U.S. patent application number 09/159400 was filed with the patent office on 2002-01-24 for casino method and device therefor.
Invention is credited to DE KELLER, DAVID GUY.
Application Number | 20020008356 09/159400 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 22572465 |
Filed Date | 2002-01-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020008356 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
DE KELLER, DAVID GUY |
January 24, 2002 |
CASINO METHOD AND DEVICE THEREFOR
Abstract
A method for playing a casino game is set forth wherein, in a
table game format, players make an ante and an outcome wager. Each
player is dealt a plurality of cards and a plurality of cards, some
face up and some facedown, are dealt as community cards. Players
are given the option of discarding or holding cards and increasing
their outcome wagers before revelation of community cards. Ante
wagers are won by the player with the highest ranking hand and
outcome wager(s) are won based upon a schedule of winning outcomes.
For an electronic version, the method includes the player making
wagers as indicia are revealed and given the opportunity of holding
or discarding indicia during play.
Inventors: |
DE KELLER, DAVID GUY;
(CONSTANTIA, ZA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PHILIP J. ANDERSON
ANDERSON & MORISHITA, LLC
3311 S. RAINBOW
SUITE 127
LAS VEGAS
NV
89146
US
|
Family ID: |
22572465 |
Appl. No.: |
09/159400 |
Filed: |
September 23, 1998 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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09159400 |
Sep 23, 1998 |
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08526382 |
Sep 11, 1995 |
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5975529 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
273/292 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F 3/00157 20130101;
A63F 2001/008 20130101; A63F 2003/0017 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
273/292 |
International
Class: |
A63F 001/00 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A method for playing a casino game between a plurality of
players and a house dealer using playing cards comprising: the
players making an ante wager and a first outcome wager; the dealer
dealing cards to each player and community cards to be shared by
all players to form a five card poker hand according to a selected
one of the schedules of Table 1,
6TABLE 1 Schedule Player's Cards Community Cards 1 2 cards, face
down At least 3 cards, one face up 2 3 cards, face down at least 2
cards, face down
the players each opting to hold or discard one or more of their
cards, any discarded cards replaced with replacement cards by the
dealer, the player's cards with or without replacement cards
defining an initial holding for the player; the players assessing
their initial holdings and opting to place a second outcome wager
of an amount equal to said first outcome wager; after the players
have exercised their option to place a second outcome wager the
dealer revealing a face down community card to the players; the
players opting to place a third outcome wager of the amount of said
first outcome wager; after the players have exercised their option
to place a third outcome wager, the dealer revealing the remainder
of the face down community card(s), whereupon the players each from
their initial holding and the exposed community cards forming a
best five card final hand according to the rankings of Poker hands;
comparing the rankings of the players hands, the player with the
highest ranking declared the winner of the ante wagers and
collecting the same from the remainder of the players; and
assessing the ranking of each players final hand and the dealer
paying the player or collecting the outcome wagers based upon
comparison of the players final hand outcome to a predetermined
schedule of winning outcomes.
2. The method of claim 1 including comparing the player(s) final
hand to a schedule of winning outcomes based upon the ranking of
hands of Poker.
3. The method of claim 1 including providing a schedule of winning
outcomes and payoffs according to Table 1,
7 TABLE 1 Royal Flush 250 to 1 Straight Flush 100 to 1 4-Of-A-Kind
25 to 1 Full House 9 to 1 Flush 7 to 1 Straight 5 to 1 3-Of-A-Kind
3 to 1 Two Pair 2 to 1 Jacks or better Push
4. A method for playing a casino game comprising: the player making
an initial wager to participate in the game; presenting a partial
outcome to the player consisting of at least two exposed indicia
representing an initial holding, said indicia randomly selected
from a field of indicia, at least three exposed indicia
representing a final outcome; the player opting to hold or discard
some or none of the indicia of the initial holding; replacing any
discarded indicia of the initial holding with replacement indicia
to redefine the initial holding; the player opting to increase
their initial wager based upon assessment of the exposed indicia of
the initial holding or stand; after the player has exercised their
option, exposing the third indicia to define the final outcome; and
comparing the final outcome to a schedule of winning final outcomes
and if the player has obtained a winning final outcome paying the
player based upon their wager(s) and if the player has not obtained
a winning final outcome collecting the player's wager(s).
5. The method of claim 4 wherein presenting said indicia includes
providing a display of three or more reels each including a
plurality of indicia.
6. The method of claim 4 wherein presenting said indicia includes
providing a display of five playing cards and providing said
winning outcomes based upon the ranking of hands of Poker.
7. The method of claim 6 including, providing an initial display of
three cards of a five card Poker hand, the player opting to place a
second wager or stand, if the player stands revealing the remaining
two cards to define a five card, final outcome, Poker hand, if the
player makes a second wager exposing the fourth card, the player
opting to place a third wager or stand, revealing the remaining
card to define a five card, final outcome, Poker hand, and
comparing the final outcome to said schedule of winning
outcomes.
8. The method of claim 7 including the player having made a second
wager opting to hold or discard the fourth card, if said fourth
card is discarded, replacing said fourth card.
9. The method of claim 8 further including, if the player has made
a third wager, the player opting to hold or discard the fifth card,
said fifth card if discarded replacing said fifth card.
10. A method for playing a casino game between a plurality of
players and a house dealer using playing cards comprising: the
players making an ante wager and a first outcome wager; the dealer
dealing cards to each player and community cards to be shared by
all players to form a five card poker hand according to a selected
one of the schedules of Table 1,
8TABLE 1 Schedule Player's Cards Community Cards 1 2 cards, face
down At least 3 cards, one face up 2 3 cards, face down at least 2
cards, face down
the players each opting to hold or discard one or more of their
cards, any discarded cards replaced with replacement cards by the
dealer, the player's cards with or without replacement cards
defining an initial holding for the player; the players assessing
their initial holdings and opting to place a second outcome wager
of an amount equal to said first outcome wager; after the players
have exercised their option to place a second outcome wager the
dealer revealing a face down community card to the players; the
players opting to place a third outcome wager of the amount of said
first outcome wager; after the players have exercised their option
to place a third outcome wager, the dealer revealing the remainder
of the face down community card(s), whereupon the players each from
their initial holding and the exposed community cards forming a
best five card final hand according to the rankings of Poker hands;
comparing the rankings of the players hands, the player with the
highest ranking declared the winner of the ante wagers and
collecting the same from the remainder of the players; exacting a
levy from the ante wagers, at least a portion of said levy funding
a jackpot; assessing the ranking of each players final hand and the
dealer paying the player or collecting the outcome wagers based
upon comparison of the players final hand outcome to a
predetermined schedule of winning outcomes; and if a player has
obtained a predetermined jackpot outcome, awarding to the player
said jackpot.
11. The method of claim 10 including exacting said levy to fund a
primary and a secondary jackpot, if the player has obtained a
predetermined outcome, awarding the player said primary jackpot and
if a player has a final hand outcome of a first ranking and another
player in that round of play has a hand of a higher ranking,
awarding said player having the hand of a first ranking said
secondary jackpot.
12. A method for playing a casino game comprising: the player
making an initial wager to participate in the game; presenting a
partial outcome to the player consisting of at least two exposed
indicia representing an initial holding, said indicia randomly
selected from a field of indicia, at least three exposed indicia
representing a final outcome; the player opting to stand or raise,
if the player stands revealing the remaining indicia to define a
final outcome, if the player opts to raise, the player placing a
second wager and holding or discard some or none of the indicia of
the initial holding; replicating the held indicia into a second
hand and replacing any discarded indicia of the initial holding and
the corresponding position in the second hand with replacement
indicia and exposing the remaining indicia for each of the initial
and second hands to define first and second final outcome; and
comparing each of the final outcomes to a schedule of winning final
outcomes and if the player has obtained a winning final outcome
paying the player based upon their wager(s) and if the player has
not obtained a winning final outcome collecting the player's
wager(s).
13. The method of claim 12 wherein presenting said indicia includes
providing a display of five playing cards and providing said
winning outcomes based upon the ranking of hands of Poker.
14. The method of claim 13 including, providing an initial display
of three cards of a five card Poker hand, the player opting to
place a second wager or stand, if the player stands revealing the
remaining two cards to define a five card, final outcome, Poker
hand, if the player makes a second wager, the player opting to hold
none to three of the displayed cards; replicating any held cards
into a second displayed and replacing the cards which were not held
in the initial hand and exposing the fourth card, and completing
the second hand to a holding of four displayed cards; the player
opting to place a third wager or stand, if the player stands,
revealing the fifth card of the initial hand to define an outcome
and completing the second hand to a displayed five card final
outcome; if the player opts to place a third wager, replicating
some of the displayed cards of the initial and second hands into a
third hand and revealing the remaining cards for all three hands to
define three five card, final outcome, Poker hands; comparing each
of the final outcomes to said schedule of winning outcomes; and for
each winning final outcome paying the player.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part application of
application Ser. No. 08/526,382 filed Sep. 11, 1995 by the
applicant herein and entitled "CASINO POKER GAME".
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to methods for playing a
casino game in the nature of poker using one or more decks of
conventional playing cards or other means for selecting indicia and
an electronic device therefor.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Poker is a popular game throughout the world. It combines
principles of card games known for centuries in Europe but in its
present form it is distinctly of American origin. There are
numerous forms of Poker and the main divisions are: Draw Poker, in
which all of a player's cards are unknown to his opponents and Stud
Poker, in which some of the player's cards are face up and others
face down. Within the above two broad categories numerous
variations exist with "Holdem" or "Texas Holdem" being a popular
example. In "Holdem" each player makes an ante wager and is dealt
two cards face down. After a betting interval three communal cards
are dealt face up. A second betting interval follows and the dealer
then turns up one more communal card. Another betting round follows
after which the dealer turns up the final communal card and the
player with the highest Poker ranked hand assembled from their own
cards and the four communal cards wins the pot.
[0004] In modern casinos the game of Poker takes one of three
forms: live or cardroom Poker where players compete against one
another but the games are controlled and supervised by a house
dealer who removes a house levy either in the form of a
participation fee or as a percentage of winning hands; electronic
video machines offering various forms of Poker; and Poker played as
a "bankers game" either where the game involves players in contest
with the dealer's hand or where the object is for the players to
obtain a hand based on hierarchical Poker rankings. In both
versions of Banker games the house enjoys a favorable advantage
based on a paytable that is structured in such a way that the
pay-offs are not based on the true mathematical odds, or rules of
play so structured that the house has a favorable edge.
[0005] The growth in casinos has prompted the introduction of new
games and variations to established games. Numerous patents have
been granted in this particular field. For example, in U.S. Pat.
Nos. 4,836,553 and 4,948,134 (Suttle et al.) a casino type Poker
game is disclosed in which players each play against a dealer (a
banked game). If a player wins, he receives a bonus payment
depending on the Poker rank of his hand. Various patents disclose
casino type games where for example a standard deck is modified,
for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,423,551 (Stravinsky) where cards are
dealt from two standard decks of fifty two cards plus eighteen
special cards; U.S. Pat. No. 5,540,444 (Nguyen) discloses a deck of
cards consisting of thirty two cards; U.S. Pat. No. 5,397,128
(Hesse et al.) discloses a casino game where cards are assigned
certain values and the object is to hit a total 9 in total count or
value.
[0006] Various other patents disclose further variations to
traditional forms of Poker. Sklansky U.S. Pat. No. 5,382,025
discloses a modification of Texas Holdem whereby players do not
compete against one another and whereby players have the
opportunity to select their two card hand from a plurality of hands
dealt face-up. Breeding U.S. Pat. No. 5,417,430 discloses a Poker
banker game in which the players place three bets at the outset but
as the game unfolds the players are given the option of withdrawing
two of their wagers. Potter et al U.S. Pat. No. 5,494,295 disclose
an invention which provides a method whereby a plurality of hand
ranking rules can be utilized within a single type wagering
game.
[0007] It is to be noted that Poker in casinos (excluding video
style machines) takes two distinct forms and method of operation;
cardroom Poker where players compete against one another and
banking type Poker games where players do not compete against one
another but against the house either in terms of competing with a
dealer or where there is no dealer hand and the object is to reach
certain winning combinations. There is a need for a game method
where players both compete against one another and against the
house and where they have the opportunity to receive bonus payments
by achieving certain winning Poker hands/combinations.
[0008] With reference to electronic, video casino games the prior
art discloses a number of Poker type games. Video Draw Poker is the
most widely played of such games. In Video Draw Poker, a player
places a wager of 1-5 units and a hand of five cards composed of
electronically produced visual representation are displayed on a
monitor. The player has the option of discarding some or all of the
cards and receiving replacements which are selected by the
machine's processor from memory. If the player's hand corresponds
to one of the hands based on Poker ranking he wins the
corresponding award displayed on the paytable. The award is
multiplied by the number of units bet. Video Draw Poker appears in
a progressive jackpot form--a player qualifies for the progressive
jackpot provided he wagers the maximum number of units permissible
(usually 5).
[0009] There is a need for an electronic Poker game where players
place a wager prior to the deal as in Video Draw Poker but may
thereafter double and treble their original bet. Such a game would
dramatically change the dynamics of strategy. Skillful play based
on optimal strategy would reward a player by permitting him to
increase his winnings two or three-fold. The game would appeal to
players by providing the opportunity to make multiple wagers and
decisions related to those wagers based on the progress of the
game. Casino operators would welcome an innovation that results in
an increase of the amount wagered.
[0010] In other types of slot machines such as the multi-reel slot
machines, there is also a need to increase player participation and
excitement in obtaining outcomes. According to present day
machines, which may be electro-mechanical or of a video display
type, the player makes a wager and the machine's processor selects
an outcome which is displayed by mechanically rotating reels having
indicia (and blank locations) thereon to align the indicia or
blanks at a designated payline(s). For the video display version,
the processor simulates the rotation of reels to produce the same
result. Once initiated, the player has no input or control over the
ultimate outcome. It would be advantageous to provide a method and
device which would enable the player to participate in obtaining
the outcome by giving the player an opportunity to increase their
wager and discard one or more symbols from the initial display at
the payline(s) and receive replacements therefor.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] There is therefor provided according to the present
invention a device and method for playing a game which increases
the opportunity for the player to increase their wager during play
and to discard at least a portion of an initial holding to attempt
to better their final outcome. The method can be practiced in a
live, table game format or by use of a device.
[0012] Accordingly, the method includes the player making a wager
and initiating play by providing an initial holding to the player.
The initial holding may be cards dealt by a dealer or symbols
displayed at a display. The player is given the opportunity to
increase their initial wager and to discard one or more of the
components of the initial holding. Those components, e.g. cards, or
symbols displayed, are replaced by replacement to produce a final
outcome. If the final outcome is a designated winning outcome, the
player receives a payoff based upon their wager(s) and if the
outcome is a losing outcome the player's wager(s) are lost.
[0013] In a reel-type slot machine format, the method is practiced
by the player making a wager and initiating play whereupon the
gaming device randomly selects and displays at a payline(s) an
initial holding as indicia on slot machine reels registering at the
payline. The player assesses their initial holding and may stand or
increase their wager to receive replacements for one or more of the
indicia. If the player stands, the initial holding is the final
outcome and the player wins or loses based upon that outcome. If
the player has obtained a winning outcome, he is paid according to
his wager and a predetermined paytable. If the player elects to
increase their wager to receive replacements, they make their
additional wager and select which indicia from the initial holding
to discard (or hold) the indicia by respinning the reel(s) to
produce a final outcome. If the player has obtained a winning
outcome, they are paid based upon their initial and second wager
and an established payout schedule. If the outcome is a losing
outcome, the wagers are lost.
[0014] In a live table game format, the players each make an
initial ante wager and a first outcome wager. The dealer deals
cards to the players and a community hand to be shared by all
players to make the best five card Poker hand. The dealing may be
according to any one of the following formats of Table 1:
1TABLE 1 Format Player's Cards Community Cards 1 2 cards, face down
At least 3 cards, one face up 2 3 cards, face down At least 2
cards, face down
[0015] The players each assess their cards and opt to discard none,
some or all of their cards which are replaced by cards dealt by the
dealer to define each Player's initial holding. If the Players so
wish they may place a second outcome wager in an amount
corresponding to their first outcome wager and the dealer then
reveals a first face down card of the community hand. The Players
again each assess their hands and may opt place a third outcome
wager and the dealer then reveals the remainder of the face down
cards of the community hand. From the Player's cards and the cards
of the community hand, each Player makes the highest ranking Poker
hand they can which defines the Player's final outcome. The Player
with the highest ranking outcome collects the ante wagers from the
other Players. Each Player's outcome is also compared to a schedule
of winning outcomes. If the Player has such an outcome, e.g. a
four-of-a-kind, the Player receives a payout from the dealer
according to a payout schedule.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] The feature and advantages of the various embodiments of a
preferred gaming table and layout in accordance with the present
invention is illustrated in the drawings wherein:
[0017] FIG. 1A is a top plan view of the gaming table layout for
live table play of the various embodiments of the present
invention;
[0018] FIG. 1B is a top plan view of a gaming table layout for live
table play of a further embodiment of the method of the present
invention;
[0019] FIG. 2 shows an electronic device for playing the game
according to the present invention; and
[0020] FIG. 3 shows an electronic device for playing the game
according to a further embodiment of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION
[0021] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention a gaming
layout 10 is provided having a surface as illustrated in FIG. 1 for
playing the game of the method of the present invention using,
preferably, a single deck of standard playing cards. The method
employs the same basic priority or ranking of five card hands
according to the rules of Poker familiar to players and as set
forth in Table 2.
2 TABLE 2 Royal Flush Straight Flush Four-of-a-Kind Full House
Flush Straight 3-of-a-Kind Two Pair One Pair High Card(s)
[0022] Referring to FIG. 1 the layout 10 (semi-circular) again a
configuration familiar to players. A rack 12 is provided for
housing the chips/checks used during play of the game of the
method. The layout 10 has locations 14 for the players and a
location 16 for the dealer. Between the dealer and player locations
16, 14 is an area 18 marked with indicia "2, 3 & 4" to define
the areas wherein the community cards are positioned by the dealer
during play of the game. The area 18 which designates the position
of the dealer's/community cards can be denoted to position from two
to five community cards. Where five community cards are used, the
area 18 would have designations "2"-"6". Each player location 14
designates outcome wager areas 20a-c for the reception of players'
chips. The outcome wager areas 20a-c may be denoted by horseshoe
symbols situated in front of each player and identified by numerals
"1, 2 & 3" to signify the numbers of wagers which may be made
in the course of a round of the game. These numbered outcome wager
areas 20a-c can number from two to five per player and be
appropriately numbered in sequence, i.e. 1, 2 3 . . . but in the
preferred embodiment of the game three outcome wager areas 20a-c
representing three separate wagers. The outcome wager areas 20a-c
need not be stylized in the form of a horseshoe and can be in the
form of geometric shapes or bear, for example, the casino's
logo.
[0023] As described below, the outcome wager(s) made by the players
are directed to a paytable ranking of the final hand assembled by
the player during play.
[0024] Directly in front of each player location 14 is an ante
wager area 22 which may be denoted by a depiction of a Pot, labeled
"Pot Luck". The ante wager area 22 receives the wager made by the
player, not that he will obtain a hand of a certain ranking, but to
compete against the other players at the table.
[0025] In the method of the game of the present invention, the
objects of the method are twofold:
[0026] 1) to make a Poker hand, using individual cards and the
community cards, which corresponds to a predetermined paytable of
hands, and;
[0027] 2) to win the ante wagers at the table by assembling the
highest ranking Poker hand among all the players at the table.
[0028] In the case of the first object, the house payment schedule,
or paytable, lists a series of Poker hands with corresponding
pay-offs. These payoffs correspond to the outcome wager(s) made by
the player. Thus, with respect to the outcome wager(s) as
hereinafter described, the player is playing against the house by
trying to obtain a final hand which corresponds to one of the hands
listed in the established paytable.
[0029] In the case of the second object and with respect to the
ante wager, the player with the highest Poker hand showing wins the
ante wagers. The ante wager is a bet solely between the players and
does not involve a wager against or to be paid by the house
(casino).
The Method Of Play
[0030] At the start of each game and prior to receiving cards all
players make their ante wager by placing their bet in area 22. Each
player also places a first outcome wager in betting area 20a.
[0031] The dealer shuffles the cards and deals one community card
face down in the area 18 on the layout marked "4" and deals each
participating player one card, face-down. The dealer then places a
second community card face-down in the area 18 marked "3" and deals
the players a second card face-down. The dealer concludes the
initial deal by placing a third community card, face-up, in the
area 18 marked "2". The three cards in the area 18 denoted "2, 3
& 4" are community cards and are used by all players, with the
cards dealt to the players, to assemble a five card Poker hand.
[0032] After the initial deal and examining their cards, each
player has the option of discarding their first or second cards, or
both, face down and receiving replacement cards therefor.
[0033] After all players have exercised their option to receive one
or more replacement cards, each player in succession has the option
to either (1) "stand" by making no further outcome wagers or (2)
"raise" by wagering a second outcome wager in area 20b. When all
players have exercised their option of placing second outcome
wagers, a second community card in area 18 denoted "3" is revealed
by the dealer. Players may again exercise their option to either
(1) stand or (2) raise by making a third outcome wager in outcome
wager area 20c. Making the third outcome wager is predicated upon
the player having made the second outcome wager. That is, for the
player to be eligible to place a third outcome wager, they must
have made the second outcome wager.
[0034] An alternative version of the preferred embodiment of the
game would be where each player is dealt three cards face down,
which he has the option of discarding and receiving replacements,
and the community hand would consist of two cards face down. In
this version, the layout of which is shown in FIG. 1B, the method
of play would be similar to that described above. After the deal of
the initial three card hand to each player and after all players
have exercised their option to receive one or more replacement
cards, each player in succession has the option to either (1)
"stand" by making no further outcome wagers or (2) "raise" by
making a second outcome wager corresponding in value to their first
outcome wager in area 20b. When all players have exercised their
option of placing second outcome wagers, the first community card
in area 18 denoted "2" is revealed by the dealer. At this point
player may again exercise their option to either (1) stand or (2)
raise. Players are entitled to raise if they had previously placed
the second outcome wager. If so entitled and the player so opts, he
places his third outcome wager in area 20c. The dealer then reveals
the remaining community card.
[0035] The method is not limited to the above description/procedure
with a deal relating to five cards per player, i.e. a two card
player hand and three community cards. The deal can be composed of
five to ten cards divided between the community cards and the cards
each player receives; but in each case a player would still select
five cards to constitute the highest ranking hand. A further
variation of the deal consists in changing the mix of the number of
cards dealt to the players and those that constitute the community
cards. An example of a deal using seven cards and altering the mix
of both community cards such as by each player receiving three
cards (two cards face-down and one face-up or all three cards face
down), and the community cards (the Flop) would comprise four
cards, one face-up and three face-down.
[0036] Returning to the preferred embodiments described above,
after all the community cards have been revealed, the players each
turn over their cards. The outcome wagers are resolved first by the
dealer comparing the player's final hand (the player's cards and
the community cards) to a predetermined paytable of hands
preferably related to the familiar ranking of Poker hands and as
suggested by Table 1 above. The payoffs for each ranking and for
each outcome wager made is as set forth in Table 3 below:
3 TABLE 3 Royal Flush 250 to 1 Straight Flush 100 to 1 4-Of-A-Kind
25 to 1 Full House 9 to 1 Flush 7 to 1 Straight 5 to 1 3-Of-A-Kind
3 to 1 Two Pair 2 to 1 Jacks or better Push
[0037] Referring to the preferred embodiment of the game
exemplified in the layout FIG. 1A, Table 2 illustrates the pay-offs
in relation to the list of Poker rankings applicable to the game.
The house advantage is achieved because a difference exists between
the true mathematical odds and the actual pay-offs. The method can
be played by offering odds/pay-offs of a higher or lower order
resulting in different vigourishes accruing to the house.
[0038] The method can include the addition of specific side wagers.
An example of the addition of a wager is an optional wager whereby,
if the first three cards of a player's hand comprises one of a
number of select pre-determined combinations, he will receive
specific pay-offs. In the above example applied to the preferred
embodiment of the game, the combinations apply to the two cards
dealt to a player and include the face-up community card or in the
case where all community cards are face down, then the first
community card revealed by the dealer. Alternatively where each
player is dealt three cards face-down the additional wager will
apply to the players three cards and not to any of the community
cards. This wager applies to cards dealt only and not to discards
and replacements.
[0039] The method can also include a progressive jackpot. The
method would include an optional wager made at the start of each
game, the object to win one to five high combinations e.g. Royal
Flush, Straight Flush, etc.; a proportion of each such bet would be
automatically added to a progressive jackpot displayed on a win
meter. Those players that qualify as winners are paid out according
to the current jackpot pay-table. Co-winners share the jackpot as
an aggregate.
[0040] The jackpot can also be fixed and funded from the optional
wager.
[0041] Alternatively, the outcome jackpot, progressive or fixed,
can be funded as a portion from the mandatory ante wagers. For
example, a levy would be assessed against the pot assembled from
the ante wagers, that levy used to fund the jackpot.
[0042] A further embodiment of the present invention, wherein a
progressive or fixed jackpot is a feature of the game, is so
structured that the jackpot is divided into a primary jackpot with
a Royal Flush being the winning combination and a secondary jackpot
being awarded to the player who holds a specified ranked hand and
is beaten by a player holding a higher ranked hand in the same
round of play, i.e. a bad beat jackpot. The winner of the secondary
jackpot will receive 50% of the running total displayed on the win
meter; the player with the higher hand receives 25% of the running
total and the balance is shared equally by the other players
participating in that particular round of play.
[0043] After the outcome wagers have been resolved, the players'
final hands are compared to determine which player has the highest
ranking hand. The player having the highest ranking hand is awarded
all of the ante wagers made. Players having equally ranked hands
share equally in the award of the ante wagers.
[0044] Thus it can be seen that the players have multiple
opportunities to win and can, by increasing their outcome wagers,
increase the amount of their payoffs.
[0045] A further variation of the present invention consists of
combining the jackpot bet with the ante bet. The method would be
identical to that described in the foregoing paragraph with the
highest hand taking the ante bets in all cases except the case of
the secondary jackpot situation occurring. A proportion of the ante
wagers would in each round of play be deducted from the winnings as
a vigourish for the casino and an additional levy from the winnings
to fund the jackpot.
[0046] The method, with reference to FIG. 2, can be adapted and
played on a video game machine device 100 in various forms.
[0047] As depicted in FIG. 2, the electronic video poker device 100
includes a display screen 110 operative in a well-known manner
controlled by a processor (not shown) of known design to display
representations of conventional playing cards thereon. In
accordance with the present invention, the processor of the device
100 is instructed pursuant to a program which may, for example, be
stored in the PROM component of the internal circuitry. The
processor is programmed to enable the electronic device 100 to play
any one or more of the alternative embodiments of the method of the
game described.
[0048] In a preferred embodiment of the device 100 of the present
invention a video display screen 110 displays five cards 111, 112,
113, 114 and 115 randomly selected from a data structure containing
data representing each card of a deck of fifty-two (fifty-three if
the game is played in a Joker wild format) playing cards. The
selected cards 111, 112 and 113 appear face-up and cards 114 and
115 appear face-down. In accordance with generally known technology
in the field of video poker machines, the processor of the device
100, under program instruction, will accurately simulate the random
dealing of the five screen card representations, 111-115, from a
shuffled conventional fifty-two (or fifty-three) card deck.
[0049] The screen 110 displays at 118 the value of the current
wager, for example, two tokens (which tokens may represent, for
example, nickels, dimes, quarters, dollars, etc.) And similar
displays 119 and 120 display the number of accumulated credits
(i.e. tokens) and the number of tokens paid out, respectively. A
coin acceptor 122 receives wager tokens, or alternatively, coins,
bills or credit type cards. A plurality of control buttons 124,
126, 128, 130, 132, 134, 136, 138, 140 and 142 allow the player to
make control inputs during play of the game of the present
invention.
[0050] In an example of play of the electronic video poker device
100, a player first puts tokens or coins into the acceptor 122 to
acquire a credit balance displayed at the credit display 119. If so
desired, the player may alternatively place wagers individually
before each hand of play by inserting coins, tokens, bills or by
debiting a credit card. The player then initiates play by pressing
the Deal/Draw button 142. This prompts the processor to select and
display the player's five card hand on the video display screen
110. Cards 111, 112 and 113 appear face-up and cards 114 and 115
appear face-down. The displayed value cards 111-113 define an
initial holding for the player. The player evaluates the initial
holding and decides whether to hold some or all of the face-up
cards. Should he decide to hold this he does by pressing the
appropriate hold button(s) 124, 126 and 128 associated with each of
the initial holding card position. By pressing the Draw button 142
the player receives replacements for cards he did not hold. The
replacement cards are randomly selected from the card data
structure (depleted of data representing the initial five cards
selected). The displayed three cards, whether held or containing
replacements, continue to define the player's initial holding. The
player now has the choice of folding, by pressing the fold button
140. Should he fold the two face-up cards 114 and 115 are revealed
to display a final, five card Poker hand, outcome and, if he holds
a winning Poker combination as defined by an established and
displayed paytable 143, the player receives a payout at established
odds. Should the player not have a winning final outcome, the wager
is lost. Should the player, however, and based upon his initial
holding, decide not to fold he may exercise the option of placing a
second wager which he does by pressing the Bet Credits Button 134
or alternatively presses the button marked Bet 2 136 and inserts
coins, tokens, bills in to the acceptor 122, equal in value to the
amount he originally bet. If the player has exercised the option
and placed a second bet, the fourth card 114 is revealed. Once
again the player, having evaluated his four card hand, has the
option of folding by pressing the Fold button 140. Should he fold
the fifth card is revealed to define the final outcome and the
player wins or loses based upon the combination of cards of the
final outcome. Should the player decide not to fold he presses the
"Bet 3" button 138 and enters the third wager, equal in value to
his original bet, in the manner described above, or alternatively
inserts coins, tokens or bills into the acceptor 122. The player
then presses the deal/draw button 142 and the identity of the fifth
card is revealed to define the final outcome. A "cancel" button 130
allows the player to correct a mistake or change his mind. A player
may only place a third wager provided he had placed a second
wager.
[0051] If the player holds a winning, final outcome, Poker
combination as displayed on the device 10 he receives the
appropriate odds. The odds are multiplied by the number of coins,
tokens or bills bet except that the jackpot paid on a Royal Flush
will be the amount displayed and the progressive jackpot will be
the amount currently displayed on a meter. A player will only be
eligible for the jackpot or progressive jackpot if he had bet the
maximum number of coins permissible on his first wager. Paid out
coins or tokens may be dispensed into a tray 144 for collection or
storage by the player.
[0052] If the player does not obtain a winning final outcome all
wagers are lost.
[0053] When a player wishes to cease play, any additional credits
may be refunded by depressing the CASHOUT button 132.
[0054] The electrical device 100 may be programmed to limit the
number of tokens/coins that can be wagered per bet per hand to, for
example, five.
[0055] As may be readily understood, the device 100 may be modified
and may be programmed to play other embodiments which incorporate
the multiple wagering opportunities of the present invention as
described above.
[0056] As yet a further embodiment, the device 100 may be
programmed to, when initialized, display an initial hand of five
cards with four cards face up and one card face down. The player
would then opt to stand or raise. If the player stands, the fifth
card is revealed defining the final outcome. If the player wishes
to raise, they place a wager equal in value to their initial wager.
The player may then hold none or up to all four of the initial
cards. The cards which are not held are, when the deal draw button
142 is depressed, replaced with cards selected from the data of the
remaining cards of the deck and the fifth card is revealed to
result in the final outcome.
[0057] In still a further embodiment, the player is dealt an
initial hand of five cards with three (or four) cards displayed
face up. The player may opt to stand whereupon the remaining face
down cards are revealed as the final outcome hand. Alternatively
the player may be given the option of holding or discarding none up
to all of the displayed cards and receive replacements therefor
with the originally face down card(s) revealed to result in the
final outcome. The player with their initial holding may also opt
to double their wager whereupon they are provided with the
opportunity to hold or discard the displayed cards of the initial
holding. The held cards are replicated to a second hand which is
represented by the second wager and the discrded card of the
initial hand (J.diamond.) is replaced and the first face down card
is revealed. For example, if the player were initially dealt A, A,
J.diamond., X, X (where "X" represents the face down cards, the
player may opt to double their wager and hold the Aces whereupon
the display would display the two hand in the following manner:
4 2.sup.nd Wager A A 10 A.diamond. X 1.sup.st Wager A A 2 Q X
[0058] The replacement cards for the discarded cards may be
replaced from separate decks or from the same deck. That is, for
the second wager hand, if a separate deck is used, it would be a
deck whose data is redacted of the A, A, and J.diamond..
[0059] The player would then be provided with the option of
standing, whereupon the remaining face down card is revealed
producing two final outcomes, one for the hand of the first wager
and one for the hand of the second wager. The player may also opt
to place and third wager whereupon some or all of the cards of
either the first or second wager hands is duplicated and the
remaining face down card is revealed. For example, if the player
makes a third wager, a three now completed hands would be displayed
in the manner suggested below:
5 3.sup.rd Wager A A 10 A.diamond. A 2.sup.nd Wager A A 10
A.diamond. 10.diamond. 1.sup.st Wager A A 2 Q 4
[0060] The player is paid based upon the outcome of each hand.
Further, as stated above, the face down and replacement cards may
be selected from different or the same decks.
[0061] The method of play of the present invention can be applied
to slot machines and comprises the innovative step of optional,
additional wagering opportunities to conventional slot play. A slot
machine may be programmed to play any of the embodiments of the
present invention described above. The major distinction between
the video poker embodiments and the slot machine embodiments is
that in the former case cards are drawn from a standard deck and
winning combinations are based on poker rank and, in the latter
case, a plurality of reels bearing a plurality of symbols and/or
numerals determine winning combinations.
[0062] Referring to FIG. 3 another embodiment of the present
invention is shown. The player enters their initial wager in any
known fashion into the device 190 as by inputting token into a coin
slot 200. The display screen 110' of the device 190 will, when
activated, display indicia of five reels 208a-e; three reels 208a-c
display indicia on the payline 204 will appear face-up and two
indicia of reels 208d-e on the payline 204 will appear face-down as
by displaying a cover 202 over the remaining reels 208d-e. Certain
of the indicia or blanks on the reels 208a-e will be displayed at a
designated payline 204. The player, as in the video poker version,
has the initial option of discarding one or more of the
presentations of the reels 208a-c at the payline 204 and receiving
replacements therefor. The reel 208a-c presentations, which are
discarded by using the action buttons 206a-c, are replaced by
respinning of the discarded reels 208a-c to obtain a revised
initial, three reel presentation at the payline 204.
[0063] After the player has discarded and obtained any revised
initial holding, the player has the option of standing, doubling
and trebling his initial wager. If the player elects to stand, he
depresses an appropriate action button 210 and the cover 202 is
removed revealing the remaining reels 208d-e indicia which are on
the payline 204. Alternatively, the remaining reels 208c-d may spin
to position their indicia (or blanks) at the payline 204 to define
a final winning or losing outcome. If a winning final outcome is
obtained, the player is paid according to established odds based
upon the wager made. If the final outcome is a losing outcome, the
player loses their wager.
[0064] If the player elects not to stand, they depress an action
button and insert a second wager, preferably equal to their initial
wager. After the second wager has been made the fourth reel 208d is
spun or the cover 202 is partially removed to display a fourth reel
208d indicia or blank at the payline. The player may now elect
again to stand by depressing action button 210 whereupon the fifth
reel 208e is revealed to define a five reel, winning or losing,
final outcome. If the final outcome is a winning outcome the player
is paid based upon their first and second wagers. If the final
outcome is a losing outcome, both of the player's wagers are
lost.
[0065] Should the player elect not to stand, he depresses a
suitable action button and inserts a third wager, preferably equal
to the first wager as well. Upon acceptance of the third wager, the
fifth reel 208e is spun or the cover 202 is removed to display an
indicia (or blank) on the payline 204 to define the final, five
reel, winning or losing, final outcome. If the final outcome is a
winning outcome the player is paid based upon all three wagers and
if the final outcome is a losing outcome, all three of the player's
wagers are lost.
[0066] The method may be directed to a game having a single payline
204 or multiple paylines 203a,b.
[0067] A progressive jackpot feature may be incorporated into the
device 190 or similar devices 190 linked to allocate a portion of
the wagers to a progressive jackpot to be won based upon a
obtaining a designated final outcome. The progressive may only be
made available if the player has placed all wagers; or multiple
progressive jackpots may be provided depending upon the number of
wagers made by the player.
[0068] While I have shown a five reel slot machine it is to be
understood that the method and device of the present invention
could be used in a three reel or other multi-reel game.
[0069] In addition to the example embodiment of the invention
described in detail above, other variants may also be practiced
within the scope of the present invention comprising additional,
optional wagering opportunities. Standard slot machines where all
indicia appear face-up on the display screen can be adapted to
incorporate multiple wagering opportunities whereby players can
either double their initial bet or double and treble their initial
bet. The innovative method of play of the present invention can be
applied to standard slot machines irrespective of the number of
reels, and would comprise the player placing an initial bet,
pressing the spin button or pulling a handle which activates the
random generation of indicia on the display screen. Having examined
his "hand" the player has the option of holding or receiving
replacements for some or all of the indicia on the reels. According
to the present invention the player would, in addition, have the
option of doubling his initial wager.
[0070] Should the player decide to double his initial bet he does
so accordingly and then presses the spin button and receives
replacements for any indicia discarded. The option to place a
second wager is conditional on the player making at least one
discard of his original "hand." The application of the method of
play of the present invention relating to the innovative step of an
optional additional wager is applicable to any slot machine
configuration in terms of:
[0071] (a) the number of reels per machine and the number of
3indicia per reel.
[0072] (b) any permutation re face-up and face-down indicia.
[0073] (c) any permutation re pre-determined winning combinations
of indicia in the form of symbols or numerals.
[0074] (d) any permutation re the number of pay-lines displayed, be
they horizontal, vertical or diagonal.
[0075] The method of play of the present invention can be applied
to both video machines and slot machines where touch-screen
technology has replaced button input. In addition the method of
play of the present invention can be applied to video machines and
slot machines that incorporate bonus bets or jackpots and
progressive jackpot features linked to wheel components.
[0076] Still further the method may be modified by providing the
player with the option of, if they have made the second or third
wagers, discarding the indicia revealed upon making such a wager.
For example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, upon making a
second wager the fourth card is revealed. At this point the player
is presented with either holding or discarding the fourth card. If
the card is discarded it is replaced before providing the player
with the option of making the third wager. Similarly, if the player
makes a third wager and the fifth card is revealed, the player is
presented with an option of discarding or holding the fifth card to
define the final outcome.
[0077] This same method of holding or discarding subsequently
revealed indicia can also be applied to reel-type slot
machines.
[0078] It is to be understood that the present invention is subject
to many modifications and changes without departing form the spirit
and scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *