A method of playing a modified version of blackjack between participants including a dealer and one or more players. The method includes the steps of each player placing a first wager to participate in a standard blackjack game against the dealer, and each player and the dealer placing a side wager into a side wager pot. The dealer then deals a two-card hand to each player and a two-card hand to the dealer and each hand is played out according to standard methods of playing blackjack. The method further includes awarding the side wager pot to the participant, if any, having a final hand count that is higher than all other final hand counts without exceeding twenty-one.