Race to 9
Rev your engines and feel the thrill of the speedway with the newest game on the market, Race to 9, a blazing-fast casino game that keeps the action roaring all the way to the finish line! Both the player and dealer will successively draw cards, trying to achieve the highest total score for their hand. The house edge for this game is 2.03%.
How to Play
The player will place their initial mandatory wager on the Play wager spot. The player may also place optional “Dealer’s Hand” and “Nine Insurance” bonus side bets at this time. Each player will receive one card face up. The player may decide to stop there; however, they have the option to obtain up to three additional cards after that. The player can decide to stop anytime, but they must stop after their fourth card. The score will be tallied by adding the pips of each card. Tens and face cards equal zero, aces equal one, and the last digit is used as the final total. The closest to 9 wins. 9 is the highest score while 0 is the lowest.
Adding to the excitement of the game, the player also has the option to split or double down. Players may double down at any time. After doubling, there is no requirement to stop after one additional card, and redoubling is allowed. Splitting two cards with the same value may also be allowed if an extra wager is made, as long as the split hands receive one or more additional cards. If the casino offers double downs and splits, this reduces the house edge by 0.2%. Players may also surrender half their bet after 1, 2, or 3 cards.
How to Win
Once players have made their decision, it’s the dealer’s turn. The dealer will receive up to 3 cards and must stop if their score is 7 or higher. If the player’s score is higher than the dealer’s, they win and will be paid 1 to 1 on their Play wager. If the dealer’s score is higher, the player will lose their Play wager. The dealer wins all ties. The side bets will be paid or taken according to the payouts shown on the table.
The player will receive a bonus of 2 to 1 if he achieves an “Instant Win”. An “Instant Win” is when both the player and the dealer have one card, the player’s total score is a 9, and the dealer’s total score is an 8. If the casino also allows for an “Instant Win” on a 9 vs. 7, the house edge drops by 0.6%.
Side Bets
There are two optional side bets available for the player, Nine Insurance and the Dealer’s Hand wager. The Nine Insurance bet will win 8 to 1 if the dealer scores a 9 using two or three cards.
The Dealer’s Hand side bet pays depending on the dealer’s three-card hand. If the dealer has a three-card poker ranking, this side bet will be paid according to the posted pay table. If the dealer stops with one card, this side bet will automatically lose. If the dealer doesn’t have a poker ranking, this side bet will lose.
About the Inventor
Joseph Shipman is an accomplished Ph.D. mathematician, who served as Director of Math at Gaming Laboratories International in New Jersey. After years of seeing failed table game inventions and having a keen insight to what wasn’t available on the market, he used his experience and talents to invent and design new casino games.
Joseph Shipman, PH.D.
609-216-2182
josephshipman.com