Card reader for blackjack table

A method of using a card reading device for reading a specialized playing card and increasing the speed of play of a game of blackjack in a fair and secure manner, said card reading device being characterized as having a housing including a generally horizontally disposed top planar surface, said surface defining a means for viewing said portion of said specialized playing card while said playing card is disposed face-down on said top planar surface, receiving means adapted to receive said portion of said specialized playing card to be read, said receiving means being integrally connected to said top planar surface generally vertically above a portion of said viewing means, reflecting means for reflecting the image of said portion of said specialized playing card through said viewing means when said playing card is inserted within said receiving means, comprising the steps of:

• dealing a hand of blackjack to a plurality of players, including the dealer the dealer being dealt a face-up card and a down card;
• ascertaining whether the dealers' down card is an Ace, and if said down card is an Ace terminating the hand, or alternatively, if said down card is other than an Ace, continuing to play;
• wherein the step of ascertaining whether the dealers' down card is an Ace is carried out using said card reading device to read a portion of a specialized playing card.