US20060175751A1

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Publication number: US20060175751A1
Application number: US11/055,567
Authority: US
Inventors: Franklin Daines
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-02-10
Filing date: 2005-02-10
Publication date: 2006-08-10
Also published as: CA2533098A1

Abstract

A method of implementing a wagering game where low hands are rewarded. A player can place either or both of an ante wager and a bonus wager. If the dealer's hand is less than or equal to a predetermined rank, then the dealer qualifies and play continues, otherwise the ante wager wings and any raise wager made pushes.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is directed to a method and computer readable storage medium for implementing a casino poker-type game.

2. Description of the Related Art

Casino poker games (both table and machine) are a popular form of wagering in a casino. Casinos are always introducing new variations on their floor in order to entice players with new variations.

What is needed is a new variation of wagering game that some players may find preferable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

is an aspect of the present invention to provide players a wagering game which can be new and exciting for players.

The above aspects can be obtained by a method that includes (a) placing an ante wager by the player; (b) dealing a player's hand to a player and a dealer's hand to a dealer; (c) determining by the player whether to place a raise wager or fold; (d) if the player folds, then the player loses the ante wager; (e) if the player places the raise wager, then the dealer determines whether the dealer's hand is less than or equal to a predetermined rank; (f) if the dealer's hand is not less than or equal to a predetermined rank, then the player wins the ante wager and the raises wager pushes.

The above aspects can also be obtained by a method that includes (a) placing a first wager by the player; (b) dealing a player's hand to a player and a dealer's hand to a dealer; (c) determining whether the dealer's hand is less than or equal to a predetermined rank; (d) if the dealer's hand is not less than or equal to a predetermined rank, then the first wager pushes; otherwise: (e) if the dealer's hand is less than or equal to a predetermined rank, then a lowest player's hand is determined and a lowest dealer's hand is determined; (f) if the lowest dealer's hand is lower than the lowest player's hand, then the player loses the first wager; and (g) if the lowest dealer's hand is higher than the lowest player's hand, then the player wins a paytable payout for the first wager.

The above aspects can also be obtained by a method that includes (a) receiving a bonus wager from a player; (b) determining a lowest card in a player's hand; and (c) paying the bonus wager using a multiplier based on the lowest card.

These together with other aspects and advantages which will be subsequently apparent, reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further features and advantages of the present invention, as well as the structure and operation of various embodiments of the present invention, will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the preferred embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which:

FIG. 1 is an exemplary flowchart illustrating a method of implementing an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is an exemplary flowchart illustrating a method of implementing a bonus side wager;

FIG. 3 is an exemplary flowchart illustrating a further method of implementing an embodiment;

FIG. 4 is an exemplary block diagram illustrating a possible table layout to implement an embodiment; and

FIG. 5 is an exemplary block diagram illustrating a possible table layout to implement a further embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

The present general inventive concept relates to a poker game which rewards low hands. In general, low hands are good for the player or the dealer. A measure of a hand's “low” aspect can be performed by taking the lowest card of the hand. For example, between a first hand of “3-hearts 4-hearts 5-hearts” and a second hand of “10-clubs J-diamonds K-hearts,” the first hand is lower. This is because the lowest card therein is a 3 which is lower than a 10 (the lowest card in the second hand). In an embodiment, straights and flushes are not possible ranks (although in other embodiments they can be).

Table I illustrates a first exemplary set of rules.

TABLE I


1.	The game is played with a single 52-card deck.
2.	All cards are ranked according to conventional poker rules
	except aces are always low.
3.	The lower the poker-value of a hand the better.
4.	There shall be no straights nor flushes. Thus the lowest and
	best possible hand is ace/2/3 and the highest and worst is
	three kings.
5.	Two bets are available at the start of each hand: (1) Three
	Card Low-Ball 10 and Under, and (2) Beat the Dealer. The
	player may make one or both of these bets in any combination
	subject to table limits.
6.	After all bets have been made the dealer shall deal each
	player 3 cards and the dealer 3 cards. Players may examine
	their own cards but sharing of information is not allowed.
	The dealer cards are dealt face down.
7.	If the player made the Beat the Dealer bet then he must
	decide to either raise or fold.
8.	If the player folds the player shall forfeit his Beat the
	Dealer bet.
9.	If the player raises he must make an additional raise bet
	equal exactly to his original Beat the Dealer bet.
10.	After any required decisions have been made the dealer shall
	turn over his own cards.
11.	The Three Card Low-Ball 10 and Under bet shall be paid
	according only to the poker value of the player's hand as
	shown in table II.
12.	The dealer must have a queen high or less to qualify.
13.	If the dealer does not qualify the Beat the Dealer bet shall
	pay 1 to 1 and the raise shall push.
14.	If the dealer does qualify and the player has the lower poker
	hand then the Beat the Dealer and raise bets shall pay 1 to 1.
15.	If the dealer does qualify and the dealer has the lower poker
	hand then the Beat the Dealer and raise bets shall both lose.
16.	If the dealer does qualify and the player and dealer both
	have the same valued poker hand then the Beat the Dealer and
	raise bets shall both push.
17.	Additionally, the Beat the Dealer bet shall pay a bonus if
	the player has a 6 high hand or lower. This bonus shall pay
	regardless of the value of the dealer's hand. Table III shows
	the specific Beat the Dealer bonuses. All bonuses are
	relative to the Beat the Dealer bet. For example the bonus
	on a 3 high is 4 to 1, so if the player made a $10 Beat the
	Dealer bet then he would get a $40 bonus.

Note that the rules in Table I are merely exemplary and other rules and/or variations can be used. For example, aces can be high (as opposed to low), the player's raise may not have to be equal to the original ante (e.g. it can be double), the dealer's qualifying hand can be something else besides a queen high (e.g. a 10 high), other number of cards can be used (other than three), or any other poker rule variations known in the art can be used.

Table II below illustrates an exemplary paytable for the three Card Low-Ball 10 and Under bet (the bonus wager). This is just one example of such a paytable, and other winning hands and/or payouts can be used as well.

	TABLE II


	Hand	Pays

	3 high	15 to 1
	4 high	9 to 1
	5 high	5 to 1
	6 high	3 to 1
	7 high	2 to 1
	8 high	1 to 1
	9 high	1 to 1
	10 high	1 to 1
	Other	Loss

Table III below illustrates the Beat the Dealer Bonuses. This refers to rule #17, wherein certain hands achieve bonuses in addition to winning even money for winning the game.

	TABLE III


	Hand	Bonus

	3 high	4 to 1
	4 high	3 to 1
	5 high	1 to 1
	6 high	1 to 1

Another way of looking at the win and bonus on the Beat the Dealer wager (ante wager) bonus is that the paytable in Table III can also be rewritten to pay 5:1 for a 3 high, 4:1 for a 4 high, 2:1 for a 5 high, 2:1 for a 6 high, and 1:1 for all other hands. In this perspective, when a player wins his or her win on the raise is paid according to this paytable with no extra bonuses given, in that the bonuses are accommodated in the paytable. Mathematically this is the same as paying even money for a win and a paytable payout for certain bonus hands. Alternatively, the bonus can be paid on the raise wager as opposed to the ante wager.

The optimal strategy of the game is that the player should “mimic the dealer” in this game, folding with king high or greater and raising with queen high or less.

Table IV shows the number of combinations out of 22100, probability, pay off, and return of each event for the Three Card Low-Ball 10 and Under bet (the bonus wager). The lower right cell shows a house edge of 2.41%.

TABLE IV


Three Card Low-Ball 10 and Under Return Table

Hand	Combinations	Probability	Pays	Return

3 high	64	0.002896	15	0.043439
4 high	192	0.008688	9	0.07819
5 high	384	0.017376	5	0.086878
6 high	640	0.028959	3	0.086878
7 high	960	0.043439	2	0.086878
8 high	1344	0.060814	1	0.060814
9 high	1792	0.081086	1	0.081086
10 high	2304	0.104253	1	0.104253
J high	2880	0.130317	−1	−0.13032
Q high	3520	0.159276	−1	−0.15928
K high	4224	0.191131	−1	−0.19113
Other	3796	0.171765	−1	−0.17176
Total	22100	1		−2.41%

Table V shows the expected return from the bonuses for hands of 6 high or less. The table shows that the bonuses add 8.40% to the player's expected return.

TABLE V


Bonus Return Table.

Hand	Bonus	Probability	Return

3 high	4 to 1	0.29%	1.16%
4 high	3 to 1	0.87%	2.61%
5 high	1 to 1	1.74%	1.74%
6 high	1 to 1	2.90%	2.90%
Total		5.79%	8.40%

Table VI shows the possible outcomes of the Beat the Dealer bet, aside from the bonuses. The lower right cell shows that aside from the bonuses the house edge would be 10.74%.

TABLE VI


Beat the Dealer Return Table

	Event	Probability	Pays	Return

Player folds	21.74%	−1	−21.74%
Dealer doesn't qualify	29.19%	1	29.19%
Dealer wins	29.04%	−2	−58.07%
Tie	0.09%	0	0.00%
Player wins	19.94%	2	39.88%
Total			−10.74%

The overall house edge is the sum of the 10.74% expected loss going against the dealer less the 8.40% expected player gain from the bonuses. Thus the overall house edge of the Beat the Dealer bet is 10.74%−8.40%=2.34%.

It should be stated that the house edge is defined as the ratio of the expected player loss to the original wager. On average the player will raise 78.26% of the time, for an average wager of 1.78 units. The element of risk is defined as the expected player loss to the total amount bet, which is 2.34/1.78=1.31%.

FIG. 1 is an exemplary flowchart illustrating a method of implementing an embodiment.FIG. 1 may be used with the exemplary rules illustrated in Table I, as well as with tables II-VI, although it is not limited as such. In addition to using three cards,FIG. 1 can apply to a game with any number of cards, such as four, five, etc.

The method starts with operation100, wherein a table receives the beat the dealer wager and/or the bonus wager. The house can require both bets to be played or allow players to bet either one at their option. The bonus wager will be described later on in more detail.

The method proceeds to operation102, which deals cards to the player and the dealer. Cards dealt to the dealer are typically face down, and cards dealt to the player are also typically face down (although they can alternatively be dealt face up as well).

From operation102, the method proceeds to operation104, wherein the player views his or her cards and decides whether or not to raise. If the player decides not to raise, then the method proceeds to operation106, wherein the player loses the beat the dealer wager.

In operation102, if the player decides to raise, then the player places a raise wager and the method proceeds tooperation108 which reveals the player's cards and the dealer's cards.

Fromoperation108, the method proceeds tooperation110, which determines if the dealer's hand is less than a predetermined rank. If the dealer's hand is not less than (or less than or equal to) a predetermined rank, then the method proceeds tooperation112, wherein the player wins the beat the dealer wager but pushes on the raise wager (e.g. the dealer doesn't qualify). This determination can also be thought of as if the dealer's hand is not less than or equal to a predetermined rank (e.g. if the dealer's hand is a queen high or less), as opposed to less than king high, which is really the same thing.

If the determination fromoperation110 determines that the dealer's hand is less than a predetermined rank, then the dealer is considered to have “qualified.” The method can then proceed to operation114, which determines if there is a tie between the best dealer's hand (the lowest rank) and the best player's hand (the lowest rank). If the determination in operation114 determines that there is a tie, then the method proceeds tooperation116, wherein the beat the dealer wager and the raise wager both push.

If the determination from operation114 determines that there is no tie, then the method proceeds tooperation118, which determines who has the lower hand.

If the dealer has the lower hand, then the player loses both the beat the dealer wager and the raise wager.

If the player has the lower hand, then the player wins even money on the beat the dealer wager and wins a paytable payout on the raise wager (such as, for example, the paytable in Table II for a three card game). The paytable payout can, for example, be even money on certain hands, and multiples of the raise wager on other hands. This is the same as considering that the raise wager pays even money to win but also pays a bonus on certain hands.

The game described previously relates to a game in which the player has to make a raise/fold decision. A simpler version of the game can also be implemented in which the player does not have to make such a decision.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary flowchart illustrating a method of implementing a bonus wager. The bonus wager can also be called the “Three Card Low-Ball 10 and Under” wager.

The method starts withoperation200, which determines whether the bonus wager has been made. If the bonus wager has not been made, then there is no need to continue the method.

Fromoperation200, the method proceeds tooperation200, which determines whether the player's hand is a predetermined hand. If the player's hand is not a predetermined hand, then the method proceeds tooperation204, wherein the player loses the bonus wager.

If the player's hand is a predetermined hand, then the method proceeds to operation206, wherein the player is paid an award based on a rank of the player's hand and the amount of the bonus wager made. As two possible examples of such paytables, see paytable II or paytable IX, although of course other paytables can also be used.

The bonus wager described herein can also be used with any other known poker variation and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

In a further embodiment, the player does not have to decide whether to raise or fold. Table VII illustrates a second exemplary set of rules wherein the player does not need to make a decision.

TABLE VII


1.	The game is played with a single 52-card deck.
2.	All cards are ranked according to conventional poker rules
	except aces are always low.
3.	The lower the poker-value of a hand the better.
4.	There shall be no straights nor flushes. Thus the lowest
	and best possible hand is ace/2/3 and the highest and worst
	is three kings.
5.	Two bets are available at the start of each hand: (1) Three
	Card Low-Ball 10 and Under, and (2) Beat the Dealer. The
	player may make one or both of these bets in any
	combination subject to table limits.
6.	After all bets have been made the dealer shall deal each
	player 3 cards and the dealer 3 cards. All cards may be
	dealt face up or face down. No skill is involved so it
	doesn't matter.
7.	The Three Card Low-Ball 10 and Under bet shall be paid
	according only to the poker value of the player's hand as
	shown in table VIII.
8.	The dealer must have a king high or lower to qualify for
	the Beat the Dealer bet.
9.	If the dealer does not qualify the Beat the Dealer bet
	shall push.
10.	If the dealer does qualify and the player has the lower
	poker hand then the Beat the Dealer bet shall pay 1 to 1.
11.	If the dealer does qualify and the dealer has the lower
	poker hand then the Beat the Dealer bet shall lose.
12.	If the dealer does qualify and the player and dealer both
	have the same valued poker hand then the Beat the Dealer
	bet shall push.
13.	Additionally, the Beat the Dealer bet shall pay a bonus if
	the player has one of the hands listed in table IX. This
	bonus shall pay regardless of the value of the dealer's
	hand. All bonuses are relative to the Beat the Dealer bet.
	For example the bonus on a 3 high is 4 to 1, and the player
	made a $10 bet on Beat the Dealer, then the player will get
	an automatic $40 bonus.

Note that the rules in Table VII are merely exemplary, and other rules and/or variations can be used. For example, aces can be high (as opposed to low), the dealer's qualifying hand can be something else besides a queen high (e.g. a 10 high), other number of cards can be used (other than three), or any other poker rule variations known in the art can be used.

Table VIII illustrates an exemplary paytable for the Three Card Low-Ball 10 and Under bet (the bonus wager).

	TABLE VIII


	Hand	Pays

	3 high	15 to 1
	4 high	9 to 1
	5 high	5 to 1
	6 high	3 to 1
	7 high	2 to 1
	8 high	1 to 1
	9 high	1 to 1
	10 high	1 to 1
	Other	Loss

Table IX illustrates an exemplary paytable for bonus payouts on the Beat the Dealer (or ante) wager for the rule set in Table VII (or any other rule set).

	TABLE IX


	Hand	Pays

	3 high	4
	4 high	2
	5 high	1
	6 high	1
	7 high	1
	Other	0

Table X shows the number of combinations out of 22100, probability, pay off, and return of each event for the Three Card Low-Ball10 and Under bet. The lower right cell shows a house edge of 2.41%.

TABLE X


Three Card Low-Ball 10 and Under Return Table

Hand	Combinations	Probability	Pays	Return

Table XI shows the possible outcomes of the Beat the Dealer bet, before adding the bonus rule.

TABLE XI


Beat the Dealer

Event	Combinations	Probability	Pays	Return

Dealer doesn't qualify	69,937,504	17.18%	0	0.00%
Dealer wins	197,262,208	48.45%	−1	−48.45%
Player wins	139,476,480	34.26%	1	34.26%
Tie	494,208	0.12%	0	0.00%
Total	407170400	100.00%		−14.19%

Table XII shows the possible outcomes of the Beat the Dealer bonus.

TABLE XII


Beat the Dealer Bonus

	Bonus	Probability	Pays	Return

3 high	0.29%	4	1.16%
4 high	0.87%	2	1.74%
5 high	1.74%	1	1.74%
6 high	2.90%	1	2.90%
7 high	4.34%	1	4.34%
Total	10.14%		11.87%

The overall house edge for the Beat the Dealer bet is 14.19% less 11.87%, or 2.32%.

FIG. 3 is an exemplary flowchart illustrating a further method of implementing an embodiment. The rules from Table VII (and data from tables VIII-VII as well) can be implemented usingFIG. 3, althoughFIG. 3 may be used with other rules sets as well. In addition to using three cards,FIG. 3 can apply to a game with any number of cards, such as four, five, etc.

The method can start with operation300, which receives the beat the dealer wager and/or the bonus wager. The house may require both bets to be made, or the house may allow the player to bet only one at the player's choice.

From operation300, the method proceeds tooperation302, which determines if the dealer's hand is lower than a predetermined rank.

If the determination from operation300 determines that the dealer's hand is higher than a predetermined rank (or higher than or equal to a predetermined rank), then the dealer is considered not to qualify. The method then proceeds to operation306, wherein the beat the dealer wager pushes.

If the determination from operation304 determines that the dealer's hand is lower than a predetermined rank (or lower than equal to a predetermined rank), then the dealer is considered to “qualify” and the method proceeds to operation308.

In operation308, it is determined whether the dealer's hand and the player's hand tie. If so, then the method proceeds to operation306, wherein the beat the dealer wager pushes.

If operation308 determines that there is no tie, then the method continues tooperation310, which determines who has the lower hand (best rank). If the dealer has the lower hand, then the method proceeds tooperation314, wherein the player loses on the beat the dealer wager.

Fromoperation310, if the player has the higher hand, then the method proceeds tooperation312, wherein the player wins a paytable payout on the beat the dealer wager (such as that in Table VIII for a three card game). This can be considered the same as winning even money on some hands and a bonus on some hands which is multiplied by the beat the dealer wager.

FIG. 4 is an exemplary block diagram illustrating a possible table layout to implement an embodiment. In this layout, the player can place a raise wager (e.g. this layout can be used with the rules from Table I).

A dealer'shand400 comprises three cards (although the game can be played with other numbers of cards, such as two, four, five, etc.) A first player'shand402 also comprises three cards (although the game can be played with other numbers of cards, such as two, four five, etc.) A 3 Card LowBall betting circle404 allows the player to make the 3 Card Low Ball wager (also known as the bonus wager). A Beat theDealer betting circle406 allows the player to make the Beat the Dealer Wager (also known as the ante wager). Theraise betting circle408 allows the player to make the raise wager. Of course, other layouts of the game can be implemented as well, and this just comprises one exemplary illustration.

FIG. 5 is an exemplary block diagram illustrating a possible table layout to implement a further embodiment. In this layout, the player cannot place a raise wager (e.g. this layout can be used with the rules from Table VII).

A dealer'shand500 comprises three cards (although the game can be played with other numbers of cards, such as two, four, five, etc.) A first player's hand4502 also comprises three cards (although the game can be played with other numbers of cards, such as two, four five, etc.) A 3 Card LowBall betting circle504 allows the player to make the 3 Card Low Ball wager (also known as the bonus wager). A Beat theDealer betting circle506 allows the player to make the Beat the Dealer Wager (also known as the ante wager).

Thus, the inventive concept described herein relates to a method to play a poker game that rewards low hands, not high ones.

It is also noted that the present embodiments herein can also be played on any type of gaming machine, whether the gaming machine is video or mechanical, finite or random environment, class III or any other class, local software or downloadable client, or any other software/hardware implementations of gaming machines currently known in the art.

It is also noted that any and/or all of the above embodiments, configurations, variations of the present invention described above can mixed and matched and used in any combination with one another. Any operation described herein can be optional and operations can be performed in any sensible order. Any claim herein can be combined with any others (unless the results are nonsensical). Further, any mathematical formula given above also includes its mathematical equivalents, and also variations thereof such as multiplying any of the individual terms of a formula by a constant(s) or other variable.

Moreover, any description of a component or embodiment herein also includes hardware, software, and configurations which already exist in the prior art and may be necessary to the operation of such component(s) or embodiment(s). Further, instructions for performing any of the methods described herein can be stored on a computer readable storage, such as a CD-ROM, DVD, semiconductor memory, etc.

The many features and advantages of the invention are apparent from the detailed specification and, thus, it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such features and advantages of the invention that fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation illustrated and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.