A method of playing a card game involves a dealer and at least one player. Each player makes at least first and second stage wagers against a gaming house conducting the game. The first card is dealt to each player for the first stage and a payout is made to each player having a winning card according to a predetermined payout schedule or rule. A second card is dealt to each player for a second stage and then a payout is made to each player having a winning hand of two cards by comparing each hand to the payout schedule of winning two card hands. In the event that there is at least one player who has won at the second stage so as to qualify for a third stage, a third card is dealt to each player who is qualified and a payout based on the third stage wager is made to each player having a winning hand at three cards by comparing the hand to a payout schedule for a winning three card hand. The card game may also include fourth and fifth stages for qualifying players who have made additional wagers for these stages.