US20040217547A1

US20040217547A1 - Method of playing a new wagering card game

Info

Publication number: US20040217547A1
Application number: US10/857,574
Authority: US
Inventors: Edward Lau; Blair Bucan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-07-17
Filing date: 2004-05-28
Publication date: 2004-11-04

Abstract

A method of playing a wagering card game that utilizes one or more card decks that are used to deal four cards to each player to form two 2-card hands that can be played and bet on jointly or separately. The game includes a playing surface, card value designation and ranking system that are specific to the present game. The game is adaptable to play when the casino or house participates in the betting and when they do not. In the preferred embodiment, the players and dealer form their cards into two hands having two cards each and place one hand on a front area and one hand on a back area. Players compare their front and back hands to the front and back hands, respectively, of the other players, a banker or the dealer, with the higher ranked hand winning.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/618,583 filed Jul. 17, 2000, now abandoned.[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A. Field of the Invention

The field of the present invention relates generally to wagering card games that are particularly adapted for playing in casinos, cardrooms and other card game locations. More specifically, this invention relates to such card games where each player has a plurality of different hands and associated wagering or betting strategies. Even more specifically, this invention relates to such card games that utilize a card ranking system that improves the quality and enjoyment of the card game.

B. Background

Many different types of wagering card games are played throughout the world. The most common of these types of games are Poker and Blackjack, which are both played with one or more 52-card decks of standard playing cards. Wagering card games are primarily adapted to be played in a casino or cardroom type of location whereby the participant attempts to win money, often designated by playing chips, and the house makes money off the players. Most wagering card games take one of two basic formats, depending on how the house (i.e., the casino) is permitted to make money. In states or areas where the house is allowed to participate in the play, the card games are played with the house having one or more playing hands and the other players compete against the house. The house makes money when it wins more hands than it loses. In other states or areas, direct wagering and, therefore, winning by the house is not permitted. In these states or areas, the casino or cardroom makes money off each game or hand that is played by receiving a portion or percentage of either each player's bet or of the winning amount. To be generally accepted and successful, modern wagering card games need to be adaptable to both of the aforementioned systems.

There are many types of wagering card games that combine principles of various well-known card games. One such game is set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 4,659,087 to Shen, which describes a casino game utilizing a single pack of cards where each player is dealt four cards that are arranged into two pairs so as to maximize the player's score according to a ranking system whereby pairs are ranked higher than non-pairs and the non-pairs are ranked by the first digit of the total of the cards with the maximum points attainable being nine points. The pairs of cards are bet and analyzed together and compared with the pairs of cards held by the banker. This game does not provide for making the two pairs into separate hands for betting of the two hands separately from each other so as to allow separate winners. Shen also does not provide for any type of discard and draw of cards. Another game is set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 5,294,128 to Marquez, which discloses a game that is essentially a dual hand version of the game Twenty-one or Blackjack (i.e., the value of the cards is the same and the object of the game is basically the same). This game does not provide for any specialized ranking system. Another game is set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 5,678,821 to Hedman, which describes a game that combines the wagering concepts of poker and blackjack into one card game. The game utilizes a five card hand that persons bet on the winning poker hand, winning high blackjack hand and the winning low blackjack hand. Other card games also describe multiple betting levels, such as the following: U.S. Pat. No. 5,328,189 to Malek, which describes a combined blackjack and baccarat game that players can bet on both aspects of the game; U.S. Pat. No. 5,322,295 to Cabot, et al., which describes a card game that allows players to wager on portions of the hand as they are dealt; U.S. Pat. No. 5,975,529 to de Keller, which describes a poker-type card game where there is one level of wagering between the players and another between the players and the house.

As with most new card games, the aforementioned wagering card games are generally based on common, long known card games and principles. Most these card games, generally only allow a player to participate in the wagering at the same level (i.e., belting amount) as his or her co-players. Even the multiple level card games generally only allow a person to commit to the same wagering level as the rest of the players. This makes it nearly impossible for those persons not able or willing to wager the same amounts as others to participate with those who are able or willing to wager higher amounts. Therefore, there exists a need for a wagering card game that utilizes standard playing cards, that is adaptable to house wagering or not and that allows persons who want to wager different amounts to play at the same time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The method of playing a wagering card game of the present invention solves the problems and provides the benefits identified above. The present invention discloses a card game that combines the principles of baccarat and poker, including the many variations thereof, such as Pai Gow Poker, into a new and challenging card game. The present invention is adaptable to situations where the house can participate or where the wagering is strictly among the players and the house receives a cut or percentage of the bets or winnings. The card game of the present invention provides multi-level wagering that allows persons to participate at different wagering levels in the same game. This allows a person of more moderate means, or those who are not interested in wagering large amounts, to play in the same hand as those persons who desire to wager at higher levels.

The preferred embodiment of the method of playing a matching card game of the present invention utilizes one or more standard 52-card decks that are dealt from a standard “shoe”. For speed of play, the game will typically be played with six to eight standard card decks. The present game is played on a blackjack or poker style table with a layout specifically designed for use with the present game. The layout is provided on a felt surface and has front and back betting areas for each player position. As is standard, the game is typically played with chips of various denominations. Most often, the house will provide a dealer to deal the cards, play the house's hand and collect the house's cut and handle the payoffs.

In areas where the house wagers, the house is the dealer and participates as the banker. When the house cannot wager, the house typically deals the cards and one of the players is the banker. To initiate the game, the players place their bets on or near the front betting area and on or near the back betting area. The dealer then deals each player four cards each, one at a time going around the table in a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction. After all players, including the house if it is playing, are dealt their cards, each player is given the option to discard one card and draw a replacement card. After all discards and draws are completed, the players form their cards into two sets of two cards each and place them face down, one set on the front area (the “front cards”) and one set on the back area (the “back cards”). The sets are placed with the higher ranking set (as set forth in the ranking table in the Detailed Description) placed on the back area and the lower ranking set placed on the front area. As explained in more detail below, the card game of the present invention can be played in a manner that allows the dealer/players to play or bet on the two hands separately or together.

After each player has formed their sets, the dealer displays the banker's cards (which may be the dealer's cards if the house is playing), with one set in the front area and one set in the back area located at the banker's playing position. Each player's sets are compared to the banker's sets to determine a winner based on the relative rankings of the sets. In one embodiment, the hands of the banker/players are played together as a unit, meaning the winner is the one who wins both the front hand and the back hand. Alternatively, in another embodiment, the hands are played separately such that the banker's front set is compared to the front set of each other player and the banker's back set is compared to the back set of each other player. The banker or house dealer makes the payoff to the players having the highest ranking set in the front group and the highest ranking set in the back group. Because the front and back sets of each player and the dealer are played against each other, it is possible for the banker or one player to win the-front sets and the banker or another player to win the back sets.

The ranking system used with the present invention is somewhat loosely based on a combination of baccarat, poker and dominoes ranking. In the present invention, some cards have no numerical value, some combinations of “no value” cards are higher than others and the rank value of certain combinations is based on the number in the ones column of any double digit sum (i.e., a sum of sixteen is considered six points). As a result the highest non-pair ranking possible is nine points. For pairs, the Ace-Ace pair is the highest and 2-2 pair is the lowest ranking pair group. Non-pair combinations of face value cards are ranked below the pairs. Below the non-pair face cards are the remaining non-pairs, which are ranked based on a the numerical scoring system. The present invention can be played with either a two or three level betting arrangement, each level having its own ante, minimum bet and/or maximum bet. The winner at each level wins all the bets placed by the other players at the same level. The multi-level betting allows players who do not have much money or who are unwilling to bet much money to participate in the game and be able to win amounts that reflect the level of their own betting. In addition, persons who are able and willing to bet higher amounts can compete against others of like inclination and win amounts that reflect the level of their own betting.

Accordingly, the primary objective of the present invention is to provide a new wagering card game that provides the advantages discussed above and that overcomes the disadvantages and limitations associated with presently available wagering card games.

It is also an important objective of the present invention to provide a new wagering card game that utilizes a new ranking system that includes non-pair face card combinations between pairs and numerical card combinations.

It is also an important objective of the present invention to provide a wagering card game that utilizes one or more standard 52-card playing decks, is relatively easy to learn to play and provides competitive player involvement.

It is also an important objective of the present invention to provide a wagering card game that is suitable for use in casinos and the like where the house can actively participate in the wagering and for use in casinos and the like where the house cannot actively participate in the wagering.

The above and other objectives of the present invention will be explained in greater detail by reference to the attached figures and the description of the preferred embodiment which follows. As set forth herein, the present invention resides in the novel features of form, construction, mode of operation and combination of processes presently described and understood by the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings which illustrate the best modes presently contemplated for carrying out the present invention: [0018]
FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the primary embodiment of the gaming table and layout present invention; [0019]
FIG. 2 is a table showing the relative numerical value of cards when using a standard 52-card deck of cards; [0020]
FIG. 3 is an illustration of the hierarchical ranking of groups for the present invention; and [0021]
FIG. 4 is a exemplary table showing the relative ranking of hands having equal sums of nine each. [0022]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to FIGS. 1 through 3, where like elements have been given like numerical designations to facilitate understanding of the present invention, the preferred embodiment of the method of playing a matching card game of the present invention can be played on a gaming table having a custom playing surface, shown as [0023] 10 in FIG. 1. Surface 10 has a layout designed for the present game and is sized and configured to fit on the standard blackjack tables that are commonly utilized by most casinos and cardrooms. The present card game can be played on other playing surfaces, other tables and with other number of players than that shown. These tables typically have space for eight player seats 12 and one dealer seat 14, as shown in FIG. 1. On surface 10 near dealer seat 14 is located a shoe or dealer tray 16 from which the dealer obtains cards, a drop slot 18 for house (the casino or cardroom) money and one or more discard racks 20.
To start the game, each player takes their position on one of the player seats [0024] 12 and the dealer or game facilitator takes his or her position on the dealer seat 14, as shown in FIG. 1. Often, not all of the player seats 12 are utilized. The dealer obtains at least one deck of playing cards, such as a standard 52-card playing card deck. Typically, for speed of play and ease of handling, the game will be started with six to eight standard card decks. As is usual for games involving playing cards, the decks of playing cards with the present invention should be mixed in a random manner by shuffling, whether manually or with an electronic shuffling device.
The value of the cards and the ranking of various combinations of those cards in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, is different than that used for card games that the inventor is familiar with. Regarding the value of the cards used with the present game, shown in the table of FIG. 2, the ace has a value of one point and the face cards (i.e., the jack, queen and king) and the 10's have no value (i.e., zero points). The number cards, [0025] cards 2 through 9, have the value of the numeral on the face of the cards. The ranking is, loosely, a combination of baccarat, poker and dominoes ranking. A table showing the relative ranking of the various combinations of cards in the present invention is shown in FIG. 3. As illustrated, the first group of cards, comprising pairs of cards, are the highest ranked combinations, with the Ace-Ace pair being the highest ranked combination and the 2-2 pair being the lowest ranking pair group. After the pairs, the next highest ranked group of cards, the second group, are non-pair combinations of face cards. The third group, the lowest ranked group of cards, are those having at least one numerical card, with the ranking of these combinations ranging from nine points to zero (highest to lowest).
The points for the non-pair combinations of the third group are obtained by utilizing the sum of the numerical value of two cards together. Single digit sums (i.e., the 4 plus the 2 equals six points) are used to determine the rank of the hands set forth below. Any double digit sum of cards only utilizes the last digit of the sum (i.e., the 5 and 6 results in one point (5+6=11=>1 point)). This results in the highest non-pair or non-dual face card (i.e., both cards being face cards) ranking being nine points. Because the face cards and 10's have no value, a face card and a 10 card grouping is the lowest rank group (zero points). When the sums of two or more like hands are equal, therefore at the same rank on the table shown in FIG. 3, the “tie-breaker” gives the win to the hand having the higher ranked card based on normal poker ranking. FIG. 4 is an illustration of this concept utilizing the sum of nine points. As shown in the table of FIG. 4, all of the combinations have the sum of nine. The [0026] ace plus 8 is the highest ranked combination due to the ace (this is referred to as the “Ace Kicker”). The next highest combination is the king and 9 combination due to the king. As shown on the table, the lowest ranked combination with nine points is the 5 and 4 combination.
The card game of the present invention is adaptable to those states or areas of the state that allow the house to participate in the gaming action and those states or areas that do not allow the states to participate in the gaming action. When the house cannot participate, it will often act as the dealer and/or game facilitator and deal the cards and handle the game payoffs. For this role, the house will typically collect a percentage of each player's wager and/or a percentage of the winnings. When the house can participate (i.e., as in Las Vegas), the players play against the house and the house gets its fees through its winnings. [0027]
When the house does not participate, the game requires two or more players to be played. In this system, one of the players is designated the banker and the other players are designated the active players (for ease of explaining the method of the present invention). The card game of the present invention can include a mechanism for determining which of the players is the banker. The mechanism can be a simple step rotation around the table or a random mechanism, such as dice, can be used to determine the banker. The present card game can also include a mechanism for determining which active player is dealt cards first. As with choosing a banker, this can be a simple rotation around the table or a random selection mechanism can be utilized. The banker and the active players compete against each other, with the best hand (i.e., th highest ranked hand) collecting the winnings. When the house can participate, there is no banker and the players compete against the house. In this system, much like the game of blackjack, there can be more than one winning hand relative to the house's hand. Likewise, more than one or all of the players can have losing hands. [0028]
Each of the active players and the banker will place at least one bet on the [0029] table surface 10. Although the preferred embodiment has the bets being made and placed before the cards are dealt, primarily for speed of play purpose, the bets can be placed after the cards are dealt or the betting can be split so that some are placed before and some after the cards are dealt (i.e., the ante before and the bets after). As explained below, each of the active players and the banker will be playing two hands, a front hand 22 and a back hand 24 at or near a front area 26 and a back area 28, respectively (as shown in FIG. 1). In one embodiment, the banker/players play both hands together as a unit. In another embodiment, the two hands are played separately, which allows the players and banker to participate in multi-level wagering. The multi-level wagering of the present invention, which permits either a two or three level betting arrangement, is described in detail below.
In the two level, or bi-level, arrangement each level has its separate minimum or maximum bet (i.e., $2.00, $5.00 or no limit). Typically, the [0030] front hand 22 will have a lower minimum bet than the back hand 24. The winner at each level will win all the bets placed by the other players that were placed at the same level (i.e., the front hands 22 or the back hands 24). For the no limit betting, the winner only wins from other players an amount equal to his or her own wager. In a three level, or tri-level, arrangement there is added an ante that is placed in a pot, typically at or near the center of surface 10. The ante allows players without much money or who those who do not desire to wager much money to play without putting up the minimum bets of the other two levels. If the winner of the front group (the lowest group) is someone who only put in the ante, then that person only wins the amount in the ante (which each player contributed to). If the winner of the lowest group also bet at the lower level, then that person wins all the bets placed at that level and the amount in the ante. Alternatively, the ante amount could go to the player who wins the higher group (i.e., the back group).
The dealer then deals a predetermined number of cards from the deck of cards to the active players and banker or, if the house is participating, to the players and the house. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the dealer deals an even number of cards to each participant (which could be either the active players/banker combination or the players/house combination) so that the cards can be divided into sets of two cards each, to match the ranking system of the present game. Ideally, for ease and speed of play, four cards are dealt to each participant. The cards are dealt one at a time to each participant by placing a single card in front of each participant face down going around the table and then repeating the cycle until each participant has four cards laying face down in front of him or her. Once all the cards are dealt, the banker and players will look at their cards for groupings (i.e., first, second or third group) that provide them a pair or the highest possible non-pair combinations, as set forth in the table of FIG. 3. The participants can decide if they wish to discard any unwanted cards in favor of one or more new cards. In the preferred embodiment, participants are only allowed to discard and receive one card. The advantage of the single card discard, as opposed to multiple card discards, is that it keeps the game moving at a more acceptable pace. [0031]
After all the discards are made and replacement cards are dealt, the participants group their cards, based on the best ranking combinations, into a [0032] front hand 22 and a back hand 24. Each of the front hands 22 and back hands 24 will have a rank, as established by the ranking table of FIG. 3. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the four cards will be divided into two sets of two cards each. Once all the cards are grouped into the front hand 22 and back hand 24, the participants compare the front hands to the pertinent front hand and the back hands to the pertinent back hand. When the house is not participating, the active players' hands are compared to the banker's hand to determine the winning hand(s). Alternatively, the active players and the banker can all compare their hands to each other, with the active player or banker having the highest ranking hand being the winner and collecting the winnings. When the house is participating, the players compare their front and back hands to the front and back hands of the dealer. If the player's front hand is higher ranked than the house's front hand, the player wins. If not, the player loses and the house collects the player's bet. The back hands of the players are then compared in the same way to the dealer's back hand, with the winnings likewise distributed.
To encourage and facilitate the multi-level wagering discussed above, the preferred embodiment of the present card game includes the requirement that, for each participant, the rank of the back hand must exceed the rank of the front hand. This will encourage betting on the higher wagering back hand and increase competition amongst the players at all levels. Alternatively, the requirement can be reversed or the players can be allowed to choose where they place their strongest (i.e., the highest ranked) hand. [0033]
A number of variations of the above description of the game play can also be utilized. For instance, if there is less than the maximum number of players playing, one of the players can play more than one hand by playing the cards in front of him or her and those in front of the player's [0034] seat 12 next to him or her that is not being occupied. Another variation to the game of the present invention is to utilize a the dealer button used in poker and poker-type games. As used in those games, the dealer button designates the person who would be sitting in the position of the dealer if the cards were passed around the table for dealing. Generally, the person to the left of the player who has the dealer button is dealt first and plays first. In addition, the game of the present invention can utilize the dealer button as a means of designating a person who gets a bonus or jackpot if they win while the dealer button is in their possession.
For house banking (dealing), the dealer/banker obtains at least one deck of cards and shuffles them manually and/or by using a shuffling machine. The banker/dealer button is placed in front of the dealer/house tray to designate that person as the banker/dealer. A set of four cards are delivered to the first player on the left and then cards are delivered in a likewise fashion to the next player going clockwise around the table, with the dealer getting the last hand. The dealer's hand is capped with the banking/dealer button. The remaining cards are retrieved from the shuffle machine, if used, and placed on the cut card (which is the stub). The top card is “burned” in the deck. Starting with the player on the left, the dealer picks up his or her discard, if they have one, and places it in the discard rack. The player is then dealt a replacement card. The dealer continues this process around the table, skipping the players that stand pat. After all of the hands are dealt, the dealer then turns over his or her hand, which is then played according to the house way. If a draw is required for the dealer, the dealer will discard one card and then deal one card to his or her hand. The stub is placed in the discard rack and then the dealer's hand is set. Starting with the first player on the left, the players open their front hand and then open the back hand. If both hands win, or if one hand wins and the other ties, the player has a winning bet. The dealer would leave the money and the cards and go left to the next player. If both hands lose or if one hand loses and the other hand ties, the player has a losing bet. The dealer picks up the bet and places it in the house rack of chips and then scoops up the player's cards (starting with the back hand first). The dealer then continues to the next player moving counterclockwise around the table. After all the player's hands are viewed, the dealer/banker starts paying the winning bets, starting with the first player on the left, and discarding the player's cards as the dealer moves around the table. After all bets are paid and all cards are picked up, the dealer repeats the above process to play again. [0035]
While there is shown and described herein certain specific alternative forms of the wagering card game of the present invention, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention is not so limited, but is susceptible to various modifications and rearrangements in design and materials without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention set forth herein and in the claims below. [0036]

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A method of playing a wagering card game between two or more players, comprising the steps of:

providing at least one deck of playing cards, said deck of playing cards comprising a plurality of cards mixed in a random manner;

establishing a numerical value for each card in said deck;

establishing a ranking system for various combinations of said cards in said deck, said ranking system comprising a first group, a second group and a third group, said first group being the highest rank and comprising pairs of said cards, said second group comprising non-pair face card combinations of said cards, said third group being the lowest rank and comprising non-pair combinations of said cards;

designating one of said players as a banker and each of remaining said players as an active player, at least each of said active players wagering at least one bet;

dealing at least each of said active players and said banker a predetermined number of cards from said deck;

each of said active players and said banker arranging said predetermined number of cards into a front hand and a back hand, said front hand and said back hand each having a rank in said ranking system;

comparing said rank of each of said active player's front hand to said rank of said banker's front hand; and

comparing said rank of each of said active player's back hand to said rank of said banker's back hand.

2. The method of playing a wagering card game of claim 1, further comprising a house dealer, said house dealer performing the steps of dealing said predetermined number of cards and allocating said winnings.

3. The method of playing a wagering card game of claim 1 further comprising the step of each of said active players and said banker deciding whether to discard one or more of said predetermined number of cards and draw a like number of cards to replace the discarded cards from said deck of cards prior to said step of arranging said predetermined number of cards.

4. The method of playing a wagering card game of claim 1, wherein said numerical values include designating the ace as one point and the 10, jack, queen and king as zero points.

5. The method of playing a wagering card game of claim 1, wherein the sum of said cards in said front hand and the sum of said cards in said back hand are determined, said ranking system ranking each of said front hand and said back hand according to the first digit of the sum of said cards, wherein nine points is the highest point level obtainable.

6. The method of playing a wagering card game of claim 5, wherein said rank of said front hand or said back hand having equal sums with at least one other said front hand or said back hand is determined by comparing the highest value card in each of said front hand or said back hand to the highest value card in each of said front hand or said back hand having the equal sum, wherein the ace is the highest value card in said deck and the two is the lowest value card in said deck.

7. The method of playing a wagering card game of claim 1, wherein said ranking system further designates the ace-ace pair as the highest pair and the 2-2 pair as the lowest pair in said first group of said ranking system.

8. The method of playing a wagering card game of claim 1 further comprising the step of allocating winnings based on the comparison of said rank of said active player's front hand and said banker's front hand after said front hand comparing step.

9. The method of playing a wagering card game of claim 8 further comprising the step of allocating winnings based on the comparison of said rank of said active player's back hand and said banker's back hand after said back hand comparing step.

10. The method of playing a wagering card game of claim 1 further comprising the step of allocating winnings based on the collective comparison of said rank of said active player's front hand and said banker's front hand and the comparison of said rank of said active player's back hand and said banker's back hand after said back hand comparing step.

11. The method of playing a wagering card game of claim 1, wherein said predetermined number of cards is an even number and said cards are equally divided between said front hand and said back hand.

12. The method of playing a wagering card game of claim 11, wherein said predetermined number of cards is four and each of said front hand and said back hand comprise two of said predetermined number of cards.

13. The method of playing a wagering card game of claim 1, wherein said arranging step arranges said front hand and said back hand such that said rank of each of said active player's and said banker's back hand is greater than said rank of each of said active player's and said banker's front hand.

14. A method of playing a wagering card game between two or more players, comprising the steps of:

providing at least one deck of standard playing cards, said deck of playing cards mixed in a random manner;

establishing a numerical value for each card in said deck, said numerical values including designating the ace as one point and the 10, jack, queen and king as zero points;

establishing a ranking system for various combinations of said cards in said deck, said ranking system comprising a first group, a second group and a third group, said first group being the highest rank and comprising pairs of said cards wherein said ace-ace pair is the highest rank and said 2-2 pair is the lowest rank in said first group, said second group comprising non-pair face card combinations of said cards, said third group being the lowest rank and comprising non-pair combinations of said cards wherein nine points is the highest point level obtainable;

dealing each of said active players and said banker a predetermined number of cards from said deck, said predetermined number of cards being an even number;

each of said active players and said banker deciding whether to discard one or more of said predetermined number of cards and draw a like number of cards to replace the discarded cards from said deck of cards;

each of said active players and said banker arranging said predetermined number of cards into at least a front hand and a back hand having two cards each, said front hand and said back hand each having a rank in said ranking system;

15. The method of playing a wagering card game of claim 14, wherein said ranking system ranks each of said front hand and said back hand by the first digit of the sum of said cards in each of said front hand and said back hand, wherein nine points is the highest point level obtainable.

16. The method of playing a wagering card game of claim 15, wherein said rank of said front hand or said back hand having equal sums with at least one other said front hand or said back hand is determined by comparing the highest value card in each of said front hand or said back hand to the highest value card in each of said front hand or said back hand having the equal sum, wherein the ace is the highest value card in said deck and the two is the lowest value card in said deck.

17. The method of playing a wagering card game of claim 14 further comprising the step of allocating winnings based on the comparison of said rank of said active player's front hand and said banker's front hand after said front hand comparing step and the step of allocating winnings based on the comparison of said rank of said active player's back hand and said banker's back hand after said back hand comparing step.

18. The method of playing a wagering card game of claim 14 further comprising the step of allocating winnings based on the collective comparison of said rank of said active player's front hand and said banker's front hand and the comparison of said rank of said active player's back hand and said banker's back hand after said back hand comparing step.

19. A method of playing a wagering card game between a house and one or more players, comprising the steps of:

providing at least one deck of playing cards, said deck of playing cards mixed in a random manner;

each of said players wagering at least one bet;

dealing each of said players and said house a predetermined number of cards from said deck;

each of said players and said house arranging their said predetermined number of cards into a front hand and a back hand, said front hand and said back hand each having a rank in said ranking system;

comparing said rank of each of said player's front hand to said rank of said house's front hand; and

comparing said rank of each of said player's back hand to said rank of said house's back hand.

20. The method of playing a wagering card game of claim 19 further comprising the step of allocating winnings based on the comparison of said rank of said active player's front hand and said banker's front hand after said front hand comparing step and the step of allocating winnings based on the comparison of said rank of said active player's back hand and said banker's back hand after said back hand comparing step.

21. The method of playing a wagering card game of claim 19 further comprising the step of allocating winnings based on the collective comparison of said rank of said active player's front hand and said banker's front hand and the comparison of said rank of said active player's back hand and said banker's back hand after said back hand comparing step.