U.S. patent application number 09/873554 was filed with the patent office on 2002-12-19 for latin draw poker.
This patent application is currently assigned to Latin Draw Poker. Invention is credited to Conklin, James C., Reyes, Francisco.
Application Number | 20020190469 09/873554 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25361864 |
Filed Date | 2002-12-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020190469 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Conklin, James C. ; et
al. |
December 19, 2002 |
Latin draw poker
Abstract
A wagering card game is described whereby players compete
against the dealer, rather than against other players. Players
place an ante bet and five cards are dealt to each player and the
dealer; the players seek a high-ranking hand. After the dealer
places his/her five card hand face down on the game table the
players decide to make a call bet or fold, a call bet being double
an ante bet. Players can purchase draw cards to improve the rank of
a hand, one or two draw cards costing an amount equal to a player's
ante bet. Additionally, a player can make one bonus payout or
progressive jackpot wager. If a player hand defeats a dealer hand
and the player has not folded, a player is paid even money on the
ante bet and the applicable amount on the call bet. If a player
loses against the dealer, the player loses their ante and/or call
bets. The bonus payout or progressive jackpot wagers are separate
from and immaterial to the outcome between the dealer hand and the
player hand. If a dealer hand does not qualify, a dealer
qualification being a hand of at least an Ace and a King,
(preferably a dealer qualification hand being at least a pair of
five's, or a poker hand of greater value), a game round is
terminated after even money is paid on the ante bet of those
players who have not folded, and any bonus payout or progressive
jackpot payout is made. The game playing surface includes call
boxes, ante boxes, draw boxes, bonus payout or progressive jackpot
wagering circle(s), a dealer station, a chip tray, a discard rack,
and devices to indicate the placement of a wager and a bonus payout
or progressive jackpot player qualification.
Inventors: |
Conklin, James C.;
(Henderson, NV) ; Reyes, Francisco; (Henderson,
NV) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Steven F. Caserza
FLEHR HOHBACH TEST ALBRITTON & HERBERT LLP
Four Embarcadero Center, Suite 3400
San Francisco
CA
94111-4187
US
|
Assignee: |
Latin Draw Poker
|
Family ID: |
25361864 |
Appl. No.: |
09/873554 |
Filed: |
June 4, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
273/292 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F 2001/005 20130101;
A63F 3/00157 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
273/292 |
International
Class: |
A63F 001/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A wagering card game at least comprising one deck of playing
cards a playing surface including: at least one ante box; at least
one call box; at least one draw box; at least one bonus payout or
progressive jackpot circle; at least one discard rack; a chip tray;
and a dealer station.
2. The wagering card game of claim 1, further comprising: a card
dispensing shoe.
3. The wagering card game of claim 1, wherein said playing surface
further including: a device configured to indicate the placement of
a wager; device configured to indicate when a player qualifies to
win a bonus payout or progressive jackpot; and a device configured
to clear bonus payout or progressive jackpot indicators.
4. A method of playing a wagering card game comprising the steps
of: players placing an ante bet; dealing a hand to the players;
dealing a hand to the dealer, five cards face down; and players
deciding to fold, call and/or draw, wherein when choosing to call
the player makes a call bet equal to twice the amount of the ante
bet; wherein when choosing to draw, players buy one or two draw
cards by paying an amount equal to the player ante bet.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein: up to six players play in a
game, and a dealer.
6. The method of claim 4, wherein: at least one deck of fifty-two
playing cards is used.
7. The method of claim 4, wherein: a player game hand is comprised
of five cards
8. The method of claim 4, wherein: player ante bets vary.
9. The method of claim 4, wherein: players only compete against the
dealer to win or lose an ante bet.
10. The method of claim 4, wherein: the dealer places his five card
hand face down; and the player decides to make a call bet, buy one
or more draw cards, or fold losing the player ante bet.
11. The method of claim 4, wherein: the call bet is twice the
amount of the ante bet.
12. The method of claim 4, wherein: call bets are not raised.
13. The method of claim 9, wherein: all players are given the
opportunity to buy one or two draw cards.
14. The method of claim 4, wherein: one or two draw card(s) cost an
amount equal to the player's ante bet.
15. The method of claim 4, wherein: the dealer hand cannot discard
and draw cards.
16. The method of claim 4, wherein: a player is allowed one chance
to win a bonus payout or progressive jackpot.
17. The method of claim 4, wherein: a royal flush defeats a
straight flush, a straight flush defeats four of a kind, four of
kind defeats a full house, a full house defeats a flush, a flush
defeats a straight, a straight defeats a three of a kind, three of
a kind defeats two pair, two pair defeats one pair, one pair
defeats a high card, a high card hand defeats a high card hand with
a lesser high card hand ranking.
18. The method of claim 4, wherein: a dealer qualifies to play
against a player hand if the dealer hand includes an Ace and a King
or is rated higher than an Ace and a King, or any "high" card
combination determined by the host casino.
19. The method of claim 4, wherein: the game round is terminated
after any bonus payout or progressive jackpot payout if the dealer
hand does not qualify to play the current game round.
20. The method of claim 4, wherein: the minimum ante bet, maximum
ante bet, bonus payout or progressive jackpot are determined by the
host casino.
21. The method of claim 4, wherein: player wins or loses only their
own ante and/or call bets, bonus payout or progressive jackpot
wager.
22. The method of claim 4, wherein: a player is paid even money on
the player ante bet and the applicable amount on the player call
bet if a player hand defeats a dealer hand, and the player has not
folded.
23. The method of claim 4, wherein: more than one player game hand
beats the dealer game hand.
24. The method of claim 4, wherein: players only compete against
the dealer to win or lose a call bet.
Description
FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a wagering card game, more
particularly, a five card draw poker game and associated playing
surface whereby players purchase draw cards to improve a game hand
rank, the player game hand competing against the dealer game
hand.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Card games have been played for a long time, and many
variations have been developed. Some card games are for
entertainment and many have been introduced into casinos for
gaming. One of the most famous games is poker, which is very
popular and has a number of variations.
[0003] One of the variations of poker is "stud" poker. This name
typically refers to a game where the player may use only the cards
that they are dealt, with no chance to substitute a bad card for a
randomly drawn new card. Another variation of poker is "draw"
poker. This name typically refers to a game where the players do
have the opportunity to substitute one or more bad cards for
randomly drawn new card(s).
[0004] In a typical game of poker, the players compete against the
group by placing their wagers into a "pot" of money that is won by
the person with the best hand (or who bluffs the others into
believing he has the best hand). In order to play poker, it is
preferred to have a full table or four or more players in the
group. One variation applicable to casino play is the ability of
each player to play against the dealer rather than against all the
players. This variation is popular because the players compete
against the house rather than against one another. Additionally,
one or more players can play the game without the need for a full
table.
[0005] To date, there have been a number of various card games that
have been considered sufficiently novel to be worthy of patent
protection. These patents include U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,836,553;
4,861,041; 4,948,134; 5,022,653; 5,078,405; 5,112,060; 5,288,077;
5,364,104; 5,364,105; and D311,474. The subject invention called
Latin Draw Poker includes a number of novel features that are not
present in known card games or the prior patents.
SUMMARY
[0006] Latin Draw Poker is based on traditional types of "five card
draw" poker games. A difference between traditional types of five
card draw poker games and Latin Draw Poker is that when playing a
traditional game of five card draw poker all game hands, belonging
to the game dealer and/or to the game players, compete, one game
hand against all other game hands, for a common poker pot comprised
of all ante bets and wagers made by the dealer and/or game players
for each game round played; and whereas in Latin Draw Poker each
individual game player's game hand competes against the game
dealer's game hand to win or lose an ante bet the casino requires
each-game player to make to qualify to play a game round (the
amount of the ante bet made by each of the game players may vary as
long as the amount of the ante bet is within the constraints of the
casino's minimum and maximum amount of the ante bets accepted),
and/or any subsequent call bets (the call bet is typically twice
the amount of the ante bet) made by each individual game player
during the play of the game round.
[0007] Another difference between traditional types of five card
draw poker games and Latin Draw Poker is that when playing five
card draw poker the game players do not have to buy any draw cards.
In Latin Draw Poker, if the player, having been dealt his/her
original five-card game hand, wishes to discard one or more cards
with the objective of improving his/her game hand, the player may
buy the allowed maximum of one or more draw cards by paying an
amount equal to the amount of the game player's ante bet for either
one or two or more cards drawn. The amount used to purchase the
Latin Draw Poker draw card(s) is a fee rather than a bet.
[0008] The game of Latin Draw Poker has some similarities to
traditional five card draw poker games. In five card draw poker
each player, including the dealer, receives a game hand. When all
the game players "check" (do not bet) their original game hands, or
when all game players have made one or more bets on their original
game hands, each of the players, beginning with the player
receiving the first player hand, or the player having made the
first call bet, may discard and draw one to five cards. The Latin
Draw Poker game rules restricts the number of discard and draw
cards to a predetermined number, for example, to a maximum of two
cards. The cards are discarded one or two cards at a time.
Discarded cards are replaced by the same number of draw card(s)
that are dealt to the player by the game dealer from the cards
remaining in the deck. A Latin Draw Poker player who wishes to
discard and draw one or two cards during the game round pays an
amount equal to the amount of the player's original ante bet for
either one or two card(s) received. In Latin Draw Poker the dealer
does not discard or draw any cards in an effort to improve his
original five card game hand. Neither the game players or the game
dealer raises a call bet. Also, in Latin Draw Poker an individual
game player's game hand can only win or lose the ante and/or call
bets made by the individual game player making the ante and/or call
bets. In the event an individual game player makes a bonus payout
or progressive jackpot wager in addition to his ante wager that
game player may also win a bonus payout or progressive jackpot. In
Latin Draw Poker there is preferably no common poker pot comprised
of all antes and wagers made by all of the game players during the
course of the game as there is in traditional types of poker games.
In Latin Draw Poker more than one game player's game hand can beat,
or win over, the dealer's game hand, and a game player's game hand
may only lose the amount(s) wagered on the ante and call bets made
by the game player(s) for each game round played. A game player's
game hand may only win even money on his ante bet, and an amount
designated as applicable to his call bet.
[0009] In Latin Draw Poker a game player's game hand may also
qualify to win a designated bonus payout or progressive jackpot.
The amounts of the bonus payouts or progressive jackpots are
determined by the casino. The casino posts, or displays, a bonus
payout or progressive jackpot payout schedule on or near the game
table specifying the amounts to be paid to players who have made a
qualifying bonus payout or progressive jackpot wager and have
subsequently been dealt a game hand comprised of a selected
combination of cards value and card suits.
[0010] In one embodiment of the invention, a wagering five card
draw poker game with associated playing surface, provides
excitement for the players and a potential money generating
business for the game owner, or casino. In one embodiment, a
playing surface includes an ante box, call box, draw box, at least
one bonus payout or progressive jackpot wagering circle, a chip
tray, a discard rack, and a dealer station. In another embodiment,
the playing surface indicates the placement of wagers, indicates
when a player qualifies to win a bonus payout or progressive
jackpot, and a means to clear the bonus payout or progressive
jackpot indicators.
[0011] In another embodiment, the invention provides a method for
playing a wagering card game whereby players compete against only
the dealer, not other players. Five cards are dealt to each player,
and the game dealer, and each player seeks a high ranking hand. The
dealer deals each player, who has placed an ante bet, five cards
face down and after the dealer receives his/her five card hand, the
dealer's hand is also dealt face down, each player decides to fold
or make a call bet, a call bet being double the amount of the ante
bet. Players, but not the dealer, can purchase draw cards to
improve the rank of a hand, either one or two draw cards may be
purchased for a fee that is an amount equal to a player's ante bet.
Additionally, a player can make one bonus payout or progressive
jackpot wager. If a player's hand defeats the dealer hand and the
player has not folded, a player is paid even money on the ante bet
and the applicable amount on the call bet. If a player's hand loses
to the dealer's hand the player loses his/her ante and/or call
bets, but is paid any winning bonus payout or progressive jackpot
wager. If a dealer hand does not qualify, a dealer qualification
being a hand of at least an Ace and a King, preferable a dealer
qualification hand will consists of a poker hand consisting of at
least a pair of fives or a poker hand of higher ranking, a game
round is terminated after even money is paid on ante bets and any
bonus payout or progressive jackpot winner is paid.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 depicts the Latin Draw Poker game table according to
an embodiment of the invention; and
[0013] FIG. 2 is a close view of the betting portion of the table
of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] Exemplary embodiments are described with reference to
specific card games and rules. Those skilled in the art will
appreciate that various changes and modifications can be made while
remaining within the scope of the claims.
[0015] In the exemplary embodiment, Latin Draw Poker is played at a
special, blackjack sized game table. Referring to FIG. 1, the game
table 10 seats six game players and a dealer. Each game table seat
20 is identified by a corresponding game table seat number 1 to 6
imprinted on the game table top layout 30. The table also includes
betting positions of a call box 40, an ante box 50, a draw box 60
and one Bonus Payout or Progressive Jackpot wagering circle 70,
which is also imprinted on the game table top layout 30 for each
game table seat 20 imprinted on the game table top layout 30. Using
this exemplary table, the rules of Latin Draw Poker are described
below.
[0016] A. Game Rules
[0017] 1. The Deck
[0018] Latin Draw Poker is played using one, standard,
fifty-two-card deck of playing cards.
[0019] 2. Number of Players
[0020] The minimum number of players that can play Latin Draw Poker
is
[0021] one player and a dealer. The maximum number of players that
can be accommodated in Latin Draw Poker is six players and a
dealer. If the table was expanded or multiple decks of cards used,
then there could be more players. On one aspect of the invention,
each player is allowed to play only one game hand during any game
round.
[0022] 3. Sharing of Game Information by the Game Players
[0023] Information relative to the value, rank, and suit of any
player's game hand cannot be shared with other game players during
the play of a game round. In the event that such information is
shared by two or more game players all ante bets and call bets made
by these players during the game round in which the information is
shared will be forfeited to the house, or dealer. Further, in the
event that such information is shared by two or more players during
a game round any bonus payout or progressive jackpot wagers are
forfeited as will the players, violating this rule, eligibility or
right to win any part of the bonus payout or progressive
jackpot.
[0024] 4. Rotating First Player Game Hand
[0025] When the Latin Draw Poker game first commences the first
active seat or player, to the dealer's left, receives the "first
game hand" dealt from a newly shuffled deck placed in a card
dispensing shoe. Thereafter, after the settlement of each game
round is completed, the dealer moves a first game hand indicator
marker in a clockwise direction from the first designated first
game hand and positions the marker in front of the next game player
to indicate the starting point or the player who is to be dealt the
first game hand for the upcoming game round. Other game players
seated to the left of the player receiving the first game hand are
dealt their game hands, in a clockwise sequence. When the last
player seated to the far left of the player receiving the first
game hand has received his game hand, the player seated to the far
right of the player receiving the first game hand is dealt the next
game hand, and the dealer continues to deal the game hands in a
clockwise direction until the game player seated to the immediate
right of the player receiving the first game hand receives his game
hand cards. The dealer receives the last game hand dealt from the
deck for each game round. In one aspect of the invention, a casino
has the option to maintain or eliminate the rotating first game
hand rule.
[0026] 5. Latin Draw Poker Game Hand
[0027] A Latin Draw Poker game hand is comprised of five cards
dealt consecutively from the deck and delivered simultaneously,
unexposed, to a game player or the game dealer by the game dealer.
During the play of the game each player has an option to discard
and draw one or more cards, preferably a maximum of two cards to
improve his original game hand in exchange for a draw card(s) fee
equal to the amount of the ante bet made by the player exercising
his/her draw card option. The game dealer does not draw any cards
in an attempt to improve the dealer's game hand at any time.
[0028] 6. Ranking of Game Hands
[0029] A royal flush defeats a straight flush, a straight flush
defeats four of a kind, four of a kind defeats a full house, a full
house defeats a flush, a flush defeats a straight, a straight
defeats three of a kind, three of a kind defeats two pair, two pair
defeats one pair, one pair defeats a high card, and a high card
hand defeats a high card hand with a lesser high card hand ranking,
the ordering of the high card being: Ace, King, Queen, Jack, Ten,
Nine, Eight, Seven, Six, Five, Four, Three, Two).
[0030] 7. The Ante Bet
[0031] In order to participate in a Latin Draw Poker game round
each player, prior to being dealt any game hand or game cards, must
first place an ante bet in the ante box 50 designated for the
specific game seat the player is playing. However, unlike
traditional five card draw poker games in which all players ante an
equal amount in a common pot, the amount of the Latin Draw Poker
ante bets may vary from player to player, as each player
arbitrarily decides the amount of his ante bet for each game round
played. The minimum and maximum amount of the ante bet will be
arbitrarily determined by the casino, establishment or gaming
location offering and bankrolling the Latin Draw Poker Game. A
Latin Draw Poker player wins or loses his/her ante bet made during
a game round; and he does not win or lose any ante bets placed by
other game players.
[0032] 8. Dealer's Qualifying Game Hand
[0033] To qualify to play against the players' game hands, the
dealer's game hand must be comprised of cards having a traditional
poker game hand value of at least an Ace and a King, or traditional
poker game hand having a game hand value greater than an Ace and a
King or any "high" card combination determined by the host casino.
If the dealer's game hand does not qualify to play the current game
round, the dealer pays the ante bets of those player's who have not
folded; the call bets are returned and the game round is
terminated. However, if a player's game hand qualifies to win a
bonus payout or progressive jackpot, and the player has made the
required bonus payout or progressive jackpot wager, the player
informs the dealer of his winning bonus payout or progressive
jackpot game hand before the dealer picks the game hand up and
places it in the discard rack. The dealer leaves the winning bonus
payout or progressive jackpot game hand on the table and after all
the cards comprising the game hands that do not have a winning
bonus payout or progressive jackpot have been picked up the dealer
calls the game supervisor to confirm the bonus payout or
progressive jackpot winner and pays the winning game hand.
[0034] 9. Payouts
[0035] If the dealer has a game hand that qualifies to play and the
player's original game hand, or the player's one or two card draw
game hand, has a greater poker game hand value than that of the
dealer's game hand, the player will be paid even money (1-1) on the
ante bet and the applicable amount on the call bet.
1 Call Bet Payout Call Bet Payout Schedule 1 Schedule 2 Final Hand
Type Pays (to 1) Pays (to 1) Pair of fives or Better 1 1 Two Pairs
2 2 Three of a Kind 5 to 2 5 to 2 Straight 3 3 Flush 5 4 Full House
6 6 Four of a Kind 20 20 Straight Flush 40 40 Royal Flush 100
100
[0036] 10. Progressive Jackpot
[0037] The amount of the original progressive jackpot is determined
by the individual casino or gaming establishment; however, the
progressive jackpot may become progressively greater each time a
player makes a progressive jackpot wager in an attempt to win all
or part of the progressive jackpot.
[0038] The total amount of the progressive jackpot payout is
displayed on an LED screen attached to the game table's
electronics. There are techniques known in the art for providing
this type of information.
[0039] The qualifying progressive jackpot wager is preferably
applicable only to the original five cards that comprise a player's
game hand. However, at the discretion of a casino's management the
qualifying progressive jackpot wagers may be designated to include
any game hand resulting from a player having exercised his/her draw
card(s) option.
[0040] 11. Bonus Payout
[0041] The bonus payout is a fixed amount determined by the
individual casino or gaming establishment. The bonus payout is paid
to any player having a winning bonus payout hand who has also made
the qualifying bonus payout wager. The schedule of winning bonus
payout card combinations and the amount of the payout for each card
combination will be posted on or near the game table.
[0042] The qualifying bonus payout wager is preferably applicable
only to the original five cards that comprise a player's game hand.
However, at the discretion of a casino's management the qualifying
bonus payout wagers may be designated to include any game hand
resulting from a player having exercised his/her draw card(s)
option.
[0043] 12. One Separate Wager
[0044] Latin Draw Poker games also have the option of offering a
bonus payout or progressive jackpot. To qualify for the bonus
payout or progressive jackpot that may be offered by the casino or
gaming location where the Latin Draw Poker game is being played; a
player must make a bonus payout or progressive jackpot wager that
is separate from, but in addition to, the ante bet and the call bet
each player is required to make to qualify and continue to play a
game round or game hand. During any one game round a Latin Draw
Poker player may, preferably, have one chance to win a bonus payout
or progressive jackpot by:
[0045] (a) placing the ante bet in the ante box 50 to qualify to be
dealt the original five card game hand, and additionally placing
the bonus payout or progressive jackpot wager on the bonus payout
or progressive jackpot wager circle 70, before the game round is
dealt.
[0046] (b) placing a call bet in the call box 40 to continue to
play out the game hand.
[0047] A Latin Draw Poker player, preferably, gets one chance to
qualify to win the bonus payout or progressive jackpot wager. When
the dealer's game hand does not qualify to play a game round it is
the responsibility of the Latin Draw Poker player, who has made a
bonus payout or progressive jackpot wager, to call the winning
bonus payout or progressive jackpot game hand to the attention of
the dealer.
[0048] A player may win the ante bet and call bet without making a
bonus payout or progressive jackpot wager. A player may not win a
bonus payout or progressive jackpot wager without making an ante
bet and a call bet.
[0049] A player wishing to make a bonus payout or progressive
jackpot wager does so by placing a wager, (the amount of the bonus
payout or progressive jackpot wager is arbitrarily designated by
the game rules or the casino, usually one-dollar), in the betting
circle 70 imprinted and identified on the game table layout 30. The
betting circle is positioned around an electronic button, or
switch, embedded into the top of the game table 10. At the
beginning of each game round the dealer, in the process of
collecting the bonus payout or progressive jackpot wagers presses
down on the wager (chip) that has been placed over the electronic
button, or switch, to activate an indicator light positioned in the
center of the betting circle. The indicator light, when
illuminated, signifies to the dealer and other observers of the
game that this seat, or game player, has paid to qualify to win a
bonus payout or progressive jackpot for the upcoming game round.
Players having made a bonus payout or progressive jackpot wager who
are dealt one of the following poker game hands may win all or part
of any bonus payout or progressive jackpot for the current game
round: Royal Flush, Straight Flush, Four of a Kind, Full House,
Flush, Straight, Three of a Kind, or any other combination of cards
that may comprise a winning game hand arbitrarily designated by the
casino. At the end of the game round, when the settlement is
completed, before the new round is dealt the dealer presses the
clear button embedded in or attached to the game table to clear and
darken all bonus payout or progressive jackpot indicator lights
illuminated during the recent game round.
[0050] The bonus payout or progressive jackpot wagers are separate
from all other wagers. Bonus payout or progressive jackpot wagers
will be paid according to the specific poker game hand value of
each player's game hand who has made the qualifying bonus payout or
progressive jackpot wager prior to the delivery of the upcoming
game round cards to the game players.
[0051] 13. Aggregate Total of Bonus Payout or Progressive
Jackpot
[0052] In the event two or more player's game hands qualify to win
all or part of the bonus payout or progressive jackpot during any
one game round, the winners will share a percentage of the
aggregate total of the bonus payout or progressive jackpot, in
proportion to the value of each winning poker game hand, for the
current game round. In no event will the casino, gaming
establishment or gaming location be obligated to pay more than 100%
of the amount of the bonus payout or progressive jackpot posted or
declared for any game round for which there is one or more winners.
Each casino will use either the bonus payout or progressive jackpot
system to pay winning players, and preferably not both at the same
time.
[0053] B. Game Procedure
[0054] 1. The Deal
[0055] After a player(s) has placed their wagers the dealer will
activate an automatic card dispensing-shoe, (or an automatic card
shuffler and card-dispensing-shoe), that is positioned on the game
table or close to the dealer, causing it to deal five cards, the
requisite number of cards that will comprise a Latin Draw Poker
game hand, one-by-one, into a card tray or receptacle positioned at
the mouth of the shoe. Alternately, the game hands for Latin Draw
Poker may also be manually dealt to the game players by a dealer
using a game hand-held-deck, or the game hands may be dealt,
manually, from a standard type card-dispensing-shoe positioned on
or near the Latin Draw Poker game table, by the game dealer. When
the requisite number of cards that comprise a Latin Draw Poker game
hand have been deposited by the automatic card dispensing shoe,
face-down, into the card receptacle the game dealer removes the
game hand from the card receptacle and delivers it, face down, to
the game player or seat where the first game hand, marker is
positioned. (when the first round marker system is not used the
first hand of any game round is dealt to the player seated in the
first occupied seat in ascending order). Other game hands for the
current game round are dealt, in sequence, to any player(s) seated
to the left of the player (to the right of the dealer) designated
to receive the first game hand, as identified by the dealer's
placement of the first game hand indicator marker at the end of the
most recent game round, or the game player seated to the left of
the dealer. When the last player seated to the left of the
designated first game hand has been dealt his game hand by the
dealer, for the current round, the dealer then deals the next game
hand to the first seat or game player, if any, seated in the seat
furthest to the right, (to the dealers left), of the designated
first player's seat. The dealer receives the last game hand dealt
from the deck for each game round.
[0056] 2. Folded Game Hands
[0057] When the dealer receives his/her five card game hand it is
placed face down on the game table top layout directly in front of
the game table chip tray 80. If the player, feels the game odds are
that his/her game hand does not have a good chance to beat the
dealer's game hand, or the player does not want to buy one or two
draw cards in an attempt to improve his/her original game hand, and
the player chooses not to make a call bet, the player simply folds,
(places his/her game cards, face down, to the right side of the
draw box 60, and the dealer picks the folded game hand up and
places it in the game table discard rack 90). When a player folds
his/her game hand, the player forfeits or loses his/her ante bet,
and any bonus payout or progressive jackpot wager, to the house or
the dealer. The dealer then collects the folding player's ante
bet(s) and places them in the game table chip tray 80.
[0058] 3. Bet to Call the Dealer
[0059] When the dealer receives his game hand he then places it
face down on the game table top layout directly in front of the
game table chip tray 80. Once a player has received his five card
game hand, dealt face-down to him by the game dealer, the player
picks up the game hand and looks at it to decide if he wants to
remain in the game round to make a call bet that his game hand will
beat the dealer's game hand. If the player feels his game hand has
a good chance of beating the dealer's game hand, and the player
wishes to continue playing the current game round he makes a call
bet, that is double the amount of his ante bet, by placing the call
bet in the call box 40 assigned to the game player's designated
seat number imprinted on the game table top layout 30.
[0060] 4. One or Two Card Draw Option
[0061] Any player that calls the dealer's game hand can buy one or
two draw cards in an attempt to improve his game hand. Any player
that does not wish to buy draw cards will stand pat, playing the
cards originally dealt to the player as the game hand for the
current game round. To receive draw cards, a player must place the
discarded card(s), face down, in the draw box 60 and place an
amount identical to the player's ante bet on top of the discarded
card(s). The dealer picks up the discarded card(s) and the buy
chip(s); placing the buy chip(s) in the chip tray 80 and the
player's discarded game card(s) in the game table discard rack 90.
The dealer then delivers the top one or two cards of the cards
remaining in the deck to the player buying the first draw card(s),
and then moves on to the next player remaining in the game, until
each player has an opportunity to draw. The game hand resulting
from the player exercising his draw card(s) option still qualifies
to win the ante and call bet, but not the bonus payout or
progressive jackpot, unless otherwise specified by the casino.
[0062] 5. The Play of the Game
[0063] Each of the game players will place an ante bet in their
designated seat's ante box 50. The dealer will deal a game hand to
each of the players having made the qualifying ante bet for the
upcoming game round.
[0064] When the dealer receives his game hand he then places his
five card hand face down on the game table top layout 30 in front
of the game table chip tray 80. The dealer will then make his first
pass around the table to collect the optional bonus payout or
progressive jackpot wagers, and to activate the indicator lights of
the players who have made the qualifying bonus payout or
progressive jackpot wagers.
[0065] The players, having looked at their respective game hands,
then decide whether or not they wish to fold or make a call bet to
qualify to play out their game hands. Those players choosing to
fold will place their cards face down to the right of the draw box
60. Those players choosing to play out the game hand will call by
placing a wager, double the amount of the player's ante, in the
call box 40. The dealer, seeing that all players have acted on
their game hands, makes his second pass around the table to pick up
the cards comprising the game hands folded, if any, by one or more
game players and to collect the ante bets for each of the game
hands that have folded. When the cards of the game players' folding
game hands have been picked up and placed in the game table discard
rack 90, and the folded game hands ante bets have been collected by
the dealer and placed in the game table chip tray 80, the dealer
will make a third pass around the table, giving each of the
remaining players an opportunity to exercise their draw card
option. The dealer starting with the player playing the designated
first game hand, if he has not folded and remains in the game, or
the first player remaining in the game round that is seated to the
left of the designated first game hand, (the dealer's right) will
give each player remaining in the current game round the option to
discard and buy, or draw, one or two cards for the current game
round. Any player that calls the dealer's game hand can buy one or
two draw cards in an attempt to improve his/her game hand. Any
player that does not wish to buy draw card(s) will stand pat,
playing the cards originally dealt to the player as the game hand
for the current game round. To receive one or two draw cards a
player places the card(s) to be discarded face down, in the draw
box 60, and places a buy amount, either in chip's or cash, equal to
the value of the player's ante bet on top of the discarded card(s).
The dealer picks up the discarded card(s) and the buy chip(s)
placing the buy chip(s) in the chip tray 80 and the player's
discarded game card(s) in the game table discard rack 90. The
dealer then delivers the top one or two card(s) of the card(s)
remaining in the deck to the player buying the first draw card(s),
and then moves on to the next player remaining in the game, until
each player has an opportunity to draw. The game hand resulting
from the player exercising his draw card option will now qualify to
win the ante and the call bets.
[0066] After the draw card option pass has been made by the dealer,
the dealer turns the five, face down, cards of the dealer's game
hand face up and places them in front of the game table's chip tray
80 on the game table layout 30. If the dealer's game hand does not
qualify, (i.e. the dealer must have a poker hand with at least a
pair of five's, or a poker hand of greater value, to qualify to
play out the game hand), to play out the hand, the dealer pays any
remaining players, who have not folded their game hands, even money
on their ante bets, picks up their game hands face down, and the
dealer game hand, places them in the discard rack, and takes the
cards from the discard rack and shuffles the deck_in preparation to
deal a new game round. If the dealer's game hand qualifies, then
the settlement begins when the dealer turns the remaining game hand
belonging to the highest numbered game table seat first, and then
continuing, counter-clockwise, with the game round settlement of
the remaining game hands. During the settlement the dealer will
leave all game hands having a winning bonus payout or progressive
jackpot lying face up on the game table top. When the settlement of
the non-winning bonus payout or progressive jackpot hands have been
completed the dealer calls the game supervisor and upon the
supervisor's authorization pays all bonus payout or progressive
jackpot wagers that have winning game hands.
[0067] 6. Rules of Play
[0068] Latin Draw Poker is a new variation of the traditional game
of draw poker. It is dealt from a standard 52-card deck of cards.
The sequence is as follows: The player makes the ante bet (the
bonus payout or progressive jackpot wager is optional) and is then
dealt five cards face down. The dealer is also dealt five cards,
none of which is exposed. If a player thinks he/she has a good hand
he/she has the option of calling the dealer by putting up a second
wager, a call bet, that is twice the amount of the ante bet. The
only other course of action available to the player is to fold
his/her hand and forfeit the ante bet.
[0069] Those players who have called the dealer now have an
additional option: For an additional amount equal to the ante bet,
the player can trade one or two of his/her five cards for new
cards. After all those who opt for a trade discard the card(s) to
be traded, the dealer will collect the buy chip(s) for the trade
and, in turn, deal each of them the replacement card(s).
[0070] The dealer then compares his/her hand with each of the
player hands. In each case, player against dealer, whoever has the
highest ranked hand wins. Ties are treated as ties. Standard Poker
ranking is used for ranking hands. A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest
straight.
[0071] The dealer must qualify with at least a pair of fives. If
the dealer does not qualify, all players who called the dealer are
paid even money on their ante bet and their call bets are returned.
If the dealer hand qualifies and outranks the player's hand, the
player loses both the ante bet and the call bet. If the dealer
qualifies and the player wins, the player will receive even money
on his/her ante bet and be paid at multiple odds on his/her call
bet according to one of the Call Bet Pay Schedules set forth
below:
[0072] Latin Draw Poker Call Bet Pay Schedules:
2 Call Bet Pay Call Bet Pay Schedule 1 Schedule 2 Final Hand Type
Pays (to 1) Pays (to 1) Pair of fives or Better 1 1 Two Pairs 2 2
Three of a Kind 5 to 2 5 to 2 Straight 3 3 Flush 5 4 Full House 6 6
Four of a Kind 20 20 Straight Flush 40 40 Royal Flush 100 100
[0073] Call Bet Pay Schedule 1:
[0074] The player's average bet is 3.0373 units. The house
advantage is 3.2657% on the ante, or 1.0752% per bet unit.
[0075] Call Bet Pay Schedule 2:
[0076] The player's average bet is 3.0336 units. The house
advantage is 3.9336% on the ante, or 1.2967% per bet unit.
[0077] Bonus Payout Pay Tables:
[0078] The player has the option of making a $1 Latin Draw Poker
Bonus Payout or Progressive Jackpot Bet. If a player's hand loses
to the dealer's hand the player loses his/her ante and/or call
bets, but is paid any winning bonus payout or progressive jackpot
wagers.
[0079] The pay table(s) for the Latin Draw Poker Bonus Payout is as
shown below:
3 Bonus Payout Pay Table 1 Bonus Payout Pay Table 2 Hand Type Pays
($) Hand Type Pays ($) Three of Kind 5 Two Pairs 4 Straight 25
Three of a Kind 8 Flush 50 Straight 25 Full House 200 Flush 50 Four
of Kind 500 Full House 75 Straight Flush 2,000 Four of a Kind 250
Royal Flush 20,000 Straight Flush 2,000 Royal Flush 20,000 House
advantage: 23.13% House advantage: 21.79%
CONCLUSION
[0080] Having disclosed exemplary embodiments and the best mode,
modifications and variations that may be made to the disclosed
embodiments while remaining within the scope of the invention as
defined by the following claims.
* * * * *