U.S. patent application number 09/866014 was filed with the patent office on 2001-11-29 for casino poker game and method.
Invention is credited to Ferguson, Dan.
Application Number | 20010046890 09/866014 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46257762 |
Filed Date | 2001-11-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010046890 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ferguson, Dan |
November 29, 2001 |
Casino poker game and method
Abstract
Methods of playing a poker game are provided. One is a method
for playing a single five-card hand and involves making an initial
wager, dealing an initial three cards into the hand, making
additional wagers to receive fourth and fifth cards, if desired, or
folding, then deciding to keep or discard each card, whereupon all
discarded cards are replaced and the value of the hand calculated
and paid. A second method allows play of two hands, using two
separate decks. The hands may be related to each other by allowing
the player the option of duplicating the first three cards dealt
into a first hand into a second hand. The game may be played with
actual cards or with virtual cards using a programmed electronic
game, preferably a casino-style game providing slots, magnetic card
readers, or other means for inserting money, chips, or credit
numbers to activate the game, and means for paying out winnings, as
are known to the art.
Inventors: |
Ferguson, Dan; (Broomfield,
CO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Greenlee, Winner and Sullivan, P.C.
5370 Manhattan Circle, Suite 201
Boulder
CO
80303
US
|
Family ID: |
46257762 |
Appl. No.: |
09/866014 |
Filed: |
May 24, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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09866014 |
May 24, 2001 |
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09315253 |
May 20, 1999 |
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6270405 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
463/13 ; 463/12;
463/16; 463/25 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F 1/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/13 ; 463/12;
463/16; 463/25 |
International
Class: |
A63F 009/24 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A method of playing a poker game comprising: a. placing an
initial wager on the value of a poker hand to be dealt; b.
providing five positions for placement of cards in a hand; c.
randomizing a card deck for dealing cards into the hand; d. dealing
three cards into the hand; e. placing another wager on the value of
the hand as a prerequisite for dealing a fourth card into the hand,
or discontinuing play of the hand, thereby forfeiting the initial
wager; f. if another wager has been placed, dealing a fourth card
into the hand from the randomized deck; g. placing a further wager
on the value of the hand as a prerequisite for dealing a fifth card
into the hand, or discontinuing play of the hand, thereby
forfeiting the previous wagers; h. if the further wager has been
placed, dealing a fifth card into the hand from the randomized
deck; then i. holding or discarding each card in the hand; j.
dealing cards from the randomized deck to replace all discarded
cards in the hand; k. determining the value of the hand; and l.
paying to or receiving the value of the hand in accordance with
predetermined payoff amounts.
2. The method of claim 1 played using an electronic game machine
providing card images.
3. An electronic game comprising: a. a display screen providing
positions for placement of cards in a five-card poker hand; b. a
processor programmed to provide images of a poker hand layout
comprising vacant card positions and card images operably connected
to the display screen; c. input means for inputting into the
processor a wager on a poker hand to be displayed on the screen,
and storing the amount of the wager in memory in the processor; d.
a randomizer in the processor for randomizing the order of
presentation to the screen of images corresponding to cards from a
deck of cards; e. an initial deal activator responsive to input of
the wager to activate display of card images on the screen
corresponding to dealing an initial three cards into the hand; f.
display means for displaying indicia for wagering or stopping play
associated with the vacant fourth and fifth card positions for the
hand; g. input means associated with the fourth card position for
inputting into the processor a second wager to be displayed on the
screen, and storing the amount of the wager in memory in the
processor; h. input means associated with the fourth card position
for inputting into the processor a stop signal to stop play of the
game; i. display means responsive to input of the stop signal
associated with the fourth card position to indicate that the game
is over, and optionally that the previous wager has been forfeited;
j. deal activator means responsive to input of the second wager to
activate display of a card image from the randomized deck in the
fourth card position for the hand; k. input means associated with
the fifth card position for inputting into the processor a third
wager to be displayed on the screen, and storing the amount of the
wager in memory in the processor; l. input means associated with
the fifth card position for inputting into the processor a stop
signal to stop play of the game; m. display means responsive to
input of the stop signal associated with the fifth card position to
indicate that the game is over, and optionally that the previous
wagers have been forfeited; n. deal activator means responsive to
input of the third wager to activate display of a card image from
the randomized deck in the fifth card position for the hand; o.
input means for providing operator signals to the processor
corresponding to holding or discarding each card dealt into the
hand; p. completion deal means in the processor capable of
determining when all cards in the hand have been held or have been
discarded, comprising a completion deal algorithm for dealing cards
from the randomized deck in a preset pattern to fill in all
remaining available positions and complete the poker hand; q. a
calculator in the processor for determining the value of the poker
hand; and r. a display operably connected to the calculator to
display a payoff or forfeited amount.
4. The electronic game of claim 3 also comprising calculator means
for calculating a running total of current wagers and the amount
available for future wagers.
5. The electronic game of claim 3 also comprising audible means for
indicating wins and losses.
6. A method of simultaneously playing two poker games, in which
play of cards in a second game is optionally dependent on play of
cards in a first hand, the method comprising: a. placing an initial
wager on the value of a first poker hand to be dealt; b. placing a
second wager on the value of a second poker hand to be dealt; c.
providing five positions for placement of cards in each hand; c.
randomizing a card deck for dealing cards into the first hand; d.
dealing three cards into the first hand; e. duplicating the three
cards dealt into the first hand into the second hand from a second
deck and randomizing the second deck; or randomizing the second
deck and dealing three cards from the second deck into the second
hand; f. placing an additional wager on the value of the first hand
as a prerequisite for dealing a fourth card into the first hand, or
discontinuing play of the first hand, thereby forfeiting the
initial wager on the first hand; g. placing an additional wager on
the value of the second hand as a prerequisite for dealing a fourth
card into the second hand, or discontinuing play of the second
hand, thereby forfeiting the initial wager on the second hand; h.
if the additional wager has been placed on the first hand, dealing
a fourth card into the first hand from the first randomized deck;
i. if the additional wager has been placed on the second hand,
dealing a fourth card into the second hand from the second
randomized deck; j. if play of the first hand has not been
discontinued, placing a further wager on the value of the first
hand as a prerequisite for dealing a fifth card into the first
hand, or discontinuing play of the first hand, thereby forfeiting
previous wagers on that hand; k. if play of the second hand has not
been discontinued, placing a further wager on the value of the
second hand as a prerequisite for dealing a fifth card into the
second hand, or discontinuing play of the second hand, thereby
forfeiting previous wagers on that hand; l. if the further wager
has been placed on the first hand, dealing a fifth card into the
first hand from the first randomized deck; m. if the further wager
has been placed on the second hand, dealing a fifth card into the
second hand from the second randomized deck; n. holding or
discarding each card in any hand still being played; o. if play of
the first hand has not been discontinued, dealing cards from the
first randomized deck to replace all discarded cards in the first
hand; p. if play of the second hand has not been discontinued,
dealing cards from the second randomized deck to replace all
discarded cards in the second hand; q. determining the value of any
hands still being played; and r. paying to or receiving the value
of the hand(s) in accordance with predetermined payoff amounts.
7. The method of claim 6 played using an electronic game machine
providing card images.
8. An electronic game comprising: a. a display screen providing
positions for placement of cards in two five-card poker hands; b. a
processor programmed to provide images of poker hand layouts
comprising vacant card positions and card images operably connected
to the display screen; c. input means for inputting into the
processor a first wager on a first and second poker hand to be
displayed on the screen, and storing the amount of the wagers in
memory in the processor; d. a randomizer in the processor for
randomizing the order of presentation to the screen of images
corresponding to cards from a first deck of cards; e. an initial
deal activator responsive to input of the first wager to activate
display of specific card images on the screen corresponding to
dealing an initial three cards into the first hand from the first
deck; f. input means for inputting into the processor a signal to
duplicate the initial three cards of the first hand in the second
hand; g. a randomizer in the processor for randomizing the order of
presentation to the screen of images corresponding to cards from a
second deck of h. input means for inputting into the processor a
signal to deal an initial three cards into the second hand from the
second deck, which input means are operable only if the processor
has not received a signal to duplicate the initial three cards of
the first hand in the second hand; i. display means responsive to
the signal to duplicate the initial three cards of the first hand
in the second hand or to the signal to deal an initial three cards
into the second hand from the second deck, for displaying the first
three cards of the second hand; j. display means for displaying
indicia for wagering or stopping play associated with the vacant
fourth and fifth card positions for each hand; k. input means
associated with the fourth card position of each hand for inputting
into the processor a second wager on each hand to be displayed on
the screen, and storing the amount of the wager in memory in the
processor; l. input means associated with the fourth card position
of each hand for inputting into the processor a stop signal to stop
play of that hand; m. display means responsive to input of the stop
signal associated with the fourth card position for each hand to
indicate that the game is over with respect to that hand, and
optionally that the previous wagers on that hand have been
forfeited; n. deal activator means responsive to input of the
second wager on each hand to activate display of a card image from
the randomized deck in the fourth card position for that hand; o.
input means associated with the fifth card position of each hand
for inputting into the processor a third wager on each hand to be
displayed on the screen, and storing the amount of the wager in
memory in the processor; p. input means associated with the fifth
card position of each hand for inputting into the processor a stop
signal to stop play of that hand; q. display means responsive to
input of the stop signal associated with the fifth card position of
each hand to indicate that the game is over with respect to that
hand, and optionally that the previous wagers with respect to that
hand have been forfeited; r. deal activator means responsive to
input of the third wager on each hand to activate display of a card
image from the randomized deck for each hand in the fifth card
position for that hand, if no stop signal has previously been
received for that hand; s. input means for providing operator
signals to the processor corresponding to holding or discarding
each card dealt into any hand still in play; t. completion deal
means in the processor capable of determining when all cards in
each hand in play have been held or discarded, comprising a
completion deal algorithm for dealing cards from the first
randomized deck into the first hand if it is still in play, and for
dealing cards from the second randomized deck into the second hand
if it is still in play, in a preset pattern to fill in all
remaining available positions and complete any poker hand still in
play; u. a calculator in the processor for determining the value of
any poker hand still in play; and v. a display operably connected
to the calculator to display a payoff or forfeited amount.
9. The electronic game of claim 8 also comprising calculator means
for calculating a running total of current wagers and the amount
available for future wagers.
10. The electronic game of claim 8 also comprising audible means
for indicating wins and losses.
11. A method of playing a poker game comprising: a. providing
positions for placement of cards in a plurality of poker hands; b.
placing a wager on each poker hand or on the aggregate of the
plurality of poker hands; c. randomizing a card deck; d. dealing an
initial three to seven cards into a first hand from the randomized
deck; e. holding or discarding cards dealt into the first hand, and
moving discarded cards into positions provided for one more
additional five-card hands; f. when all cards in the first hand
have been held or have been moved into the additional hands,
dealing cards from the randomized deck in a preset pattern to fill
in all remaining available positions and complete the poker hands;
g. determining the value of each poker hand; and h. paying to or
receiving from the player the value of each poker hand in
accordance with predetermined payoff amounts.
12. The method of claim 11 played using an electronic game machine
providing card images.
13. The method of claim 11 played using three hands.
14. The method of claim 11 played using five hands.
15. The method of claim 11 wherein five cards are initially
dealt.
16. The method of claim 11 wherein three cards are initially
dealt.
17. The method of claim 11 comprising also determining the poker
hand value of secondary hands formed of selected combinations of
cards in the plurality of hands and paying or receiving from the
player values calculated from the secondary hands.
18. A method of playing a card game comprising: a. providing
positions for placement of at least three poker hands of five cards
each, a first hand, a second hand, and a third hand, an optional
fourth hand, and an optional fifth hand; b. making a wager on the
value of the poker hands; c. initially dealing at least three cards
of the first hand from a single deck into at least the first three
positions of the first hand; d. holding the card dealt into the
first position of the first hand or moving it to the first position
of the second, third, or subsequent hand; e. holding the card dealt
into the second position of the first hand or moving it to the
second position of the second, third or subsequent hand; f. holding
the card dealt into the third position of the first hand or moving
it to the third position of the second, third, or subsequent hands;
g. holding the card, if any, dealt into the fourth position of the
first hand or moving it to the fourth position of the second, third
or subsequent hands; h. in sequence, holding the cards, if any,
dealt into the fifth or subsequent positions of the first hand, or
moving it into the corresponding position of the second, third or
subsequent hands; i. dealing cards from the deck into the remaining
vacant positions of the first, second, third and subsequent hands;
j. determining the poker hand ranking of the resulting hands; and
k. paying or deducting from a player's account a preset amount
determined by the poker hand rankings.
19. The method of claim 18 in which three cards of the first hand
are initially dealt in step c.
20. The method of claim 18 in which five cards of the first hand
are initially dealt in step c.
21. The method of claim 18 in which positions are provided for five
poker hands.
22. The method of claim 18 in which secondary poker hands are
compiled using cards in preselected positions of the hands.
23. The method of claim 18 in which positions are provided for
three hands of five cards each, and the secondary hands are made up
of one or more combinations of preselected positions selected from
the group consisting of: Combination 1: Second hand, positions 1, 3
and 5, First hand, positions 2 and 4; Combination 2: Second hand,
positions 1 and 5, First hand, positions 2 and 4, third hand,
position 3; Combination 3: Second hand, positions 2 and 4, First
hand, positions 1, 3 and 5; Combination 4: Second hand, position 3,
First hand, positions 2 and 4, Third hand, positions 1 and 5;
Combination 5: First hand, positions 1, 3 and 5, Third hand
positions 2 and 4; and Combination 6: First hand, positions 2 and
4, Third hand, positions 1, 3 and 5.
24. The method of claim 18 wherein the positions and cards are in
the form of images on the screen of an electronic game device.
25. An electronic game comprising: a. a display screen providing
positions for placement of cards in a plurality of poker hands; b.
a processor programmed to provide images of a poker hand layout
comprising vacant card positions and card images operably connected
to the display screen; c. input means for inputting into the
processor a start signal and/or a wager on each of or on the
aggregate of the plurality of poker hands and storing the amount of
any wager in memory in the processor; d. a randomizer in the
processor for randomizing the order of presentation to the screen
of images corresponding to cards from a single card deck; e. an
initial deal activator responsive to input of the wager or start
signal to activate display of specific card images on the screen
corresponding to dealing an initial three to seven cards into a
first hand from the deck; f. input means for providing operator
signals to the processor corresponding to holding or discarding
each card dealt into the first hand and moving the discarded card
into a position provided for cards of one or more additional
five-card hands, and display means operably connected thereto for
displaying the results of the signals on the screen; g. completion
deal means in the processor capable of determining when all cards
in the first hand have been held or have been moved into the
additional hands, comprising a completion deal algorithm for
dealing cards from the randomized deck in a preset pattern to fill
in all remaining available positions and complete the poker hands;
h. a calculator in the processor for determining the value of the
poker hands; and i. a display operably connected to the calculator
to display a payoff amount.
26. The electronic game of claim 25 comprising means in the
processor for adjusting the payoff amounts and displays thereof.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending
application 09/315,253 filed May 20, 1999, which is incorporated
herein by reference to the extent not inconsistent herewith.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Poker is a favorite gambling game widely enjoyed and
understood by generations of players. The rules are simple; payoffs
are relatively immediate, and both skill and luck are rewarded. The
game has been adapted to electronic casino-style gaming machines
where it has enjoyed a fair degree of success; however, games now
known to the art either minimize the extent to which the player can
win by using skill and inflate the effects of random chance, making
such games less attractive to experienced poker players than would
be desirable, or maximize the effects of skill so that the
inexperienced player had little chance to win and little incentive
to keep playing. To attract the greatest number of players, a poker
game should allow and reward skill, but should also allow an
unskilled player to rely on luck for winnings.
[0003] A number of U.S. patents disclose methods for playing poker
games, including: U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,149,157; 6,146,271; 6,135,882;
6,132,311; 6,098,985; 5,882,260; 5,882,259; 5,868,619; 5,868,619;
5,868,618; 5,853,325; 5,851,147; 5,851,011; 5,839,731; 5,833,536;
5,823,873; 5,820,461; 5,820,460; 5,816,916; 5,816,915; 5,816,914;
5,810,663; 5,806,855; 5,803,809; 5,795,225; 5,794,964; 5,785,593;
5,775,992; 5,772,506; 5,755,621; 5,743,800; 5,732,950; 5,685,774;
5,669,817; 5,639,088; 5,636,843; 5,630,753; 5,605,504; 5,601,488;
5,591,081; 5,586,766; 5,569,082; 5,542,669; 5,531,448; 5,531,441;
5,531,440; 5,489,101 and WO 98/14250.
[0004] All publications referred to herein are incorporated by
reference to the extent not inconsistent herewith.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] Methods of playing a poker game are provided. One is a
method for playing a single five-card hand and involves making an
initial wager, dealing an initial three cards into the hand,
deciding whether to keep playing or fold, and making an additional
wager to receive a fourth card and again deciding to fold or keep
playing and making an additional wager to receive a fifth card. The
next step is deciding to keep or discard each card, whereupon all
discarded cards are replaced and the value of the hand is
calculated and paid. A second method allows play of two hands,
using two separate decks. The hands may be related to each other by
allowing the player the option of duplicating the first three cards
dealt into a first hand into a second hand. The hands are then
played as described above.
[0006] Methods of simultaneously playing multiple hands using a
single deck are also provided. Three hands or five hands are
preferred, and in addition, secondary hands may be compiled from
selected cards in the three or five primary hands. The games are
played using a single deck of cards comprising 52 cards, and
optionally additional wild cards such as two jokers. Cards
discarded from the first or primary hand dealt are used by the
player to build other hands.
[0007] The games may be played with actual cards or with virtual
cards using a programmed electronic game, preferably a casino-style
game providing slots, magnetic card readers or other means for
inserting money, chips, or credit numbers to activate the game, and
means for paying out winnings, as are known to the art. The steps
in the method of playing these games are performed either by the
player or by a dealer or programmed electronic game machine in
response to the player's actions.
[0008] A method of playing a one-handed poker game is provided
comprising: placing an initial wager on the value of a poker hand
to be dealt; providing five positions for placement of cards in a
hand; randomizing a card deck for dealing cards into the hand;
dealing three cards into the hand; placing another wager on the
value of the hand as a prerequisite for dealing a fourth card into
the hand, or discontinuing play of the hand, thereby forfeiting the
initial wager; if another wager has been placed, dealing a fourth
card into the hand from the randomized deck; placing a further
wager on the value of the hand as a prerequisite for dealing a
fifth card into the hand, or discontinuing play of the hand,
thereby forfeiting the previous wagers; if the further wager has
been placed, dealing a fifth card into the hand from the randomized
deck; then holding or discarding each card in the hand; dealing
cards from the randomized deck to replace all discarded cards in
the hand; determining the value of the hand; and paying to or
receiving the value of the hand in accordance with predetermined
payoff amounts.
[0009] This game can be played using conventional cards or using an
electronic game machine providing card images.
[0010] Electronic devices for playing the game are also provided
comprising: a display screen providing positions for placement of
cards in a five-card poker hand; a processor programmed to provide
images of a poker hand layout comprising vacant card positions and
card images operably connected to the display screen; input means
for inputting into the processor a wager on a poker hand to be
displayed on the screen, and storing the amount of the wager in
memory in the processor; a randomizer in the processor for
randomizing the order of presentation to the screen of images
corresponding to cards from a deck of cards; an initial deal
activator responsive to input of the wager to activate display of
card images on the screen corresponding to dealing an initial three
cards into the hand; display means for displaying indicia for
wagering or stopping play associated with the vacant fourth and
fifth card positions for the hand; input means associated with the
fourth card position for inputting into the processor a second
wager to be displayed on the screen, and storing the amount of the
wager in memory in the processor; input means associated with the
fourth card position for inputting into the processor a stop signal
to stop play of the game; display means responsive to input of the
stop signal associated with the fourth card position to indicate
that the game is over, and optionally that the previous wager has
been forfeited; deal activator means responsive to input of the
second wager to activate display of a card image from the
randomized deck in the fourth card position for the hand; input
means associated with the fifth card position for inputting into
the processor a third wager to be displayed on the screen, and
storing the amount of the wager in memory in the processor; input
means associated with the fifth card position for inputting into
the processor a stop signal to stop play of the game; display means
responsive to input of the stop signal associated with the fifth
card position to indicate that the game is over, and optionally
that the previous wagers have been forfeited; deal activator means
responsive to input of the third wager to activate display of a
card image from the randomized deck in the fifth card position for
the hand; input means for providing operator signals to the
processor corresponding to holding or discarding each card dealt
into the hand; completion deal means in the processor capable of
determining when all cards in the hand have been held or have been
discarded, comprising a completion deal algorithm for dealing cards
from the randomized deck in a preset pattern to fill in all
remaining available positions and complete the poker hand; a
calculator in the processor for determining the value of the poker
hand; and a display operably connected to the calculator to display
a payoff or forfeited amount.
[0011] A method is also provided for simultaneously playing two
hands of a poker game using two decks in which the play of cards in
the second hand is optionally dependent on cards in the first hand,
the method comprising: placing an initial wager on the value of a
first poker hand to be dealt; placing a second wager on the value
of a second poker hand to be dealt; providing five positions for
placement of cards in each hand; randomizing a card deck for
dealing cards into the first hand; dealing three cards into the
first hand; duplicating the three cards dealt into the first hand
into the second hand from a second deck and randomizing the second
deck or randomizing the second deck and dealing three cards from
the second deck into the second hand; placing an additional wager
on the value of the first hand as a prerequisite for dealing a
fourth card into the first hand, or discontinuing play of the first
hand, thereby forfeiting the initial wager on the first hand;
placing an additional wager on the value of the second hand as a
prerequisite for dealing a fourth card into the second hand, or
discontinuing play of the second hand, thereby forfeiting the
initial wager on the second hand; if the additional wager has been
placed on the first hand, dealing a fourth card into the first hand
from the first randomized deck; if the additional wager has been
placed on the second hand, dealing a fourth card into the second
hand from the second randomized deck; if play of the first hand has
not been discontinued, placing a further wager on the value of the
first hand as a prerequisite for dealing a fifth card into the
first hand, or discontinuing play of the first hand, thereby
forfeiting previous wagers on that hand; if play of the second hand
has not been discontinued, placing a further wager on the value of
the second hand as a prerequisite for dealing a fifth card into the
second hand, or discontinuing play of the second hand, thereby
forfeiting previous wagers on that hand; if the further wager has
been placed on the first hand, dealing a fifth card into the first
hand from the first randomized deck; if the further wager has been
placed on the second hand, dealing a fifth card into the second
hand from the second randomized deck; holding or discarding each
card in any hand still being played; if play of the first hand has
not been discontinued, dealing cards from the first randomized deck
to replace all discarded cards in the first hand; if play of the
second hand has not been discontinued, dealing cards from the
second randomized deck to replace all discarded cards in the second
hand; determining the value of any hands still being played; and
paying to or receiving the value of the hand(s) in accordance with
predetermined payoff amounts.
[0012] This game may also be played by hand or using an electronic
device. Such an electronic device may comprise: a display screen
providing positions for placement of cards in two five-card poker
hands; a processor programmed to provide images of poker hand
layouts comprising vacant card positions and card images operably
connected to the display screen; input means for inputting into the
processor a first wager on a first and second poker hand to be
displayed on the screen, and storing the amount of the wager in
memory in the processor; a randomizer in the processor for
randomizing the order of presentation to the screen of images
corresponding to cards from a first deck of cards; an initial deal
activator responsive to input of the first wager to activate
display of specific card images on the screen corresponding to
dealing an initial three cards into the first hand from the first
deck; input means for inputting into the processor a signal to
duplicate the initial three cards of the first hand in the second
hand; a randomizer in the processor for randomizing the order of
presentation to the screen of images corresponding to cards from a
second deck of cards; input means for inputting into the processor
a signal to deal an initial three cards into the second hand from
the second deck, which input means are operable only if the
processor has not received a signal to duplicate the initial three
cards of the first hand in the second hand; display means
responsive to the signal to duplicate the initial three cards of
the first hand in the second hand or to the signal to deal an
initial three cards into the second hand from the second deck, for
displaying the first three cards of the second hand; display means
for displaying indicia for wagering or stopping play associated
with the vacant fourth and fifth card positions for each hand;
input means associated with the fourth card position of each hand
for inputting into the processor a second wager on each hand to be
displayed on the screen, and storing the amount of the wager in
memory in the processor; input means associated with the fourth
card position of each hand for inputting into the processor a stop
signal to stop play of that hand; display means responsive to input
of the stop signal associated with the fourth card position for
each hand to indicate that the game is over with respect to that
hand, and optionally that the previous wagers on that hand have
been forfeited; deal activator means responsive to input of the
second wager on each hand to activate display of a card image from
the randomized deck in the fourth card position for that hand;
input means associated with the fifth card position of each hand
for inputting into the processor a third wager on each hand to be
displayed on the screen, and storing the amount of the wager in
memory in the processor; input means associated with the fifth card
position of each hand for inputting into the processor a stop
signal to stop play of that hand; display means responsive to input
of the stop signal associated with the fifth card position of each
hand to indicate that the game is over with respect to that hand,
and optionally that the previous wagers with respect to that hand
have been forfeited; deal activator means responsive to input of
the third wager on each hand to activate display of a card image
from the randomized deck for each hand in the fifth card position
for that hand, if no stop signal has previously been received for
that hand; input means for providing operator signals to the
processor corresponding to holding or discarding each card dealt
into any hand still in play; completion deal means in the processor
capable of determining when all cards in each hand in play have
been held or discarded, comprising a completion deal algorithm for
dealing cards from the first randomized deck into the first hand if
it is still in play, and for dealing cards from the second
randomized deck into the second hand if it is s till in play, in a
preset pattern to fill in all remaining available positions and
complete any poker hand still in play; a calculator in the
processor for determining the value of any poker hand still in
play; and a display operably connected to the calculator to display
a payoff or forfeited amount.
[0013] The electronic games of this invention also comprise
calculation means for calculating a running total of current wagers
and the amount available for future wagers. They may also have
graphic displays such as colored lines, animated displays, and
audible means such as gong sounds, buzzer sounds, and the like for
indicating wins and losses.
[0014] Games for simultaneously playing several hands using a
single deck comprise providing positions for placement of cards in
a plurality of poker hands; placing a wager on each poker hand or
on the aggregate of said plurality of poker hands; randomizing a
card deck as by shuffling or running a randomizing algorithm in a
processor of a video game to provide cards in a random order;
dealing an initial three to seven cards, e.g., three, five or
seven, into a first hand from said randomized deck; holding or
moving each card dealt into said first hand into positions provided
for one more additional five-card hands; and when all cards in said
first hand have been held or have been moved, dealing cards from
the randomized deck in a preset pattern to fill in all remaining
available positions and complete said poker hands; followed by
determining the value of each poker hand and paying to or receiving
from the player the value of each poker hand in accordance with
predetermined payoff amounts.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIGS. 1A through 1F illustrate a method of playing a single
five-card poker hand as displayed on the screen of an electronic
game machine.
[0016] FIGS. 2A through 21 illustrate a method of playing two
five-card hands of poker using two separate decks as displayed on
the screen of an electronic game machine.
[0017] FIGS. 3A through 3G illustrate an alternate play of the game
of FIGS. 2A 20 through 21.
[0018] FIGS. 4A through 4G show play of the poker game of this
invention in "shotgun" method using three hands with an initial
deal of three cards into the first (middle) row, showing the
player's decisions to successively hold or move cards from the
first row into corresponding positions in the second (top) or third
(bottom) rows.
[0019] FIGS. 5A and 5B show play of the poker game of this
invention in regular deal method using three hands, wherein the
player has made a decision to hold all five cards initially
dealt.
[0020] FIGS. 6A through 6E show play of the poker game in regular
deal method using five hands.
[0021] FIG. 7 shows the method of forming six additional secondary
hands using the three-hand layout. Each continuous line designates
a separate hand.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022] The poker games of this invention are preferably played with
the object of building standard winning poker hands such as royal
flush (ten, jack, queen, king and ace of the same suit), straight
flush (five sequential cards of the same suit), four of a kind
(four cards of the same number), three of a kind (three cards of
the same number) two of a kind (two cards of the same number), full
house (three of a kind plus two of a kind), flush (five cards of
the same suit), straight (five sequential cards, not of the same
suit), two pairs (of cards having the same number), and pairs of
jacks, queens, kings or aces. Payoffs can also be set to reward
other combinations. Since the game provides for play of multiple
hands, obtaining two or more of the same winning hand can be
rewarded with bonus payoffs.
[0023] The player may place a wager on the outcome of each hand or
on the total (aggregate) value of all the hands either at the
beginning or during play, or both. For example, the player may
wager a set number of coins to begin the game, and may add to or
change his wager after the first, second, third, fourth or fifth
positions have been played as described below. The wagers may be
made by inputting into a video game device.
[0024] The deck of cards is randomized by shuffling by a dealer or
by means of an algorithm in the processor of the game machine to
present cards in random order. The dealer then deals cards into
positions provided for the first hand from the randomized deck, or
the electronic game machine provides card images from said deck
into said position. The term "deal" as used herein refers both to
dealing actual cards and to providing virtual card images on a
display screen. The initial deal is activated by the player's
placing an initial wager or otherwise signaling the game machine to
start play, e.g. by inserting coins or chips into the machine.
After the initial deal, the player may optionally make other wagers
on the value of the hands.
[0025] When play is finished, the value of each poker hand is
determined using payoff tables or algorithms as described below, or
other payoff tables as may be set by the house. As is known to the
art, the percentage retained by casinos may be regulated by law. In
addition, tables providing optimum player return, hit frequency
(frequency of obtaining a reward), and other payoff statistics may
be published, posted or displayed on casino games as an incentive
to players. The payoff amounts may be calculated by algorithms
known to the art to provide payoffs which are within the legally
set limits and are also attractive to players. In a preferred
embodiment using a casino-style electronic game machine, the payoff
amounts may be adjustable.
[0026] The player may be paid off or required to pay amounts in
accordance with the value of the completed hands. In preferred
embodiments using an electronic game machine, an initial amount is
set by the program or input by the player to begin play, and the
machine calculates and displays the amount of money remaining
including any winnings throughout a series of games until the
player indicates he wishes to stop playing.
[0027] The games may be played "shotgun" style by dealing only
three cards initially into the first hand, or normal style by
dealing all five cards into the first hand.
[0028] Positions for placement of cards in each of the hands dealt
are provided, either on a flat surface such as a table top, or on a
display screen of a video game machine.
[0029] In the video game machine, vacant positions are preferably
indicated by card-shaped blanks.
[0030] As shown in FIG. 1A, a display is provided showing positions
for a five-card poker hand. The display includes a display of the
amount wagered so far in the game, and a total amount available to
be wagered (the "bank"). FIG. 1A shows nothing has as yet been
wagered, and the bank has a balance of 1000 coins. FIG 1B shows
that the player has wagered five coins to begin play, and that the
bank now has a balance of 995 coins. The wager triggers dealing of
three cards into the hand from a randomized deck, and the display
now shows images of these cards and indicates that the player can
choose to make an additional wager to have a card dealt into the
fourth position, or can elect to fold, and thereafter can make a
further wager to have a card dealt into the fifth position, or can
elect to fold. As shown in FIG. 1C, the player wagered an
additional 5 coins to have a further card dealt into the fourth
position. The screen now shows 10 coins wagered and a bank balance
of 990 coins. FIG. 1D shows that the player has made an additional
five-coin wager to have a card dealt into the fifth position. The
wager displayed is 15 coins, and the bank balance displayed is 985
coins. The player can now elect to hold or discard each card
displayed, and FIG. 1E shows that the player has elected to have
the third card replaced. After replacement of all cards the player
elects to discard, the game is over, and the win or loss is
calculated. A screen display, such as the jagged line shown in FIG.
1F indicates the win or loss, and the screen displays a bank
balance reflecting the win or loss. The player may indicate his
elections by clicking on appropriate indicia, such as the space for
display of the wager amount to make a wager, the word "wager" or
"fold" or other suitable indicia to wager or fold with respect to
being dealt fourth and fifth cards, and by clicking on each card he
desires to discard, or on a further indicia (not shown) if he
wishes to keep a particular card, or has completed choosing cards
to discard.
[0031] FIG. 2A shows a display with positions for two five-card
poker hands. A display of the amount of the wager at risk in the
game at each point is shown at the top left, and the current bank
balance is shown at the bottom left. FIG. 2B shows that the player
has wagered 10 coins (5 coins to initiate play of each hand), and
the bank has a balance of 990 coins. The wager has initiated
dealing of three cards into the first (bottom) hand. The player may
now elect to duplicate the three cards dealt in the first hand into
the second hand, e.g. by clicking on suitable indicia, or, e.g. by
dragging duplicate images of the dealt cards in the first hand into
the corresponding positions of the second hand. Alternatively (as
shown in FIG. 3) he may elect to have three new cards dealt into
the second hand from a second randomized deck. FIG. 2C indicates
that he has elected to duplicate the three cards dealt into the
first hand in the second hand. The fourth and fifth card positions
now display indicia providing the player with a choice to wager to
trigger dealing of a card in that position, or to fold. FIG. 2D
shows that the player has elected to wager an additional 5 coins on
the fourth card of the first hand, and has been dealt that card.
The screen displays a wager of 15 coins at risk and a bank balance
of 985 coins. FIG. 2E shows that the player has elected to wager an
additional 5 coins on the fifth card of the first hand, and has
been dealt that card. The screen displays a wager of 20 coins at
risk and a bank balance of 980 coins.
[0032] FIG. 2F Shows that the player has elected to wager an
additional 5 coins on the fourth card of the second hand, and has
been dealt that card. The screen displays a wager of 25 coins at
risk and a bank balance of 975 coins. FIG. 2G shows that the player
has elected to wager an additional 5 coins on the fifth card of the
second hand, and has been dealt that card. The screen displays a
wager of 30 coins at risk and a bank balance of 970 coins. The
player is now allowed to choose whether to keep or discard each
card on the screen. FIG. 2H shows his decision to discard and
replace the fourth card of the first hand and the third card in the
second hand. FIG. 21 shows a screen display indicating that the
second hand is a winning hand and the first hand is a losing hand,
and the bank balance is shown as 1085 coins, which includes a
payoff for the winning hand.
[0033] In FIG. 3A, a display is provided showing positions for two
five-card poker hands. The display includes a display of the amount
of the wager at risk in the game at each point, and the current
bank balance, as above. FIG. 3B shows that the player has wagered
10 coins (5 coins to initiate play of each hand), and the bank has
a balance of 990 coins. The wager has initiated dealing of three
cards into the first (bottom) hand. The player may now elect to
duplicate the three cards dealt in the first hand into the second
hand or to have three new cards dealt. As shown in FIG. 3C, he
elects to have three new cards dealt. Play now continues as
described above for FIGS. 2A-2I.
[0034] This invention also provides methods for playing a plurality
of games using a single deck. In the description that follows, the
middle hand is referred to as the "first hand." In the three-hand
layout as shown in FIGS. 4A-4G, containing three horizontal rows,
the top hand is referred to as the "second hand" and the bottom
hand is referred to as the "third hand." In the five-card layout,
the cards may be laid out in five horizontal rows, or in three rows
with the top and bottom rows containing two five-card hands as
shown in FIGS. 6A-6E. The topmost row or, in the layout of FIGS.
6A-6E the top left hand, is referred to as the "second hand," the
second row or, in the layout of FIGS. 6A-6E the top right hand, is
referred to as the "third hand," the bottom row or the right bottom
hand is referred to as the "fifth hand" and the second from the
bottom row or, in the layout of FIGS. 6A-6E, the left bottom hand
is referred to as the "fourth hand." The card positions of each
hand are referred to herein as first, second, third, fourth and
fifth from left to right.
[0035] The player makes an initial wager to initiate dealing a
predetermined number of cards into the first hand. The player may
then decide to hold or move each of the cards dealt into the first
hand into positions provided for the other hands. When the player
has moved all the cards out of the first hand, or when the player
indicates he wishes to hold cards in the first hand, the held cards
can no longer be moved, any remaining vacant positions in the other
hands are filled in by dealing from the randomized deck to complete
the hands. The dealing is done in preset order, e.g. by filling in
vacant positions and hands in sequential order, or by filling in
corresponding positions of all hands in sequential order before
moving onto the next position in all the hands, or in any other
desired preset order.
[0036] In one embodiment, the player must play the card in the
first position of the first hand before being allowed to hold or
move cards in subsequent positions. If the player decides to hold
the card in the first position in the first hand, he may indicate
this decision to the dealer, or in the case of an electronic game,
may input a signal, such as by pressing a button, touching a spot
on the screen, or answering "yes" to a displayed question. If he
decides to move the card in the first position, he may move it only
to the first position of another hand. He may manually move the
card or provide a signal to the game machine as known to the art to
cause the card image to move to the desired position. When the
player has indicated his decision to hold the card in the first
position of the first hand, play moves to the second position of
the first hand.
[0037] Play of the second position of the first hand is completed
as described above for the first position, and when all vacant
second positions in all the hands are filled, or when the player
has indicated his decision to hold the card in the second position
of the first hand, play moves to the third position. Play of third
and subsequent positions of the first proceed in the same way. When
all cards for the first hand have been played, or the player
indicates his decision to hold remaining cards, all vacant
positions in all the hands are filled in by cards dealt from the
randomized deck.
[0038] In the "shotgun" method where only three cards were
initially dealt into the first hand, after the player has played
the third position or indicated his decision to hold remaining
cards, all vacant positions in the hands are filled in as
above.
[0039] Each hand layout comprising positions one through five is
referred to herein as a "primary hand." In addition to determining
the poker hand value of the primary hands at the completion of the
game, poker hand values for secondary hands made up of selected
cards from the primary hands may also be determined and used to
calculate payoff amounts, for example as shown in FIG. 7.
[0040] FIG. 4A shows a three-hand embodiment of the poker game of
this invention in which three cards are dealt in "shotgun" style,
i.e. an initial deal of three cards is made into the first (middle)
hand from a 52-card deck containing ace through king of four suits.
The game may be played with actual cards, or with virtual cards in
a video game device as shown, in which the 52 cards are randomized
and dealt in random order. In the video game embodiment, positions
or spaces for the card images are provided for three rows of five
cards each. A screen display keeps a running tally of the player's
winnings, preferably the number of coins available to wager. Each
time a new card is dealt, the player may also optionally make an
additional wager on each hand.
[0041] After the initial deal of three cards into the first
(middle) hand, the player makes a decision to hold or move the card
in the first position of the first hand. He may move the card to
the corresponding (first) position of the second hand (the top row)
or the corresponding (first) position of the third hand (the bottom
row). In the embodiment shown, the player has decided to hold the
card (the six of hearts) in the first position of the first hand.
He may indicate this decision either by inputting a hold signal or
by inputting a signal to move or hold the card in the second
position of the first row. Once the card in the second position of
the first hand is activated, the player can no longer move the card
in the first position. Once a card has been moved into another hand
from the first hand, that card cannot be moved again.
[0042] As shown in FIG. 4B, the player has decided to move the card
in the second position of the first hand (the jack of diamonds) to
the corresponding second position of the second hand.
[0043] The player is now able to decide to hold or move the card in
the third position of the first hand (the six of clubs). As shown
in FIG. 4C, the player decides to hold this card. A new card is now
dealt into the fourth position of the first hand, optionally as a
result of a wager by the player.
[0044] FIG. 4D shows that the player has decided to move the new
card (the queen of clubs) dealt into the fourth position of the
first hand into the fourth position of the third hand. FIG. 4E
shows a new card is now dealt into the fifth position of the first
hand (the ten of diamonds). Again, optionally as a result of a
further wager, FIG. 4F shows that the player has elected to move
this card into the fifth position of the second hand.
[0045] When all cards originally dealt into the first hand have
been moved or held, the remaining vacant positions in all three
hands are filled in by dealing from the 52-card randomized deck as
shown in FIG. 4G. The cards may be filled in in any preprogrammed
order, for example, the open positions in the second hand may be
filled in sequentially, followed by sequentially filling in the
open positions in the third hand; or cards may be alternately dealt
into the next open position in the second or third hands, or in any
other desired order.
[0046] The poker hand value of all three hands is then determined,
and the player is paid off in accordance with a payoff schedule as
described below.
[0047] When the game is played using a normal five-card deal into
the first hand rather than using the "shotgun" method of dealing
only three cards initially, the player makes his wagers as
described above, and makes decisions to hold or move the cards in
each position of the first hand sequentially. He is not allowed to
move a card from the first hand until all possible vacant spaces in
lower-numbered positions are filled in all the hands, or until he
has signaled his decision to hold the cards in the lower-numbered
positions of the first hand.
[0048] FIGS. 5A and 5B show the three-hand game using a normal
five-card deal into the first hand. In this embodiment, five cards
are dealt from a randomized 52-card deck into the first hand as
shown in FIG. 5A. The player in this case has decided to hold all
the cards in the first hand. Upon his signal indicating this
decision, the remaining vacant spaces are filled with cards dealt
from the same deck in any desired, preprogrammed order, as shown in
FIG. 5B. The poker hand value of all three hands is then
determined, and the player is paid off in accordance with a payoff
schedule.
[0049] FIGS. 6A through 6E show the five-hand game of this
invention using a normal deal method wherein five cards are
initially dealt into the first (middle) hand as shown in FIG. 6A.
The player makes his wagers on each hand as described above. FIG.
6B shows the player's decision to move the card in the first
position of the first hand (the two of hearts) into the first
position of the second hand (top left). FIG. 6C shows the player
has elected to move the second card in the first hand (the 3 of
clubs) to the second position of the fourth hand (bottom left).
[0050] FIG. 6D shows the player has elected to retain the card
dealt into the third position of the first hand (the jack of
diamonds) where it is, and to move the card dealt into the fourth
position of the first hand (the four of spades) into the third hand
(top left), and to leave the fifth card dealt into the first hand
(the queen of diamonds) where it is.
[0051] Now that all cards in the first hand have been played, as
shown in FIG. 6E, the remaining vacant spaces in all the hands are
filled in in a pre-programmed order using cards from the 52-card
deck. The value of all the hands is then determined, and the player
paid off accordingly.
[0052] FIGS. 7A through 7F show how the game may be adapted to
allow wagering on nine hands simultaneously. The regular three-hand
layout is used as described with reference to FIG. 4, and played
using either the shotgun or regular dealing method. The first,
second and third hands (the "primary" hands) are then evaluated
along with the secondary hands according to the patterns shown in
FIGS. 7A-7F, with the lines showing the cards used to make up each
hand. In addition to the three horizontal hands making up a hand
each, six secondary hands are made up using the cards joined by
each continuous line. Payoff is made based on all nine hands. In
FIG. 7, the secondary hands are made up of the following
combinations:
1 FIG. 7A: Combination 1: Second hand, positions 1,3 and 5, First
hand, positions 2 and 4. FIG. 7B: Combination 2: Second hand,
positions 1 and 5, First hand, positions 2 and 4, third hand,
position 3; FIG. 7C: Combination 3: Second hand, positions 2 and 4,
First hand, positions 1, 3 and 5; FIG. 7D: Combination 4: Second
hand, position 3, First hand, positions 2 and 4, Third hand,
positions 1 and 5. FIG. 7E: Combination 5: First hand, positions 1,
3 and 5, Third hand positions 2 and 4; FIG. 7F: Combination 6:
First hand, positions 2 and 4, Third hand, positions 1,3 and 5.
[0053] The electronic poker game of this invention therefore
comprises a display screen providing positions for placement of
cards in a plurality of poker hands and a processor programmed to
provide images of a poker hand layout comprising card images and
vacant card positions operably connected to said display screen.
The electronic game also comprises means for inputting into said
electronic game a wager on each of, or on the aggregate of, said
plurality of poker hands and means for storing the amount of said
wager in memory in said processor. Such input means may include any
means known to the art, including buttons, touch screen displays,
and means for answering "yes" or "no" to questions programmed to
appear on the screen. The processor also includes a randomizer,
i.e. an algorithm for ordering card images randomly for
presentation. Cards images corresponding to cards from one or more
decks may be used. The electronic game also comprises an initial
deal activator, which may be any means known to the art for
initiating play, preferably a programmed response within the
processor responsive to input of said wager or other player signal
known to the art to activate display of specific card images on
said screen corresponding to dealing an initial three to seven
cards sequentially into the first, second, third and optionally
fourth and fifth positions of the first hand from said deck. The
game includes input means as discussed above to allow the operator
to provide signals to the processor corresponding to holding or
moving each card dealt into the first hand into positions provided
for one more additional five-card hands, and means for displaying
the results of the signal on the screen, i.e., displaying the image
of the moved or held card in the designated position. The game also
includes a completion deal program step in the processor capable of
determining when all cards in the first hand have been held or have
been moved into unfilled spaces in said additional hands and
dealing cards from the randomized deck in a preset pattern to fill
in all remaining available positions and complete the poker hands.
The game device also comprises a calculator in the processor for
determining the value of the poker hands and a display operably
connected to the calculator to display a payoff amount.
[0054] In addition to displays showing the hands in play, the games
of this invention may be programmed to display the amount wagered
on each hand and the payoff figures at the end of each game. In one
embodiment, the player inserts money or chips into the machine to
initiate play, and the screen displays a running tally of the
amount of money remaining. In addition, the game may be programmed
to display by means of lights, flashing lights, or other suitable
means, with or without accompanying sounds, when valuable poker
hands such as a full house, two of a kind, etc. have been
accomplished in any hand on the screen.
[0055] The payoffs can be set to provide bonus amounts for multiple
payoff hands such as two straights or three flushes, and the
like.
[0056] In an embodiment using a three-hand game, with an initial
wager of three coins, the payoff amounts might be set as shown in
Table 1.
2 TABLE 1 3 COINS PAYS Royal Flush 1000 Straight Flush 50 Four of a
Kind 25 Full House 9 Flush 6 Straight 4 Three of a Kind 3 Two Pair
2 Pair of Jacks or better 1
[0057] Table 2 provides exemplary payoff amounts for a three-hand
game using an initial wager of six coins, and includes double bonus
payoff amounts for having more than one of certain winning
hands.
3 TABLE 2 6 COINS PAYS DOUBLE BONUS Royal Flush 2000 1000 Straight
Flush 100 50 Four ofa Kind 50 10 Full House 18 6 Flush 12 4
Straight 8 Three of a Kind 6 Two Pair 4 Pair of Jacks or better
2
[0058] Table 3 provides exemplary payoff amounts for a three-hand
game using an initial wager of nine coins, and includes triple
bonus payoff amounts for having three of certain winning hands.
4 TABLE 3 9 COINS PAYS TRIPLE BONUS Royal Flush 3000 2000 Straight
Flush 150 100 Four ofa Kind 75 50 Full House 27 30 Flush 18 20
Straight 12 10 Three of a Kind 9 -- Two Pair 6 -- Pair of Jacks or
better 3
[0059] Table 4 provides exemplary payoff amounts of a five-hand
game using an initial wager of five coins.
5 TABLE 4 5 COINS PAYS Royal Flush 1000 Straight Flush 50 Four of a
Kind 25 Full House 9 Flush 6 Straight 4 Three of a Kind 3 Two Pair
2 Pair of Jacks or better 1
[0060] Table 5 provides exemplary payoff amounts for a five-hand
game using an initial wager of ten coins, and includes double bonus
payoff amounts for having more than one of certain winning
hands.
6 TABLE 5 10 COINS PAYS DOUBLE BONUS Royal Flush 2000 1000 Straight
Flush 100 50 Four ofa Kind 50 10 Full House 18 6 Flush 12 4
Straight 8 2 Three of a Kind 6 -- Two Pair 4 -- Pair of Jacks or
better 2 --
[0061] Table 6 provides exemplary payoff amounts for a five-hand
game using an initial wager of fifteen coins, and includes triple
bonus payoff amounts for having three of certain winning hands.
7 TABLE 6 15 COINS PAYS TRIPLE BONUS Royal Flush 3000 2000 Straight
Flush 150 100 Four ofa Kind 75 50 Full House 27 30 Flush 18 20
Straight 12 10 Three of a Kind 9 Two Pair 6 Pair of Jacks or better
3
[0062] Table 7 provides exemplary payoff amounts for a five-hand
game using an initial wager of twenty coins, and includes quadruple
bonus payoff amounts for having four of certain winning hands.
8 TABLE 7 QUADRUPLE 20 COINS PAYS BONUS Royal Flush 4000 6000
Straight Flush 200 500 Four ofa Kind 100 200 Full House 36 100
Flush 24 50 Straight 16 30 Three of a Kind 12 -- Two Pair 8 -- Pair
of Jacks or better 4 --
[0063] Table 8 provides exemplary payoff amounts for a five-hand
game using an initial wager of twenty-five coins, and includes
quintuple bonus payoff amounts for having five of certain winning
hands.
9 TABLE 8 25 COINS PAYS 5-WAY BONUS Royal Flush 5000 10000 Straight
Flush 250 1000 Four ofa Kind 125 500 Full House 42 100 Flush 30 50
Straight 20 -- Three of a Kind 15 -- Two Pair 10 -- Pair of Jacks
or better 5 --
[0064] Table 9 provides exemplary payoff amounts for a nine-hand
game (using three primary and six secondary hands as shown in FIGS.
7A-7F) and an initial wager of nine coins.
10 TABLE 9 9 COINS PAYS Royal Flush 1000 Straight Flush 50 Four of
a Kind 25 Full House 9 Flush 6 Straight 4 Three of a Kind 3 Two
Pair 2 Pair of Jacks or better 1
[0065] Table 10 provides exemplary payoff amounts for a nine-hand
game and an initial wager of 18 coins with double bonus payoff
amounts for having two of certain winning hands.
11 TABLE 10 18 COINS PAYS DOUBLE BONUS Royal Flush 2000 1000
Straight Flush 100 50 Four of a Kind 50 10 Full House 18 6 Flush 12
4 Straight 8 -- Three of a Kind 6 -- Two Pair 4 -- Pair of Jacks or
better 2 --
[0066] Table 11 provides exemplary payoff amounts for a nine-hand
game and an initial wager of 27 coins having triple bonus payoffs
for having three of certain hands.
12 TABLE 11 27 COINS PAYS TRIPLE BONUS Royal Flush 3000 2000
Straight Flush 150 100 Four of a Kind 75 50 Full House 27 30 Flush
18 20 Straight 12 10 Three of a Kind 9 -- Two Pair 6 -- Pair of
Jacks or better 3
[0067] The poker game and game device of this invention has been
illustrated by specific embodiments, however as will be apparent to
those of skill in the art, equivalent means for carrying out the
invention, and equivalent method steps may be provided within the
scope of the claims hereof.
* * * * *