Abstract: A system for playing blackjack requires a player or electronic system to: (i) receive a first bet from a player; (ii) deal an initial two-card hand to the player; (iii) deal one or more additional cards to the player; (iv) determine whether a sum total value of the initial two-card hand and the one or more additional cards exceeds twenty-one; (v) if so, offer the player an opportunity to place an additional bet; (vi) receive, from the player, the additional bet; (vii) in response receiving the additional bet, deal a final card to the player (optionally from a shoe that is different from that used for the initial hand); (vii) subtract a value of the final card from the sum total value to yield a new value; and (ix) based on the new value, determine whether the player has a winning hand, a push, or a losing hand.

Abstract: The present invention is a variation of playing Black jack. The primary difference relative to traditional Black jack 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.