Card game
The card game provides additional interest by having the players form two separate hands from the original five cards dealt to them. Players place initial wagers to ante and on a three-card hand and two-card suited hand. The three-card hand is treated as a poker hand, with a minimum qualifying value for the player's hand or lack of a minimum value for the dealer's hand providing an automatic win for the player's ante. The two-card hand must be formed of cards of the same suit, with the object being to have a two-card count closest to twenty-one. Players win by exceeding the count of the dealer's two-card hand. Players may place an optional bonus wager on all five cards, with the three-card and two-card hands being recombined to determine win or loss in accordance with standard poker combinations.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/771,867, filed Feb. 10, 2006.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to card games, and more specifically to a wagering card game wherein the cards dealt to each player are split to form a two-card suited or flush hand and a three-card poker hand, with additional combinations and wagers being provided as well.
2. Description of the Related Art
Innumerable card games have been developed over the years, with most using the conventional fifty-two card deck of four suits each having thirteen cards comprising the two through ten and jack, queen, king, and ace. This conventional deck is also known as the “poker deck,” and is universally used for the play of numerous variations of poker, including blackjack, etc., and also including the present game.
Most such games have but a single theme or procedure for each hand of play. In the case of poker, the basic premise is well known, i.e., the object of the game is to acquire a card combination that outranks those of other players, with the rank or hierarchy of the cards and combinations being well established. While there are a great number of variations on this theme (e.g., five- and seven-card draw, five- and seven-card stud, etc.), the game proceeds according to its well established rules, with no variations or secondary games extending from the primary game during each hand or round of play. While players may vary the type of game to be played during each hand or round of play in informal games, the type of game and rules of play are immutably established at each table in more formal casino games, with no variations permitted.
It is well known that different players are attracted to different games. Some card players may prefer stud or Texas hold 'em, while others prefer draw or other games. Yet another variation is blackjack or twenty-one, with many players staying with this game and avoiding other wagering card games. Nevertheless, while many players are attracted to or prefer a certain specific game, they often look for a different game as a change of pace from their usual preference. Many more players would be attracted to a game involving aspects of different card games, e.g., a game combining aspects of poker and blackjack or twenty-one, as such a game would have various portions each of which would be attractive to at least some players. Moreover, the variety provided by such a multiple part game would be appealing to players who tire of the routine involved in relatively straightforward games, such as draw and stud poker. Yet, very few wagering card games have been developed in the past in which the players split or separate their cards to form multiple hands, with the object being different for each hand.
Thus, a card game solving the aforementioned problems is desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe card game of the present invention combines aspects of poker and blackjack or twenty-one in a single game. The dealer and players each receive five cards, with the object being to form the best possible three-card poker hand and a second hand comprising two cards of the same suit and having a value or count closest to twenty-one, using the conventional value or point system used in that game. Players place multiple wagers before the cards are dealt, with each wager being directed to a different aspect of the game. In the case of the three-card poker hand, a certain minimum value for the hand (e.g., a pair of jacks or higher) may be established as an automatic win for the player's initial or ante wager, and a certain minimum value may be required of the dealer hand as well (e.g., at least a queen or better).
A separate wager is placed by each player for the two-card suited blackjack or twenty-one hand, with these hands being compared to the two-card dealer hand to determine whether each player's two-card hand wins or loses. Certain rules may be established for the splitting of the five-card dealer hand to form the three-card poker and two-card suited or flush blackjack hand, in accordance with house or gaming commission rules, as applicable. Players may divide their cards in any manner they see fit, so long as the two cards of the blackjack hand are of the same suit.
Another aspect of the present game allows players to place an optional bonus wager and recombine their cards to form a five-card poker hand. Each hand is considered according to conventional poker rules for various card combinations and independently of the dealer's and other players' hands in order to determine winning and losing hands for the players.
These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.
Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTSThe present invention comprises various embodiments of a card game particularly well-suited for casino or other wagering play. The game uses one or more conventional poker decks, i.e., fifty-two cards divided into four suits of thirteen cards in each suit. The game combines elements of different gambling or wagering card games by dividing each hand into two different smaller hands, which are played differently from one another. The two smaller hands may be recombined to form a larger bonus hand if so desired by the player.
An exemplary player position 12 is shown in detail in
At this point, the dealer deals a number of cards to each participating player, i.e., each player who has placed the three wagers described above, in accordance with the third step 38 of
Once each participating player has received his or her cards, the player splits up the cards to form a smaller poker hand and a suited-pair hand, generally in accordance with the fourth step 40 of
The dealer also arranges his or her cards to form a suited-pair hand and a poker hand, generally in accordance with the fifth step 42 of
Table I. House Rules for Dealer Hand by Suit Composition
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- 1. Suit composition 2-1-1-1: The two cards of the same suit are placed in the two-card suited hand, and the remaining three cards are placed in the three-card poker hand.
- 2. Suit composition 3-2-0-0: The suited pair is placed in the two-card suited hand, and the remaining three cards form a three-card flush in the three-card poker hand.
- 3. Suit composition 5-0-0-0: This hand is played to maximize the value of the two-card suited hand. The remaining three cards will, by definition, form a flush. In the event that a straight flush is possible in the three-card hand by lowering the value of the two-card hand, the straight flush will be broken up in the three-card hand in order to maximize the value of the two-card hand. This is because a three-card flush is most likely to be a winning hand for the dealer in any event, so it is unnecessary to optimize the three-card hand further by retaining a straight flush. The dealer will likely have a winning three-card hand in any event, and must maximize the two-card hand in order to increase the likelihood of winning the two-card hand as well.
- 4. Suit composition 4-1-0-0, 3-1-1-0, or 2-2-1-0: Here, the dealer must optimize the three-card hand to obtain the highest possible hand, e.g., a three-card straight, which outranks a three-card flush, which, in turn, outranks a pair. (It will be noted that the ranking of winning three-card hands is ordered differently than with five-card hands, due to the differing odds of such hands being formed with fewer cards.) However, the dealer is still required to place two cards of the same suit in the suited hand, as is universally required in the present game.
- 5. Straight, with two lowest cards of the same suit and two highest cards of the same suit (but of a different suit than the two lowest cards): Here, the dealer must optimize the two-card hand by placing the highest ranking cards of the same suit in that hand. The three-card hand will still have a straight, which will likely be a winning hand. It is unlikely that the high card in a three-card straight will prove to be the determining factor in such a hand, and thus a straight with a lower high card is still more likely to produce a winning three-card hand as well as maximizing the chances of a winning two-card hand.
- 6. Pair, with three unpaired cards of the same suit: The dealer will retain the pair in the three-card poker hand and place the highest of the three suited cards in the two-card suited hand. It is necessary for the dealer to break up the three-card flush in this case, as two cards of the same suit are required in the two-card suited hand. However, the dealer will place the highest cards possible in the two-card suited hand in order to maximize that hand to increase its chances of winning. The three-card hand will include the pair and one additional card, which may comprise the high card in the hand. However, it is unlikely that the unpaired card will be the determining factor in a hand that already contains a pair, somewhat as in the case of example 5 immediately above.
- 7. Lower pair with two face cards (or a ten) and ace of the same suit: The dealer will form a twenty-one count in the two-card flush or suited hand, using the ace and the lower ranking face card (or ten). Here, the rank of the face card or ten is immaterial in the two-card flush hand, as the hand will still have a value of twenty-one (the highest possible value) in any case. Thus, the dealer may place the higher ranking face card in the three-card hand to maximize its value, without lowering the value of the two-card suited hand.
- 8. Two pair and fifth card of unrelated rank: In this case, the dealer must select the pair having the highest rank or count for the three-card hand in order to maximize the value of that hand, with two suited cards making up the two-card suited hand. The fifth card of the initial five card deal becomes the third card of the three-card hand. At least one of the two pair must always be broken up, as they cannot both be placed in the three-card hand.
- 9. Hand of no potential winning combinations, but with a single high card meeting minimums for the three-card dealer hand: In this case, the highest card must be played in the three-card hand in order to qualify the three-card dealer hand (e.g., queen or higher), if possible, depending upon suits. Otherwise, if the highest card is one of only two cards of matching suit, then they must be played in the two-card suited hand.
- 10. Hand having a series of low cards with no potential winning combinations: In this case, the dealer plays the two highest cards of matching suit to optimize the two-card hand, with the remaining cards forming the three-card hand. This is because the three-card dealer hand must meet a certain minimum value in order for it to be played against the players' hands. If the dealer hand does not meet this minimum, the players' hands automatically win. As there is no three-card combination in this situation that would allow the dealer hand to qualify, the dealer's three-card hand will always lose. The dealer will thus optimize the two-card hand.
The above described rules in Table I are intended to control the options for dealer play of the game and reduce the number of decisions that must be made by the dealer in arranging the cards to form the two hands for play, as noted further above. These rules may be modified, expanded, reduced, revised, or otherwise changed as desired or required by house and/or gaming commission rules. However, players are not limited to the above rules, and may arrange their hands in any way they see fit, so long as two cards of the same suit are placed in the two-card hand.
Once the players have arranged their cards to form two hands each, the players must make a decision as to whether to continue play or fold. In order to continue play, the player must place another play bet or wager upon the play position 30 of his or her player position 12, shown in
At this point, each hand of the dealer is compared with the corresponding hand of each continuing player, as indicated by the eighth step 48 of the flowchart of
A winning two-card suited hand by a continuing player is indicated by the ninth step 50 of
A player winning the three-card poker hand is indicated by the tenth step 52 of the flowchart of
Preferably, the dealer hand must have at least a queen or higher value (e.g., a single king or ace, or a lower ranking pair, etc.) in order to qualify to win against a player hand. A three-card dealer hand that does not meet this minimum qualification, automatically loses to the player hand, regardless of the three cards in the player hand. In this situation, the continuing player wins his or her ante and three-card poker wagers (assuming the continuing player hand meets any minimum value required, as described below), but the play wager is returned as the dealer hand did not meet minimums for play against the player hand. The likelihood of the three-card dealer hand having at least a queen or higher card (or pair, or other higher ranking combination) is 84.43%, or slightly better than five of every six hands. In the event that neither the continuing player hand nor the dealer hand meets any required minimums, the continuing player wins only his or her ante.
Preferably, the three-card hand of the continuing player must also meet a certain minimum for the player to play against the dealer three-card hand. A pair of moderately high rank, e.g., jacks or better, has been found to provide a reasonable challenge to players. A continuing player holding such a hand is rewarded by paying out both the ante and three-card poker hand to the player, regardless of the value or rank of the dealer hand.
The other possibilities for the continuing player comprise either losing the two-card flush or suited hand, and/or losing the three-card poker hand. The scenario in which the player loses the two-card suited (blackjack) hand is indicated by the eleventh step 54 in the flowchart of
The final possibility is that the player will win the three-card poker hand wagers while losing the two-card suited hand wager. This possible outcome is indicated generally by the twelfth step 56 of
An exception to the three-card poker hand and payout is provided by a provision that combines the aspects of the minimum qualifier for the three-card poker hand, and the highest possible hand value (twenty-one) in the two-card suited hand. In this case, where the player has three-of-a-kind comprising three aces in the three-card poker hand and a twenty-one count formed of an ace and any ten value card in the two-card suited hand, a payout is provided, e.g., 500:1, or other payout odds as determined. This five-card additional payout is separate from the five-card poker hand bonus provision, described below, which requires that the player place a bonus wager in addition to the other wagers required. In the case of three aces in the three-card hand and blackjack (twenty-one) in the two-card suited hand, the payout is automatically paid, regardless of any bonus wager placed by the player. This provision is indicated by the thirteenth step 58 of the flowchart of
Other five-card hands require the placing of a bonus wager by the continuing player, as provided in the second step 36 of the flowchart of
The cards used for this bonus poker hand are the same cards initially dealt for the hand and split into the smaller poker hand and suited pair hand. Each of the recombined bonus wager multiple card player hands are considered by the dealer, and win or loss is determined in accordance with conventional poker rules of play. Where five cards were initially dealt, the recombined hands are treated as five-card poker hands. A bonus payout is provided for any recombined multiple-card hand having a minimum poker hand combination, e.g., at least a pair of jacks, or better, in accordance with the fourteenth step 60 of the flowchart of
In conclusion, the present card game offers an interesting variety of game types in a single wagering game. Players who enjoy the relatively straightforward numerical counting principles of twenty-one or blackjack will find this game to be a part of the present game, with players using two identically-suited cards to form a blackjack hand from the cards originally dealt. Players who enjoy poker will also enjoy the present game, with the cards remaining after the forming of the two-card suited blackjack hand being used to form a poker hand. While the smaller poker hand formed will be played somewhat differently than a conventional poker hand, players also have the option of recombining their two-card and poker hands to form a recombined poker hand, if so desired. Thus, the present game provides interest to virtually anyone who enjoys any form of wagering card game, particularly for the person who is seeking some variety from a conventional game with its rigid procedure.
It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.
Claims
1. A method of playing a card game, comprising the steps of:
- (a) placing at least an ante wager, a poker hand wager, and a suited blackjack hand wager by each player;
- (b) dealing a card hand to each player and to the dealer;
- (c) placing a poker hand play wager by each player continuing in the game;
- (d) withdrawing from the game and forfeiting all wagers by each player choosing not to continue in the game;
- (e) splitting each continuing player and dealer card hand into a multiple-card poker hand and a multiple-card suited blackjack hand;
- (f) comparing the multiple-card suited blackjack hand of each continuing player with the multiple-card suited blackjack hand of the dealer;
- (g) paying out a winning suited blackjack hand wager to each continuing player having a multiple-card suited blackjack hand that beats the dealer suited blackjack hand;
- (h) taking the losing suited blackjack hand wager of each player having a multiple-card suited blackjack hand that does not beat the dealer suited blackjack hand;
- (i) comparing the multiple-card poker hand of each continuing player with the multiple-card poker hand of the dealer;
- (j) paying out a winning ante and multiple-card poker hand wager to each continuing player having a multiple-card poker hand that beats the dealer multiple-card poker hand; and
- (k) taking the losing multiple-card poker hand wager of each player having a multiple-card poker hand that does not beat the dealer multiple-card poker hand.
2. The method of playing a card game according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a gaming table layout for the card game;
- (b) providing a dealer position on the gaming table layout;
- (c) providing a plurality of player positions disposed in a semicircular array about the dealer position;
- (d) providing a poker hand card position disposed upon each of the player positions;
- (e) providing a suited hand card position disposed upon each of the player positions;
- (f) providing an ante wager position disposed upon each of the player positions;
- (g) providing a poker hand wager position disposed upon each of the player positions;
- (h) providing a suited hand wager position disposed upon each of the player positions; and
- (i) providing a poker hand play position disposed upon each of the player positions.
3. The method of playing a card game according to claim 1, further comprising the step of providing a bonus wager position disposed upon each of the player positions.
4. The method of playing a card game according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of:
- (a) dealing five cards to each player and to the dealer; and
- (b) splitting each continuing player and dealer card hand into a three card poker hand and a two card suited blackjack hand.
5. The method of playing a card game according to claim 1, further comprising the step of making at least the ante wager, the poker hand wager, and the suited blackjack hand wager equal to one another.
6. The method of playing a card game according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of:
- (a) establishing a predetermined minimum value for a qualifying poker hand for each player; and
- (b) providing an automatic payout of the ante and poker hand wagers to each player having a multiple card poker hand of at least the predetermined minimum value, regardless of the value of the dealer multiple card poker hand.
7. The method of playing a card game according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of:
- (a) establishing a predetermined minimum value for a qualifying poker hand for each player;
- (b) providing a payout of the ante, poker hand, and poker hand play wagers to each player having a multiple card poker hand of at least the predetermined minimum value which beats the dealer multiple card poker hand; and
- (c) providing a payout of the ante and poker hand wagers to each player having a multiple card poker hand of at least the predetermined minimum value which does not beat the dealer multiple card poker hand.
8. The method of playing a card game according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of:
- (a) establishing a predetermined minimum value for a qualifying poker hand for the dealer; and
- (b) providing an automatic payout of the ante wager to each player having a multiple card poker hand when the value of the dealer multiple card poker hand is less than the predetermined minimum value.
9. The method of playing a card game according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of:
- (a) establishing a predetermined minimum value for a qualifying poker hand for the dealer; and
- (b) providing a payout of the ante, poker hand, and poker hand play wagers to each player having a multiple card poker hand of at least the predetermined minimum value which beats the dealer multiple card poker hand of at least the predetermined minimum value.
10. The method of playing a card game according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of:
- (a) placing an optional bonus wager by a bonus wagering continuing player;
- (b) recombining the multiple card suited blackjack hand with the multiple card poker hand and forming a recombined multiple card poker hand for each bonus wagering continuing player;
- (c) paying out a bonus wager to each bonus wagering continuing player having a recombined multiple card poker hand containing at least a minimum poker hand combination;
- (d) taking the bonus wager of each bonus wagering continuing player having a recombined multiple card poker hand which does not contain at least a minimum poker hand combination.
11. A gaming table playing surface for a card game, comprising:
- a dealer position;
- a plurality of player positions disposed in a semicircular array about the dealer position;
- a poker hand card position disposed upon each of the player positions;
- a suited-hand card position disposed upon each of the player positions;
- an ante wager position disposed upon each of the player positions;
- a poker hand wager position disposed upon each of the player positions;
- a suited-hand wager position disposed upon each of the player positions; and
- a poker hand play position disposed upon each of the player positions.
12. The gaming table layout according to claim 11, further including a bonus wager position disposed upon each of the player positions.
13. A method of playing a card game using the gaming table layout of claim 11, including the steps of:
- (a) placing at least an ante wager, a poker hand wager, and a suited blackjack hand wager respectively upon the ante wager position, poker hand wager position, and suited hand wager position of each of the corresponding player positions by each player;
- (b) dealing a card hand to each player and to the dealer;
- (c) placing a poker hand play wager upon the poker hand play position of each of the corresponding player positions by each player continuing in the game;
- (d) withdrawing from the game and forfeiting all wagers by each player choosing not to continue in the game;
- (e) splitting each continuing player and dealer card hand into a multiple card poker hand and a multiple card suited blackjack hand;
- (f) placing the multiple card poker hand and the multiple card suited blackjack hand respectively upon the poker hand card position and suited hand card position of each of the corresponding player positions by each continuing player;
- (g) comparing the multiple card suited blackjack hand of each continuing player with the multiple card suited blackjack hand of the dealer;
- (h) paying out a winning suited blackjack hand wager to each continuing player having a multiple card suited blackjack hand which beats the dealer suited blackjack hand;
- (i) taking the losing suited blackjack hand wager of each player having a multiple card suited blackjack hand that does not beat the dealer suited blackjack hand;
- (j) comparing the multiple card poker hand of each continuing player with the multiple card poker hand of the dealer;
- (k) paying out a winning ante and multiple card poker hand wager to each continuing player having a multiple card poker hand that beats the dealer multiple card poker hand; and
- (l) taking the losing multiple card poker hand wager of each player having a multiple card poker hand that does not beat the dealer multiple card poker hand.
14. The method of playing a card game according to claim 13, further comprising the steps of:
- (a) dealing five cards to each player and to the dealer; and
- (b) splitting each continuing player and dealer card hand into a three card poker hand and a two card suited blackjack hand.
15. The method of playing a card game according to claim 13, further comprising the step of making at least the ante wager, the poker hand wager, and the suited blackjack hand wager equal to one another.
16. The method of playing a card game according to the method of claim 13, further comprising the steps of:
- (a) establishing a predetermined minimum value for a qualifying poker hand for each player; and
- (b) providing an automatic payout of the ante and poker hand wagers to each player having a multiple card poker hand of at least the predetermined minimum value, regardless of the value of the dealer multiple card poker hand.
17. The method of playing a card game according to the method of claim 13, further comprising the steps of:
- (a) establishing a predetermined minimum value for a qualifying poker hand for each player;
- (b) providing a payout of the ante, poker hand, and poker hand play wagers to each player having a multiple card poker hand of at least the predetermined minimum value that beats the dealer multiple card poker hand; and
- (c) providing a payout of the ante and poker hand wagers to each player having a multiple card poker hand of at least the predetermined minimum value that does not beat the dealer multiple card poker hand.
18. The method of playing a card game according to claim 13, further comprising the steps of:
- (a) establishing a predetermined minimum value for a qualifying poker hand for the dealer; and
- (b) providing an automatic payout of the ante wager to each player having a multiple card poker hand when the value of the dealer multiple card poker hand is less than the predetermined minimum value.
19. The method of playing a card game according to claim 13, further comprising the steps of:
- (a) establishing a predetermined minimum value for a qualifying poker hand for the dealer; and
- (b) providing a payout of the ante, poker hand, and poker hand play wagers to each player having a multiple card poker hand of at least the predetermined minimum value which beats the dealer multiple card poker hand of at least the predetermined minimum value.
20. The method of playing a card game according to claim 13, further comprising the steps of:
- (a) placing an optional bonus wager by a bonus wagering continuing player;
- (b) recombining the multiple card suited blackjack hand with the multiple card poker hand and forming a recombined multiple card poker hand for each bonus wagering continuing player;
- (c) paying out a bonus wager to each bonus wagering continuing player having a recombined multiple card poker hand containing at least a minimum poker hand combination;
- (d) taking the bonus wager of each bonus wagering continuing player having a recombined multiple card poker hand that does not contain at least a minimum poker hand combination.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 24, 2007
Publication Date: Aug 16, 2007
Inventors: Brian R. LaClaire (Rancho Cucamonga, CA), Bobby Chau (Alhambra, CA)
Application Number: 11/657,034
International Classification: A63F 1/00 (20060101);