3 Card No-Bust 21 Blackjack

Abstract

This invention is a variation of a public domain game Blackjack and incorporates that game's familiar rules into a new modified method of play designed to increase player appeal and casino profits. 21+No-Bust+3 Card Blackjack is a card game based upon the public domain game of Blackjack in which a new method of play includes conventional blackjack rules and new rules and new wagers. New wagers are offered to the Player in addition to a required proposition wager: side bet wagers that may be made independently or in combination, a No-Bust+ wager, a Blackjack Bonus wager, a Progressive Rolling/Jackpot Bonus, or Fixed Jackpot Bonus.

1 . A method of playing a card game in which one or more players play against a casino/bank via its representative (Dealer) the method comprising: a Player first making an initial proposition wager and optionally one or more additional wagers as described. The Dealer dealing cards from a set of cards: three cards to each Player and three cards from the set of cards to the Dealer, each set representing the Player's hand and Dealer's hand respectively. From the three cards dealt to the Dealer, with one of the Dealer's cards revealed by being dealt face-up, the Player's options are:
 STAND with all three cards.   DRAW to the initial 3-card hand until 17-21 is reached;   DOUBLE the initial 3-card hand by receiving one additional card and matching the original wager.   RETAIN 2 of the original 3 cards and stand, split pairs, draw, or double in accordance with conventional Blackjack and or house rules, but to do so the Player must split-off 1 card, and play a 2 nd  hand with all appropriate wagers.   SPLIT hands may only be split again when in accordance with house rules.   DISCARD. In a further embodiment the Player may be permitted to discard 1 card and stand or play the original 2 cards in accordance with conventional Blackjack rules: Stand, Draw, Double, Split. Discard means turning an unwanted card face down. Discarded cards are collected before play on the Player's remaining cards continues.   The player has the option of taking Insurance on any hand whether or not the Dealer's revealed face-up card is an Ace or 10-K. Insurance is paid @2-1 when played and the Dealer's hand contains a Blackjack, Ace+10-K.   In a varied embodiment the Player may select any two of the three cards first received, and discarding the third card stand, without the option of drawing, splitting, or doubling down.   Additional wagers equal to the initial proposition wager and the No-Bust+ wager, if made, are required for any split-off hand. Other bets are optional or required in accordance with house rules.   
   
   
       2 . Standing or being dealt at least one additional card from the set of cards by the Dealer as in accordance with the above conventional Blackjack rules and new rules for 3 Card No-Bust+21 Blackjack embodied here, play follows the conventional rules of Blackjack play, such that the player's selected cards and all additional cards dealt to the player define a Player's hand. The player may not continue to draw once the total of the hand reaches 17-21 or exceeds 21, optional house rule may permit a Player to draw to a point total 17-21; following all player activity the Dealer plays the best hand from the first three cards dealt to the Dealer, and stands with any 2-3 card total dealt initially as the Dealer's hand for this purpose comprising a total 17-21; in the event that no two or three card combination of Dealer's initial three cards falls between 17-21 the Dealer draws to a total less than 17 until attaining 17-21 or exceeding 21; if the total of the Dealer's initial 3 cards exceeds 21 and no 2-3 card total 17-21 can be made play stops, the Dealer stands, and payoffs are made on Player's proposition wagers. Additional wagers are paid or surrendered as appropriate. 
   
   
       3 . In a varied embodiment the Dealer with a 3-card total not containing any 2-3 card total 17-21, retains two cards comprising the lowest two card total, discards the third card, and draws one or more additional cards from the set of cards in accordance with the conventional Blackjack play until attaining a total 17-21 or exceeding 21, such that the Dealer's two selected cards and any additional cards dealt to the Dealer define a Dealer's hand. In this scenario Aces are counted as 1 point in determining the lowest 2-card total amongst the first 3 initial Dealer cards when no combination of those cards, including counting the Ace as 11, equates to 17-21. The 1 point Ace and the lowest of the two remaining cards are retained, the third card is discarded, and the Dealer draws until attaining 17-21 or exceeding 21. Depending on the value of the Dealers draw card(s) the Ace may be counted as 1 or 11 for purposes of attaining a total 17-21. Dealer play ceases upon attaining a total of 17-21 or exceeding 21. The Dealer with an initial hand comprising an Ace and any ten-point value card discards the third card and having Blackjack stands. The Dealer may check his face down “hole” cards for Blackjack prior to overall play and if so having a Blackjack, play stops. Wager outcomes are then determined by the initial 3 card hands dealt to the Player(s). In an alternative embodiment the Dealer, not showing and Ace or Ten, and subsequently not checking the remaining concealed cards for Blackjack may allow play to continue around the table; on revealing a Blackjack the Dealer collects initial proposition wagers. Split-off Player hands and wagers i.e. double down, may remain active against the Dealer's hand. If a subsequent Dealer Blackjack shall exist, the all hands played and their accompanying wagers shall be subject to resolution in accordance to the rule applying to the initial 3-card hand. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising: prior to being dealt said first three cards, the player may make optional wagers, with minimum and maximum amounts determined by house/casino rules. Optional wagers are subject to the following rules and amendments to the conventional rules of Blackjack and apply as follows with No-Bust+ wager in place:
 a) Tying Dealer/Player hands push. Dealer/Player Blackjack may be paid even money 1-1 according to house rules. The No-Bust+ wager is surrendered.   b) Player Blackjack and no Dealer Blackjack pays 3/2;   c) Player's hand remains active with a NoBust+ protection in place when exceeding 21 until all Dealer activity is complete. Player's primary proposition wager is a push if the Dealer and Player hands both exceed 21; player always surrenders the No-Bust+ protection when not successfully beating the Dealer's hand.   d) Side or option wagers are paid exclusive of Dealer activity except as noted.   
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising: prior to being dealt said first three cards, the player may make optional and or side bet wager(s). No-Bust+ wager increases side bet wager payouts, including an optional Jackpot wager as listed in the appropriate wager payout schedule. Jackpot wagers may be a fixed amount or increasing amount according to the method chosen by house rules. 
   
   
       6 . Payoffs for specific premium value hands are made, regardless of Dealer activity and the payoff is maximized with NB+ and or if applicable under house rules. 
   
   
       7 . In a varied embodiment of the side wager: the Player may split-off one of the three initial cards, and drawing to the remaining two initial cards may successfully complete the side wager, completing the predetermined side bet combination (see Premium Hand payout table). A separate side bet wager may be made available optionally and apply only to the original initial three cards dealt to the player. 
   
   
       8 . The player retains the No-Bust+ wager when the Player's hand beats the Dealer's hand, else it is surrendered. 
   
   
       9 . In a varied embodiment a Progressive Rolling/Jackpot Bonus or other side wager comparing the Player's and Dealer's original and initial three card hands may be offered and paid in accordance with an appropriate pay table. 
   
   
       10 . A side wager may be offered as a separate side bet based solely on an initial three-card Dealer/Player hands optionally on the Dealer's hand only, the Player's hand only, or both. Progressive Rolling/Jackpot Bonus and other payouts may be subject to house rules. Rolling or cumulative Jackpots may start at a minimum amount set by the casino and will represent that amount plus any other amount determined by house rules: EXAMPLE: the minimum plus the total of all of the Progressive Rolling/Jackpot Bonus wagers made by players. A house “hold” of some amount may be incorporated and applied as jurisdictional regulations and house rules allow. The Progressive Rolling/Jackpot Bonus is won according to the payoff table provided for this purpose. The Progressive Rolling/Jackpot Bonus wager is paid exclusive of Dealer play, unless tied to Dealer play. 
   
   
       11 . All side wagers may be offered separately or combined in any fashion.