Multiple round pokers

Abstract

A method of playing a casino wagering card game, featuring multiple rounds of dealing poker hands, out of the same deck(s), and before a new shuffle, and or a new deck(s) of cards being used. Joker(s) are not used in the preferred way of playing the game, but may be used in a different version. The method will use at least a 52 standard poker deck (s) of cards, and allow the players to wager against an Ante against the dealer, and or wager against a predetermined payout schedule, and or wager on a bonus event. Additional options of wagers may be made available. Multiple Round Poker will offer the method of playing a poker wagering game, wherein the number of rounds dealt to the players and the dealer before a shuffle is two or more.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is filed in connection with and claiming the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/627,537 filed on Nov. 12, 2004 identifying Larry E. Kekempanos and James Thomas Kenny as co-inventors.

BACKGRUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to gaming and to card games. More particularly, the present invention pertains to a method of playing a new type of poker game especially adapted for casino gaming, both in live table and electronic video formats, wherein the number of rounds dealt to the players and or dealer before the shuffle is two or more.

Gaming establishments continually require new games to offer their players. Casinos are also in need of games which are easy to play and easy to deal. Such games are generally required to enable each player to play against a banker (who usually also acts as a dealer) provided by a casino, rather than against other players. This type of Casino Poker can provide more revenue to the casino that traditional poker because Casino Poker is invariably structured to give the casino an advantage. Exemplary of Casino Poker are the casino games of “Let It Ride”, “Caribbean Stud Poker” and “Three Card Poker. These type games require less space than the traditionally larger tables found in poker rooms and are dealt much faster.

In games like Let It Ride and Caribbean Stud Poker, the poker hands that the player must make to get a payoff are hard to get thus the payoffs are infrequent. The player is frustrated because many times they notice that they did not receive a good hand, and neither did any of the other players. In a three-card game like Three Card Poker, the hands are sometimes made easier but with only one round dealt out of a single deck, the player(s) is still frustrated since the number of payoffs is still rather low. Numerous times, the remainder of cards in the deck that is unexploited, in many Casino Poker games, is where most of the winning combinations are to be found. Therefore, there is a need for a game, which would bridge the gap in ease of making a hand with more frequent payouts to the player(s), and feature two or more rounds of dealing from the same deck(s), and before a shuffle. This new game feature of multiple rounds in poker shall be incorporated into the players and or the dealer receiving a predetermined number of cards, consisting of at least 1-7 cards, and more particularly a finalized hand comparison against the dealer and or against a predetermined pay scale, for either a 1 card poker hand, 2 card poker hands, 3 card poker hands, 4 card poker hands, 5 card poker hands, 6 card poker hand and or any other predetermined amount of card and combination of hands, being compared before a new shuffle, independently and or in combination of hands with the dealer and player(s).

In addition, as will be more apparent from the following specification, and as was more fully delineated in our provisional application filed Nov. 12, 2004, it has been determined that the player interest is increased when the odds of the player being able to achieve a winning hand are increased. This of course, must be balanced against the player/dealer/casino having good odds in winning as well. It is clear that with single round card poker games, the odds of achieving a good hand are more difficult that in a multiple round poker card game. As has been indicated above, in a single round poker game, the ability to achieve a good hand is less and therefore the payoffs are less. The present invention seeks to provide a card game, which now focus's on a multiple round poker game and as will be demonstrated hereinafter, improves the odds for the player to win, while still maintaining good odds for the casino as well. It will also be appreciated that the over all odds for a player winning in a multiple round poker card game with two or more rounds before a shuffle, are easier than the odds for a player to win any single round card poker game with only one round.

Insofar as the prior art is concerned, the art is particularly void of any disclosures or showings of a multiple rounds poker game, out of a single deck(s) and before a shuffle or a new deck of cards are introduced. Similar games are disclosed, but they relate to dealing only one round of poker from the same deck, in a three card game or a five card game. Furthermore, the games disclosed in the prior art are played with one round of cards dealt before a shuffle and hence, have a different basis for play and a different statistical odds for the player being able to achieve a winning hand. For example, the patent to Webb, U.S. Pat. No. 5,685,774 discloses a poker style casino card game which may be played in either a three card variation, or a five card variation. Webb discloses in the prior art, a player wagering against a predetermined payout schedule, a dealer's hand, or both. The dealer must determine whether his hand exceeds a predetermined rank, and if it does not, the bank paying each player an amount based on the bet and returning the other bet to the player, or if the dealer's hand exceeds the predetermined rank, comparing the dealer's hand in turn with that of each player who placed both bets, and if the player's hand is higher, the banker paying the player and amount based on both bets, and if the player's hand is lower, the player forfeiting both bets, and the banker paying the fixed payout bet in accordance with a predetermined scale to any player who placed the first bet and whose hand exceeds the first predetermined rank. Webb fails to reveal any capability to deal more than one round from the same deck(s), and before a shuffle.

Another prior art U.S. Pat. No. 5,997,002 to Goldman, discloses a poker style casino card game which uses a 52 card standard playing deck plus an additional five jokers for a total of 57 cards. Play consists of dealing 5 cards to each player, and in the preferred embodiment, is dealt face down. The game is played by the dealer revealing a first card, and a player revealing a first card, then deciding on additional wagers. The sequence of the game terminates when all five cards are displayed, assuming each player has stayed in the game, comparing the best five card hand of the dealer against each player five cards. Goldman also reveals that jokers which are part of the deck are never wild and hence, a player receiving a joker ends up in a poor position since on of the five cards cannot count toward the making of a poker hand. Again, Goldman fails to reveal any capability to make or deal more than two rounds from the same deck(s), and before a shuffle.

The patent to Breeding U.S. Pat. No. 5,288,081 describes still another variation of a poker game which is played by the player placing a three part bet. Cards are dealt by the dealer, two face down to the dealer and three face down to each player. Players inspect or sweat their cards and the dealer gives each player the choice of withdrawing or leaving a first part of the bet. Each player decides and the dealer then turns over one of the cards and again gives each player the choice of withdrawing or leaving the second part of the bet. The players decide, their cards are shown, and all remaining bets, which were not withdrawn, are resolved. Once again, Breeding fails to disclose or appreciate to two or more rounds before a shuffle, from the same deck(s).

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide an enjoyable new card game.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a game that is easy to learn and deal.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a game that makes it easier and more often for a player to make a hand than in any other poker card game, and hence enhances the odds of the player being able to win in a multiple round(s) versus only a single round.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a game that has more frequent payoffs than in a single round poker game since the odds and probability are harder in a single round poker game than they are in a multiple round(s) poker game, but nevertheless still maintains the player interest due to the enhanced ability to obtain a winning hand versus a poker game that deals only one round of cards from a deck(s).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention discloses a poker game variation in which one or more players play against the casino. Broadly, the invention is directed to a poker game variant in which a player has a choice between several wagers among the following; an initial stake ante wager against the dealer, and a separate voluntary middle stake wager against a predetermined payout schedule.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention, one or more players initially place a wager(s) and then X cards are dealt to the players. Players would inspect their hands, and if their hand has achieved a pre-determined rank, the player would win that wager accordingly. The remainder of cards in the deck(s) is now used to deal the second round of cards before a shuffle. Now, the players that had made the next wager, would be dealt X cards, from the remaining deck(s), inspect their hands, and if their hand has achieved a pre-determined rank, the player would win that wager accordingly. This version would include a standard deck of at least 52 playing cards, with or without at least one joker. This version may also include a non-standard deck of at least 52 playing cards, with or without at least one joker.

In a second preferred embodiment of the invention, one or more players initially place a wager(s) against the dealer and a separate voluntary wager against a predetermined pay scale and then X cards are dealt to the players. Y amount of cards are dealt to the dealer. Players would inspect their hands, and if their hand has achieved a pre-determined rank, the player would win that wager accordingly. Then, comparing the players best X poker hand against the dealer's best Y poker hand and excluding all extra cards dealt to determine the relative ranking there between. The remainder of cards in the deck(s) is now used to deal the second round of cards before a shuffle. Now, the players that have made the next wager(s) against the dealer and a separate voluntary wager against a predetermined pay scale and then X cards are dealt to the players. Y amount of cards are dealt to the dealer. Players would inspect their hands, and if their hand has achieved a pre-determined rank, the player would win that wager accordingly. Then, comparing the players best X poker hand against the dealer's best Y poker hand and excluding all extra cards dealt to determine the relative ranking there between. This version would include at least a standard deck of at least 52 playing cards. This version may also include a non-standard at least 52 card deck.

In a third preferred embodiment of the invention, one or more players initially place a wager(s) against the dealer and a separate voluntary wager against a predetermined pay scale and then X cards are dealt to the players. Y amount of cards are dealt to the dealer. Players would inspect their hands, and if their hand has achieved a pre-determined rank, the player would win that wager accordingly. Then, comparing the players best X poker hand against the dealer's best Y poker hand and excluding all extra cards dealt to determine the relative ranking there between. The remainder of cards in the deck(s) is now used to deal the second round of cards before a shuffle. Now, the players that have made the next wager(s) against the dealer and a separate voluntary wager against a predetermined pay scale and then X cards are dealt to the players. Y amount of cards are dealt to the dealer. Players would inspect their hands, and if their hand has achieved a pre-determined rank, the player would win that wager accordingly. Then, comparing the players best X poker hand against the dealer's best Y poker hand and excluding all extra cards dealt to determine the relative ranking there between. This version would include at least a standard deck of at least 52 playing cards and at least one joker.

In a fourth preferred embodiment of the invention, one or more players initially place a wager(s) against the dealer and a separate voluntary wager against a predetermined pay scale and then X cards are dealt to the players. Y amount of cards are dealt to the dealer. Players would inspect their hands, and if their hand has achieved a pre-determined rank, the player would win that wager accordingly. Then, comparing the players best X poker hand against the dealer's best Y poker hand and excluding all extra cards dealt to determine the relative ranking there between. The remainder of cards in the deck(s) is now used to deal the second round of cards before a shuffle. Now, the players that have made the next wager(s) against the dealer and a separate voluntary wager against a predetermined pay scale and then X cards are dealt to the players. Y amount of cards are dealt to the dealer. Players would inspect their hands, and if their hand has achieved a pre-determined rank, the player would win that wager accordingly. Then, comparing the players best X poker hand against the dealer's best Y poker hand and excluding all extra cards dealt to determine the relative ranking there between. This version would include at least a non-standard deck of cards, with or without jokers.

It is contemplated that in the game of the present invention, for the game to begin, the casino may either require the dealer or the player to achieve a qualifying hand. If the dealer must qualify and he does not, then the initial wager made by the player against the dealer would be paid. If the player was required to qualify and did not, then the player would forfeit their initial wager against the dealer. The game may be played without requiring any of the participants to have a qualifying hand in order to continue with the game.

A novel gaming layout for use in the casino version of the game is also disclosed.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction or to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods, and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent construction insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a playing surface for use in playing a card game of one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a chart indicating winning poker hands and their payouts in one example of a wager against a predetermined pay scale of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a chart indicating winning poker hands and their payouts in one example of a wager against a predetermined pay scale of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a chart indicating winning poker hands and their payouts in one example of a wager against a predetermined pay scale of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a chart indicating winning poker hands and their payouts in one example of a wager against a predetermined pay scale of the present invention;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, players play against a casino. However, in jurisdictions where such games are not legal, such as in California, one player may be designated “Player-Dealer” and all the other players would play against the Player-Dealer. The option to act as Player-Dealer would be offered to each player in their turn. In this specification, the term “Dealer” is intended to refer to either a casino dealer, or a Player-Dealer, whichever is appropriate for the circumstances under which the game of the present invention is played.

FIG. 1 shows a playing surface or table layout 25 on which one embodiment of the present invention is played. The layout 25 may be marked or placed on any suitable surface such as a gaming table. For example, the layout may be in the form of a layout cloth supported on a supporting surface. The layout provides a playing area 30 for a plurality of players, for example seven players, and a separate area 35 for a banker who also preferably acts as the dealer. Each playing area 30 has a number of marked sections or zones 12, 14, 16 for the placing of various wagers by a player as will be described hereafter.

Each player takes a place at one of the playing areas 30. The game is played and initially commenced with multiple rounds of poker being dealt from the same deck(s) before a shuffle, as will be described. In each round, each player has the option of playing against the dealer, and or wagering on the rank of his/her hand against a predetermined pay scale or a combination of the two. The player(s) will further have the option of continuing with the game for at least another round of cards before a shuffle, immediately after the first round is dealt and before the remaining cards are shuffled. In other variations of the game, the player may be offered more options. The preferred embodiment of the present invention is played with at least a standard deck of 52 playing cards plus two jokers. The two jokers together form the highest hand or combined with another card, form a pair.

At the beginning of the game each player decides whether to play that particular round by wagering against the dealer, i.e. an “INITIAL ANTE” wager, by wagering on the hand value only, i.e. “PREDETERMINED PAYOUT SCHEDULE AGAINST A PAYSCALE” wager, or both. The player must now also make his/her wages for the second round. To play against the dealer a player makes an INITIAL ANTE wager by placing an appropriate wager, such as a token or chip, or where permitted, cash, on the section 14 of his/her/playing area 30. The gaming chip may be of any conventional kind and available in a number of denominations such as are well known within the art. The casino will post the house betting limits. If a player wishes to wager based on the value of his/her hand, the player would place an appropriate token, chip, or cash on the “PREDETERMINED PAYOUT SCHEDULE AGAINST A PAYSCALE” wager in section 12 of his/her playing area 30. In the present example, the rules of the game provide that payouts will be made according to a displayed payout schedule with “Pair or More” payouts starting at a pair or better. In one embodiment of the present invention, hands are ranked according to the following hierarchy, though other rankings may be used:

• Highest:
• Joker version rankings;
• 1 2 Jokers Mini Royal Ace/King of one suit Straight Flush: Two of one suit in sequence K, Q highest ranking straight flush 2, A lowest ranking straight flush Straight: Two in sequence A, K highest ranking K, Q second highest ranking and so on until A, 2 lowest ranking straight 1 Pair: Two of one rank A, A highest K, K next highest ranking pair, and so on until 2, 2 lowest ranking pair Flush: Two of one suit A, Q highest ranking flush K, J next highest ranking, and so on, until 4, 2 lowest ranking flush High Card: (A hand comprising none of the above) A, Q highest A, J next highest ranking card, and so on, until 4, 2 lowest ranking high card
• Ace is high, but can be low in Straight A, 2 and Straight Flush A, 2
• This is but one of many different ways to rank the cards.

The payout schedule may be varied in accordance with the rules of the game and/or the casino. For example, another version of the game may eliminate the jokers and have the following rankings:

• Non-joker version:
• Straight Flush
• One Pair
• Straight
• Flush
• High Card

One of the wagering options in one embodiment of the present invention is a wager against a payscale. The bet is called “Pair or More” and has the following payscale as one example:

• 2 2 Jokers 50 to 1 Mini-Royal 20 to 1 Straight Flush 8 to 1 Straight 2 to 1 Pair 1 to 1

Another of the options in a second embodiment of the present invention would be to have a game that did not use any jokers and an example of a possible payscale for the “Pair or More” bet would be:

• 3 Pair of Aces 16 to 1 Straight Flush 6 to 1 One Pair 4 to 1 Straight 2 to 1

The payout schedules are preferably displayed in a convenient manner and location. At times the pay scales for different wagers and any extra ante bonus payouts will be displayed on the playing layout itself and at other times the payouts will be on mobile display material.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention the initial two wagering options of an INITIAL ANTE bet against a dealer or a “PREDETERMINED PAYOUT SCHEDULE AGAINST A PAYSCALE” wager against a pay scale may be of unequal amounts.

When the above wagers are in place, the dealer preferably shuffles the cards (manually or by shuffler) and then deals a two-card hand to each player and themselves.

The cards may either be dealt face up or face down depending upon casino policy.

When the cards have been dealt, any player who has placed an INITIAL ANTE wager inspects his/her hand and determines whether to fold and forfeit their bet or to stay in by placing a support wager in the PLAY area. The Play wager is possibly the same as the ANTE wager, but can also be a supporting wager in one, two, tree, four, or five times the original bet on the Ante. The PLAY wager is made by placing an appropriate chip on the section 16 marked “PLAY” on the player's playing area 30. When the player has made the wager then he/she places the cards in the Play area below the Play wager section 30.

If a player forfeits his/her ANTE wager, the dealer takes the wager and the players cards are discarded before the game proceeds.

“PREDETERMINED PAYOUT SCHEDULE AGAINST A PAYSCALE” wagers are not affected to this point. However, a player playing the “PREDETERMINED PAYOUT SCHEDULE AGAINST A PAYSCALE” wager only, places his/her cards in the playing area if they wish to continue the hand. If the player wishes to forfeit or fold their hand they would indicate this by tossing their hand forward towards the dealer. If the player is also playing against the dealer with an ANTE wager, he/she must make a PLAY wager if he/she has a winning “PREDETERMINED PAYOUT SCHEDULE AGAINST A PAYSCALE” wager.

The dealer reveals his/her cards and shows their best two card poker hand. The dealer then in turn reveals each other player's cards (if they have not already been revealed), compares the players best two card poker hand to that of the dealer's, and resolves each players wager(s).

All the players with an ANTE and a PLAY wagers are automatically winners if the dealer does not qualify with a predetermined high hand or better. This rank may be varied in accordance with the rules of the game or the casino. Players are preferably paid even money on the INITIAL ANTE wager and their PLAY wager is a push.

If the dealer does qualify with a PREDETERMINED minimum high hand or better, each player's hand is compared with that of the dealer. If the player's hand is higher ranked, then the player is paid even money on the INITIAL ANTE and supporting PLAY wagers. If the player's hand is of a lower rank then that of the dealer's, the player loses both the ANTE and PLAY wagers. If the dealer and the player have exactly the same hand, then the hand is a push and the player may withdraw his/her/wager, leave it, or adjust it for the next round.

The present game may also provide for an additional payout to be made by the dealer, to the player who has made an ANTE wager and a PLAY wager, if the player achieves a predetermined hand ranking. The extra payout would be called the BUILT IN ANTE KICKER and would be paid regardless of the player beating the dealers hand or not. One preferred payout schedule would be:

• BUILT IN ANTE KICKER
• 4 2 Jokers 5 to 1 Straight Flush 2 to 1

Players who have wagered on the value of the hand (I.E. PREDETERMINED PAYOUT SCHEDULE AGAINST A PAYSCALE ) win if the hand is at least a MINIMUM RANKING OF A PREDERMINED AMOUNT and are paid by the dealer according to the posted pay scale. These payouts are independent of the results of the game against the dealer.

This procedure completes one-half of the hands of the game.

Players who are now wagering on a second set of cards would now be dealt new cards, from the remaining cards in the deck, and new cards would be dealt to the dealer. Play would continue once again as shown above.

This procedure would continue until the cards are shuffled for a new multiple round of poker. Play then continues in another round, with players commencing to make wagers on the Initial Ante and/or the PREDETERMINED PAYOUT SCHEDULE AGAINST A PAYSCALE bets.

This novel method of playing a game may be utilized with playing cards or as an electrical or electromechanical device such as a slot machine. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that suitable controls can be provided for receiving the necessary input and therefore is within the scope of the present invention to provide a multi-unit video format wherein a plurality of players may play against each other and/or against a dealer.

From the present description, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications may be made without departure from the scope of the present invention. For example, the naming of the different wagers, the naming and/or ranking of any hand, the changing of the necessity of qualifying hands for both the dealer and/or the player, the payout schedule, and predetermined winning or losing ranks may be varied in accordance with the rules of the game or the requirements of the casino.

The table game layout may be varied from that which is described and shown. The rules may be varied, or additional rules imposed, within the scope of the invention. Additional optional or mandatory wagers may be incorporated into the game with a view toward enhancing the players interest and ability to win additional wagers.

One such bet is a “Bad Beat Wager”. If allowed the player may place a “Bad Beat Wager” before the cards are dealt out. The player would be wagering that they would achieve a hand of at least a certain published rank and that this hand would be beaten by the dealer's hand of a higher rank. The player would lose this optional bet if the hand did not achieve the posted minimum ranking and did not get beaten by the dealer's hand.

It will be appreciated that additional marked zones may be provided to accommodate any additional optional side bets. The marking of the betting zones would be noted accordingly so that the player would know where to place their wager.

The precise wagering requirements may vary depending upon the casino rules but the nature of the game will stay the same, that is, a two card poker game dealt with multiple rounds from at least one deck. The precise wagering system can be varied in that any number of additional and/or optional bets may be incorporated into the game, or additional mandatory bets may be incorporated by different house rules. These changes are not deemed to be a critical part of the present invention rather the criticality is in the playing of a two card poker game with multiple rounds of hands.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the sole embodiment described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A method of playing a wagering game including a dealer and at least one player comprising the steps of:

(a). providing at least one standard deck of 52 playing cards;

(b). providing a published ranking of winning hands ranked from highest to lowest;

(c). providing a predetermined pay scale for winning hands;

(d). providing a dealer and at least one player;

(e). commencing the game by having at least one player make certain initial wagers selected from the following; (1) a first wager against the dealer, and (2) a separate voluntary wager against a predetermined pay scale;

(f). commencing the dealing of at least one cards to each player, immediately after a shuffle;

(g). commencing the dealing of at least one cards to the dealer, immediately after a shuffle;

(h). said player proceeding to play the game by placing a third support wager in support of its first wager against the dealer;

(i). comparing the players best one card hand against the dealer's best one card hand and excluding all extra cards dealt to determine the relative ranking therebetween;

(j). paying the players first wager against the dealer and player's third support wager if the player's hand outranks the dealer's hand;

(k). paying the player's separate voluntary wager against the predetermined pay scale if the player's hand has achieved a rank at least as high as the first ranking from said published ranking;

(l). taking the player's separate voluntary wager against the predetermined pay scale if the player fails to achieve at least the minimum ranking from said published ranking;

(m). taking the player's first wager against the dealer and third support wager if the dealer's hand outranks the player's hand; and

(n). returning the player's first wager against the dealer and third support wager if said player has the same ranking hand as the dealer;

(o). Continuing with the method of playing a wagering game including a dealer and at least one player and comprising with the continued below steps before a shuffle:

(p). providing the remainder of at least one standard deck of 52 playing cards;

(q). providing a published ranking of winning hands ranked from highest to lowest;

(r). providing a predetermined pay scale for winning hands;

(s). providing a dealer and at least one player;

(t). continuing with the game by dealing at least one more round of cards before a shuffle to at least one player that has made a certain wager selected from the following; (1) a first wager against the dealer, and (2) a separate voluntary wager against a predetermined pay scale;

(u). continuing with the dealing of at least one cards to each player, immediately after the first round of a shuffle;

(v). continuing with the dealing at least one cards to the dealer, immediately after the first round of a shuffle;

(w). said player proceeding to play the game by placing a third support wager in support of its first wager against the dealer;

(x). comparing the players best one card hand against the dealer's best one card hand and excluding all extra cards dealt to determine the relative ranking therebetween;

(y). paying the players first wager against the dealer and player's third support wager if the player's hand outranks the dealer's hand;

(z). paying the player's separate voluntary wager against the predetermined pay scale if the player's hand has achieved a rank at least as high as the first ranking from said published ranking;

(z1). taking the player's separate voluntary wager against the predetermined pay scale if the player fails to achieve at least the minimum ranking from said published ranking;

(z2). taking the player's first wager against the dealer and third support wager if the dealer's hand outranks the player's hand; and

(z3). returning the player's first wager against the dealer and third support wager if said player has the same ranking hand as the dealer;

2. A method of playing a wagering game including a dealer and at least one player comprising the steps of:

(a). providing at least one standard deck of 52 playing cards;

(b). providing a published ranking of winning hands ranked from highest to lowest;

(c). providing a predetermined pay scale for winning hands;

(d). providing a dealer and at least one player;

(e). commencing the game by having at least one player make certain initial wagers selected from the following; (1) a first wager against the dealer, and (2) a separate voluntary wager against a predetermined pay scale;

(f). commencing the dealing of at least two cards to each player, immediately after a shuffle;

(g). commencing the dealing of at least two cards to the dealer, immediately after a shuffle;

(h). said player proceeding to play the game by placing a third support wager in support of its first wager against the dealer;

(i). comparing the players best two card hand against the dealer's best two card hand and excluding all extra cards dealt to determine the relative ranking therebetween;

(j). paying the players first wager against the dealer and player's third support wager if the player's hand outranks the dealer's hand;

(k). paying the player's separate voluntary wager against the predetermined pay scale if the player's hand has achieved a rank at least as high as the first ranking from said published ranking;

(l). taking the player's separate voluntary wager against the predetermined pay scale if the player fails to achieve at least the minimum ranking from said published ranking;

(m). taking the player's first wager against the dealer and third support wager if the dealer's hand outranks the player's hand; and

(n). returning the player's first wager against the dealer and third support wager if said player has the same ranking hand as the dealer;

(o). Continuing with the method of playing a wagering game including a dealer and at least one player and comprising with the continued below steps before a shuffle:

(p). providing the remainder of at least one standard deck of 52 playing cards;

(q). providing a published ranking of winning hands ranked from highest to lowest;

(r). providing a predetermined pay scale for winning hands;

(s). providing a dealer and at least one player;

(t). continuing with the game by dealing at least one more round of cards before a shuffle to at least one player that has made a certain wager selected from the following; (1) a first wager against the dealer, and (2) a separate voluntary wager against a predetermined pay scale;

(u). continuing with the dealing of at least two cards to each player, immediately after the first round of a shuffle;

(v). continuing with the dealing at least two cards to the dealer, immediately after the first round of a shuffle;

(w). said player proceeding to play the game by placing a third support wager in support of its first wager against the dealer;

(x). comparing the players best two card hand against the dealer's best one card hand and excluding all extra cards dealt to determine the relative ranking therebetween;

(y). paying the players first wager against the dealer and player's third support wager if the player's hand outranks the dealer's hand;

(z). paying the player's separate voluntary wager against the predetermined pay scale if the player's hand has achieved a rank at least as high as the first ranking from said published ranking;

(z1). taking the player's separate voluntary wager against the predetermined pay scale if the player fails to achieve at least the minimum ranking from said published ranking;

(z2). taking the player's first wager against the dealer and third support wager if the dealer's hand outranks the player's hand; and

(z3). returning the player's first wager against the dealer and third support wager if said player has the same ranking hand as the dealer;

3. A method of playing a wagering game including a dealer and at least one player comprising the steps of:

(a). providing at least one standard deck of 52 playing cards;

(b). providing a published ranking of winning hands ranked from highest to lowest;

(c). providing a predetermined pay scale for winning hands;

(d). providing a dealer and at least one player;

(e). commencing the game by having at least one player make certain initial wagers selected from the following; (1) a first wager against the dealer, and (2) a separate voluntary wager against a predetermined pay scale;

(f). commencing the dealing of at least three cards to each player, immediately after a shuffle;

(g). commencing the dealing of at least three cards to the dealer, immediately after a shuffle;

(h). said player proceeding to play the game by placing a third support wager in support of its first wager against the dealer;

(i). comparing the players best three card hand against the dealer's best three card hand and excluding all extra cards dealt to determine the relative ranking therebetween;

(j). paying the players first wager against the dealer and player's third support wager if the player's hand outranks the dealer's hand;

(k). paying the player's separate voluntary wager against the predetermined pay scale if the player's hand has achieved a rank at least as high as the first ranking from said published ranking;

(l). taking the player's separate voluntary wager against the predetermined pay scale if the player fails to achieve at least the minimum ranking from said published ranking;

(m). taking the player's first wager against the dealer and third support wager if the dealer's hand outranks the player's hand; and

(n). returning the player's first wager against the dealer and third support wager if said player has the same ranking hand as the dealer;

(o). Continuing with the method of playing a wagering game including a dealer and at least one player and comprising with the continued below steps before a shuffle:

(p). providing the remainder of at least one standard deck of 52 playing cards;

(q). providing a published ranking of winning hands ranked from highest to lowest;

(r). providing a predetermined pay scale for winning hands;

(s). providing a dealer and at least one player;

(t). continuing with the game by dealing at least one more round of cards before a shuffle to at least one player that has made a certain wager selected from the following; (1) a first wager against the dealer, and (2) a separate voluntary wager against a predetermined pay scale;

(u). continuing with the dealing of at least three cards to each player, immediately after the first round of a shuffle;

(v). continuing with the dealing at least three cards to the dealer, immediately after the first round of a shuffle;

(w). said player proceeding to play the game by placing a third support wager in support of its first wager against the dealer;

(x). comparing the players best three card hand against the dealer's best three card hand and excluding all extra cards dealt to determine the relative ranking therebetween;

(y). paying the players first wager against the dealer and player's third support wager if the player's hand outranks the dealer's hand;

(z). paying the player's separate voluntary wager against the predetermined pay scale if the player's hand has achieved a rank at least as high as the first ranking from said published ranking;

(z1). taking the player's separate voluntary wager against the predetermined pay scale if the player fails to achieve at least the minimum ranking from said published ranking;

(z2). taking the player's first wager against the dealer and third support wager if the dealer's hand outranks the player's hand; and

(z3). returning the player's first wager against the dealer and third support wager if said player has the same ranking hand as the dealer;

4. A method of playing a wagering game including a dealer and at least one player comprising the steps of:

(a). providing at least one standard deck of 52 playing cards;

(b). providing a published ranking of winning hands ranked from highest to lowest;

(c). providing a predetermined pay scale for winning hands;

(d). providing a dealer and at least one player;

(e). commencing the game by having at least one player make certain initial wagers selected from the following; (1) a first wager against the dealer, and (2) a separate voluntary wager against a predetermined pay scale;

(f). commencing the dealing of at least four cards to each player, immediately after a shuffle;

(g). commencing the dealing of at least four cards to the dealer, immediately after a shuffle;

(h). said player proceeding to play the game by placing a third support wager in support of its first wager against the dealer;

(i). comparing the players best four card hand against the dealer's best four card hand and excluding all extra cards dealt to determine the relative ranking therebetween;

(j). paying the players first wager against the dealer and player's third support wager if the player's hand outranks the dealer's hand;

(k). paying the player's separate voluntary wager against the predetermined pay scale if the player's hand has achieved a rank at least as high as the first ranking from said published ranking;

(l). taking the player's separate voluntary wager against the predetermined pay scale if the player fails to achieve at least the minimum ranking from said published ranking;

(m). taking the player's first wager against the dealer and third support wager if the dealer's hand outranks the player's hand; and

(n). returning the player's first wager against the dealer and third support wager if said player has the same ranking hand as the dealer;

(o). Continuing with the method of playing a wagering game including a dealer and at least one player and comprising with the continued below steps before a shuffle:

(p). providing the remainder of at least one standard deck of 52 playing cards;

(q). providing a published ranking of winning hands ranked from highest to lowest;

(r). providing a predetermined pay scale for winning hands;

(s). providing a dealer and at least one player;

(t). continuing with the game by dealing at least one more round of cards before a shuffle to at least one player that has made a certain wager selected from the following; (1) a first wager against the dealer, and (2) a separate voluntary wager against a predetermined pay scale;

(u). continuing with the dealing of at least four cards to each player, immediately after the first round of a shuffle;

(v). continuing with the dealing at least four cards to the dealer, immediately after the first round of a shuffle;

(w). said player proceeding to play the game by placing a third support wager in support of its first wager against the dealer;

(x). comparing the players best four card hand against the dealer's best one card hand and excluding all extra cards dealt to determine the relative ranking therebetween;

(y). paying the players first wager against the dealer and player's third support wager if the player's hand outranks the dealer's hand;

(z). paying the player's separate voluntary wager against the predetermined pay scale if the player's hand has achieved a rank at least as high as the first ranking from said published ranking;

(z1). taking the player's separate voluntary wager against the predetermined pay scale if the player fails to achieve at least the minimum ranking from said published ranking;

(z2). taking the player's first wager against the dealer and third support wager if the dealer's hand outranks the player's hand; and

(z3). returning the player's first wager against the dealer and third support wager if said player has the same ranking hand as the dealer;

5. A method of playing a wagering game including a dealer and at least one player comprising the steps of:

(a). providing at least one standard deck of 52 playing cards;

(b). providing a published ranking of winning hands ranked from highest to lowest;

(c). providing a predetermined pay scale for winning hands;

(d). providing a dealer and at least one player;

(e). commencing the game by having at least one player make certain initial wagers selected from the following; (1) a first wager against the dealer, and (2) a separate voluntary wager against a predetermined pay scale;

(f). commencing the dealing of at least five cards to each player, immediately after a shuffle;

(g). commencing the dealing of at least five cards to the dealer, immediately after a shuffle;

(h). said player proceeding to play the game by placing a third support wager in support of its first wager against the dealer;

(i). comparing the players best one card hand against the dealer's best one card hand and excluding all extra cards dealt to determine the relative ranking therebetween;

(j). paying the players first wager against the dealer and player's third support wager if the player's hand outranks the dealer's hand;

(k). paying the player's separate voluntary wager against the predetermined pay scale if the player's hand has achieved a rank at least as high as the first ranking from said published ranking; (l). taking the player's separate voluntary wager against the predetermined pay scale if the player fails to achieve at least the minimum ranking from said published ranking;

(m). taking the player's first wager against the dealer and third support wager if the dealer's hand outranks the player's hand; and

(n). returning the player's first wager against the dealer and third support wager if said player has the same ranking hand as the dealer;

(o). Continuing with the method of playing a wagering game including a dealer and at least one player and comprising with the continued below steps before a shuffle:

(p). providing the remainder of at least one standard deck of 52 playing cards;

(q). providing a published ranking of winning hands ranked from highest to lowest;

(r). providing a predetermined pay scale for winning hands;

(s). providing a dealer and at least one player;

(t). continuing with the game by dealing at least one more round of cards before a shuffle to at least one player that has made a certain wager selected from the following; (1) a first wager against the dealer, and (2) a separate voluntary wager against a predetermined pay scale;

(u). continuing with the dealing of at least five cards to each player, immediately after the first round of a shuffle;

(v). continuing with the dealing at least five cards to the dealer, immediately after the first round of a shuffle;

(w). said player proceeding to play the game by placing a third support wager in support of its first wager against the dealer;

(x). comparing the players best five card hand against the dealer's best five card hand and excluding all extra cards dealt to determine the relative ranking therebetween;

(y). paying the players first wager against the dealer and player's third support wager if the player's hand outranks the dealer's hand;

(z). paying the player's separate voluntary wager against the predetermined pay scale if the player's hand has achieved a rank at least as high as the first ranking from said published ranking;

(z1). taking the player's separate voluntary wager against the predetermined pay scale if the player fails to achieve at least the minimum ranking from said published ranking;

(z2). taking the player's first wager against the dealer and third support wager if the dealer's hand outranks the player's hand; and

(z3). returning the player's first wager against the dealer and third support wager if said player has the same ranking hand as the dealer;

6. The method of playing a wagering game as set-forth in claim 1 above, wherein the dealer and each player is dealt an integer of 1-7 cards, and each the dealer and the player can continue play with the best hand achievable by any lesser of at least one of the original amount of cards dealt and exclude all extra cards dealt, and determining a winning hand by comparing the one, two, three, four, five, six or seven card combination of each player's hand against the dealers hand and against any pre-determined pay scale in the event of optional bets placed by the player by such pre-determined pay scales.

7. The method of playing a wagering game as set forth in claim 1 above, which provides for players to place additional side bets, wherein the game further includes steps of: providing each player with an additional optional progressive wager for a one, two, three, four, five, six or seven card progression, providing a pre-determined published ranking of winning card progressive hands, providing a predetermined pay scale for each of said pre-determined ranking of winning 1-7 card progressive hands, allowing the wagering game to continue with the best of 1-7 cards, and paying the players progressive optional wager if the player's 1-7 card hand matches any one of the pre-determined published ranking of winning 1-7 card progressive hands.

8. The method of playing a wagering game as set forth in claim 1 above, wherein the dealer mush achieve a qualifying hand of at least (2) two high to continue playing and the failure to achieve said qualifying hand results in the dealer losing and paying each player the initial ante wager by each player against the dealer.

9. The method of playing a wagering game as set forth in claim 8 above, wherein the necessary qualifying hand required by the dealer in order to continue to play may be pre-determined in accordance with any desired ranking.

10. A method of playing a wagering game including a dealer and at least one player comprising the steps of:

(a). providing at least one standard deck of 52 playing cards;

(b). providing a published ranking of winning hands ranked from highest to lowest;

(c). providing a predetermined pay scale for winning hands;

(d). providing a set pre-determined minimum hand ranking for a dealer to achieve as a qualifying hand without which a dealer will lose after all cards are dealt;

(e). providing a dealer and at least one player;

(f). commencing the game by having at least one player make certain initial wagers selected from the following; (1) a first wager against the dealer, and (2) a separate voluntary wager against a predetermined pay scale;

(g). dealing at least four cards to each player

(h). dealing at least four cards to the dealer;

(i). ending the game if the dealer fails to achieve a qualifying hand in accordance with said pre-determined hand ranking and the dealer paying the player's wager if the player placed a first wager against the dealer and paying the players second wager if the player waged said separate wager against said pre-determined pay scale and achieved a ranking hand pursuant to said published ranking;

(j). proceeding with the game if the dealer has achieved said qualifying hand;

(k). said player proceeding to play the game by placing a third support wager in support of its first wager against the dealer;

(l). comparing the players best 1-7 card hand against the dealer's best 1-7 card hand and excluding all extra cards dealt to determine the relative ranking therebetween;

(m). paying the players first wager against the dealer and player's third support wager if the player's hand outranks the dealer's hand;

(n). paying the player's separate voluntary wager against the predetermined pay scale if the player's hand has achieved a rank at least as high as the first ranking from said published ranking;

(o). taking the player's separate voluntary wager against the predetermined pay scale if the player fails to achieve at least the minimum ranking from said published ranking;

(p). taking the player's first wager against the dealer and third support wager if the dealer's hand outranks the player's hand; and

(q). returning the player's first wager against the dealer and third support wager if said player has the same ranking hand as the dealer.

8. A method of playing a wagering game including a dealer and at least one player comprising the steps of:

(a). providing at least one standard deck of 52 playing cards;

(b). providing a published ranking of winning hands ranked from highest to lowest;

(c). providing a predetermined pay scale for winning hands;

(d). providing a set predetermined minimum hand ranking for a player to achieve as a qualifying hand without which a player win lose after all cards are dealt;

(e). providing a dealer and at least one player;

(f). commencing the game by having at least one player make certain initial wagers selected from the following; (1) a first wager against the dealer, and (2) a separate voluntary wager against a predetermined pay scale;

(g). dealing at least 1-7 cards to each player

(h). dealing at least 1-7 cards to the dealer;

(i). ending the game if the player fails to achieve a qualifying hand in accordance with said pre-determined hand ranking and the dealer taking the player's first wager;

(j). proceeding with the game if the player has achieved said qualifying hand;

(k). said player proceeding to play the game by placing a third support wager in support of its first wager against the dealer; (l). comparing the players best 1-7 card hand against the dealer's best 1-7 card hand and excluding all extra cards dealt to determine the relative ranking therebetween;

(m). paying the players first wager against the dealer and player's third support wager if the player's hand outranks the dealer's hand;

(n). paying the player's separate voluntary wager against the predetermined pay scale if the player's hand has achieved a rank at least as high as the first ranking from said published ranking;

(o). taking the player's separate voluntary wager against the predetermined pay scale if the player fails to achieve at least the minimum ranking from said published ranking;

9. The method of playing a wagering game as set forth in claim 1 above, wherein a player is provided with an opportunity to place an additional bad beat wager including the further steps of: providing a pre-determined published ranking of winning bad beat hands, permitting the player to place an additional wager against said pre-determined published ranking of winning bad beat hands, providing that the player may win said additional wager even in the event the player's hand is outranked by the dealer's hand so long as the player's hand appears on the pre-determined published ranking of winning bad beat hands.