US20120139182A1

US20120139182A1 - Method of playing a card game

Info

Publication number: US20120139182A1
Application number: US12/928,149
Authority: US
Inventors: Albert K. C. Poon
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-12-06
Filing date: 2010-12-06
Publication date: 2012-06-07

Abstract

A casino card game played between a banker and a plurality of players. A player is dealt a first and a second card after placing a wager. A banker is also dealt a first card (face up) and a second card. After examining his/her hand, a player may elect to either (1) surrender his/her hand, or (2) put up an additional wager to discard one of his/her two cards and purchase a replacement card, or (3) stand pat with his/her two cards. After each player has fully executed his/her hand, the banker exposes his/her hole card (or the second card); stands or draws in accordance with pre-determined criterion. Then, each player' s hand is compared with the dealer' s hand to determine a winner.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable

SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM

Not Applicable

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to casino card games, and more specifically to a variation of the games of Blackjack, Draw Poker, and Baccarat in which the player may draw a card in an attempt to improve his/her hand.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

By far the most popular casino card game is “Blackjack” or “21”, which is typically played at a semi-circular table with a maximum of six players sitting around the arcuate periphery of the table. These players play against the dealer, who typically stands behind the table. Although the game of “21” is a simple game in which each player attempts to get a total card value of as close as possible to 21 without exceeding 21, many millions of dollars per day are wagered on this game in casinos around the world. Despite the fact that this game has been played daily for decades, its popularity persists.
In a typical “21” game, the game begins by at least one player “anteing in” or placing an original bet. Each player so wagering is then entitled to first and second cards, as is the dealer. At that time, the dealer examines his/her cards in order to determine whether the house has a “21”, in which case the game is over and the house collects each of the original bets unless one the player has a “21” him/herself.
In the event that the dealer does not have a “21”, each player examines his or her cards and elects whether to take a third card, called a “hit” card. If the player stands, the outcome of the game will result in a comparison of the player's two cards with the dealer's hand. If the player elects to take a hit card, however, the dealer deals a third card to the player. Upon being dealt this third card, the player must determine whether the hand is a bust, meaning that the player has automatically lost because the card count is worth over 21, or whether to stand or take an additional hit card. If the player stands, the hand, now comprising three cards, is compared to the dealer's ultimate hand in order to determine the winner. If the player elects to take another hit card, this card is dealt to the player and the above process is repeated. This process applies to the dealer, and of course, and if the dealer “busts”, then each of the players who are not out of the game are paid an amount equal to their bet.
Upon the dealing of all cards, the winner of the game is determined by comparing the hands of those players who remain in the game to the hand of the dealer. As between each player's hand and the dealer's hand, the hand which is closest to 21 is declared the winner.
In the event that a player and the dealer have the same total card value, the hand is normally declared a “push” and neither the house nor the player wins. In the event that the player wins on a two card count of 21, the payout is normally 1.5 to 1. If the player wins with a hand having a card count of less than 21 or a greater than two card count of 21, the player is paid 1 to 1. Of course, if the player loses, his/her original bet and any subsequent bet are lost to the house.
While “21” offers great excitement to the player, it has been desired to offer the player additional opportunities to take or reject cards. Further, it has been desired to increase the opportunities for wagering, and thus increase the possible payoff to the player, enhancing the excitement of the game.
Poker is also a well known game utilizing a standard deck of playing cards. Poker is played in a myriad of variations such as Draw Poker and Stud Poker. In Poker, various combinations of cards have significance, based on both the numerical value of the cards and the suits. The basic object of Poker is for the player to achieve a five card hand having a higher Poker rank than the hands held by the player's opponents. The basic priority or rank order of winning poker hands is: Royal Flush, Straight Flush, Four of a Kind, Full House, Flush, Straight, Three of a Kind, Two Pair, One Pair and High Card(s) in hand.
It is also known to utilize wild cards in the game of Poker. Typically one or more types of cards from the standard playing deck are designated as wild cards, such as deuces or one-eyed Jacks. It is also known to add an extra card or cards to the deck as wild cards and these extra cards are conventionally referred to as Jokers.
Baccarat is one of the oldest and most popular games in casinos all over the world. It is especially popular among high-rollers and Asian gamblers. In Macau, baccarat is extremely dominant. Although the game seems serious and elegant, it is really as simple as betting on the flip of a coin.
There are three types of baccarat tables: Big Table Baccarat is played in a snooty roped off area to separate itself from the other games. The players are usually very well dressed and the table minimums are often high. The regular baccarat table is about the size of a craps table with 3 casino croupiers and up to 12 or 14 players. Each player, including the player dealing, may still bet on either the player or the banker but it is customary for the dealer to bet on the banker. The deal will rotate around the table, much like the dice rotate around the craps table. If a player does not want to deal they may pass the shoe to the next player. The same person will keep dealing as long as the banker keeps winning. The person dealing will put two cards, face down, tucked under the shoe, and give the player with the greatest bet on the player the other two cards, face down. This player then looks at the cards and then gives them back to one of the casino croupiers. Then the croupier will turn over the cards and announce the total point value of the player' s hand. Depending on the total point value, the croupier may then instruct the person dealing the cards to deal a third card. Finally the croupiers will pay winning wagers and collect losing ones out of the dealer's tray. The player who actually deals is not assuming any financial responsibility of the other players' bets.
Mini baccarat has the same rules as big table baccarat. However, unlike the game at the big table, a dealer turns over all the cards, making for a much faster game. The odds are exactly the same as those of the big table, assuming the same number of decks. Mini baccarat is sometimes dealt from a six-deck shoe, changing the odds slightly. It can usually be found in the main casino areas.
Midi baccarat is the same as mini baccarat, except the size of the table is larger, and it is usually found in the high-limit rooms, as opposed to the main casino floor. Usually eight decks of cards are used. Cards are given point values as follows: ace=1, 2-9=pip value, 10 and face cards=0. At the start of a new shoe, the dealer will turn over one card. This will determine how many cards the dealer will burn, according to the baccarat value, except a 10 or face card will result in 10 cards burned. The cut card will be placed 16 cards from the bottom of the shoe. When the cut card appears, the dealer will finish that hand, play one more hand, and then start a new shoe. If the cut card comes out instead of the first card, the dealer will finish that hand, and then start a new shoe. Play begins by all players betting either on the “player”, “banker”, or a tie. At some tables you may also bet on a player pair and banker pair.
After all bets are down, the dealer gives two cards each to the player and the banker. The score of the hand is the right digit of the total of the cards. For example, if the two cards were an 8 and 7, then the total would be 15 and the score would be a 5. The scores will always range from 0 to 9 and it is impossible to bust. A third card may or may not be dealt to either the player or the dealer depending on the following rules.
Drawing Rules: There is one overriding rule in Baccarat: If either the Player or the Banker has an 8 or a 9, both players stand without exception. If neither player has an eight or a nine, cards are drawn according to the following rules:
The Player is the first one to draw a card. Whether or not the Player draws determines whether or not the Banker will draw. Here are the rules:
The Player stands with a total of 6 or 7.
The Player hits (gets another card) with a total of 5 or less
The Banker's drawing rules are more complicated than the Player's rules. Here are the Banker's drawing rules:
If the Player stands, the Banker hits with a score of 5 or less.
If the player hits, the following rules apply:
The Banker always hits with a score of 2 or less.
If the Banker has a score of 3, he draws if the Player's third card is anything other than an 8.
If the Banker has a score of 4, he draws if the Player's third card is a 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7.
If the Banker has a score of 5, he draws if the Player's third card is a 4, 5, 6, or 7.
If the Banker has a score of 6, he draws if the Player's third card is a 6 or a 7.
The Banker always stands with a score of 7 regardless of the Player's third card.
The score of the player's and dealer's hands are compared; the winner is the one that has greater point value. Winning bets on the banker pay 19 to 20 (or even money less a 5% commission), winning bets on the player pay 1 to 1, winning bets on a tie usually pay 8 to 1. In the event of a tie, banker and player bets will push.
Meanwhile, the dealer will keep track of the 5% commission owed with small laminated markers. At the end of each shoe, or when a player wants to leave, the dealer will collect all commissions owed.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,013,049 to Tomaszewski (1991) discloses A game, wherein a deck of 54 cards is used comprising a standard deck of 52 playing cards plus two Jokers. Each Joker has a numerical value of 7 and has no suit value. The Face Cards and 10′s count zero, the Aces count 1 and all other cards have their face value. A player and a dealer each receive a hand of five cards. The player may discard and draw up to two cards. The dealer must discard and draw based on pre-established criteria. Between the player and the dealer, whoever has a three card combination closest to the numerical value of 21 without going over wins the hand. If the player and the dealer each achieve the same numerical value other than 21, the hand is a push. If the player and the dealer each achieve 21, this tie may be broken based on the following hand ranking criterion: Rank #1. 6-7-8 of the same suit; Rank #2. Flush 21 (three cards of the same suit totaling 21); Rank #3. Three 7′s; Rank #4. Pair 21 (three cards totaling 21: two 6′s and a 9, two 8′s and a 5 or two 9′s and a 3); and Rank #5. Other 21 combinations. If the tie is with the same Rank #, the hand is a push. If the player has Three 7′s (Rank #3), and the dealer has a Rank #1 or Rank #2 hand, then the hand is a push.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,407,209 to Prerost (1995) discloses An improved card game. In particular, it provides a modification and improvement to the well-known card game of blackjack or 21. A player is dealt first and second cards after placing an original bet, and then elects to stand or take an additional third card. If a third card is taken, the player is given the option of keeping the card, or replacing the card. If the third card is replaced, an additional wager is placed by the player, and a replacement to the third card is given. The player then elects to stand or take additional cards. After the player has taken all desired cards, the dealer's hand and player's hand are compared to determine a winner.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,529,309 to Bartlett (1996) discloses A Method for playing a card game is set forth wherein a dealer deals an initial hand of two cards to himself and each of a plurality of players. Depending upon the count of his initial hand, the dealer draws a third card, stands or exposes his hand; the third card altering the dealer's count. Then each player in succession opts to stand or take a third card, however drawing a third card is precluded where the dealer's initial hand has a count of 8 or 9 or, if drawn, the dealer's third card is a 9. Upon completion of the dealer's and players' play, each player's hand is resolved against the dealer's to determine wins, losses and ties. The game also provides for player side bets for non-zero ties.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,653,445 to Quach (1997) discloses A card game and method of playing the same played with a standard 52 card deck, wherein each of several players is dealt three cards and is given the opportunity to stand pat or to exchange one card for another dealt by a non-player dealer with the object of achieving a hand having a high score based on a numerical point scoring system in which the lowest hand score is zero and the highest is ten. Each such score is then compared with that of a pre-designated reference player or “banker” to distinguish winning hands from losing hands. In those jurisdictions in which it would be legal, the game may also include wagering by the players according to specific payout rules.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,713,574 to Hughes (1998) discloses A method of playing a casino style type card game adapted for wagering by multiple players playing against a dealer. The game uses a standard fifty-two card deck and combines attributes of poker and Blackjack. Winning hands are determined according to conventional poker ranking rules by each player comparing a three card hand derived from four cards dealt in a specific sequence against that of the dealer. The game also optionally includes doubling, surrendering, awarding bonuses, insurance, and a progressive jackpot.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,984,310 to English (1999) discloses A method of playing a casino type wagering card game includes the initial step of each player placing an initial wager. Five cards are then dealt to each player and seven cards are dealt to the dealer. Each player may then inspect the original dealt hand, and elect to stay pat or discard and draw one or two cards. If the player elects to draw, they then inspect the new draw hand and either fold or place a second wager to stay with the draw hand. All discarded cards are then collected by the dealer and the dealer selects the best five card hand, based on poker criteria, from the dealer's cards. A comparison is then made between the player's hand and the dealer's selected hand. If the player stayed pat and has a hand higher than the dealer's hand, the player is awarded odds on the initial wager. If the player stays with the draw hand, and has a hand higher than the dealer's hand, the player is awarded even money on the initial wager and the second wager. If the dealer's hand is higher than the player's hand, the player loses the initial wager and the second wager if applicable. If the player's hand and the dealer's hand are the same rank, a “push” will result, and the player neither wins nor loses money.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,237,917 to Timpano (2001) discloses A Method for playing a Baccarat game in which players play against a dealer using a deck of conventional playing cards or electronic representations thereof. Each player wagers and is dealt two cards to form an initial hand. Any player receiving a pre-determined winning hand is rewarded and play is terminated for that player. Otherwise, the players may opt to take a single additional card to forma final hand. The value of each final hand is determined by summing the value of each card in the final hand modulo ten, wherein face cards and tens have a value of zero, Aces have a value of one, and all other cards have a value equal to their numeric face value. The wager is collected from each player receiving a pre-determined losing hand and play is terminated as to that player. A dealer's initial hand of two cards is dealt and evaluated. If the value of the dealer's initial hand is within a pre-determined range, the dealer must take an additional card. The value of the dealer's final hand is compared to the value of each player's final hand. Wagers are resolved by rewarding players having a higher final hand value than the dealer's final hand value, collecting wagers from players having a final hand value less than the dealer's final hand value, and returning wagers on ties.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,533,279 to Moody et al. (2003) discloses An initial hand, wherein three cards is dealt to the player and three community cards are dealt face down. The player decides which cards to hold and which cards to discard. For each card that is discarded, the player uses one of the community cards as the replacement card. If the player discards one card, Card #1 is used as the replacement card. If the player discards two cards, Card #1 and Card #2 are used as the replacement cards. If the player discards all three cards, Card #1, Card #2 and Card #3 are used as the replacement cards. After the player has made his decision, all of the community cards are turned face up and the outcome of the player's final three card hand is determined. Winning and losing outcomes are determined based on a pay table and the amount of the player's wager.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,869,075 to Stavinsky (2005) discloses An Improved Blackjack-style game. In one embodiment, the player and dealer are dealt at least two cards and can discard and exchange one of the cards to make a final hand. In another embodiment a trump card is used to resolve pushes. The trump card can also be used for designating certain jackpot awards. In still another embodiment, face cards of Jacks through Kings are assigned values other than the traditional value of 10. In another embodiment, losing player wagers are inventoried and either recaptured or lost based upon the outcome of the subsequent hand. In another embodiment the player makes two wagers and plays a traditional Blackjack hand. To resolve the second wager the player's hand receives additional cards (if necessary) to have at least five cards representing a winning or losing Stud Poker hand.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,334,794 to Snow (2008) discloses A poker-type card game comprises at least one player making at least one ante wager in the poker-type game at least against a dealer/banker's hand. The player receives a first number of cards and the dealer receives a second number of cards that is at least one card more than the number of cards received by the player. A set of community cards is provided that are used by the dealer and the player. One of the dealer's cards is exposed to the table to provide an exposed dealer card. The dealer is compelled to discard the exposed dealer' s card if the rank of the exposed dealer's card is within a first range of values and the dealer is compelled to discard an unexposed dealer' s card if the exposed dealer's card is within a second range of values. After resolving the status of the dealer's hand, the player may be allowed to amend the initial one ante wager. The player may also make two separate ante wagers, one of which may be withdrawn upon seeing the dealer's up card or the resolution of the discard and retention requirements by the dealer. Different amounts and proportions of Second Ante wagers and/or Play Wagers may be made on the respective ante wagers, such as 1 time, 1.5 times, 2 times, 3 times, or more with respect to the amount of the first ante wager.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,416,187 to Forster (2008) discloses A gaming method. To play the game at least two card representations are provided to a player. Each card representation comprises a symbol having a corresponding predetermined value. Two card representations are provided to the dealer. A blackjack game outcome is determined by comparing the values of the player and the dealer's card representations. The player wins if the sum of the predetermined values of the player's cards is higher than the dealer's. Two of the player's cards and two of the dealer's cards are used for playing a game of poker. Two-card poker values are defined, and a poker game outcome is evaluated based on the player's and dealer's two card representations. The player wins if the player's two card combination has a higher poker value than the dealer's two card combination.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,618,043 to Hayden (2009) discloses Methods of playing a Baccarat card game variation are presented including: providing a 52-card deck of playing cards; placing a wager a player bet line or a banker bet line by a player, where the wager includes a player bet line wager and a banker bet line wager; dealing a pair of cards to each of a banker hand and a community hand, where the banker hand includes a banker face-up card and a banker face-down card, and where the community hand includes a first community face-up card and a second community face-up card; if a community hand sum is less than 4, dealing a community hit card to the community hand; if the community hand sum is greater than 6, standing on the community hand; and if the community hand sum is greater than 3 and less than 7, optionally dealing a community hit card to the community hand.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,803,043 to Jackson (2010) discloses A method of playing a wagering card game for a single player or a number of players using standard playing cards having a standard rank and involving standard poker hand rankings or modified rankings for Three Card Poker.RTM. games. The players play a draw poker game against a dealer's stud poker hand. Each player's hand contains fewer cards than the dealer's hand, but the game is resolved with final hands of equal amount of cards. After an Ante wager, a plurality of cards is dealt to each player, and a plurality of cards is dealt to the dealer. Following predetermined house rules, each player then may decide to execute one or more of the following options: Surrender, Fold, make a Play bet, make a Double Down bet, or make a Draw bet. The player may or may not discard a card to make the Draw bet. After all of the players' hands have been fully executed, the dealer then adds one or more additional face-up cards to his hand. Outcomes of a comparison of hands are determined by traditional poker rules and standard poker rankings. Wagers are then resolved according to a predetermined pay table.
United States Patent Application 20100264593 authored by Tsung discloses A card game which has three card hands in a round. A player may change a single card in the three-card hand. A player compares three card hands for hand strength first categorizing hands into classes; wherein the highest special hand is the three of a kind. The second highest special class is the three face card hand. A standard hand class is below two special hand classes.
It is an object of the present invention to design a new card game that combines the best features of Blackjack, Poker, and Baccarat. It is a feature of the present invention to utilize a standard deck of playing cards to designate a new ranking criterion based on combinations of two card hands.
It is an advantage of the present invention that a new and exciting, yet very easy to learn, card game has been created combining the best features of Blackjack, Poker, and Baccarat.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A Blackjack-type card game comprises at least one player making at least one ante wager against a dealer's hand. A standard deck of 52 cards without a Joker is used. The player receives two cards and the dealer receives two cards. One of the dealer's two cards is exposed. The present invention is offered under the trademark DRAWor noDRAW.
In order to provide more excitement to the game and the player with more control and opportunity to win, the player after reviewing his/her two cards along with the dealer's exposed card, has the options of either surrender his/her hand and lose half of his/her original wager, or put up an additional wager equivalent to half of his/her original wager to discard one of his/her two cards and purchase a replacement card, or stand pat with his/her two original cards to play against the dealer's final hand.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A card game is played with at least one player hand competing against one dealer hand, using a standard poker deck of 52 cards without a Joker. Any number of decks may be used, but in one preferred embodiment, four decks of cards are shuffled together for use. If more than one player is involved, the dealer deals the cards singly from the first occupied player's spot to each player who has placed a wager and the dealer him/herself, continuing in a clockwise fashion and ending with the dealer. The first of the dealer's two cards is dealt face up. As to the players, their two cards are normally dealt face up, although, depending on the number of decks being played and house policy, it is possible to deal these two cards face down.
Once a player has been dealt two cards, the player must elect to (1) surrender his/her hand and lose half of his/her original wager, or (2) put up an additional wager equivalent to half of his/her original wager to discard one of his/her two cards and purchase a replacement card, or (3) stand pat with his/her two cards. When a player elects to surrender his/her hand, the dealer collects half of said player's original wager and return the other half to said player, the play is terminated as to that player. When a player elects to discard one of his/her two cards, the dealer collects an amount equivalent to said player's original wager, and then deals a card to replace said player's discarded card.
After all of the players' hand have been fully executed, the dealer turns over his/her hole card, and stands if the total value of his/her two cards is 5 point or above. Otherwise, he/she discards and draws one card in accordance with the rules established by the house. If a dealer needs to discard and draw a card, he/she needs to discard the card that has less point value, e.g., getting rid of a 10 in the event that his/her hand consists of a J and a 10. A J has less point value than a Q; a Q has less point value than a K. When a dealer's hand consists of a 9 and a 5, he/she needs to discard the 5 and draw to the 9. When a dealer's hand consists of an Ace and a Deuce, he/she needs to discard the Ace and draw to the Deuce.
Then, the dealer compares his hand against those of the players. In the event that the total point value of a player's hand is higher than the dealer's, the player wins. If the total point value of a player's hand is lower than the dealer's, the player loses. When both the dealer and the player have the same point value in their hand, it is a push, and the wager is returned to the player. In the event that more than one player is involved, the actions rotate clockwise from the player immediate to the dealer's left.
In a preferred embodiment, HANDS ARE RANKED IN THE FOLLOWING ORDER [>Symbolizes higher than] AA>KK>QQ>JJ>1010>99>88>77>66>55>44>33>22>9-point >8-point>7-point>6-point>5-point>4-point>3-point>2-point>1-point>0-point. K, Q, J, 10 count zero. All other cards count as their face value. If, in combination of two cards, the total point value of said two cards exceeds 10, e.g. a 9 plus a 5=14 that hand counts as a 4-point hand, as in the game of Baccarat.
In an alternative embodiment, HANDS ARE RANKED IN THE FOLLOWING ORDER [>Symbolizes higher than] AA>KK>QQ>JJ>1010>99>88>77>66>55>44>33>22>9-point >8-point>7-point>6-point>5-point>4-point>3-point>2-point>1-point>0-point. K, Q, J, 10 count zero. All other cards count as their face value. If, in combination of two cards, the total point value of said two cards exceeds 10, e.g. a 9 plus a 5=14 that hand counts as a 4-point hand, as in the game of Baccarat. A hand consists of an Ace and an 8=9-point beats a hand consists of a King and a 9=9-point. K, 9 beats Q, 9; Q, 9 beats J, 9; J, 9 beats 10,9; 10,9 beats 7,2; 7,2 beats 6,3; 6,3 beats 5,4, and etc. Simply put, the better of the two cards that has the same total point value is determined by the ranking of A>K>Q>J>10>9>8>7>6>5>4>3>2. A hand consists of a Q and a 10=0-point beats a hand consists of a J and a 10=0-point. A hand consists of an 8 and a 5=3-point beats a hand consists of a 7 and a 6=3-point, since an 8 is higher than a 7.
While the above description contains many specifications, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as exemplifications of the presently preferred embodiments thereof. Many other ramifications and variations are possible within the teaching of the invention. Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given.

Claims

1. A method of playing a card game among a banker and a plurality of players, each player wagering against the banker's hand, the method comprising:

(a) providing a wagering surface or a table for the placement of wagers;

(b) providing and shuffling one conventional poker deck of 52 cards without a joker;

(c) each player placing at least one wager against the banker's hand;

(d) dealer dealing first and second cards into each player's and the banker's hand in a clockwise fashion ending with the banker;

(e) player examining the first and the second cards and electing to either (1) surrender his/her hand and lose half of his/her original wager, or (2) put up an additional wager equivalent to half of his/her original wager to discard one of his/her two cards and purchase a replacement card, or (3) stand pat with his/her two cards;

(f) dealer collecting half of a player's original wager and returning the other half to said player, upon said player electing to surrender his/her hand; and picking up said player' s cards and placing them in a discard rack;

(g) when a player elects to discard and draw one card, dealer collecting an amount equivalent to half of said player's original wager, picking up said player's discarded card before dealing a card to replace said player' s discarded card;

(h) upon all players having fully executed their hands, dealer turning over his/her hole card, and stands if the total value of his/her two cards is 5 point or above;

(i) dealer discarding and drawing one card if the total value of the dealer' s two cards is below 5;

(j) dealer discarding the card that has less point value and retaining the card that has a higher point value, e.g., getting rid of the 10 if his/her hand consists of a J and a 10; and getting rid of the Ace if his/her hand consists of an Ace and a Deuce;

(k) comparing each player' s hand against the banker' s, wherein hands are compared in descending ranking order as follows:

a hand containing a pair of Aces beats a hand containing a pair of Kings;

a hand containing a pair of Kings beats a hand containing a pair of Queens;

a hand containing a pair of Queens beats a hand containing a pair of Jacks;

a hand containing a pair of Jacks beats a hand containing a pair of Tens;

a hand containing a pair of Tens beats a hand containing a pair of Nines;

a hand containing a pair of Nines beats a hand containing a pair of Eights;

a hand containing a pair of Eights beats a hand containing a pair of Sevens;

a hand containing a pair of Sevens beats a hand containing a pair of Sixes;

a hand containing a pair of Sixes beats a hand containing a pair of Fives;

a hand containing a pair of Fives beats a hand containing a pair of Fours;

a hand containing a pair of Fours beats a hand containing a pair of Threes;

a hand containing a pair of Threes beats a hand containing a pair of Deuces;

a hand containing a pair of Deuces beats a hand containing a total of 9 points;

a hand containing a total of 9 points beats a hand containing a total of 8 points;

a hand containing a total of 8 points beats a hand containing a total of 7 points;

a hand containing a total of 7 points beats a hand containing a total of 6 points;

a hand containing a total of 6 points beats a hand containing a total of 5 points;

a hand containing a total of 5 points beats a hand containing a total of 4 points;

a hand containing a total of 4 points beats a hand containing a total of 3 points;

a hand containing a total of 3 points beats a hand containing a total of 2 points;

a hand containing a total of 2 points beats a hand containing a total of 1 point;

a hand containing a total of 1 point beats a hand containing a total of zero point;

[when the dealer's and a player's hands contains the same pair or the same point value, it is a tie or a push];

(1) dealer settling wagers with each player in a clockwise direction;

collecting wagers on a losing hand, and rewarding winning hands with equal wagers.

2. The method of claim 1(b), wherein said dealer may use multiple decks of cards.

3. The method of claim 1(d), wherein said player's card may be dealt face up or face down, while the banker's first card is dealt face up.

4. The method of claim 1(h), wherein the pre-determined criterion of 5-point may be changed to higher or lower.

5. The method of claim 1(1), wherein said dealer collects each player's cards and places them in a discard rack right after the wagers are settled.

6. A method of playing a card game among a banker and a plurality of players, each player wagering against the banker's hand, the method comprising:

(a) providing a wagering surface or a table for the placement of wagers;

(c) each player placing at least one wager against the banker's hand;

(g) when a player elects to discard and draw one card, dealer collecting an amount equivalent to half of said player's original wager, picking up said player's discarded card before dealing a card to replace said player's discarded card;

a hand containing a pair of Aces beats a hand containing a pair of Kings;

a hand containing a pair of Kings beats a hand containing a pair of Queens;

a hand containing a pair of Queens beats a hand containing a pair of Jacks;

a hand containing a pair of Jacks beats a hand containing a pair of Tens;

a hand containing a pair of Tens beats a hand containing a pair of Nines;

a hand containing a pair of Nines beats a hand containing a pair of Eights;

a hand containing a pair of Eights beats a hand containing a pair of Sevens;

a hand containing a pair of Sevens beats a hand containing a pair of Sixes;

a hand containing a pair of Sixes beats a hand containing a pair of Fives;

a hand containing a pair of Fives beats a hand containing a pair of Fours;

a hand containing a pair of Fours beats a hand containing a pair of Threes;

a hand containing a pair of Threes beats a hand containing a pair of Deuces;

a hand containing a pair of Deuces beats a hand containing a total of 9 points;

(1) dealer settling wagers with each player in a clockwise direction;

7. The method of claim 6(b), wherein said dealer may use multiple decks of cards.

8. The method of claim 6(d), wherein said player's card may be dealt face up or face down, while the banker's first card is dealt face up.

9. The method of claim 6(e)(l), wherein a gaming establishment operator may choose not to allow surrender of a player's hand.

10. The method of claim 6(g), wherein said dealer places said player's discarded card in a discard rack.

11. The method of claim 6(h), wherein the pre-determined criterion of 5-point may be changed to higher or lower.

12. The method of claim 6(k), wherein a hand consists of an Ace and an 8=9-point beats a hand consists of a King and a 9=9-point, a hand consists of a K and a 9 beats a hand consists of a Q and a 9, a hands consists of a Q and a 9 beats a hand consists of a J and a 9, a hand consists of a J and a 9 beats a hand consists of a 10 and a 9, a hand consists of a 10 and a 9 beats a hand consists of a 7, and a 2, a hand consists of a 7 and a 2 beats a hand consists a 6 and a 3, a hand consists of a 6 and a 3 beats a hand consists of a 5 and a 4, and etc., a hand consists of a Q and a 10=0-point beats a hand consists of a J and a 10=0-point, a hand consists of an 8 and a 5=3-point beats a hand consists of a 7 and a 6=3-point, and etc.

13. The method of claim 6(l), wherein said dealer collects each player's cards and places them in a discard rack right after the wagers are settled.

14. A method of playing a card game among a banker and a plurality of players, each player wagering against the banker's hand, the method comprising:

(a) providing a wagering surface or a table for the placement of wagers;

(c) each player placing at least one wager against the banker's hand;

(f) dealer collecting half of a player's original wager and returning the other half to said player, upon said player electing to surrender his/her hand; and picking up said player's cards and placing them in a discard rack;

(i) dealer discarding and drawing one card if the total value of dealer's two cards is below 5;

(k) comparing each player's hand against the banker's, wherein hands are compared in descending ranking order as follows:

a hand containing a pair of Aces beats a hand containing a pair of Kings;

a hand containing a pair of Kings beats a hand containing a pair of Queens;

a hand containing a pair of Queens beats a hand containing a pair of Jacks;

a hand containing a pair of Jacks beats a hand containing a pair of Tens;

a hand containing a pair of Tens beats a hand containing a pair of Nines;

a hand containing a pair of Nines beats a hand containing a pair of Eights;

a hand containing a pair of Eights beats a hand containing a pair of Sevens;

a hand containing a pair of Sevens beats a hand containing a pair of Sixes;

a hand containing a pair of Sixes beats a hand containing a pair of Fives;

a hand containing a pair of Fives beats a hand containing a pair of Fours;

a hand containing a pair of Fours beats a hand containing a pair of Threes;

a hand containing a pair of Threes beats a hand containing a pair of Deuces;

a hand containing a pair of Deuces beats a hand containing a total of 9 points;

(1) dealer settling wagers with each player in a clockwise direction;

[when the dealer's and a player's hands contains the same pair or the same point value with two identical cards, e.g., 4, 5 vs. 4, 5, it is a tie or a push];

15. The method of claim 14(b), wherein said dealer may use multiple decks of cards.

16. The method of claim 14(d), wherein said player's card may be dealt face up or face down, while the banker's first card is dealt face up.

17. The method of claim 14(e)(l), wherein a gaming establishment operator may choose not to allow a player surrender his/her hand.

18. The method of claim 14(h), wherein the pre-determined criterion of 5-point may be changed to higher or lower.

19. The method of claim 14(k), wherein a hand consists of an Ace and an 8=9-point beats a hand consists of a King and a 9=9-point, a hand consists of a K and a 9 beats a hand consists of a Q and a 9,a hands consists of a Q and a 9 beats and hand consists of a J and a 9, a hand consists of a J and a 9 beats a hand consists of a 10 and a 9, a hand consists of a 10 and a 9 beats a hand consists of a 7, and a 2, a hand consists of a 7 and a 2 beats a hand consists a 6 and a 3, a hand consists of a 6 and a 3 beats a hand consists of a 5 and a 4, and etc., a hand consists of a Q and a 10=0-point beats a hand consists of a J and a 10=0-point, a hand consists of an 8 and a 5=3-point beats a hand consists of a 7 and a 6=3-point, and etc.

20. The method of claim 14(l), wherein said dealer collects each player's cards and places them in a discard rack right after the wagers are settled.