

	Wild Card/Wild Card	At least 8 to 1 (the player's Call wager)
	Royal Flush	At least 5 to 1
	Straight Flush	At least 3 to 1
	Straight	At least 1 to 1
	Pair	At least 1 to 1
	Flush	At least 1 to 1
	High Card	At least 1 to 1

In one embodiment of the invention, each active player who placed a Pair Up wager is paid winnings if their hand meets a predetermined minimum rank. In one embodiment, the player's are paid winnings for their Pair Up wagers in accordance with a pay table. One exemplary Pair Up wager pay table is as follows:



	Wild Card/Wild Card	At least 40 to 1 (of the Pair Up wager)
	Royal Flush	At least 10 to 1
	Straight Flush	At least 5 to 1
	Straight	At least 1 to 1
	Pair	At least 1 to 1

If the player's hand is other than a winning hand (for example, Q high card), the player loses their Pair Up wager (the dealer collects the wager).

In one embodiment of the game, a player may be permitted to place a fourth wager (“Bonus wager”). In one embodiment, a player is required to place the Bonus wager before they are dealt their hand of cards. If the player does not place a Bonus wager, the player is not entitled to any Bonus wager winnings. In addition, in one embodiment, if a player does place a Bonus wager but does not place a Call wager, then the player's Bonus wager is collected along with the Ante and any Pair Up wager.

In one embodiment, an active player is awarded winnings for their Bonus wager if their player hand achieves at least a predetermined minimum rank prior. In one embodiment, player Bonus wagers are paid in accordance with the following:



	Royal Flush	At least 30 to 1 (of the Bonus wager)
	Straight Flush	At least 5 to 1
	Ace High Flush	At least 3 to 1
	King High Flush	At least 2 to 1
	Flush	At least 1 to 1
	Straight	At least a Push
	Pair	At least a Push

If the player's hand is other than a winning hand (for example, Q high card), the player loses their Bonus wager (the dealer collects the wager).

As described in more detail below, in one embodiment, each active player is paid for any winning hand when the player placed a Pair Up and/or Bonus wager, regardless of the outcome of the dealer's hand (i.e. regardless of whether the dealer's hand qualified and regardless of whether the player's hand beat the dealer's hand). In such an embodiment, the player's Pair Up and Bonus wagers are simply wager that their hand will achieve a particular minimum ranking which entitles them to a payout.

The operator of the game may define a minimum and/or maximum wager amount for the Ante, Call wager, Pair Up or Bonus wagers. These minimums and maximums may be different for the different wagers. For example, a minimum Ante of $1 may be required, while a maximum Pair Up wager of $25 may be permitted.

Exemplary Game Outcome Determinations

FIG. 4 illustrates various player and dealer hands and game outcomes in accordance with the above-described method. In this figure, the first column, entitled “Player's Hand,” illustrates an exemplary player hand for a particular game. The second column, entitled “Dealer's Hand,” illustrates an exemplary dealer hand for each corresponding game. The third column, entitled “Player's Wager,” indicates whether the player placed a Call wager. The fourth column indicates the payout to the player for their Ante (in all cases, it is assumed the player placed an Ante, or else the player would not have received their player hand), if any, based upon the player and dealer hands illustrated in the corresponding first and second columns. The fifth column indicates the payout to the player for their Call wager, if any, based upon the player and dealer hands illustrated in the first and second columns.

In a first example illustrated in the first row of the diagram ofFIG. 4, the player has received a “pair” (both playing cards of the player's hand have a rank of 7, but are of different suits). The dealer's hand comprises playing cards with the ranks of Q and 2 of different suits, resulting in a hand of Q high card. The dealer's hand qualifies since it has a minimum rank of Q high. However, the player's “pair” outranks the dealer's Q high hand (according to the rankings illustrated inFIG. 3. The dealer pays theplayer 1 to 1 for their Ante, and 1 to 1 for their Call wager (in accordance with the pay table illustrated inFIG. 5).

In a second example illustrated in the second row of the diagram ofFIG. 4, the player has received a “pair” (both playing cards of the player's hand have a rank of 5 and are of different suits). The dealer's hand comprises playing cards with the ranks of 10 and 7, resulting in a hand of 10 high card. The dealer's hand does not qualify since it does not result in at least Q high. Since the dealer hand did not qualify, the dealer pays theplayer 1 to 1 for their Ante and returns the player's Call wager (denoted as a “push” inFIG. 4).

In a third example illustrated in the third row of the diagram ofFIG. 4, the player has received playing cards with the rank of K and 3, of different suits, resulting in a hand of K high card. The dealer's hand comprises playing cards with the ranks of K and 10, of different suits, also resulting in a hand of K high card. However, the dealer's hand outranks the player's hand since the dealer's second card, a 10, outranks the player's second card, a 3. Since the dealer hand qualifies (one of the playing cards of the dealer has a rank greater than Q), the player loses both their Ante and Call wagers.

In a fourth example illustrated in the fourth row of the diagram ofFIG. 4, the player has received playing cards with the

ranks

6 and 5, but these cards are of the same suit. Since the cards have a sequential rank and are of the same suit, the player's hand is a Straight Flush. The dealer's hand comprises a “pair” (both playing cards both have the rank of 3, but are of different suits). Since the dealer's hand qualifies, the dealer pays the player 1:1 for their Ante and pays the player 3:1 for their Call wager (in accordance with the pay table illustrated inFIG. 5).

In a fifth example illustrated in the fifth row of the diagram ofFIG. 4, the player received playing cards with the

ranks

6 and 2 of different suits, for a resulting hand of 6 high card. The dealer's hand comprises playing cards having the ranks of 5 and 3 of different suits, for a resulting hand of 5 high card. In this example, the player did not place a Call wager. As such, the player forfeits their Ante to the dealer according to the rules table64 as shown herein.

Example Pay Tables

FIG. 5A illustrates an example embodiment of a pay table60 for a Call wager and a Pair Up wager. It should be understood that this is but one possible pay table and as such, the claims that follow are not limited to this particular pay table. Possible two card winning combinations are shown, along with respective Call wager payouts and Pair Up wager payouts for those particular winning combinations/rankings. For example, assuming a player placed $10 ante and placed a $10 Call wager, if the player's hand was a Joker/Joker combination of cards, the player would be paid $80 for their Call wager (seecolumn 2,row 1 of the pay table illustrated inFIG. 5A where the hand “Joker/Joker” pays Call wagers at the rate of “8 to 1”). Further, assuming that the player had placed an option Pair Up wager of $10, the player would be paid $400 for that wager (seecolumn 3,row 1 of the pay table illustrated inFIG. 5A where the hand “Joker/Joker” pays Pair Up wagers at “40 to 1”).

It is noted that in one embodiment, the payout determination for the player's Pair Up bet is independent of the dealer's hand. In other words, so long as the player is active and placed a Pair Up wager, the player is paid winnings according to the “Pair Up Wager” pay table. This is true even if the dealer's hand did not qualify, or if it did qualify, whether the player's hand beat the dealer's hand or the dealer's hand beat the player's hand.

FIG. 5B illustrates an embodiment of another pay table62 that may be generally disposed or displayed in theplayer display portion22. This pay table62 illustrates pay outs for Bonus wagers for different hands. The payout amounts shown inFIG. 5B are merely illustrative of possible payouts to the player. The first column of the pay table identifies possible hand outcomes (denoted “PLAYER CARDS” in the heading of the first column ofFIG. 5B). The second column of the pay table demotes payouts for a Bonus wager for those particular hands (denoted “BONUS PAYS” in the heading of the second column ofFIG. 5B).

For example, assume that a player is active (placed an Ante and Call wager) and had previously placed an optional $10 Bonus wager. If the player is dealt a Royal Flush card combination (an Ace and a King of the same suit), then in accordance with this pay table, the player is awarded $300 for the $10 Bonus wager (seecolumn 2,row 1 ofFIG. 5B, where a “Royal Flush” is paid at a rate of “30 to 1”). Conversely, if the player only received a hand comprising a “Straight” then the result is a “Push.” The term “Push” may denote that the player's wager is returned, or that the wager remains on the table (such as at the BONUS portion42) until another round of the game.

It is noted that in one embodiment, the payout determination for the player's Bonus wager is independent of the dealer's hand. In other words, so long as the player is active and placed a Bonus wager, the player is paid winnings according to the “Bonus Wager” pay table. This is true even if the dealer's hand did not qualify, or if it did qualify, whether the player's hand beat the dealer's hand or the dealer's hand beat the player's hand.

FIG. 5C illustrates a rules table64 which may be displayed on or adjacent the table. In one embodiment the rules table64 may be located in the general region of theplayer display portion22. Alternatively, the rules table64 may be in alternate locations with the pay table60 or another pay table62 located between afirst player location20 adjacent to a second player location and the rules table64 located in a third player location adjacent to either the first player location or adjacent to the second player location. In other embodiments, the rules table64 may be anywhere on thegaming table layout10 that is visible to the players of the game.

According to the exemplary rules table64 as illustrated inFIG. 5C, a Joker or “wild” playing card may be paired with another playing card to form a “pair” or matched two card hand for either the dealer or the player (see first line ofFIG. 5C). Other entries of the rules table64 indicate that in this example embodiment: (a) the Call wager and the Ante must be equal in amount (see second line ofFIG. 5C); (b) at least one playing card of thedealer hand46 must have a rank of at least Q for the dealer to qualify in the game (see third line ofFIG. 5C); and (c) if the dealer does not qualify, the player's Ante is paid at the rate of 1 to 1 (see fourth line ofFIG. 5C). The rules table64 may be altered by the operator of the game.

The operator of the game may alter the Call wager pays and the Pair Up wager pays ofFIG. 5A and the Bonus wager pays ofFIG. 5B. By way of illustration, Table 1 shows different embodiments of a payout schedule for the Pair Up wager placed by a player in the game described herein. As used in Table 1, the term “Push” means that when the player hand is equal to the dealer hand, nothing is won or lost and thus the player's wager is returned.

Alternatively, the term “Push” as used in Table 1 may also be used in the same manner as described above for a Bonus wager (see above description ofFIG. 5B). The term “N/A” as used in Table 1 (see below) means that the hand is not a winning hand, and the player loses their wager.

TABLE 1


Embodiments of the PAIR UP Payout Schedule for the
Two Playing Card Hand Poker Wagering Game (game).

Hand Type	1	2	3	4	5	6

Joker/Joker	40 to 1	50 to 1	50 to 1	40 to 1	60 to 1	50 to 1
Royal Flush	20 to 1	25 to 1	35 to 1	25 to 1	30 to 1	30 to 1
Straight Flush	5 to 1	6 to 1	5 to 1	6 to 1	5 to 1	5 to 1
Straight	3 to 1	2.5 to 1	2.5 to 1	2.5 to 1	2.5 to 1	2.5 to 1
Pair	1 to 1	1 to 1	1 to 1	1 to 1	1 to 1	1 to 1
Flush	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Hand Type	7	8	9	10	11	12

Joker/Joker	40 to 1	50 to 1	40 to 1	40 to 1	40 to 1	50 to 1
Royal Flush	30 to 1	25 to 1	30 to 1	20 to 1	30 to 1	30 to 1
Straight Flush	5 to 1	4 to 1	4 to 1	5 to 1	5 to 1	5 to 1
Straight	2.5 to 1	3 to 1	3 to 1	2.5 to 1	1 to 1	1.5 to 1
Pair	1 to 1	1 to 1	1 to 1	1 to 1	1 to 1	1 to 1
Flush	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	Push	Push

Gaming Machine

FIG. 6 depicts agaming machine70 which may be configured to present a game of the invention. Hereinafter, the term “gaming machine” is used to denote a mechanical, electro-mechanical and/or electronic machine which may be used to present the game, either for wager or for free or “pay to play” entertainment.

In one embodiment, the gaming machine comprises a stand-alone type computing device, either portable or in desktop form. Thegaming machine70 comprises at least onedisplay72 and a processing unit configured to generate game information (such as by executing software code). In one embodiment, the processing unit may be configured to generate one or more random numbers or the gaming machine may otherwise include a random number generator, which random numbers may be used to generate random game events (such as random card selection or random game outcomes).

The gaming machine includes video signal generation element for generating a video signal or data which causes thedisplay72 to display game information. For example, thedisplay72 may be configured to depict at least onedealer playing card74 and at least oneplayer playing card76, it being understood that the order of appearance of thedealer playing card74 and theplayer playing card76 is not limited to the specific illustration ofFIG. 6.

Thegaming machine70 may further comprise at least one currency or currency equivalent acceptor/receptacle80 for receiving currency or currency equivalents (as described above for the gaming table layout10) and a currency or currencyequivalents payout dispenser82 for paying the player. The term “currency or currency equivalents” is defined herein to mean monetary currency, such as bills, notes or coins, or equivalents thereto, such as tokens, redemption slips or redemption cards, credit or a debit cards, and the like.

Thegaming machine70 may include a player input permitting a player to place an ante or wager. In one embodiment, thedisplay72 may be configured to receive input from a player, such as to awager indicia78 displayed on thedisplay72 which indicates an amount of a wager placed by the player. In other embodiments, thegaming machine70 may include a “bet one” and/or “bet max” button. In one embodiment, thedisplay72 displays a video representation of thewagering region24 of thegaming table layout10 described above, wherein the wagering region of the gaming table layout may be configured with aBonus wager area42, the PairUp wager area40, theAnte area26 and theCall wager area28.

Thegaming machine70 may further comprise at least oneplayer interface84. Theplayer interface84 may include one or more input devices which permit a player to provide input to the gaming machine, such as to initiate game play and the like. The one or more input devices may comprise the display72 (such as when thedisplay72 is touch-sensitive), and/or a button, voice activated device, a mouse, a keyboard, a tablet or a joystick or other means permitting the player to provide input to the machine.

Referring again toFIG. 6, thegaming machine70 may be configured to display a wide variety of information other than game data and game results. Examples of alternative information include depictions of the pay tables60,62 ofFIG. 5A/5B (see above description) and the rules table64 ofFIG. 5C (see above description).

In other embodiments, thegaming machine70 may be a remote station or a terminal. In such configurations, game information may be generated remotely and may be transferred to the machine, such as via a wired or wireless communication link. In those configurations, thegaming machine70 may be configured primarily to display game information and receive input from a player.

As indicated, in one embodiment, thegaming machine70 may be configured to present the game in a wagering (for payout) format. In other configurations, thegaming machine70 could be configured to award points or prizes, rather than monetary payment. Also, thegaming machine70 could be configured to present the game solely for entertainment (whether the player is required to pay to play the game, as in “arcade” fashion, or is permitted to play the game for free).

In addition, while thegaming machine70 may include a currency or currency equivalent acceptor, the acceptance of value may be by electronic transfer of credits or the like from a remote location or use of credits or value stored at a remote location, such as at a central server.

Gaming Machine Game Version

One embodiment of the invention comprises methods of presenting and playing a game of the invention on a gaming machine. In a wagering format, a player provides value to thegaming machine70, such as by providing currency or currency equivalents to the currency equivalents acceptor/receptacle80 of thegaming machine70. The player may then utilize credits corresponding to the deposited currency/currency equivalent to place one or more wagers, such as by utilizing theplayer interface84 to place an Ante, a Pair Up wager, a Bonus wager and/or a Call wager. The Ante/wagers may be of the same type as described for the table layout version.

Either upon the player placing the appropriate Ante (and any optional Pair Up, Bonus or other wager) or providing other input, such as pressing a “deal” button, the gaming machine presents the game. In one embodiment, this comprises thegaming machine70 displaying the player hand. The player is then permitted to inspect their hand and elect to place the Call wager.

If the player elects to fold (i.e. not place a Call wager), the player may provide input to that effect (such as by pressing a “fold” button). In the player elects to place a Call wager, the player may provide the appropriate input. In that case, thegaming machine70 may then cause thedisplay72 to display the twocard hand46 of the dealer.

The central processing unit of the gaming machine70 (or remote server or other device, in a distributed environment) is configured to determine the game outcome, such as in accordance with the rules described above relative to the table game version of the game.

In one embodiment, a credit count is displayed by thedisplay72. When a player places an Ante or wager, the number of credits wagered is deducted from the credit count. When the player obtains a winning result, the credit count is increased by the number of awarded credits. The player may cash out of the game of thegaming machine70 by activating a “cash out” input of theplayer interface84 and collecting the credits in the form of currency and/or currencyequivalents payout dispenser82.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.