Split pairs blackjack side bet

Abstract

The method of the present invention involves a conventional live casino table game, or video machine type twenty-one game (also known as Blackjack), in which, in addition to a player's normal wager, a player has the option to make an additional side-bet wager that makes the player eligible to win at a pre-selected ratio for having been dealt a predetermined arrangement of cards: the optimal choice being four pairs of aces and eights. As well, there is the addition of the side bet winning at a pre-determined ratio when the dealer has a blackjack and the player has been dealt any pre-determined combination or pair. This new side bet to the game of Blackjack may be played with any two cards selected by the casino at the ratio predetermined by the State Gaming Commission. (i.e. threes and nines, which are commonly, called a Baseball pair). This game involves the splitting of a pair of initially dealt cards up to three times so as to match them with a second predetermined card. The predetermined winning ratio ranges from 10 to 1 for a single unsuited combination (ace-eight) to the optimal 10,000 to 1 for four pair of matching combinations.

1 . A method of including a split pairs side bet component to a casino twenty-one game comprising the steps of 
 a. The casino choosing two cards that will be the object of the game, which are approved by the governing State Gaming Commission at a set ratio.    b. A player making a first wager to participate in the traditional twenty-one game;    c. The same player as in (b) above making a second wager to participate in the Split Pairs Blackjack Side Bet to catch a pair of pre-selected cards, or splitting pairs of pre-selected cards and matching them to secondary pre-selected cards such as aces and eights.    d. Dealing a hand of two playing cards each to the player and the dealer one at a time alternately.    e. The pre-selected arrangement of player's cards comprises at least one combination (ace-eight) or a pair (two aces or two eights) for the player, or the casino collects the non-winning side bet.    f. If the player's hand comprises a pre-selected paired arrangement (ace-eight) and the dealer has blackjack, the player wins at a predetermined ratio.    g. If the player's hand is a pair of pre-selected cards (aces or eights), the player may split the cards up to three times in an attempt to gain the maximum winning hands.    h. Additional cards are dealt, and if a pair or more of pre-selected cards is achieved, the player wins at the predetermined ratio up to the maximum for four hands (i.e. four ace-eight combinations).    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the pre-selected two cards are chosen by the casino with the predetermined ratio of winning amounts approved by the State Gaming Commission, the same ratio applies if either pre-selected card is drawn first except when the ratio of cards per deck is altered in any way by number of suits or types used in the game.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the player does not achieve the pre-selected cards, the amount of the Split Pairs Blackjack Side Bet is collected by the casino dealer and goes to the casino.  
     
     
         4 . A method of  claim 1  through  claim 3  which includes a side bet component to a live or on-line video twenty-one game comprising the same steps and claims as that of the casino table version except wherein the collection of bets is electronic, and payment of winnings is done by coins, tokens, receipt method, or electronically to a player's given account at the termination of all play.  
     
     
         5 . A method of  claim 1  and  claim 4  wherein the ratio to wager of winnings for the player achieving the desired predetermined cards is set by law under the direction of the State or Tribal Gaming Commission and may be higher or lower in different states with the average hold for the house being approximately 18%.  
     
     
         6 . A method of  claim 1  and  claim 4  wherein the pre-selection of two cards by the casino is approved by the State Gaming Commission and should be part of optimal player strategy and not interfere with the normal play of the game for other players choosing not to make the Split Pairs Blackjack Side Bet.  
     
     
         7 . A method of  claim 1  and  claim 4  wherein the pre-selected cards and ratio of winning may be applied in combination with other casino games which include but are not limited to Fortune-Pia-Gow, Three-card poker, Spanish Twenty-one, Match the Dealer, Royal Match, Sweet Sixteen, and Lucky Ladies, which would include the Split Pairs Blackjack Side Bet, allowing the player to make an additional single or double side bet on each hand dealt.