Three Card 21 Card Game

Abstract

A blackjack-style card game method provides three cards to each of the dealer and the player. The player may place a main bet or a side bet, or both. If the player has placed a main bet, the player may also place a double down bet. The main bet is won or lost in accordance with standard rules of blackjack. The player may win the side bet with certain combinations of cards having different winning payouts

1 . A method of playing a game of cards between a dealer and a player using at least one standard deck of cards, comprising the steps of: 
 (a) allowing the player to place a main bet or a side bet, or both a main bet and a side bet;    (b) dealing two cards face up to each of the dealer and the player;    (c) allowing the player to place a double-down bet, if the player has made a main bet;    (d) dealing a third card face up to each of the dealer and the player;    (e) collecting the main bet and the double-down bet (if placed) from the player if the sum of the player”s cards exceeds 21 or if the sum of the dealer's cards exceeds the player but not 21; or paying the main bet and the double-down bet (if placed) to the player if the sum of the dealer's cards exceeds 21 or if the sum of the player's cards exceeds the dealer but not 21; and    (f) paying any side bet in accordance with a pre-established set of rules.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the pre-established set of rules provides a winning side bet for the player in one or more of the following circumstances: 
 (a) the sum of the player's cards is greater than or equal to 19, but not greater than 21;  
 (b) the sum of the player's cards is equal to 21 and the player's cards are all of one suit;  
 (c) the player's cards are sequential, whether or not they are of different suits;  
 (d) the player's cards are the same card, whether or not they are of different suits;  
 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the game is played with at least three decks and wherein the pre-established set of rules provides a winning side bet for the player in one or more of the following circumstances 
 (a) the player's cards are sequential and of the same suit; and  
 (b) the player's cards are the same card and of the same suit.  
 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the only winning circumstance where the player's cards are sequential are if the cards are 6, 7 and 8.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3  or  4  wherein the only winning circumstance where the player's cards are the same are if the cards are all 7.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  where in the pre-established set of rules provides winning side bets in accordance with Table 1.