US20020190470A1

US20020190470A1 - Card game method

Info

Publication number: US20020190470A1
Application number: US10/141,193
Authority: US
Inventors: Yousef Alaeddin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-06-18
Filing date: 2002-05-08
Publication date: 2002-12-19

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention provide a method of playing a baccarat-blackjack hybrid game comprising the steps of controlling whether to draw a card or not draw a card after a player has already been dealt two cards; and comparing a combined value of cards possessed by the player to a number other than twenty-one to determine whether the player wins.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application relates to and claims priority benefits from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/299,104 entitled “Card Game Method,” filed Jun. 18, 2001 (Attorney Docket No. 13187US01), which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a method of playing a card game, and more particularly to a method of playing a card game based on baccarat and blackjack.

Baccarat is one of many live table games played in casinos or gaming establishments. Baccarat uses a standard deck of fifty-two (52) playing cards or a multiple number of decks. A standard deck of playing cards includes aces, kings, queens, jacks, tens, nines, eights, sevens, sixes, fives, fours, threes and twos. Typically, eight decks are shuffled together prior to the beginning of play and placed in a card-dispensing receptacle, i.e., a shoe, from which the cards are dealt during game play.

Prior to the deal, each bettor, or player, may make one of the following wagers: 1) the banker will win (“the banker hand will win”); 2) the player will win (“the player's hand will win”); or 3) the banker and the player will tie. The closest hand to nine (9) wins. Thus, if the player's hand is closer to nine (9) than the banker's hand, the player wins. If, however, the banker's hand is closer to nine (9) than the player's hand, the banker wins.

After all wagers are made, two cards are dealt from the shoe to the banker position and two cards are dealt from the shoe to the player position on the table layout. The cards are turned face up and the values of the banker hand and the player hand are determined.

In terms of card values, aces count as one (1); kings, queens, jacks and tens (10) count as zero (0) and the other cards count their respective face value. Thus, for example, an eight (8) of diamonds and an ace of spades combine to equal a total of nine (9). Also, a king of hearts and a queen of diamonds combine to equal zero (0). As mentioned above, the highest hand value in Baccarat is nine (9). All hand values range from a low of zero (0) to a high of nine (9). If when the cards are added together, the total of the hand exceeds nine (9), but is less than twenty (20), then the hand value is determined by subtracting ten (10) from the total of the hand. For example, a seven (7) and an eight (8) combine to equal fifteen (15), but the hand value is five (5). An ace and a nine (9) total ten (10), but the hand value is zero (0). If when the cards are added together, the total of the hand exceeds nineteen (19), then the hand value is determined by subtracting (20) from the total of the hand. For example, a seven (7) and eight (8) and a nine (9) combine to equal twenty-four (24). However, the hand value is four (4). In other words, last digit, or the digit in the ones place is the determining factor.

A two-card total of eight (8) or nine (9) is termed a “Natural.” Conversely, a two-card total of zero (0) is termed a “Baccarat”. In certain situations in the play of the game, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, a third card will be dealt. The value of this third card is added to the total of the first two cards and a new hand value is established. Again, if the new hand total exceeds nine (9), the hand value is determined by subtracting ten (10) from the total of the hand. The player has no discretion as to whether he/she can select the third card. That is, the player does not have the option to draw a card or not draw a card. Rather, baccarat is controlled by rigid rules that mandate when an additional card is dealt to the player and/or the banker.

The bettor receives even money for his wager if he selects the winning hand and loses his wager if he selects the losing hand. Because of the rules of play of Baccarat the banker's hand has a slightly higher chance of winning than does the player's hand. Therefore, if the bettor wagers on the banker's hand, the bettor must pay to the gaming establishment a commission (typically, 5%) of the amount the bettor wins. For example, if a bettor wagers $100 on the banker hand and the banker hand wins, the bettor wins $100 and is charged a $5 commission on the amount that the bettor won. All winning player hand wagers are paid off at odds of one-to-one and the bettor, who bet on the player hand, is not charged any commission on the amount of his winnings or his wager. Winning wagers on the tie hand (i.e., when the banker and the player hands tie) bet are paid off at odds of nine-to-one or eight-to-one (depending on the gaming establishment) and the bettor is not charged any “commission” on the amount of his winnings or his wager. If a tie hand occurs, all wagers on the banker hand and all wagers on the player hand are “pushes” and the amount wagered is returned to the bettor, if the bettor bet on anything but a tie.

Statistics show that the gaming establishment has a 1.23% advantage over the bettor when the bettor wagers on the player's hand and the gaming establishment has a 1.06% advantage over the bettor when the bettor wagers on the banker's hand. Statistics also show that a wager on the tie hand wager gives the gaming establishment a 4.88% advantage over the bettor when the payoff odds are nine-to-one and a 14.1% advantage over the bettor when the payoff odds are eight-to-one.

A drawback of conventional Baccarat is the necessity for calculating, recording and collecting the 5% commission on all winning banker hand wagers. Typically, the calculation of the 5% commission amount is done visually by a gaming establishment dealer and is subject to gaming establishment dealer error and disputes with the bettors over the amount of the commission. The reconciliation and collection of the commission at the end of each shoe typically delays the beginning of the next round of play. Studies estimate that as much as twenty percent of the accrued commission goes uncollected. Because the house margin on Baccarat is so small, uncollected commission can seriously impact the profitability of a Baccarat table or the entire Baccarat “pit,” that is, a collection of multiple Baccarat tables.

Additionally, many players decline to play Baccarat because of the added complexity of the “third card” draw rules. As mentioned above, some of the third card rules are shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. Often times, the complicated and complex “third card” draw rules intimidate beginners and experienced players alike. Thus, many players prefer different casino games, which are easier to understand.

From the perspective of the gaming establishment, the play of a round of Baccarat should take a predictable length of time. An average of eighty hands are possible per each shoe holding eight decks of cards. Typically, the commission is determined and recorded for each winning bank hand wager. The process of determining, calculating and/or recording the commission typically is time consuming and slows game play. Approximately half of the time, the Bank's hand will be the winning hand. Consequently, approximately half of the time, the commission calculation process occurs. Slow downs in actual play of the game result in decreased revenues to the gaming establishment, because the frequency of wagering is decreased. Less wagering activity results in less money for the gaming establishment.

In addition to Baccarat, casinos and other gaming establishments also offer players the opportunity play “Blackjack,” or “21.” The game of Blackjack is arguably the most popular casino game offered by gambling establishments. Blackjack has fascinated the public for years as a leisure time activity, or as a means of income for some individuals. Each year billions of dollars in wagers are traded over the table in connection with this one game alone.

Typically, in Blackjack, each player wagers a bet and is dealt two cards by a dealer who also deals two cards to him/herself. In Blackjack, however, the dealer deals both of the player cards face-up, while the dealer deals one card face-down and one card face-up to the him/herself. After the initial cards are dealt, each player has the option of “hitting” (drawing a card) or “standing” (holding—not drawing a card). Typically, players determine whether to hit, that is have the dealer deal them another card, or stand by viewing their cards, and the face-up dealer card. To win, the Player's cards must have a total card value higher than that of the Dealer, but no greater than twenty-one.

The “dealer hand” is played out by the Dealer, in accordance with a set of predetermined “house rules.” The house rules control the play of the dealer's hand with respect to the dealer's ability or inability to draw subsequent cards. For example, once the dealer reveals the face-down card, the dealer is typically required to hit, or deal another card to him/herself, if the dealer's two card total is less than 17. If, however, the dealer's two card total is 17 or greater, the dealer is typically required to stay, or hold.

While the dealer is mandated by house rules to hit or stay depending on the dealer's two card total, the player, in a typical Blackjack game, is able to play according to the individual player's prerogative. Thus, each player may “hit” (draw a card) or “stand” (not draw a card), at the player's discretion, in an effort to reach twenty-one with respect to his/her card hand.

Blackjack is an ideal gambling establishment card game because all the players oppose the dealer (or “house”) rather than each other. Thus, more revenue may be generated, as opposed to card games that generate revenue by merely acting as the “house”, such as “poker.” That is, in Blackjack, if the dealer beats all of the players, the house collects from all of the losing players.

A need exists for a card game that increases the amount of revenue being generated by Baccarat tables over a given period of time without requiring the bettor to increase the amount of his wager. That is, a need exists for a method that increases the frequency of wagering activity in Baccarat. Additionally, a need exists for a method of increasing the pace of a typical Baccarat game. Also, a need exists for a card game that is easy and fun for skilled and unskilled players alike.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention provide a method of playing a casino card game. The card game includes a dealer, at least one player and at least one deck of fifty-two playing cards, wherein the deck is a standard deck of playing cards. The deck of playing cards includes aces, kings, queens, jacks, tens (10), nines (9), eights (8), sevens (7), sixes (6), fives (5), fours (4), threes (3) and twos (2). The method comprises placing a first wager; dealing to a player a first face-up card and a second face-up card; dealing to a dealer a first face down-card and a third face-up card; permitting the player to do one of drawing an additional card and not drawing an additional card; and requiring the dealer to do one of drawing an extra card and not drawing an extra card based on house rules. The method also includes determining a total of a player hand based on the sum of the first face up-card, the second face-up card and, if the additional card has been selected, the additional card. Also, the method includes determining a total of a dealer hand based on the sum of the first face-down card, the third face-up card, and, if the dealer has been required to select the extra card, the extra card. The winner is determined by the total of a player hand and the total of the dealer hand that is closest to a value of nine. A hand may not exceed a total of three cards to any one player or the dealer. That is, each player may not have a hand exceed three cards; nor may the dealer have a hand exceeding three cards. Each player may opt to double down. Also, each player may opt to split his/her cards, if the cards have matching values (e.g., a four (4) of diamonds and a four (4) of spades).

Values are assigned to the cards as follows: aces equal one; kings, queens, jacks and tens (10) equal zero (0); and the remaining cards equal their respective face values. If, however, the sum of a hand exceeds nine (9) but is nineteen (19) or less, a value of ten (10) is subtracted from the aggregate value of the hand. If, however, the sum of the hand exceeds nineteen (19), a value of twenty (20) is subtracted from the aggregate value of the hand. That is, the last digit, or the digit in the ones place, is the relevant digit. The player is an automatic winner if he is dealt a “natural.” That is, if the player is dealt two cards totaling nine (9), the player automatically wins.

The method also includes placing a second wager that the player's hand will tie the dealer's hand. If the player's hand and the dealer's hand tie, the player is paid off at odds of 8 to 1. However, if a tie occurs, the player may lose his/her first wager.

The method also includes house rules, which mandate that the dealer either hit or stand depending on the value of his/her hand. For example, if the dealer's hand is five (5) or more, the dealer may be required to stand (hold—not draw an extra card), depending on the house rules. If, however, the dealer's hand is four (4) or less, the dealer may be required to draw another card, depending on the house rules.

Embodiments of the present invention also provide a method of playing a baccarat-blackjack hybrid game comprising the steps of controlling whether to draw a card or not draw a card after a player has already been dealt two cards; and comparing a combined value of cards possessed by the player to a number other than twenty-one to determine whether the player wins.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEW OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a top view of a layout of an improved card game, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [0024]
FIG. 2 is a chart illustrating the player's options during the improved card game, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [0025]
FIG. 3 is a chart illustrating the dealer's action during the improved card game, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [0026]
FIG. 4 is a chart illustrating winning and losing hands in the improved card game, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [0027]
FIG. 5 is a table showing the relationship between card face and scoring value, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [0028]
FIG. 6 is a flow chart of game play, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [0029]
FIG. 7 is a table showing player actions in baccarat, according to the prior art. [0030]
FIG. 8 is a table showing dealer actions in baccarat, according to the prior art.[0031]
The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of certain embodiments of the present invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings, certain embodiments. It should be understood, however, that the present invention is not limited to the arrangements and instrumentalities shown in the attached drawings. [0032]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a top view of a [0033] layout 10 of an improved card game, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The layout 10 includes a dealer position 11 and a plurality of player stations 12 positioned around a gaming table 13. The layout 10 may include more or less player stations 12. The gaming table 13 includes a card dispenser holder, or shoe, 14, a card discard holder 16, a dealer chip tray 18, a money drip slot 20, and an information sign 22, which may indicate the type of game being played and maximum/minimum bets. Wagering areas 24 are also included on the table 13. Each wagering area 24 is associated with a corresponding player station 12. Additionally, the table 13 includes a supplemental betting area 26. The supplemental betting area 26 is clearly identified to associate a wager in the supplemental betting area with a corresponding player position 12. The supplemental betting area 26 may be marked “Tie Bet.”
The improved card game is played with one or more traditional fifty-two card deck(s) of playing cards. The cards within the deck(s) are randomly shuffled together. The dealer [0034] 11 deals from the deck(s) placed in the shoe 14 for each round, until re-shuffling is necessary. The casino or house may choose when to reshuffle. Alternatively, the dealer 11 may shuffle at his/her discretion.
Prior to dealing, each [0035] player 12 makes a first wager in an associated wagering area 24. Additionally, each player 12, at his/her discretion, may make a “tie bet” wager by placing a discretionary amount in the supplemental betting area 26. After each player 12 has wagered, the dealer 11 deals two cards to each player 12 and to him/herself 11. The dealing occurs sequentially. That is, the dealer 11 deals one card to each player 12, then to him/herself 11; after which, the dealer 11 deals a second card to each player 12 and him/herself in the order the first set of cards were dealt. The dealer 11 deals the player's 12 cards face-up. Thus, the player's hand (the two cards dealt by the dealer 11) is visible to the dealer 11 and other players 12. The dealer 11 deals the first card (of the dealer's 11 hand) to him/herself face-up while the dealer 11 deals the second card (of the dealer's 11 hand) face-down to him/herself.
If a [0036] player 12 is dealt a two card hand totaling nine (i.e, a “natural”), the player 11 automatically wins at odds of 1.5 to 1. If, however, the player 11 wagered a tie bet on the supplement betting area 26, the tie bet is lost. Player 12 who do not automatically win (by way of a two card hand totaling nine), may do one of four things: (1) stand (or hold); (2) draw a third and final card, which is dealt face-up; (3) double-down by placing an equal amount of chips, or other monetary or representative unit, next to the original bet placed in the wagering area 24, and drawing another card; or (4) split by placing an equal amount of chips next to the original bet in the wagering area 24 if the player's cards are a matched pair (each hand is then played consecutively and separately). A tie bet goes to the first hand of the split.
The dealer [0037] 11 then flips over his face-down card, thereby revealing the value of the card. The dealer 11 then plays his hand according to the rules of the improved card came (as shown below with respect to FIGS. 2-5). The dealer 11 then evaluates each player's 12 hand against the dealer's 11 hand to determine the winning and losing wagers according to the rules of the improved card game. The dealer 11 ends the round of gaming by removing all the used cards and placing them in the card discard holder 16. It is noted that a player's hand is the cards the player 12 has at any one time during the game; while the dealer's hand is the cards the dealer 11 has at any one time during the game.
FIG. 2 is a chart illustrating the player's [0038] 12 options during the improved card game, according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a chart illustrating the dealer's 11 action during the improved card game, according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a chart illustrating winning and losing hands in the improved card game, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
At least one embodiment of the present invention provides a card game, whereby a group of [0039] players 12 play against a dealer 11. Each player's 12 objective is to possess a final hand whose sum of face value cards is as close to or equal to nine (9). In any event, if the player's 12 final hand beats the dealer's 11 final hand, the player 12 wins. The final hand that is closer to nine (9) as between the player 12 and the dealer 12, is a winning hand. A player's 12 tie hand is a losing hand. That is, the amount the player 12 wagered in the wagering are 24 is automatically lost (to the house) if the player 12 and the dealer 11 tie.
The cards in a normal fifty-two card deck are weighted as indicated in the table shown in FIG. 5. As shown in FIG. 5, aces (of any suit) are worth one (1). Kings, queens, jacks and tens (10) are worth zero (0). Nines (9), eights (8), sevens (7), sixes (6), fives (5), fours (4), threes (3) and twos (2) are worth their face amount. For example, a two card hand of a queen and a ten (10) totals zero (0). Also, for example, a two card hand of an ace and a four (4) totals five (5). [0040]
If, when the cards are added together, the total of the hand exceeds nine (9), then the hand value is determined by subtracting ten (10) from the total of the hand. For example, a seven (7) and an eight (8) total fifteen (15), but the hand value is five (5). An ace and a nine (9) total ten (10), but the hand value is zero (0). [0041]
Each [0042] player 12, based upon the player's 12 total card value and the face-up card of the dealer 11, must determine his/her next course of action. The dealer 11 will ask each player 12, through a non-verbal signal, if the player 12 wants another card. The player 12 may then do one of four things: DRAW, STAND, DOUBLE DOWN, or SPLIT (if applicable).
First, the [0043] player 12 may DRAW. In order to draw, the player 12 asks for a third and final card, which is dealt face-up. To draw the third and final card, the player may indicate in non-verbal manner as such to the dealer 11, such as by scraping or tapping the table 11.
Instead of drawing, the [0044] player 12 may opt to STAND. A player 12 stands when he/she determines that the odds are against him if he requests another card, and therefore stays with the original hand as dealt. For example, if the dealer's 11 face-up card is a king, and the player 12 has a six (6) and a two (2), the player 12 may opt to stand. In order to stand, the player 12 may indicate as such to the dealer 11 in a non-verbal manner, such as by waving his/her hand over his/her cards.
Optionally, the [0045] player 12 may DOUBLE DOWN. The player 12 may double down by placing an equal amount of chips (or other monetary, or representative unit) next to the original amount of chips in the corresponding wagering area 24. The player 12 is then dealt a third and final card.
Also, optionally, the [0046] player 12 may SPLIT. If the player's 12 cards are a matched pair, such as two Jacks, two Queens, two sevens and so on, the player 12 has the option of playing them each as a separate hand; face up and side by side. The player 12 must double his/her bet when he/she selects this course of action. Each hand is then played consecutively and separately. The tie bet goes to the first hand. The player 12 then receives an additional open card to his first hand and plays this hand until he/she wishes to stand or the three card maximum is reached. The player 12 then proceeds to play his/her second hand. Thus, when the player 12 splits and has two cards in one hand, the player 12 must make a decision.
After the [0047] player 12 has selected a course of action, the dealer 11 then flips the dealer's 11 face-down card against the remaining players 12 (those without a natural). If the dealer's 11 total is five (5) or more, the dealer 11 stands. If the total is less than five (5), the dealer 11 draws his final card. House rules may mandate that the dealer 11 stands on five (5) or more; and hits on four (4) or less. Alternatively, the house rules may be that the dealer 11 hits or stands on different hand values.
After the dealer [0048] 11 finishes dealing the dealer's 11 hand, the dealer makes a sweep of the players' 12 hands from his right to his left. The dealer 11 then evaluates each player's 12 hand against that of the dealer 11. The dealer 11 takes the player's 12 first bet (in the wagering area 24) and tie bet (in the supplemental betting area 26) if the player's 11 hand has a total less than the dealer's 11 hand. If the player's 12 hand is equal to the dealer's 11 hand, the dealer 11 then pays off the player's 12 tie bet (located in the supplemental betting area 26) at odds of eight-to-one (if the player 12 has a tie bet) and compares the dealer's 11 hand to the player's 12 hand. Alternatively, different odds may be used.
Tie hands are compared as they are ranked in this game. That is, nine (9) is the highest, eight (8) is second highest and so on. If the player's [0049] 11 hand and the dealer's 11 hand match, but the player's 12 hand is ranked higher (that is, the highest ranked card of the player 12 is higher than that of the dealer 11), the player 12 wins. If, however, the player's 12 hand is ranked lower than that of the dealer 11, the player 12 loses. If a player 12 has a hand that beats the hand of the dealer 11, the dealer 11 takes the player's 12 tie bet (located in the supplemental betting area 26, if any) and he pays off the winning player's 12 first bet at odds of one-to-one. Then, after the dealer 11 takes care of all the bets, the dealer 11 ends the round by removing all the used cards and placing the used cards face down m in the card discard holder 16.
FIG. 6 is a flow chart of game play, according to an embodiment of the present invention. At [0050] 60, a player places s first bet in the wagering area 24. At 62, the player has the option of placing a second bet, the tie bet, in the supplemental betting area 26. Then, at 64, the dealer deals a first card to a first player (and a first card to a second player, etc.). At 66, after the dealer deals first cards to the players, the dealer deals him/herself a first card face down. Then, at 68, the dealer deals a second card to a first player (and a second card to a second player, etc.). After the dealer deals the second cards (face up) to the players, the dealer deals him/herself a second card face down at 70. Alternatively, the dealer may deal the second hand to him/herself face up.
If, at [0051] 72, the player has a natural (a two card hand totaling nine (9)), the player wins on his/her first bet at 1.5 to 1; but the player loses the optional second bet (if one was placed) at 74. If, however, the player does not have a natural, the player, at 76 decided his/her next course of action. The player may draw another card at 80. Optionally, the player may stand at 82. Also, optionally, the player may double down at 84. If, however, the player has matching cards (such as a pair of sixes (6)), the player may opt to split the cards and play each card as the first card in separate hands. If the player splits at 86, the dealer deals a second card to each hand (that is, each card), and the process continues from that point.
At [0052] 88, the dealer turns over his/her face-down card. At 90, the player draws or holds according to house rules. For example, if the dealer has a hand equaling 5 or more, the dealer is required to hold. If, however, the dealer has a hand equaling 4 or less, the dealer is required to draw another card. In no event can a hand include more than 3 cards. Thus, the dealer or player may never draw more than one additional card after the initial two cards have been dealt to the dealer or player.
At [0053] 92, the dealer determines if there is a tie. If there is a tie, at 94, the hands are compared at 94 according to their respective ranks to determine the winner, such that the hand that is ranked higher wins. At 98, the determination is made as to whether the player's hand is ranked higher. If both the player hand and the dealer hand end up with the same rank, at 104, the player loses the first bet placed in the wagering area 24, but wins the second bet (if any) placed in the supplemental betting area 26 at 8 to 1 odds. If, however, the player's hand is ranked higher, the player wins the first best (but loses the second bet, if any) at 100. If the player's hand is ranked lower, the player loses the first best and any second bet he/she may have made.
If, however, there is no tie, the dealer determines winners and losers, at [0054] 96, according to the rules of the game. That is, if a player's hand exceeds that of the dealer, the player wins at one to one odds based on what the player wagered in the wagering area 24. Thus, if the player wagered a $5 chip, the player will win a $5 chip. If, however, the player's hand is less than the dealer's hand, the player loses the amount wagered in the wagering area 24.
Thus embodiments of the present invention provide a card game that increases the amount of revenue being generated by Baccarat tables over a given period of time without requiring the bettor to increase the amount of his wager. Also, embodiments of the present invention provide a method that increases the frequency of wagering activity in Baccarat. Additionally, the card game is a faster pace game than traditional Baccarat. Further, the card game is easy and fun for skilled and unskilled players alike. [0055]
While the invention has been described with reference to certain embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from its scope. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims. [0056]

Claims

1. A method of playing a casino card game including a dealer, at least one player and at least one deck of fifty-two playing cards, wherein the deck is a standard deck of playing cards, said method comprising:

placing a first wager;

dealing to a player a first face-up card and a second face-up card;

dealing to a dealer a first face down-card and a third face-up card;

permitting the player to do one of drawing an additional card and not drawing an additional card;

requiring the dealer to do one of drawing an extra card and not drawing an extra card based on house rules;

determining a total of a player hand based on the sum of the first face upcard, the second face-up card and, if the additional card has been selected, the additional card;

determining a total of a dealer hand based on the sum of the first face-down card, the third face-up card, and, if the dealer has been required to select the extra card, the extra card; and

determining a winner based on one of the total of a player hand and the total of the dealer hand that is closest to a value of nine.

2. The method of claim 1 further including assigning a value of one to aces; assigning a value of zero to kings, queens, jacks and tens; and assigning a value to remaining cards equal to the face value of the remaining cards.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said determining a winner step includes subtracting a value of ten from a hand that has an aggregate face value greater than nine but not exceeding nineteen; and subtracting a value of twenty from a hand that has an aggregate face value greater than nineteen.

4. The method of claim 1 further including determining that the player is an automatic winner if the player is dealt a first face-up card and a second face-up card having a combined total value of nine.

5. The method of claim 1 further including placing a second wager, which is placed before said dealing steps, that the player's hand will tie the dealer's hand.

6. The method of claim 5 further including losing said first wager if said player's hand ties the dealer's hand.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein said requiring step includes requiring the dealer to not draw an extra card if the combined total of the first face-down card and the third face-up card is five or greater.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein said requiring step includes requiring the dealer to draw an extra card if the combined total of the first face-down card and the third face-up card is four or lower.

9. The method of claim 1 further including limiting a hand to a total of three cards.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein said permitting step includes permitting a player to double down.

11. The method of claim 1 further including allowing the player to split cards if the first face-up card has an equal value to the second face-up card.

12. The method of claim 1 further including comparing ranks in the event the player hand ties the dealer hand.

13. A method of playing a casino card game including a dealer, at least one player and at least one deck of fifty-two playing cards, wherein the deck is a standard deck of playing cards including aces, kings, queens, jacks, tens, nines, eights, sevens, sixes, fives, fours, threes and twos, said method comprising:

dealing to a player a first player face-up card and a second player face-up card;

dealing to a dealer a dealer face down-card and a dealer face-up card;

permitting the player to do one of drawing an additional card and standing; and

requiring the dealer to do one of drawing an extra card and standing based on house rules;

determining a total of a player hand based on the sum of the first player face-up card, the second player face-up card and the additional card if the additional card has been selected;

determining a total of a dealer hand based on the sum of the dealer face-down card, the dealer face-up card, and the extra card if the dealer has been required to select the extra card; and

beating the dealer if the total of the player hand is closer to a value of nine than the total of the dealer hand.

14. The method of claim 13 further including assigning a value of one to aces; assigning a value of zero to kings, queens, jacks and tens; and assigning a value to remaining cards equal to the face value of the remaining cards.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein said beating the dealer step includes subtracting a value of ten from a hand that has an aggregate face value greater than nine, but not exceeding nineteen; and subtracting a value of twenty from a hand that has an aggregate face value greater than nineteen.

16. The method of claim 13 further including determining that the player is an automatic winner after said dealing steps if the first player face-up card and the second player face-up card have a combined total value of nine.

17. The method of claim 13 further including limiting a hand to a total of three cards.

18. The method of claim 13 further including comparing ranks in the event the player hand ties the dealer hand.

19. A method of playing a baccarat-blackjack hybrid game comprising:

controlling whether to draw a card or not draw a card after a player has already been dealt two cards; and

comparing a combined value of cards possessed by the player to a number other than twenty-one to determine whether the player wins.

20. The method of claim 19 further including limiting the total number of cards a player may have to three.

21. The method of claim 19 further including assigning values to cards in the following manner:

assigning a value of one to an ace;

assigning a value of zero to kings, queens, jacks and tens; and

assigning a value equal to the face vale of other numbered cards.

22. The method of claim 19 further including wagering on whether the combined value of cards possessed by the player will beat a combined value of cards possessed by a dealer.

23. The method of claim 19 further including wagering on whether the combined value of cards possessed by the player will tie a combined value of cards possessed by a dealer.