US20160296832A1

US20160296832A1 - Hybrid craps/blackjack game

Info

Publication number: US20160296832A1
Application number: US15/079,794
Authority: US
Inventors: Edward R. Newton
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2015-04-07
Filing date: 2016-03-24
Publication date: 2016-10-13

Abstract

A wagering game and method of wagering has a playing surface with at least one betting area and a dealing area, a point generator provided at the playing surface so as to generate a number of between two and twelve inclusive, and at least one deck of cards provided at the playing surface such that a card from the deck of cards is directed to a player at the betting area. The player loses the wager of a point total of the card exceeds the generated number from the point generator. The player places a first wager onto a first betting position at the betting area. A point total is generated by the point generator, a first card is dealt from the dealer to the player, another card is dealt from the deck of cards to the dealer, and an amount is paid out corresponded to the first wager at point total of the card to the player is less than the point total of the point generator and is greater than a point total of the card dealt to the dealer.

Description

RELATED U.S. APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/143,983, filed on Apr. 7, 2015, and entitled “Hybrid Craps/Blackjack Game”.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to various games. More particularly, the present invention relates to casino-based gambling games. More particularly, the present invention relates to games which are a combination of craps and blackjack.
2. Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 37 CFR 1.98.
Blackjack, also known as Twenty-One or by various other names, is a popular card game, often quoted is the most widely-played casino-banked game in the world. The traditional game is played with one or more standard decks of playing cards. At the beginning of each round, the player places a bet and receives an initial hand of two cards. The basic rules of the game involve adding the value of the two initial card hands in hopes of being dealt a value of twenty-one. If a value of less than twenty-one is dealt, the player may choose to be dealt single cards until they either reach a value of twenty-one, or reach a lesser value the player feels comfortable holding at, or reach a value that exceeds twenty-one. As between each player in the dealer independently, the winner holds a hand with the value of or nearest to twenty-one without exceeding it. The complete rules were blackjack are well known within the gambling industry.
In the past, various patents have issued with respect to games that employ a combination of craps and blackjack. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,515,369, issued on May 7, 1985 to E. L. Johnson, discloses a dice and blackjack game board. The game board combines the elements of craps and blackjack into a single combined game, wherein the rules of blackjack applied to the movement of game pieces, but the increment of movement is determined by the rolling of the die. In addition, the game board game pieces cooperate to provide movable obstructions to alter the path of travel of a pair of dice thrown upon the game board.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,695,192, issued on Dec. 9, 1997 to J. B. Brown, describes a craps game qualified by blackjack. This game combines the play of a card game, such as blackjack, based upon at least one card deck having fifty-two cards divided into four suites of deuces through aces and the play of craps based upon two dice each having six faces numbered one to six. The board presents a semi-circular playing area with a dealer playing area adjacent the straight diameter of the semicircular playing area and a plurality of player areas spaced about the circumference of the circular periphery of the semi-circular playing area and opposed to the dealer playing area. Each of the player areas comprises a rectangular card box and a plurality of craps wager indicator circles dividing the numbers two through twelve into a plurality of groups for wagering at different odds for each group. After the wagers based upon the cards are settled, each player who has beaten the dealer with a blackjack is offered the role of the dice and a craps wager on one of the craps wager circles. Before rolling the dice, the remaining players may also place bets on one of their respective craps wager circles. Each craps wager is then settled based on the outcome of the role of the dice.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,842,698, issued on Dec. 1, 1998 to J. B. Brown, shows a craps game qualified by a predetermined blackjack. This game is similar to that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,695,192 except that an accumulating pot is interleavingly supported by each player by placing a pot wager on one of the three wager indicator circles prior to the cards being dealt. A register keeps track of the initial pot wagers until a hand is complete. The pot accumulates from hand-to-hand until a player qualifies and wins at least a portion of the accumulated pot. A player qualifies to roll the dice for a portion of the pot by having a predetermined blackjack.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,144,012, issued on Dec. 5, 2006 the G. L. Grigsby, discloses a game called “Diejack”. This is an option in the game of Black Jack according to which the player pays a fee to buy the option to roll a single die. The outcome, which is a number between one and six inclusive, is added to the total point value of the players cards.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,286,967, issued on Oct. 16, 2012 M. Sparago discloses a craps-based side wager for a blackjack card game. If the player makes a side wager, two dice are rolled. If the sum of the two rolled dice is two, three or twelve, the side is automatically lost similar to the come-out roll in the game of craps. If the dice sum is seven or eleven, the side is automatically won. If the dice sum is anything other, a point is established. As in traditional blackjack, each player is dealt two cards face up and the dealer is dealt two cards, one face up. The player wins the side if one of their dealt cards has a face value equal to the point, or if the sum of their dealt cards equals the point.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,474,822, issued on Jul. 2, 2013 to Chen et al., teaches a modified blackjack card game that uses an electronic gaming machine and between six and eight decks of standard playing cards without jokers. This game utilizes a two-step wagering strategy in which one wins or loses based on two initial cards and continues to play or fold the hand. Six side bets are provided.
U.S. Patent Publication No. 2006/0214373, published on Sep. 28, 2006 M. A. Christian, teaches a craps game that utilizes specially-designed craps cards on a unique playing surface similar to a blackjack table with a special rail. There are one or two dealers who draw two cards from an automatic shuffler or shoe consisting of at least six decks. Each deck contains 48 cards, representing each of the six different indicia of the six surfaces on a die. These two cards are wagered and used as though they were the “roll” in a standard craps game. The table surface utilizes a customized layout with the wagering indicia of a standard craps table and played and wagered in the same manner by one to ten players. The layout of the table has the proposition bets in the middle section and the number, field, come, don't come, pass and don't pass sections on either side.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a game which combines the features of craps and blackjack.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a game which is particularly interesting to gamblers.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a game which allows the player to effectively make side bets based upon the continued outcome of the game.
It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a game which is easy to understand, easy to explain and relatively quick to play.
It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a game which maximizes the revenue to the casino from the game.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a reading of the attached specification and appended claims.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a wagering game that comprises a playing surface having at least one betting area and a dealing area, a point generator provided at the playing surface so as to generate a number of between two and twelve inclusive, and at least one deck of cards provided the playing surface such that a card from the deck of cards is directed toward a player at the betting area. The betting area has a first betting position of a second betting position. The dealer area has a point designation area. The point designation area has a location corresponding to the generated number. The player loses the wager if a point total of the card exceeds the generated number from the point generator.
In the wagering game of the present invention, the deck of cards has another card directed toward the dealer area. The player loses the bet if the point total of the card is less than a point total on the another card directed toward the dealer. The player also loses the bet if the point total of the card is equal to a point total on the card dealt to the dealer.
The playing surface of the wagering game of the present invention has an insurance designation in the playing area adjacent to the first and second betting positions. The point designation area has eleven separate positions respectively corresponding to the numbers between two and twelve inclusive. There is also an enhanced betting position at the betting area. The enhanced betting positions is selectively bettable so as to pay out if the generated number is a select double number of two cards of the deck of cards that are dealt to the player match the select double number of the generated number.
In the present invention, the point generator can comprise a pair of dice in which each die of the pair of dice has indicia of between one and six inclusive on respective faces of the die. The point generator can further include a shaker having an interior suitable for receiving the pair of dice therein and opening through which the pair of dice are released onto the playing surface. The point generator, alternatively, can be a group of cards in which each of the cards of the group of cards has a number or indicia thereon of between two and twelve inclusive.
The present invention is also a method of playing a wagering game that includes the steps of: (1) placing a first wager by player onto a first betting position at the betting area; (2) generating a point total by the point generator; (3) dealing a first card from the deck of cards to the player; (4) dealing a card from the deck of cards to the dealer; and (5) paying an amount corresponding to the first wager if a point total of the first card dealt to the player is less than the point total by the point generator and is greater than the point total of the card dealt to the dealer.
The method of the present invention further includes selectively placing a second wager onto a second betting position on the playing surface if a point total on the first card dealt the player is less than the point total by the point generator, dealing a second card from the deck of cards to the player, and paying an amount corresponded the first and second wagers if a point total of the points of the first and second cards is less than the point total generated by the point generator. The first wager is captured from the player by the dealer if the point total of the first card is greater than the point total of the point generator or if the point total of the first card is less than or equal to a point total of the card dealt to the dealer. The first and second wagers from the player are captured by the dealer if the point total of the first and second cards is greater than the point total of the point generator or if the point total of the first and second cards is less than or equal to a point total of the card dealt to the dealer.
The method of the present invention can further include placing an insurance wager at a third betting position in the betting area, and capturing the insurance wager by the dealer if the point total of the first card does not exceed the point total of the point generator.
The step of generating the point total includes rolling a pair of dice on the playing surface. A total number on the top surface of the pair of dice is the point total by the point generator. The point total of either the first card to the player are the card to the dealer corresponds to indicia on a face of the card in which each face card has one-halfpoint and in which the ace has one point and in which each of the other cards has a point corresponding to a number of pips on the card. The first wager can be selectively doubled by the player if each of the pair of dice has been identical indicia on the top surface thereof.
The playing surface has a point designation area having a plurality of betting locations corresponding to numbers of between two and twelve inclusive. Another wager can be placed on at least one of the plurality of betting locations prior to the step of generating a point total by the point generator. The wager that is placed on at least one of the plurality of betting locations is captured by the dealer if the point total of the point generator does not match the number on the betting location.
There is also an enhanced betting position on the playing surface. Another wager can be placed on the enhanced betting position. This another wager can be captured if the point total on the point generator does not match the point totals of the first and second cards dealt to the player. In particular, a first number is generated by the point generator and a second number is generated by the point generator. Each of these first and second numbers is between one and six inclusive. The another wager is captured in if at least one of the first and second numbers is not six and in which one of the first and second cards dealt to the player does not might have a point total of six.
This foregoing Section is intended to describe, with particularity, the preferred embodiment of the present invention. It is understood that modifications to this preferred embodiment can be made within the scope of the present claims. As such, this Section should not to be construed, in any way, as limiting of the broad scope of the present invention. The present invention should only be limited by the following claims and their legal equivalents.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the playing surface for the wagering game of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows the wagering game 10 in accordance with the present invention. The wagering game 10 has a playing surface 12 of a type similar to that used at a casino. In other words, the playing surface 12 can be formed of a felt material with several images and, representations, and indicia formed on this playing surface. In particular, the playing surface 12 includes a betting area 14 and a dealer area 16. The betting area 14 includes a plurality of betting stations 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28 and 30. As such, the wagering game 10 of the present invention can accommodate several players. However, within the concept of the present invention, only a single player can play the game.
The dealer area 16 can further include a point designation area 32, a chip storage area 34, a shuffle machine 36, a group of cards 38, and a tip box 40.
A point generator 42 is provided at the playing surface 12 so as to generate a number of between two and twelve inclusive. As can be seen, the point designation area 32 has locations corresponding respectively to the generated numbers of between two and twelve inclusive. In particular, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the point generator includes a pair of dice 44 and a shaker 46. The shaker 46 includes an opening 48 which allows the dice 44 to be shaken within the interior of the shaker 46 and released from the opening 48 onto the playing surface 12. The dice 44 is illustrated as presented on the playing surface 12 such that the top surfaces of each of the dice has indicia thereon. In FIG. 1, the indicia shown in FIG. 1 correspond to a point total of six (a point total of “2” is shown on one die and a point total of “4” as shown on the other dice).
Alternatively, in the present invention, a group of cards 38 can be provided. In certain states, the use of dice in a betting game is prohibited. As such, the group of cards 38 can be used as the point generator 42 in place of the dice 44. As such, this group of cards 38 can include indicia thereon of between two and twelve, inclusive, or can be similar to dice in that each card has indicia of thereon of between one and six so that, so as to simulate the rolling of a pair of dice, a pair of cards can be chosen so as to display a point total by the pair of cards. FIG. 1 shows that a card 50 has been played onto the playing surface 12 from the shuffling machine 36 or from the shoe. Additionally, in FIG. 1, it can be seen that there is a first card 52 and a second card 54 that are dealt adjacent to the betting area 20. Cards 52 and 54 are dealt to the player at the station 20 from the shoe 36 or shuffling machine. Each of the stations 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28 and 30 has a similar appearance. In particular, with respect to betting station 20, there is a first betting position 60 and a second betting position 62. There is also an insurance position 64 and an enhanced betting position 66.
The point designation area 32 has indicia corresponding to the total points on the pair of dice 44. As such, it displays separate indicators corresponding to the numbers two through twelve, inclusive. For the purposes of betting, when the pair of dice 44 create a generated number, a marker can be placed on one of the point designators in the point designation area 32. For example, a token, or other marker, can be placed into a portion 70 of the point designator “6” which corresponds to the point total of the pair of dice 44. As can be seen, each of the point designators in the point designation area 32 will have different betting values. For example, if the player would bet on numbers “2” and “12”, and if the pair of dice 44 should display either two or twelve, then the payoff will be 30 to 1. If the player bets either of the designators “3” or “11”, then the payoff will be 15 to 1. If the player bets either designators “4” or “10”, then the payoff will be 10 to 1. If the player bets designators “5” or “9”, then the payoff will be 7 to 1. If the player bets designators “6” or “8”, then the payoff will be 6 to 1. Finally, if the player bets designator “7” and if the numeral “7” appears on the pair of dice 44, then the payoff will be 4 to 1. Each of the bets in the point designation area 32 is made prior to the rolling of the pair of dice 44 for the generating of the number by the point generator 42.
In general, the wagering game 10 is a casino table game played with a pair of dice 44 and either a shoe 36 or a continuous shuffling machine containing six standard 52-card decks. The wagering game presents additional side bets (such as are shown in FIG. 1), “Perfect Harmony” and “Numbers by Request”.
The object of the game is for a player to obtain a one card or two card hand having a total score (counting face cards as one-half point, ace as one point, and the other cards as their number of pips) is closer to the “point” than the dealer's one-card hand. Any totals which exceed the point will “bust”.
At the beginning of each game, the players will place a first card on a specified gaming table location according to table limits. In particular, a first bet is placed on the first betting position 60. Players may also place an optional “Numbers by Request” side bet on any number of between two to twelve in the point designation area 32. These are spaces along the top of the playing surface 12. Players can also place an optional “Perfect Harmony” in the enhanced betting area 66. After these initial bets are placed, one of the players will use the shaker 46 in order to roll two dice. The dealer uncovers the dice and announces the point total of between two and twelve. That will serve as the game's “point”. A marker can then be placed onto one of the point designators in the point designation area 32. At this point in time, the “Numbers by Request” bets are settled, with players that that on the correct “point” winning according to the payoffs indicated in association with each of the point designators, and described hereinabove. If the “point” is not twelve, then the “Perfect Harmony” side bets on the enhanced betting position 66 are lost and are also collected at this time.
After the “point” is determined, players may choose to make an insurance bet of the same amount as their first card bet. The insurance bet is placed on to the third betting position 64 or otherwise known as the “insurance betting position”. This insurance bet will pay even money if the player's first card busts and will lose if the player's first card does not bust. Players taking insurance will lose the right to take a second card or to wager more money at a later stage. If the dice roll that creates the point total was “double” (i.e. the same number on both dice), the player that did not choose to make an insurance bet can choose to double the bet on the first betting position 60 that was placed for the first card bet.
The dealer then gives each of the players a face-up card and the dealer receives a face-down card. The players whose face-up card have a score value that exceeds the “point” will bust and lose their first card bet on the first betting position 60, unless they have taken insurance on the insurance betting position 64, in which case the hand would be a push (i.e. the loss of the first card that is balanced by winning the insurance bet). Players who have not busted may stay and pat, or, if they have not taken insurance, may choose to make an additional “second card” bet of equal value on the second betting position 62. The second card bet must be of equal value to the bet on the first betting position 64 for the first card. Such a player will then receive a second card. If they receive the second card, and their two card score exceeds the “point”, they bust and will lose both of the bets on the betting positions 60 and 62.
After all of the player cards have been dealt, if the “point” is twelve, any players who received both a first card of six and a second card of six will have accomplished the “Perfect Harmony” side bet on the enhanced betting position 66 and receive a fixed payout of a very large of amount of money (e.g. $4000). If this occurs, all of the other players who have made a side bet can receive an “Envy Bonus” payout of a lesser amount (e.g. $400). If multiple players win the “Perfect Harmony” side bet, multiple payouts are made so that the player can receive a pair of envy bonuses or a winning payout plus an envy bonus. Otherwise, all of the side bets on the enhanced betting position 66 are lost.
The dealer then exposes the face-down card and compares it score with the remaining players' one card or two card scores. Those players whose scores exceed the dealer's point total without busting are paid even money on their first card and, if made, their second card bets. Players that bust or who score ties or less than the dealer's score will lose their bets.
In the wagering game 10 of the present invention, the following cases will occur: (1) the player takes insurance, busts, as such, the overall hand is a push; (2) the player takes insurance, does not bust, but beats the dealer or the dealer bust so that the overall hand is a push; (3) the player takes insurance, does not bust, or loses to or ties the dealer hand, then the player loses both bets; (4) the player takes no insurance, does not double, and busts with one card so that the player loses the first card bet; (5) the player takes no insurance, does not double, stands pat, loses to or ties the dealer with one card so that the player loses the first card bet, (6) player takes no insurance, does not double, stands pat, beats the dealer with one card or the dealer busts, so that the player wins even money on the first card bed; (7) the player takes no insurance, doubles, stands pat, loses to or ties the dealer at one card so that the player loses the doubled first card bet; (8) the player takes no insurance, doubles, stands pat, beats the dealer with one card or the dealer busts so that the player wins even money on the doubled first card bet; (9) the player takes no insurance, does not double, takes a second card, busts or loses to or ties the dealer with two cards so that the player loses both bets; (10) the player takes no insurance, does not double, takes a second card, beats the dealer with two cards or the dealer busts so that the player wins even money on both bets; (1) the player takes no insurance, doubles, takes a second card, busts or loses to or ties the dealer with two cards so that the player loses both double bets; or (12) the player takes no insurance, doubles, takes a second card, beats the dealer with two cards or the dealer busts so that the player wins even money on both double bets. In this game, the house advantage comes from the dealer winning ties and mutual busts. The player has compensating advantages of being able to take a second card, buy insurance, and double initial bets.
A mathematical analysis was conducted with respect to the wagering game 10 of the present invention. Through a thorough analysis, the player's optimal strategy was found to be to take insurance when the “point” is either two or three, double the first card bet when the dice show 4-4 (a“point” of six), 5-5 (a“point” of 10), or 6-6 (a “point” of twelve), with the point of four or five, always stand in pat; with a point of six or seven, take a second card only with a one card score of ½ (one face card); with a point of eight, nine, ten, eleven or twelve, take a second card with a one card score less than or equal to one, two, three, four, or six respectively. Using this strategy, the game has a house edge of 3.195% of the initial wager. The average amount wagered is 1.451 units. The return to the player is 97.798% of the total money wagered.
The “Perfect Harmony” side bet wins with a probability of approximately one in 6328 games. The house edge will depend on the number of players, ranging from 36.79% if only one player makes the wager down to 5.19% of six players make the wager. Because of its sensitivity to the presence of “six” cards, this bet should only be offered when the game is played with a continuous shuffler.
When played with a shoe, it could be vulnerable to card counting.
The “Numbers by Request” side bet and the point designation area 32 has the house's edge at 130.89% for bets on “2” and “12”; 11.11% for bets on “3”, “5”, “9” and “11”; 8.33% for bets on “4” 10”; 16.67% for bets on “7”; and 2.78% for bets on “6” and “8”.
A card counting analysis was performed to see a players keeping track of the composition of the shoe could gain an advantage of the house. It was found that if the players are allowed to increase their bets by arbitrary amounts and enter the shoe at any point, they can gain an advantage, by using a count which favors high cards (for example, giving face cards and an ace through five a count of minus one when they come out of the shoe, and giving the cards seven, eight, nine counts of +1+2+2, +3, respectively, and betting whatever the running total divided by the number of decks left is at least six). Because low cards are better for the player, the player wants to see high cards come out of the shoe and low cards stay in the shoe. However, this advantage is small when compared to the house edge of 3.2% and smaller than the analogous advantage card counters can gain at blackjack. Prohibiting players from jumping into the shoe with less than two decks left, from raising their bet by more than five times, and shuffling when the shoe is down to one deck, should suffice to make card counting unprofitable. If the “Perfect Harmony” side bet is offered, the game is be played with a continuous shuffling machine. This is because it is very sensitive to the proportion of “six's” that remain in the shoe.
The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention is illustrative and explanatory thereof. Various changes in the details of the illustrated construction or in the steps of the described method can be made is the scope of the present invention without departing from the true spirit of the invention. The present invention should only be limited by the following claims and their legal equivalents.

Claims

I claim:

1. A wagering game comprising:

a playing surface having at least one betting area and a dealer area, the betting area having a first betting position and a second betting position, said dealer area having a point designation area;

a point generator provided at said playing surface so as to generate a number of between two and twelve inclusive, said point designation area having a location corresponding to the generated number; and

at least one deck of cards provided at said playing surface such that a card from the deck is directed toward a player at the betting area, the player losing the wager if a point total of the card exceeds the generated number from the point generator.

2. The wagering game of claim 1, the deck of cards having another card directed toward said dealer area, the player losing the bet if the point total of the card of the player is less than a point total on said another card of the dealer.

3. The wagering game of claim 1, the player losing the bet if the point total of the card to the player is equal to a point total on said another card to the dealer.

4. The wagering game of claim 1, further comprising:

an insurance designation in the playing area adjacent said first and second betting positions.

5. The wagering game of claim 1, said point designation area having eleven separate positions respectively corresponding to the numbers between two and twelve inclusive.

6. The wagering game of claim 1, further comprising:

an enhanced betting position at the betting area, said enhanced betting position selectively bettable so as to pay off if the generated number is a select double number and if two cards of the deck of cards that are dealt to the player match the select double number of the generated number.

7. The wagering game of claim 1, said point generator comprising:

a pair of dice in which each die of said pair of dice has indicia of between one and six inclusive on respective faces of the die.

8. The wagering game of claim 7, said point generator further comprising:

a shaker having an interior suitable for receiving said pair of dice therein and an opening through which said pair of dice are released onto said playing surface.

9. The wagering game claim 1, said point generator being a group of cards in which each of the cards of the group of cards has a number or indicia thereon of between two and twelve inclusive.

10. A method of playing a wagering game in which the wagering game has a playing surface with at least one betting area and a dealer area, the wagering game also having a deck of cards and a point generator, the method comprising:

placing a first wager by a player onto a first betting position at the betting area;

generating a point total by the point generator;

dealing a first card from the deck of cards to the player;

dealing another card from the deck of cards to the dealer; and

paying an amount corresponding to said first wager if a point total of the first card dealt to the player is less than the point total by the point generator and is greater than a point total of the card dealt to the dealer.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

selectively placing a second wager onto a second betting position on the playing surface if a point total on the first card dealt to the player is less than the point total by the point generator;

dealing a second card from the deck of cards to the player; and

paying an amount corresponding to the first and second wagers if a point total of the points of said first and second cards is less than the point total generated by the point generator.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

capturing the first wager from the player by the dealer if the point total of the first card is greater than the point total of the point generator or if the point total of the first card is less than or equal to a point total of the card dealt to the dealer.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

capturing the first and second wagers from the player by the if dealer the point total of the first and second cards is greater than the point total of the point generator or if the point total of the first and second cards is less than or equal to a point total of the card dealt to the dealer.

14. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

placing an insurance wager at a third betting position in the betting area; and

capturing the insurance wager if the point total of the first card does not exceed the point total of the point generator.

15. The method of claim 10, the step of generating the point total comprising:

rolling a pair of dice onto the playing surface, the total number displayed on a top surface of the pair of dice being the point total by the point generator.

16. The method of claim 10, the point total of either the first card to the player or the card to the dealer corresponds to indicia on a face of the card in which each face card has a point of one-half point and in which the ace has a point of one point and in which each of the other cards has a point corresponding to a number of pips on the card.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

selectively doubling of said first wager by the player if each of the pair of dice has identical indicia on the top surface thereof.

18. The method of claim 10, the playing surface having a point designation area having a plurality of betting locations corresponding respectively to numbers of between two and twelve inclusive, the method comprising:

placing another wager on at least one of said plurality of betting locations prior to the step of generating a point total by the point generator; and

capturing the another wager if the point total of the point generator does not match the number on the betting location.

19. The method of claim 11, the playing surface having an enhanced betting position thereon, method further comprising:

placing another wager on said enhanced betting position; and

capturing the another wager if the point total on the point generator does not match the point total of said first and second cards dealt to the player.

20. The method of claim 19, the step of generating comprising:

generating a first number by the point generator,

generating a second number by the point generator, each of said first and second numbers being between one and six inclusive, the step of capturing comprising:

capturing the another wager of at least one of the first and second numbers is not six and if one of the first and second cards dealt to the player does not match a point total of six.