final banker hand; whereas if the player elected to designate the initial player hand plus at least one additional playing card as the final player hand, the sum of the initially dealt playing cards plus at least one additional playing card dealt to the player hand is compared to the sum of the final banker hand.

In one optional embodiment, banker hand wagers are resolved by comparing the final player hand to the final banker hand. If the sum of the final banker hand is closer to a predetermined target sum than the final player hand is, wagers upon the banker hand may be rewarded.

Optionally, in the event of ties, hand wagers may be resolved using the sum of each of the final player hand and final banker hand. In one optional embodiment, if the banker hand and player hand tie with each having a sum of zero or one, the hand wager forfeited; whereas if the banker hand and player hand tie with any other sum, the hand wager is returned, i.e. a push occurs. In other optional embodiments, a greater or less number of sums may result in a forfeiture or different tie values may be selected. Alternatively, an altogether different tie resolution procedure may be used.

In an optional embodiment, a tie wager may be offered in certain circumstances where the sum of the initial player hand is a predetermined tie sum and the exposed card of the initial banker hand is a predetermined tie card. For each player placing a tie wager, if the sum of the playing cards of the banker hand is equal to a predetermined natural sum, the player's tie wager is returned. If the sum of the playing cards of the final player hand is equal to the sum of the playing cards of the final banker hand, a reward is issued to the player. If the sum of the playing cards of the final player hand is unequal to the sum of the playing cards of the final banker hand, the player's tie wager is collected.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view of a gaming table according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of a player location at a gaming table according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of a method of play according to an optional embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a flow chart of a method of resolving wagers according to an optional embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION

Reference is now made to the figures wherein like parts are referred to by like numerals throughout. The invention disclosed herein is a method for conducting a card game played between a banker and at least one player. It is noted that the banker may be a player-banker, that is, a player who banks wagers of other players, or may be a house-banker, that is, a banker representing the house conducting the game and banking the players' wagers. As shown in the optional embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, the game is played on a playing surface. In the optional embodiment depicted therein, the playing surface 100 includes a plurality of player areas 102 and a banker area 110. In an optional embodiment, the banker area 110 includes a plurality of designated locations 131-133 for banker cards and a plurality of designated locations 121-123 for player cards. Each player wagering area 102 comprises at least one wagering location 210, 220, 230, 240. In the optional embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, each player wagering area 102 contains at least two player hand wager locations 210, 220 (as described in greater detail below), a banker hand wager location 240, and, in an optional embodiment, a tie wager location 230.

With reference to FIGS. 2-4, play includes each player placing 305 a wager on either the player hand or the banker hand. In the optional embodiment illustrated, a player could indicate the placement of a player hand wager by placing gaming chips, currency, or the like, on a first player hand wager location 210 and the placement of a banker hand wager by placing gaming chips, currency, or the like, on a banker hand wager location 240. In the optional embodiment illustrated, placing of wagers by a single player on both the player hand and the banker hand may be prohibited.

Once players have placed the initial wager, the banker deals 310 two hands, one of which is designated the banker hand and one of which is designated the player hand. While the hands could contain any quantity of n cards, in an optional embodiment, the banker hand and player hand each initially contain two cards. However, as described below, the dealing procedure may vary without departing from the scope of the present invention. In the optional embodiment illustrated, the initial banker hand may be dealt to two of the banker card locations 131, 132, and the initial player hand is dealt to two of the player card locations 121, 122. Optionally, least one of the cards dealt to the player hand and at least one of the cards dealt to the banker hand are exposed. In an optional embodiment, both of the player cards are dealt face-up whereas only one of the banker cards is dealt face-up, while the other is dealt face-down. It is noted that in an optional variation on the dealing procedure, only one card of the banker hand may be initially dealt, then the second card of the banker hand may be dealt after the player hand is examined (as described below). In such an optional embodiment, the initially dealt card may be dealt face-up.

The player hand is evaluated 315 by adding the face value of the initial player cards. In the optional embodiment illustrated, aces have a value of one; kings, queens, and jacks have a value of zero; and all other cards have a value equal to their face value. Optionally, the sum is performed modulo ten. For example, if the initial cards dealt to the player hand include a six and an eight, the initial sum is fourteen modulo ten, or four. The evaluation of the player hand determines the conduct of the player hand.

If the sum of the initial player hand is a predetermined player-option sum 345, each player who placed 340 a player hand wager may elect how his or her player hand wager is resolved. Specifically, the player may elect to designate 335 the quantity of cards used in forming a sum for comparison to the banker hand. For example, in an optional embodiment, the designated player-option sum could be the initial player hand sums of five and six. Thus, if the initial cards of the player hand have a sum modulo ten of five or six, the player may elect to designate the initial player hand as the final player hand in resolution against the banker hand or may elect to designate the initial player hand plus at least one additional playing card as the final player hand in resolution against the banker hand. It is noted that according to an optional embodiment, different players may have their player hand wagers resolved on completely different bases. In other words, in a single game, certain player hand wagers may be resolved on the sum of, for example, two cards, while other player hand wagers may be resolved on the sum of, for example, three cards. In the optional layout illustrated in FIG. 2, a player would signify his or her election to designate the initial player hand as the final player hand for resolution of that wager by leaving the player wager on the “STAND” player wager location 210. Similarly, a player would signify his or her election to use the initial player hand plus at least one additional card as the final player hand for resolution of that wager by moving (or signifying to the banker to move) the player wager to the “HIT” player wager location 220. Referring again to FIGS. 2-4, at least one additional card is revealed 330 to the player hand. In an optional embodiment, exactly one additional playing card is revealed. As illustrated in the figures, the additional playing card could be dealt to a third player card location 123. While the dealing procedure could vary, in one optional embodiment the additional player card is only dealt if needed. In another optional embodiment, the additional player card is dealt along with the initial player hand, but is only revealed if needed.

In resolving 375 player hand wagers when the player hand has a player-option sum 410, the final player hand formed from the player-selected 412 quantity of cards is compared 450 to the sum of the final banker hand (the formation of which is described in greater detail below) and a target value. Thus, in the optional embodiment illustrated, for each player electing to designate 335 the initial player hand as the final player hand (by leaving the player hand wager on the “STAND” player wager location 210), the sum 425 of the initially dealt cards is compared 450 to the sum 425 of the final banker hand, and a reward is issued 475 to the player if the sum of the initially dealt cards is closer to a predetermined target sum than the sum of the final banker hand is 445. Similarly, in the optional embodiment illustrated, for each player electing to designate 335 the initial player hand plus at least one additional card as the final player hand (by moving the player hand wager to the “HIT” player wager location 220), the sum 425 of the initially dealt cards plus at least one additional card is compared 450 to the sum 425 of the final banker hand, and a reward is issued 475 to the player if the sum of the final player hand is closer to a predetermined target sum than the sum of the final banker hand is 445. In an optional embodiment, the predetermined target sum may be nine.

Thus, in an example hand, suppose an initial player hand includes 9⋄7 for an initial player hand sum (modulo ten) of six. After all players placing a player hand wager have elected whether to designate the initial player hand or initial player hand plus at least one additional card as the final player hand in resolution of the player's player hand wager, suppose an additional card of 3 is revealed in the player hand for a player hand sum (modulo ten) of nine. For a player who leaves his player hand wager on the “STAND” player wager location 210, the player will be comparing a sum of six to the sum of the final banker hand Conversely, for a player who moves his player hand wager to the “HIT” player wager location 220, the player will be comparing a sum of nine to the sum of the final banker hand If the final banker hand sum is seven, players electing to designate the initial player hand lose their wagers, but players electing the to designate the initial player plus the additional card are rewarded on their wagers.

In an optional embodiment, the initial player hand could have a predetermined hit sum, a predetermined stand sum, or a predetermined natural sum. In an optional embodiment, the predetermined player-optional sum is mutually exclusive of a predetermined hit sum, a predetermined stand sum, and a predetermined natural sum.

Optionally, if the initial player hand has a predetermined natural sum 325, no additional playing cards are dealt to the player hand or the banker hand. Thus, in resolving 430 player and banker hand wagers when the player has a natural sum 405, the initially dealt cards of the player hand and banker hand are compared 450. Player hand wagers are rewarded 475 if the sum of the final banker hand is not a predetermined natural sum. Player hand wagers are resolved using a predetermined tie resolution procedure 455 if the sum of the final banker hand is a predetermined natural sum. Such an optional tie resolution procedure 455 may include rewarding player and/or banker hand wagers, collecting player and/or banker hand wagers, or returning player and/or banker hand wagers. In an optional embodiment, nine may be a predetermined natural sum.

Optionally, if the initial player hand has a predetermined hit sum, at least one additional playing card (in an optional embodiment, exactly one additional playing card) is dealt 330 to the player hand, and the final player hand comprises the initial player hand plus the additional playing card(s). The final player hand sum 425 is compared 450 to the final banker hand sum 425, and player wagers are rewarded 475 if the final player hand sum is closer 445 to a predetermined target sum than the final banker hand sum is. Optionally, zero through four, inclusive, may be predetermined hit sums.

Similarly, in an optional embodiment, if the initial player hand has a predetermined stand sum 350, no additional playing cards are dealt to the player hand, and the final player hand used to resolve 415 the player hand wagers comprises the initial player hand. The final player hand sum 425 is compared 450 to the final banker hand sum 425, and player wagers are rewarded 475 if the final player hand sum is closer to a predetermined target sum than the final banker hand sum is. In one optional embodiment, seven through nine, inclusive, may be predetermined stand sums.

In an optional embodiment, tie wagers may also be offered 320. In one version of such an optional embodiment, tie wagers may only be offered under certain conditions, such as the sum of the initial player hand and/or the exposed playing card of the initial banker hand. In an optional embodiment, the availability of tie wagers is determined by examining both the initial player hand sum and the exposed card of the initial banker hand. For example, in an optional embodiment, tie bets may be allowed under circumstances except as shown in Table 1.

TABLE 1
                        Tie Wagers Not Allowed
Initial Player Hand Sum on Exposed Banker Card
5                       5
6                       6
7                       7
8                       8
9                       9

If tie wagers are available, a player may place 320 a tie wager before any additional playing cards are revealed or dealt to the player hand or banker hand. In an optional embodiment, tie wagers are rewarded 460 if the final player hand sum equals the final banker hand sum and are collected if the final player hand sum is unequal to the final banker hand sum. In an optional embodiment, tie wagers are rewarded 460 at greater than even money, for example, at 8:1. In a further optional embodiment, tie wagers may be returned if the banker has a predetermined natural sum, for example, an initial hand with a sum of nine.

The banker hand is also evaluated to determine how to form a final banker hand. As noted above, the initial banker hand includes at least one unrevealed playing card. The unrevealed playing card is revealed and the sum of the initial banker hand (optionally, modulo ten) is calculated 355. As with the player hand, the initial banker hand could be a predetermined hit sum, a predetermined stand sum, or a predetermined natural sum, although it is noted that the predetermined sums in each category for the banker hand may differ from the predetermined sums in each category for the player hand.

For example, if the initial banker hand is a predetermined hit sum, at least one additional playing card is dealt 370 to the initial banker hand. In an optional embodiment, exactly one additional card is dealt. The final banker hand used 420 to resolve the banker hand wagers is the combination of the initial banker hand plus the additional playing card(s). To resolve 375 banker hand wagers, the final player hand sum 425 is compared 450 to the final banker hand sum 425, and banker hand wagers are rewarded 465 if the final banker hand sum is closer 440 to a predetermined target sum than the final player hand sum is. In an optional embodiment, zero through five, inclusive, are predetermined hit sums for the banker.

Similarly, if the initial banker hand sum is a predetermined stand sum 365, no additional cards are dealt to the banker hand and the final banker hand used 420 to resolve the banker hand wagers is the initial banker hand. The final player hand sum 425 is compared 450 to the final banker hand sum 425, and banker hand wagers are rewarded 465 if the final banker hand sum is closer to a predetermined target sum than the final player hand sum 440. Player hand wagers are rewarded 475 if the final player hand sum is closer to the predetermined target sum than the final banker hand sum 445. Ties may be resolved according to predefined tie resolution procedures 455, 460. In an optional embodiment, six through nine, inclusive, are predetermined stand sums for the banker.

Optionally, if the initial banker hand sum is a predetermined natural sum 360 no additional cards are dealt to the banker hand or the player hand. Thus, in resolving 430 hand wagers when the banker has a natural sum 405, the initial banker hand and initial player hand are compared 450. Banker hand wagers are rewarded 465 if the banker hand sum is closer 440 to a predetermined target sum than the player hand sum is. Player hand wagers are rewarded 475 if the player hand sum is closer 445 to the predetermined target sum than the banker hand sum is. Ties may be resolved according to predefined tie resolution procedures 455, 460. In an optional embodiment, nine is a predetermined natural sum.

Tie results 435 may be resolved according to a predetermined tie resolution procedure 455, 460. In an optional embodiment, hand wagers are forfeited where hands are tied with a value of zero or one, and hand wagers are returned to the player, i.e. pushed, on all other ties. In alternate embodiments, a greater or lesser number of ties, or different tie values may result in forfeiture, and specific tie results may result in a player reward.

In an optional embodiment, winning hand wagers are rewarded at even money 465, 475, although a commission may be charged in an optional embodiment. In another optional embodiment, a commission may not be charged.

While certain embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described it is to be understood that the present invention is subject to many modifications and changes without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims presented herein.

Claims

1. A method for conducting a card game for one or more players played against a banker using a at least one deck of playing cards, or electronic representations thereof, comprising:

each player placing a wager on either a player hand or a banker hand;

dealing an player hand and a banker hand, each of said player hand and said banker hand including at least one exposed card;

if the sum of the player hand is a predetermined player-option sum, each player electing the quantity of cards in the player hand used to resolve the player's player hand wager and dealing at least one additional playing card to the player hand;

forming a final banker hand by revealing at least one additional playing card;

issuing a reward to players placing a banker hand wager if the sum of the playing cards in the final banker hand are closer to a predetermined target sum than the sum of the playing cards in the player hand is; and

issuing a reward to players placing a player hand wager if the sum of the player-elected quantity of playing cards in the player hand is closer to a predetermined target sum than the sum of the playing cards in the banker hand is.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the sum of said player hand and sum of said banker hand are calculated by summing the values of the playing cards modulo ten, with aces having a value of one, face cards and tens having a value of zero, and all other cards having a value equal to their face value.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

if the sum of the playing cards initially dealt to the player hand is a predetermined stand sum, dealing no additional cards to the player hand such that player hand wagers are resolved by comparing the sum of the playing cards initially dealt to the player hand to the sum of the playing cards dealt to the banker hand; and

if the sum of the playing cards initially dealt to the player hand is a predetermined hit sum, dealing at least one additional playing card to the player hand such that player hand wagers are resolved by comparing the sum of the playing cards initially dealt to the player hand plus any additional playing cards dealt to the player hand to the sum of the playing cards dealt to the banker hand.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein if the sum of the playing cards initially dealt to the player hand is a predetermined natural sum, dealing no additional cards to the player hand or the banker hand and issuing a reward to players placing a player hand wager if the sum of the playing cards in the banker hand is not a predetermined natural sum and returning any player hand wagers if the sum of the playing cards in the banker hand is a predetermined natural sum.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein if the sum of the playing cards initially dealt to the banker hand is a predetermined natural sum, dealing no additional cards to the player hand or the banker hand and collecting all player hand wagers if the sum of the playing cards in the player hand is not a predetermined natural sum and returning any player hand wagers if the sum of the playing cards in the player hand is a predetermined natural sum.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

after dealing said player hand and said banker hand, offering a tie wager if the sum of the player hand is a predetermined tie sum and the exposed card of said banker hand is a predetermined tie card; and

for each player placing a tie wager: if the sum of the playing cards of the banker hand is equal to a predetermined natural sum, returning the player's tie wager; if the sum of the playing cards of the player hand is equal to the sum of the playing cards of the banker hand, issuing a reward to the player; and if the sum of the playing cards of the player hand is unequal to the sum of the playing cards of the banker hand, collecting the player's tie wager.

7. A method for conducting a card game for one or more players played against a banker using a at least one deck of playing cards, or electronic representations thereof, comprising:

each player placing a wager on either a player hand or a banker hand;

dealing an initial player hand and an initial banker hand, the playing cards of said initial player hand exposed and at least one of the playing cards of the initial banker hand exposed;

if the sum of the playing cards of the initial player hand is a predetermined player-option sum, each player who placed a player hand wager electing to designate the initial player hand or said initial player hand in combination with at least one additional revealed playing card as the final player hand and revealing at least one additional playing card;

forming a final banker hand by revealing at least one additional playing card;

issuing a reward to players placing a banker hand wager if the sum of the playing cards in the final banker hand are closer to a predetermined target sum than the sum of the playing cards in the final player hand,is; and

issuing a reward to players placing a player hand wager if the sum of the player-elected quantity of playing cards in the final player hand is closer to a predetermined target sum than the sum of the playing cards in the banker hand is.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the sums of the initial player hand, initial banker hand, final player hand, and final banker hand are calculated by summing the values of the playing cards in the hand modulo ten, with aces having a value of one, face cards and tens having a value of zero, and all other cards having a value equal to their face value.

9. The method of claim 7 further comprising:

if the sum of the playing cards of the initial player hand is a predetermined stand sum, dealing no additional cards to the initial player hand such that player hand wagers are resolved by comparing the sum of the initial player hand to the sum of the final banker hand; and

if the sum of the playing cards of the initial player hand is a predetermined hit sum, dealing at least one additional playing card to the initial player hand to form a final player hand such that player hand wagers are resolved by comparing the sum of the final player hand to the sum of the final banker hand.

10. The method of claim 7 wherein if the sum of the playing cards of the initial player hand is a predetermined natural sum, dealing no additional cards to the initial player hand or the initial banker hand and issuing a reward to players placing a player hand wager if the sum of the playing cards in the initial banker hand are not a predetermined natural sum and returning the any player hand wagers if the sum of the playing cards in the initial banker hand is a predetermined natural sum.

11. The method of claim 7 wherein if the sum of the playing cards of the initial banker hand is a predetermined natural sum, dealing no additional cards to the initial player hand or the initial banker hand and collecting all player hand wagers if the sum of the playing cards in the initial player hand are not a predetermined natural sum and returning the any player hand wagers if the sum of the playing cards in the initial player hand is a predetermined natural sum.

12. The method of claim 7 further comprising:

after dealing said initial player hand and said initial banker hand, offering a tie wager if the sum of the initial player hand is a predetermined tie sum and the exposed card of said initial banker hand is a predetermined tie card; and

for each player placing a tie wager: if the sum of the playing cards of the initial banker hand is equal to a predetermined natural sum, returning the player's tie wager; if the sum of the playing cards of the final player hand is equal to the sum of the playing cards of the final banker hand, issuing a reward to the player; and if the sum of the playing cards of the final player hand is unequal to the sum of the playing cards of the final banker hand, collecting the player's tie wager.

13. A method for conducting a card game for one or more players played against a banker using a at least one deck of playing cards, or electronic representations thereof, comprising:

each player placing a wager on either a player hand or a banker hand;

dealing an initial player hand and an initial banker hand, the playing cards of said initial player hand exposed and at least one of the playing cards of the initial banker hand exposed;

if the sum of the playing cards of the initial player hand is a predetermined stand sum, dealing no additional cards to the initial player hand so that the initial player hand is a final player hand;

if the sum of the playing cards of the initial player hand is a predetermined hit sum, revealing one additional playing card which, in combination with the initial player hand, forms a final player hand;

if the sum of the playing cards of the initial player hand is a predetermined player-option sum, each player who placed a player hand wager electing to designate the initial player hand or said initial player hand in combination with at least one additional revealed playing card as the final player hand and revealing at least one additional playing card;

forming a final banker hand by revealing at least one additional playing card;

issuing a reward to players placing a banker hand wager if the sum of the playing cards in the final banker hand are closer to a predetermined target sum than the sum of the playing cards in the final player hand is;

if the initial player hand formed a predetermined hit sum or a predetermined stand sum, issuing a reward to player placing a player hand wager if the playing cards in the final player hand are closer to a predetermined target sum than the sum of the player cards in the banker hand is; and

if the initial player hand formed a predetermined player-option sum, issuing a reward to players placing an initial player hand wager if the sum of the player-elected quantity of playing cards in the final player hand are closer to a predetermined target sum than the sum of the playing cards in the banker hand is.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the sums of the initial player hand, initial banker hand, final player hand, and final banker hand are calculated by summing the values of the playing cards in the hand modulo ten, with aces having a value of one, face cards and tens having a value of zero, and all other cards having a value equal to their face value.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein if the sum of the playing cards of the initial player hand is a predetermined natural sum, dealing no additional cards to the initial player hand or the initial banker hand and issuing a reward to players placing a player hand wager if the sum of the playing cards in the initial banker hand are not a predetermined natural sum and returning the any player hand wagers if the sum of the playing cards in the initial banker hand is a predetermined natural sum.

16. The method of claim 13 wherein if the sum of the playing cards of the initial banker hand is a predetermined natural sum, dealing no additional cards to the initial player hand or the initial banker hand and collecting all player hand wagers if the sum of the playing cards in the initial player hand are not a predetermined natural sum and returning the any player hand wagers if the sum of the playing cards in the initial player hand is a predetermined natural sum.

17. The method of claim 13 further comprising:

after dealing said initial player hand and said initial banker hand, offering a tie wager if the sum of the initial player hand is a predetermined tie sum and the exposed card of said initial banker hand is a predetermined tie card; and

for each player placing a tie wager: if the sum of the playing cards of the initial banker hand is equal to a predetermined natural sum, returning the player's tie wager; if the sum of the playing cards of the final player hand is equal to the sum of the playing cards of the final banker hand, issuing a reward to the player; and if the sum of the playing cards of the final player hand is unequal to the sum of the playing cards of the final banker hand, collecting the player's tie wager.