US20110074107A1 - Games and gaming devices utilizing game cards with bonus symbols - Google Patents

Abstract

A game utilizes cards or similar game elements having at least primary indicia or symbols and in some instances at least a secondary or bonus indicia or symbol. The primary indicia may comprise card rank and suit indicia. The cards may include a secondary slot or bonus symbol. A deck of cards may comprise multiple cards having primary indicia with one or more or all of the cards including a secondary or bonus symbol. The primary indicia may be evaluated in the play of a primary game such as a poker game, while the secondary symbols may be used in a secondary slot game or may trigger one or more bonus events. In other embodiments, the game cards may include game symbol primary indicia, game suit secondary indicia and slot line tertiary indicia. A deck of slot cards may be formed from individual cards each bearing unique combinations of the indicia. In game play, slot cards may be dealt in a row and, after any discard and replacement, the resulting slot cards may be evaluated against a pay table which defines winning combinations of slot cards and associated awards.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION DATA
• This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/277,993, filed Sep. 30, 2009.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
• The invention relates generally to playing cards and games using cards, and in particular to a casino-style game played with cards having secondary bonus symbols.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• Casino-style gaming is a very popular activity. Casinos offer various traditional table games such as poker, roulette, craps and blackjack. Casinos also offer the play of spinning reel mechanical or video gaming machines and video poker gaming machines.
• Casinos are continually seeking to present new and exciting games to their players. For example, casinos may offer a wide variety of video slot machines having different game “themes”. However, there is a need for games having new unique and exciting features.
• From the discussion that follows, it will become apparent that the present invention addresses the deficiencies associated with the prior art while providing numerous additional advantages and benefits not contemplated or possible with prior art constructions.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• Particular embodiments of the invention relate to gaming devices and game methods utilizing game cards. In one embodiment, game cards include at least one primary indicia and, in some instances, at least a secondary or bonus indicia or symbol. The primary indicia may comprise, for example, standard playing card rank and suit indicia. The primary indicia might be other forms of indicia, however, such as slot-game symbols.
• In one embodiment a deck of game or playing cards comprises multiple cards each having primary indicia. One or more or all of the game cards also include a secondary or bonus symbol. The secondary or bonus symbols associated with the cards may the same or different, such as selected from a set of bonus symbols.
• In one embodiment, the game cards may be used in the play of a game such as a wagering game. The game may have a primary or base component. This component may be played with the primary indicia of the game cards. Such a game might comprise a poker game. The game may have a secondary or bonus component. The secondary component might comprise a bonus game played using the bonus symbols on the cards, or may comprise a bonus event which is triggered as a result of the bonus symbols associated with the cards.
• As one example, a deck of game cards may be used to play a primary game. One or more of the cards may be dealt or displayed to a player. The primary game may be played using the primary indicia associated with the dealt cards. In addition, if the cards used in the game bear one or more designated bonus symbols or combinations thereof, a bonus event may be triggered. The bonus event may comprise an award of winnings or presentation of a secondary event which may or may not include player input. That secondary event may provide the opportunity for outcomes having awards.
• As another example, all of the cards may include a secondary or bonus symbol. A game play may be played using one or more of the game cards. The game cards may be evaluated for potential winning combinations of primary symbols, such as for winning poker hands. The game cards may also be evaluated for potential winning combinations of bonus symbols, such as in a slot-type game.
• The game cards may comprise physical cards. The cards may have a front and a back. The primary indicia and secondary bonus symbols (if any) may be, for example, printed on the front of the cards. A deck of game cards might comprise 52 cards each having the unique playing card combinations of theranks 2 through Ace in the suits Clubs, Spades, Hearts and Diamonds. One or more or all of the cards may include a secondary symbol. Decks of game cards may be the same or they may be different. For example, different decks may have different numbers of cards bearing secondary symbols or the same number of cards bearing secondary symbols but where the particular secondary symbols born by the cards differ.
• In another embodiment, the game cards may comprise video images, such as presented on an electronic display of an electronic or electro-mechanical gaming machine. In such an embodiment game cards may be randomly selected or generated. For example, secondary symbols may be randomly selected and be randomly associated with one or more the game cards.
• Another embodiment of the invention is a gaming device and game method utilizing a unique set of game indicia, such as in the form of a set or deck of slot cards. In one embodiment, the game indicia comprises a plurality of game symbol primary indicia, a plurality of game suit secondary indicia and one or more slot line tertiary indicia. Each game symbol primary indicia is replicated for each one of a plurality of game suit secondary indicia and further replicated with one or more slot line tertiary indicia resulting in a total number of slot cards in a slot card deck that equates to the number of game symbols multiplied by the number of game suit secondary indicia multiplied by the number of slot line tertiary indicia.
• In one or more embodiments, the slot line tertiary indicia may be graphical or numerical. Additionally, when the slot game is played with only one slot line, the slot line tertiary indicia need not be displayed.
• In one or more embodiments, each slot card has a slot card front and a slot card back, wherein the game symbol primary indicia, the game suit secondary indicia, and the slot line tertiary indicia are displayed within a rectangular area resembling a playing card to form the slot card front. In one or more embodiments, a slot card back may contain a common graphic indicia displayed within a rectangular area for each slot card; the slot card back representing a slot card with the slot card front hidden from the player.
• Many combinations of game symbol primary indicia, game suit secondary indicia and game slot line tertiary indicia are possible resulting in a large number of unique slot cards. Each unique slot card is combined with other unique slot cards to form a plurality of slot cards resulting in a deck of slot cards wherein one or more decks of slot cards may be used for a plurality of game implementation embodiments.
• In one game embodiment, slot cards may be arranged in one or more groups of five slot cards. In one or more game embodiments where more than one group of five slot cards are played, the groups may be arranged in a plurality of rows where each slot card within a group exists within one of a plurality of columns.
• In one embodiment, the game may be played as a multiple sequence game with multiple decks of slot cards. For example, the game may comprise three groups of five slot cards arranged in three vertical rows. All three groups of slot cards are displayed with the slot card back face-up until the player makes a wager. For example, wagers may be placed by the player in any number of scenarios, such as a single wager made on the overall game, a wager on each group of slot cards, and/or a wager on a select group of slot cards when there are multiple groups of slot cards being played.
• In one embodiment, upon wagering, the slot cards in the bottom row are flipped over to display their front faces and those card faces are replicated to each row above; resulting in three groups of slot cards, wherein each group displays the same slot cards in each of columns as are displayed in the bottom row.
• The player may then select one or more slot cards to HOLD on the bottom row; the HOLD selection being replicated to each of the slot cards in the same columns of each row above.
• The player then presses a game selection indicator such as a PLAY button on the gaming machine or touch screen. The slot cards in each group that were held remain, however the non-held slot cards are replaced with new slot cards.
• Each group or row of slot cards is then evaluated against a pay table. Preferably, the pay table defines one or more winning combinations of slot cards, those winning combinations having one or more associated awards. The pay table preferably defines winning combination of slot cards comprising combinations of game symbol primary indicia, game suit secondary indicia and slot line tertiary indicia. For example, a pay table may pay 10 credits for three game symbol primary indicia matches when 5 credits are wagered; pay 20 credits for four game symbol primary indicia matches when 5 credits are wagered; pay 5 credits for two pair of matching game symbol primary indicia when 5 credits are wagered; may pay 50 credits for five slot cards containing different game suit secondary indicia when 5 credits are wagered; may pay 50 credits for five different slot cards containing game symbol primary indicia when 5 credits are wagered; may pay 100 credits for five slot cards containing all matching game symbol indicia and all matching slot line tertiary indicia; or for other combinations of slot cards. In the preferred embodiment, the payout is proportional to the amount bet and the odds of obtaining the specific combination of slot cards given a specific slot card deck or multiple decks.
• In one or more embodiments, a plurality of slot card groups, arranged in rows, may be played by the player. For example, a player might play ten groups/rows, twenty groups/rows, fifty groups/rows, or one hundred groups/rows of slot cards.
• In one embodiment, a pay table may comprise a slot card combination such as two matching pairs of slot cards, three matching slot cards, four matching slot cards, or various other combinations of game symbol primary indicia, game suit secondary indicia and slot line tertiary indicia. The payout is based on the mathematical probability of receiving the specific combination of slot cards wherein each slot card comprises a game symbols primary indicia, game suit secondary indicia and a slot line tertiary indicia.
• In other embodiments, a traditional game such as a spinning reel game or a video poker game may be played prior, during or after the described invention to establish a BONUS multiplier associated with the game outcome of the invention or may be used to establish one or more BONUS slot cards, slot card game symbol primary indicia, slot card game suit secondary indicia, and/or slot line tertiary indicia which may be played along with the deck of slot cards.
• In one or more embodiments, casino gaming regulations must be considered for each game implementation for a casino gaming device and in one or more embodiments may comprise variations of the same game based on such casino gaming regulations and must include functionality consistent with all casino gaming regulations such as the random number generator and security of the game.
• In one or more embodiments, the game may include a set of configuration parameters that may be set to turn game features on or off to meet the requirements of the particular gaming regulations for a particular casino gaming jurisdiction.
• In one or more embodiments, the game may be played as a play for fun game with a set of parameters configured by the player and not support casino wagering but rather support play for fun wagering.
• Other systems, methods, features and advantages of the invention will be or will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. In the figures, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views.
• FIG. 1 illustrates a plurality of game suit secondary indicia examples that may be used in one of a plurality of game embodiments.
• FIG. 2 illustrates an example symbol group with five slot cards each of which containing game symbol indicia and game suit secondary indicia indicia.
• FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a slot card front with game symbol indicia and game suit secondary indicia indicia.
• FIG. 4 illustrates three groups of five slot cards, arranged in three rows and five columns, displaying the back of each symbol
• FIG. 5 illustrates a game play sequence with three groups of five slot cards wherein the card fronts of each slot card within the first slot card group are displayed, while the card backs of two slot card groups are displayed.
• FIG. 6 illustrates a game play sequence with three groups of five slot cards wherein the card fronts of each slot card within the first slot card group are displayed, while the card backs of two slot card groups are displayed where the player selects HOLD slot cards from the first slot card group.
• FIG. 7 illustrates a game play sequence with three groups of five slot cards wherein the card fronts of each slot card within the first slot card group are replicated to each of the slot card groups along with the slot cards that were held in the first slot card group.
• FIG. 8 illustrates a game play sequence with three groups of five slot cards wherein the card fronts of each slot card are displayed, all cards except the HOLD cards fromFIG. 7 are replaced with new slot cards, the game then identifying winning combinations.
• FIG. 9 is an example of possible game symbols and game suit secondary indicia which can be used by one or more of the embodiments.
• FIG. 10 is a flow chart of one game play embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 11 is an example of a slot card displaying a primary, and secondary indicia with numerical tertiary indicia.
• FIG. 12 is an example of a slot card displaying primary and secondary indicia with graphical tertiary indicia.
• FIG. 13 illustrates an example symbol group with five slot cards each of which containing game symbol indicia and game suit secondary indicia and numerical game line indicia.
• FIG. 14 illustrates an example symbol group with five slot cards each of which containing game symbol indicia and game suit secondary indicia and graphical game line indicia.
• FIGS. 15-23 illustrate examples of game cards bearing primary indicia and, in one or more instances, a secondary or bonus symbol.
• Table 1 illustrates an example pay table for a three line slot card game.
• Table 2 illustrates a sample 183 slot card deck.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
• In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough description of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known features have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the invention.
• Particular embodiments of the invention comprise gaming devices and game methods utilizing a plurality of game symbol primary indicia, a plurality of game suit secondary indicia and one or more slot line tertiary indicia, those indicia arranged in various combinations to form a plurality of slot cards, and the slot cards arranged in various combinations to form decks of slot cards. In a preferred embodiment, game cards or other game elements bear primary, secondary and tertiary indicia. In one embodiment, each game symbol primary indicia is replicated for each one of a plurality of game suit secondary indicia and further replicated with one or more slot line tertiary indicia resulting in a total number of slot or game cards that equates to the number of game symbols multiplied by the number of game suit secondary indicia multiplied by the number of slot line tertiary indicia.
• FIG. 2 illustrates a plurality of possible game symbol primary indicia as, for example,CHERRIES200,BAR205,BELL210,HORSE SHOE220, andDIAMOND230. The game symbol primary indicia might also comprise familiar graphical slot symbol indicia from popular spinning reel games such as MONOPOLY® from WMS, CLEOPATRA® from IGT, and WIZARD OF OZ® from WMS. There is no restriction to the graphical indicia that may be used for any particular game embodiment.
• Referring toFIG. 1, game suit secondary indicia for one or more embodiments may be any graphical indicia. Preferably, however, the game suit secondary indicia vary from the game symbol primary indicia and the slot tertiary indicia. For example, the game suitsecondary indicia HEARTS100,CLUBS110,SPADES120,DIAMONDS130, POT OFGOLD140, andRASBERRY150 may be assigned as the game suit secondary indicia for the slot cards used by a particular game implementation embodiment. The use of graphical indicia to represent game suit secondary indicia further adds to the excitement of the game by increasing the payouts related to the probability of obtaining unique slot card combinations. Such payouts may be calculated to be part of the overall game or may be bonus payouts as illustrated in Table 1.
• The game suit secondary indicia may further comprise indicia familiar to the player and may be associated with the game symbol primary indicia. For example, in one embodiment of the game, graphical indicia for the game symbol primary indicia may comprise familiar symbols from the WIZARD OF OZ® casino gaming device from WMS, while the graphical indicia for the game suit secondary indicia may comprise the key characters from the game such as DORTHY, TOTO, TIN MAN, SCARE CROW, and LION. In other game embodiments, those characters may represent game symbol primary indicia while the game suit secondary indicia may be for example GOLD COINS, TORNADO, HEARTS, POT OF GOLD, DIAMONDS, CLUBS, SPADES, and RAINBOW. In other embodiments there is no association required between the graphical indicia used for the game suit secondary indicia and the graphical indicia used for the game symbol primary indicia.
• As indicated, the slot cards preferably include slot tertiary indicia. Preferably, the slot tertiary indicia vary from, and are thus distinguishable from, the symbol primary indicia and the suit secondary indicia.FIG. 11 illustrates an embodiment where a slot card has slot linetertiary indicia1110 displayed numerically as a slot line number, such as thenumbers 1, 2, 3, etc. For example, various slot line tertiary indicia is illustrated inFIG. 13, wherein each slot card contains a numerical value representing the slot line number. In this example,slot card1310 bearsslot line number 2,slot card1320 bearsline number 4,slot card1330 bearsline number 1,slot card1340 bearsline number 9, andslot card1350 bearsline number 1.
• In other embodiments, the game slot line tertiary indicia may be represented as graphical indicia, such as illustrated inFIG. 12. As illustrated therein, the slot linetertiary indicia1210 represents slot line orline number 4. Various slot line tertiary indicia are illustrated inFIG. 14, wherein each slot card contains graphical indicia representing the slot line number. In this example,slot card1410 bearsline number 2,slot card1420 bearsline number 1,slot card1430 bearsline number 2,slot card1440 bearsline number 1, andslot card1450 bearsline number 1.
• In other embodiments, further graphical combinations are possible. For example each slot card's slot line tertiary indicia may be comprised of a plurality of colored graphical line indicia wherein each color represents a particular slot line number. For example, RED may equate to SlotLine 2, GREEN may equate to SlotLine 3 and so on, enabling slot cards to have more than one game slot line for a particular slot card. In one embodiment, if a single slot line is played, the slot line tertiary need not be indicated on each slot card. Such an embodiment is illustrated inFIG. 2, wherein the slot cards do not display slot line tertiary indicia and thus the cards are all interpreted to have only 1 slot line.
• Each game symbol primary indicia is associated with game suit secondary indicia to form a slot card as shown inFIG. 3. Preferably, each slot card has a front or face300 wherein the indicia of thegame symbol310 and the indicia of the game suitsecondary indicia320 are displayed within a rectangular area resembling a playing card to form a slot card front. In the example used forFIG. 3, the slot card has only 1 slot line, so no slot line tertiary indicia is displayed. In one or more embodiments where no slot line tertiary indicia is present on the face of a slot card, for example as illustrated inFIG. 3,slot card300 does not have slot line tertiary indicia visible.
• In one or more embodiments, as shown inFIG. 4, each slot card may have a back400. The card back400 may display or bear common graphic indicia displayed within a rectangular area. The card backs are preferably identical so that the cards can not be identified from one another. In addition, the graphical indicia may aid in preventing the card faces from being visible through the cards. For example, each slot card back represents an unknown slot card with which the player will play the game. During the game, the slot card back will change to a slot card front revealing the specific slot card game symbol primary indicia, game suit secondary indicia and slot line tertiary indicia (depending on whether the cards are physical or graphically represented, this transformation may occur by flipping over a physical card or replacing the graphical display of a card back with a card front).
• Many combinations of game symbol primary indicia, game suit secondary indicia and game slot line tertiary indicia are possible resulting in a large number of unique slot cards for a given slot card game embodiment. Further, in a preferred embodiment, each unique slot card is combined with other slot cards to form a plurality of slot cards resulting in a deck of slot cards. In addition, one or more decks of slot cards may be used for a plurality of game implementation embodiments. See Table 2 which illustrates one embodiment of a 183 slot card deck.
• In the preferred embodiments of the game, it is highly desirable that the graphical indicia are familiar to the player and the game suit secondary indicia relate to the game symbol primary indicia theme.
• In one or more embodiments, any combination of game symbol primary indicia and game suit secondary indicia and game slot line tertiary indicia may be chosen by the game embodiment designer based on the desired mathematical probability model desired for the particular game.
• For example, a game embodiment with 20 different game symbol primary indicia and 5 different game suit secondary indicia and 1 game slot line tertiary indicia will comprise a deck of 100 slot cards. In this example, the slot card game embodiment has only 1 slot line and a game may be played using 5 slot cards in a single group or row. The odds for selecting matching game symbol primary indicia would then be calculated based on the total number of slot cards and the probability of receiving a particular combination of slot cards. In another example, the slot card game embodiment has 3 slot lines and uses 5 slot cards in 3 rows of slot cards. For example, the slot cards may be arranged in groups of slot cards and displayed in rows as illustrated inFIG. 8 wherein three groups are illustrated:Group 1—410,group 2—420 andgroup 3—410. In a further example, in one embodiment the slot card game uses a slot card deck of slot cards comprising 100 game symbol primary indicia, 6 game suit secondary indicia and 10 slot line tertiary indicia; resulting in a total of 100×6×10=6000 cards.
• The slot cards may be organized in a wide variety of slot card groupings for any number of game embodiments. For example, the slot cards may be arranged in a single group, such as in a or row of 2 or more slot cards (such as 5 slot cards, 10 slot cards or the like), wherein each of which slot cards comprise a game symbol primary indicia, a game suit secondary indicia and a game line tertiary indicia. The objective in this slot card game embodiment is for the player to match game symbol primary indicia while also matching slot line tertiary indicia and optionally use the game suit secondary indicia to pay out an additional bonus, such as when a specific number of slot cards match the game suit secondary indicia or other combinations of slot cards as defined in a pay table are achieved.
• In the preferred embodiment, a slot card does not have a rank, as is typical in traditional poker games using playing cards. For example, the slot card game simply pays the player based on the player's wager and the odds of obtaining a specific number of matching game symbol primary indicia and/or game suit secondary indicia and/or slot line tertiary or other predefined combinations.
• For example, the player may receive a payout based on receiving all the same game suit secondary indicia or may receive a payout based on receiving all different game suit secondary indicia with no consideration at all to what the game symbol primary indicia is on any of the slot cards.
• In further embodiments, the slot cards may include a ranking feature and decks or groups of slot cards may utilize specialty slot cards. For example, the slot card game symbol primary indicia may contain graphical indicia such as ONE BAR, TWO BARS, THREE BARS wherein matching multiple THREE BARS game symbol primary indicia on a slot cards pays more to the player then matching ONE BAR game symbol primary indicia on a slot card.
• In other embodiments, there may be BONUS slot cards with game symbol primary indicia used to pay the player a bonus payout. As such the odds of receiving a BONUS slot card are based on the odds of receiving the card. Thus for a slot card deck comprising 100 game symbol primary indicia, 10 game suit secondary indicia and 20 slot line tertiary indicia there are a total of 100×10×20=20,000 slot cards in the slot card deck. By inserting 1 BONUS slot card, the player has the odds of being dealt the 1 BONUS slot card based on the total number of slot cards in the slot deck and related to how many slot cards are dealt to the player.
• In one or more embodiments, the slot card game is played as a single sequence game without player input, the game comprising the steps of: 1) dealing a set or group of two or more slot cards, 2) evaluating the indicia of the slot cards; and 3) paying the player based on the odds of receiving specific combinations of slot cards, such as in accordance with a pay table that defines particular winning outcomes and associated awards (wherein such a pay table and its awards may be based upon the probability of receiving a particular slot card combinations).
• In one or more embodiments, the slot card game is played as a multiple sequence game including player input, the game comprising the steps of: 1) dealing a set or group of two or more slot cards, 2) receiving input from a player as to none, one or more of the slot cards to be held; 3) replacing non-held slot cards with other slot cards; 4) evaluating the resultant final group of slot cards; and 5) paying the player, such as based upon a pay table. In another embodiment, the player may be permitted to hold/discard one or more slot cards after replacement cards have been dealt (i.e. a second or other additional levels of hold/replacement).
• In one or more embodiments, the game may be played with no interaction by the player; wherein the game automatically HOLDS specific slot cards for the player and deals new slot cards to replace the slot cards that were not held.
• In one or more embodiments a game may be played with more than one group of slot cards. In a preferred embodiment, the groups may be arranged in a plurality of rows, wherein each row has two or more slot cards and each slot card within said row exists within one of a plurality of columns. The rows of slot cards may be played wherein each slot card group/row is evaluated independently from other slot card group/rows. In this embodiment, the player is able to play a plurality of multiple groups of slot cards, each of which forming a slot card game, simultaneously. While the payout of each slot card group/row may be combined with the payouts from all other slot card group/rows by adding the results of each group/rows of slot cards being played to pay the player.
• In one embodiment, the game may be played as a multiple sequence game with multiple decks of slot cards. For example, the game may be played with three groups of five slot cards each arranged in three horizontal rows. All three groups of slot cards are displayed with a symbol back until the player makes a wager. For example, wagers on the game may be placed by the player in any number of scenarios, such as a single wager may be made on the overall game, a wager may be made on each group of slot cards, and/or a wager may be made selectively on a group of slot cards when there are more than one groups of slot cards being played.
• In one embodiment, the game steps include the steps illustrated in the game flow chart inFIG. 10.
• In one embodiment, upon wagering, as illustrated inFIG. 5, the group ofslot cards430 on the bottom row is displayed while the two rows ofslot card groups410 and420 above remain displaying slot card backs. The player then has the choice of HOLDing any or none of theslot cards510,520,530,540 and/or550. InFIG. 6, the player has heldslot card520 andslot card540. In this particular embodiment of the game, the bottom row is then replicated as illustrated inFIG. 7, including the HOLD cards, to each of the two rows above resulting in three groups ofslot cards410,420, and430 displaying each respective slot card front, wherein each group displays the same slot card fronts displayed in each of the same columns as displayed in thebottom row430.
• The player then presses a game selection indicator such as a PLAY button, or DRAW button or NEXT button on the gaming device chassis or gaming device touch screen. As illustrated inFIG. 8, those slot cards that were held remain, while the other slot cards are replaced with new slot cards, resulting in the three groups ofslot cards410,420 and430 used to determine the player's payout based on the players wager and the odds established for slot card combinations defined in the game embodiment's pay table, such as illustrated in Table 1.
• The player is then paid based on a combination of slot cards by evaluating the indicia associated with each slot card to a pay table. As illustrated inFIG. 8, thebottom row430 of slot cards contains 2 matches: slot cardprimary indicia BELL520 matches slot cardprimary indicia BELL540 and slot card primaryindicia HORSE SHOE830 matches slot card primaryindicia HORSE SHOE850. Thegraphical indicia810 “2 Matches” may be displayed to help the player understand why they won.
• In one or more embodiments, a pay table may pay 10 credits for three matching slot cards when 5 credits are wagered, pay 20 credits for four matching slot cards when 5 credits are wagered, pay 5 credits for two pair of matching slot cards when 5 credits are wagered, may pay 50 credits for five slot cards containing five different game suit secondary indicia when 5 credits are wagered, may pay 50 credits for five different game symbol primary indicia when 5 credits are wagered, may pay 150 credits for five different game symbol primary indicia with the same game suit secondary indicia, or other combinations of slot cards may result in pay outs to the player proportional to the amount bet and the odds of obtaining the specific combination of slot cards based upon a specific slot card deck. Further, multiple slot card decks may used in a particular game embodiment resulting in a pay table associated with the probability of receiving predefined combinations of slot cards. For example, Table 1 illustrates the pay outs associated with a slot card game embodiment which is determined based on the probability of occurrence.
• In one or more embodiments, a plurality of slot card groups, arranged in horizontal rows, may be played by the player as a single slot card game or simultaneously playing multiple slot card games. For example, seven slot card groups, ten slot card groups, twenty slot card groups, fifty slot card groups, one hundred slot card groups, or other combinations arranged by the slot card game designer grouping a number of slot cards in one or more rows may be played by the player.
• In another game embodiment, the player may receive one or more groups of slot cards wherein each slot card used to form a group of slot cards is drawn from multiple slot card decks of slot cards and displayed on the screen in one of a plurality of groups of slot cards arranged in rows. The player may play the game simultaneously by selecting each particular slot card to HOLD in any of the rows of groups of slot cards.
• The player then presses a game button or touch screen control to PLAY and the slot cards not held are replaced with new slot cards. The player then wins a specific number of credits for each group of slot cards when a group contains a unique combination of slot cards consistent with the game's pay table based on the odds of receiving the combination and the amount wagered.
• In one embodiment, a pay table may comprise a slot card combination such as two pairs of matching game symbol primary indicia slot cards, three matching game symbol primary indicia slot cards, four matching game symbol primary indicia slot cards, five slot cards with matching game suit secondary indicia, five matching game symbol primary indicia with five matching game suit secondary indicia with five matching slot line tertiary indicia or various other combinations of slot cards based on, but not limited to, a graphical theme, a numerical theme, a word based theme, the number of lines.
• The player's payout is based on the mathematical probability of receiving the specific combination of, but not limited to, the total number of slot cards, game symbol primary indicia and/or game suit secondary indicia and/or slot line tertiary indicia and/or BONUS slot cards.
• In other embodiments, a traditional game such as a spinning reel game or a video poker game may be played prior, during or after the described invention to establish a multiplier or BONUS associated with the game outcome of the invention or may be used to establish one or more BONUS game symbol primary indicia which may be played along with the slot cards.
• In one or more embodiments, casino gaming regulations must be considered for each game implementation for a casino gaming device and in one or more embodiments may comprise variations of the same game based on such casino gaming regulations and must include functionality consistent with all casino gaming regulations such as the random number generator and security of the game.
• In one or more embodiments, the disclosed invention may be played as a bonus game or secondary game based on an outcome being obtained by a primary poker game or primary spinning reel game or primary keno game, or primary bingo game or other similar casino or non-casino game, giving the player the chance to play the game.
• In one or more embodiments, the game may include a set of configuration parameters that may be set to turn game features on or off to meet the requirements of the particular gaming regulations for a particular casino gaming jurisdiction. For example, one such game embodiment may include but is not limited to parameters such as a max payout of x for gaming jurisdiction A, max bet of y for gaming jurisdiction A, max game suit secondary indicia z for gaming jurisdiction A, max slot line tertiary indicia zz for jurisdiction A.
• In one or more embodiments, the game may be played as a play for fun game with a set of parameters configured by the player and not support casino wagering but rather support play for fun wagering.
• In one or more embodiments, a plurality slot card decks may be combined to establish any number of desirable game embodiment game probabilities, including two or more decks of the same slot cards, two or more decks of different slot cards or one or more decks of slot cards combined with one or more decks of popular card game cards such as, but not limited to, poker, hearts, baccarat, Pai Gow poker, Bridge, Pinochle. When popular card game card decks are combined with one or more decks of slot cards, the rules of the popular card game may be used, modified or not used by the particular game embodiment also incorporating the slot card decks into the particular game embodiment.
• For example, to obtain a specific set of desirable probabilities, a particular game embodiment may include two or more of the same decks of slot cards. In one game embodiment, the game may use three of the same decks of slot cards. In another game embodiment, the game may use five of the same decks of slot cards. In still another game embodiment, the game may use fifty of the same decks of slot cards.
• In one or more game embodiments, the game may combine three different decks of slot cards: one slot card deck with 150 cards, one slot card deck with 50 slot cards and one slot card deck with 1200 slot cards. For example, each slot card deck may contain different sets of slot cards, wherein each slot card comprises a game symbol primary indicia, game suit secondary indicia and game slot line tertiary indicia.
• In one embodiment, the game may include one deck of unique slot cards with one deck of Pinochle cards wherein the rules of Pinochle are modified into probability payouts for the overall game embodiment. In another game embodiment, the game may include one deck of unique slot cards with one deck of standard playing/poker cards wherein the rules of draw poker are modified into probability payouts for the overall game embodiment.
• Another embodiment of the invention will now be described. In this embodiment of the invention, game cards have primary indicia. Preferably, the primary indicia comprise standard card suit and rank indicia (the primary indicia may comprise a single indicia or multiple indicia). For example, 52 game cards may be provided each having a unique combination of the ranks A, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, J, Q and K in the suits Hearts, Diamonds, Spades and Clubs, as is well known in the art of playing cards.
• One or more or all of the game cards preferably further includes at least one secondary, bonus or slot symbol or indicia. In one embodiment, the bonus symbols are selected from a set of bonus symbols. The bonus symbols may comprise numbers and/or letters, words, logos various other elements. The bonus symbols associated with the cards may be the same (for example, out of a set of 52 cards, 5 of the cards may bear the same bonus “BONUS WINNER” symbol) or one or more of the bonus symbols may be different (for example, out of a set of 52 cards, 2 of the cards may bear “SPIN” bonus symbols and 2 other cards may bear “LUCKY” bonus symbols). The number of game cards that bear bonus symbols may vary, such as by the nature of the game being played, as detailed below.
• One aspect of the invention is thus a set or deck of game cards. The game cards bear primary indicia, such as in the form of suit and rank indicia. In addition, one or more of the cards bear secondary bonus indicia or symbols. In a preferred embodiment, the deck of game cards comprises 52 game cards.
• However, the game cards may have other configurations. For example, the game cards may comprise slot cards similar to those detailed above. For example, as illustrated inFIGS. 15-23, such cards might bear primary indicia in the form of suit and slot symbols or the like. In addition, however, one or more of those cards may bear a bonus symbol. The particular configuration of the game cards, including the primary indicia, may depend upon a base game to be played with the game cards. For example, if the base game is a game of poker or the like, the primary indicia may comprise standard rank and suit indicia. If the base game is a slot type game or games such as described above, the primary indicia or symbols may comprise slot symbols. It will also be appreciated that the game cards may include other indicia or symbols, such as tertiary indicia or symbols.
• In one embodiment, one or more, but not all, of the game cards bear or have a bonus symbol. This embodiment set of game cards is particularly suited to play of game where the occurrence of one or more bonus symbols triggers a bonus or special event. For example, in one embodiment of a game one or more cards from the deck of cards are dealt or displayed to a player. Preferably, the primary indicia associated with those cards are used to play a primary or base game. Such a game might comprise, for example, a poker game, a blackjack game or the like. In addition, the appearance of one or more secondary or bonus symbols associated with those cards may trigger a bonus or special event. Such an event might comprise, for example, a bonus payout or winning or a bonus game or event. The bonus game or event might be for entertainment purposes or, more preferably, provide the opportunity for awards such as winnings. For example, a bonus event presented by a video gaming machine might be an animated event in which a player is permitted to select a door or box from a set of doors or boxes which, when opened, reveal a potential bonus payout.
• The particular bonus symbol or symbols that must be obtained to trigger the bonus event may vary. For example, the mere appearance of a single bonus symbol might be sufficient to trigger such. In other embodiments, the player may be required to obtain multiple matching bonus symbols or other particular combinations of symbols. Preferably, the one or more symbols or combinations thereof that trigger such events are defined by a pay table or the like. In one embodiment, the occurrence of multiple combinations of bonus symbols might trigger multiple bonus events. Further, multiple bonus events may be triggered throughout play of the main game. For example, in a game of poker a player may be dealt an initial hand of five cards. Those cards may be evaluated for bonus symbols and one or more bonus events may be triggered. The player may be permitted to discard and replace one or more or all of the five cards in order to generate a final poker hand (for comparison, for example, to a pay table of winning poker hands having associated awards). The final poker hand of cards may again be evaluated for potential bonus symbols or combinations thereof.
• In one embodiment, the game cards may all include a bonus or secondary symbol. In such an embodiment, combinations of bonus symbols may be used to define bonus triggering events or the outcome of a secondary event or game. For example, in one embodiment game cards may be used in the play of a primary or base game and a secondary slot game. The primary or base game might comprise a poker game or other card game.
• As one example, a deck of 52 cards is provided. The cards include primary indicia in the form of suit and rank indicia. Each card also bears a secondary slot symbol. One or more cards are used in the play of the base game. For example, if the base game is a game of stud poker, 5 cards may be dealt or displayed to the player. The primary card rank and suit indicia may be utilized to determine the outcome of the base game. Awards may be provided for winning combinations of rank and suit indicia. In addition, the secondary slot symbols of the cards may be evaluated to determine the outcome of a slot game. For example, particular combinations of slot symbols may be defined to be winning outcomes having associated awards. As one example, if the five cards bear the same bonus symbol then a winning outcome may be declared relative to the slot game. In this configuration, a player may receive a winning outcome, and thus associated awards, for either or both the primary game and the secondary game which are played using the same game cards.
• The games played with the game cards described herein may be played in various manners. The games may be played as entertainment games. In a preferred embodiment, the games are played as wagering games wherein a player is required to place a value wager, preferably in the form of monies or monetary equivalent credits, to play the game. In various embodiments one or more, but not all, of the potential outcomes of the game are defined as winning outcomes. Those winning outcomes may be set forth in a pay table. Awards may be provided for winning outcomes. The awards may comprise points, prizes or the like. In a preferred embodiment, the awards are monies or credits having monetary value.
• Additional examples of games and game cards will now be provided.Embodiment 1. In one embodiment, the game is played on an electronic gaming machine wherein a player inserts a wager amount into the game then receives a plurality of cards, such as 10 game cards. The bonus indicia relating to one of a plurality of bonus games is randomly placed (or not) on each of the 10 game cards prior to being dealt to the player. During the initial 10 card deal, when the player receives a bonus indicia on a predetermined number of game cards dealt to the player, for example 3 matching bonus indicia, the game automatically begins play of the bonus game. Once the bonus game is completed and any bonus credits are awarded to the player and all bonus indicia are removed from the game cards, the player now has the option of holding any number of initially dealt game cards.
• Once the player completes the process of making selections, all the cards that were held by the player remain while those not held are replaced with new cards. The player is then paid based on a pay out criteria such as matching a specific number of game indicia, receiving a specific combination of symbol indicia with suit indicia, matching a specific set of suit indicia, and receiving a specific number of symbol indicia containing the same line number indicia on a particular game card.
• In alternative embodiments, there may be a plurality of hold-draw sequences associated with a single game. A game may include the process of holding and drawing game cards more than one time, for example 3 times, while receiving the chance of getting new bonus indicia on each newly drawn card and entering a bonus round when a specific number of bonus indicia match on the newly drawn cards, each time receiving a payout associated with the bonus round and/or receiving a payout based on a specific combination of game cards associated with a payout criteria.
• In yet another embodiment indicia from well known poker card style games may be added as an additional indicia to the cards wherein each game card contains a plurality of indicia as previously described (such as slot symbols and bonus symbols) in addition to another indicia associated with a traditional poker card indicia. The additional poker indicia is added to each card and the player now plays cards based on both the previously described indicia of matching in addition to traditional poker card game rules such as 5 card draw, 7 card stud, blackjack, joker's wild, 3 card poker, and other proprietary card games incorporating both traditional poker card as well as poker card ranking.
• In a preferred embodiment, the player is dealt 5 cards. Each card has a symbol indicia, suit indicia, line indicia, and poker card indicia such as ace, king, queen, jack, nine, and the like. The player receives five cards and the objective is to match as many symbol indicia with the same line number indicia as possible while also receiving the best poker card indicia combination also on the same line. The player may hold up to five cards or may draw up to five cards or any combination therein. The player is dealt those cards which were identified as draw to replace the earlier cards which were dealt. The resulting hand of five cards is then evaluated based on the best poker ranked hand and the best symbol matching combination hand. The suit indicia may be used in combination with both the poker card indicia and the symbol card indicia, for example a hand of five cards after the draw step may include: Card 1: Bell, Hearts,line 2, jack; Card 2: Bell, Hearts,line 3, Two; Card 3: Bar, Hearts,line 1, Three; Card 4: Bar, Hearts,line 1. Five; Card 5: Diamond, Hearts,line 3, King. In this example, the player would have a Flush which would be treated as a ranked hand and the payout would occur based on the combination of cards resulting in a Flush. Further, if the player were to have Card 1: Bell, Hearts,line 2, jack; Card 2: Bell, Hearts,line 3, Two; Card 3: Bell, Hearts,line 3, Three; Card 4: Bell, Hearts,line 4; Card 5: Bell, Hearts, line 5, King. The player would receive a higher payout than a traditional poker Flush since the player now has a 5 Bell FLUSH.
• Other combinations of slot symbol indicia with poker card indicia are possible incorporating both a matching of symbols with a ranked poker hand occurring on a particular line number. For example, a player may have 5 Kings with 5 different line number indicia or a player may have 4 Kings with the same line number indicia. The player would be paid based on how the cards were ranked with the poker indicia associated with the same line number ranked higher than a poker indicia combination occurring on multiple line number indicia. Additionally, the player may any number of cards in a single hand as defined by the game implemented and may use the line number indicia in an attempt to obtain the best poker hand on multiple lines. For example, in a six slot card game, a player may receive: Card 1: Bell,Line 1, Heart, King; Card 2: Bar,Line 1, Spade, King; Card 3: Diamond,Line 1, Club, King; Card 4: Bar,Line 3, Diamond, Queen; Card 5: Bell,Line 3, Hearts, Queen; Card 6: Horse shoe,Line 3, Clubs, Queen. This player has Three Kings online 1 and Three Queens online 3 and is paid accordingly. However if the player were to receive Three Kings and Three Queens on the same line number such asline 1, the player would be paid more since the poker indicia occurring on a single line is ranked higher then a poker indicia hand split between multiple lines.
• Games played with the game cards may comprise base games or might comprise bonus games. For example, a standard video slot game may have various bonus outcomes. One or more of those outcomes might comprise the presentation of a game utilizing game cards as described herein. In such event, the player may be awarded bonus awards for winning outcomes of the bonus event(s) played using the game cards.
• It will be appreciated that numerous games and game variations may be played using the game cards detailed herein. For example, while a stud type poker game may be presented, so might draw poker games. In such games, the manner in which the cards are evaluated, including any secondary or bonus symbols may vary. For example, in a draw poker game the occurrence of bonus symbols might be evaluated after the initial hand of cards is dealt, after each successive replacement card is presented (if any cards are discarded) and/or after the final hand is completed with any replacement cards.
• The secondary or bonus symbols may be associated with the cards in various manners. For example, in one embodiment, the games of the invention may be implemented using physical cards. The cards may have a card back and card face. The card faces may be printed with the slot card indicia described above. The cards may be dealt onto a table or the like. In such an embodiment, bonus symbols may be printed on one or more of the cards. Each deck of cards might be the same or the decks might be different. For example, the cards having bonus symbols may be randomly selected and the bonus symbols printed thereon. In addition, the bonus symbols which are printed on the cards may be randomly selected from a set of bonus symbols. In this manner, each deck of physical cards may be the same or entirely different.
• In another embodiment, the games of the invention may be implemented at a gaming machine. In one embodiment, for example, the slot cards may be displayed via a plurality of rotating reels. The reels may be configured to rotate and stop, displaying one or more rows of slot cards. In another embodiment, a gaming machine may be configured to display slot cards via a video display. In a video game implementation, the game cards are video images. In such a configuration, game cards may be randomly selected or generated. For example, game cards may be randomly selected from one or more sets or decks of game cards. In one embodiment, secondary or bonus symbols may already be associated with those cards. In other embodiments, the secondary or bonus symbols may be randomly generated at one or more times and be associated with one or more of the game cards. In one embodiment, bonus symbols may be selected from a set of bonus symbols. For example, a set of bonus symbols might comprise 10 “LUCKY” bonus symbols, 10 “WHEEL SPIN” bonus symbols, 5 “JACKPOT” bonus symbols and so on. If 5 bonus symbols are to be used in the game, they may be randomly selected from the 25 bonus symbols in the master set (such that the 5 selected bonus symbols may change each time they are selected). In other embodiments, the bonus symbols may be pre-selected or determined so that particular combinations thereof always exist relative to a deck of cards or set of cards used in the game which provide the opportunity for winning outcomes.
• While the game indicia are preferably associated with cards or are displayed in a “card” format, it is possible for the indicia to be used with other elements. For example, the game indicia might be displayed in other formats, such as on the side of a die, etc.
• While various embodiments of the invention have been described, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible that are within the scope of this invention. In addition, the various features, elements, and embodiments described herein may be claimed or combined in any combination or arrangement.

• TABLE 1
  SLOT CARD GAME EMBODIMENT EXAMPLE
  SAMPLE PAY TABLE SLOT LINES

  Game Symbol Primary
  Indicia	Slot Line 1	Slot Line 2	Slot Line 3	Payout
  1 Bar, 2 Bar, 3 Bar	Any Line	Any Line	Any Line	200
  2 Bells, 2 Horse Shoes	Any Line	Any Line	Any Line	100
  Any 3 Bells	Any Line	Any Line	Any Line	50
  Any 3 1 Bar	Any Line	Any Line	Any Line	25
  Any 3 Diamonds	Any Line	Any Line	Any Line	5
  Any 3 Shamrocks	Any Line	Any Line	Any Line	5
  Any 3 Horse Shoes	Any Line	Any Line	Any Line	5
  1 Bar, 2 Bar, 3 Bar	Match	Match		2000
  Any 3 Bells	Match	Match		250
  Any 3 1 Bar	Match	Match		250
  Any 3 Diamonds	Match	Match		250
  Any 3 Shamrocks	Match	Match		250
  Any 3 Horse Shoes	Match	Match		250
  1 Bar, 2 Bar, 3 Bar		Match	Match	2000
  Any 3 Bells		Match	Match	250
  Any 3 1 Bar		Match	Match	250
  Any 3 Diamonds		Match	Match	250
  Any 3 Shamrocks		Match	Match	250
  Any 3 Horse Shoes		Match	Match	250
  1 Bar, 2 Bar, 3 Bar	Match		Match	2000
  Any 3 Bells	Match		Match	250
  Any 3 1 Bar	Match		Match	250
  Any 3 Diamonds	Match		Match	250
  Any 3 Shamrocks	Match		Match	250
  Any 3 Horse Shoes	Match		Match	250
  1 Bar, 2 Bar, 3 Bar	Match	Match	Match	20000
  Any 3 Bells	Match	Match	Match	5000
  Any 3 1 Bar	Match	Match	Match	5000
  Any 3 Diamonds	Match	Match	Match	5000
  Any 3 Shamrocks	Match	Match	Match	5000
  Any 3 Horse Shoes	Match	Match	Match	5000
  				Bonus
  Game Suit Seconary Indicia	Slot Line 1	Slot Line 2	Slot Line 3	Pay
  Any 3hearts	Any Line	Any Line	Any Line	100
  Any 3 spades	Any Line	Any Line	Any Line	100
  Any 3 pot of gold	Any Line	Any Line	Any Line	100
  Any 3 diamonds	Any Line	Any Line	Any Line	100
  Any 3 clubs	Any Line	Any Line	Any Line	100
  Any 3 rainbows	Any Line	Any Line	Any Line	100
  Any heart, Any Rainbow,	Any Line	Any Line	Any Line	50
  Any Clubs

• TABLE 2
  SAMPLE 183 CARD DECK
  12 Game Symbol Indicia-5 Game Suit Indicia-3 Slot Line Indicia
  3 WILD SLOT CARDS

  Game Symbol-Game Suit-Slot Line	Game Symbol-Game Suit-Slot Line

  (a)

  1Bar-hearts-line 1	3Bar-hearts-line 1
  1Bar-raspberry-line 1	3Bar-raspberry-line 1
  1Bar-rainbow-line 1	3Bar-rainbow-line 1
  1Bar-potagold-line 1	3Bar-potagold-line 1
  1Bar-shamrock-line 1	3Bar-shamrock-line 1
  1Bar-hearts-line 2	3Bar-hearts-line 2
  1Bar-raspberry-line 2	3Bar-raspberry-line 2
  1Bar-rainbow-line 2	3Bar-rainbow-line 2
  1Bar-potagold-line 2	3Bar-potagold-line 2
  1Bar-shamrock-line 2	3Bar-shamrock-line 2
  1Bar-hearts-line 3	3Bar-hearts-line 3
  1Bar-raspberry-line 3	3Bar-raspberry-line 3
  1Bar-rainbow-line 3	3Bar-rainbow-line 3
  1Bar-potagold-line 3	3Bar-potagold-line 3
  1Bar-shamrock-line 3	1Bar-shamrock-line 3
  2Bar-hearts-line 1	HShoe- hearts-line 1
  2Bar-raspberry-line 1	HShoe-raspberry-line 1
  2Bar-rainbow-line 1	HShoe-rainbow-line 1
  2Bar-potagold-line 1	HShoe-potagold-line 1
  2Bar-shamrock-line 1	HShoe-shamrock-line 1
  2Bar-hearts-line 2	HShoe-hearts-line 2
  2Bar-raspberry-line 2	HShoe-raspberry-line 2
  2Bar-rainbow-line 2	HShoe-rainbow-line 2
  2Bar-potagold-line 2	HShoe-potagold-line 2
  2Bar-shamrock-line 2	HShoe-shamrock-line 2
  2Bar-hearts-line 3	HShoe-hearts-line 3
  2Bar-raspberry-line 3	HShoe-raspberry-line 3
  2Bar-rainbow-line 3	HShoe-rainbow-line 3
  2Bar-potagold-line 3	HShoe-potagold-line 3
  2Bar-shamrock-line 3	HShoe-shamrock-line 3

  (b)

  Diamond-hearts-line 1	1Bell-hearts-line 1
  Diamond-raspberry-line 1	1Bell-raspberry-line 1
  Diamond-rainbow-line 1	1Bell-rainbow-line 1
  Diamond-potagold-line 1	1Bell-potagold-line 1
  Diamond-shamrock-line 1	1Bell-shamrock-line 1
  Diamond-hearts-line 2	1Bell-hearts-line 2
  Diamond-raspberry-line 2	1Bell-raspberry-line 2
  Diamond-rainbow-line 2	1Bell-rainbow-line 2
  Diamond-potagold-line 2	1Bell-potagold-line 2
  Diamond-shamrock-line 2	1Bell-shamrock-line 2
  Diamond-hearts-line 3	1Bell-hearts-line 3
  Diamond-raspberry-line 3	1Bell-raspberry-line 3
  Diamond-rainbow-line 3	1Bell-rainbow-line 3
  Diamond-potagold-line 3	1Bell-potagold-line 3
  Diamond-shamrock-line 3	1Bell-shamrock-line 3
  1Cherry-hearts-line 1	2Bell-hearts-line 1
  1Cherry-raspberry-line 1	2Bell-raspberry-line 1
  1Cherry-rainbow-line 1	2Bell-rainbow-line 1
  1Cherry-potagold-line 1	2Bell-potagold-line 1
  1Cherry-shamrock-line 1	2Bell-shamrock-line 1
  1Cherry-hearts-line 2	2Bell-hearts-line 2
  1Cherry-raspberry-line 2	2Bell-raspberry-line 2
  1Cherry-rainbow-line 2	2Bell-rainbow-line 2
  1Cherry-potagold-line 2	2Bell-potagold-line 2
  1Cherry-shamrock-line 2	2Bell-shamrock-line 2
  1Cherry-hearts-line 3	2Bell-hearts-line 3
  1Cherry-raspberry-line 3	2Bell-raspberry-line 3
  1Cherry-rainbow-line 3	2Bell-rainbow-line 3
  1Cherry-potagold-line 3	2Bell-potagold-line 3
  1Cherry-shamrock-line 3	2Bell-shamrock-line 3

  (c)

  2Cherry-hearts-line 1	1Star-hearts-line 1
  2Cherry-raspberry-line 1	1Star-raspberry-line 1
  2Cherry-rainbow-line 1	1Star-rainbow-line 1
  2Cherry-potagold-line 1	1Star-potagold-line 1
  2Cherry-shamrock-line 1	1Star-shamrock-line 1
  2Cherry-hearts-line 2	1Star-hearts-line 2
  2Cherry-raspberry-line 2	1Star-raspberry-line 2
  2Cherry-rainbow-line 2	1Star-rainbow-line 2
  2Cherry-potagold-line 2	1Star-potagold-line 2
  2Cherry-shamrock-line 2	1Star-shamrock-line 2
  2Cherry-hearts-line 3	1Star-hearts-line 3
  2Cherry-raspberry-line 3	1Star-raspberry-line 3
  2Cherry-rainbow-line 3	1Star-rainbow-line 3
  2Cherry-potagold-line 3	1Star-potagold-line 3
  2Cherry-shamrock-line 3	1Star-shamrock-line 3
  3Cherry-hearts-line 1	2Star-hearts-line 1
  3Cherry-raspberry-line 1	2Star-raspberry-line 1
  3Cherry-rainbow-line 1	2Star-rainbow-line 1
  3Cherry-potagold-line 1	2Star-potagold-line 1
  3Cherry-shamrock-line 1	2Star-shamrock-line 1
  3Cherry-hearts-line 2	2Star-hearts-line 2
  3Cherry-raspberry-line 2	2Star-raspberry-line 2
  3Cherry-rainbow-line 2	2Star-rainbow-line 2
  3Cherry-potagold-line 2	2Star-potagold-line 2
  3Cherry-shamrock-line 2	2Star-shamrock-line 2
  3Cherry-hearts-line 3	2Star-hearts-line 3
  3Cherry-raspberry-line 3	2Star-raspberry-line 3
  3Cherry-rainbow-line 3	2Star-rainbow-line 3
  3Cherry-potagold-line 3	2Star-potagold-line 3
  3Cherry-shamrock-line 3	2Star-shamrock-line 3
  	WILD-wild-wild
  	WILD-wild-wild
  	WILD-wild-wild

Claims (16)

1. A deck of playing cards, said deck comprising a plurality of playing cards, each playing card bearing unique combination of rank and suit indicia, and one or more of said playing cards bearing at least one secondary bonus symbol selected from a set of secondary bonus symbols.

2. The deck in accordance withclaim 1 wherein said playing cards are printed cards having a front and a back, said rank and suit indicia and any secondary bonus symbols being printed on said front of said playing cards.

3. The deck in accordance withclaim 1 wherein said deck comprises 52 playing cards bearing the combinations of the ranks A, 2-10, J, Q and K in the suits hearts, diamonds, clubs and spades.

4. The deck in accordance withclaim 3 wherein at least two of said playing cards bear secondary bonus symbol.

5. The deck in accordance withclaim 1 wherein said playing cards are electronically generated images of cards.

6. The deck in accordance withclaim 5 wherein a plurality of said playing cards are randomly selected and at least one secondary bonus symbol is associated with each of said selected cards.

7. The deck in accordance withclaim 1 wherein said of said plurality of playing cards bears a secondary bonus symbol selected from a set of bonus symbols comprising at least two different bonus symbols.

8. A method of playing a game comprising:

providing a plurality of game cards, each of said plurality of game cards bearing a unique combination of rank and suit indicia, and one or more but not all of said playing cards bearing at least one bonus symbol;

utilizing one or more of said plurality of game cards in the play of a base game;

determining an outcome of said base game based upon the rank and suit indicia of said playing cards used in said base game; and

determining if said playing cards used in said base game include a predetermined configuration of bonus symbols and, if so, presenting a bonus game.

9. The method in accordance withclaim 8 wherein said plurality of playing cards comprises a deck of 52 cards and said base game comprises a game of poker comprising dealing at least 5 of said 52 cards to a player.

10. The method in accordance withclaim 8 wherein said at least one bonus symbol comprises a slot game symbol.

11. The method in accordance withclaim 8 wherein said game cards are printed cards having a front and a back.

12. The method in accordance withclaim 8 wherein said game cards are electronic images presented at a wagering game machine.

13. A method of playing a game comprising:

providing a plurality of game cards, each of said plurality of game cards bearing a unique combination of rank and suit indicia and each of said plurality of game cards bearing at least one slot game symbol;

utilizing a group of said plurality of game cards in the play of a card and slot game;

determining an outcome of said card game based upon the rank and suit indicia of said group of playing cards; and

determining an outcome of said slot game based upon a combination of slot game symbols of said group of playing cards.

14. The method in accordance withclaim 13 wherein said group of game cards comprises five of said plurality of game cards.

15. The method in accordance withclaim 14 further comprising the step of permitting a player to discard one or more or all of said five game cards and obtain replacement cards and wherein said steps of determining an outcome are made with reference to said cards after any replacement.

16. The method in accordance withclaim 13 wherein said plurality of game cards comprise 52 game cards.

Images