(12) United States Patent
`Webb et al.
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 6,698,759 B2
`Mar. 2, 2004
`
`US006698759B2
`
`(54) PLAYER BANKED THREE CARD POKER
`AND ASSOCIATED GAMES
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: Derek J. Webb, Littleover (GB); Roger
`M-
`Nv<vs>
`.
`(73) Assignee: Shufile Master, Inc., Las Vegas, NV
`(US)
`.
`.
`.
`.
`Subject. to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`USC. 154(b) by 70 days.
`
`*
`
`.
`) Notice:
`
`(
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 10/016,436
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Nov. 1, 2001
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`Us 2002/0153662 A1 OCL 24’ 2002
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`Continuation—in—part of application No. 09/249,118, filed on
`Feb. 2, 1999, now Pat. No. 6,345,823, which is a continu—
`ation—in—part of application No. 09/170,092, filed on Oct. 13,
`1998, now Pat. No. 6,237,916, which is a continuation—in—
`part of application No. 08/889,919, filed on Jul. 10, 1997,
`now Pat. No. 6,056,641, which is a division of application
`No. 08/504,023,
`filed on Jul. 19, 1995, now Pat. No.
`5,685,774.
`11.1. cu ................................................... A63F 1/00
`U.S. C].
`..................... ..
`463/13
`_
`(58) Fleld Of Search ............................... .. 273/292, 274,
`273/309; 463/12» 13
`
`(60)
`
`(51)
`
`(56)
`
`_
`References Cited
`
`Us. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`4:743:02 A
`498369553 A
`2
`5,046,736 A
`5,098,107 A
`
`5/1988 W°°d
`6/1989 sume et all‘
`Js(:t1te1Se‘:3tt::1'.
`9/1991 Bridgeman et al.
`3/1992 Boylan et al.
`
`5,174,579 A
`5,257,784 A
`5,257,810 A
`
`12/1992 Griffiths
`11/1993 Boylan et al.
`11/1993 Schorr et al.
`
`11/1993 B0719“ 6‘ a1~
`5365377 A
`1122::
`2:322:35:
`3/1994 M
`5,294,128 A
`5/1994 B::g:’:an et al.
`5,308,065 A
`5,366,228 A * 11/1994 Kangsanaraks ........... .. 273/292
`5,377,973 A
`1/1995 Jones et al.
`5,397,128 A
`3/1995 Hesse et al.
`.
`.
`(List continued on next page.)
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`GB
`
`667345
`
`2/1952
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`“Brag”,
`“Three—Card Monte”,
`“Three—Card Poker”,
`Scarne’s Encylcopedia of Games, John Scarne, Harper &
`*
`'
`ROW PubhSherS> P 28_31> 1973'
`
`(Llst Commued on next page.)
`.
`_B -
`- H L
`E
`P .
`.
`ayno
`rlmary xammer
`en] armn
`’
`(74) A1707"635 Agent; 07' F17'm—Mark A~ Lltman & A5500
`P.A.
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`1;;=;:;;gt§V;1gf;§:ggfgcgIggggfggglggcgngagdvjggfgrgg
`Cards to each player who placed a Wager;
`resolving the
`player hands against a plurality of predetermined winning
`poker Outcomes; and 4) paying each player Odds Whose hand
`consists of a predetermined winning outcome. The present
`invention comprises a casino style wagering game against a
`~
`~
`~
`~
`dealer, comprising the steps of placing a wager, dealing a
`three card poker hand to each player, dealing at least three
`cards to the dealer, and paying the player on the bet when a
`poker rank of his hand exceeds the rank of a dealer’s hand.
`In a preferred form of the invention, the hierarchy of poker
`hand ranking differs from that of standard five card poker.
`
`48 Claims, 1 Drawing Sheet
`
`1o
`
`\
`
`14
`
`/
`
`.
`
`-,_
`
`' ‘
`
`
`:\2
`
`1
`5 '.’
`
`54::/"u.,.'_.;:
`
`6‘,
`
`0 «
`
`a@ % & ®E
`‘
`5 am 8
`.. '
`§»:'\e, E 16
`16 2»
`.¢.\y.,.%\//~Z~£:,‘
`
`. ' 5 $
`
`5‘
`
`2o
`
`20
`
`5&7
`
`__§
`
`(3) @
`22/
`
`v:
`
`I4
`
`26
`
`12—*
`
`‘
`
`Page 1
`
`GTECH EXHIBIT 1002
`
`Page 1
`
`

`
`US 6,698,759 B2
`Page 2
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`5,431,408
`5,489,101
`5,505,449
`5,531,448
`5,538,252
`5,584,486
`5,597,162
`5,630,757
`5,653,444
`5,673,917
`5,685,774
`5,732,950
`
`>>>>>>>>>>>>
`
`7/1995
`2/1996
`4/1996
`7/1996
`7/1996
`12/1996
`1/1997
`5/1997
`8/1997
`10/1997
`11/1997
`3/1998
`
`Adams
`Moody
`Eberhardt et al.
`Moody
`Green
`Franklin
`Franklin ............. . .
`Gagin et al.
`Dahl
`Vancura
`Webb
`Moody
`
`*
`
`.... .. 273/292
`
`5,762,340 A *
`
`6/1998 Feola ....................... .. 273/292
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`filing with the Bureau Voor de Intellectuele
`Copyright
`Eigendom, Aruba, 13 pgs (Jan. 13, 1998).
`Published Rule Sheet for Casino Poker from Vegas World,
`1 page (1982).
`“Card Craps”, Scarne’s Encyclopedia of Card Games, pp.
`321-323, (1948) Three Card Poker Disclosure by Derek J.
`Webb.
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`Page 2
`
`Page 2
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 2, 2004
`
`US 6,698,759 B2
`
`~13"-2:
`’-7:"
`*4
`~71
`h
`m-..,,,~
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`4
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`J 933" ~¢°
`
`Q
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`$5’
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`
`9°‘
`
`‘
`
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`£2 4/8
`
`Page 3
`
`Page 3
`
`

`
`US 6,698,759 B2
`
`1
`PLAYER BANKED THREE CARD POKER
`AND ASSOCIATED GAMES
`
`RELATED APPLICATIONS
`
`This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
`application Ser. No. 09/249,118 filed Feb. 12, 1999 now
`U.S. Pat. No. 6,345,823 which in turn is a continuation-in-
`part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/170,092 filed Oct.
`13, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,237,916 issued May 29, 2001,
`which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application
`Ser. No. 08/889,919 filed Jul. 10, 1997 now U.S. Pat. No.
`6,056,641 issued May 2, 2000, which is a division of U.S.
`patent application Ser. No. 08/504,023 filed Jul. 19, 1995,
`now U.S. Pat. No. 5,685,774 issued Nov. 11, 1997, which
`claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119 from United Kingdom
`Patent Applications 94/26324 filed Dec. 29, 1994 and
`94/14822 filed Jul. 22, 1994.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`
`The present invention relates to games, more particularly
`to card-type games that are suitable for use in gaming
`establishments, and more particularly to poker-type card
`games that are suitable for use in gaming establishments.
`2. Background of the 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,
`whilst 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 com-
`prising a plurality of new wagering options.
`Let it Ride Bonus® Stud Poker, as disclosed in Breeding
`U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/495,149 filed on Jan. 31,
`2000 entitled MULTI-TIERED WAGERING METHOD
`
`AND GAME, the content of which is hereby incorporated
`by reference, describes a primary card game in which the
`player plays a 5 card poker game. In the base game, a player
`makes a three part wager on the occurrence of one of a
`number of predetermined winning hands. Each player is
`dealt three cards, and the dealer is also dealt three cards. One
`dealer card is discarded, and the other two cards are placed
`face down on the table. The player may withdraw a first
`portion of his bet after he has examined his partial three-card
`hand. The community cards are used by each player to form
`a five card hand. After the dealer turns the first community
`card face up, the player is given the opportunity to withdraw
`a second portion of his bet. The third bet must remain at risk.
`Standard poker rankings are used to determine the hier-
`archy of payouts. The hands that pay (highest to lowest) in
`a typical LET IT RIDE® basic game are: royal flush, straight
`flush, four of a kind, full house, flush, straight, three of a
`kind, two pair, and a pair. Each winning hand pays odds, and
`all winning outcomes and corresponding payout odds are
`listed in a pay table. Optionally, the player can place a side
`bet on the occurrence of certain high ranking hands within
`the predetermined winning outcomes in the base game. Both
`the player cards and the dealer’s common cards are used to
`define the player’s hand and corresponding hand ranking in
`
`10
`
`15
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`20
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`25
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`30
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`35
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`40
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`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
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`
`65
`
`2
`the side bet game. Players are required to make a multiple
`part bet, and can optionally withdraw part of the bet upon
`viewing some of the cards.
`It would be desirable to provide a poker-style game with
`simplified betting structure and dealing procedures that
`provides a player with sufficient betting options to maintain
`player interest, and follows the rules of poker, as poker rules
`are well known throughout the world.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`In one form of the invention, a casino wagering game is
`provided that
`this disclosure comprises the steps of: 1)
`placing a single part wager to participate in the game; 2) a
`dealer dealing a hand of three cards to each player who
`placed a wager; and 3) resolving the player hands according
`to a predetermined hierarchy of poker hands. In one form of
`the invention, the hands are resolved against a pay table of
`predetermined winning poker outcomes and corresponding
`odds. Players are paid odds (payouts that are multiples of an
`amount wagered) when their hand consists of a predeter-
`mined winning outcome. This form of the invention is
`referred to as “the game against the pay table.”
`In a preferred form of the invention, the game is played
`as a live casino card game with physical cards, comprising
`the steps of: placing a single part wager to participate in a
`casino wagering three-card poker type game; dealing a hand
`consisting of three cards to each player who placed a single
`part wager; and resolving each player’s hand according to
`the rules of poker against a payout table providing payouts
`for predetermined ranks of poker-type hands; wherein at
`least some of the payouts are proportional to the single part
`wager in resolving hands.
`The present invention is also a method of playing a casino
`card game utilizing a standard deck of cards, comprising the
`steps of: placing a wager to participate in a three card poker
`game against a dealer; dealing three cards to the player;
`dealing at least three cards to the dealer; and resolving the
`hands according to the standard rules of poker. For purposes
`of this disclosure, this form of the invention is referred to as
`“the game against the dealer.”
`The three card hand against a pay table may be played
`individually, or in combination with a three card game
`against a dealer. The three card game against the dealer may
`be played individually, or in combination with a three card
`game against a pay table. The bets on each segment of the
`game may be mandatory, or optional. Bets on both games are
`mandatory in one example of the invention.
`Other examples of the invention include playing one or
`more of the three card games in combination with other
`game segments as well. For example, in combination with
`placing a wager on a three card hand against a pay table, the
`player can bet one or more additional wagers on the occur-
`rence of a five card poker hand, where the player receives at
`least two additional cards after the resolution of the three
`card hand, either in the form of dealt cards, dealer hand cards
`or common cards.
`
`The three card poker game play methods of the present
`invention may be practiced as house banked games, or
`player banked games. When a game is house banked, the
`dealer is also the banker. When a game is player banked, the
`house provides a dealer, and the players take turns acting as
`banker. The house takes a commission either at a flat rate, or
`takes a percentage of bets placed.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by
`way of example only, with reference to the accompanying
`drawing, in which:
`
`Page 4
`
`Page 4
`
`

`
`US 6,698,759 B2
`
`3
`FIG. 1 shows a playing surface for use in playing a card
`game of one embodiment of the present invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
`
`One aspect of the invention is a method of playing a
`wagering game, comprising the steps of: a) placing a single
`part first wager to participate in a casino three-card poker-
`type game; b) a dealer dealing a hand consisting of three
`cards to each player who placed a first wager; and c)
`resolving each player’s hand according to a predetermined
`hierarchy of poker-type game outcomes. Payouts are pref-
`erably made on the first wager when the player obtains a
`predetermined winning outcome. In one form of the game,
`all payouts pay odds. That
`is, all payouts are made in
`proportion to the amount wagered, with the higher ranking
`poker hands paying a higher payout multiple than the lower
`ranking hands. Payouts are made to the player on the first
`wager for one of a plurality of predetermined winning
`outcomes. Preferably, all payouts are made in proportion to
`the first amount wagered.
`Payout odds typically are printed on the playing surface
`and are referred to as a “pay table”. One exemplary pay table
`for a three card poker game of the present invention is
`outlined below:
`
`Hand
`
`Straight Flush
`Three of a Kind
`Straight
`Flush
`Pair
`
`Payout Odds
`
`40:1
`30:1
`6:1
`4:1
`1:1
`
`The standard rules of poker rank hands in the following
`descending order: Royal flush, straight flush, four of a kind,
`full house, flush, straight, three of a kind, two pair and a pair.
`According to a preferred form of the invention, four of a
`kind, full house and two pair are not included as those
`outcomes require more than three cards. A royal flush beats
`a straight flush. In three card picker, the order of certain
`hands (flush, straight and three of a kind) is inverted. The
`change in ranking is dictated by the frequency of occurrence
`of those hands. Although the minimum winning card com-
`bination in this example is a pair, the invention contemplates
`other minimum hands, such as a single face card or a high
`ranking pair, such as a pair of 10’s or better. Proportional
`payouts are typically between 1:1 and 100:1 against the first
`single part wager, although other payout schemes are con-
`templated.
`In another form of the invention, at least one but fewer
`than all payouts are proportional to the single part wager.
`Payout methods may include fixed amounts (regardless of
`the amount wagered), odds payouts (payment of the amount
`wagered times the pay table multiple), a percentage of a
`jackpot or a jackpot amount. The pay table may contain one
`or a combination of different payout methods, according to
`the invention.
`
`One method of the invention comprises the player placing
`a second wager to participate in a game against the dealer,
`wherein the dealer also preferably receives a hand of at least
`three cards. Preferably, the dealer is dealt a three card hand.
`It might be necessary to increase house odds, depending
`upon the specific game rules selected. This can be easily
`accomplished by dealing one or more extra cards to the
`
`Page 5
`
`4
`dealer, and allowing the dealer to use his or her best three
`card combination in an attempt to beat the player hands. The
`second wager may optional or mandatory. In fact, the first
`wager may also be optional, or both the first wager and the
`second wager may be mandatory.
`According to the invention,
`the game may be house
`banked or player banked. When the game is player banked,
`the house collects a fiat commission on each hand at the
`
`beginning of play, or collects a percentage of the amount bet,
`depending upon the gaming regulations of the particular
`jurisdiction. For example, California card rooms are only
`permitted to collect a fiat commission on each hand. When
`the game is player banked, players are given the opportunity
`to bank the game. The player who agrees to bank a hand
`takes all wagers lost by each player, and must pay all
`winning payouts. Players typically have the option to bank
`the game, but are not required to do so. In the state of
`California, for example, corporations exist that bank the
`games. An employee of The corporation will play the game
`and act as banker on behalf of his employer. According to the
`present invention,
`the game may be played as a player
`banked game, or as a traditional house banked casino game.
`In one form of the invention, when the player participates
`in a three card poker game against the dealer, he is required
`to place an additional third wager to stay in the game. This
`third wager may be smaller, larger or equal to the amount
`wagered against the dealer. Preferably, the player is permit-
`ted to view his three card hand prior to deciding whether to
`make the third wager or fold. In another form of the game,
`the player is optionally permitted to make the third wager
`after viewing his cards, but is not required to fold if he elects
`not to make the third wager.
`When the player plays a three card poker game against the
`dealer, it is sometimes preferable to require the dealer to
`have a qualifying hand. For example, the rules might require
`the dealer to have at least a single queen (queen high) in
`order to qualify to play against the player. In one example of
`the invention, the second and third bets are a push when the
`dealer does not qualify. In another example of the invention,
`the second bet pays 1:1 and the third bet is returned when the
`dealer does not qualify.
`the dealer is
`In yet another example of the invention,
`required to reveal at least one card to the players, and the
`players are also permitted to view their own three card hand
`prior to deciding whether to place the third bet.
`When the player wins the game against the dealer, the
`dealer or banker typically pays 1:1 odds. In other examples
`of the invention, higher or lower payouts are made on the
`second bet. In another form of the invention, an additional
`bonus payout is made when the player’s hand against the
`dealer is one of a predetermined high ranking arrangements
`of cards. No additional bet is required, and the bonus payout
`may be paid against the second or third bet or both bets. An
`exemplary pay table that pays odds on the second and third
`bets is shown below:
`
`Hand
`
`Straight Flush
`Three of a Kind
`Straight
`
`Payout Odds
`
`5:1
`3:1
`1:1
`
`In another form of the invention, the dealer and player
`hands may be combined to form the best three, four, five or
`six card bonus hand. In one example of the invention, a
`
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`Page 5
`
`

`
`US 6,698,759 B2
`
`5
`bonus amount is paid for the best five card hand made from
`the dealer’s and player’s three cards each.
`Alternatively, an aspect of the invention may be described
`as a casino wagering game comprising 1) placing a single
`first wager to participate in the game; 2) a dealer dealing a
`hand of three cards to each player who placed a wager; 3)
`resolving the player hands against a plurality of predeter-
`mined winning poker outcomes; and 4) resolving each
`player’s hand against a payout table providing payouts for
`predetermined ranks of poker-type hands; wherein at least
`some payouts proportional
`to the single part wager are
`available in resolving hands for obtaining a predetermined
`rank of hand. Predetermined winning poker outcomes that
`have proportional payouts pay odds. “Odds” in this context
`means payouts that are proportional to the player’s wagers
`(that is, multiples of the wagers), not progressive payouts,
`fixed payout amounts or payouts that are part of or an entire
`pot.
`According to an example of the present invention, the
`above-identified steps defines the entire game play method.
`In another example of the invention, an additional game
`segment or segments, optionally including a three card
`poker game against a dealer are also played with the same
`hand of cards. The predetermined winning outcomes can
`include a single face card, a pair or a higher ranking pair,
`depending upon the theoretical advantage to the house.
`When at least some of the outcomes pay odds, the odds may
`pay between 1:1 and 100:1 on the first single part wager. In
`another example of the invention, the house pays multiple
`payouts on the first wager. For example, the house may pay
`two separate payouts of up to 10:1.
`Another aspect of the present invention includes a method
`of playing a casino card game utilizing a standard deck of
`cards, comprising the steps of: placing a wager to participate
`in a three card poker game against a dealer; dealing three
`cards to each player who placed a wager; dealing at least
`three cards to the dealer; and resolving the hands according
`to a predetermined hierarchy of poker hands. This game play
`sequence can be played as a stand-alone game, in combi-
`nation with a three card hand against a pay table and/or other
`poker-style games. Preferably, the dealer also deals himself
`three cards. The players hand must outrank the dealer’s hand
`in order to win the bet. Preferably, the dealer’s hand must
`meet a minimum predetermined rank in order to qualify to
`play against the player. For example, the dealer must hold a
`Queen or better. Otherwise the bet is a push.
`According to one aspect of the invention, the player is
`permitted to view his cards. He must then place an additional
`bet that his hand will beat the dealer hand or he must fold.
`
`The invention contemplates allowing the player to stay in
`the game if he opts not to make the additional bet. In one
`form of the invention, the player views his own three card
`hand and at least one dealer card before making the decision
`on whether or not to place the additional bet.
`An optional feature of the invention is paying a bonus
`payout on either the bet, or the bet and additional bet (both
`against the dealer’s hand) if the player’s hand is one of a
`predetermined number of winning hands. For example, the
`player may receive a bonus payout when he has a straight
`flush. Preferably, no additional bet is required to collect on
`the bonus bet. In other examples of the invention, a bonus
`bet is required.
`Although odds payouts on the bonus bet is a preferred
`form of the invention, certain high ranking hands may pay
`a fixed payout, a proportion of a pot or a progressive payout.
`It might be necessary to distribute more than three cards
`to the dealer, and allow the dealer to use the extra card to
`
`10
`
`15
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`20
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`25
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`30
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`35
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`6
`make the best three card hand against the players. This
`dealing modification might be necessary to improve the
`house’s odds, depending on the other game rules selected.
`The second bet and optional bonus bets may be required or
`optional, depending on house rules.
`The present
`invention is also a method of playing a
`wagering game, comprising: a player placing at least one
`wager to participate in the game, wherein the player option-
`ally places a first single part wager that his hand will contain
`one of a plurality of predetermined winning card
`combinations, a player optionally placing a second wager
`that his hand will contain a card combination higher in rank
`than a rank of a dealer hand; dealing three cards to the
`player; dealing, at
`least
`three cards to the dealer; and
`resolving the hands according to a predetermined hierarchy
`of poker hands. According to one aspect of the invention, the
`player may optionally play the game against the dealer, the
`game against a pay table or both during each round of play.
`In other examples of the invention, additional games are
`combined with one or more of the game segments (against
`the dealer and/or against a pay table). For example, the game
`rules could allow the player to place an additional bet on the
`occurrence of a five card hand against a pay table, where the
`dealer deals the player two additional cards after the three
`card hand against the dealer and/or against the pay table is
`complete. Although the specific type of additional game and
`the number of cards needed is unimportant to the invention,
`the use of the original three cards with or without adding
`more cards to play an additional game is contemplated by
`the invention.
`
`When the three card game against the dealer is played, it
`is preferable that the dealer’s hand meets a minimum value
`to qualify to play against the players. For example, the rules
`may require that the dealer hold a Queen or better to qualify.
`If the dealer’s hand does not qualify, the third bet is returned
`to the player, and the second bet is paid 1:1. Alternatively,
`all bets made against the dealer are a push.
`According to the invention, the game may be a player
`banked game, or a house banked game. When a player acts
`as banker, the house takes a fiat fee from each player for each
`round of play, or takes a percentage of the amounts wagered,
`depending on the jurisdictional and house rules.
`When the rules require the player to place a third wager
`to stay in the game against the dealer, the player is typically
`permitted to view his three card hand prior to making the
`third betting decision. In one example of the invention, the
`dealer turns one or more cards up prior to the player making
`the third betting decision. The third bet may be mandatory
`to stay in the game, or may be optional.
`The dealer may also act as banker. The player’s cards may
`be dealt unseen or seen. The cards preferably form a
`standard 52-card deck, although one or more wild cards
`(such as a joker(s)) may be used. The hand preferably
`consists of three cards, but in some instances, it might be
`desirable to deal either the players or the dealer one or more
`additional cards, and allow the player and/or dealer to
`discard to arrive at the best three card hand. In another
`
`example of the invention, players receive three cards, but
`have the option to discard one or more cards and have them
`replaced with additional cards, forming a three card “draw”
`hand.
`
`A bonus payout may be awarded on the hand against the
`dealer, with or without requiring an additional bonus wager
`for certain predetermined poker hands. The bonus payouts
`may pay a fixed amount, odds, a, percentage of a pot or a
`progressive jackpot amount. Preferably, bonus amounts are
`
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`US 6,698,759 B2
`
`7
`paid without requiring a separate bonus wager according to
`an odds pay table.
`In the case of one preferred three card version of the
`game, hands are preferably ranked as follows, where A=ace,
`K=king, Q=queen, J=j ack and numbers 10 to 2 designate the
`other cards:
`
`Highest:
`BRAG: Three cards of one suit in sequence
`AKQ highest ranking brag
`KQJ next highest ranking brag
`QJ10 next highest ranking brag, and so on
`until
`32A lowest ranking brag
`TRIPS: Three cards of one Rank
`AAA highest
`KKK next highest ranking trips, and so on,
`until
`222 lowest ranking trips
`RUN: Three cards of mixed suits in sequence
`AKQ highest ranking
`KQJ next highest ranking, and so on,
`until
`32A lowest ranking
`FLUSH: Three cards of One Suit
`AKJ highest
`AK10 next highest, and so on, until
`532 lowest ranking
`PAIR: Two cards of Same Rank
`AAK highest ranking
`AAQ next highest ranking, and so on,
`until
`223 lowest ranking
`
`Lowest:
`HIGH CARD (a hand comprising none of the above combinations)
`AKJ highest ranking
`AK10 next highest ranking, and so on,
`until
`532 lowest ranking
`Ace is high, but can be low in 3-2-A Sequence.
`
`Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various other
`names may be used for the hands in the illustrative hierarchy
`set forth herein. Other hierarchy’s are contemplated. For
`example, BRAG may also be known as a royal flush (for
`AKQ), straight flush or bouncer; TRIPS may also be known
`as three of a kind or PRILE; and a RUN may also be known
`as a STRAIGHT.
`
`The payout may be made in accordance with a predeter-
`mined scale. For example, one possible payout scheme is as
`follows:
`
`Straight Flush
`Three-of-a-kind
`Straight
`Flush
`Pair
`High Card Rank
`
`40 to 1
`30 to 1
`6 to 1
`4 to 1
`1 to 1
`0.5 to 1
`
`(Range of 25 to 100 to 1)
`(Range of 10 to 50 to 1)
`(Range of 4 to 12 to 1)
`(Range of 3 to 12 to 1)
`(Range of 1 to 3 to 1)
`(Range of 0.2 to 1 to 1)
`
`The payouts may be at different rates that are proportional
`to the original wager, but not necessarily whole number
`multipliers, such as 2 to 1 or 14 to 5 for a pair. Those skilled
`in the art will appreciate that the payouts may be varied
`without departing from the scope of the present invention. In
`other forms of the invention, at least some of the payouts are
`fixed in amount regardless of the amount wagered, are a
`percentage of a jackpot or progressive jackpot amount.
`The method may further comprise the step of permitting
`or requiring a player to place a wager on a fixed or variable
`extra bonus jackpot, but this is a less preferred embodiment
`
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`
`8
`in some instances. For example, when a game is offered in
`a California card room, players bank the game. In order for
`players to feel they can afford to bank a particular game, the
`payout odds must be kept low enough to prevent players
`from avoiding their turn banking the game. The bonus
`payouts are therefore preferably eliminated in player-banked
`versions of the invention. Higher payout odds are acceptable
`in a more traditional Las Vegas style casino where the house
`banks the game.
`Another embodiment of the present invention comprises
`the steps of: designating at least one playing card indicia as
`a wild indicia; placing a single part wager to participate in
`a casino three-card poker-type game; a dealer dealing a hand
`consisting of three cards to each player who placed a wager;
`and playing a three-card poker-type hand wherein said wild
`indicia is used where present in any of said hands; resolving
`each player’s hand according to predetermined poker rules,
`wherein at least some payouts proportional to the single part
`wager are made for obtaining a predetermined winning
`hand.
`
`In an alternative three-card embodiment of the present
`invention, each player receives two standard playing cards
`plus a wild card that the player combines with the standard
`cards to make a three-card hand. The payout scale and
`predetermined ranks may be chosen or modified to refiect
`the increased probability of a high ranking hand being
`produced. A common wild card or a common card may also
`be used, again with pay tables modified to refiect
`the
`increased potential or at least changed potential for higher
`ranked hands.
`
`Such wild cards serve to add excitement and create higher
`hand values. Wild cards could also be designed to be
`retained permanently by players and if decorated appropri-
`ately by an issuing casino or the like would serve the dual
`purpose of a playing card and a promotional item. Wild
`cards may be used in this way in conjunction with other
`forms of card games. Alternatively, the wild card can be
`printed on the player area of the layout.
`The invention also provides game apparatus for use in
`playing the card-type games of the present invention. For
`example,
`the games of the present invention are readily
`adaptable for play on a board game, computer game, or on
`a gaming device, such as a video gaming device. For
`example, one aspect of the present invention comprises an
`apparatus for playing a card-type game comprising: display
`element (e.g., board, screen, table cards, play sheet, etc.) for
`informing at least one player of a hierarchy of a plurality of
`possible hands and a predetermined plurality of winning
`card combinations; an area or position for receiving at least
`one wager selection from a plurality of wagering options by
`at least one player, wherein the wagering comprises whether
`a player’s hand attains at least one of said predetermined
`plurality of winning combinations; and a surface or display
`area for displaying a plurality of indicia of playing cards to
`form at least one player’s three-card hand.
`According to a further aspect of the invention there is
`provided apparatus for use in playing a card game in which
`all possible hands of cards are ranked according to prede-
`termined poker-type rules, the apparatus comprising at least
`one player’s playing area, each player’s playing area com-
`prising a first zone in which a player may place a wager that
`the player’s hand will be greater than a first predetermined
`rank, and a second zone for display of the player’s hand.
`The apparatus may also incorporate a chip tray to receive
`playing chips,
`the chip tray being placed in a position
`adjacent
`to or otherwise convenient
`to the dealer. The
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
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`US 6,698,759 B2
`
`9
`apparatus may also incorporate an area or receptacle for
`cards not in play and a shuffler and card shoe. The apparatus
`may comprise a rigid playing surface of board, plastic or
`other suitable material or may comprise a cloth or other
`flexible material defining a playing surface.
`In a preferred form,
`the surface is of generally semi-
`circular form, the dealer’s playing area being located proxi-
`mate the straight edge of the playing surface or centrally
`thereof and the players’playing areas being disposed side-
`by-side in arcuate array adjacent the curved edge of the
`playing surface.
`The various embodiments of the present invention are
`directed to three-card poker-type games wherein indicia of
`playing cards are displayed to at least one or more players.
`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 a