US20200193763A1 - System for managing table game and carton for discard - Google Patents

Abstract

There is provided a system for managing a table game in which management for which cards are certainly discarded after being used without being dispersed in a unit of packages in which they are packaged is realized in a unit for cartons for discard. The system for managing a table game according to the present invention stores information on carton IDs read by an ID card reader, and a moving apparatus of the carton for discard for accepting discarded cards in different areas in a unit of packages is provided below an outlet of a game table. The moving apparatus is provided with an X-Y table moving the carton for discard in an X-Y direction, and the carton for discard is mounted and fixed on the X-Y table.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
• This application is a continuation from U.S. application Ser. No. 16/062,744 filed Jun. 15, 2018, which is a national phase application under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of International Application No. PCT/JP2016/086813 filed Dec. 9, 2016, which claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2015-257794 filed Dec. 15, 2015; the entire contents of each of which are specifically incorporated by reference herein.
DESCRIPTIONTechnical Field
• The present invention relates to a system for managing a table game having a function of managing used cards so as to be certainly discarded in order to prevent the used cards from being illegally taken out in a card game, and more particularly, to a system for managing a table game capable of managing used cards in a unit of cartons in which packages are accepted or in a unit of a plurality of packages.
Background Art
• In a game table, it is conceivable to do a fraud act of secretly changing cards during a game to make the game advantageous for oneself. One of the prevention apparatuses of this kind of fraud is disclosed in WO 2013/172038 A. In this literature, the prevention apparatus determines whether or not the number of cards appearing in a table game and the number of cards used in each game coincide with each other. The cards appearing in the table game are thrown into an outlet, void holes or cutouts are attached to the used cards, and voided cards are accepted and discarded in a card carton for discard (Patent Literature 1). Further, in this literature, the prevention apparatus confirms whether cards (for example, 416 cards of 52 cards×8 decks when 8 decks are used) corresponding to a predetermined number of decks accepted in a dealing shoe on the game table exist, and puts and discards these cards into a carton for discard in a unit of packages (for example, 416 cards of 8 decks) in which cards are packaged.
• However, in this literature, the carton for discard is not particularly managed. In addition, the cards are discarded in the unit of the packages in which the cards are put.
• When the apparatus according to the related art confirms whether the cards (for example, 416 cards of 52 cards×8 decks when 8 decks are used) of the predetermined number of decks accepted in the dealing shoe on the game table exist, and puts and discards these cards in the carton for discard, the carton for discard is not particularly managed. In addition, since the cards are discarded in the unit of the packages in which the cards are put, the number of cartons for discard that should be originally discarded is increased, such that management of the cartons is not sufficient and locations of the cartons becomes unknown.
CITATION LIST
• Patent Literature 1: WO 2013/172038 A
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
• The present invention has been made under such a background, and an object of the present invention is to provide a system for managing a table game having a structure in which cards discarded in a unit of packages in which the cards are packaged are managed based on shuffle card IDs of the packages in the unit of the packages that the cards enter, carton IDs for discard are generated in a unit of cartons for discard including a plurality of areas accepting the cards, and the carton IDs for discard are managed in association with shuffle card IDs of packages accepting discarded cards, such that management for whether or not cards are certainly discarded after being used without being dispersed in the unit of the packages in which they are packaged is realized in the unit of the cartons.
• To solve the conventional problems, a system for managing a table game according to the present invention includes: packages in which shuffled cards of a predetermined number of decks are packaged; an ID code reader that reads the shuffle card IDs attached to the packages; a management control apparatus that stores information on the shuffle card IDs of the packages read by the ID code reader; and a carton for discard that accepts and discards cards of a predetermined number of decks distributed onto a game table by a dealing shoe accepting cards of the predetermined number of decks taken out from the packages, used in a game, and then thrown into an outlet of the game table, wherein different and unique shuffle card IDs are attached to each package, the carton for discard has a plurality of areas and has a structure in which the areas sequentially accept the thrown cards and areas different for each package accept all of the cards corresponding to one set of the package, and the management control apparatus has a function of storing shuffle card IDs of packages in which cards used in the game and then discarded are packaged and information on a sequence of packages accepted in the carton for discard or addresses of areas in which used cards of the corresponding packages are discarded in association with each other and transmitting them.
• Furthermore, the system for managing a table game described above may further include: a game monitoring apparatus that monitors a proceeding situation of the game performed on the game table using cameras; an image analyzing apparatus that analyzes images obtained by the cameras; and an image determining apparatus that inspects whether or not the cards are brought to the outlet using analysis results of the game monitoring apparatus and the image analyzing apparatus, wherein the image determining apparatus has a function of determining whether or not the cards distributed from the dealing shoe, used in the game, and then collected are brought to the outlet, determining whether or not the cards remaining without being used are brought to the outlet, and determining whether or not the cards remaining on the table and in the dealing shoe do not exist, using the analysis results of the game monitoring apparatus and the image analyzing apparatus, and transmitting an error signal to the management control apparatus at the time of determining an abnormality in each determination.
• To solve the conventional problems, a carton for discard according to the present invention accepts and discards cards of a predetermined number of decks distributed on a game table by a dealing shoe accepting cards of the predetermined number of decks taken out from packages in which shuffled cards of a predetermined number of decks are packaged, distributed onto a game table by a dealing shoe accepting cards of the predetermined number of decks, used in a game, and the thrown into an outlet of the game table, wherein the carton for discard has a plurality of areas and has a structure in which the areas sequentially accept the thrown cards and predetermined areas for each package accept all of the cards corresponding to one set of the package, card accepting holes sequentially accepting the discarded cards from the outlet of the game table are provided in an upper portion of the carton for discard, and have a dimension set to be too small to insert a hand from the card accepting holes, and an area accepting the cards in the carton for discard is divided into a plurality of areas in any one or both of longitudinal and transverse directions, and cards corresponding to one package are accepted in the plurality of areas, respectively, such that cards of a plurality of packages are independently accepted, respectively.
• In the carton for discard, printed-out ID information on shuffle card IDs of packages in which cards used in the game and then discarded are packaged is attached to or accepted in the respective areas of the carton for discard or package IDs attached to packages of cards discarded in corresponding areas are cut, and inserted and stored into the respective areas of the carton for discard.
• Furthermore, the carton for discard according to the present invention may be configured such that wherein the carton for discard is moved by a moving apparatus of the carton for discard for accepting the discarded cards from the outlet of the game table in different areas in a unit of the packages or a distributing apparatus for accepting the discarded cards from the outlet of the game table in different areas in a unit of the packages, such that only cards corresponding to one package are accepted in the respective areas.
• The system for managing a table game according to the present invention has a structure in which cards discarded in a unit of packages in which the cards are packaged are managed based on shuffle card IDs of the packages in the unit of the packages that the cards enter, carton IDs for discard are generated in a unit of cartons for discard including a plurality of areas accepting the cards, and the carton IDs for discard are managed in association with shuffle card IDs of packages accepting discarded cards, such that cards are managed in the unit of the cartons for discard without being dispersed in the unit of the packages in which they are packaged. Therefore, management for whether or not the cards that correspond to a plurality of packages and should be discarded are certainly discarded after being used is realized in the unit of the cartons. As a result, management for whether or not all of the cards of the packages are discarded after being used can be performed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view showing a system for managing a table game according to an embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 2 is a plan view of a cut card according to the embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a carton cabinet for discard and a card discarding apparatus of the system for managing a table game according to the embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of the carton cabinet for discard according to another embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a carton cabinet for discard according to another embodiment.
• FIG. 6A is a plan view showing a state in which an opening and closing lid is removed in the carton cabinet for discard according to another embodiment.
• FIG. 6B is a plan view showing a state in which the opening and closing lid is put in the carton cabinet for discard according to another embodiment.
• FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing that cards used in the system for managing a table game according to the embodiment of the present invention are carried from a factory to a backyard and a pit of a casino table in a form in which they are stacked in a package, a carton, or a pallet.
• FIG. 8 is an overall perspective view showing the respective portions of the system for managing a table game according to the embodiment of the present invention in detail.
• FIG. 9 is a side sectional view of a carton cabinet for discard according to still another embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 10A is a plan view showing an example (normal) of a print output in a carton cabinet for discard according to another embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 10B is a plan view showing an example (abnormal) of a print output in a carton cabinet for discard according to another embodiment of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
• Embodiments of the present invention will be described. First, an outline of an operation of a card discarding apparatus provided with a carton for discard for discarding cards after being used in a game, which is used in a system for managing a table game according to the present invention, will be described with reference to the drawings. InFIG. 1, acard discarding apparatus1 used in the system for managing a table game according to the present invention includes a carton for discard to be described below, and is installed on a game table2 or is disposed on a side surface of the game table2. The game table2 shown inFIG. 1 is shown in a simplified form, and is for a general baccarat game. As well known, the baccarat game is a game of which win/loss is determined by the sum of the numbers of ranks of cards distributed to aplayer3P and abanker3B. The game table2 is provided with a dealingshoe200. The dealingshoe200 is a supply source ofcards3, and thecards3 taken out from the dealingshoe200 are distributed to theplayer3P and thebanker3B. After the game ends, thecards3 are discarded by thecard discarding apparatus1 to prevent thecards3 from unauthorized use. Thecard discarding apparatus1 is a card discarding apparatus discarding thecards3 accepted in the dealingshoe200 placed on the game table2 and manually distributed onto the game table2 by a dealer, or the like, after the cards are used in the game, and discards sets ofcards3 of a plurality of decks (generally 6, 8 or 12 decks) accepted in the dealingshoe200 and collected cards3a.
• Before sets3sof thecards3 are set on the dealingshoe200 of the game table2, acut card3c(shown inFIG. 2) is inserted into thesets3sof thecards3. When thesets3sof thecards3 are used in the game, thecut card3cis inserted into the latter half portion (the remainders are about ¼ or ⅕) of thesets3sof thecards3, and is used to end the game of the game table2 in a state in which about twenty to fortycards3 remain in the dealingshoe200, in order to prevent a case in which ranks of the respective cards distributed during the game are counted by the player, such that ranks of few remaining cards are predicted.
• Thecard discarding apparatus1 has a structure in which it can sequentially accept the cards3aused in each game and then collected and can accept all of theremaining cards3rin the dealingshoe200 without being used at a predetermined timing after thecut card3cdrawn out from the dealing shoe200 (when the game is stopped after the next game or 2 or 3 games after thecut card3cis drawn out). Thecard discarding apparatus1 has a function of determining whether or not all of the discarded cards correspond to a predetermined number of decks by aggregatively counting the number of cards3aafter being used in each game by a deck inspecting means to be described below and the number of remainingcards3rin the dealingshoe200 without being used after thecut card3ccomes out from the dealingshoe200.
• Next, the system for managing a table game will be described in detail with reference toFIG. 3. Thecards3 used in the game in the system for managing a table game are used in a unit ofpackages404 in which shuffled cards of a predetermined number of decks are packaged, andshuffle card IDs405 are attached to thesepackages404. Theshuffle card IDs405 are unique IDs different for eachpackage404. Theshuffle card IDs405 are attached to thepackages404 in a form ofbarcodes403. The system for managing a table game includes anID code reader100 capable of reading theshuffle card IDs405. Thecards3 used in the game and becoming targets to be discarded are inserted into anoutlet4 of thecard discarding apparatus1, and are then accepted and discarded in acarton600 for discard. Theoutlet4 may be provided directly in the game table2. In addition, the system for managing a table game includes amanagement control apparatus14 storing information on theshuffle card IDs405 of thepackages404 read by theID code reader100, and thecarton600 for discard for accepting and discardingcards3 of a predetermined number of decks distributed onto the game table2 by the dealingshoe200 accepting cards of a predetermined number of decks taken out from thepackages404, used in the game, and then thrown into theoutlet4 of the game table2. Thecarton600 for discard includes a plurality ofareas600A as described below, and has a structure in which theareas600A sequentially accept the thrown cards andareas600A different for each package can accept all of the cards corresponding to one set of the package. Themanagement control apparatus14 has a function of storing theshuffle card IDs405 of thepackages404 in which the cards used in the game and then discarded are packaged and information on a sequence of thepackages404 accepted in thecarton600 for discard or addresses ofareas600A in which used cards of thecorresponding packages404 are discarded in association with each other and transmitting them (detailed contents will be described below).
• Thecard discarding apparatus1 includes a discardedcard cradle5 accepting the target card3ato be discarded from theoutlet4. Thecard discarding apparatus1 includes themanagement control apparatus14 controlling all operations, and themanagement control apparatus14 controls the respective operations. Themanagement control apparatus14 includes an electronic circuit including a microcomputer, a memory, and the like, and has a configuration of a general computer such as a central processing unit (CPU), a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), and the like. Themanagement control apparatus14 controls the entire apparatus by executing a program stored in a ROM or other memory, and performs necessary processing. A take-out roller (not shown) for taking out thecards3 which are placed by a hand on the discardedcard cradle5 and is discarded one by one is provided below the discardedcard cradle5, and when thecards3 are placed on the discardedcard cradle5, themanagement control apparatus14 controls a driving motor, and the like, to take out thecards3 existing on the discardedcard cradle5 by the take-out roller and certainly send thecards3 to thecarton600 for discard. The sentcards3 passes through a group information acquisition sensor (not shown) and two card information acquisition sensors (not shown) during being sent, and information one thecards3 is detected and acquired in the group information acquisition sensor and the two card information acquisition sensors.
• Generally, cards of a plurality of decks (4, 6 or 8 decks) are set in the dealing shoe (an electronic shoe)200 placed on the game table2. Thesets3sof the cards are provided in a state (package404) in which shuffled cards of a plurality of decks are packaged, the cut card (seeFIG. 2) is inserted into thesets3sof the cards of the plurality of decks (4, 6 or 8 decks) for security reasons of the game at the beginning of all games, and when thecut card3cappears, the remainingcards3rin the dealingshoe200 are not used anymore. All of the remainingcards3rare thrown into theoutlet4 in order to be discarded. The use of the sets of cards (for example, 8 decks) entering the dealingshoe200 ends, and all of the sets of cards (for example, 8 decks) entering the dealingshoe200 are stored in thecarton600 for discard through theoutlet4. Then, in order to specify thesets3sof the cards existing in theareas600A of thecarton600 for discard, thebarcodes403 attached to thepackages404 packaging thesets3sof the cards are inserted into thecarton600 for discard (accurately,areas600A to be described below). In this case, instead of thebarcodes403, theshuffle card IDs405 specifying thepackages404 may be separately printed out, and be inserted into theareas600A of thecarton600 for discard, respectively. When thepackages404 and thebarcodes403 are inserted into theareas600A of thesame carton600 for discard, wastes are not generated around a casino table, and the discardedpackages404 can be specified, which is advantageous in terms of arrangement.
• Thepackages404 and thebarcodes403 enter theareas600A of thecarton600 for discard through slit-shapedcard accepting holes662 formed in theareas600A of thecarton600 for discard. In this way, the use of the sets of the cards (for example, 8 decks) entering the dealingshoe200 ends, and all of the sets of the cards (for example, 8 decks) entering the dealingshoe200 are stored in theareas600A of thecarton600 for discard, and thebarcodes403 used in order to specify thesets3sof the cards are also accepted in theareas600A of thesame carton600 for discard. Acarton cabinet601 for discard covering the entirety of thecarton600 for discard may be provided in order to protect thecarton600 for discard.
• Eacharea600A of thecarton600 for discard has a size enough to sequentially accept thecards3 distributed from the dealingshoe200, used in the game, collected, and then discarded by the entire number of cards in onepackage404. When the game is stopped at a predetermined timing (this case will be described below), all of thecards3 in the dealingshoe200 and thebarcodes403 are accepted in eacharea600A of thecarton600 for discard. Thecard accepting holes662 provided in an upper portion of thecarton600 for discard (accurately, an upper portion of eacharea600A) and sequentially accepting the discardedcards3 from theoutlet4 of the game table2 have a dimension set to be too small to insert a hand from thecard accepting holes662, such that once thecards3 enter eacharea600A, thecards3 can not be taken out with human hands.
• When the game is stopped at a predetermined timing (this case will be described below), all of thecards3 in the dealingshoe200 and thebarcodes403 enter eacharea600A of thecarton600 for discard, and thecarton600 for discard then moves so that it can acceptcards3 ofpackages404 used in the next game. Hereinafter, a structure for accepting the next set of discardedcards3 from theoutlet4 of the game table2 in anotherarea600A will be described with reference toFIG. 4 using an embodiment different from the embodiment described above. A movingapparatus700 of thecarton600 for discard for accepting the discardedcards3 indifferent areas600A in a unit of packages is provided below theoutlet4 of the game table2. The movingapparatus700 is provided with an X-Y table701 moving thecarton600 for discard in an X-Y direction (shown inFIG. 5), and thecarton600 for discard is mounted and fixed on the X-Y table701. However, thecarton600 for discard has a structure in which it is detachable from the X-Y table701 so that it can be moved by a worker in order to discard the cards when nineareas600A are filled with thecards3. The X-Y table701 is provided withball screws704 and705 driven by steppingmotors702 and703 in order to be moved in the X-Y direction, and themanagement control apparatus14 controls positioning of the X-Y table701 in the X-Y direction through a sequencer (not shown) of the movingapparatus700.
• Next, a movement timing of the X-Y table701 moving thecarton600 for discard in the X-Y direction (shown inFIG. 5) will be described. In the table game, the game is stopped in order to exchange thepackages404 used in the game at a predetermined timing. The dealingshoe200 is provided with a function of transmitting a signal for package exchange when one package ends. Themanagement control apparatus14 transmits a command for moving thecarton600 for discard to the X-Y table701, when acceptance of thecards3 corresponding to onepackage404 in thearea600A ends.
• Themanagement control apparatus14 issues a command for moving thecarton600 for discard when it receives at least any of the following signals: (1) a signal transmitted when theID code reader100 reads ashuffle card ID405 attached to apackage404 used in the next game, (2) a signal transmitted when the dealingshoe200 sets thepackage404 used in the next game, and a lid (not shown) of the dealingshoe200 is closed, and (3) a signal transmitted by manipulating the dealingshoe200 or other buttons when thepackage404 includes thecut card3cfor indicating that a new package is used in the next game and all of thecards3 are removed from the dealingshoe200 and the game table2 at a predetermined timing after detection of appearance of thecut card3cby the dealingshoe200, such that the next game is ready to start.
• Alternatively, when a movingbutton2B of thearea600A is pressed by a dealer, or the like, a signal is transmitted.
• A control for movement of the X-Y table701 is performed so that at least one of thecard accepting holes662 provided in the upper portion of eacharea600A is positioned below theoutlet4 of the game table2 in a vertical direction, such that thecards3 certainly enter thearea600A. Themanagement control apparatus14 moves thecarton600 for discard when it receives the signal for the movement as described above. When thecarton600 for discard first moves in an X direction shown inFIG. 4 and one row of thearea600A becomes full, themanagement control apparatus14 issues a command for moving thecarton600 for discard in a Y direction (a direction perpendicular to a paper ofFIG. 4).FIG. 5 shows a position relationship in which thecarton600 for discard is mounted on the X-Y table701 and moves in the X-Y direction together with a position relationship of theoutlet4 of the game table2.
• Anopening661 is formed above thecarton cabinet601 for discard, and alid602 is provided so as to open and close theopening661 manually or automatically (by a driving apparatus615). Thelid602 is opened and closed to prevent thesets3sof the cards including the discardedcards3 from falling into thecard carton600 for discard at an unexpected timing during the movement of thecarton600 for discard of thecard discarding apparatus1.
• Thearea600A of thecarton600 for discard for discarding the collected cards after each game ends is provided in thecarton cabinet601 for discard, but thearea600A of thecarton600 for discard is divided into a plurality of areas in any one or both of longitudinal and transverse directions. Thearea600A accepting the cards in thecarton600 for discard are divided into areas of 3×3 in an example shown inFIGS. 5, 6A, and 6B, but may be divided into areas of 1×9, 2×5, or the like, in the longitudinal and transverse directions. Thesets3sof the cards including the discardedcards3 are stored in theareas600A of thecarton600 for discard throughopenings661 on thecarton600 for discard installed directly below thecard discarding apparatus1, such thatcards3 corresponding to nine packages separately enter thearea600A divided into the areas of 3×3, respectively, in a unit of the packages and are stored in a state in which that they are independently managed and discarded for eacharea600A.
• Next, a package in which shuffled cards of a predetermined number of decks used in the system for managing the table game according to the present invention are packaged will be described with reference toFIG. 7. The respective shuffle playing cards include a predetermined number of decks (generally, 6, 8, 9 or 10 decks), are shuffled in a random sequence, and are arranged in a unique and random arranging sequence, such that they are packaged to bepackages404 to which uniquely identifiable shuffle IDs405 (barcodes403, RFID tags, or the like) are attached in a factory. In this embodiment, theshuffle card IDs405 are attached to thepackages404 in a form of the barcodes403 (which may be two-dimensional codes such as QR codes (registered trademark)), a form of the RFID tags, or the like, read by thebarcode reader100 of the dealingshoe200 or other RFID tag reading means (not shown). Thepackages404 are sealed with a sealing material or a shrink packaging material in the factor.
• Thepackages404 to which thebarcodes403 are attached as unique ID codes are supplied to a backyard of a casino. All of theshuffle card IDs405 of thepackages404 carried to the backyard are registered in a database (a memory, or the like) of a casino management apparatus400 (seeFIG. 1). All of the shuffle card IDs405 (the barcodes403 (which may be the two-dimensional codes such as the QR codes (registered trademark) or may be structures to which RFIDs are attached) of thepackages404 carried to the backyard in this step are registered in order to create a basic database. In order to register all of theshuffle card IDs405 of thepackages404 supplied to the casino, data from the factory orcarton IDs30 orpallet IDs40 to be described below may be used instead of reading all of thebarcodes403 ofpackages404. Thepackages404 may be carried in a state of cartons CA that a predetermined number of packages (for example, eighteen packages)404 of shuffle playing cards3 (seeFIG. 7) enter from the factory, or the like, (several cartons CA may be placed in a pallet PA). Thecarton IDs30 or thepallet IDs40 may be used in order to register ID codes of thepackages404 carried from the factory to the backyard.
• Thepackages404 to which thebarcodes403 are attached are stored in the cartons CA while being carried to the casino, and the cartons CA are placed in the pallet PA and stored in the backyard. Different andunique carton IDs30 are attached to each carton CA, andunique pallet IDs40 are attached to each palette PA. Thecarton IDs30 are registered in advance in the database of the casino management apparatus400 (seeFIG. 1) in association with information on theshuffle card IDs405 of all of thepackages404 accepted in the cartons CA to which thecarton IDs30 are attached. Thepallet IDs40 are registered in advance in the database of thecasino management apparatus400 in association with the correspondingcarton IDs30 on the pallets PA and theID codes4 of thepackages404 stored in the cartons CA. Theshuffle card IDs405 of all of thepackages404 accepted in the cartons CA are associated with the storedcarton IDs30. In addition, thepallet IDs40 are also associated with theshuffle card IDs405 of all of thepackages404 on the pallets PA.
• InFIG. 8, thepackages404 are generally carried from the backyard to the game table2 in a state in which they are stored in the cartons CA, and the cartons CA storing thepackages404 are temporarily stored in acarton cabinet501 beside the game table. Unopened cartons CA including a plurality of packages (eighteen packages)404 are stored in thecarton cabinet501. Thecarton IDs30 are attached to the cartons CA, and thebarcodes403, the RFID tags, and the like, are always read as thecarton IDs30 attached to the cartons CA and theshuffle card IDs405 by a plurality of RFID tag reading means551, barcode readers, and the like, installed in thecarton cabinet501. As described above, thecards3 are packaged to be thepackages404 to which thebarcodes403, the RFID tags, and the like, are attached as the uniquely identifiableshuffle card IDs405 in the factory.
• In this embodiment, theshuffle card IDs405 are attached to thepackages404 in a form of the barcodes403 (which may be two-dimensional codes such as QR codes (registered trademark)), a form of the RFID tags, or the like, read by the RFID tag reading means (not shown). The cartons CA stored in thecarton cabinet501 are taken out from thecarton cabinet501 in order to be used in the next game after all of thepackages404 in astorage box401 for accepting thepackages404 to be used in the next game are used, and thepackages404 for each carton CA are transferred to thestorage box401 and are used in the game. Theshuffle card IDs405 are attached to thepackages404, and until thepackages404 are taken out from thestorage box401 in order to be used in the game, theshuffle card IDs405 in the form of RFID tags, or the like, are always read by the plurality of RFID tag reading means551 installed in thestorage box401, such that unrightful take-out of thepackages404 is monitored.
• The system for managing a table game according to the embodiment of the present invention further includes a determining apparatus determining whether or not the game is proceeding correctly. Hereinafter, a determining apparatus at the time of determining abnormity will be described with reference toFIG. 9. The determining apparatus determining whether or not the game is proceeding correctly includes agame monitoring apparatus811 recording a proceeding state of the game performed on the game table2, together with a customer (a game participant) and a dealer D, as images throughcameras802 and animage analyzing apparatus812 analyzing the images of the recoded proceeding state of the game. The dealingshoe200 is a so-called electronic shoe already used by those skilled in the art, and has a structure in which rules of a game are programmed in advance and win/loss of the game can be determined by reading information (ranks (numbers) and shoots) on the distributedcards3. For example, in a baccarat game, a banker win, a player win, or a tie (a draw) is basically determined by ranks of two or three cards, and a determination result (a win/loss result) is displayed on a display lamp (not shown).
• This determining apparatus further includes animage determining apparatus814 detecting presence or absence ofcards3 which were drawn out from the dealingshoe200 by the dealer D and distributed forplayer3P andbanker3B on the game table2, based on an image analysis result by theimage analyzing apparatus812. The detection of the presence or absence of thecards3 disposed as a hand of a player side or a hand of a banker side in amonitoring area810 is performed using a technique mainly used as an existing technology by theimage analyzing apparatus812. Twocameras802 are used in the present embodiment, but are disposed to view themonitoring area810 at different angles and heights, respectively, such that a blind spot is not present. Two ormore cameras802 may also be used. The detection of the presence or absence of the cards is performed by an image analysis by, for example, colors and contrasts of the cards in themonitoring area810. However, a structure for detecting the presence or absence of thecards1 is not limited to the structure based on the image processing as described above, but may be, for example, a sensor, or the like, detecting presence or absence of a specific object using light, or the like. Theimage analyzing apparatus812 and theimage determining apparatus814 in the present detecting system have a structure in which they compositely include a computer and a program including one component or a plurality of components, and a memory.
• Theimage determining apparatus814 detecting the presence or absence of thecards3 is embedded in themanagement control apparatus14, and confirms whether or not all of thecards3 distributed by the dealer D on the game table2 are thrown into theoutlet4 of the game table2 without remaining in the hand of the dealer D and thecards3 to which distributed forplayer3P and thebanker3B are not remain on the game table2, using the analysis result of theimage analyzing apparatus812. Themanagement control apparatus14 stores rules of the baccarat game, and when themanagement control apparatus14 determines a distribution abnormality of thecards3 that the rules of the baccarat game are not obeyed or determines a discard abnormality that all of thecards3 distributed by the dealer D are not thrown into theoutlet4, themanagement control apparatus14 has a function of outputting (815) an abnormality determination result to inform a pit manager of the casino or thecasino management apparatus400 of a management department of the abnormality. In addition, themanagement control apparatus14 turns on abnormality display lamps (not shown) provided, respectively, in both of the dealingshoe200 and the game table2 when it determines the abnormality as described above, that is, when it detects the abnormality.
• As described above, the system for managing a table game includes thegame monitoring apparatus811 monitoring a proceeding situation of the game performed on the game table2 using thecameras802, theimage analyzing apparatus812 analyzing the images obtained by thecameras802, and theimage determining apparatus814 inspecting whether or not the cards are brought to the outlet using the analysis results of thegame monitoring apparatus811 and theimage analyzing apparatus812. Theimage determining apparatus814 has a function of determining whether or not thecards3 distributed from the dealingshoe200, used in the game, and then collected are brought to theoutlet4 without remaining, determining whether or not thecards3 remaining without being used are brought to theoutlet4, and determining whether or not thecards3 remaining on the game table2 and in the dealingshoe200 do not exist, using the analysis results of thegame monitoring apparatus811 and theimage analyzing apparatus812, and transmitting an error signal to themanagement control apparatus14 and thecasino management apparatus400 at the time of determining an abnormality in each determination. Themanagement control apparatus14 of the system for managing a table game has a function of storing the “shuffle card IDs405 and abnormality information”, “shuffle card IDs405 and time when abnormality occurred”, or “shuffle card IDs405 and abnormality information and time when abnormality occurred”.
• The determining apparatus (the image determining apparatus814) has a function of transmitting the error signal to the casino management apparatus400 (through the management control apparatus14) at the time of determining the abnormality, and themanagement control apparatus14 has a function of storing error information in association with theshuffle card IDs405 of thecorresponding packages404 used in the game when it detects or receives the error signal. The determining apparatus (the image determining apparatus814) has a function of determining whether or not thecards3 distributed from the dealingshoe200, used in the game, and the collected are brought to theoutlet4, determining whether or not thecards3 remaining without being used are brought to theoutlet4, and determining whether or not thecards3 remaining on the game table2 and in the dealingshoe200 do not exist, using the structure described above, and transmitting the error signal to themanagement control apparatus14 at the time of determining the abnormality in each determination.
• The system for managing a table game may further include a card number determining apparatus determining whether the number of cards in theset3sof thecards3 taken out from thepackage404 and used in thetable game2 is excessively insufficient or more than expected using determination results from the determining apparatus (the image determining apparatus814) and the dealingshoe200. When the number of cards is excessive or deficient, an abnormality is determined, and themanagement control apparatus14 may be configured to generate an error signal when the abnormality is determined.
• The dealingshoe200 is a so-called electronic shoe already used by those skilled in the art, and has a structure in which rules of a game are programmed in advance and win/loss of the game can be determined by reading information (ranks (numbers) and shoots) on the distributedcards1. For example, in the baccarat game, a banker win, a player win, or a tie (a draw) is basically determined by ranks of two or three cards, and a determination result (a win/loss result) is displayed on a display lamp (not shown). In order to end the game and newly start a game, a dealer exchanges thecards3 in the dealingshoe200 with a new set. The dealer opens acover452aon a top surface of thestorage box401, takes out thepackage404 in thestorage box401, opens thepackage404, take outs aset3sof the cards, and sets the set of thecards3 in the dealingshoe200, in order to exchange thecards3 with the new set. For this reason, thestorage box401 is placed beside the dealer beside the game table2. Before or after thepackage404 taken out in order to be used in the next game is opened, theshuffle card ID405 is read by the ID code reader (thebarcode reader100 of the dealing shoe200 (or areading apparatus100 of the card discarding apparatus1)).
• After the game ends, when all of the sets of the cards (for example, 8 decks) entering the dealingshoe200 are stored in theareas600A of thecarton600 for discard and all of the ninepackages404 are discarded indifferent areas600A, respectively, theentire carton600 for discard is exchanged by the dealer D, the pit manager, or a casino manager, acarton600 for discard havingempty areas600A is set on the X-Y table701, and a new game starts. After all of theset3sof thecards3 packaged in the ninepackages404 are accepted in theareas600A of thecarton600 for discard, an upper portion of thecarton600 for discard is sealed at the time of movement of the carton.
• Thecard accepting holes662 of thecarton600 for discard have a slit shape of which a width is narrow so that the discardedcards3 cannot be taken out, but an opening and closinglid650 covering thecard accepting holes662 is further provided so as to prevent thecards3 from being taken out from thecarton600 for discard. Further, the opening and closinglid650 is provided with alock660 so that thecards3 cannot be taken out, such that it has a structure in which it is locked and is unlocked by a key (not shown). Thecard accepting holes662 may be configured to be detachable from an upper opening of thecarton600 for discard. In this case, theupper opening670 of thecarton600 for discard may be directly covered with the opening and closinglid650. The opening and closinglid650 is provided with thelock660 so that thecards3 cannot be taken out, such that it may be locked and being unlocked by the key.
• Since eighteenpackages404 packaging thesets3sof the cards are packaged in the same carton CA, ninepackages404 are discarded in thecarton600 for discard, thesets3sof the cards packaged in the other ninepackages404 are similarly discarded (drop) in anew carton600 for discard, all of thesets3sof thecards3 packaged in the ninepackages404 are accepted in theareas600A of thecarton600 for discard, and thecarton600 for discard is then similarly sealed (by thelock660 of the opening and closing lid650).
• In this case, when thecarton IDs30 of the cartons CA in which thepackages404 packaging thesets3sof the cards are packaged are attached to acarton600 for discard in which first ninepackages404 are accepted and acarton600 for discard in which last ninepackages404 are accepted by a tape or other means, it is possible to grasp a relationship between thecarton IDs30 of the cartons CA, thepackages404 entering the cartons, and thecartons600 that are used and are to be discarded.Carton IDs50 for discard are newly attached to thecartons600 for discard, and thecarton IDs50 for discard are printed out (print output P) by aprint output apparatus680 according to a command from themanagement control apparatus14. Thecartons ID30 of the cartons CA and thecarton IDs50 for discard can be associated with each other, such that both or one of thecarton IDs30 of the used cartons CA and thecarton IDs50 for discard may be attached to thecartons600 for discard. In another case, a list of the barcodes403 (the shuffle card IDs405) attached to all of thepackages404 packaged in the carton CA may also be printed out (print output P) by theprint output apparatus680 according to a command from themanagement control apparatus14, and be thus displayed (690) on thecarton600 for discard.
• The determining apparatus (the image determining apparatus814) described above has a function of transmitting the error signal to the casino management apparatus400 (through the management control apparatus14) at the time of determining the abnormality, and themanagement control apparatus14 has a function of printing out error information in association with theshuffle card IDs405 of thecorresponding packages404 used in the game when it detects or receives the error signal. Examples of such outputs are shown inFIGS. 10A and 10B. Inspection results (“OK” or “NG”) by thecard discarding apparatus1 and theshuffle card IDs405 of thepackages404 in which thesets3sof the cards3athat are targets to be inspected are packaged may be printed directly on a side surface or other appropriate places of thecarton600 for discard by a laser output, or the like, instead of the print output P. When the printing is directly performed, it is unlikely that a mistake will occur since the dealer D, or the like, needs not attach the print output P to thecarton600 for discard. It is possible to prevent the surrounding peoples from noticing that there is a problem in the inspection result by the card discardapparatus1. In addition, when apackage404 that is a target of abnormality determination by the determining apparatus (the image determining apparatus814) is displayed, it is possible to inspect thetarget package404 before discard later, which is advantageous in terms of management. Here, an inkjet printer, or the like, can be used as the printer output P.
• Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference toFIG. 9. A configuration in which the game is stopped at the predetermined timing, all thecards3 in the dealingshoe200 and thebarcodes403 enter eacharea600A of thecarton600 for discard, and thecarton600 for discard then moves so that it can accept thecards3 of thepackages404 used in the next game is described above, but in another embodiment, a distributingapparatus900 for accepting the next set ofcards3 discarded from theoutlet4 of the game table2 indifferent areas600A in a unit of thepackages404 is provided above thecarton600 for discard, without moving thecarton600 for discard or together with the movement of thecarton600. The distributingapparatus900 of thecards3 for accepting the discardedcards3 in thedifferent areas600A in the unit of thepackage404 is provided below theoutlet4 of the game table2. In the distributingapparatus900, an allocatingplate901 allocating thecards3 to differentcard accepting holes662 of thecarton600 for discard is rotated by amotor902 to guide thecards3 to the right and left and allow thecards3 to fall into different card accepting holes662-1 and662-2. The X-Y table701 may also be provided.
• The following functions are portions of the present invention as improvement of an embodiment: 1) The fact that a means (a dealing shoe) obtaining information on at least numbers (ranks) and the numbers of cards of each of several card sets distributed onto the game table in order to be used in each game is provided, and the card discarding apparatus and the dealing shoe are connected to each other through a communication apparatus; 2) Fraud inspection technology of comparing information on ranks of each card of card sets obtained by a card distributing apparatus (the dealing shoe) and information on each of the discarded cards read by the card discarding apparatus with each other and inspecting whether or not the information on the ranks of each card of card sets and the information on each of the discarded cards coincide with each other to inspect abnormalities of the discarded cards in each game; and 3) An inspecting means acquiring information on numbers (ranks) from cards placed on the game table and then remaining without being used in each game by a discarded card information acquiring means, summing up information on numbers (ranks) of already obtained cards of each card set used in each game, measuring the numbers of cards per number (rank) of the cards, and determining whether or not all of the cards thrown into the outlet are provided as many as the number of cards corresponding to a predetermined number of decks per number (rank).
• While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it is to be noted that the abovementioned embodiments can be modified by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, according to the present invention, fraud may be detected in a game other than baccarat game. In this case, the apparatus according to the present embodiment may be appropriately modified if necessary in a game to which it is applied. Structures to be described below are also elements of the present invention.
• A system for managing a table game further including a result determining apparatus that determines a win/loss result of each game sent from a dealing shoe and determines whether or not a win/loss result of the game is statistically correct, in which the result determining apparatus has a function of transmitting an error signal to a management control apparatus at the time of determining an abnormality.
• In the system for managing a table game, when the determining apparatus determines the abnormality, an error is displayed on the dealing shoe.
• In the system for managing a table game, the management control apparatus has a function of storing error information in association with a shuffle card ID of a corresponding package at the time of determining the abnormality.
• In the system for managing a table game, a carton ID for discard is attached to the carton for discard and the management control apparatus has a function of storing the carton ID for discard and shuffle card IDs of the respective packages of cards discarded in a corresponding carton for discard in association with each other.
• In the system for managing a table game, different and unique carton IDs are attached to each carton for discard and the management control apparatus has a function of storing the carton IDs and shuffle card IDs of all of packages accepted in corresponding cartons in association with each other.
• In the system for managing a table game, the management control apparatus has a function of storing the carton IDs and the carton IDs for discard of cartons for discard in which packages taken out from corresponding cartons and used in the game are discarded in association with each other and a function of storing the carton IDs for discard and shuffle card IDs of packages discarded in corresponding cartons for discard in association with each other.
• In the system for managing a table game, the determining apparatus further has a function of determining whether the number of packages accepted in the carton for discard is the same as, a half of, or ⅓ of that of packages taken out from the carton and used in the game and has a function of generating an error signal at the time of determining an abnormality.
• The system for managing a table game comprising an output apparatus of a carton ID for discard that prints out information on the carton IDs for discard, wherein the information on the carton IDs for discard printed out from the output apparatus of a carton ID for discard is attached to corresponding cartons for discard.
• A carton for discard in which printed-out ID information on shuffle card IDs of packages in which cards used in the game and then discarded are packaged is attached to or accepted in the respective areas of the carton for discard or package IDs attached to packages of cards discarded in corresponding areas are cut, and inserted and stored into the respective areas of the carton for discard.
• The carton for discard moved by a moving apparatus of the carton for discard for accepting the discarded cards from the outlet of the game table in different areas in a unit of the packages or a distributing apparatus for accepting the discarded cards from the outlet of the game table in different areas in a unit of the packages, such that only cards corresponding to one package are accepted in the respective areas.
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST
• 1: card discarding apparatus
• 2: table
• 3: card
• 3c: cut card
• 3s: set of cards
• 3r: remaining cards
• 3a: card after being used in game
• 4: outlet
• 5: discarded card cradle
• 14: management control apparatus
• 30: carton ID
• 40: pallet ID
• 50: carton ID for discard
• 100: ID code reader
• 200: dealing shoe
• 400: casino management apparatus
• 401: storage box
• 403: barcode
• 404: package
• 405: shuffle card ID
• 452a: cover
• 501: carton cabinet
• 551: ID code reader
• 600,600A: carton for discard
• 601: carton cabinet for discard
• 602: lid of top surface
• 615: driving apparatus
• 650: opening and closing lid
• 651,651a: ID code reader
• 652: lid
• 660: lock
• 661: opening
• 662: card accepting hole
• 670: upper opening
• 680: print output apparatus
• 690: display
• 700: moving apparatus
• 701: X-Y table
• 702,703: stepping motor
• 704,705: ball screw
• 802: camera
• 810: monitoring area
• 811: game monitoring apparatus
• 812: image analyzing apparatus
• 814: image determining apparatus
• 815: output
• 900: distributing apparatus
• 901: allocating plate
• 902: motor
• CA: carton
• PA: pallet

Claims (33)

1. A system for managing a table game, comprising:

an ID code reader;

a management controller; and

a carton, wherein:

the ID code reader is configured to read respective unique shuffle card IDs attached to respective packages in which a predetermined number of respective decks of shuffled cards are packaged;

the management controller is configured to store information on the shuffle card IDs of the packages read by the ID code reader;

the carton includes a plurality of discard areas that each is structured to accept all cards of the predetermined number of decks of a respective one of the packages after at least some of the cards are (a) distributed onto the game table by a dealing shoe that is configured to accept the cards of the predetermined number of decks taken out from the respective package, (b) used in a game, and (c) then inserted into an outlet of the game table;

the system is configured for the plurality of discard areas to be used sequentially for the acceptance of the cards; and

the management controller is configured to store in association with each other:

(a) the shuffle card IDs of the packages whose cards used in the game are accepted in the carton; and

(b) (i) information on a sequence, on a package basis, in which the cards were accepted in the carton, or (ii) addresses of the discard areas in which the cards of the respective packages whose shuffle card IDs were accepted.

2. The system for managing a table game according toclaim 1, wherein card accepting holes for sequentially accepting the cards from the outlet of the game table are provided in an upper portion of the carton and have a dimension too small for insertion of a hand into the card accepting holes.

3. The system for managing a table game according toclaim 1, further comprising an outlet cover that (a) covers the outlet of the game table, (b) has a slit, and (c) is configured to open the slit when cards need to be inserted through the slit.

4. The system for managing a table game according toclaim 1, further comprising a carton mover, wherein the carton mover is configured to move the carton into a plurality of positions at each of which a respective one of the plurality of discard areas of the carton is positioned for acceptance of cards from the outlet of the game table.

5. The system for managing a table game according toclaim 1, further comprising a distributor arranged above the carton, wherein the distributor is configured to accept the discarded cards from the outlet of the game table and distribute the cards the distributor has accepted into different ones of the plurality of discard areas as respective units corresponding to the packages.

6. The system for managing a table game according toclaim 4, wherein for each of the packages whose use has ended:

the dealing shoe is configured to transmit a signal for package exchange when the use of the respective package has ended, indicating that acceptance of cards of the respective package in a respective one of the plurality of discard areas ends; and

the management controller is configured to responsively perform a control by which to the carton moves or a distributor is operated, thereby switching from the respective one of the plurality of discard areas to another one of the plurality of discard areas.

7. The system for managing a table game according toclaim 4, wherein the management controller is configured to perform a control by which the carton moves or a distributer for switching between the plurality of discard areas is operated, the control including at least one of:

(1) transmitting a signal when the ID code reader reads a shuffle card ID attached to a package;

(2) transmitting a signal when the dealing shoe sets one of the packages and a lid of the dealing shoe is closed; and

(3) transmitting a signal in response to passage of a predetermined time period from when a cut card of one of the packages, which is in use, is reached, the cut card indicating to switch to use of another one of the packages and that all remaining ones of the cards of the in-use one of the packages are to be removed from the dealing shoe and the game table.

8. The system for managing a table game according toclaim 1, further comprising an area moving button that, when pressed, causes a signal to be transmitted, in response to which the management controller is configured to apparatus perform a control under which the carton moves or a distributer for switching between the plurality of discard areas is operated.

9. The system for managing a table game according toclaim 2, further comprising an opening and closing lid that covers the card accepting holes of the carton, wherein the opening and closing lid is configured to transition by a key between a locked state in which cards in the carton cannot be removed from the carton and an unlocked state in which the cards in the carton can be removed from the carton.

10. The system for managing a table game according toclaim 2, wherein:

the card accepting holes are detachable from an upper opening of the carton; and

the system for managing a table game further comprises an opening and closing lid that covers the upper opening and that is configured to transition by a key between a locked state in which cards in the carton cannot be removed from the carton and an unlocked state in which the cards in the carton can be removed from the carton.

11. The system for managing a table game according toclaim 1, comprising a carton cabinet configured to store the carton.

12. The system for managing a table game according toclaim 1, further comprising an ID printer, wherein the ID printer is configured to print out information of the shuffle card IDs, wherein, for each of the plurality of discard areas, the system is configured for attachment, to the respective discard area, of the printed out information of the respective card ID of the respective package whose cards are accepted in the respective discard area.

13. The system for managing a table game according toclaim 1, wherein, for each of the plurality of discard areas, the system is configured for a respective package ID attached to a respective one of the packages whose cards are accepted in the respective discard area to be cut from the respective package and inserted into and stored in the respective discard are.

14. The system for managing a table game according toclaim 1, wherein a processor of the system is configured to determine an abnormality in a proceeding of the game, and the management controller is configured to store a respective one of the shuffle card ID, which corresponds to one of the packages which was being used at a time of the determination, in association with information and/or the time of the determination of the abnormality.

15. The system for managing a table game according toclaim 14, wherein:

the processor is configured to transmit an error signal to the management controller at the time of the determination of the abnormality; and

the management controller is configured to store the information of the abnormality in association with the respective shuffle card ID when the management controller receives the error signal.

16. The system for managing a table game according toclaim 14, wherein the abnormality includes detection by the dealing shoe and a loss to a casino that is higher than a predefined threshold.

17. The system for managing a table game according toclaim 1, wherein the management controller includes at least one processor, the at least one processor being configured to:

analyze images obtained by one or more cameras during the game and thereby determine:

whether the cards that were distributed from the dealing shoe and used in the game are inserted into the outlet;

whether any of cards that were remaining in the dealing shoe without being used in the game are inserted into the outlet; and

whether any of the cards that were used in the game and any of the cards that were remaining in the dealing shoe do not exist; and

transmit an error signal responsive to determining an abnormality in any of the determination.

18. The system for managing a table game according toclaim 17, wherein the one or more cameras includes at least two cameras.

19. The system for managing a table game according toclaim 17, wherein the at least one processor is configured to:

determine whether a number of cards taken out from a respective one of the packages and used in the game is excessive or deficient using a result of the analysis; and

responsive to a result of the determination regarding the number of cards being that the number of cards is excessive or deficient, generate an error signal.

20. The system for managing a table game according toclaim 1, wherein super-area of the carton is divided into the plurality of discard areas in one or both of longitudinal and transverse directions.

21. The system for managing a table game according toclaim 1, wherein the plurality of discard areas are arranged in a 1×9, 2×5, or 3×3 formation with respect to longitudinal and transverse directions.

22. The system for managing a table game according toclaim 1, wherein at least one processor of the system is configured to:

determine a win/loss result of the game, which is played using the dealing shoe;

determine whether the win/loss result has a statistical abnormality; and

transmit an error signal responsive to the statistical abnormality.

23. The system for managing a table game according toclaim 14, wherein the system is configured to display an error on the dealing shoe when the abnormality is determined.

24. The system for managing a table game according toclaim 1, wherein a processor of the system is configured to determine an abnormality in a proceeding of the game, and the management controller is configured to store error information regarding the abnormality in association with a respective one of the shuffle card IDs, which corresponds to one of the packages which was being used at a time of the determination.

25. The system for managing a table game according toclaim 1, wherein a carton ID is attached to the carton, and the management controller is configured to store the carton ID in association with the shuffle card IDs of the packages whose of cards are discarded into the carton.

26. The system for managing a table game according toclaim 25, wherein the management controller is configured to store respective carton IDs of other cartons in association with respective shuffle card IDs of respective packages whose cards were respectively accepted into the respective other cartons.

27. The system for managing a table game according toclaim 1, wherein the management controller is configured to store a carton ID of the carton in association with:

a case ID of a case from which the packages were taken out for use in the game prior to the acceptance of the cards of the packages by the carton; and

the shuffle card IDs of the packages whose cards were accepted into the carton.

28. The system for managing a table game according toclaim 1, wherein the management controller is configured to:

determine whether a number of the packages whose cards have been accepted into the carton corresponds to a number of packages taken out from a case for use in the game to identify an abnormality; and

generate an error signal in response to the abnormality.

29. The system for managing a table game according toclaim 1, further comprising a printer, wherein the management controller is configured to print out information regarding the carton using the printer, and the carton is configured for attachment of the printout to the carton.

30. A carton, comprising:

an area divided, in one or both of longitudinal and transverse directions, into a plurality of sub-areas that each is structured to accept all cards of a predetermined number of decks of playing cards packaged in a respective one of a plurality of packages after at least some of the cards are (a) distributed onto a game table by a dealing shoe that is configured to accept the cards of the predetermined number of decks taken out from the respective package, (b) used in a game, and (c) then inserted into an outlet of the game table, wherein the plurality of sub-areas are arranged for the sub-areas to be used sequentially for the acceptance of the cards inserted into the outlet of the game table; and

card accepting holes via which the cards inserted into the outlet of the game table are accepted into the sub-areas of the carton, wherein the card accepting holes are provided in an upper portion of the carton and are dimensioned such that they are each too small to insert a hand into the respective card accepting hole.

31. The carton for discard according toclaim 30, wherein:

printed-out ID information regarding the packages whose cards are accepted into respective ones of the sub-areas of the carton is attached to or accepted in the respective sub-areas of the carton for discard; or

package IDs attached to the packages whose cards are accepted into respective ones of the sub-areas are cut and inserted and stored into the respective sub-areas of the carton.

32. The carton for discard according toclaim 30, wherein:

the carton includes or is configured to be coupled to a carton mover; and

the carton mover is configured to move the carton into a plurality of positions at each of which a respective one of the plurality of sub-areas of the carton is positioned acceptance of cards from the outlet of the game table.

33. The system for managing a table game according toclaim 1, wherein the management controller is configured to store each of the shuffle card IDs of the packages whose cards were accepted into the carton in association with respective information specifying the respective ones of the plurality of discard areas into which the cards of the respective packages are accepted.

Images