US20060237906A1

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Info

Publication number: US20060237906A1
Application number: US11/456,469
Authority: US
Inventors: James Bowling
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-02-18
Filing date: 2006-07-10
Publication date: 2006-10-26
Also published as: US20040160010A1

Abstract

The invention disclosed provides a method and means for playing a card game comprising receiving bets, including second-chance bets, dealing at least one set of cards, identifying one or more winning bets in each set, and paying-off one or more of the winning bets in each set. The invention also comprises an apparatus for playing a card game. The apparatus comprises a playing surface comprising a betting area, an open area, and a payoff area, wherein the open area is located between the betting area and the payoff area. The betting area comprises a plurality of player betting areas, wherein each of the plurality of player betting areas further comprises representations of three winning combinations. The payoff area comprises enlarged representations of the three winning combinations. Finally, the invention provides a real and virtual (i.e., computerized) version of the card game.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Wagering games utilizing cards abound. One example is Caribbean Stud. In this game, based on 5 Card Stud (i.e., a kind of poker), players ante, and five cards are dealt to the players and then to the dealer. All cards are dealt face-down except for the fifth card dealt to the dealer. Based on this fifth card, players decide whether to fold, because they feel they cannot beat the dealer's hand, or double their ante (i.e., a “call bet”), because they feel they can beat the dealer's hand. The dealer then turns over the remaining four cards. If the dealer does not have at least an ace and king, then the dealer cannot “open,” and all players who did not fold win their ante. Their call bets are simply returned. If the dealer can “open,” then a player's hand must beat the dealer's hand in order to win the call bet and have the ante simply returned; if the player's hand does not beat the dealer's hand, then the player loses both the ante and call bet.

Another popular card game is Let It Ride. Also based on 5 Card Poker, Let it Ride begins by players betting three equal bets in each of their three betting areas often denoted “bet $,” “bet 1,” and “bet 2.” The players and the dealer then receive three cards, face-down, and the dealer immediately discards one of the dealer's three cards. Then, the players pick up their cards, and decide whether they believe they have losing or winning poker hands. If losing, a player asks for “bet 1” back. If winning, then a player opts to “Let It Ride.” Now, the dealer turns over one of the dealer's two face-down cards (“the up card”). Using this up card and the players' own three cards, each player makes the best poker hand they can with these four cards. A second round then begins.

With these four cards, each player is permitted to Let It Ride or ask for bet “2” back. The dealer turns over the other one of the dealer's face-down cards (“the second up card”). Using the up card and the second up card, each player makes the best poker hand they can with these five cards. Each player is a winner that has a poker hand of a pairs of tens or better. Winning players are paid off according to their remaining bets, which, at a minimum, must include the “$ bet.” All losing bets are collected after the second round is complete.

Still another popular card game is “Three Card Poker.” In this game, three cards are dealt face-down to each player, followed by a first betting round. Upon a player opening this first betting round, each and every other player must call or raise to stay in the game. Those players staying in the game now draw another two cards and then engage in a second betting round. The winner is the player with the best poker hand made from choosing three cards from the five cards in the player's hand. Three-of-a-kind (in particular, three aces) is the best possible poker hand.

With these games and others, the mere possibility of winning a wager is often not enough to maintain players' interest. Many people avoid these games because of their slow pace; they find the learning of the game rules too time consuming. Further, the game rules actually vary from one casino to another, or the player is playing against other players, other players and the house, or just the house. As a result, many novice players are reluctant to play these games because of onerous efforts required to understand the risks.

A need, therefore, exists for a fast-paced and easily understood game, where the player plays against no one and always wins a wager. Prior to installation in machines, manufacturers and assemblers, for instance, often test processor chips (“chips”) to determine their performance metrics. These metrics involve investigating chip performance using functional and non-functional test sequences throughout predetermined windows, e.g., operational, for several variables, including chip voltage, clock speed, power and temperature. Although testing various chips' performance metrics readily allows for sorting these chips into their proper class of machine, testing is also used to identify chip failures, allow higher machine manufacturing productivity, and improve product quality.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one at least one example embodiment, a method of playing a card game is provided. The method comprises receiving bets, dealing at least one set of cards, identifying one or more winning bets in each set, and paying-off one or more of the winning bets in each set.

In a further example, a system is provided for playing a card game. In at least one example, the system comprises a means for receiving bets, a means for dealing at least one set of cards, a means for identifying one or more winning bets in each set, and a means for paying-off one or more of the winning bets in each set.

In yet a further example, an apparatus is provided for playing a card game. The apparatus comprises a playing surface comprising a betting area, an open area, and a payoff area, wherein the open area is located between the betting area and the payoff area. The betting area comprises a plurality of player betting areas, wherein each of the plurality of player betting areas further comprises representations of three winning combinations. And, the payoff area comprises enlarged representations of the three winning combinations.

Still further examples provide an apparatus for, a method of, and/or a system of playing a real or virtual (i.e., computerized) version of the card game.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So that the manner in which the above recited features, advantages and objects of the present invention are attained and can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to the embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings.

It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an example embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a further example of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of another example of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a method useful according to an example of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic according to an example of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic according to a further example of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic of yet another example of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of an example of the invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of yet another example of the invention.FIG. 1 depicts a test nest assembly in accordance with the disclosed invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

The following is a detailed description of example embodiments of the invention depicted with assistance and reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are examples and are in such detail as to clearly communicate the invention. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. The detailed descriptions below are designed to make such embodiments obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art.

First with reference toFIG. 1, anapparatus10 for a card game is seen. Theapparatus10 comprises a playingsurface12 having a bettingarea14, anopen area16, and a payoff area18. Theopen area16 is located between the bettingarea14 and the payoff area18, and is the primary area for dealing a set of cards to each player upon play of the game.

The bettingarea14 is made up of a plurality ofplayer betting areas20. In this manner, eachplayer betting areas20 has an individual betting area. Each of theplayer betting areas20 also has representations22 of three winningcombinations22a,22b,22cfrom a deal of a set to a player. In addition, the shape of the bettingarea14 comprises a quasi-semi-circular arrangement32. Other shapes are useful in other embodiments. For instance, in at least one alternative, the bettingarea14 comprises a rectangular arrangement running alongside and in front of the edges of the playingsurface12. Other variations will occur to those of skill in the art

Referring again to the example ofFIG. 1, just as theplayer betting areas20 have representations22, so does the payoff area18. In fact, the payoff area18 comprisesenlarged representations24 of the three winningcombinations22a,22b,22c.In addition, the shape of the payoff area18 comprises a quasi-semi-circular arrangement34, but like the bettingarea14, this shape is not required. The payoff area18 could just as easily have a rectangular arrangement. Other variations will occur to those of skill in the art.

The actual size of the playingsurface12 is especially convenient for casinos. In one example embodiment, the playingsurface12 has the size of the top surface of a black jack table, and in another, a pai gow table. Other variations departing in size from these standard casino tables will occur to those of skill in the art

In another example, theapparatus10 comprises have adrop box26 and/or atip box28 attached to theside13 of the playingsurface12. Variations in placement of adrop box26 or atip box28 will occur to those of skill in the art, and these variations do not depart from this invention.

Playing cards15 used with theapparatus10 comprise one or even ten decks of standard playing cards15 with inclusion of the jokers being optional. However, play is suggested with two or more decks and no jokers for at least two reasons. One is to provide a sufficient number of playing cards for several players playing the game in a round. The other is that two decks still retains favorable and fair advantages for both the house and the players.

Wagering markers

30 used with theapparatus10 are for disposal onto the playingsurface12. These wageringmarkers30 represent a player's bets. These wageringmarkers30 comprise currency, casino value chips, or some other thing used to represent an amount of bets.

Turning now toFIG. 2, the representations22 comprise three winningcombinations22a,22b,22cpossible from a deal of at least three cards15 to each player. In one example embodiment, the representations comprise threecircles42a,42b,42c,wherein each one of the threecircles42a,42b,42cis for a different one of the three winningcombinations22a,22b,22c.Circles are generally used as symbolic of where coins should go when bets are placed. Other shapes will occur to those of skill in the art without departing from the scope of this invention.

In additional and/or alternative embodiments, the representations22 comprise three

descriptive phrases

44a,44b,44c,wherein each one of the three

descriptive phrases

44a,44b,44cis for a different of the three winningcombinations22a,22b,22c.Examples of the three

descriptive phrases

44a,44b,44cinclude “No Pair,” “Pairs,” and “Three of a Kind.”

Finally, in still another and/or alternative embodiment, the representations22 comprise threepayoff phrases46a,46b,46c,wherein each one of the threepayoff phrases46a,46b,46cis for a different one of the three winningcombinations22a,22b,22c.Examples of the threepayoff phrases46a,46b,46cinclude “1:1,” “3:1,” and “40:1.”

When all three of the above types of representations22 are used on the playingsurface12, it is helpful to align the representations22 for establishing a display that permits easy understanding of where a player places the bets, and what are the winning combinations and their respective payoffs.FIG. 2 shows such an example alignment of multiple representations22. Here, the representations22 comprise a linear arrangement48 of three

non-intersecting rows

48a,48b,48c,wherein thefirst row48acomprises the threecircles42a,42b,42c,thesecond row48bcomprises the three

descriptive phrases

44a,44b,44c,and thethird row48ccomprises the threepayoff phrases46a,46b,46c.In addition, the representations22 comprise three

groupings

50a,50b,50c,wherein each one of the three

groupings

50a,50b,50ccomprises a different one of the threecircles42a,42b,42c,a different one of the three

descriptive phrases

44a,44b,44c,and a different one of the threepayoff phrases46a,46b,46c;wherein each of the

groupings

50a,50b,50ccomprises one of the three

descriptive phrases

44a,44b,44cproperly describing the one of the threepayoff phrases46a,46b,46cin each individual one of the three

groupings

50a,50b,50c.In other embodiments, different alignments of multiple representations22 will occur to those of skill in the art without departing from the scope of the invention.

Similar to the above-described types and arrangements of the representations22, the same general discussion applies to theenlarged representations24 of three winningcombinations22a,22b,22cpossible from a deal of at least three cards15. In example embodiments, theenlarged representations24 of the three winningcombinations22a,22b,22ccomprise “No Pair”52a,“Pair”52b,and “3 of a Kind”52c,all of which are distributed within the payoff area18. Further, the playingsurface12 also comprises three

enlarged payoff phrases

54a,54b,54c,wherein each one of these three

enlarged payoff phrases

54a,54b,54cis grouped with a different one of theenlarged representations24 of the three winningcombinations22a,22b,22c.As an example, “No Pair” would be grouped with “1:1” and “Pairs” would be grouped with “3:1.”

In another example embodiment, the playing surface comprisesindicia36 upon the playingsurface12. Examples ofindicia36 are the licensee's identity, the establishment's identity (i.e., a casino's name), the current name of this card game, “PAIRS PLUS” or “PAIR+PLUS.” Although not specifically identified, other indicia, whether names, numbers, or symbols, will occur to those of skill in the art without departing from the scope of the invention.

In another embodiment, theapparatus10 comprises acommunity card area60 disposed upon the playingsurface12. The location of thecommunity card area60 is variable so long as it is visible to all players playing the card game.

In other embodiments of the invention, as shown inFIG. 1, theapparatus10 also comprises a communitycard betting area62 disposed upon the playingsurface12, and specifically theopen area16. The communitycard betting area62 further comprises a plurality of player community card betting areas64, two of which (64a,64b,etc.) are shown inFIG. 2. Each one (64a,64b,etc.) of the plurality of player community card betting areas64 is located adjacent to a different one of the plurality of player betting areas64. As such, each player has a unique player community card betting areas64 in which to place a second-chance bet.

In further embodiments, each one (64a,64b,etc.) of the plurality of player community card betting areas64 also comprises ashape65, e.g., circle, quadrilateral. Each one of theseshapes65 further comprise one or more descriptive community phrases67 that are adjacent the shape's65 perimeter. For example, as shown inFIG. 2, some of the one or more descriptive community phrases comprise “second chance,” “pair 1:1,” “two pair 3:1,” “three-of-a-kind 30:1,” and “four-of-a-kind 80:1.” Variations inshapes65 and descriptive community phrases67, and locations of the same on the playingsurface12 will occur to those of skill in the art that do not depart from the spirit of the invention.

Turning toFIG. 3, another embodiment of the invention is shown. In this embodiment, theapparatus10 comprises acomputerized version70 of the card game with avirtual playing surface72. Thiscomputerized version70 comprises a connection74 to anetwork76, such as the World Wide Web, in order to allow, for example, the transferring of money from an account to make bets or to thevirtual playing surface72 for paying-off bets. In addition, thecomputerized version70 comprises at least onecommand receiver82 for effectuating choices of a player and resultant actions by thecomputerized version70. Examples of acommand receiver82 include buttons or the like for making bets, dealing virtual cards, choosing cards, requesting pay-off, and so forth. Additionally, thecomputerized version70 comprises a till78 attached to it as well as aslot80 integrally associated with it. Those of skill in the art will recognize other advantages or features to thecomputerized version70 of thisapparatus10; however, these are deemed to be within the scope of this invention.

FIG. 4 shows another aspect of the invention, amethod100 of playing a card game. Themethod100 comprises receivingbets102, dealing at least oneset104, identifying one or more winning bets in eachset106 and paying-off the one or more winning bets in eachset108.

As shown inFIG. 5, the receivingbets102 comprise various example embodiments for receiving bets. Those examples comprise receiving bets of an equal amount invalue102a,receivingirrevocable bets102b,receiving at least three bets102c,which are a no-pairs bet102d,a pairs bet102e,and a three-of-a-kind bet102f.In addition, themethod100 comprises receivingbets102 through use ofwagering markers102g,such as casino value chips or currency. It is customary that the receiving bets102 is accomplished by placingwagering markers102hon a playingsurface12 or into aslot80.

In other examples, themethod100 comprises receivingbets102 into amachine102icomprising a computerized version of the card game, electronically receivingbets102j,receiving bets from anaccount102k,and receiving bets from each of at least one players102l,which is often as many as ten or more players.

As shown inFIG. 6, the playing cards used for dealing104 comprise from at least one deck ofplaying cards112, but even ten ormore decks112cis permitted. In alternative and further example embodiments, theplaying cards112 includejokers112aor not112b.

In another example, as seen inFIG. 4, before dealing at least one set104 to each player, themethod100 comprises cutting theplaying cards110.

Returning toFIG. 6, it is seen that in one embodiment, thecards112 are dealt face-down112eto each player, and, in another, thecards112 are dealt face-up112d.In still other embodiments, adealer112htypically performs the dealing of at least one set104 to each of the at least oneplayers112g,or a player performs these actions. And, further still, the dealing104 comprises by amachine112icomprising a computerized version of the card game.

In another example embodiment, dealing theset104 to each player comprises dealing threeplaying cards112f.From these three playing cards, winning combinations are identified for each player. As seen inFIG. 7, the actual identifying of one or more winning bets in eachset106 comprises, in various example embodiments, identifying by thedealer106a,by amachine106bcomprising a computerized version of the card game, or by another method occurring to one of ordinary skill in the art.

In various embodiments, identifying the one or more winningbets106 comprises observing no pairs in the set114a,observing a pair in the set114b,and/or observing three-of-a-kind in the set114c.Each player will have at least one of these winning combinations in their set.

Based on the winning combinations in each player's set, each player receives a pay-off for their bets. Referring toFIG. 8, in one embodiment, paying-off108 comprises paying-off a no-pairs payoff115 if a player has no pairs in the set belonging to the player. Typically, the no-pairs payoff115 comprises a one-to-one payoff. In addition, if the player only has no pairs in the set, then themethod100 also comprises collecting that player's pairs bet and a three-of-a-kind bet115a.In another embodiment, paying-off108 comprise paying-off apairs payoff117 if a player has pairs in the set belonging to the player. In this instance, thepairs payoff117 usually comprises a one-to-one payoff for a no-pairs bet and a three-to-one payoff for a pairs bet. In addition, if the player only has a pairs in the set, then themethod100 also comprises collecting a three-of-a-kind bet117a.Finally, in yet another embodiment, paying-off108 comprises paying-off a three-of-a-kind payoff119 if a player has three-of-a-kind in the set belonging to the player. In this instance, the three-of-a-kind payoff typically comprises a one-to-one payoff for a no-pairs bet, a three-to-one payoff for a pairs bet, and a forty-to-one for a three-of-a-kind bet. Variations in paying-off will occur to those of ordinary skill in the art, and are deemed to fall within the scope of this invention.

In another embodiment of this invention, themethod100 further comprises receiving a second-chance bet130, as shown inFIG. 9. In one embodiment, receiving the second-chance bet130 occurs before the identifying of one or more winning bets in eachset106. In another embodiment, the receiving of the second-chance bet130 occurs after the identifying of one or more winning bets in eachset106. In still another embodiment, receiving the second-chance bet130 occurs before the paying-off of one or more winning bets in eachset108. And, in yet another embodiment, the receiving the second-chance bet130 occurs after the paying-off of one or more winning bets in eachset108.

Turning to receipt of the second-chance bets, themethod100 involves receiving the second-chance bet130 from each of at least oneplayers130ain one embodiment. In another embodiments, themethod100 involves receiving the second-chance bet130 from each of at least one players having more than one of the one or more winningbets130b.

In differing embodiments, themethod100 further comprises dealing acommunity card132 either before or after receiving the second-chance bets130. Then, themethod100 comprises identifying any second-chance winning bets134. Identifying secondchance winning bets134 comprises observing a pair by incorporating thecommunity card134ainto the set belonging to a player. Similarly, identifying secondchance winning bets134 by inclusion of the community card includes, without limitation, observing twopairs134b,three-of-a-kind134c,four-of-a-kind134d,a straight134e,a flush134f,or astraight flush134g.Following the identifying of second-chance winning bets134, themethod100 further includes paying-off the second-chance winning bets140, if any exist.

In another embodiment, with reference toFIGS. 4-9, themethod100 comprises playing on a computerized version of the card game150, such as on a casino gambling machine or over a network155, e.g., the World Wide Web or a casino's intranet. In addition to receivingbets102, dealing theset104, and identifying one or more winningcombinations106, themethod100 comprises paying-off of the one or more winningcombinations108 to a receiving location164, such as a local or remote account, or to a till attached or integrally associated with the computerized version of the card game. Similar to paying-off to a receiving location164, the location of the received bets comprises a “receiving location.”

Another aspect of the invention comprises a system200 for playing a card game. Although not discussed explicitly, the discussion regarding the method and apparatus suffice to cover the discussed means for the system's various embodiments.

The above-described embodiments should not be constructed to limit the invention to the exact details of structure described therein. Those persons skilled in this invention's field of art will readily identify modifications that are not specifically described. These modifications, however, are intended to be covered.

Claims

1. An apparatus for a card game, the apparatus comprising:

a playing surface comprising a betting area, an open area, and a payoff area, wherein the open area is located between the betting area and the payoff area;

the betting area comprising a plurality of player betting areas, wherein each of the plurality of player betting areas further comprises representations of three winning combinations; and

the payoff area comprising enlarged representations of the three winning combinations.

2. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the playing surface comprises the size of the top surface of a black jack table.

3. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the playing surface further comprises a drop box attached to a side of the playing surface.

4. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the playing surface further comprises a tip box attached to a side of the playing surface.

5. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the representations of three winning combinations comprise the three winning combinations possible from a deal of at least three cards.

6. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the enlarged representations of three winning combinations comprise the three winning combinations possible from a deal of at least three cards.

7. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the betting area comprises a quasi-semi-circular arrangement.

8. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the payoff area comprises a quasi-semi-circular arrangement.

9. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the playing surface further comprises indicia upon the playing surface.

10. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the representations of the three winning combinations comprise three circles, wherein each one of the three circles comprises a different one of the three winning combinations.

11. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the representations of the three winning combinations comprise three descriptive phrases, wherein each one of the three descriptive phrases comprises a different one of the three winning combinations.

12. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the representations of the three winning combinations comprise three payoff phrases, wherein each one of the three payoff phrases comprises for a different one of the three winning combinations.

13. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the representations of the three winning combinations comprise three circles, three descriptive phrases, and three payoff phrases.

14. The apparatus ofclaim 13, wherein the representations comprise a linear arrangement of three non-intersecting rows, wherein the first row comprises the three circles, the second row comprises the three descriptive phrases, and the third row comprises the three payoff phrases.

15. The apparatus ofclaim 13, wherein the representations comprise three groupings, wherein each one of the three groupings comprises a different one of the three circles, a different one of the three descriptive phrases, and a different one of the three payoff phrases; wherein each of the groupings comprises one of the three descriptive phrases properly describing the one of the three payoff phrases in each individual one of the three groupings.

16. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the enlarged representations of the three winning combinations comprise “No Pair,” “Pair,” and “3 of a Kind.”

17. The apparatus ofclaim 1, further comprising three enlarged payoff phrases, wherein each one of the three enlarged payoff phrases comprise groupings with a different one of the enlarged representations of the three winning combinations.

18. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the enlarged representations comprise a distribution within the payoff area.

19. The apparatus ofclaim 1, further comprising a community card betting area disposed upon the open area.

20. The apparatus ofclaim 19, wherein the community card betting area comprises a plurality of player community card betting areas disposed upon the open area.

21. The apparatus ofclaim 20, wherein each of the plurality of player community card betting areas comprises a location adjacent to a different one of the plurality of player betting areas.

22. The apparatus ofclaim 20, wherein the shape of each of the plurality of player community card betting areas further comprises one or more descriptive community phrases adjacent to the perimeter of the shape.

23. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the playing surface further comprises a community card area.

24. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises a computerized version of the card game.

25. The apparatus ofclaim 24, wherein the computerized version comprises a virtual playing surface.

26. The apparatus ofclaim 24, wherein the computerized version comprises a connection to a network.

27. The apparatus ofclaim 24, wherein a till is attached to the computerized version of the card game.

28. The apparatus ofclaim 24, wherein a slot is integrally associated with the computerized version of the card game.

29. The apparatus ofclaim 24, wherein the computerized version comprises at least one command receiver for effectuating choices of a player and resultant actions by the computerized version.