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`USO054l743OA
`.
`5,417,430
`[11] Patent Number:
`[19]
`United States Patent
`Breeding
`[45] Date of Patent:
`* May 23, 1995
`
`
`54
`
`PROGRES IV
`] GAME
`[
`S E WAGERING METHOD AND
`[75]
`Inventor:
`John G. Breeding, St. Louis Park,
`M—
`_
`mu
`Shufile Master, Inc., Eden Pra.irie,
`Minn.
`
`[73] Assignee:
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`:c;me’SPE:‘1:_y:1°pedia ggifimfgggohn Scome’ Harper
`ow
`is ers, pp.
`,
`.
`Michigan Legionnaire, Wild Deuces Michigan Lottery,
`p_ 15, Oct 1g73_
`
`,‘
`
`_
`] Notice:
`
`[
`
`_
`_
`The portion of the tem of this patent
`subsequent to Feb. 22, 2011 has been
`disclaimed.
`
`Primary Exami'ner—Benjaiiiin H. Layno
`Am,mey_ Agent’ 0, F,-,m_Do1.Sey & Whitney
`
`[57]
`
`ABSTRACI
`
`[2]] Appl_ No,; 43,413
`.
`_
`filed’
`
`[22]
`
`Apr‘ 6’ 1993
`
`[53]
`
`,
`,
`Related U°S' Apphcatwn Data
`C°fl1inU3ti0n-in-Part OT Ser- No- 23,196, Feb. 25. 1993,
`Pa" N°- 5383-03L
`Int. ci.6 .............................................. .. A63F 1/00
`[51]
`[52] US. Cl. . ................................. .. 273/292; 273/309;
`273/274
`[58] Field of Search ......... .. 273/292, 274, 309, 85 CP,
`273/138 R, 139
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`A progressive jackpot wagering game and method,
`including a playing card wagering game, involves plac-
`ing a game wager and an optional jackpot wager. Cards
`are dealt by the dealer, two face down to the dealer and
`three face down to each player. Players inspect or
`“sweat” their cards and the dealer asks “take it or leave
`it?” with regard to one part of the bet. Each player
`decides and the dealer then turns over one of the cards
`and again asks “take it or leave it?” with regard to the
`second part of the bet. The players decide, their cards
`are shown, and based on the shown cards the game
`wagers are resolved. Also based on the shown cards,
`players become eligible for a second wagering game for
`,
`,
`_
`.
`.
`determining a winner of the progressive Jackpot.
`
`4,948,134
`
`8/1990 Suttle et al.
`
`.................. .. 273/85 CP
`
`11 Claims, 2 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
` 22‘: 22° 23f "LET IT mus"
`
`
`
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`22
`224/
`22
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`
`2
`Z-
`
`
`
`PaQe1
`
`GTECH EXHIBIT 1014
`
`Page 1
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`May 23, 1995
`
`Sheet 1 of 2
`
`5,417,430
`
`Page 2
`
`Page 2
`
`

`
`I U.S. Patent
`
`May 23, 1995
`
`Sheet 2 of 2
`
`5,417,430
`
`Fig. 2
`
`PREPARING/SHUFFLING DECK
`
`40
`
`
`
`PIAYERS PLACE BETS (THREE EACH).
`INCLUDING PROGRESSIVE JACKPOT WAGER
`
`42
`
`DEAL CARDS
`
`44
`
`46
`
` PLAYERS’
`DECISION:
`LET FIRST
`BET RIDE?
`
`
`
`
`
`DEALER SHOWS ONE CARD
`
`84
`
`
`
`
`
`PLAYERS‘
`DECISION:
`LET SECOND
`
`
`BET RIDE?
`
`DEALER SHOWS SECOND CARD
`
`52
`
`PLAYERS SHOW CARDS
`
`
`
`
`RESOLVE BETS. INCLUDING JACKPOT
`BONUS, AND ELIGIBILITY FOR SUPER
`JACKPOT
`
`RESOLVE SUPER JACKPOT
`
`53
`
`Page 3
`
`Page 3
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`

`
`1
`
`5,417,430
`
`2
`pie wagers, including a wager for a progressive jackpot,
`and choices regarding those wagers.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`PROGRESSIVE WAGERING METHOD AND
`GAME
`
`This application is a continuation-in-part of applica- 5
`1993,
`tion Ser. No. 08/023,196,
`filed Feb.
`25,
`now U.S. Pat. No. 5,288,081.
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`
`I0
`
`15
`
`20
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`25
`
`30
`
`35
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`45
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`50
`
`55
`
`The present invention relates to progressive wager-
`ing games. In particular, it relates to a method and appa-
`ratus for playing a progressive jackpot wagering game,
`wherein the game may be played in conjunction with
`other wagering games, such as poker games.
`BACKGROUND ART
`
`There are many wagering games used for gambling.
`Such games should be exciting to arouse players’ inter-
`est and uncomplicated so they can be understood easily
`by a large number of players. Ideally, the games should
`include more than one wagering opportunity during the
`course of the game, yet be able to be played rapidly to
`a wager resolving outcome. Exciting play, the opportu-
`nity to make more than one wager and rapid wager
`resolution enhance players’ interest and enjoyment be-
`cause the frequency of betting opportunities and bet
`resolutions is increased.
`
`Wagering games, particularly those intended primar-
`ily for play in casinos, should provide players with a
`sense of participation and control, the opportunity to
`make decisions, and reasonable odds of winning, even
`though the odds favor the casino, house, dealer or
`banker. The game must also meet the requirements of
`regulatory agencies.
`Wagering games, including wagering games for ca-
`sino play, with multiple wagering opportunities are
`known. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,861,041 and 5,087,405 (both to
`Jones et al.) disclose methods and apparatus for pro-
`gressive jackpot gaming, respectively. The former pa-
`tent discloses that a player may make an additional
`wager at the beginning of a hand, the outcome of the
`additional wager being determined by a predetermined
`arrangement of cards in the player’s hand. U.S. Pat. No.
`4,836,553 (to Suttle and Jones) discloses a modified
`version of a five card stud poker game.
`Additional symbols may be added to the usual means
`of playing a game to increase wagering opportunities.
`This is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,098,107 (to Boylan et
`al.). Somewhat similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 3,667,757 (to
`Holmberg) discloses a board game and apparatus, in-
`cluding a way to allow the player to make a choice with
`respect to several different alternative types of game
`play and risk bearing strategies. The alternative play is
`based on providing cards with additional symbols and
`therefore, a new set of odds. The game and apparatus
`disclosed by Holmberg requires new sets of rules, rela-
`tively complicated procedures and time for a player to
`learn the game.
`U.S. Pat. No. 5,154,429 (to LeVasseur) involves the
`dealer playing multiple hands against a player’s single
`hand, whereby the number of hands played in the same
`amount of time is increased.
`
`The desired attributes of wagering games outlined
`above are in large measure provided by the method and
`apparatus for a wagering game in accordance with the
`present invention. The game is uncomplicated, exciting
`and provides the opportunity for players to make multi-
`
`65
`
`A progressive jackpot wagering method and game is
`provided. The progressive jackpot game and method
`involves placing a wager to participate in the jackpot
`game, playing a first wagering game to select a group of
`qualified players or finalists and playing a second wa-
`gering game to select a winner of the jackpot from the
`group of finalists. The second game occurs at a time
`measured by the occurrence of a selected event: when
`the progressive jackpot
`reaches a predetermined
`amount, after a predetermined time period or after a
`predetermined number of finalists is determined.
`One wagering game for use with the progressive
`wagering method and game of the present invention is
`played with a single, typical fifty-two card poker deck
`and broadly involves the generally well recognized and
`accepted set of rules, procedures and wager-resolving
`relationships and rankings of poker. The game method
`comprises each player placing an initial,
`three-part
`game wager to participate in the game. Each player
`may place an optional wager, of a fixed amount, to
`participate in a progressive jackpot game.
`After wagers are placed, cards are dealt by a dealer,
`three down to each player and two down to the dealer.
`Players inspect or “sweat” their cards, and the dealer
`asks “take it or leave it?” or “let it ride?” with regard to
`a first part of the initial bet. Players can choose to re-
`trieve or remove from play the first part of their initial
`bet, or leave the first part in play or at risk, based on the
`value of the three cards in their hand. The dealer then
`turns over one of the dealer’s cards and the dealer’s
`query is repeated with regard to a second part of the
`initial bet. Players can choose to retrieve or remove
`from play the second part of their initial bet or leave the
`second part in play or at risk, based on the value of the
`four cards consisting of the three cards in the player’s
`hand and the exposed dealer’s card. Players have no
`option with the third part of the bet.
`Finally, all cards are shown and the payouts and
`collections related to the game wager are resolved ac-
`cording to the ranking of the poker hand of each player,
`i.e., the players are not playing against each other or the
`dealer. If a player elected to participate in the progres-
`sive jackpot aspect of the game, the ranking of that
`player’s hand determines the outcome of that player’s
`wager and the portion, if any, of the progressive jackpot
`that player wins.
`More specifically, the initial wager placed by each
`player comprises three equal parts and is made or
`placed before any cards are dealt. Each player is dealt
`three cards face down in the customary fashion. Two
`common cards are dealt face down in front of the dealer
`for use by all of the players. Each player will use the
`two common cards in front of the dealer in combination
`with his or her three cards to create a five card hand.
`After all players have placed their bets and received and
`examined their three cards, each is given the opportu-
`nity to retrieve one-third of the initial wager before the
`dealer reveals one of the two down cards previously
`placed in front of him.
`After all of the players have been queried and de-
`cided whether to take or leave the first part of the initial
`game wager, the dealer turns one of the down cards
`face up. Each player now has the benefit of four cards,
`the three he or she is holding down plus the common
`
`Page 4
`
`Page 4
`
`

`
`3
`card, and the dealer again gives each player the oppor-
`tunity to retrieve one-third of the beginning wager
`before exposing the second common down card. After
`the second common down card is revealed, the players
`turn up the three cards they are holding thereby form-
`ing a five card hand made up of the three cards dealt to
`each player and the two dealer cards.
`The dealer examines each of the players’ hands and
`determines what payout, if any, each player is entitled
`to receive according to that player’s remaining portion
`of the initial game wager and a preselected payout
`schedule. Payouts are made to players with winning
`hands and the losing wagers are collected. The cards
`are then reshuffled for the next hand.
`With regard to the progressive jackpot game, players
`elect to participate by wagering a fixed side bet amount
`on the chance that their final five card hand will em-
`body one of a number of predetermined designated
`poker hands. If a participating player’s hand comprises
`one of the designated winning hands, that player wins a
`corresponding jackpot bonus payout amount, which is
`paid out immediately at the end of the hand. Further, if
`a participating player’s hand comprises a selected one of
`the predetermined winning hands, that player becomes
`eligible to win a super jackpot formed by a three month
`accumulation of said wagered fixed amounts. The desig-
`nated winning hands in the progressive game may cor-
`respond to traditional poker hands or card arrange-
`ments, but are not limited to any particular arrange-
`ments, and a casino may design and use any ranking,
`accumulation period, and payout scheme.
`The present invention encompasses an apparatus for
`playing the wagering game according to the method
`outlined above. A typical gaming table, with a playing
`surface, is modified to include specific areas that pro-
`vide locations and apparatus for placing the wagers,
`including the optional bet to participate in the progres-
`sive jackpot game, and for displaying the common
`cards. The apparatus may be adapted to include the
`progressive gaming apparatus disclosed in the U.S.
`patent application entitled “Progressive Gaming Appa-
`ratus”, invented by Breeding and Helgesen and com-
`monly owned, the former inventor being the inventor of
`the present invention.
`A card shuffling machine such as that disclosed in
`U.S. Pat. No. 4,807,884 (also invented by the inventor
`of the present
`invention and commonly owned) for
`facilitating and speeding the play of the wagering game
`may be used. A display device may be associated with
`the apparatus for displaying game information, includ-
`ing information about the progressive jackpot aspect of
`the game.
`It is an object of the present invention to provide a
`progressive jackpot wagering game and method which
`may be played or practiced in conjunction with other
`wagering games or as a stand alone wagering game
`wherein a prospective participant wagers a fixed
`amount to participate, wherein a random outcome de-
`termines a group of finalists from among the partici-
`pants, and wherein a second random outcome deter-
`mines a winner from among the group of finalists.
`It is another object of the present invention to pro-
`vide an exciting and interesting wagering game that is
`easy to learn, largely being based on poker and the well
`known ranking of poker hands.
`It is another object of the present invention to pro-
`vide a new variation of a well known wagering game,
`five card poker, which is made interesting by providing
`
`10
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`5,417,430
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`4
`the opportunity for players to make multiple wagers
`and decisions related to those wagers based on the
`progress of the game, as well as the chance to win an
`immediate bonus payout and become eligible to win a
`large, accumulated progressive jackpot.
`Still another object of the present invention is to
`provide a wagering game that is easy to leam, yet de-
`mands skill of players in making strategic decisions
`about whether to let part of their bet ride.
`It is yet another object of the present invention to
`provide a unique, exciting card game for play in casinos
`or at home and on various media including casino ta-
`bles, video poker machines, video lottery terminals or
`home computers.
`It is an advantage of the game of the present inven-
`tion that wagering decisions are inherent in the game.
`The game enhances players’ sense of participation and
`talces advantage of players’ inclination to let wagers ride
`once placed. Another advantage of the game is that the
`possibility of immediately winning a portion of a pro-
`gressive jackpot, or becoming eligible to win a substan-
`tial accumulated jackpot amount, makes the game more
`exciting and, therefore, more interesting to players.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 depicts the table layout and apparatus used in
`playing the wagering game of the present invention;
`and
`
`FIG. 2 is a block diagram representing the flow of
`play in the game.
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
`
`Referring to FIG. 1, the apparatus for the wagering
`game of the present invention includes a typical casino
`gambling or gaming table 10. The table 10 has a curved
`side 12 for accommodating up to seven players and a
`straight side 14 for accommodating the dealer. The
`table 10 has a flat surface 16 covered with felt or other
`appropriate material. Although seven playing positions
`or locations 18a—g for individual players are provided, it
`is not essential to the game that exactly seven persons
`play and as many as sixteen players may participate. For
`casino play, a maximum of seven players provides for a
`game that is easily manageable by the dealer and house,
`and one in which the individual players feel more in-
`volved. A house dealer position 20, including an area
`suitable for displaying the dealer’s common cards 21, is
`provided.
`Each of the playing positions l8a—g includes a wager-
`ing zone 22, comprising three separate and distinct wa-
`gering or betting areas 22a. b. c. Each position 18a-g
`also includes a card area 19a-g for receiving and dis-
`playing cards dealt to the player occupying the posi-
`tion. A suitable wagering area or apparatus for receiv-
`ing or indicating a wager in the progressive aspect of
`the game is represented at area 23a—g. The wagering
`areas 22a, b, c and 23a-g may be designed to receive
`appropriate wagering indicators or settling means such
`as chips (not shown).
`At one side of the dealer station 20, the apparatus for
`practicing the method of the present invention may
`include a microprocessor or computer controlled shuf-
`fling machine 32 supported by a table extension 34. The
`shuffling machine 32 may be of the type disclosed in
`U.S. Pat. No. 4,807,884, the disclosure of which patent
`is incorporated herein by reference. The shuffling ma-
`chine 32 may include a dealing module for automati-
`
`Page 5
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`

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`5,417,430
`
`6
`-continued
`
`ll-l
`50-]
`200-1
`1,000-l
`
`Full House
`Four of a Kind
`Straight Flush
`Royal Flush
`
`5
`cally and sequentially dealing cards and also may in-
`clude a display means for displaying wager amounts,
`the identity of winning players, or other game related
`information, including progressive jackpot information.
`Referring to the flow diagram of FIG. 2, the initial
`step in playing the game of the present invention is
`preparing or shuffling a deck of cards, represented at
`block 40, by activating the shuffling machine 32 or by
`hand-shuffling a deck to provide a shuffled deck. Next,
`the players place the initial wager, block 42, by putting
`equal amounts in each of the three betting areas 22a, b,
`c. Two of the parts of this initial wager, the pans placed
`in wagering area 22a and 22b are retrievable at the
`option of the player. The third portion placed in area
`22c is a nonwithdrawable bet. After the placing of the
`wager by each player, the cards are dealt, block 44,
`three cards being dealt down to each player and two
`cards are dealt down in front of the dealer.
`
`l0
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`15
`
`20
`
`With regard to the progressive jackpot game and
`method of the present invention, along with placing
`their initial game wager, block 42, the players may place
`an optional side bet of a fixed, predetermined amount to
`become eligible to win a progressive jackpot. The game
`flow then proceeds as represented in blocks 44-56. At
`block 56, along with resolving players’ remaining game
`bet, the dealer will at lent partially resolve players’
`progressive jackpot side bet, if any. The progressive
`jackpot bets are at least partially resolved by the dealer
`immediately by paying out to participating players ac-
`cording to the following table:
`
`S3011)
`Flush
`$125.00
`Full House
`$441100
`Four of a Kind
`S2,5(X).(X)
`Straight Flush
`
`Royal Flush S20,C(D.(X)
`
`Each player participating in the progressive wager-
`ing aspect and having a final hand comprising a royal
`flush becomes eligible to participate in a super jackpot
`ga.rne, represented at block 58. The basic wagering
`game and the super jackpot game may be a lottery type
`game, any suitable wagering game or any suitable ran-
`dom process through which eligible finalists are se-
`lected and through which one of the eligible finalists is
`identified as a jackpot winner. The basic game and the
`super jackpot game may be different games, and the
`super jackpot game may be played at a different place
`than the basic game. The progressive super prize or
`jackpot is comprised of jackpot side bets, or a portion
`thereof, accumulated for a selected period. The selected
`period must insure that a very substantial jackpot, for
`example, a million or multi-niillion dollar jackpot, accu-
`mulates.
`Ideally,
`the selected period is at
`least one
`month, but a typical period would be three months,
`particularly if the funding program or schedule set forth
`below is followed. Eligible finalists in the super progres-
`sive jackpot game, i.e., all the basic game players having
`a final hand comprising a royal flush, are accumulated
`during a period equal to the jackpot accumulation per-
`iod. If no royal flush has been achieved during the se-
`lected accumulation period, the next highest winning
`hand is used to determine eligibility for the super jack-
`pot game. The winner of the super jackpot game is
`awarded or collects 75% of the accumulated jackpot
`amount; any other finalists equally share the remaining
`25% of the accumulated amount.
`
`A typical funding program for the progressive jack-
`pot side bet game and method of the present invention,
`particularly the payouts associated therewith, may be
`outlined as follows. A one dollar ($1.00) fixed side bet is
`required to participate in the progressive jackpot game.
`Of this side bet, forty cents (0.40) is used to fund imme-
`diate bonus payouts to players, the bonus payouts being
`based on a random outcome or certain poker rankings
`as set forth above. Forty-five cents (0.45) is used to fund
`the super jackpot, and fifteen cents (0.15) is dedicated to
`administrative costs and profit.
`
`The players inspect or “sweat” their cards in prepara-
`tion for reaching decision block 46. At decision block
`46, the players are queried by the dealer about whether
`the first part of the initial wager, the part placed in
`wagering area 22a, should be left or whether the player
`wishes to withdraw that portion of the bet. Each player
`makes the decision at decision block 46 on the bmis of
`the three cards forming the player’s incomplete hand at
`this point. Once each player has been queried and has
`decided whether or not to let the first portion of the bet
`ride, and those bets the player chooses to retrieve or
`remove are physically removed from area 22a and re-
`turned to the player, the dealer shows one of the down
`common cards, block 48. Now, each player has four
`cards to consider, the three cards dealt to that player
`originally and the single common card showing on the
`table. Each player must then decide whether to let the
`second part of the initial wager ride or whether to with-
`draw it from the game. After each player is queried and
`decides what to do with regard to the second part of the
`bet, and those bets to be withdrawn are physically re-
`moved from area 22b and returned to the player, the
`dealer reveals the second common down card, as repre-
`sented at block 52. Each player now has a five card
`hand comprised of the three cards each player was
`originally dealt plus the two revealed common cards.
`The third bet, the bet placed at wagering area 22c, is a 45
`nonretrievable portion of the initial bet and the flow of
`the game proceeds to block 54 wherein the players
`show or reveal their three cards to the dealer.
`The dealer resolves each player’s bet (which includes
`all three parts, the second and third part or only the
`third part, depending on the player’s choices during
`play of the hand) based on the five card hand at block 56
`and determines what payout, if any, the player is enti-
`tled to receive according to the payout schedule at the
`particular gaming table or casino. Bets on non-winning
`hands are collected by the dealer or house. The hand is
`then over and the flow of the game returns to block 40,
`preparing and shuffling the deck for a new hand.
`The award or payoff is given for each part of the
`initial game bet that was allowed to ride to the end of
`the hand and for the nonwithdrawable part of the bet. A
`typical pay table would be as follows:
`
`Pair, Tens or Better
`1- I (even money)
`2- I
`Two Pairs
`Three of a Kind
`3- I
`5- I
`Straight
`Flush
`8-]
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`
`30
`
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`
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`
`50
`
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`
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`
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`5,417,430
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`8
`2. The game according to claim 1, said first wager
`comprising a game participation wager and said second
`wager comprising an optional
`jackpot participation
`wager.
`3. The game according to claim 2, wherein said game
`participation wager is divided into equal parts and
`wherein the number of said pans of said game participa-
`tion wager that may be withdrawn is equal to the num-
`ber of said at least one common card.
`4. The game according to claim 1, wherein the pro-
`gressive jackpot is progressive because any lost jackpot
`participation wager remains in said progressive jackpot
`for a predetermined accumulation period.
`5. The game according to claim 4, wherein said accu-
`mulation period is at least one month.
`6. A wagering game for a number of players, said
`game including a progressive jackpot game and com-
`prising:
`each player placing a wager including a three part
`game wager to participate in the game, said three
`parts being equal, and an optional jackpot wager to
`participate in said progressive jackpot game;
`dealing three cards to each player and two common
`cards, all said cards being dealt face down;
`giving each player the chance to withdraw part of
`said game wager based on that player’s three cards;
`showing one of said common cards;
`giving each player another chance to withdraw part
`of said game wager based on that player’s three
`cards and said showing common card;
`showing the second of said two common cards,
`thereby providing a five card hand for each player,
`each player’s five card hand comprising the two
`showing common cards and the three cards each
`player was dealt; and
`resolving each player’s remaining game wager based
`on said five card hand, and, for those players who
`elected to place said optional jackpot wager, re-
`solving said jackpot wager, wherein if a player’s
`hand comprises a predetermined arrangement of
`cards, that player wins an immediate bonus jackpot
`payout, and further wherein if a player’s hand com-
`prises a preselected one of said predetennined ar-
`rangements of cards, that player becomes eligible
`for a super jackpot payout.
`7. The game according to claim 6, wherein the pro-
`gressive jackpot game is progressive because any lost
`jackpot wager remains in a progressive jackpot for a
`predetermined accumulation period.
`8. The game according to claim 7, wherein said accu-
`mulation peiiod is at least one month.
`9. The game according to claim 8, wherein said accu-
`mulation period is three months.
`10. The game according to claim 7, wherein said
`accumulation period is determined by accumulating a
`predetermined progressive jackpot amount.
`11. The game according to claim 7 wherein said accu-
`mulation period is determined by accumulating a prede-
`termined number of eligible players.
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`
`I0
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`65
`
`7
`The progressive jackpot game and method of the
`present invention is not limited to being played with
`five card poker games, but may be applied or used with
`other appropriate wagering games such as other poker
`games or games of chance. The method of the present
`invention does not require a shuffling machine 32, deal-
`ing module 33 or a display means 36. However, when
`the progressive jackpot game is played with a card
`game, these features facilitate and expedite the play of
`the game as well as add efficiency and interest. The bet
`for participation in the progressive jackpot game of the
`present invention may be in an amount other than one
`dollar, and the funding schedule set forth above may be
`varied. The accumulation period may also be varied, as
`long as a progressive jackpot sufficient to interest play-
`ers accumulates. For example, the accumulation period
`may be a selected time period, may be based on the
`accumulation of a particular jackpot amount, or may be
`based on the accumulation of a certain number of final-
`ists.
`
`The progressive jackpot wagering game of the pres-
`ent invention, including the “Let It Ride” poker game
`aspects thereof, might be played live with a dealer at
`one or more gaming tables in one or more casinos, or in
`casinos, homes and other locations in interactive elec-
`tronic or video form with automatic coin or betting
`means symbols,
`receptacles and payout capability,
`wherein appropriate symbols for cards, wagers or score
`keeping would be displayed electronically.
`The present invention may be embodied in other
`specific forms without departing from the essential at-
`tributes thereof. It is desired that the embodiments de-
`scribed above be considered in all respects as illustra-
`tive, not restrictive, reference being made to the ap-
`pended claims to indicate the scope of the invention.
`What is claimed is:
`1. A progressive jackpot wagering game for a number
`of players comprising:
`each player placing a first wager to participate in a
`wagering game and a second wager to participate
`in said progressive jackpot game;
`dealing cards to each player and dealing at least one
`common card;
`giving each player the chance to withdraw at least
`part of said first wager based on said player’s cards;
`providing a hand for each player, each player’s hand
`comprising said at least one common card and the
`cards each player was dealt; and
`resolving each player’s first wager based on said
`hand, wherein if a player’s hand comprises a prede-
`termined airangement of cards, that player wins a
`preselected amount, and resolving each player’s
`second wager based on said hand, wherein if a
`player’s hand comprises a predetermined arrange-
`ment of cards, that player wins an immediate bonus
`jackpot payout, and further wherein if a player’s
`hand comprises a preselected one of said predeter-
`mined arrangements of cards, that player becomes
`eligible for a super jackpot payout.
`
`Page 7
`
`Page 7
`
`

`
`UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION
`
`PATENT N0.
`
`:
`
`5-"17-"30
`
`DATED
`
`: may 23. 1995
`
`|NVENTOR(S) I
`
`John G. Breeding
`
`It is cenified that error appears In the above-indentified patent and that said Letters Patent is hereby --
`corrocted as shown below:
`
`On the title page. in the Notice of disclaimer,
`
`—The term of this patent shall not extend beynnd the expiration date
`of Patent No. 5,288,08l—.
`
`"W-’
`
`Signed and Sealed this
`
`Fifth Day of December, 1995
`
`@4444 W
`
`BRUCE LEHMAN
`
`AUG-Wl"lg Ofifef
`
`'
`
`Commissioner of Parents and Trademarks
`
`Page 8
`
`Page 8