WO1999039788A1

WO1999039788A1 - Single deck tournament blackjack

Info

Publication number: WO1999039788A1
Application number: PCT/US1999/002355
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael J. Horan
Original assignee: Horan Michael J
Priority date: 1998-02-04
Filing date: 1999-02-04
Publication date: 1999-08-12
Also published as: AU2580599A

Abstract

A method of playing a blackjack card game which includes the step of dealing two cards to a first player and to a dealer and having the dealer draw on hands of 16 or less and hold on hands of 17 or more. The first player is allowed to elect to draw one or more additional cards with the object for the first player of obtaining a hand, which is 21 or less and more than the dealer's hand. The improvement includes the steps of continuously repeating the blackjack card game for a predetermined period of time and allowing the first player to make wagers of points based on the results of said initial and subsequent blackjack games. The total amount of points accumulated from said wagers by the first player are computed at the end of said predetermined period of time.

Description

SINGLE DECK TOURNAMENT BLACKJACK

Background of the Invention 1. Field of the Invention: The present invention relates to games and more particularly to the game of blackjack.

2. Brief Description of the Prior Art: The game of blackjack, which is also known as twenty-one, is a card game that is played throughout the world. Essentially, one or more players play against a dealer in an attempt to obtain a hand of 21 or cards totaling more than the dealer's hand. Ordinarily the dealer will draw on a hand of 16 or less and hold on a hand of 17 or more. While blackjack remains a popular game, a need exists for improvements which are faster than conventional blackjack and which is adapted for play by a larger number of players, particularly on computer networks.

Summary of the Invention A method of playing a blackjack card game which includes the step of dealing two cards to a first player and to a dealer and having the dealer draw on hands of 16 or less and hold on hands of 17 or more. The first player is allowed to elect to draw one or more additional cards with the object for

1 the first player of obtaining a hand, which is 21 or less and more than the dealer's hand. The improvement includes the steps of continuously repeating the blackjack card game for a predetermined period of time and allowing the first player to make wagers of points based on the results of said initial and subsequent blackjack games. The total amount of points accumulated from said wagers by the first player are computed at the end of said predetermined period of time.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment Single deck Tournament Blackjack uniquely enhances the skill element involved in competing as a tournament contest. Single Deck Tournament Blackjack has two parts: (1) the Hand and (2) the Tournament Player. THE HAND The hand is one of seven, blackjack hands competing a player's hand against a dealer's hand, from a single deck of conventional 52 cards, shuffled only once at the beginning of play. The initial hand consists of two (2) cards to the player and two (2) cards to the dealer in each hand. The player's two (2) cards are exposed while the dealer's two (2) cards ha only one (1) card exposed. The player always stars play first, unless the dealer has an exposed ACE that automatically offers optional insurance. If player has the necessary skill points available, he/she can option the Insurance at one-half (1/2) the initially expended skill points and/or if the

2 dealer has blackjack, he/she is paid one and one-half (1 1/2) time the insurance played option, it therefore ends that hand in a tie or effectuates a loss in that hand for the player at his/her option may or may not draw a hit card or cards. The player attempts to attain a card count of twenty-one (21) in each hand, or the closest number to twenty-one (21) without going over twenty-one (21) , and at the same time, having a higher card count to twenty-one (21) and under, than the dealer. Card values are face count with an ace having optional count of one (1) or eleven (11) and picture cards (king, queen and jack) value as ten (10). The dealer's hand must always hit a card count of sixteen (16) and under always stand on seventeen (17) through twenty-one (21) . A player may elect to hit or stand any hand under twenty- one (21). Player's additional options include only splitting any pair of aces once in any one hand or double up with only a one card hit (draw) in any hand. Player insurance is available only when an ace is the initially exposed card in any Dealer's hand. Once a player stands and /or draws and stands (final card selection in any hand of blackjack), the dealer's hand is exposed to a must draw on sixteen (16) and under card count or a must stand on seventeen (17) through twenty- one (21). Player's busted hand (hands with card counts over twenty-one (21) requires no draw to the dealer's hand and is an automatic win for the dealer. Players

3 can stand in any and all card count hands under twenty- one (21) . Players can not hot a card count of twenty- one (21) as the Official Tournament Equipment automatically acknowledges the best possible score that can only be tied by the dealer. A dealer's busted hand is an automatic win for a player. Cards used in a previous hand are eliminated from play in subsequent hand s through that tournament play. Using the three hundred (300) skill points posted at the start of tournament play, the player tries to obtain the highest possible score in each hand against the dealer's hand. There is no limit to the number (amount) of skill points a player can expend (play) on any hand as long as the skill points are available to use, excluding the one (1) skill point required for each remaining hand in that tournament play. The tournament equipment automatically totals and manages the player score through the seven (7) hands of blackjack for a final official score in that tournament entrance against all other tournament contestants. Dealer and player tie hands push. Tie hands are equal card counts of player and dealer in the same hand from seventeen (17) up to and including twenty-one (21) . When a player and dealer have blackjack simultaneously, the hands push. Dealer's blackjack automatically wins all hands for the dealer when player card count is less than twenty-one (21) with no card draw to the player. A tie creates a push hand

4 where player neither wins nor loses that hand. A blackjack hand (an initial ace and any ten count card) pays the player one and one-half (1 1/2) times the skill points expended (at the initial considerations of that hand) in that hand and automatically plays the two (2) aces as separate hands in blackjack against the dealer's hand. Each hand competes against the dealer's hand on its own card count. A player may split aces only once in any one hand. A player may double up the skill points . expended on any initial two (2) cards in any hand but will only receive a one (1) card hit to that hand. A player may option for insurance on any hand where the dealer's exposed card is an ace. Insurance protects the player's hand against dealer's possible blackjack on an initially exposed ace in the dealer's hand. The player must expend one-half (1/2) of his/her original played skill points to protect the initial expenditure from being lost from the dealer having blackjack in that hand. If the dealer does not have blackjack, the player loses that expenditure of one-half (1/2) of the initial play (expended skill points) if the insurance option is activated. The player then continues that hand as originally played. If the dealer has blackjack, player is paid one and one-half (1 1/2) times the Insurance amount, which actually pushes his/her original expenditure that is lost by the dealer's blackjack. The initial three hundred (300) skill points are lost or

5 increased (awarded) within the seven (7) single hands of blackjack that player plays within a three (3) minute time period against dealer's hand generated from a single fifty-two (52) card deck, shuffled only once at the beginning of tournament play. The initial three hundred (300) skill points are automatically managed and inventoried by the Official Tournament Equipment, so as to save one (1) skill point per remaining hand to insure completion of tournament play. Player optional skill maneuvers require that all the necessary score skill points be available to perform any and all functional options while insuring that at least one (1) skill point per remaining hand is inventoried to insure the completion of tournament play. TOURNAMENT PLAY A tournament play consists of seven (7) hands of blackjack from a single standard fifty-two (52) card deck shuffled only once at the beginning of tournament play. The seven (7) hands must be completed within a three (3) minute time period. Mathematical computation evaluates that seven (7) hands of SINGLE DECK TOURNAMENT BLACKJACK between player and dealer will utilize a minimum of twenty-eight (28) cards and a maximum of fifty (50) cards. The tournament system includes several skill features. The play time limit for each set of seven (7) hands (one tournament play) is three (3) minutes. When

6 the contestant activated the Deal Button on the very firsthand, player must complete play in the seventh hand before the three (3) minute play period is over. If play is not completed on the seven (7) hands within the three (3) minute time play period, the player's score, which is displayed, is void. This void represents a zero official no score for that tournament play. This enables a tournament contestant to expand his/her score to the highest score in the seven (7) hands of tournament play to the best of his/her skill and ability with and/or without options in the three (3) minute of official tournament play time. Player's additional options of only splitting any pair of aces in a hand once and/or double up with a one card draw to that hand and/or insurance on a dealer's initial exposure of an up ace are only playable if the player has the necessary skill points available to expend on these three (3) optional skill maneuvers. The object of SINGLE DECK TOURNAMENT BLACKJACK is for the player to use his/her ability and skill to attain the highest possible score competing against the Dealer's Hand in the seven (7) blackjack hands of tournament play. During tournament play, the player has possible options of: 1. Doubling up on any initial two cards dealt and automatically receiving only a one card hit (draw) to that hand.

7 2. Splitting aces initially dealt to player only once in any one hand. 3. Insurance against dealer's blackjack on an initially exposed ace in the dealer's hand. All of the options can only be activated if the skill points are available in the player's official score displayed on the video tournament equipment, which also includes the required inventory of one (1) skill point per remaining hand to insure completion of that tournament entrance. Player's expended score is lost for any hand played and busting a card count total over twenty-one (21). In this case the dealer automatically winds that hand without any draw to his hand. The player must have been dealt or draw a higher value card count up to and including twenty-one (21) than the dealer. All cards count at face value except for an ace which may have the value of one (1) or eleven (11) and picture cards always count as ten (10) (i.e. king, queen and jack) . Only the dealer is required always to hit a card count of sixteen (16) and under and to always stand on a card count of seventeen (17) through twenty-one (21) . Skill points are awarded to player's one for one as played or expended except blackjack and optional insurance, which awards one and one-half (1 1/2) times the initial skill points expended in that hand. Any amount of skill points may be expended on any hand or option as long as they are available less the automatic skill point inventory of one point per remaining hand. A skill strategy or remember is options of double up and splitting aces, which require an equal amount of skill points to be available as the same original expended SKILL points on that particular hand including the required inventory of one point per remaining hand to insure completion of that tournament play. However, the option of insurance requires only one-half (1/2) of the initial skill points expended along with the required inventory to complete tournament play. Score is totaled automatically in the skill point score displayed on the official tournament equipment at the completion of each hand. Total score awarded during the seven (7) hands of tournament blackjack is the player's official final score for that tournament play.

The final score is displayed and the machine must print a ticket with the official score for that player for that tournament play. If a player expends all his/her skill points in tournament play and receives no score, no ticket receipt is printed by the official SINGLE DECK TOURNAMENT BLACKJACK equipment. SINGLE DECK TOURNAMENT BLACKJACK may extend from a daily to a weekly tournament on a local level. Area and regional tournaments may be announced, and once a year, annual championships may be held at selected sites also

9 to be announced. The national championship SINGLE DECK TOURNAMENT BLACKJACK may also develop through a series of area and regional competition. Membership would be required to compete in all SINGLE DECK TOURNAMENT BLACKJACK competition. Only paid and/or skill earned qualified members may participate in any sanctioned authorized and/or approved SINGLE DECK TOURNAMENT BLACKJACK competition or sponsored event. A paid apprentice or other skill earned membership status, coupled with tournament categories (daily, weekly, etc.) would set the requirements for players entering various categories of tournament competition. Entrance fees and prized for various tournament categories are set and posted of official tournament locations. For example, SINGLE DECK TOURNAMENT BLACKJACK membership may be non-voting and nontransferable with an annual $5.00 membership fee requiring compliance with tournament rules and regulations for each level of membership and competition. There may be four (4) levels of membership which, for example, are as follows.

1. Apprentice Membership: The beginning level, which is acquired at the very first entrance to a daily tournament. Limited to entrance in the daily tournament completion at a SINGLE DECK TOURNAMENT BLACKJACK location site.

10 2. Social Membership: Skill level earned by placing first, second or third in a daily tournament, or earning 500 skill points in one seven (7) hand Tournament play in official tournament competition. Social Membership is limited to tournament entrance in all daily and weekly tournament competition. Membership card at Apprentice level is exchanged for Social level at prize award or presentation of official ticket receipt displaying 500 skill points or more earned in one seven (7) hand tournament play.

3. Professional Membership: Skill level earned by placing first, second or third in a weekly tournament, or earning 2,000 skill points as a Social Member in one seven (7) hand tournament play in an official SINGLE DECK TOURNAMENT BLACKJACK competition. Professional Member may enter any and all daily, weekly, area and regional tournament competition. Membership card at Social level is exchanged for Professional skill level card at prize award or presentation, by Social Member player of an official score ticket receipt displaying 2,000 skill ticket receipt displaying 500 skill points or more awarded in one seven (7) hand tournament play in official SINGLE DECK TOURNAMENT BLACKJACK competition.

4. Master Professional: The highest skill level learned by placing first through tenth in any NATIONAL

11 SINGLE DECK TOURNAMENT BLACKJACK. To enter a national tournament, player must have placed first through fifth in a regional tournament. Limited only to entrance in SINGLE DECK TOURNAMENT BLACKJACK Invitational or special event competition. Membership card as a Professional is exchanged for a Master Professional status at prize award.

An annual membership is renewed at the highest skill level acquired at renewal time and upon payment of fee and upon surrender the previous year's membership card. Players win and/or earn various status of required membership through their skill, beyond the Apprentice Membership level. This skill earned membership status separates the more skilled players from the Apprentice players, and permits the open buy-in system described below to regulate equal skill levels of tournament competition. SINGLE DECK TOURNAMENT BLACKJACK'S unique buy-in system allows members to pay the prescribed buy-in entrance fee to any tournament that meets their skilled membership status. An example of a tournament organization is on the following Table I.

12 Table I

TOURNAMENT OPEN BUY-IN SYSTEM

TOURNAME FEE MEMBERSHIP OR SKILL STATUS NT REQUIRED

$2.00

Apprentice, Social,

Daily Professional or Master

$10.00 Professional

Weekly Social, Professional or Master

$20.00 Professional

Area Professional or Master

$50.00 Professional

Regional

$100.00 Professional or Master Professional

National

Set by SINGLE DECK Master Professional

Invitati TOURNAMENT onal BLACKJACK or Invitation or announced Special requirements

Event

SINGLE DECK TOURNAMENT BLACKJACK will, in each local area, have a tournament policy board to act and execute with authority, under the direction of the tournament officials, in matters of mutual interest for tournament associates and members. In summary, SINGLE DECK TOURNAMENT BLACKJACK is

13 designed and dedicated for the purpose of promoting fair tournament play. The SINGLE DECK TOURNAMENT BLACKJACK system and officials believe and promote that the skill and talent involved in playing any skilled video game should be recognized and rewarded. It will be appreciated that the game of this invention is a fast-moving game, which is adapted to play on computer networks including the internet. While the present invention has been described in connection with the preferred embodiments of the various figures, it is to be understood that other similar embodiments may be used or modifications and additions may be made to the described embodiment for performing the same function of the present invention without deviating therefrom. Therefore, the present invention should not be limited to any single embodiment, but rather construed in breadth and scope in accordance with the recitation of the appended claims.

14

Claims

Claims What is claimed is:

1. A method of playing a blackjack card game comprising the steps of dealing two cards to a first player and to a dealer and having the dealer draw on hands of 16 or less and hold on hands of 17 or more and allowing the first player to elect to draw one or more additional cards with the object for the first player of obtaining a hand, which is 21 or less and more than the dealer's hand, wherein the improvement comprises the steps of continuously repeating said blackjack card game for a predetermined period of time and allowing the first player to make wagers of points based on the results of said initial and subsequent blackjack games and computing the total amount of points accumulated from said wagers by the first player at the end of said predetermined period of time.

2. The method of playing the blackjack card game of claim 1 comprising the further steps of dealing two cards to a second player and to the dealer and having the dealer draw to a hand of 16 or less and hold on hands of 17 or more and

15 allowing the second player to elect to draw one or more additional cards with the object for the second player of obtaining a hand, which is 21 or less and more than the dealer's hand, wherein the further improvement comprises the steps of continuously repeating said blackjack card game for a predetermined period of time and allowing the second player to make wagers of points based on the results of said initial and subsequent blackjack games and computing the total amount of points accumulated from said wagers by the second player at the end of said predetermined period of time.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the points accumulated by the first player and the second player are compared and a winner is declared based on whether the first player or the second player has accumulated points during the predetermined time period.

4. The method of playing the blackjack card game of claim 2 comprising the further steps of dealing two cards to each of a plurality of additional players and to a dealer and having the dealer draw to a hand of 16 or less and hold on hands of 17 or more and allowing the second player to elect to draw one or more additional cards with the object for

16 the second player of obtaining a hand, which is 21 or less and more than the dealer's hand, wherein the further improvement comprises the steps of continuously repeating said blackjack card game for a predetermined period of time and allowing the second player to make wagers of points based on the results of said initial and subsequent blackjack games and computing the total amount of points accumulated from said wagers by the second player at the end of said predetermined period of time.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the points accumulated by the first player, the second player and each additional player are compared and a winner is declared based upon which of said players has accumulated the most points during the predetermined time period.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the blackjack card game is played on a computer network.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the blackjack card game is played on the internet.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the predetermined time is from about 5 minutes to 15 minutes.

17

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the predetermined time is 7 minutes .

10.The method of claim 6 wherein the predetermined time is from about 5 minutes to about 15 minutes.

11.The method of claim 10 wherein the predetermined time is 7 minutes .

12.The method of claim 5 wherein the blackjack game is a tournament in which the players play substantially simultaneously.

18