U.S. patent application number 10/100359 was filed with the patent office on 2002-11-28 for play four poker.
Invention is credited to Kekempanos, Larry Emmanuel, Kenny, James Thomas.
Application Number | 20020175468 10/100359 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27379003 |
Filed Date | 2002-11-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020175468 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kenny, James Thomas ; et
al. |
November 28, 2002 |
Play four poker
Abstract
A method of playing a four-card poker game by at least one
player and a banker who is preferably also the dealer. The player
has the option to wager against the dealer, wager against a
predetermined payout schedule, or both. Additional options of a
progressive wager and/or a bad beat wager may be made
available.
Inventors: |
Kenny, James Thomas;
(Shorewood, IL) ; Kekempanos, Larry Emmanuel; (Oak
Lawn, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Larry E. Kekempanos
10444 South Keating Avenue
Oak Lawn
IL
60453
US
|
Family ID: |
27379003 |
Appl. No.: |
10/100359 |
Filed: |
March 18, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60277018 |
Mar 19, 2001 |
|
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60314503 |
Aug 23, 2001 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
273/274 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F 3/00157 20130101;
A63F 2001/005 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
273/274 |
International
Class: |
A63F 001/00 |
Claims
We claim:
1. A method of playing a game comprising the steps of: (a)
providing one standard deck of playing cards; (b) at least one
player making a wager on any allowable combination of offered bets
consisting of the following; (1) a first wager against a dealer
(ante); (2) a wager against a predetermined payscale; (3) a bad
beat wager; (4) a progressive wager; (c) dealing X amount of cards
to said player; (d) dealing Y amount of cards to a dealer; (e) said
player either (1) folding his or her hand, thereby withdrawing from
the game and losing his or her wager(s), or (2) if wagering against
the dealer, before seeing the dealer's hand, placing a second wager
(play) in support of the first wager of exactly Z times the first
wager or (3) if wagering against a predetermined payscale, electing
to remain in the game; (f) comparing the best four card poker hand
of the dealer and said player after discarding any additional
cards; (g) resolving said poker wager by; (1) making a payout to
said player by the dealer when said player has wagered against a
predetermined payscale and has achieved a rank that is either
higher than or equal to a predetermined rank; (2) paying said
player's is wager (ante) against the dealer if the dealer does not
achieve at predetermined qualifying rank; (3) paying said player
both the first and second wagers against the dealer if said player
achieved a higher ranking hand than the dealer; (4) paying said
player, who has made a first wager against the dealer and has
supported said wager, for achieving a predetermined ranking hand an
amount (ante reward) from a predetermined payscale, regardless of
the rank of the dealer's hand. (5) taking said player's wager
against a predetermined payscale that does not achieve a wining
hand; (6) taking said player's first and second wagers against the
dealer if the dealer's hand outranks theirs; (7) taking said
player's first wager, if said player does not achieve a
predetermined qualifying hand; (8) pushing said player's first and
second wager if said player has exactly the same ranking hand as
the dealer; (9) pushing said player's second wager (play) if the
dealer did not achieve a predetermined qualifying hand;
2. The method according to claim 1 wherein: in step (b), the
allowable single wagers are a wager against the dealer or a wager
against a predetermined payscale.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein: In step (b), any progressive
wager must be made in conjunction with a wager against a payscale
or a wager against the dealer.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein: In step (b), any bad beat wager
must be made in conjunction with a wager against a payscale or a
wager against the dealer.
5. The method according to claim 1 wherein: In step (c), X=4, 5, or
6.
6. The method according to claim 1 wherein: In step (d), Y=4, 5, or
6.
7. The method according to claim 1 wherein: In step (e) (2), Z=1,
2, or 3
8. The method according to claim 1 wherein: In step (g) (2), the
dealer qualifying hand is King/Queen or better.
9. The method according to claim 8 wherein: The dealer qualifying
hand can be any predetermined hand ranking.
10. The method according to claim 1 wherein: In step (g) (2), the
dealer does not have to qualify and does not automatically pay said
player's ante for not attaining a predetermined hand ranking.
11. The method according to claim 1 wherein: In step (g) (4) the
ante reward payout is based upon the amount of said player's first
wager against the dealer.
12. The method according to claim 1 wherein: In step (g) (7), said
player does not have to qualify and does not automatically lose to
the dealer for not attaining a predetermined hand ranking.
13. The method of playing a card game according to claim 1 wherein:
In step (g) (7), said player's qualifying hand is an Ace/King/Queen
or better.
14. The method of playing a card game according to claim 13
wherein: The qualifying hand for said player could be any
predetermined hand ranking.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/277,018 filed on Mar. 19, 2001, and U.S.
Provisional No. 60/314,503 filed on Aug. 23, 2001.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to gaming and to card games.
More particularly, the present invention pertains to a method of
playing a new type of poker game especially adapted for casino
gaming, both in live table and electronic video formats.
[0003] Gaming establishments continually require new games to offer
their players. Casinos are also in need of games which are easy to
play and easy to deal. Such games are generally required to enable
each player to play against a banker (who usually also acts a
dealer) provided by a casino, rather than against other players.
This type of Casino Poker can provide more revenue to the casino
than traditional poker because Casino Poker is invariably
structured to give the casino an advantage. Exemplary of Casino
Poker are the casino games of "Caribbean Stud Poker", "Let It
Ride", and "Three Card Poker". These type games require less space
than the traditionally larger tables found in poker rooms and are
dealt much faster.
[0004] In games like Caribbean Stud and Let It Ride the five card
poker hands that the player must make to get a larger payoff are
hard to get thus the larger payoffs are infrequent. The player is
frustrated because many times they will get four cards to a
straight or a flush but not have a good hand. In a three-card game
like Three Card Poker the higher hands are made more easily but
therefore the payouts are comparatively low. Therefore there is a
need for a game which would bridge the gap in ease of making a hand
with higher payouts to the player.
OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
[0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide an
enjoyable new card game.
[0006] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
game that is easy to learn and deal.
[0007] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
game that makes it easier for a player to make a hand than in
five-card poker games.
[0008] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
game that has higher payoffs than a three-card poker game.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The present invention discloses a poker game variation in
which one or more players play against the casino. Broadly, the
invention is directed to a poker game variant in which a player has
a choice between several wagers among the following; a wager
against a dealer, a wager against a predetermined payscale, a bad
beat wager, or a progressive wager.
[0010] In one preferred embodiment of the invention, one or more
players initially place a wager(s) and then five cards are dealt to
the player and five cards are dealt to the dealer. Players would
inspect their hands and decide whether to fold or to continue to
play. If the player was playing a wager against the dealer and
wanted to continue to play, they would place another wager in
support of their first wager in the appropriate betting area. The
dealer would inspect his/her hand to see if they qualified. If the
dealer did not qualify with a predetermined rank of cards, the
dealer would pay the first wager of the player and return the
supporting wager. If the dealer had a qualifying hand, then the
player and the dealer would compare their best four-card hand to
determine the winner. Ties hands would be a push. If the player had
made a wager against the dealer and had supported that wager, they
would be eligible for a payoff for achieving a predetermined hand
raking regardless of the tanking of the dealer's hand If the player
had made any wagers against achieving a predetermined rank, the
dealer would pay or take the wagers accordingly.
[0011] In a second embodiment of the invention, one or more players
initially place bets and then five cards are dealt to the player
and six cards are dealt to the dealer. Players would inspect their
hands and decide whether to fold or to continue to play. If the
player was playing a wager against the dealer and wanted to
continue to play, they would place another wager in support of
their first wager in the appropriate betting area. In games against
the dealer, the player would play their best four cards out of five
and compare that to the dealer's best four cards out of six to
determine the winner. Tie hands would be a push. In this version
the dealer would not have to have a qualifying hand to continue
play. If the player had made any optional wagers against achieving
a predetermined rank, the dealer would pay or take the wagers
accordingly.
[0012] In a third embodiment of the invention, one or more players
initially place bets and then four cards are dealt to the player
and four cards are dealt to the dealer. Players would inspect their
hands and decide whether to fold or to continue to play. If the
player was playing a wager against the dealer and wanted to
continue to play, they would place another wager in support of
their first wager in the appropriate betting area. In games against
the dealer, the player would play their four cards against the four
cards of the dealer. The dealer would have to achieve a qualifying
hand to continue play against the player. If the player had made
any bets against achieving a predetermined rank, the dealer would
pay or take the bets accordingly.
[0013] A novel gaming layout for use in the casino version of the
game is also disclosed.
[0014] There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more
important features of the invention in order that the detailed
description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in
order that the present contribution to the art may be better
appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the
invention that will be described hereafter and which will form the
subject matter of the claims appended hereto. In this respect,
before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in
detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in
its application to the details of construction and to the
arrangements of the components set forth in the following
description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is
capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out
in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology
and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description
and should not be regarded as limiting. As such, those skilled in
the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this
disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the
designing of other structures, methods, and systems for carrying
out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important,
therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent
construction insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and
scope of the present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 shows a playing surface for use in playing a card
game of one embodiment of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a chart indicating winning poker hands and their
payouts in one example of a wager against a predetermined payscale
of the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 3 is a chart indicating wing poker hands and their
payouts in another variation of a wager against a predetermined
payscale of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 4 is a chart indicating the winning hands and their
payouts for the Ante Reward of one embodiment of the present
invention;
[0019] FIG. 5 illustrates one player area of the playing surface
shown in FIG. 1;
[0020] FIG. 6 is a chart indicating payoffs for the Ante and Play
wagers.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0021] According to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention, players play against a casino. However, in jurisdictions
where such games are not legal, such as in California, one player
may be designated "Player-Dealer" and all the other players would
play against the Player-Dealer. The option to act as Player-Dealer
would be offered to each player in turn. In this specification, the
term "Dealer" is intended to refer to either a casino dealer, or a
Player-Dealer, whichever is appropriate for the circumstances under
which the game of the present invention is played.
[0022] FIG. 1 shows a playing surface or table layout 25 on which
one embodiment of the present invention may be played. The layout
25 may be marked or placed on any suitable surface such as a gaming
table. For example, the layout may be in the form of a layout cloth
supported on a supporting surface. The layout provides a playing
area 30 for a plurality of players, for example seven players, and
a separate area 35 for a banker who also preferably acts as the
dealer. Each playing area 30 has a number of marked sections or
zones 12, 14, 16 for the placing of various wagers by a player as
will be described hereinafter.
[0023] Each player takes a place at one of the playing areas 30.
The game is played in a number of rounds as will be described In
each round, each player has the option of playing against the
dealer, or wagering on the rank of his/her hand or playing a
combination of these two options. In other variations of the game a
player may have additional betting options. The presently preferred
embodiment of the present invention is played with a standard deck
of 52 playing cards, each deck having 13 cards in each of four
suits.
[0024] At the commencement of the game each player decides whether
to play the particular round by wagering against the dealer, i.e.
an "ANTE" wager, by wagering on the value of his/her hand, i.e. a
"Pair of Jacks or Better" wager, or both. To play against the
dealer a player makes an Ante wager by placing an appropriate
wager, such as a token or chip, or where permitted, cash, on the
section 14 of his/her playing area 30. The gaming chips may be of
any conventional kind and available in a number of denominations
such as are well know within the art. If the player wishes
(alternatively or in addition) to make a wager based on the value
of his/her hand, the player places an appropriate token or chip on
"Pair of Jacks or Better" in section 12 of his/her playing area 30.
In the present example, the rules of the game provide that payouts
will be made according to a displayed payout schedule with "Pair of
Jacks or Better" payouts starting at a pair of jacks or better. In
one embodiment of the present invention, hands are preferably
ranked according to the following hierarchy, though other rankings
may be used:
1 Highest Royal Flush: AKQJ in the same suit (suit has no rank)
Four of a Kind Four of one tank AAAA highest KKKK next highest
ranking four of a kind, and so on until 2222 lowest ranking four of
a kind Straight Flush Four of one suit in sequence AKQJ highest
ranking straight flush KQJ10 next highest ranking straight flush,
and so on until 4, 3, 2, A lowest ranking straight flush Flush Four
of one suit AKQ10 highest ranking AKQ9 next highest ranking, and so
on, until 532A lowest ranking flush Straight Four of mixed suits in
sequence AKQJ highest ranking AKQ10 next highest ranking, and so
on, until 4, 3, 2, A lowest ranking straight Three of a Kind Three
of one rank AAA highest KKK next highest rank, and so on, until 222
lowest ranking three of a kind Two Pair Two different, two of same
rank AAKK highest-ranking two pair AAQQ next highest ranking two
pair, and so on, until 3322 lowest ranking two pair One Pair Two of
one rank AAKQ highest AAKJ next highest ranking pair, and so on,
until 4322 lowest ranking pair High Card (A hand comprising none of
the above) AKQ10 highest AKQ9 next highest ranking high card, and
so on, until 6432 lowest ranking high card ACE is high, but can be
low in 4-3-2-A Sequence
[0025] The payout schedule may be varied in accordance with the
rules of the game and/or the casino. For example another version of
the game may eliminate the royal flush hand and have the following
rankings;
[0026] Four of a Kind
[0027] Straight Flush
[0028] Three of a Kind
[0029] Flush
[0030] Straight (A-2-3-4 is the lowest straight)
[0031] Two Pair
[0032] One Pair
[0033] High Card
[0034] One of the wagering options in one embodiment of the present
invention is a "Pair of Jacks or Better". An example of one
preferred payout schedule for that wager is as follows;
[0035] Pair of Jacks or Better Pays
[0036] PAIR OF JACKS OR BETTER . . . 1 TO 1
[0037] TWO PAIR . . . 2 TO 1
[0038] THREE OF A KIND . . . 3 TO 1
[0039] STRAIGHT . . . 4 TO 1
[0040] FLUSH . . . 4 TO 1
[0041] STRAIGHT FLUSH . . . 25 TO 1
[0042] FOUR OF A KIND . . . 75 TO 1
[0043] ROYAL FLUSH . . . 200 TO 1
[0044] Another of the wagering options in a second embodiment of
the present invention is a "Pair of Queens or Better". An example
of one preferred payout schedule for that wager is as follows;
[0045] Pair of Queens or Better Pays
[0046] PAIR OF QUEENS OR BETTER . . . 1 TO 1
[0047] TWO PAIR . . . 2 TO 1
[0048] THREE OF KIND . . . 4 TO 1
[0049] STRAIGHT . . . 4 TO 1
[0050] FLUSH . . . 4 TO 1
[0051] STRAIGHT FLUSH . . . 40 TO 1
[0052] FOUR OF A KIND . . . 100 TO 1
[0053] ROYAL FLUSH . . . 250 TO 1
[0054] The payout schedules are preferably displayed in a
convenient manner and location. At times the payscales for
different wagers and any extra reward payouts will be displayed on
the playing layout itself and at other times the payouts will be on
mobile display material.
[0055] According to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention, the two wagering options are independent, so that a
player may wager unequal amounts on the ANTE and PAIR OF JACKS OR
BETTER options.
[0056] When the above wagers are in place, the dealer preferably
shuffles the cards (manually or otherwise) and then deals a
five-card hand to each player and him/herself.
[0057] The cards may initially be dealt to the players face up or
face down depending upon casino policy.
[0058] When the cards have been dealt, any player who has placed an
ANTE wager inspects his/her hand and determines whether he/she
wishes either to fold and forfeit the ANTE wager, or to continue.
If the player wishes to continue, according to this illustrated
embodiment, the player must place a PLAY wager, which must be of
proportionate value to and is preferably the same as the ANTE
wager. The PLAY wager is made by placing an appropriate chip on the
section 16 marked "PLAY" on the player's playing area 30. When the
player has made the wager then he/she places the cards in the PLAY
area below the PLAY wager section 30.
[0059] If a player forfeits his/her ANTE wager, the dealer takes
the wager and the player's cards are discarded before the game
proceeds.
[0060] "PAIR OF JACKS OR BETTER" wagers are not affected to this
point. However, a player playing "PAIR OF JACKS OR BETTER" only,
places his/her cards in the playing area if they wish to continue
the hand. If the player wishes to forfeit or fold their hand they
would indicate such by tossing their hand towards the dealer. If
the player is also playing against the dealer with an ANTE wager,
he/she must make a PLAY wager if he/she has a wining PAIR OF JACKS
OR BETTER wager.
[0061] The dealer reveals his/her cards and arranges the cards to
show the best four-card poker hand. The dealer then in turn reveals
each other player's cards (if they are not already visible),
compares the player's best four card poker hand to that of the
dealer, and resolves each player's wager(s).
[0062] All players with ANTE and PLAY wagers are automatically
winners if the dealer does not have a KING/QUEEN high hand or
better. This rank may be varied in accordance with the rules of the
game or of the casino. Players are preferably paid even money on
the ANTE wager and their PLAY wager is returned.
[0063] If the dealer has a KING/QUEEN high hand or better, each
player's hand is compared with that of the dealer. If the player's
hand is higher, the player is paid even money on both the ANTE and
PLAY wagers. If the player's hand is lower, the player loses
his/her ANTE and PLAY wagers. If the dealer and player have exactly
the same hand, then the hand is a push and the player may either
withdraw his/her wager, leave it, or adjust it for the next
round.
[0064] Preferably an additional payout is made by the dealer to any
player who is in play against the dealer, i.e. who has made an ANTE
and PLAY wager, and who has a achieved a hand of a predetermined
high rank. The ranks to which such extra "ANTE REWARD" payouts are
made may be predetermined by the rules of the game and/or the
casino. The payouts would preferably be based on the ANTE wager
amount. These payouts are independent of the results of the game
against the dealer. One preferred payout schedule is as
follows:
[0065] Ante Reward Pays
[0066] STRAIGHT FLUSH . . . 3 TO 1
[0067] FOUR OF KIND . . . 8 TO 1
[0068] ROYAL STRAIGHT FLUSH . . . 20 TO 1
[0069] Players who have wagered on the value of the hand (i.e. PAIR
of JACKS or BETTER) win if the hand is at least a pair of jacks and
are paid by the dealer according to the posted payscale. These
payouts are independent of the results of the game against the
dealer.
[0070] This procedure completes a single round of the game. Play
then continues in another round, with players commencing by making
ANTE and/or PAIR of JACKS or BETTER wagers.
[0071] The novel methods of the present invention may be played
utilizing playing cards or as an electrical or electro-mechanical
device such as a slot machine. Those skilled in the art will
appreciate that suitable controls can be provided for receiving the
necessary input and therefore will not be described in detail
herein. While the game may be played on a single slot machine, it
is within the scope of the present invention to provide a
multi-unit video format wherein a plurality of players may play
against each other and/or against a dealer.
[0072] From the present description, those skilled in the art will
appreciate that various modifications may be made without departure
from the scope of the present invention. For example, the naming of
the different wagers, the naming and/or ranking of any hand, the
changing of the necessity of qualifying hands for both the dealer
and/or the player, the payout schedules, and predetermined winning
or losing ranks may be varied in accordance with the rules of the
game or the requirements of the casino. The table game layout may
be varied from that described and shown. The rules may be varied,
or additional rules imposed, within the scope of the invention.
[0073] In particular, there may be introduced a further option of a
player wagering on a high odds payout wager or on a fixed or
variable jackpot which is paid out in accordance with the rules of
the casino on a specific hand, or when a high ranked hand is beaten
by the dealer. An example would be in a game wherein the player is
dealt five cards and has the option to wager on a progressive using
these five cards for getting a royal flush or other high ranked
hand. This progressive option may be linked to other jackpots
offered in the casino. Bad beat type wagers could have reduced
payouts and if desired consolation payouts could be made to players
having hands less than the premium hand/and or to other players who
have taken part in the jackpot.
[0074] Where the game incorporates a jackpot or a numerical hand
value wager, separate designated wagering areas may be provided for
these wagers. These may be incorporated at any convenient position
on the player's playing area or on a display stand.
[0075] While the game is described particularly for play in a
gaming establishment, it is not limited in this respect and may
also be played for example on a board game, a video game, a scratch
card, a slot machine, or the like.
* * * * *