CASINO WAGERING SYSTEM WITH CONDITIONAL REPLACEMENT

Abstract

A method, system, and computer readable storage to implement a variation of a blackjack game. A dealer's upcard can be automatically replaced if it is in a predetermined set of of up-cards. A player can also be permitted to replace a second card dealt to the player if the player's hand is in a predetermined set. A side wager can be offered which wins if the dealer busts, the payout being determined based on a final dealer's total.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present general inventive concept is directed to a method, apparatus, and computer readable storage medium directed to a wagering game.

2. Description of the Related Art

The casino game of blackjack is well known, for example see U.S. Patent publication 2003/0155715 which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

FIG. 1 is a flowchart illustrating a method of implementing the known game of blackjack.

Points totals are computed by adding the standard rank value of each card, with face valued cards (tens, jacks, queens, kings) being given a value of 10, and aces being given a value of 1 or 11, whichever results in a better hand. A soft point total is where at least one ace is given the value of 11. A hard point total is a hand with all aces counting as 1.

In operation 100, the player makes a main wager by placing chips on a table. Then, in operation 102, the dealer deals two initial cards to each player (either face up or face down) and two initial cards to the dealer, typically one face down (“hole-card”), and one face up (the “up-card”). Then the player can decide whether to hit, stand, double, or split. If the player decides to hit, then the method proceeds to operation 106, which deals an additional card to a player. If a determination 108 determines that the player has busted (the player's hard point total is over 21), then the player loses the game and thus loses the main wager in operation 110, which ends the game. If the determination 108 determines that the player has not busted, then the method returns to operation 104, where the player can make another decision whether to hit or stand. In operation 104, the player can also double (not pictured) by place an additional wager of up to the main wager, but the player is limited to drawing only one additional card before the player must stand.

If the player stands and has not busted out (either stands on his or her initial two cards or draws cards but has a point total under 22 and then stands), then the method proceeds to operation 112, which reveals all dealer's cards (e.g., turns the hole-card face up) and which then plays out the dealer's hand according to predetermined rules. In operation 114, if the dealer's total is greater than a predetermined amount (typically 17), then the dealer stands (proceeds to operation 122). If the dealer's total is not greater than the predetermined amount, the method proceeds to operation 116 which deals an additional card to the dealer. If it is then determined 118 that the dealer has not busted (has a point total over 21), the method returns to operation 114. If the dealer has busted, then the player wins the game and the main wager in operation 120 (this assumes the player has not also busted; if the player has already busted then the player would have lost in operation 110).

In operation 122, both the player and the dealer have played out their hand and neither have busted. Thus, their respective point totals (adding the numerical values of each card in the hand) are compared. If the dealer's point total is determined in operation 124 to be lower than the player's point total, then the player wins the game and the main wager in operation 120. Otherwise, if the dealer's point total is determined 128 to be greater than the player's point total, then the player loses the game and the main wager in operation 130. If the player's point total ties the dealer's point total, then that results in a “push” in operation 126 in which the player doesn't win or lose the main wager (the main wager is a wash).

If a player is initially dealt two identically ranked cards in operation 102, players can also split in operation 104 by placing an additional split wager equal in value to the main wager, and the player's two initial cards are separated and the dealer deals an additional card on each. The player then plays out each of the two separate hands, each from operation 104. Depending on house rules, players may or may not be allowed to resplit cards.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an aspect of the present invention to provide a casino blackjack improvement.

These together with other aspects and advantages which will be subsequently apparent, reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further features and advantages of the present invention, as well as the structure and operation of various embodiments of the present invention, will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the preferred embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which:

FIG. 1 is a flowchart illustrating a method of implementing the known game of blackjack;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method of implementing a blackjack game with a conditional automatic dealer replacement, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method of implementing a second card replacement feature, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 4 illustrated an exemplary method of implementing a side wager, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 5A is a drawing illustrating a gaming table, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 5B is a block diagram illustrating an electronic player tracking system associated with each gaming table, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 6A is a block diagram illustrating exemplary hardware that can be used to implement an electronic version of the methods described herein; and

FIG. 6B is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary network configuration to implement a player playing an online version of the methods described herein;

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

FIG. 1 is a flowchart illustrating a method of implementing the known game of blackjack.

In general, casino blackjack is played by one or more players at a gaming table against a dealer using one or more decks of cards (each deck can be a standard 52 card deck). The idea is for the player to make a point total closest to 21 without going over 21 (busting). Each player (after making a main wager) is dealt two initial cards (typically face up) and the dealer is also dealt two cards (one face up—the upcard, and one face down—the hole card). The player can stand on his or her initial two cards, or continuously hit (take another card) until the player stands or the player's point total is over 21 (upon which the player automatically loses). If the player has not busted, then after the player stands the dealer will play out the dealer's hand according to predetermined rules. One set of dealer predetermined rules is as follows: the dealer will continuously hit until the dealer's point total is greater than 16. Once the dealer has resolved the dealer's hand, the wager is resolved. If the player has busted then the player loses (the main wager). If the player has not busted but the dealer has busted (the dealer's point total is over 21) then the player wins (wins even money on the main wager). If both the player and the dealer have not busted, then if the player's point total is higher than the dealer's point total then the player wins (wins even money on the main wager). If both the player and the dealer have no busted, then if the dealer's point total is higher than the player's point total then the dealer wins (the player loses the main wager). If the player's point total equals the dealer's point total, then the main wager pushes (neither wins nor loses). Other options the player may have at his or her disposal is to double down or split. Cards are given their standard numerical value (i.e., aces count as 1 or 11 (whichever makes the best hand), 2's-10's count as their respective face value, jacks, queens, and kings all count as 10).

The present inventive concept relates to a method, apparatus, and computer readable storage medium to implement a blackjack game in which if the dealer's up-card is a particular card (or in a set of cards) then the dealer would burn that up-card and deal himself a new one. The game then continues normally (as illustrated in FIG. 1).

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method of implementing a blackjack game with a conditional automatic dealer replacement, according to an embodiment.

The method begins with operation 200, wherein the casino (dealer) receives a main wager from a player (as in operation 100). The main wager is typically placed by the player in a betting circle on the table.

From operation 200, the method proceeds to operation 201, which deals the player's hand and the dealer's hand (as in operation 102). The player's hand is typically two cards and the dealer's hand is typically two cards, an up-card (face up) and a hole-card (face down).

From operation 201, the method proceeds to determine whether the dealer's up-card is in a predetermined set of up-cards, and if not then the method proceeds to operation 204 wherein the game proceeds normally. A predetermined set of up-cards is can be one or more particular up-cards. Examples of predetermined sets are: ace-clubs; all aces; all spades; all 2's and 3s; and red 2's; all 7's; all 7's and 10's; and any other set of one or more cards in deck of cards.

If in operation 202 it is determined that the dealer's up-card is in the predetermined set, then the method proceeds to operation 203 which replaces the dealer's up-cards with a newly dealt card from the deck. The original up-card is burned (placed into the discard rack) and a new card is dealt from the deck/shoe face up. This new card is now the up-card and the game continues as if the new card was always the up-card.

From operations 202 or 203, the method proceeds to operation 204, wherein the player plays out (resolves) the player's hand. This is done as in operations 104, 106, 108, and 110. The player also has the option to double and split as well.

From operation 204, the method proceeds to operation 205, wherein the dealer resolves the dealer's hand. This is done as in operations 112, 114, 116, 118, 120.

From operation 205, the method proceeds to operation 206, which resolves the main wager. This is done as in operations 120, 122, 124, 126, 128, 130. The game is now over.

As an example of the method illustrated in FIG. 2, consider Jane makes a $1 blackjack main wager. In the blackjack game being played, the predetermined set is cards from to through 7 (suits do not matter). Jane is dealt a 5-diamonds/6-hearts and the dealer's upcard is a 6-clubs and the downcard is dealt face down. Since the dealer's up-card is in the predetermined set (2-7) the dealer's up-card (6-clubs) is burned (but into the discard rack) and a new card (3-diamonds) is dealt as the up-card. It does not matter that the new up-card is also in the predetermined set as there is a maximum replacement of only one dealer's up-card. Jane doubles by placing a $1 double wager and receives a 10-spades. The dealer now reveals the dealer's hole card to be a jack-spades. Since the dealer's total (13) is less than 17, the dealer draws and gets a king-hearts for a total of 23. The dealer busts and Jane wins. Thus Jane wins $2 (and the $2 in wagers Jane made is available for her to collect thus leaving $4 in chips for Jane to collect). The game is now over and a new game can begin.

In a further embodiment, the player is given an opportunity to replace his/her second initially dealt card. In another embodiment, the entire embodiment described herein can also be applied to the player's first initially dealt card instead of the second.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method of implementing a second card replacement feature, according to an embodiment.

In operation 300, it is the player's turn (operation 204 in FIG. 2 and operation 103 in FIG. 1).

From operation 300, the method proceeds to operation 301, wherein it is determined whether the player's hand is in a predetermined set. For example, if the player's hand hard total is from 13 to 16 (or other range) then the player's hand is in the predetermined set, otherwise it is not. If the player's hand is not in the predetermined set, then the method proceeds to operation 304 where the game continues normally.

If in operation 301, the player's hand is in the predetermined set, then the method proceeds to operation 302, wherein the player is given the choice to replace the second dealt card. In another embodiment, the first dealt card is the card that can be replaced. If the player chooses not to replace the second card, then the method proceeds to operation 304 wherein the game continues normally.

If in operation 302, the player chooses to replace the second card, then the method proceeds to operation 303, wherein the player must place a double wager equal in value to the main wager and the second card is replaced with a newly dealt card. Note that the player is now not allowed to split or further double and the method proceeds to operation 305 (where the player can play out his/her hand by hitting or standing).

In operation 304 (from operations 301 or 302), the player has the ability to double (make a double wager equal to the main wager and receive only one card) or split (if the player's two initial cards are the same rank the player can place a split wager equal in amount to the main wager and split the initial hand into two separate hands). If the player chooses to double or split, then the method proceeds to operation 308, which carries out the double or split and the game continues.

If in operation 304, the player does not double or split, then the method proceeds to operation 305 wherein the player has the option to hit or stand. If the player does not want to hit then the player stands and the method proceeds to operation 309. In operation 309, the dealer's hand is resolved and the wagers are resolved (the method can continue at operation 112 in FIG. 1)

If in operation 305, the player hits, then the method proceeds to operation 306, wherein an additional card is dealt to the player's hand.

From operation 306, the method proceeds to operation 307, which determines whether the player busts (the player's hard point total is over 21). If the player has not busted, then the method returns to operation 305 where the player can choose again whether to hit or stand.

If in operation 307, the player has busted then the method proceeds to operation 310, wherein the player loses the main wager and the game ends. It is not necessary to resolve the dealer's hand unless there are other players at the table that have standed and are awaiting the resolution of the dealer's hand.

The methods illustrated in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 can be applied to any variation of blackjack and combined with any set of features.

In a further embodiment, a side wager can be offered which can be applied to any blackjack game. The side wager can be optional and will only win if the dealer busts and the payout is based on the dealer's bust total.

FIG. 4 illustrated an exemplary method of implementing a side wager, according to an embodiment.

The method can begin with operation 400, which receives wagers from the player. The player places a mandatory main wager (which is resolved based on the outcome of the game) and an optional side wager. This can be performed as in operation 100.

From operation 400, the method proceeds to operation 401, which completes the blackjack game (as illustrated in FIG. 1, operations 102-130).

From operation 401, the method proceeds to operation 402, which determines whether the side wager as placed in operation 400. If not, then of course there can be no side wager payout (operation 403).

If the side wager was made, then the method proceeds to operation 404, which determines whether the dealer has busted. If the dealer did not bust, then the method proceeds to operation 406 wherein the side wager loses (taken by the house with no payout to the player).

If in operation 404, the dealer has busted, then the method proceeds to operation 405, which pays the side wager an award. The award is determined based on the amount of the side wager and a respective payout (multiple of the amount of the side wager) based on the total of the dealer's bust hand. When a dealer busts, the dealer's total (dealer's final point total) must be from 22 to 26. A table such as Table I can be used to determine the payout. Table I is computed for a single deck game where the dealer stands on soft-17. Of course, other payouts can be used as well and any other rules can be used as well (e.g., any number of decks, dealer can stand/hit on soft 17, double/no double after split, etc.)

TABLE I
Outcome	Pays	Probability	Frequency	Return
Bust 22	2	7.240%	1 in 13.8	14.480%
Bust 23	3	6.575%	1 in 15.2	19.724%
Bust 24	4	5.690%	1 in 17.6	22.762%
Bust 25	1	4.908%	1 in 20.4	4.908%
Bust 26	1	3.946%	1 in 25.3	3.946%
No Bust	−1	71.641%	1 in 1.4	−71.641%
Total		100.000%		−5.822%
	House Edge	5.822%

Thus, for example, Jack places a main wager of $1 and a side wager of $1 and is dealt a 9-hearts-8-hearts (total 17) and the dealer's up-card is a 5-clubs. Jack stands and the dealer draws a 10-spades (total 15) and then draws again and gets a 8-clubs (total 23). The dealer has busted (with a final point total of 23) and thus the player wins $1 on the main wager. Jack wins a 3× payout on the side wager (see “pays” column in Table 1) since the dealer's bust total is a 23. Thus, the dealer (house) pays Jack a $3 award on the side wager. Thus, Jack has won $4 ($1 main wager+$3 side wager) and the $2 in original wagers ($1 main wager and $1 side wager) can all now be collected by Jack (for a total $6) thus giving Jack a net profit of $4. If the dealer did not bust then Jack would lose the side wager (it is taken by the house with no award/payout). If the dealer busts with a total of 22 (e.g., the dealer's last card was a 7 instead of an 8) then the side wager would pay $2 instead of $3 (from Table I).

In another embodiment, some (but not all) dealer bust point total(s) would not pay an award (e.g., have an award of −1) and/or some (but not all) can push (e.g., have an award of 0).

Note that the side wager discussed herein can be applied to any type of blackjack game. All features described herein can be combined together in any combination and can also be combined with any standard features/options of blackjack (whether mentioned herein or not).

FIG. 5A is a drawing illustrating a gaming table, according to an embodiment.

A physical gaming table 500 (typically made of wood with felt on top with the layout imprinted on it) is used to play the game in a physical real world casino. One example of a table that can be used in a physical casino is illustrated in U.S. Design Pat. No. D263,975 which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. The layout on top of the felt has imprinted on it seven betting circles as illustrated in FIG. 5A, each betting circle is where the respective player can place their chips (wager). The felt can be green and the imprinted betting circles can be white, although of course any color scheme can be used. Such a table can accommodate any number of players (such as seven as illustrated) or any other number (e.g. 2-10). All players play simultaneously against the dealer as known in the art. A player's hand 502 and a dealer's hand 501 are shown. A player's wager 503 is shown in the form of a chip or chips and is placed inside the player's betting circle. Also shown is a smaller side wager betting circle for each betting circle for each player. The dealer's area can also accommodate a physical card reader 504 for reading the dealer's hole card as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,681,039, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes. The physical card reader can be an electronic card reader which electronically scans a face down card and lights up a particular light (e.g., LED, etc.) if the face down card is a 10 or ace (which would give the dealer blackjack when the dealer's up-card is an ace or 10 respectively) otherwise a different light (e.g., a “green light”) lights up telling the dealer that the hole-card does not give the dealer blackjack and thus the dealer can continue dealing.

While not shown, the game can also be offered with any type of additional side wager in order to generate more action for the casino and more excitement for the players. Also not pictured in FIG. 5A is an electronic mechanical shuffler such as that described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,025,294 which is incorporated by reference here in its entirety which can optionally be used by the dealer to shuffle the deck or decks of cards. Also not pictured in FIG. 5A is an optional shoe which the cards can be placed into and dealt out of by the dealer, such as the shoe described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,457,512 which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

FIG. 5B is a block diagram illustrating an electronic player tracking system associated with each gaming table, according to an embodiment.

When players play casino table games the casino can typically track the player so that the casino knows how much gaming action a player is giving the casino and hence how much to reward each player with complimentaries (free or discounted rooms, food, etc.) Such a system is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,836,817, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety for all purposes. Each player can have their own players card which is a plastic card that has their name imprinted on it and computer readable indicia (e.g., a magnetic stripe) which stores an identification number of the player's card (and hence the identification number of the player who owns the card). The player's card can be swiped through an electronic card readers 323, 325, 326 which can be electronic read and the data therein transmitted to the associated computer.

A gaming table A 520 (which can be used to play any method described herein) and a gaming table B 521 (which can be used to play any method described herein) can be associated with a pit 522 (which has its own computer) which has a card reader 523 to read the electronically encoded information on a player's card (the card reader can also be located at the tables themselves) and transmit the information to an associated computer which can communicate information contained on the player's card (e.g., an identification number of the player associated with the card) to the electronic database 524 along with play data relating to the player who owns the player's card. Table A 520 has its own card reader 525 and associated computer (the one next to card reader 525 which receives information from the card reader 525) and table B 521 also has its own card reader 526 and associated computer (the one next to card reader 326 which receives information from the card reader 526). The computers at table A 520 and table B 521 are connected to the electronic database 524. Casino employees can enter data regarding each player's play (for those players that present a players card) into a computer at the table or at the pit which transmits the play data (e.g., average bet/wager amount, time of play, etc.) to the electronic casino database 524 that stores playing history information for players at the casino. The computers illustrated in FIG. 5B can all have the structure as illustrated in FIG. 5A.

FIG. 6A is a block diagram illustrating hardware that can be used to implement electronic versions of the wagering methods described herein, according to an embodiment. The hardware can be, for example, an electronic gaming machine (EGM) used in casinos. The hardware can also be a personal computer, playing the game using the Internet at an Internet casino for real money. The hardware can also be a digital casino table, for example the kind described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,775,887, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. The hardware can also be any computing device, such as a cellular phone, tablet, etc., and the methods described herein can be installed as software (e.g., an app) on the device. The hardware can also be any other type of device, working individually or in conjunction with other devices. The hardware can also be a digital poker table, of the kind described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,758,411 which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

A processing unit 600 (such as a microprocessor and any associated components) is connected to an output device 601 (such as an LCD monitor, touch screen, CRT, etc.) which is used to display to the player any aspect of the method, and an input device 602 (e.g., buttons, a touch screen, a keyboard, mouse, etc.) which can be used to input from the player any decision made by the player. All methods described herein can be performed by the processing unit 600 by loading and executing respective instructions. The processing unit 600 can also be connected to a network connection 603, which can connect the electronic gaming device to a computer communications network such as the Internet, a LAN, WAN, etc. The processing unit 600 is also connected to a RAM 604 and a ROM 605. The processing unit 600 is also connected to a storage device 606 which can be a DVD-drive, CD-ROM, flash memory, etc. Multiple such processing units can also work in collaboration with each other (in a same or different physical location). A non-transitory computer readable storage medium 607 can store a program which can control the electronic device to perform any of the methods described herein and can be read by the storage device 606. The processing unit 600 can also be connected to a financial apparatus 608 which can receive cash and convert the received cash into playable credits for use by the player when playing the electronic device. When the player decides to cash out any remaining credits, the financial apparatus 608 can issue coins or a cashless ticket (voucher) for the remaining credits which is redeemable by the player.

While one processing unit is shown, it can be appreciated that one or more such processor can work together (either in a same physical location or in different locations) to combine to implement any of the methods described herein. Programs and/or data required to implement any of the methods/features described herein can all be stored on any non-transitory computer readable storage medium (volatile or non-volatile, such as CD-ROM, RAM, ROM, EPROM, microprocessor cache, etc.)

FIG. 6B is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary network configuration to implement a player playing an online version of the methods described herein. All the methods described herein can be implemented on an online casino for real money (credits which are purchased for cash and are redeemable for cash) or for non-cash value credits. A player uses a personal computer 610 (e.g., cell phone, tablet, PC, etc.) can connect to a server 611 (which can have the structure illustrated in FIG. 5A) using a computer communications network such as the Internet. The server 611 hosts an online casino which determines the outcomes of the game and serves the outcomes to the computer 610 so the computer 610 displays the outcomes to the player. Other users can also play at the online casino hosted by the server 611 simultaneously, such as using a cell phone 612 with wireless internet connectivity. Any number of players connected to the internet can play contemporaneously at the sever 611. The general structure of online casinos is well known in the art.

It is noted that the methods described herein can be played with any number of standard decks of 52 cards (e.g., 1 deck to 10 decks). A standard deck is a collection of cards comprising an Ace, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, jack, queen, king, for each of four suits (comprising spades, diamonds, clubs, hearts) totaling 52 cards. Cards can be shuffled or a continuous shuffling machine (CSM) can be used. A standard deck of 52 cards can be used, as well as other kinds of decks, such as Spanish decks, decks with wild cards, etc. The operations described herein can be performed in any sensible order. Furthermore, numerous different variants of house rules can be applied.

Note that in the embodiments played using computers (a processor/processing unit), “virtual deck(s)” of cards are used instead of physical decks. A virtual deck is an electronic data structure used to represent a physical deck of cards which uses electronic representations for each respective card in the deck. A virtual card is displayed on an electronic output device using computer graphics and is displayed to mimic a real life image of that card.

Methods described herein can also be played on a physical table using physical cards and physical chips used to place wagers. Such physical chips can be directly redeemable for cash. When a player wins (dealer loses) the player's wager, the dealer will pay that player a respective payout amount. When a player loses (dealer wins) the player's wager, the dealer will take (collect) that wager from the player and typically place those chips in the dealer's chip rack. All rules, embodiments, features, etc. of a game being played are typically communicated to the player (e.g., verbally or on a written rule card) before the game begins.

Initial cash deposits can be made into the electronic gaming machine which converts cash into electronic credits. Wagers can be placed in the form of electronic credits, which can be cashed out for real coins or a ticket (e.g., ticket-in-ticket-out) which can be redeemed at a casino cashier or kiosk for real cash and/or coins.

Any description of a component or embodiment herein also includes hardware, software, and configurations which already exist in the prior art and may be necessary to the operation of such component(s) or embodiment(s).

Further, the operations described herein can be performed in any sensible order. Any operations not required for proper operation can be optional. Further, all methods described herein can also be stored on a computer readable storage to control a computer. All variations and features described herein can be combined with any other features described herein without limitation.

The many features and advantages of the invention are apparent from the detailed specification and, thus, it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such features and advantages of the invention that fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation illustrated and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. An apparatus for implementing a blackjack game, the apparatus comprising:

an electronic input device;

an electronic output device;

an electronic processing unit connected to the input device and the output device, the processing unit configured to:

receive a wager from a player;

deal an initial player's hand and an initial dealer's hand comprising a dealer's up-card;

determining if the dealer's up-card is in a predetermined set of cards, and if so, then replacing the dealer's up-card with a newly dealt card; and

completing the blackjack game.

2. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the processing unit is further configured such that predetermined set of cards is only all cards with ranks from 2 through 7.

3. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the processing unit is further configured such that if the initial player's hand is in a predetermined set of hands, then the player is offered an option to place a double wager and replace the player's second dealt card with a newly dealt card.

4. The apparatus as recited in claim 3, wherein the processing unit is further configured such that if the player exercises the option to place the double wager and replace the player's second dealt card then the player is prohibited from further doubling and splitting.

5. An apparatus for implementing a blackjack game, the apparatus comprising:

an electronic input device;

an electronic output device;

an electronic processing unit connected to the input device and the output device, the processing unit configured to:

receive a main wager from a player;

deal an initial player's hand comprising a first dealt card and a second dealt card and an initial dealer's hand;

determine if the initial player's hand is in a predetermined set of hands, and if so, then offer the player an option to place a double wager and replace the player's second dealt card with a newly dealt card; and

completing the blackjack game.

6. The apparatus as recited in claim 5, wherein the processing unit is further configured such that if the player exercises the option to place the double wager then the player is further prohibited from doubling and splitting.

7. The apparatus as recited in claim 5, wherein the processing unit is further configured such that the predetermined set of hands is only hands that have a point total of 13 to 16.

8. The apparatus as recited in claim 5, wherein the processing unit is further configured such that if a dealer's up-card in the initial dealer's hand is in a predetermined set of cards then replacing the dealer's up-card with a newly dealt card.

9. An apparatus for implementing a blackjack game, the apparatus comprising:

an electronic input device;

an electronic output device;

an electronic processing unit connected to the input device and the output device, the processing unit configured to:

receive a main wager and a side wager from a player;

deal an initial player's hand and an initial dealer's hand;

determine if the dealer busts, and if so, then paying the side wager amount of the side wager multiplied by a payout, the payout being determined based on the dealer's final point total.

completing the blackjack game.