Abstract: An innovative application to any poker-type card game that is effective in all forums from live hosted-establishment play to electronic venues such as video terminals, standalone video game consoles, computer terminals, and any networked combination thereof which may be centrally served. The X CHIP application to both electronic and live card games in essence replaces the betting round with an option round, which consists of the choice to exercise the option to fold through surrender of one of the X option chips and perhaps stay in the game long enough to win the pot. When optimally applied, the X CHIP application will heighten attraction to the game, increase game rate of play, and effectively increase table revenues.