A gaming system (1) comprises a primary wagering facility (6) which is
usable by a player to place an initial wager on a turn of a game of
blackjack, and a secondary wagering facility (7) which automatically
places a side wager on the same turn of the game of blackjack. The system
provides for two blackjack hands, a first one for the player and a second
one for a dealer. The system includes an accumulation facility (10) which
accumulates a fixed portion of the side wager in a pooled jackpot. The
side wager relates to an outcome of a first three cards dealt in the
player's hand. In particular, the side wager is deemed to be successful
if one or more of the first three cards dealt in the player's hand is of
a predetermined rank, or is of a particular suite, or both.