Modified blackjack game

Abstract

A blackjack game for play by a player includes a target total, such as twenty-one. A player hand and a dealer hand are distributed. A first wager is placed by the player, with the first wager being resolved based on traditional rules of blackjack. A second wager is also placed by the player, with the second wager being remitted to the house or game operator when the first wager is remitted. The game includes a triggering event, with occurrence or non-occurrence of the triggering event affecting the resolution of the second wager. A payout is awarded based on the second wager when the second wager is not remitted and the triggering event occurs. The second wager is returned to the player when the second wager is not remitted and when the triggering event does not occur. The triggering event may be a dealer bust.

1 . A blackjack game for play by a player using a plurality of cards, with each of said plurality of cards having a card value associated therewith, said game comprising:
 a target total;   a player hand distributed to said player;   a dealer hand distributed to a dealer;   a triggering event;   a first wager placed by said player, said first wager being resolved based on traditional rules of blackjack;   a second wager placed by said player, said second wager being remitted when said first wager is remitted; and   a payout awarded based on said second wager when said second wager is not remitted and said triggering event occurs;   wherein said second wager is returned to said player when said second wager is not remitted and said triggering event does not occur.   
   
   
       2 . The game of  claim 1 , further including:
 a dealer total, said dealer total being determined by summing the card values of the cards in said dealer hand;   wherein said triggering event occurs when said dealer total exceeds said target total.   
   
   
       3 . The game of  claim 2 , wherein said target total is twenty-one. 
   
   
       4 . The game of  claim 1 , further including:
 a player total, said player total being determined by summing the card values of the cards in said player hand;   wherein said payout increases as the difference between said player total and said target total decreases.   
   
   
       5 . The game of  claim 4 , further including a bonus award awarded with said payout when said player total equals said target total. 
   
   
       6 . The game of  claim 1 , wherein said triggering event occurs when said dealer hand includes a card having a predetermined card value. 
   
   
       7 . The game of  claim 1 , wherein said triggering event occurs when said player hand includes a card having a predetermined card value. 
   
   
       8 . A method of playing a blackjack game using a plurality of cards, said game including a triggering event, said method comprising:
 wagering of a first wager by a player;   wagering of a second wager by said player;   distributing a player hand and a dealer hand;   resolving said first wager based on traditional rules of blackjack;   remitting said second wager when said first wager is remitted;   awarding a payout to said player based on said second wager when said second wager is not remitted and when said triggering event occurs; and   returning said second wager to said player when said second wager is not remitted and when said triggering event does not occur.   
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said game further includes a target total and a dealer total, said dealer total being determined by summing the card values of the cards in said dealer hand, wherein said triggering event occurs when said dealer total exceeds said target total. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said target total is twenty-one. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said game further includes a target total and a player total, said player total being determined by summing the card values of the cards in said player hand, wherein said payout increases as the difference between said player total and said target total decreases. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said target total is twenty-one. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said game further includes a bonus award awarded with said payout when said player total equals said target total. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said triggering event occurs when said dealer hand includes a card having a predetermined card value. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said triggering event occurs when said player hand includes a card having a predetermined card value. 
   
   
       16 . A blackjack game for play by a player using a plurality of cards, with each of said plurality of cards having a card value associated therewith, said game comprising:
 a player hand distributed to said player;   a player total determined by summing the card values of the cards in said player hand;   a dealer hand distributed to a dealer;   a dealer total determined by summing the card values of the cards in said dealer hand;   a target total;   a first wager placed by said player, said first wager being resolved based on traditional rules of blackjack; and   a second wager placed by said player, said second wager being resolved as follows:   remitting said second wager when said player total exceeds said target total;   remitting said second wager when neither said player total nor said dealer total exceed said target total and said dealer total is greater than said player total;   returning said second wager to said player when said player total is greater than or equal to said dealer total without exceeding said target total; and   awarding a payout based on said second wager when said dealer total exceeds said target total and said player total does not exceed said target total.   
   
   
       17 . The game of  claim 16 , wherein said payout increases as the difference between said player total and said target total decreases. 
   
   
       18 . The game of  claim 16 , further including a bonus award awarded based on said second wager when said dealer total exceeds said target total and said player total equals said target total.