US20110198809A1

US20110198809A1 - Pai gow card game with side bet options

Info

Publication number: US20110198809A1
Application number: US13/023,123
Authority: US
Inventors: Merrill Sparago
Original assignee: Score Gaming LLC
Current assignee: Score Gaming LLC
Priority date: 2010-02-16
Filing date: 2011-02-08
Publication date: 2011-08-18

Abstract

A modified version of the casino table/video game Pai Gow Poker, may be played with five to seven cards dealt to each player/dealer. Optional secondary and tertiary side wagers are proved which allow the player to use their cards to establish various pre-defined card combinations and/or values which, if achieved, result in a pay-out according to a pre-defined proportional factor of the amount wagered. In the secondary side wager, the High and/or Low hands are viewed as a Blackjack hand which is resolved against a pay table representing a plurality of outcomes. Various tertiary bonus schemes may include, for examples, a bonus based on all cards considered against a poker table, a bonus paid on consideration of one, two, three, four or five cards, consideration of the High and Low hands separately or collectively based on a Low Sum pay table, etc. The subject modified Pai Gow card is preferably played with one or two Jokers to increase the likelihood of players making a hand and therefore increase the excitement of the game.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/304,823, filed Feb.16, 2010.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a card game that can be played as a table game or via electronic video interface; and more particularly toward a variation on the traditional game of Pai Gow (or Pai Gao) and including novel side wager options.
2. Related Art
Pai Gow poker is a popular casino card game, adapted from the Chinese tile game Pai Gow (or Pai Gao). Since Pai Gow was turned into a casino style poker game, the game has become a staple in major casinos throughout the world with multiple variations to add excitement and diversity. Casinos are always looking for modified games that provide excitement, variety, and value for the casino.
Pai Gow poker can be played as either a player or house banked game in which the dealer and the player are both dealt seven cards. The object of the game is to divide the seven cards into two poker hands consisting of five cards (the “High” hand), and two cards (the “Low” hand). The High hand must be of a Higher poker ranking than the Low hand for the hands to be played. After the player divides their cards into a High and Low hand, the dealer reveals their cards and arranges them into a High, five card hand, and a Low, two card hand. The dealer arranges their cards per predetermined rules set by the house.
In order to win a round of Pai Gow, the player's High hand and Low hand must both beat the dealer's respective High hand and Low hand. If the player's High hand beats the dealer's High hand, but the player's Low hand does not beat the dealer's Low hand this is considered a push and the player retains their initial wager. The same is true if the player's Low hand beats the dealer's Low hand but the player's High hand does not beat the In the event the dealer's High hand and Low hand outrank the player's respective High hand and Low hand this is considered a loss and the bet is forfeited to the house.
Pai Gow, though gaining in popularity, is intimidating to some and is somewhat difficult in that the requirement to break the seven cards into five-card and two-card hands can be hard for some players. Five card Pai Gow games have been proposed as a somewhat easier version of the traditional game.
There exist some examples of 5-Card Pai Gow (or Pai Gao) games including bonus/side bet wagers. For example, U.S. 2003/0114209 to Ritner, Jr. et al. discloses a 5-card Pai Gao game where the cards are divided between a three card High hand and a two card Low hand. A bonus feature considers all five cards against a poker-style pay table.
U.S. 2009/0224480 to Tang discloses a Pai Gao game wherein the traditional seven cards are divided into three hands rather than two (High and Low) hands. The Tang '480 game includes a separate bonus wager as described in its Paragraphs [0050-0054]. In one variation, a bonus is rewarded for having the lowest possible hands (identified as 9-8-7-6-4-3-2 or 9-8-7-5-4-3-2).
Another prior art example is provided by U.S. Pat. No. 5,660,393 Dreger which describes a method of playing a card-based wagering game. An underlying card game (not Pai Gao) includes an optional side bet as summarily described in Column 2, lines 3-15. The side/bonus game is played by the player making an independent wager on a range of possible cards. One option (identified as the preferred embodiment) enables the selection of a Low numerical value range (e.g., cards with numerical values of 6 or less).
What is needed is a simplified version of Pai Gow that makes dividing the cards into High and Low hands easier and also gives players at least one, and preferably several, optional side wagers providing thus multiple opportunities to win.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The subject invention comprises a method for playing a wagering game utilizing one or more decks of standard playing cards in either live table game or electronically implemented formats. According to the invention, a game table or display screen is provided on which playing positions are established for a dealer and at least one player. At least one standard deck of 52-to-54 playing cards is provided. The playing cards are of the traditional type having respective faces designated in ascending rank 2-10, J, Q, K, A each in four suits. Optionally, one or two Joker cards may be included. A numerical value is assigned to each card. The numerical values are equivalent to the respective face values for cards designated 2-10. For cards designated J, Q, K (Jacks, Queens and Kings) the numerical value is ten. The numerical value for cards designated A (Aces) is either one or eleven. The numerical value for the optional Joker cards may be pre-established or wild. For example, in more traditional forms of Pai Gow poker, the Jokers are either used to complete a straight or flush or can be used as an Ace. In cases were one or two Jokers are used in the game and the Jokers are thus used in this more traditional manner, then the numerical value is dependent on the circumstances of the particular hand in which it appears. On the other hand, if the subject game is played with one or two Jokers, it may also be established that their value is wild, i.e., at the discretion of the player that possesses the Joker(s).
According to the game method, a mandatory pai gow wager (PG) is accepted from each participating player, and then each player and a dealer is dealt five to seven cards. Each player and the dealer is required to arrange their cards into a two-card Low hand and a High hand with the remaining 3 to 5 cards. The rank of the dealer's High hand is compared to the rank of each player's High hand and, similarly the rank of the dealer's two-card Low hand is compared to the rank of each player's two-card Low hand on the basis of traditional Poker rankings. Each player's pai gow wager (PG) is then settled as a consequence of the comparison of the rank of the dealer's High hand to the rank of each player's High hand and the comparison of the rank of the dealer's two-card Low hand to the rank of each player's two-card Low hand. The settling step includes confiscating the player's pai gow wager (PG) if the rank of the dealer's High hand and two-card Low hand outranks the player's High hand and two-card Low hand respectively, and paying the player a winning payout associated with the pai gow wager (PG) if the rank of the player's High hand and two-card Low hand outranks the dealer's High hand and two-card Low hand respectively, and allowing the player to retain their pai gow wager (PG) if the rank of the player's High hand or two-card Low hand, but not both, outranks the dealer's High hand or two-card Low hand respectively. Prior to the arranging step, the game method includes the step of receiving from at least one participating player an optional secondary Blackjack side wager (B1, B2), and paying a Blackjack bonus to the player if one of the player's High hand or two-card Low hand has a numerical sum sufficiently close to but not exceeding twenty-one as in the traditional game of Blackjack.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more readily appreciated when considered in connection with the following detailed description and appended drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a flow chart depicting the method steps for playing a game according to one embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a simplified, sample table layout for playing a game according to the invention between a Dealer and up to two players;

FIG. 3 is a view as in FIG. 2, but showing and exemplary game played by two separate players against a dealer with cards dealt to each and wagers placed to illustrate the rules of the game;

FIG. 4 is a simplified view depicting several exemplary Pay Tables for the optional bonus wagers of this invention;

FIG. 5 is a simplified, sample table layout for playing a game according to the invention between a Dealer and one player with cards dealt to each to further illustrate the rules of the game;

FIG. 6 is shows cards dealt to a player in a still further example of the subject game rules; and

FIG. 7 is yet another example of a game according to this invention between a Dealer and one player with cards dealt to each for the purpose of explaining the rules of play.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention is a modified version of Pai Gow poker utilizing a dealer (in live table game modes) or a computer processor (in electronic gaming machine modes), one or more players, a traditional deck of 52 playing cards, plus two additional jokers in the preferred embodiment for a total of 54 cards. A Sample flow chart for game play according to one embodiment of this invention is shown in FIG. 1. A highly schematic, sample table layout is shown in FIG. 2.
Play begins when the player places a mandatory Pai Gow wager (PG), which allows the player to participate in the modified poker game. The Pai Gow wager is considered a primary wager in this game method. Player's may also place additional optional wagers (B1, B2, B3, etc.) to have more options to play their hand as described below. The optional side wagers B1 and B2 are considered secondary wagers in this game method. The optional side wager B3 is considered a tertiary wager in this game method.
After all wagers are placed, the dealer deals five (or six or seven in alternative embodiments) cards face down to each player who placed the mandatory Pai Gow wager (PG). The dealer deals five cards (or six or seven in the alternative embodiments) face down to themselves as well. The sequence of dealing is based on predetermined orders as per the traditional rules of Pai Gow. For speed of play, the cards may be distributed with the assistance of an automated device, preferably one that is able to eject cards in groups of five. Each group of five cards is distributed to each player as well as the dealer. If there are unoccupied player positions (i.e., betting spots), five cards may be dealt unexposed to each empty seat and then cleared by the dealer. After receiving the initial five cards, each player (and the dealer) separates the cards into a three card High hand (or five card High hand in the alternative embodiment) and a two card Low hand. As per the traditional rules of Pai Gow, the High hand must be of a higher poker ranking than the Low hand. The player plays directly against the dealer, and must beat the dealer's High hand and Low hand in order to win their wager as in the traditional rules of Pai Gow. Winning Pai Gow wagers (PG) are preferably paid at a ratio of 1:1.
If one of the player's hands (High or Low) beats the corresponding dealer's hand, while the other hand (High or Low) does not beat the corresponding dealer's hand then the wager is considered a push and returned to the player. This may occur when the player's High hand beats the dealer's High hand, but the player's Low hand does not beat the dealer's Low hand, or alternatively, when the player's Low hand beat's the dealer's Low hand, but the player's High hand does not beat the dealer's High hand. If either the player's High hand or Low hand is of exact equal value to the dealer's corresponding High or Low hand, and the other hand is not an equal match, then the outcome of the wager will be dependent upon whether the player or the dealer has a higher poker ranking in hand that is not an equal match, whereby the player will win the wager if their hand outranks the dealer's hand and will lose their wager if the dealer's hand outranks the player's hand. In the event that the player's High hand and Low hand are of exact equal value to the dealer's High hand and Low hand the wager may be considered a win for the house and the player may be eligible for a bonus based on variations of the Pai Gow game as described below. In another variation of the modified Pai Gow game, the wager would be considered a “push” if the player's High hand and Low hand are of exact equal value to the house and the player may be eligible for a bonus based on variations of the Pai Gow game as described below.
The one or two Jokers may be used as wild cards for the Pai Gow wager, the bonus wagers or both the Pai Gow and bonus wagers in which they will have the value of an ace, or any predetermined value as determined by house rules. In cases were one or two Jokers are used in the game and the Jokers are thus used in this more traditional manner, i.e., to complete a straight or flush or as an Ace in any hand, then the numerical value is dependent on the circumstances of the particular way in which it is used. Alternatively, it may also be established that the Joker value is completely wild, i.e., at the discretion of the player that possesses the Joker(s).
In all instances, the dealer only has the option of dividing their cards into a two card Low hand and a High hand with the remaining three (or five) cards. Dealer's may only play their cards against each player's High and Low hand as per the conventional rules of Pai Gow. The dealer must arrange their cards as per predetermined rules established by the house, which may parallel those used for traditional 7-card Pai Gow casino/video games.
FIG. 3 shows a sample “five card” game according to this invention played by two separate players against a dealer. Player 1 is dealt a hand consisting of A-J-6-5-5. Player 2 is dealt a hand consisting of Q-Q-Q-10-9. The Dealer is dealt a hand consisting of J-7-7-3-3. Player 1 divides their hand into a High hand 5-5-6 (pair of 5s) and a Low hand A-J. Player 2 divides their hand into a High hand Q-Q-Q (three Queens) and a Low hand 9-10. The Dealer divides their hand according to house-set protocols which, in this particular instance, result in a High hand of 7-7-J (pair of 7s) and a Low hand 3-3 (pair of 3s).
In this example, Player 1 has placed, in addition to the mandatory Pai Gow wager (PG), optional side wagers on B1, B2 and B3. Player 2 has placed the mandatory Pai Gow wager (PG), and optional side wagers on B1 and B2 only (but not a B3 wager). In this example, B1 equates to a Blackjack side bet on the High hand only, B2 equates to a Blackjack side bet on the Low hand only, and B3 equates to a Low Sum bet on the combined numerical value of all five cards. Exemplary Pay Tables for the Blackjack and Low Sum bonus wagers are set forth in FIG. 4. Of course, the several Pay Tables shown in FIG. 4 are merely suggestive and may be varied and/or expanded substantially without departing from the spirit of this invention.
The side/bonus bets B1 and B2 are based on a Blackjack pay table which may vary from that shown in FIG. 4. Preferably, the three card High hand and two card Low hand are separately viewed vis-a-vis the Blackjack side wagers. If the numerical sum of either equals 21, the respective bonus bet (B1 or B2) is won (provided the player has made the requisite bonus bet at the start of play). A lower threshold may be set, whereby the bonus bet may be won if the numerical sum of either the High or Low hands falls within a range bounded at its uppermost end by the numerical sum of 21. For example, the range may be set at 17-21 as shown in FIG. 4, wherein the numerical sum of either the High or Low hands will be considered to have won the bonus bet at the stated return if falling within this defined range. In another variation, only one side wager (B1 for example) is required to be made and will be won if either of the High hand or Low hand agrees with the Blackjack Pay Table. In yet another variation, a side wager can be won if the combined sum of all cards dealt to the player (i.e., High and Low hand values combined) agrees with the Blackjack Pay Table.
Returning to the example presented in FIG. 3, in resolving the games separately against the players, it is the case that Player 1 pushes their Pai Gow wager (PG) because the Dealer High and Low hands beat each of Player 1's High and Low hands—pair of 7s over pair of 5s, and pair of 3s over 10-9. Player 1 will lose the first bonus wager (B1) because the numerical value of their High hand does not equal 21 (5+5+6=16). However, Player 1 wins the second bonus wager (B2) because their Low hand is a natural Blackjack, which is paid at 3:2 according to this example. Player 1 loses their third bonus wager (B3) because the numerical sum of all five cards (sum=27, Ace is considered a 1) is greater than that specified in the Pay Table of FIG. 4.
Player 2, by contrast, ties with the Dealer on the Pai Gow wager (PG), resulting in a push, because the Dealer's Low hand (pair of 3s) beats their Low hand (9-10). Player 2 loses the first bonus wager (B1) because the numerical value of their High hand exceeds the pay table (FIG. 4). Player 2 wins the second bonus wager (B2) because their Low hand has a numerical value of 19, which is paid at 1:1 according to this example. Player 2 did not make a third (tertiary) bonus wager (B3).
In another example, shown in FIG. 5, a player may place a $5 wager (PG) on Pai Gow and receive the following five cards: King of Hearts, Jack of Hearts, 2 of Clubs, 2 of Diamonds, and a 10 of Spades. This is compared to the dealer's hand which in this case is composed of a 7 of Hearts, a 9 of spades, a Jack of clubs, 2 of Hearts, and an 8 of Spades. The player has a pair of 2's (2 of Clubs and 2 of Diamonds) as their Highest poker ranking.
Here, the player must place their pair of Two's in their High hand. As the High hand comprises three cards, the player has the option of placing any one of the remaining three cards into their High hand. The player may place either the King of Hearts, Jack of Hearts, or 10 of Spades into their High hand to complete the three-card hand, and place the remaining two cards into the Low hand. The player will decide which card to use to complete the High hand dependent on their strategy. Despite which card the player elects to use to complete the High hand, the player's High hand and Low hand will outrank both the dealer's High and Low hand in this instance. The player will win their Pai Gow wager (PG) at a ratio of 1:1 and will be paid $5.
It will be appreciated by those of skill in the art that providing a Blackjack Pay Table and awarding bonuses based on the secondary side wagers (B1 and B2) will substantially expand strategic possibilities for a player when deciding how to divide the initial five cards between High and Low hands. Many tertiary side wager/bonus wager combinations can be added to the basic Blackjack Pay Table scheme without departing from the spirit of this invention. For example, optional side wager B3 may be referred to as a Low Sum side wager. According to this option, the player may receive certain bonus payouts (based on a stated proportion of the sum wagered) if the sum of all five (or seven) dealt cards equals a stated value or is below a stated value. Some examples are shown in FIG. 4 for illustrative purposes only.
In addition to the side wager B3 described above, players may place other optional tertiary side wagers before any cards are dealt. One further such wager may be termed a “1/2/3/4/5 bonus” as represented by the Pay Table B4. The 1/2/3/4/5 bonus wager (B4) may be played and resolved independently from the traditional Pai Gow wager (PG) and/or the Blackjack bonus wagers (B1-B3). The 1/2/3/4/5 bonus wager (B4) is not played against a dealer. It is paid against a pre-defined pay table which may provide for a plurality of outcomes.
With the 1/2/3/4/5 bonus wager (B4), players may use all five cards to play a five card poker hand against a pay table. Thus, by way of example, if the player has a 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 of different suits, they have a five-card straight and may be paid against a pay table if a corresponding bonus wager (B4) had been made at the start of play. All traditional poker hands can be obtained with hands composed of five to seven cards. In variations of the game where six cards are dealt to the players and dealer, certain six-card combinations may be added to the pay table. And likewise, when the game is played with seven cards dealt to the players and dealer, certain seven-card (as well as six-card) combinations may be added to the pay table. Preferably, but not necessarily, at least some of the paying card combinations will require the inclusion of at least one Joker in the player's hand.
Referring now to FIG. 6, an example is shown of an optional side bet of $5 placed on the 1/2/3/4/5 bonus wager (B4) in addition to their Pai Gow wager (PG) and was dealt a 10 of Hearts, a Jack of Hearts, a Queen of Spades, a King of Diamonds, and a 2 of Diamonds, In this case, the player has a four-card straight (Ten, Jack, Queen, King). The player would win the 1/2/3/4/5 bonus (B4) at a predetermined ratio, which by way of example could be 3:1 paying $15. The player would then play their Pai Gow hand as per their self-directed strategy. Winning 1/2/3/4/5 wagers will be paid when the Pai Gow wagers are paid. The 1/2/3/4/5 bonus wager (B4) and the Pai Gow wager (PG) are resolved independently in this example.
In the event all five (or six or seven) cards do not make a predetermined five-card poker hand, then four of the cards may be used to create a poker hand. For example, if the player has a 3, 4, 5, 6 and Jack of different suits they do not have a five-card poker hand. However, the player has a four-card straight, (i.e. 3, 4, 5 and 6) which can be paid against a pay table. In this variation of the game, the player will win their wager if four of their cards can be combined to make a suitable poker hand irrespective of the composition of the dealer's hand. A win results in a pay-out according to a pre-defined proportional factor of the tertiary side wager (B4) placed by the player at the beginning of the round.
In the event that the player cannot form a five-card or four-card poker hand from those dealt, the pay table may also include payouts for certain three-card poker combinations. For example, if the player has a 3, 4, 5, 8 and Jack of different suits, they do not have a five-card or a four-card poker hand. However, the player has a three-card straight (i.e. 3, 4, 5) which can be paid against a pay table.
The preceding examples can be extrapolated to pay the B4 wager based on suitable two-card combinations and/or one-card selections as recited in a pre-established pay table, and paying a pre-defined proportional factor of the tertiary side wager (B4) if one of the cards correspond to a listed two-card combination or one-card selection.
In one variation of the modified poker game, the player's Highest card must beat the dealer's Highest card as per traditional rankings in ascending order of 2-10, J, Q, K, A, without regard to suit in order to win the three, four, or five card poker wager. In another variation of the modified game, players may place an additional tertiary side wager (B5) that may be termed but not limited to a “Showdown wager”. The Showdown wager (B5) will compare the Highest card (based on standard poker rankings without regard to suit) of the player's best five-card poker hand, with the dealer's Highest card (based on standard poker rankings without regard to suit) of their best five-card poker hand. The Showdown wager may be resolved independently of all other wagers, and winning wagers can be paid (for example) at a ratio of 1:1. In the event of a tie (both the player's card and the dealer's card are of the same ranking without regard to suit) the wager will push, and or lose depending on house rules.
Other optional tertiary wagers such as a “Bad Beat” wager (B6) may available in a variation of the modified Pai Gow game. A “Bad Beat” wager (B6) protects the player from losing a another wager (e.g., the 1/2/3/4/5 wager B4) when having an otherwise qualifying poker hand, but which is outranked by the dealer's hand per the conventional poker rankings. For instance, if the player has a hand of five cards including 5-5-5-5-7, this would be a “four of a kind” and be an automatic winner for the “1/2/3/4/5” side wager in the scenario where the “1/2/3/4/5” bonus wager is resolved independently of the composition of the dealer's hand. In situations where the rules normally require that the player's Highest card must outrank the value of the dealer's Highest card in order to qualify for a winning hand, then the above mentioned hand of 5-5-5-5-7 would not be an automatic winner (on the B4 wager) until the hand is compared against the dealer's hand. Additionally, the player's Highest card, which in this case is a 7, must outrank the dealer's Highest card. As such, if the dealer's hand was composed of 7-10-2-4-J, the player would normally lose their “1/2/3/4/5” side wager (B4) because the player's Highest card of 7 is outranked by the dealer's Highest card of Jack. This is called a “Bad Beat”. Therefore, if the player places an optional “Bad Beat” side wager (B6), then the player would win the B4 side wager despite being outranked by the dealer's Highest card.
In another variation of the above, one or two Jokers may be used to complete the 1/2/3/4/5 card bonus wager (B4) or possibly any or all of the other bonus wagers. In yet another variation in which two Jokers are used in the deck, the Jokers may be used to pay out separate bonuses, such as a bonus of 10:1, if a player receives both Jokers in their hand. Indeed, many other tertiary side wagers are possible, designated collectively as “Bn” in the flow chart of FIG. 1.
The present invention is a modified version of the casino table/video game Pai Gow Poker. In an electronically implemented format, images of playing cards replace physically cards. The electronic implementation also includes an electronic gaming machine including a display screen configured to display images of the playing cards. The electronic gaming machine further includes a non-transitory computer readable medium coded with instructions and executed by a processor to perform the method steps described above.
The game of this invention may be played with either the traditional seven cards dealt to each player/dealer, or five cards, or conceivably perhaps six cards. In the traditional seven card version, players are required to divide their seven cards into a five-card High hand and a two-card Low hand. In the modified five card version, the player divides their hand into a three-card High hand and a two-card Low hand. The invention provides additional side wager/s which allows the player to use their cards to establish a Blackjack hand which is resolved against a pay table representing a plurality of outcomes. The modified Pai Gow game may operate with no Jokers, or with the traditional single Joker, or alternatively with an additional Joker to increase the likelihood of players making a hand and therefore increase the excitement of the game. Various bonus schemes can be added to the Blackjack wager, including but not limited to a bonus based on all cards considered against a poker table, as well as a bonus paid on consideration of one, two, three, four or five cards, and consideration of the High and Low hands separately or collectively based on a Low Sum pay table.
The subject Pai Gao card game includes a novel side/bonus bet feature based on a Blackjack pay table. According to one method of play, a two-card Low hand and remaining card High hand are separately viewed. If the numerical sum of either equals 21, the bonus bet is won (provided the player has made the requisite bonus bet at the start of play). A lower threshold may be set, whereby the bonus bet may be won if the numerical sum of either the High or Low hands falls within a range that doesn't exceed 21. For example, the range may be set at 18-21, wherein the numerical sum of either the High or Low hands will be considered to have won the bonus bet if falling within this defined range.
According to another variation, the numerical sum of all cards may be considered against the qualifying range numbers for a win. According to yet another variation, if the numerical sum of either the High or Low hands (or combination thereof) is below an established number, the bonus round is won. For example, if a numerical sum of 6 is established as the ceiling for a Low Sum bonus, and a three card High hand contains A-A-2, the Low numerical sum bonus can be won.
All games of chance have rules. Thus by definition, such games have methods of play that limit options, opportunities, and methods of winning. Over time, players become bored with such games. Creating new and exciting variations to such games extends the traditional rule limits. Players always want more ways to win. Modifying the rules to provide a perceived player advantage is especially attractive to many recreational players. However, not just any minor rule change will successfully attract new players and/or longer play times. Games must be easy, well recognized, explained quickly, and be learnable in one to two hands to be viable. Most casino patrons are interested mainly in entertainment and enjoyment, and not interested in learning complex game rules. Therefore, games need to appeal to the masses to have value in today's market.
Side wagers have been found to provide such variations that tend to be readily accepted by players. As such, novel side wagers have been shown to be marketable, effective, and profitable for casinos and game developers.
Furthermore, it has been observed that Dealers can make or break a game (in terms of its success). Therefore, in developing a successful game, it is important to create rule that
Dealers will find it easy to deal and easy to explain. The subject Pai Gow game, with optional secondary and tertiary bonuses, have been crafted to make the dealer's job easier, and also attract recreational players due to their simplicity and familiarly with traditional Blackjack and Poker rules.
The foregoing invention has been described in accordance with the relevant legal standards, thus the description is exemplary rather than limiting in nature. Variations and modifications to the disclosed embodiment may become apparent to those skilled in the art and fall within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A method of playing a wagering game utilizing one or more decks of standard playing cards comprising the steps of:

providing a game table establishing playing positions for a dealer and at least one player;

providing at least one standard deck of 52-to-54 playing cards with respective faces designated in ascending rank 2-10, J, Q, K, A each in four suits and optionally one or two Joker cards; assigning a numerical value to each card, said numerical value being equivalent to the face value for cards designated 2-10, said numerical value being ten for cards designated J, Q, K, and said numerical value being one or eleven for cards designated A;

accepting a pai gow wager (PG) from each participating player;

dealing each player and a dealer five to seven cards;

requiring each player and the dealer to arrange the cards into a two-card Low hand and a High hand with the remaining cards;

comparing the rank of the dealer's High hand to the rank of each player's High hand and comparing the rank of the dealer's two-card Low hand to the rank of each player's two-card Low hand on the basis of standard Poker rankings;

settling each player's pai gow wager (PG) dependent upon the comparison of the rank of the dealer's High hand to the rank of each player's High hand and the comparison of the rank of the dealer's two-card Low hand to the rank of each player's two-card Low hand; said settling step including confiscating the player's pai gow wager (PG) if the rank of the dealer's High hand and two-card Low hand outranks the player's High hand and two-card Low hand respectively, and paying the player a winning payout associated with the pai gow wager (PG) if the rank of the player's High hand and two-card Low hand outranks the dealer's High hand and two-card Low hand respectively, and allowing the player to retain their pai gow wager (PG) if the rank of the player's High hand or two-card Low hand, but not both, outranks the dealer's High hand or two-card Low hand respectively;

characterized by,

prior to said arranging step, receiving from at least one participating player an optional secondary Blackjack side wager (B1, B2); and paying a Blackjack bonus to the player if one of the player's High hand or two-card Low hand has a numerical sum sufficiently close to but not exceeding twenty-one as in the traditional game of Blackjack.

2. The method of claim 2 wherein said step of paying said Blackjack bonus includes paying a first proportional factor of the Blackjack side wager (B1, B2) if one of the player's High hand or two-card Low hand has a numerical sum exactly equal to twenty-one, and paying a second proportional factor of the Blackjack side wager (B1, B2), lower than the first proportional factor, if one of the player's High hand or two-card Low hand has a numerical sum falling within a predefined Blackjack pay-out range less than twenty-one.

3. The method of claim 3 wherein said predefined Blackjack pay-out range associated with said second proportional factor includes the numerical sums 17-20.

4. The method of claim 1 further including the step of, prior to said arranging step, receiving from at least one participating player an optional tertiary side wager (B3 . . . Bn), and paying a tertiary bonus to the player if the player's cards correspond to a pre-established pay table.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein said step of paying a tertiary bonus includes comparing all of the participating player's cards against a list of five-card combinations recited in a pre-established pay table (B4), and paying a pre-defined proportional factor of the tertiary side wager (B4) if five cards correspond to at least one of the listed five-card combinations.

6. The method of claim 4 wherein said step of paying a tertiary bonus includes comparing all of the participating player's cards against a list of four-card combinations recited in a pre-established pay table (B4), and paying a pre-defined proportional factor of the tertiary side wager (B4) if four of the cards correspond to at least one of the listed four-card combinations.

7. The method of claim 4 wherein said step of paying a tertiary bonus includes comparing all of the participating player's cards against a list of three-card combinations recited in a pre-established pay table (B4), and paying a pre-defined proportional factor of the tertiary side wager (B4) if three of the cards correspond to at least one of the listed three-card combinations.

8. The method of claim 4 wherein said step of paying a tertiary bonus includes comparing all of the participating player's cards against a list of two-card combinations recited in a pre-established pay table (B4), and paying a pre-defined proportional factor of the tertiary side wager (B4) if two of the cards correspond to at least one of the listed two-card combinations.

9. The method of claim 4 wherein said step of paying a tertiary bonus includes comparing all of the participating player's cards against a list of one-card selections recited in a pre-established pay table (B4), and paying a pre-defined proportional factor of the tertiary side wager (B4) if one of the cards correspond to at least one of the listed one-card selections.

10. The method of claim 4 wherein said step of paying a tertiary bonus includes comparing the participating player's highest value card against the Dealer's highest value card, and paying the player a pre-defined proportional factor of the tertiary side wager (B5) if the participating player's highest value card has a larger numerical value that the Dealer's highest value card.

11. The method of claim 1 further including the step of offering bad beat insurance (B6) associated with a player losing the pai gow wager (PG) even though holding a hand having a pre-established strong ranking.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein the one or more decks includes two Joker cards which can be used as wild cards or to complete certain pre-established hands.

13. An electronically implemented method of playing a wagering game using images of playing cards, comprising:

providing an electronic gaming machine including a display screen configured to display images of playing cards; the electronic gaming machine including a non-transitory computer readable medium coded with instructions and executed by a processor to perform the steps of:

establishing playing positions on the display screen for a dealer and at least one player;

accepting a pai gow wager (PG) from the player;

dealing the player and a dealer each five to seven cards;

requiring the player to arrange the cards displayed on the display screen into a High hand and a two-card Low hand;

automatically arranging the dealer cards displayed on the display screen into a High hand and a two-card Low hand;

comparing the rank of the dealer's High hand to the rank of the player's High hand and comparing the rank of the dealer's two-card Low hand to the rank of the player's two-card Low hand on the basis of standard Poker rankings;

settling the player's pai gow wager (PG) dependent upon the comparison of the rank of the dealer's High hand to the rank of the player's High hand and the comparison of the rank of the dealer's two-card Low hand to the rank of the player's two-card Low hand; said settling step including confiscating the player's pai gow wager (PG) if the rank of the dealer's High hand and two-card Low hand outranks the player's High hand and two-card Low hand respectively, and paying the player a winning payout associated with the pai gow wager (PG) if the rank of the player's High hand and two-card Low hand outranks the dealer's High hand and two-card Low hand respectively, and allowing the player to retain their pai gow wager (PG) if the rank of the player's High hand or two-card Low hand, but not both, outranks the dealer's High hand or two-card Low hand respectively; and,

prior to said arranging step, receiving from the player an optional secondary Blackjack side wager (B1, B2); and paying a Blackjack bonus to the player if one of the player's High hand or two-card Low hand has a numerical sum sufficiently close to but not exceeding twenty-one as in the traditional game of Blackjack.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein said step of paying said Blackjack bonus includes paying a first proportional factor of the Blackjack side wager (B1, B2) if one of the player's High hand or two-card Low hand has a numerical sum exactly equal to twenty-one, and paying a second proportional factor of the Blackjack side wager (B1, B2), lower than the first proportional factor, if one of the player's High hand or two-card Low hand has a numerical sum falling within a predefined Blackjack pay-out range less than twenty-one.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein said predefined Blackjack pay-out range associated with said second proportional factor includes the numerical sums 17-20.

16. The method of claim 13 further including the step of, prior to said arranging step, receiving from the player an optional tertiary side wager (B3 . . . Bn), and paying a tertiary bonus to the player if the player's cards correspond to a pre-established pay table.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein said step of paying a tertiary bonus includes comparing all of the player's cards against a list of five-card combinations recited in a pre-established pay table (B4), and paying a pre-defined proportional factor of the tertiary side wager (B4) if all cards correspond to at least one of the listed five-card combinations.

18. The method of claim 16 wherein said step of paying a tertiary bonus includes comparing all of the player's cards against a list of four-card combinations recited in a pre-established pay table (B4), and paying a pre-defined proportional factor of the tertiary side wager (B4) if four of the cards correspond to at least one of the listed four-card combinations.

19. The method of claim 16 wherein said step of paying a tertiary bonus includes comparing all five of the player's cards against a list of three-card combinations recited in a pre-established pay table (B4), and paying a pre-defined proportional factor of the tertiary side wager (B4) if three of the five cards correspond to at least one of the listed three-card combinations.

20. The method of claim 16 wherein said step of paying a tertiary bonus includes comparing all of the player's cards against a list of two-card combinations recited in a pre-established pay table (B4), and paying a pre-defined proportional factor of the tertiary side wager (B4) if two of the cards correspond to at least one of the listed two-card combinations.

21. The method of claim 16 wherein said step of paying a tertiary bonus includes comparing all of the player's cards against a list of one-card selections recited in a pre-established pay table (B4), and paying a pre-defined proportional factor of the tertiary side wager (B4) if one of the cards correspond to at least one of the listed one-card selections.

22. The method of claim 16 wherein said step of paying a tertiary bonus includes comparing the player's highest value card against the Dealer's highest value card, and paying the player a pre-defined proportional factor of the tertiary side wager (B5) if the player's highest value card has a larger numerical value that the Dealer's highest value card.