Blackjack Tour says game show network is stacking the deck.

GAMBLERS know that marked cards, false shuffles or cards counting will get you thrown out of most any Las Vegas casino.

Century City-based Ultimate Blackjack Tour LLC is dragging one of its rivals, whom it accuses of the patent equivalent of bottom dealing, into Los Angeles Superior Court.

The firm filed suit last week against GSN, formerly known as the Game Show Network, for allegedly heisting its "elimination blackjack" format. The essence of the fast-paced UBT format, which is ideally suited for the small screen, involves quick elimination rounds and secret bets. The "Ultimate Blackjack Tour" will debut on CBS next month and the UBT has registered its format the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

The suit requests damages in excess of a million dollars, but even more than money, UBT wants the GSN show yanked from the air until it returns to the original, non elimination format it formerly featured.

UBT founders contend that they presented their ideas to GSN during two meetings in 2005 on a confidential basis, and offered to deal the network in on a blackjack show. The complaint alleges that although GSN declined the opportunity to work with the new tour, the network took some of UBT's ideas and incorporated them into its existing show the "World Series of Blackjack," which airs on Mondays and is in its third season. GSN officials declined comment on the suit.

BY ANNE RILEY-KATZ

Staff Reporter