Wizard blackjack analysis

• US 20070216098A1
• Filed: 03/17/2006
• Published: 09/20/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/17/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: William Santiago
• Original Assignee: William Santiago
• Inventors: Santiago, William
• Application Number:
  US11/377,842
• Publication Number:
  US 20070216098A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 273/292
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 1/00 Card games aspects of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions showing representations related to the game A63F13/00; card games played on a gaming machine G07F17/32
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2001/003 Blackjack; Twenty one

Abstract

Blackjack table of a type used in a casino. Has an imprint of a 5, 6, or 7 circles, Squares or customs spots. Blackjack can be dealt from one to eight decks of cards. Prior to the dealing of any cards, all players must make a wager up to the posted table limit. The dealer then deals himself and each player two cards. The dealer will expose one of his cards as the up card. The player'"'"'s cards are dealt either face down if it'"'"'s a hand held game, or face up if it'"'"'s dealt from a multiple-deck shoe. The object of the game is to get as close to 21 as possible and beat the dealer. Twos through Nines count as their face value. Tens, Jacks, Queens and Kings count as 10. Aces can count as 1 or 11. An Ace and a 10-value card dealt on the first two cards are called a blackjack, which beats all other hands. The players are allow to bet that the dealer'"'"'s final hand will be 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 or blackjack. Prior to the dealing of any cards, all players must make a mandatory blackjack wager up to the posted table limit. In addition to the blackjack wager, the player also has the option to make one or any combination of the six side bets: 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 or blackjack. The player'"'"'s side bet wins if the dealer'"'"'s final hand matches the player'"'"'s prediction. If the dealer'"'"'s hand busts or does not match the player'"'"'s prediction the side bet loses.

Claims

1. Wizard Blackjack is a variation of blackjack. It features side bets that allow the player to bet that the dealer'"'"'s final hand will be 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 or blackjack. Wizard Blackjack can be dealt from one to eight decks of cards. Prior to the dealing of any cards, all players must make a mandatory blackjack wager up to the posted table limit. In addition to the blackjack wager, the player also has the option to make one or any combination of the six side bets:

17, 18, 19, 20, 21 or blackjack. The player'"'"'s side bet wins if the dealer'"'"'s final hand matches the player'"'"'s prediction. If the dealer'"'"'s hand busts or does not match the player'"'"'s prediction the side bet loses.

After all bets have been made, the dealer then deals himself and each player two cards. The dealer will expose one of his cards as the up card. The player'"'"'s cards are dealt either face down if it'"'"'s a hand held game, or face up if it'"'"'s dealt from a multiple-deck shoe.

The object of the game is to get as close to 21 as possible and beat the dealer. Twos through Nines count as their face value. Tens, lacks, Queens and Kings count as 10. Aces can count as 1 or 11. An Ace and a 10-value card dealt on the first two cards are called a blackjack, which beats all other hands.

Once all players have made their decisions, the dealer will reveal his hole card and play out his hand. The dealer must hit until he has either 17 or greater or busts. Depending on the house rules, some casinos require the dealer to stand on a soft 17, which is composed of at least one Ace and other cards that total either 7 or 17.

If the dealer busts, he must pay all blackjack bets even money except a blackjack which usually pays 3 to 2;

he will also sweep all the Wizard side bets.

If the dealer does not bust, then, starting with the player on his right, he must compare his hand with each player'"'"'s hand in turn and pay or collect the blackjack bet and the side bet(s) accordingly. Whoever has the higher total wins the blackjack bet. Winning blackjack bets are paid even money. Ties are pushes. The side bets are paid according to a pay table. Once the dealer has settled all bets, all cards dealt will be put away in a discard rack and a new round begins.

The differences between Wizard Blackjack and standard blackjack are summarized below;

(a) Optional side bets are offered in addition to the mandatory blackjack bet. The side bets allow the player to predict the dealer'"'"'s final hand and win if it matches the player'"'"'s prediction. The payoff odds vary with the bet the player makes.

(b) Should there be no blackjack bets remaining in the current round, as long as there is at least one Wizard side bet the dealer must play out his hand if it is not 17 or greater.

The side bets do not change the optimal playing strategy.

Wizard Blackjack Rules of Play

Prior to the deal of the game, the player has the option of placing one or any combination of the six Wizard side bets in addition to the mandatory blackjack bet. The dealer then deals everyone two cards and reveals his up card. The player now can hit, stand, double down or split as they would in regular blackjack.

(a) If the player busts, the dealer will collect the player'"'"'s blackjack bet and cards but the Wizard side bet remains in action.

(b) If the player is dealt a blackjack and the dealer, after checking his hole card, does not have a blackjack, the dealer will pay the player and put away his cards but the Wizard side bet remains in action.

After all players have made their decisions, the dealer reveals his hole card and hits until he has 17 or more or busts. If the dealer busts, all Wizard side bets lose. If the dealer doesn'"'"'t bust, the Wizard side bet will be paid according to the pay tables below. Note that if there are no blackjack bets remaining because all players have busted out and/or received a blackjack, as long as there are Wizard bets, the dealer must complete his hand, if not 17 or greater.