Apparatus and Method of Blackjack Game with Dealer-Card Bonus Trigger

An electronically administered card game with a multi-tiered bonus game is disclosed. A wager is placed to play a blackjack base game. An optional side bet provides eligibility to players for a bonus game triggered when initial dealer cards are a colored pair. The bonus game occurs after the base game play is resolved. The rank of the initial dealer cards determines a bonus level for the bonus game and a number of indicia for corresponding multiplier and award pick fields. Based upon player indicia selection, a multiplier value for the bonus game is determined in addition to an award amount using a pyramid-pick field of award indicia descending in number in various tiers. Each tier contains indicia specifying a specific award amount and a single indicium enabling selection from a next-higher tier, if available. The bonus game award is determined by adjusting a selected award amount using the multiplier value or awarding a progressive jackpot at the highest bonus level.