Modified blackjack game with a side bet on "any-ten"

Abstract

A modified game of blackjack includes a side wager made available if the dealer's two-card hand equals ten or eleven. The side wager is betting on the third dealer's card being an “any ten” card: ten, jack, queen or king. The side wager is resolved independently of the main game. The timing of the side wager makes it attractive to players while the odds favor the house. The side wager is preferably paid at 2:1. Modifications of the side wager that pay at higher ratios are also disclosed.

2 . A method of playing a modified blackjack game between a dealer and at least one player using at least one standard deck of playing cards comprising the steps of:
 a) having at least one player place a first wager to participate in the blackjack game wherein the outcome of said first wager is determined by conventional rules of blackjack;   b) dealing a first card to each player wherein the card is placed face up;   c) dealing a first card to the dealer, wherein the dealer's card is placed face down;   d) dealing a second card to each player and to the dealer, wherein each said second card is placed face up;   e) allowing said players to complete their hands according to conventional rules of blackjack;   f) revealing the dealer's face-down card;   g) if the total value of the dealers cards equals 10 or 11, allow players to place a second wager;   h) dealing a third card to the dealer;   i) paying said second wager if said third dealer's card is a ten, jack, queen or king or collecting said second wager if said third dealer's card is any other card;   j) allowing the dealer to complete the dealer's hand according to conventional rules of blackjack; and   k) resolving said first wager according to conventional rules of blackjack.   
   
   
       3 . The method of claim  1 , wherein said second wager is at least 50% but no more than 100% of said second wager. 
   
   
       4 . The method of claim  1 , wherein said second wager is paid at least as 1:1 but no more than 2:1. 
   
   
       5 . The method of claim  1 , wherein said second wager is paid only when said dealer's third card is a predetermined card selected from among ten, jack, queen and king. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein said side wager is paid at least at 4:1 but at no more than 8:1. 
   
   
       7 . The method of claim  1 , wherein said second wager is paid only when said dealer's third card is a ten, jack, queen or king of a predetermined suit. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein said side wager is paid at 4:1 but at no more than 8:1. 
   
   
       9 . The method of claim  1 , wherein said second wager is paid only when said dealer's third card is either a jack of spades or a jack of clubs. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein said side wager is paid at 8:1 but at no more than 16:1. 
   
   
       11 . The method of claim  1 , wherein said second wager is paid only when said dealer's third card is of a predetermined suit and of a predetermined face selected from ten, jack, queen or king. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said side wager is paid at 16:1 but at no more than 32:1. 
   
   
       13 . A method of playing a modified blackjack game between a dealer and at least one player using at least one standard deck of playing cards comprising the steps of:
 a) providing a table having markings in accordance with a traditional rules of blackjack and having markings designating at least two areas for wagers per player;   b) having at least one player place a wager in a first designated area of said table;   c) dealing a first card to each player wherein the card is placed face up on said table;   d) dealing a first card to the dealer, wherein the dealer's card is displayed face down on said table;   e) dealing a second card to each player and to the dealer wherein the dealer's card is placed face up on said table;   f) allowing said players to complete their hands according to conventional rules of blackjack;   g) revealing the dealer's face-down card;   h) if the total value of the dealers cards equals 10 or 11, allow players to place a second wager, in a second said designated area;   i) dealing a third card to the dealer;   j) paying said second wager if said third dealer's card is a ten, jack, queen or king or collecting said second wager if said third dealer's card is any other card;   k) allowing the dealer to complete the dealer's hand according to conventional rules of blackjack; and   l) resolving said first wager.   
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said markings in said second designated area include a separate marking for each of the four suits. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said markings in said second designated area include a separate marking for each of the ten, jack, queen and king. 
   
   
       16 . A method of playing a modified blackjack game between an automated device comprising:
 a display, means for making a selection, and a data processing unit,   and at least one player comprising the steps of:
 a) having at least one player make a first wager to participate in the blackjack game wherein the outcome of said first wager is determined by conventional rules of blackjack; 
 b) displaying face up a first card of each player; 
 c) displaying face down a first card of the dealer; 
 d) displaying face up a second card of each player and of the dealer; 
 e) allowing said at least one player to make selections completing the hands according to conventional rules of blackjack; 
 f) revealing the dealer's face-down card; 
 g) if the total value of the dealers cards equals 10 or 11, allowing said at least one player to make a second wager; 
 h) displaying a third card of the dealer; 
 i) if said second wager has been made, computing said second wager as a win if said third dealer's card is a ten, jack, queen or king or computing said second wager as a loss if said third dealer's card is any other card; 
 j) completing the dealer's hand according to conventional rules of blackjack; and 
 k) computing said first wager according to conventional rules of blackjack. 
   
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein said automated device further comprises means or receiving and dispensing funds. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein said means or receiving and dispensing funds is a magnetic card reader.