1 A Method of conducting a game Field of the invention [0001] The present invention relates to a method of conducting a game. The invention is particularly useful in relation to conducting a Blackjack card game however, it should be understood that the invention is intended for broader application and use. Background of the invention [0002] The game of Blackjack, also known as Twenty-one or Pontoon, is the most widely played casino banking game in the world. While there are many variations of the game, the standard game is played with one or more Anglo-American decks, each containing 52 cards. [0003] The basic form of Blackjack involves dealing an initial two card hand to each player. The rules of the game then involve adding the value of the initial two cards in the hope of being dealt a value of twenty-one. The value attributed to each of the numbered cards is generally in accordance with the number they display, with the exception of 'Aces' which can have a value of either one or eleven according to the player's choice. Similarly, each of the 'face cards' (i.e. Kings, Queens, and Jacks) are generally assigned a value of ten. [0004] If the cumulative value of the initial two card hand is less than twenty-one, the player may choose to be dealt additional single cards until they reach a cumulative value they are satisfied with (including any value up to twenty-one), or until they reach a value that exceeds twenty-one. If the cumulative value of the cards dealt to a player exceeds twenty-one, then the player's hand is 'bust' and the round of play is over for that player. The winner is the player holding a hand of cards with a value of twenty-one, or a value nearest to twenty-one without exceeding it. [0005] The version of Blackjack played in most casinos involves a dealer who faces between one and seven players from behind an arc-shaped table. Each of the players 'plays' directly against the dealer, and not against any of the other players. At the beginning of each round of play, a player wishing to participate in that round places a wager or bet in their 'betting box' and receives an initial hand of two cards. There are generally seven betting boxes marked on the arc-shaped table; one for each of the available playing positions around the playing table. [0006] The object of the game is for a player to be dealt a hand of cards having a value greater than that of the dealer's hand, without exceeding a value of twenty-one (which is 2 commonly known as 'busting' or 'breaking'). If the value of the player's initial two card hand is less than twenty-one, the player can choose to be dealt additional cards one at a time. If, with the addition of a card to the player's hand, the value of the player's hand exceeds twenty-one, then the player 'busts' and automatically loses the hand and the bet they initially placed in the betting box. After each of the players either reaches a value with which they are satisfied (known as 'standing' or 'staying'), or 'busts' by exceeding a value of twenty-one, the dealer then plays their hand and deals additional cards to their hand as required. If the dealer 'busts', that round of play is lost to any remaining players having hands with a value of twenty-one or less. If neither the player nor the dealer 'busts', then, as between the player and the dealer, the hand with the higher value wins the round of play. If the value of the player's hand is the same as the value of the dealer's hand, then this is commonly known as a 'push' or 'standoff' and the player's bet is generally returned in full. [0007] According to most versions of the game, the highest possible hand is a 'blackjack' or 'natural' which results when the value of the initial two card hand dealt to a player (or the dealer) equals twenty one. A player is generally an automatic winner if they are a dealt a 'blackjack', unless the dealer also has a 'blackjack', in which case the hands are a 'push' and the player's bet is returned. [0008] In relation to the bets that a player can place prior to each round of play, the minimum and maximum table limits are commonly posted on the arc-shaped table. In most casino Blackjack games, the payoff or prize for a winning hand is generally 1:1, meaning that the player wins the same amount as the bet they placed in the betting box. A higher payoff of 3:2 is often provided for a 'blackjack' hand, meaning that the player wins $3 for every $2 they placed in the betting box. [0009] In this specification where a document, act or item of knowledge is referred to or discussed, this reference or discussion is not an admission that the document, act or item of knowledge or any combination thereof was at the priority date, publicly available, known to the public, part of the common general knowledge; or known to be relevant to an attempt to solve any problem with which this specification is concerned. Summary of the invention [0010] The present invention provides an improved method of conducting a game wherein a player has the opportunity to receive a greater payoff or additional prize for a winning game 3 entry. Preferably, the value of this greater payoff or additional prize for a winning game entry is determined by comparing the winning game entry (and particularly the suit(s) of the cards in that winning game entry) to a reference entry such as, for example, a reference entry allocated to a dealer of a Blackjack card game. According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of conducting a card game (e.g. Blackjack) comprising: (a) providing a first category of game entry requiring a predefined minimum wager by a player; (b) receiving one or more game entries in said first category of game entry; (c) allocating from a predefined set of playing cards, comprising a plurality of suits, a subset of at least two randomly selected cards to each of said game entries in said first category of game entry; (d) determining winning game entries based upon a comparison of the suit(s) of said subset of randomly selected cards allocated to each of said game entries with the suit of a reference subset of at least one card randomly selected from said predefined set of playing cards; and (e) awarding prizes to winning game entries in said first category of game entry. [0011] Preferably, the winning game entry is identified where at least one of the suits of the subset of randomly selected cards allocated to a game entry is the same as the suit of the reference subset. [0012] Preferably, the winning game entry is identified where the subset of randomly selected cards allocated to a game entry have the same suit and that suit is the same as the suit of the reference subset. [0013] Preferably, the winning game entry is identified where the suit(s) of the subset of randomly selected cards allocated to a game entry is different to the suit of the reference subset. [0014] Preferably, the winning game entry is identified where the subset of randomly selected cards allocated to a game entry have the same suit and that suit is the same as the suit of 4 the reference subset and the reference subset is a predetermined type of card (e.g. a Jack card or an Ace card). [0015] The game entry of step (b) may further comprise receiving one or more game entries in a second category of game entry, wherein the second category of game entry requires: (i) a nomination of a suit of the playing cards; and (ii) a predefined minimum wager by a player. [0016] The method preferable comprises the further steps of: (a) determining winning game entries in the second category of game entry based upon a comparison of the nominated suit with the first of the at least two randomly selected cards allocated to each of the game entries in the first category of game entry; and (b) awarding prizes to each of the winning game entries in the second category of entry. [0017] According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of conducting a card game comprising: (a) providing a first category of game entry requiring a predefined minimum wager by a player; (b) receiving one or more game entries in said first category of game entry; (c) allocating from a predefined set of playing cards, comprising a plurality of suits, a subset of at least two randomly selected cards to each of said game entries in said first category of game entry; (d) determining winning game entries based upon said subset of randomly selected cards allocated to each of said game entries; and (e) awarding prizes to winning game entries in said first category of game entry based upon a comparison of the suit(s) of said subset of randomly selected cards allocated to each of said game entries with the suit(s) of a reference subset of at least two cards randomly selected from said predefined set of playing cards. [0018] Step (e) of the method may further comprise one or more of: (a) awarding a first category of prize to winning game entries where the subset of randomly selected cards allocated to a game entry have the same suit, the suit of the at least two cards 5 randomly selected cards in the reference subset is the same, and the suit of the subset of randomly selected cards allocated to a game entry is the same as the suit of the at least two cards randomly selected cards in the reference subset; and (b) awarding a second category of prize to winning game entries where: (i) the subset of randomly selected cards allocated to a game entry have the same suit, and the suit of the at least two randomly selected cards in the reference subset is different; or (ii) the subset of randomly selected cards allocated to a game entry have the same suit, and the subset has a greater value than the reference subset of at least two randomly selected cards. [0019] Each of the winning entries preferably comprises at least one Ace card and at least one Jack card. Further, the at least one Ace card and the at least one Jack card have the same suit. In accordance with a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, each of the winning entries comprises at least two cards having a Diamond suit (e.g. an Ace of Diamonds and a Jack of Diamonds). Brief Description of Drawings [0020] A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing. This embodiment is given by way of illustration only and other embodiments of the invention are possible. Consequently, the particularity of the accompanying drawing is not to be understood as superseding the generality of the preceding description. In the drawing: [0021] Figure 1 shows a top view of a Blackjack table, referred to as a 'Pinkjack' table, suitable for use in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Description of Representative Embodiments [0022] A preferred embodiment of the method of conducting a game will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing. The invention is particularly useful in relation to conducting a Blackjack card game and it will therefore be convenient to describe the invention in that environment. However, it should be understood that the invention is intended for broader application and use.
6 [0023] Referring to the drawing, Figure 1 illustrates a Blackjack table, referred to as a Pinkjack table 100, suitable for use in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The table 100 comprises a total of seven betting boxes corresponding to seven positions around the arc-shaped table 100 that can be occupied by players. Each of the betting boxes represents a first category of betting box 102 which requires a player to place a predefined minimum bet in order to participate in a given round of play. [0024] A round of play begins with at least one player placing a bet in one or more of the first category of betting box 102. The amount of the bet placed by a player will be determined by the predefined minimum bet required for the first category of betting box 102 and, for the majority of games, by the table limit which specifies the maximum possible bet. In accordance with a representative embodiment of the present invention, players (including both new players and/or players that have placed a bet in a first category of betting box 102) may have the opportunity to place a bet in a second category of betting box 104 (referred to as a 'Suits You' betting option). Once again, the amount of the bet placed by the player in the second category of betting box 104 will be determined by the predefined minimum bet required for the second category of betting box 104 and, for the majority of games, by a table limit which specified the maximum possible bet. [0025] The placement of a bet in a second category of betting box 104 also requires a player to nominate the expected suit of the first card that they (or a 'seated' player) receive from the dealer. As such, when placing a bet in a second category of betting box 104, a player will be required to nominate one of Diamonds, Clubs, Hearts or Spades, by either indicating their nomination directly to the dealer and/or by placing their bet on a portion of the second category of betting box representative of their nomination (e.g. by placing their betting chip(s) on top of image representing the desired suit). For example, if a player wishes to wager that the first card they receive from the dealer will be from the Hearts suits, then at the time of placing their bet they will nominate Hearts. It should be understood that while in this embodiment of the invention the second category of betting box 104 requires nominating the suit of the first card received from the dealer, an alternative embodiment of the invention may require nominating the suit of the second (or any subsequent) card received from the dealer. [0026] Each of the players participating in that round of play (as well as the dealer) then receives an initial two card hand from the dealer. The dealer distributes the cards to the players, and to their own hand, in a clockwise manner as indicated by the arrow in Figure 1.
7 [0027] In casinos, it is common for cards to be dealt from a box (known as a 'shoe') containing between four to eight Anglo-American decks, each containing 52 playing cards. The initial two card hand is generally dealt to players face-up, while the dealer's hand normally has one face-up card (known as the 'upcard') and one face-down card (known as the 'hole card'). [0028] The order of play begins with the first player on the dealer's left or clockwise side. Assuming that there are one or more players with bets placed in a first category of betting box 102, the first of these players will commence the round of play. [0029] After each of the one of more players has received at least the first of their two card hand, it is possible to determine winning entries in relation to bets placed in one or more of the second category of betting boxes 104. The determination of winning entries is made by comparing the suit of the first card dealt to each player (or betting box) with the suit nominated by that player at the time of placing the bet in the second category of betting box 104. Based upon this comparison, there are three possible outcomes: * the nominated suit does not match the suit of the first card received from the dealer, in which case the player immediately forsakes the bet placed in the second category of betting box 104; 0 the nominated suit does match the suit of the first card received from the dealer and the first card received is not a Jack, in which case the player is awarded a payoff or prize (e.g. 2 to 1 payout ratio). For example, if a player had initially bet $10 in a second category of betting box 104 having a predefined minimum bet of $10, then that player would receive a payoff of $20. 0 the nominated suit does match the suit of the first card received from the dealer and the first card received is a Jack, in which case the player is awarded a greater payoff or prize (e.g. 10 to 1 payout ratio). For example, if a player had initially bet $10 in a second category of betting box 104 having a predefined minimum bet of $10, then that player would receive a payoff of $100. [0030] While the determination of payoffs or prizes for winning entries (in relation to bets placed in the second category of betting boxes 104) has been described in terms of whether the first card received by each player is a Jack, it should be understood that any other value or type of card (e.g. any of the numbered or 'picture' cards) could be used as an alternative to a Jack card.
8 [0031] The determination of winning entries in relation to bets placed in the first category of betting boxes 102 can then proceed. If the cumulative value of the two-card hand dealt to this first player is twenty-one or 'blackjack', then the player has been dealt a winning hand and is not permitted to request any additional cards from the dealer. However, the value of the prize of payoff awarded to the player is preferably determined based upon the suit(s) of the two cards that make up the 'blackjack' hand, and/or the suit of at least the first card received by the dealer (i.e. the 'upcard'). For example, the dealer may award prizes or payoffs based upon the following illustrative rules: * Where the player's 'blackjack' hand consists of an Ace of Diamonds and a Jack of Diamonds (referred to as a 'Pinkjack' hand), and the dealer does not have either an Ace of Diamonds or a Jack of Diamonds as their first card (i.e. their 'upcard'), then the player receives a prize or payoff at predetermined odds (e.g. 5 to 1 payout ratio) and the player's cards are removed by the dealer and placed in the discard rack; * Where the player's 'blackjack' hand is a 'Pinkjack' hand, and the dealer has either an Ace of Diamonds or a Jack of Diamonds as their first card (i.e. their 'upcard'), then no prize of payoff is awarded to that player until the completion of the round of play, when the player's 'Pinjack' hand can be compared with the dealer's complete hand (i.e. the 'upcard', the 'hole' card, and any additional cards received by the dealer); * Where the player's 'blackjack' hand is 'suited' (i.e. both of the two cards share the same suit) but not a 'Pinkjack' hand then, regardless of the first card (i.e. the 'upcard') received by the dealer, the player receives a prize or payoff at predetermined odds (e.g. 3 to 1 payout ratio) and the player's cards are removed by the dealer and placed in the discard rack; and * Where the player's 'blackjack' hand is 'unsuited' (i.e. the two cards have different suits, and can therefore not be a 'Pinkjack' hand) then, regardless of the first card (i.e. the 'upcard') received by the dealer, the player receives a prize or payoff at predetermined odds (e.g. 2 to 1 payout ratio) and the player's cards are removed by the dealer and placed in the discard rack. [0032] The order of play then moves to the next player on the left of the first player. If there are no other players, the order of play moves to the dealer.
9 [0033] Alternatively, if the cumulative value of the two card hand dealt to the first player is less than twenty-one, then the player has a number of playing options (in accordance with a conventional Blackjack game): * Stand: (also known as 'stay') which signals the dealer that no additional cards are required by the player; * Hit: which signals the dealer that the player requires a single additional card; * Double down: (depending on the value of the two card hand) which signals the dealer that the player wishes to double their initial bet in exchange for receiving one (and only one) more additional card from the dealer; * Split a pair: (if the player is dealt a 'pair' of cards i.e. cards of the same value, or the same type if the cards are 'face' cards) which effectively separates the pair into two separate playable hands and requires the player to place an additional (equally sized) bet on the second hand; * Insurance: (not always offered) which allows a player to wager a covering bet in view of a possible 'blackjack' by the dealer. [0034] If the player decides to 'stand', then that player is indicating that they are satisfied with the value of their initial two card hand and that they do not require any additional cards from the dealer. If this is the case, the order of play then moves to the next player on the left of that player. Alternatively, if the player decides to 'hit' then they are dealt a single additional card (generally face-up). If the player is satisfied with the new cumulative value of their hand, and assuming that the player's hand has not 'bust' (i.e. exceeded a value of twenty-one), then they may choose to 'stay'. Otherwise, the player may continue to 'hit' until either they are satisfied with the value of their hand (and 'stay') or the value of the hand exceeds twenty-one and the hand 'busts'. If the player's hand 'busts' then they immediately forsake the initial (and any subsequent) bet that they placed in the betting box during that round of play. The order of play then moves to the next player on the left of that player. [0035] After all of the players with bets placed in the first category of betting box 102 have played, the order of play then moves to the dealer. The dealer is generally required to play their hand according to a predetermined set of rules. The dealer begins by revealing the value of the 'hole card' by turning this card face-up for the players to see. If the cumulative value of the 10 dealer's two card hand is twenty-one or 'blackjack' then the dealer has a winning hand and is not permitted to take any additional cards. Alternatively, the rules generally state that the dealer must 'hit' (and continue to 'hit') if the value of their hand is less than seventeen. In addition, the dealer is generally required to 'stand' as soon as the value of their hand reaches seventeen or more. However, it should be appreciated that variations of these rules exist. [0036] Once the dealer has completed their turn of play, in accordance with the predefined set of rules, it is then necessary to compare the dealer's hand with the hands of any players still participating in that round of play. If the dealer's hand has 'bust' (i.e. exceeded twenty-one), then all players with hands having a value of less than or equal to twenty-one are awarded a payoff or prize. The payoff for a winning hand (but excluding 'blackjack' hands) is generally 1:1, meaning that the player wins the same amount as the bet they placed in the betting box. For example, if a player had initially bet $10 in a first category of betting box 102 having a predefined minimum bet of $10, then that player would receive a payoff of $10. [0037] If the dealer's hand has not 'bust' and is not 'blackjack', then the value of the dealer's hand is compared to the values of the player's hands, for all those players still participating in that round of play (in much the same manner as a conventional Blackjack card game). If the value of the dealer's hand is greater than the value of a player's hand, then that player loses and forsakes the initial (and any subsequent) bet that they placed in the betting box during that round of play. If the value of the dealer's hand is equal to the value of the player's hand (i.e. a 'push'), then that player loses and forsakes the initial (and any subsequent) bet that they placed in the betting box during that round of play. Finally, if the value of the dealer's hand is less than the value of the player's hand then that player wins and they are awarded a payoff or prize in a similar manner to when the dealer 'busts'. Additionally, if the player's hand is 'blackjack' (either suited or unsuited) but not a 'Pinkjack' hand, then that player automatically wins and they are awarded a payoff or prize as previously described. [0038] Alternatively, if the dealer's hand is 'blackjack', then the value of the dealer's hand is still compared to the values of the player's hands, for all those players still participating in that round of play (i.e. those players that have not 'bust' and/or those players that have received a 'Pinkjack' hand). If the value of the dealer's hand is greater than the value of a player's hand (i.e. if the player does not have a 'Pinkjack' hand also, as prizes and payoffs for suited and unsuited 'blackjack' hands are awarded regardless of the dealer's hand), then that player loses and forsakes the initial (and any subsequent) bet that they placed in the betting box during that round of play. If, however, a player's hand is also 'blackjack' and a 'Pinkjack' hand (as prizes 11 and payoffs for suited and unsuited 'blackjack' hands are awarded regardless of the dealer's hand), then the determination of the payoff or prize awarded to that player is determined based upon a comparison of the player's 'Pinkjack' hand with the dealer's 'blackjack' hand. If the dealer's 'blackjack' hand is not a 'Pinkjack' hand, but the dealer's first card was an Ace of Diamonds or Jack of Diamonds, then the player is awarded a prize or payoff at predetermined odds in accordance with the rules previously described. If, however, the dealer's 'blackjack' hand is also a 'Pinkjack' hand (referred to as 'Ultimate Pinkjack'), then the player is awarded an exemplary prize or payoff. In a representative embodiment of the present invention, the exemplary prize or payoff is not determined by the size of the bet placed by the player in the first category of betting box 102, but may include an offer to the player of either a 'diamond gift' of a predetermined value (e.g. $5,000) or a cash payout of a predetermined amount (e.g. $1,000) in lieu of the 'diamond gift'. [0039] While the determination of payoffs or prizes for winning entries (in relation to bets placed in the first category of betting boxes 102) has been described in terms of whether the player and/or dealer receives a 'Pinkjack' hand, made up of an Ace of Diamonds and a Jack of Diamonds, it should be understood that other types and/or suits of cards (e.g. any suited combination of a 10-value card with an Ace card) could be used to form a 'Pinkjack' hand, in an alternate embodiment of the present invention. [0040] Whilst the embodiment described relates to a method of conducting a Blackjack game, it should be understood that the method is equally applicable to similar games such as Pontoon. [0041] The word 'comprising', and forms of the word 'comprising', when used in this specification is taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof. [0042] As the present invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the essential characteristics of the invention, it should be understood that the above described embodiments should not be considered to limit the present invention but rather should be construed broadly. Various modifications, improvements and equivalent arrangements will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and are intended to be included within the spirit and scope of the invention.