In a poker game variation in which one or more players play against the house, the player(s) place bets and then three face-up hands consisting of two cards each are dealt. Player(s) each choose one of the three hands and then five communal cards are dealt face-up. In a first embodiment, all five communal cards are dealt face-up at one time, and then the winning hand(s) is determined by comparing the three hands in conjunction with the communal cards using poker rank as the criterion for comparison. Each player betting on the winning hand wins his or her bet. In a second embodiment, three of the five communal cards are turned face-up, after which all players have the option of surrendering one-half of their bet and folding. After the surrender opportunity, the remaining two communal cards are turned face-up and the winning hand determined using poker rank as the criterion for comparison. A third embodiment is identical to the second embodiment, with the exception that winning players are paid a bonus amount depending upon the poker rank of the winning hand. For example, a royal flush pays 50 to 1, a straight flush pays 20 to 1, etc. Live casino and video poker versions of each of the three embodiments of the game are disclosed. A novel gaming table layout for use in the live casino versions of the game is also disclosed.

The method of the present invention involves a Twenty-One game, in which, in addition to his normal wager, a player will have the option of making an additional wager that becomes part of, and makes the player eligible to win, the progressive jackpot. If the player's Twenty-One hand comprises a particular, predetermined arrangement of cards, the player will win all, or part of, the amount showing on the progressive jackpot. In a Twenty-One game using any number of decks of cards, the predetermined winning arrangements of cards preferred in the present invention are an Ace, Two, Three, Four and Five suited; a Two, Three, Four and Five suited; a Four, Five and Six suited; a Four, Five and Six unsuited; an Ace-Jack suited; and optionally any Blackjack suited and any Blackjack unsuited. In a Twenty-One game that utilizes a six deck shoe, an alternative predetermined winning arrangements of cards preferred in the present invention are Five Three's unsuited; Three Five's suited; a Four, Five and Six suited; a Four, Five and Six unsuited and an Ace-Jack suited.