(12) Unlted States Patent
`(10) Patent No.:
`US 6,237,916 B1
`
`Webb
`(45) Date of Patent:
`May 29, 2001
`
`USOO6237916B1
`
`(54) METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PLAYING
`CARI) GAMES
`
`(75)
`
`Inventor: Derek J_ Webb, Derby (GB)
`
`(73) Assignee: Shuflle Master Gaming, Las Vegas,
`NV (US)
`
`( * ) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/170,092
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Oct. 13, 1998
`
`Related US. Application Data
`
`(60)
`
`Continuation—in—part of application No. 08/889,919, filed on
`Jul. 10, 1997, which is a diVision of application No. 08/504,
`023, filed on Jul. 19, 1995, now Pat. No. 5,685,774.
`
`(30)
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`Jul. 22, 1994
`Dec. 29, 1994
`
`(GB)
`(GB)
`
`.................................................. 9414822
`.................................................. 9426324
`
`Int. Cl.7 ........................................................ A63F 1/00
`(51)
`(52) US. Cl.
`............................................... 273/292; 463/13
`(58) Field of Search .................................. 463/12, 13, 46,
`463/17; 273/292
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
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`4,836,553
`5,098,107
`5,174,579
`5,257,784
`5,257,810
`5,265,877
`5,275,415
`5,288,081
`5,294,128
`
`5/1988 Wood ................................... 273/292
`6/1989 Suttle etal.
`273/292
`.
`3/1992 Boylan et al.
`273/292
`12/1992 Griffiths .........
`273/292
`11/1993 Boylan et al.
`.
`273/138
`11/1993 Schorr et al.
`..
`273/292
`11/1993 Boylan et al.
`.
`273/139
`1/1994 Wisted .......
`273/274
`2/1994 Breeding
`273/292
`3/1994 Marquez .............................. 273/292
`
`
`
`5,308,065
`5,366,228
`5,377,973
`
`................. 273/292
`5/1994 Bridgeman et al.
`11/1994 Kangsanaraks ...................... 273/292
`
`1/1995 Jones et al.
`. 273/292
`
`1/1995 Josephs ............... 463/12
`5,377,993 *
`. 273/292
`3/1995 Hesse et al.
`5,397,128 *
`7/1995 Adams ................................. 273/306
`5,431,408
`2/1996 Moody ................................. 273/292
`5,489,101
`4/1996 Eberhardt et al.
`463/17
`5,505,449 *
`
`.. 273/292
`7/1996 Moody .............
`5,531,448
`
`..... 273/306
`7/1996 Green
`5,538,252
`
`..... 273/292
`12/1996 Franklin
`5,584,486
`8/1997 Dahl ............... 273/274
`5,653,444
`
`10/1997 Vancura
`..... 273/292
`5,673,917
`3/1998 Moody ................................. 273/292
`5,732,950
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`667345
`
`2/1952 (GB).
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`filing with the Bureau voor de Intellectuele
`Copyright
`Eigendom, Aruba, 13 pgs, (Jan. 13, 1988).
`Published Rule Sheet for Casino Poker from Vegas World,
`1 page, (1982).
`“Card Craps”, Scarne’s Encyclopedia of Card Games, pp.
`321—323, (1948).
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`Primary Examiner—Benj amin H. Layno
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Mark A. Litman &
`Associates, PA.
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`Card games that combine the play of a Poker-variant card
`game (e.g., three-, four-, and five-card Poker) with a side
`wager (e.g., Pair Plus). Players wagering against a dealer’s
`hand, optionally wager against a predetermined ranking of
`winning hands, and may place additional wagers. According
`to another aspect, players are provided with a wild card
`which is retained and used repeatedly by each player with
`each hand.
`
`52 Claims, 1 Drawing Sheet
`
`10
`
`
`
`Page 1
`
`GTECH EXHIBIT 1013
`
`Page 1
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`May 29, 2001
`
`US 6,237,916 B1
`
`or
`
`Page 2
`
`Page 2
`
`

`

`US 6,237,916 B1
`
`1
`METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PLAYING
`CARD GAMES
`
`RELATED APPLICATIONS
`
`This is a continuation-in-part of US. application Ser. No.
`08/889,919, filed Jul. 10, 1997, which is a division of US.
`application Ser. No. 08/504,023, filed Jul. 19, 1995, US.
`Pat. No. 5,685,774.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`
`2
`machines, electronic games and devices, lottery terminals,
`scratch-card formats, software as well as in-flight, home, and
`Internet entertainment. Moreover,
`the invention can be
`readily implemented in software, which can be stored on a
`disk (e.g., magnetic disk, compact disk (CD), etc.) and used
`with a computer system.
`The foregoing, and other features and advantages of the
`invention, will be apparent from the following, more par-
`ticular description of the preferred embodiments of the
`invention,
`the accompanying drawing, and the appended
`claims.
`
`5
`
`10
`
`The invention relates to card games. More particularly,
`the invention relates to card-type games suitable for gaming
`establishments and other environments.
`
`15
`
`2. Description of Related Art
`Casinos and leisure establishments continually require
`new games to offer their clientele. Such games are generally
`required to enable each player to play against a banker (who
`usually also acts as dealer) provided by the casino, rather
`than against other players. Alternatively, in a “card room”
`game each player may have the option to act as banker while
`the establishment runs the game on behalf of the banker and
`takes fees from the players.
`Players typically enjoy games which can be played rap-
`idly and which offer players a plurality of choices. A
`plurality of choices heightens player interest in games. It
`would therefore be desirable to provide card games includ-
`ing a plurality of new wagering options.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention provides card games that combine
`the play of a Poker-variant card game (e.g., three-, four-, and
`five-card Poker) with a side wager (e.g., Pair Plus). In a
`casino embodiment, the invention can be played in conjunc-
`tion with a conventional casino-type table and a single
`standard deck of 52 playing cards. In such an embodiment,
`the table also displays a payoff scale on the side wager and
`further instructional and promotional information.
`In a three-card embodiment of the present invention, each
`player places an Ante wager and an optional Pair Plus wager
`at the beginning of a round of the game. The Ante wager is
`a bet that the player will receive a hand with a higher rank
`than that of a dealer. The Pair Plus wager is a bet that the
`player’s hand will have a higher rank than a predetermined
`rank (e.g., a Pair).
`The dealer then deals himself (face-down) and each
`player three cards (either face-up or face-down). Each
`player, after inspecting his hand, places a Play wager if he
`desires to continue with the round. If, however, a player
`chooses not to proceed his Ante and Pair Plus (if placed)
`wagers are forfeited and his cards are discarded. The dealer
`then reveals his hand and those of each player (if not already
`visible) and resolves each player’s wager(s).
`Awild card can also be used with the present invention.
`Such cards are distinguishable from the other cards in play
`and can also serve as a memento and/or a promotional item
`to be retained by the player.
`As the invention can be practiced on existing casino
`tables, the invention provides casino operators with addi-
`tional revenue generating features without requiring extra
`casino tables, space, or game surveillance.
`The invention can also be readily implemented in a wide
`variety of additional forms and media including, single
`player slot video machines, multi-player slot video
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
`
`FIG. 1 illustrates a playing surface (layout) of a casino-
`type table in accordance with the invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`
`The preferred embodiments of the invention arc now
`described with reference to the figure where like reference
`numbers indicate like elements.
`
`The various embodiments of the present invention are
`directed to card-type games wherein indicia of playing cards
`are displayed to one or more players and/or a dealer. As used
`herein, the phrase “indicia of playing cards” is meant to
`include actual playing cards, as well as images of playing
`cards displayed either mechanically, electro-mechanically,
`electronically or otherwise. For example, it is well within the
`scope of the present invention to display indicia of playing
`cards on an actual board game, on a mechanical slot
`machine, on an electronic gaming device, on another video
`screen, or utilizing another form of image generation such as
`holography. Similarly, the phrase “indicia of wild cards” as
`used herein may include jokers from a standard deck of
`playing cards but may also comprise other indicia which,
`according to rules of the game, may be used for at least one
`other value.
`
`The present invention provides improvements over the
`card games taught
`in commonly owned US. Pat. No.
`5,685,774 to Webb and commonly owned, co-pending US.
`patent application Ser. No. 08/889,919, the disclosures of
`which are incorporated herein by reference.
`The card games taught in US. Pat. No. 5,685,774 provide
`players the choice of betting their hands against a dealer
`hand (e.g., an “Ante” wager), or against a predetermined
`rank (e.g., a “Pair Plus” wager), or placing both wagers.
`Although these wager features should provide for a
`dynamic gaming experience, practice has shown that players
`tend to have a bias toward Pair Plus wagering. Accordingly,
`some of the unique advantages of the card games taught in
`the foregoing patent are not consistently realized in practice.
`Players appear to choose the Pair Plus wager option, at
`exclusion of the Ante option, for a number of reasons.
`Firstly, in a casino environment, table layout design requires
`that the higher odds payoff bet is placed closest to the dealer,
`and new players tend to automatically bet the wager closest
`to the dealer if they are unfamiliar with the game. Secondly,
`dealer wages are basic minimums and are supplemented by
`tips or tokes, so if dealers perceive that a certain method of
`play generates more tokes then that mode of play is encour-
`aged. Although the perception is erroneous, this is the case
`with the Pair Plus wager. Thirdly, some players play poorly
`when playing Ante and have a more negative experience
`than they should, and thus gravitate towards Pair Plus.
`Fourthly, some casinos may not have utilized best methods
`
`Page 3
`
`Page 3
`
`

`

`US 6,237,916 B1
`
`4
`In a three-card version of the game, hands are preferably
`ranked according to the following hierarchy, wherein
`A=Ace, K=King, Q=Queen, J=Jack, and numbers 10 to 2
`designate the other cards:
`
`Straight Flush:
`
`Three of a Kind:
`
`Three of one suit in sequence
`AKQ highest
`KQJ next highest
`QJlO next highest,
`and so on, until
`32A lowest
`Three of one rank
`AAA highest
`KKK next highest,
`and so on, until
`222 lowest
`Three of mixed suits in sequence
`AKQ highest
`KQJ next highest,
`and so on, until
`32A lowest
`Three of one suit
`AKJ highest
`AK10 next highest,
`and so on, until
`532 lowest
`Two of same rank
`AAK highest
`AAQ next highest,
`and so on, until
`223 lowest
`A hand comprising none of the above
`AKJ highest
`AK10 next highest,
`and so on, until
`532 lowest
`Ace is high, but can be low in 3-2—A sequence
`
`Straight:
`
`Flush:
`
`Pair:
`
`High card:
`
`Highest:
`
`Lowest:
`
`3
`of shuffling for this type of game, which may have resulted
`in more premium hands being generated than was expected
`by random distribution.
`As a result of these various factors, such embodiments
`operate at less than optimal levels. For example, with a
`player bias toward Pair Plus waging, player win frequency
`is lower. Secondly, there is less player-dealer interaction,
`thus the sociability aspect of the game is adversely effected.
`Thirdly, the game does not appear as attractive to a spectator
`trying to learn the game. Fourthly, the overall volume of
`business is reduced when some players are not exploiting all
`the wager options. Fifthly,
`the casino results are more
`volatile as more wagers are concentrated on the higher
`payoff scale. Sixthly, the combined factors described impact
`unfavorably on the casinos most commonly used measure-
`ment of relative game merit, the hold percentage.
`The present
`invention provides card games that also
`combine the play of a Poker-variant card game (e.g., three-,
`four-, and five-card Poker) with a side wager (e.g., Pair
`Plus). However, the wager options in the present invention
`are structured to ensure greater overall game performance.
`FIG. 1 illustrates a playing surface or table layout 10 on
`which one embodiment of the present invention may be
`played. Layout 10 may be marked or placed on any suitable
`surface such as a gaming table. For example, the layout may
`be in the form of a layout cloth supported on a supporting
`surface. In general, the invention can be practiced on exist-
`ing casino tables,
`thus providing casino operators with
`additional revenue generating features without requiring
`extra casino tables, space, or game surveillance.
`Layout 10 provides a playing area 12 for a plurality of
`players, for example seven players, and a separate area 14
`for a banker who also preferably acts as a dealer. Each
`playing area 12 has a number of marked sections or zones
`16, 18, and 20 for the player to place various wagers as will
`be described hereinafter. Layout 10 also displays various
`payout schedules 22, 24, and 26. Other wager areas and/or
`information can be displayed on layout 10, such as the
`“Three Card Poker” promotional markings illustrated in
`FIG. 1.
`
`Each player takes a place at one of the areas 12. The game
`is played in a number of rounds as will be described. In each
`round, each player plays against the dealer and optionally
`wagers on the rank of his hand. The game can be played with
`a standard 52-card deck or a modified deck as described
`herein.
`
`the commencement of a game, each player who
`At
`decides to play a particular round of the game must wager
`on the value of that player’s hand against that of the dealer
`(Ante wager) and may place an optional wager (Pair Plus
`wager). Each player makes an Ante wager by placing an
`appropriate wager, such as a toke (or chip), in section 18 of
`his playing area 12. The gaming chips may be of any
`conventional kind and available in a number of denomina-
`
`tions such as are well known within the art. If the player
`wishes to make the optional Pair Plus wager based on the
`value of his hand, he places an appropriate toke (or chip) in
`section 16 of his playing area 12. In an alternative variation
`of the game, the Pair Plus wager can only be placed if the
`Ante wager is also placed. This variation is illustrated in the
`Figure beneath the “Three-Card Poker” promotional
`marking, providing “TO BET Pair Plus ALSO BET Ante.”
`In the present example, the rules of the game provide that
`payouts will be made according to displayed payout sched-
`ules 22 (Pair Plus payouts starting at a Pair or better) and 24
`(Ante payouts).
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
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`60
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`65
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`Page 4
`
`As would be apparent to one skilled in the art other rankings
`can be practiced with the invention.
`Additionally, for hands other than three cards, rankings
`would be suitably changed as would predetermined ranks
`and payouts. One skilled in the art will appreciate that other
`rankings can be practiced with the invention and that various
`other names may be used for the hands in the illustrative
`hierarchy set forth herein. For example, Straight Flush may
`also be known as a Brag or Bouncer, Three of a Kind may
`also be known as Trips or Prile; and a Straight may also be
`known as a Run.
`The payout schedule may be varied in accordance with
`rules of the game and/or by the casino. For example, as
`illustrated in FIG. 1 (schedule 22), the payout schedule of
`this preferred embodiment is as follows:
`
`Straight Flush
`Three of a Kind
`Straight
`Flush
`Pair
`
`35 to 1
`33 to 1
`6 to 1
`4 to 1
`1 to 1.
`
`Alternatively, in a gaming establishment or jurisdiction
`where high odds payouts are not favored, a wager can be
`made that the value of the hand will be a Pair or greater, and
`the payout may be, for example, 14 to 5. One skilled in the
`art would appreciate that payouts may be varied without
`departing from the scope of the invention.
`The payout schedules are preferably displayed in a con-
`venient manner and location. The details of payouts and any
`other payouts (e.g., extra bonus) may be marked on each
`player’s playing area 12 as illustrated in FIG. 1. However,
`alternative arrangements can be used with the invention.
`
`Page 4
`
`

`

`US 6,237,916 B1
`
`5
`According to a preferred embodiment of the present
`invention, the two wagering options are independent, so that
`a player may wager unequal amounts on the Ante and Pair
`Plus options. In an alternative variation of the game, the
`Ante and Pair bets have a prescribed relationship. For
`example, as illustrated under the “Three-Card Poker” pro-
`motional marking in the Figure, the maximum Pair Plus
`wager is double the Ante wager.
`After the above wagers are placed, the dealer preferably
`shuffles the cards (manually or otherwise) and then deals a
`three-card hand to each player and to himself. The cards may
`initially be dealt to the players face-up or face-down depend-
`ing upon casino policy. All the dealer’s cards are dealt
`face-down in this preferred embodiment.
`After the cards have been dealt, the player inspects his
`hand and determines whether he wishes either to forfeit his
`
`Ante wager and not to play the hand, or to continue. If he
`wishes to continue, according to this illustrated embodiment,
`he must place a Play wager, which must be of proportionate
`value to and is preferably the same as the Ante wager. The
`Play wager is made by placing an appropriate toke (or chip)
`in section 20 of his playing area 12. After making the Play
`wager, the player places his cards in the area below section
`20.
`
`If a player has only made an Ante wager and decides not
`to make a Play wager, he forfeits his Ante wager, which is
`taken by the banker and the player’s cards are discarded
`before the game proceeds. If the player has also placed a Pair
`Plus wager, that wager is not affected, but the player must
`make a Play wager if he has a winning Pair Plus wager.
`At
`this point,
`the dealer then reveals his cards and
`arranges the cards to show the value of his hand. The dealer
`then in turn reveals each other player’s hand (if not already
`visible) and resolves each player’s wager(s).
`All players with Ante and Play wagers are automatically
`winners if the dealer does not have a Queen high hand or
`better. This rank may be varied in accordance with rules of
`the game or of the casino. As is illustrated in FIG. 1
`(schedule 24), players are preferably paid even money (one
`to one) on their Ante wager and their Play wager is returned
`(a Push).
`If the dealer has a Queen high hand or better, each
`player’s hand is compared with that of the dealer. If the
`player’s hand is higher (i.e., the rank of the player’s hand
`exceeds that of the dealer’s hand), the player is paid even
`money on both Ante and Play wagers (schedule 24). If the
`player’s hand is lower, the player forfeits his Ante and Play
`wagers. If the dealer and player have the same hand, the
`player may either withdraw his wager or leave or amend it
`for the next round.
`
`Preferably an additional extra bonus payout (e.g., Ante
`Bonus) is made by the banker to any player who is in play
`against the dealer (i.e., who has made the Ante and Play
`wagers) and who has a hand of a high rank. The ranks to
`which such extra bonus payouts are made may be predeter-
`mined by rules of the game and/or the casino. For example,
`as illustrated in FIG. 1 (schedule 26), the extra bonus payout
`schedule of this preferred embodiment is as follows:
`
`Straight Flush
`Three of a Kind
`Straight
`
`6 to 1
`5 to 1
`1 to 1.
`
`Alternatively, the extra bonus payout may be 7 to 5 for a
`Straight or higher ranking hand. The extra bonus payout is
`preferably based on the Ante wager.
`
`6
`Players who have also wagered on the value of the hand
`(i.e., Pair Plus wagers) win if the hand is at least a Pair, and
`are paid by the banker according to the posted scale (e.g.,
`schedule 22 of FIG. 1. These payouts are independent of the
`results of the game against the dealer.
`This procedure completes a single round of the game.
`Play then continues in another round, with players com-
`mencing by making Ante and optional Pair Plus wagers.
`Accordingly, one embodiment of the present invention
`includes the steps of: establishing a hierarchy of a plurality
`of possible hands; establishing a predetermined plurality of
`winning card combinations; placing a wager that a player’s
`hand rank will exceed that of a dealer’s hand; providing the
`player with at least one wagering option, wherein one of the
`wagering options is that the player’s hand will have a rank
`of a predetermined plurality of winning combinations; dis-
`playing a plurality of indicia of playing cards to format at
`least one player’s hand and a dealer’s hand; and resolving
`wagers of the at least one player.
`According to another embodiment of the present
`invention, there is provided a method of playing a card-type
`game involving one or more persons acting as a dealer and
`a banker, and at least one player, the method includes the
`steps of: the or each player placing a first wager the player’s
`hand will exceed the dealer’s hand;
`the or each player
`placing an optional second wager that the player’s hand will
`be at least a first predetermined rank, where all possible
`hands are ranked according to predetermined rules;
`the
`dealer dealing to each player (including himself) a hand of
`cards; the or each player inspecting his or her hand and
`deciding either to forfeit the first wager to the banker or to
`place a third wager; the dealer revealing his hand (if already
`not shown) and determining whether the dealer’s hand is at
`least a second predetermined rank; and if the dealer’s hand
`is not at least the second predetermined rank, the banker
`paying each player an amount based on the first wager and
`returning the third wager to the player; or if the dealer’s hand
`is at least the second predetermined rank, comparing the
`dealer’s hand in turn with that of each other player and if the
`player’s hand is higher, the banker paying the player an
`amount based on both the first and third wagers, and if the
`player’s hand is lower, the player forfeiting both the first and
`third wagers to the banker; the banker paying in accordance
`with a predetermined scale any player who placed the
`second and third wagers and whose hand is at least the first
`predetermined rank; and the banker paying an extra bonus if
`the player’s hand exceeds a third predetermined rank.
`The present invention can also be practiced with a wild
`card. The wild card is a combined playing and promotional
`card that may be used separately or in conjunction with one
`of the other embodiments of the present
`invention.
`Examples of such wild cards are as illustrated and described
`in US. Pat. No. 5,685,774. The wild card provides a dual
`function. As discussed below, during the play of a game, in
`accordance with the invention, the card can be used as a wild
`card. Subsequent to the game, the card can be taken away by
`the player and retained as a memento and also serves as a
`promotional item.
`In a three-card version of the game described above, a
`player may be provided with two standard cards and a wild
`card to form a three-card Poker hand. Alternatively, at least
`one player may be provided with three cards and be per-
`mitted to discard one card in order to form his best three-
`
`card hand using the wild card.
`Similarly, in four- and five-card versions of the game a
`wild card can be issued to each player and to the dealer. The
`players and dealer then use the wild card repeatedly in
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`Page 5
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`Page 5
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`

`

`US 6,237,916 B1
`
`7
`conjunction with each four-card hand dealt to them to make
`a five-card Poker hand. In a five-card game each player and
`the dealer may substitute the wild card for any card in their
`hand to improve the five-card hand they hold. This has the
`result of creating higher hand values and adding excitement
`to the game. According to each of these embodiments, the
`dealer is also preferably provided with the same number of
`standard cards and a wild card as provided to each player.
`In accordance with one embodiment of the present inven-
`tion with a wild card, a method includes the steps of:
`designating at
`least one playing card indicia as a wild
`indicia; providing each player with at least one of the wild
`indicia for repeated use by the player; and playing a plurality
`of card games wherein the wild indicia is used repeatedly in
`each of the hands.
`Various other embodiments of the present invention pro-
`vide methods of playing the card-type game involving one
`or more persons acting as a dealer and a banker, at least one
`player, and a wild card. For example, one such method
`includes the steps of: each player receiving a wild card
`which the player retains throughout the game for use with
`each hand of cards dealt to him; the dealer dealing to each
`player successive hands of cards as the game progresses,
`each hand of cards being played in accordance with the rules
`before the next hand is dealt; and the player using the wild
`card in conjunction with each hand to improve the rank of
`the hand in accordance with predetermined hand rankings.
`From the present description, those skilled in the art will
`appreciate that various modifications may be made without
`department from the scope of the present invention. For
`example,
`the naming of the wagers,
`the naming and/or
`ranking of any hand, the payout schedule and predetermined
`winning or losing ranks may be varied in accordance with
`the requirements of the casino. The table layout may be
`varied from that described and shown. The rules may be
`varied, or additional rules imposed, within the scope of the
`invention.
`
`In addition, the present invention can be practiced with a
`further option of a player wagering on a high odds payout
`wager or on a fixed or variable jackpot which is paid out in
`accordance with rules of the casino on a premium hand, or
`when a high ranked hand is beaten by the dealer. Examples
`of odds available could be 5000 to 1 or more against a Royal
`Flush-Ace, King, Queen suited or up to 250,000 to 1 or more
`against a Straight Flush being beaten by a higher Straight
`Flush. In addition, the player’s hand may be combined with
`the dealer’s hand to form a six-card hand offering odds of up
`to 4,000,000 to 1 or more against Ace to nine in the same suit
`(i.e., Ace, King, Queen, Jack, 10, and 9 suited). Two or more
`of these wagers could be combined with suitably reduced
`odds and if desired consolation payouts could be made to
`players having hands less than the premium hand and/or to
`other players who have taken part in the jackpot.
`According to another embodiment of the present
`invention, a player may be provided with a payout based on
`one or more of the following:
`(a) a player’s hand of a specified ranking is an automatic
`winner, with a payout based either on the Ante or the
`Play wager or both, regardless of the contest against the
`dealer (i.e., even if the dealer has a higher hand than the
`player);
`(b) a player’s hand of specified ranking could be an
`automatic non-loser (i.e., the player’s stake is returned)
`based on either the Ante or Play wager or both regard-
`less of the contest against the dealer (i.e., even if the
`dealer has a higher hand); and/or
`(c) a player’s hand of specified ranking could win the play
`wager if the dealer’s hand is of a specified ranking
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`8
`
`below the dealer’s minimum specified ranking (i.e., in
`the embodiment described above the specified ranking
`is Queen high or better, so that the additional specified
`ranking could be Jack high or lower).
`In addition, another jackpot wager can be used with the
`present invention. For example, in order for a player to place
`a jackpot wager, both Ante and Pair Plus wagers must be
`placed. This jackpot wager can have a high payoff on
`premium hands only. One preferred payout schedule is as
`follows:
`
`Straight Flush
`Three of a Kind
`
`255 to 1
`200 to 1.
`
`Also, Ace, King, and Queen suited could be called a Royal
`Flush with the following preferred payout schedule:
`
`Royal Flush
`Straight Flush
`Three of a Kind
`
`1,000 to 1
`200 to 1
`150 to 1.
`
`if desired, an additional wager may be
`Furthermore,
`placed on the total numerical value of a player’s hand. For
`example, picture cards preferably count as ten points, Aces
`count as one point, and the other cards two to ten points, the
`total being compared to the dealer’s total and the higher total
`winning. Tied hands may be won by the dealer or half stakes
`won by the dealer on tied hands.
`Where the game incorporates jackpot and/or numerical
`hand value wagers, separate designated wagering areas may
`be provided for these wagers. These areas may be incorpo-
`rated at any convenient position on the players’ playing
`areas. In addition, the wild and promotional card may also
`be modified or omitted as desired in such embodiments with
`
`jackpot and/or numerical hand value wagers.
`While the foregoing preferred embodiments have been
`particularly described for play in a gaming establishment
`environment,
`it would be apparent to one skilled in the
`relevant art that the present invention can be embodied in a
`wide variety of forms and media including, but not limited
`to, single player slot video machines, multi-player slot video
`machines, electronic games and devices, lottery terminals,
`scratch-card formats, software as well as in-flight, home, and
`Internet entertainment. The gaming devices can facilitate
`games for a single player against
`the playing device.
`However, it is also within the scope of the present invention
`to provide a multi-unit video format wherein a plurality of
`players may play against each other and/or against a dealer.
`Those skilled in the art will appreciate that suitable controls
`can be provided for receiving and processing the necessary
`inputs and therefore will not be described in detail herein. In
`addition,
`the invention can be readily implemented as a
`computer program product (e.g., floppy disk, compact disk
`(CD), etc.) comprising a computer readable medium having
`control logic recorded therein to implement the features of
`the invention as described in relation to the other preferred
`embodiments. The control
`logic can be loaded into the
`memory of a computer and executed by a central processing
`unit (CPU) to perform the operations described herein.
`Accordingly, one preferred embodiment of the invention
`is an apparatus for playing a card-type game including at
`least: means for informing at least one player of a hierarchy
`of a plurality of possible hands and a predetermined plurality
`of winning card combinations; means for receiving a first
`
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`US 6,237,916 B1
`
`9
`wager that a player’s hand will have a higher ranking than
`a hand of a dealer; means for receiving an optional second
`wager that the player’s hand will have at least one of the
`predetermined plurality of winning combinations; and
`means for displaying a plurality of indicia of playing cards
`to form at least one player’s hand and a dealer’s hand.
`Although the invention has been particularly shown and
`described with reference to several preferred embodiments
`thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the relevant
`art that various changes in form and details may be made
`therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the
`invention as defined in the appended claims.
`What is claimed is:
`
`1. A method of playing only three-card poker card game,
`comprising the steps of:
`
`receiving a first wager that a player’s three-card hand will
`exceed a dealer’s three-card hand;
`receiving an optional second wager that said player’s
`three-card hand will be at least a first predetermined
`rank;
`dealing only three cards each to said player and to said
`dealer;
`from said player,
`third wager
`receiving an optional
`wherein if said third wager is not received, said player
`forfeits said first wager and any said second wager;
`determining whether said dealer’s three-card hand is at
`least a second predetermined rank,
`if said dealer’s three-card hand is not at least said
`
`second predetermined rank, paying said player an
`amount based on said first wager and returning said
`third wager to said player,
`if said dealer’s three-card hand is at least said second
`
`predetermined rank, comparing said dealer’s three-
`card hand with said player’s three-card hand;
`if said player’s three-card hand is higher, paying said
`player an amount based on both said first and third
`wagers, and
`if said player’s three-card hand is lower, said player
`forfeiting both said first and third wagers; and
`paying said player an amount in accordance with a
`predetermined scale when said second and third
`wagers are received and said player’s three-card
`hand is at least said first predetermined rank.
`2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said first,
`second, and third wagers are an ante wager, a wager that the
`player will receive a hand of at least a pair, and a wager on
`the play of the three card poker game, respec