U.S. patent application number 10/314501 was filed with the patent office on 2003-05-01 for maximum bet table game method and apparatus.
Invention is credited to Garcia, Dennis A., Hogan, Nicholas Kurt.
Application Number | 20030083119 10/314501 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 23129434 |
Filed Date | 2003-05-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030083119 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hogan, Nicholas Kurt ; et
al. |
May 1, 2003 |
Maximum bet table game method and apparatus
Abstract
A methods of and apparatus for playing table card games are
provided wherein with multi token maximum level betting and
displayed rankings of winning hands return enhanced pay out. A pay
table matrix listing has the enhanced payments for ranked hands.
The method and apparatus uses and has token acceptors and sensors
for each player. The sensors are coupled to a count and computer
for registering any maximum level bet that receives enhanced return
for predetermined winning card combinations. The apparatus and its
method, thus allow each player the opportunity to bet multiple
tokens before the cards are dealt and to win enhanced amounts of
money should specific predetermined card combinations be
obtained.
Inventors: |
Hogan, Nicholas Kurt;
(Henderson, NV) ; Garcia, Dennis A.; (Henderson,
NV) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DORR CARSON SLOAN & BIRNEY, PC
3010 EAST 6TH AVENUE
DENVER
CO
80206
|
Family ID: |
23129434 |
Appl. No.: |
10/314501 |
Filed: |
December 9, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10314501 |
Dec 9, 2002 |
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09848640 |
May 3, 2001 |
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09848640 |
May 3, 2001 |
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09293525 |
Apr 15, 1999 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
463/13 ;
273/292 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F 2003/0017 20130101;
G07F 17/3262 20130101; A63F 3/00157 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/13 ;
273/292 |
International
Class: |
A63F 013/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method of playing a card game at a card game table comprising
the steps of: providing one or more decks of playing cards;
displaying a pay table matrix listing predetermined hand ranking
card combinations relative to the pay out for minimum to maximum
level bets and wherein the maximum level bet pays an enhanced
amount; accepting a bet from each player by the act of each player
placing one or more tokens into a table acceptor adjacent each
player's location at the card game table, each acceptor having a
token sensor; dealing a hand so each player has at least several
cards from the one or more decks; each player receiving a
predetermined amount based on the predetermined ranking of the hand
that each player holds, and increasing the amount by the enhanced
preset amount of pay out according to the pay table for each player
that has made a maximum level bet and holds a card combination of
predetermined ranking.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the steps of dealing and the pay
table matrix listing are performed during a card game of draw poker
and ranking the card combinations accordingly.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of placing the bets
includes the step of recording automatically in a computer when
each player places one or more tokens in the player's respective
acceptor and sensing placement with the sensor associated with each
player's respective acceptor.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein the dealing and the pay table
matrix listing are performed during a card game of stud poker and
ranking the card combinations accordingly.
5. The method of claim 3 wherein the step of automatically
recording is performed by connecting each sensor of each respective
acceptor to the computer that is programmed for the steps of
comparing and calculating each player's pay out according to each
respective player bet and the pay table matrix listing with
comparison of each hand dealt and the pay table matrix listing of
pay out.
6. The method of claim 5 with the added step of displaying to at
least the dealer the amount bet by each player and the potential
calculated pay out for any possible winning hand of each
player.
7. The method of claim 5 wherein the step of connecting is
performed by transmitting radio frequency signals between the
sensor and the computer.
8. The method of claim 6 wherein the step of connecting is
performed by transmitting radio frequency signals between the
sensor and the computer and the step of displaying is performed by
receiving radio frequency information between the computer and the
display.
9. The method of claim 4 wherein the step of increasing the pay out
received by each player according to the pay table matrix listing
of predetermined hand rankings relative to pay out from minimum to
maximum level bets and the enhanced preset pay out that each
winning player may receive is as follows:
3 One Token Two Tokens Three Tokens Royal Flush 250X 500X 2500X
Straight Flush 50X 100X 500X Four-Of-A-Kind 10X 20X 100X Full House
6X 12X 120X Flush 4X 8X 80X Straight 3X 6X 60X Three-Of-A-Kind 2X
4X 40X Two Pair 1X 2X 20X
and when X is the amount of each players bet and three tokens are
the maximum level bet for the enhanced preset pay out.
10. A method of playing a betting game which uses standard playing
cards, comprising the steps of: providing one or more decks of
playing cards; posting a pay table matrix listing with
predetermined hand rankings relative to pay out for minimum to
maximum level bets and wherein the maximum level bet pays an
enhanced preset amount; each player placing an initial bet to
participate in the game; accepting a second bet from each player by
the act of each player placing one or more tokens in a table
acceptor adjacent each player's location at the card game table;
dealing a hand so each player has at least several cards from the
one or more decks; each player receiving a predetermined pay out
amount based on the predetermined ranking of the hand that each
player holds, and increasing the amount of pay out for each player
that has made a maximum level bet for the enhanced preset amount
according to the pay table matrix listing.
11. The method of claim 10 wherein the step of each player placing
the initial bet is performed by inserting a token into the
respective player's acceptor.
12. The method of claim 10 wherein the step of displaying the
predetermined ranking of cards includes the using of a plurality of
poker hands.
13. The method of claim 12 wherein prior to the step of awarding
the preset amount, the method further comprises the steps of: the
player selecting cards in the hand to keep and cards to discard,
and dealing replacement cards to replace the discarded cards.
14. In an apparatus for including an enhanced pay out as an
additional feature in a live casino table card game, a gaming table
having a plurality of player locations whereat a player receives
playing cards from a dealer, the gaming table having a pay table
matrix listing of posted pay out for number of tokens bet relating
to card combinations received; and an acceptor associated with each
player location for accepting token bets by which a player may make
bets and also participate in the enhanced pay out from the live
casino table card game, the acceptor coupled to a counter for
registering the maximum level of tokens bet and necessary to win
the enhanced pay out.
15. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a sensor within
each acceptor for signaling the counter upon the event of each
token bet and upon reaching the maximum level of tokens bet by each
player.
16. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising the counter
electronically connected to a computer including the pay table
matrix listing therein, the computer for comparing and calculating
each player's pay out according to each respective player's bet
when compared to the hand dealt and the pay table matrix listing of
pay out.
17. The apparatus of claim 15 having the counter connected within
the computer for counting bets placed by each player into each
respective acceptor and for determining the eligibility of each
player for the enhanced pay out resulting from maximum tokens bet
and card combinations received.
18. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the live casino table game
comprises poker and the pay table matrix listing of pay out
includes the ranking according to card combinations of winning
hands for poker and for enhanced pay out when maximum level of
betting has been made by the player.
19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the live casino table card
game comprises stud poker and the pay table matrix listing has at
least a royal flush as the winning hand for the enhanced pay out
with maximum tokens bet by the player.
20. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the live casino table card
game is "twenty one" and the enhanced pay out is obtained with a
maximum level bet and a two card combination totaling twenty
one.
21. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the live casino table card
game is draw poker and a pay table matrix listing shows that the
winning combination of cards for the enhanced pay out with a
maximum level bet includes a royal flush.
22. The apparatus of claim 14 with a light associated with each
playing location to indicate when the maximum level bet has been
placed in the acceptor of that player to participate in the
enhanced pay out.
23. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a lockout for
preventing players from participating in the enhanced pay out
jackpot by betting after cards are dealt.
24. The apparatus of claim 23, further comprising a reset for
disconnecting the lockout and reinitiating the apparatus at the end
of each hand of the live casino table card game upon activation of
the reset by the dealer.
25. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a card shoe for
delivery of cards to be dealt by the dealer and a reader in the
card shoe for monitoring card hands dealt therefrom, the reader
connected to the computer for indicating each player's hand and for
computing the pay out consistent with the pay table matrix listing
and number of tokens placed in the respective acceptor by each
player.
26. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a counter and
display coupled to each acceptor for showing the amount of each
player's bet and that player's eligibility to win the enhanced pay
out when dealt a predetermined winning card combination and when
betting a maximum level of tokens.
27. A table for playing a live casino card game includes enhanced
pay out as an additional feature wherein the maximum level bet to
participate in the enhanced pay out is optional and in addition to
bets for the card game, the table includes: an acceptor accessible
to each player, the acceptor is on the table and operative to
recognize and signal placement of gaming tokens at each player
location of the table for participation in the enhanced pay out,
and an indicator for illuminating when the maximum level or number
of gaming tokens have been recognized by the acceptor for
participation in the enhanced pay out.
28. A table according to claim 27 wherein the acceptor includes a
sensor operatively connected to read the presence of gaming tokens,
the sensor coupled to the indicator.
29. A table according to claim 27 further including a counter
electronically interconnected to each acceptor and operative to
count gaming tokens received by the acceptor from each player.
30. A table according to claim 27 wherein the pay table matrix
listing has the enhanced pay out including a progressive jackpot or
portion thereof attainable with maximum level bets.
31. A table according to claim 27 wherein the jackpot includes
preselected, fixed fee jackpot pay out of enhanced amounts for
maximum level betting.
32. A table according to claim 30 further including a computer
electronically interconnected with the acceptor, the sensor and the
counter is operative to control and register the occurrence or
recognition of the placement of the maximum level of gaming tokens
in the acceptor.
33. A table according to claim 32 further including a manually
operable lock out switch operatively connected to deactivate the
acceptor such that the computer does not register the occurrence or
recognition of the placement of a gaming token by the acceptor.
34. A table for playing a live casino card game having an enhanced
pay out as an additional feature, wherein the bet to participate in
the enhanced pay out is optional and separate from bets for the
card game, the table including: an acceptor operatively associated
with the table and operative to recognize the placement of the
maximum level of gaming tokens for participation in the enhanced
pay out; and a counter electronically interconnected to the
acceptor and adapted to count gaming tokens bet through the
acceptor.
35. A table for playing a live casino card game having an enhanced
pay out as an additional feature, wherein the bet to participate in
the enhanced pay out is optional and separate from bets for the
card game, the table including: an acceptor operatively associated
with the table to recognize the placement of the maximum level of
gaming tokens necessary for participation in the enhanced pay out;
a computer electronically interconnected with the acceptor and
operative to register and control the occurrence or recognition of
the placement of the maximum level of gaming tokens in the
acceptor; and a manually operable lock out switch operatively
connected to deactivate the acceptor such that the computer does
not register the occurrence of the placement of gaming tokens after
the cards are dealt.
36. A table according to claim 35 wherein a pay table has a matrix
listing the enhanced pay out jackpot including a preselected, fixed
fee enhanced jackpot pay out amount for maximum level betting.
37. A table according to claim 35 further including: a counter
electronically interconnected between the acceptor and the computer
to count gaming tokens recognized by the acceptor and registered by
the computer.
38. In a live casino card gaming table having an enhanced pay out
as an additional feature, wherein the bet to participate in the
enhanced pay out is optional and separate from bets for the card
game, the table comprising at least one electronic acceptor
operatively associated with the table and operative to recognize
placement of maximum level of gaming tokens as a bet for
participation in the enhanced pay out.
39. In a live casino card gaming table having an enhanced pay out
as an additional feature, wherein the bet to participate in the
enhanced pay out is optional and separate from bets for the card
game, the table including a plurality of player locations at which
players receive cards from a dealer to play the card game, and a
plurality of electronic acceptors, each of the acceptors
operatively associated with a corresponding one of the player
locations, and operative to recognize placement of maximum level of
gaming tokens at each player location as bets for participation in
the enhanced pay out.
40. In a live casino card gaming table having an enhanced pay out
as an additional feature, wherein the bet to participate in the
enhanced pay out is optional and separate from bets for the card
game, the table comprising a plurality of player locations at which
a player receives playing cards from a dealer and a jackpot control
including a plurality of buttons adapted for manual activation by
the dealer, the buttons corresponding to a plurality of
predetermined winning arrangements of the playing cards achieved by
a player for winning a progressive jackpot payoff amount in
accordance with a predetermined payoff table that includes an
enhanced pay out for at least one type of achieved player hands or
card combinations when a bet has been made to the maximum
level.
41. In a live casino card game table, the table having a plurality
of player locations at which a player receives playing cards from a
dealer to play the live casino table card game; a plurality of
sensors, one sensor associated with each corresponding one of the
player locations, for sensing placement of gaming tokens bet by a
player, and a plurality of light indicators, one indicator
associated with each corresponding one of the player locations, for
visually indicating that a player has bet the maximum level of
gaming tokens.
42. The table according to claim 41, further comprising a counter
connected with the sensors for counting tokens bet by each
player.
43. In a live casino card game table, the card game including an
enhanced pay out as an additional feature and having a jackpot bet
separate from the bets for the card game: a sensor for sensing the
placement of gaming tokens by which a player makes a maximum level
bet to participate in the additional enhanced pay out.
44. The table according to claim 43 further comprising a counter
for counting the tokens bet by the player to participate by the
maximum level bet in the enhanced pay out, the counter coupled to
the sensor for counting the tokens bet by the player to participate
by the maximum level bet, and the counter coupled to a light
indicator for visually indicating that a player has bet the maximum
level of gaming tokens necessary to participate in the enhanced pay
out from a progressive jackpot.
45. An acceptor on a table gaming apparatus including a visual
display, comprising: a slot for each acceptor for receiving one or
more tokens, each slot positioned in the table and located
accessible to each player for deposit of tokens therein; a computer
operatively connected to the acceptor; a sensor within the acceptor
for sensing placement and acceptance of the one or more tokens into
the acceptor and for signaling the computer when at least the
maximum level of tokens have been bet; a counter within the
computer, the counter for counting the number of signaled accepted
tokens; and a visual display operatively connected to the computer
and operative, pursuant to control instructions from the computer,
to display visually the maximum level or number of tokens placed
and accepted in the acceptor.
46. The acceptor of claim 45, wherein the visual display comprises
a plurality of light sources disposed in a predetermined
pattern.
47. The acceptor of claim 45, wherein the display for maximum
tokens accepted corresponds to simultaneous flashing of the light
sources.
48. The acceptor of claim 45, wherein the display for maximum
tokens accepted corresponds to sequential flashing of the light
sources.
49. The acceptor of claim 45, wherein the acceptor is on the table
gaming apparatus including cards, the acceptor for detecting
bets.
50. The acceptor of claim 45, wherein the slot is dimensioned for
insertion of the one or more tokens in the form of coins.
51. The acceptor of claim 45, wherein the slot includes a
receptacle dimensioned for receipt of the one or more tokens and
the sensor detects each token placed in the receptacle.
52. A table gambling device including an acceptor and a visual
display, the device comprising: one or more acceptors for receiving
one or more tokens, each acceptor positioned in the device and
located accessible to a player for deposit of tokens therein; a
computer operatively connected to the acceptors; a sensor within
the acceptor for sensing tokens bet and for acceptance of each
token as a bet into the acceptor; a counter within the computer and
connected to each sensor, the counter for recording the number of
tokens bet and accepted, and a visual display operatively connected
to the computer and functioning pursuant to control instructions
from the computer, to display at least a visual state corresponding
to the maximum level of tokens bet in each acceptor.
53. The gambling device of claim 52 further comprising a pay table
matrix listing coupled to the counter, the pay table matrix listing
including the card combinations necessary to win an enhanced pay
out with maximum level betting and with one acceptor disposed at
each player location of the table and operatively connected to
display the visual state of at least the maximum level of tokens
bet to win an enhanced pay out and to allow multi player
participation in the enhanced pay out wherever each player bets the
maximum level of tokens in their respective acceptor.
54. The gambling device of claim 53, wherein the visual display
comprises a plurality of light sources disposed in a predetermined
pattern to show maximum level bets by simultaneous or sequential
flashing of the light sources.
55. A method of indicating the condition of an acceptor of a card
game table for one or more players, comprising the steps of:
providing an acceptor dimensioned to receive one or more tokens
from one or more players, the acceptor associated with the card
game table and having respective token receiving receptacles for
each of the one or more players; providing a computer operatively
connected to the acceptor; providing a sensor within the acceptor
for sensing bets by acceptance of one or more tokens into the
acceptor; providing a counter within the computer for counting the
number of bet and accepted tokens; providing a visual display
operatively connected to the computer; displaying on the visual
display pursuant to control instructions from the computer the
maximum level or number of tokens bet by each player, and
registering any maximum level betting for enhanced pay out.
56. The method of claim 55, wherein the step of providing the
visual display includes the step of providing a plurality of light
sources.
57. The method of claim 55, wherein the step of displaying the
visual display includes the step of simultaneously or sequentially
flashing the light sources.
58. The method of claim 55, wherein the step of displaying includes
the step of showing which of the one or more players has bet the
maximum level of tokens.
Description
1. FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to casino or card
room gaming involving card games with a predetermined pay table.
More particularly, it relates to betting for an enhanced return to
winning players participating in various casino or card room table
games.
2. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Different betting games presently exist and are played at
home and in casinos. Such games should necessarily be exciting,
uncomplicated and easy to learn so as to avoid frustrating the
players. Card games such as poker and "twenty one" have gained
widespread popularity because of their established and well known
ranking of hands and their known rules. Furthermore, each of these
games usually involves continuous betting opportunities for the
players thus increasing player participation and excitement.
Lastly, the games move fairly quickly to maintain action and
activity. All of these factors have created games that are widely
accepted, known and played.
[0003] A common way of increasing the excitement and attraction of
table betting games is the inclusion of additional betting
opportunities and pay out schemes. For example, in a progressive
jackpot scheme includes certain outcomes are designated for pay out
of a progressive amount. In that progressive jackpot scheme, a
portion of each player's progressive jackpot bet is provided to the
progressive jackpot thereby increasing the jackpot amount.
[0004] Another method of increasing excitement for the players is
to provide additional winning hands or winning possibilities. This
has previously been accomplished by such means as adding wild cards
to poker games. These additional winning opportunities can be
accomplished by providing the player with the additional betting
opportunities or by providing additional winning combinations of
cards. Providing new and previously unavailable winning hands
required imagination and must also fit certain characteristics in
order to be economically feasible. In order for a large pay out to
be feasible for gaming establishments, it is desirable that the
odds of achieving a "jackpot" hand are within a predetermined
range. By meeting these requirements, the game will be economically
feasible for the gaming establishment to offer, and will also
provide the opportunity for large jackpot pay out and large winning
opportunities.
[0005] Betting games, and particularly card betting table games do
not have the multi coin advantages of slot machine or video games.
Table card games have existed for a long period of time wherein
cards are dealt to the player by a single dealer and play commences
from that point. Furthermore, the rules and practices for card
dealt table games are well understood and easy to follow. As
previously mentioned, this makes the betting game more attractive,
well accepted and easy to play.
[0006] Video betting games have also increased in popularity due to
their ease of play. These games are set up to mimic a table game
using adaptations of table game rules and cards. Video games are
also attractive to both players and gaming establishments because
they can be played without the need for a dealer. This provides the
players with the opportunity to play the video game in a somewhat
isolated environment at the player's preferred pace. Furthermore,
the use of a video format conveniently provides many additional pay
out for maximum coins bet.
[0007] It has become common practice in gaming establishments to
provide progressive jackpot pay out in connection with electronic
or mechanical gaming devices, such as slot machines, video poker
machines or keno machines. Typically a plurality or "bank" of
machines are electronically interconnected to a common progressive
jackpot meter. As gaming tokens are fed into each machine, the
amount shown on the jackpot meter progresses incrementally until
some lucky player lines up the winning combination, such as three
or four 7's on the same row of a slot machine. In video poker, a
Royal Flush normally wins the jackpot, although in some variations,
a player must achieve a Royal Flush in an exact order, such as
A-K-Q-J-10 from left to right, or in a particular suit, such as
Spades. In video keno, a player typically must match 15 out of 15
numbers to win the progressive jackpot. Such variety is available
to a limited extent on table games through side bets for
accumulated progressive jackpots and the like.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,393,067 enhances the attractiveness and
excitement of live card games in general, and the card game known
as "21" or blackjack in particular. By adding to such games a
progressively increased pay out which is comparable in size to
large jackpots which are now routinely won in casinos when playing
slot machines large numbers of which are combined in a single,
jackpot payoff system. The creation of progressive jackpots with
slot machines is known and relatively easy because of the large
number of such machines that are in operation and the ease with
which these machines can be electronically combined. The
progressive jackpots are generated by accumulating a portion of
each bet placed in each machine on the system and establishing
sufficiently low odds for winning the jackpot that the likelihood
of winning the jackpot on any single game is relatively small. The
electromechanical character of the machines and the absence of an
intervening dealer who participates in each game on the part of the
casino makes it simple and uncomplicated to administer and generate
progressive jackpots, say, in excess of several million
dollars.
[0009] The same is not true for live card games. Such games are
neither mechanically nor electrically played, but require a dealer
who represents the house (casino). This increases the difficulty of
retaining parts of the bets placed during the games and
accumulating them in a jackpot, with high odds against winning it.
In addition, in live card games the dealer must determine when a
player has a jackpot winning hand, which further complicates the
setup, generation and payment of progressive jackpots.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 4,861,041, which is incorporated herein by
reference, discloses a live card game, primarily poker or blackjack
having progressive pay out. This patent includes an accumulation of
a jackpot based on bets placed on a single card game. That is
because no casino could keep track of bets placed on multiple
tables in one place, much less placed on multiple tables in
different gaming establishments within a given locality, be this a
single city or an entire state or country.
[0011] Although the live card game disclosed in the '041 patent is
capable of generating a progressive jackpot, it is necessarily of
modest size for two reasons. First, the number of players that may
participate in the jackpot is limited to the number of players on a
particular table. Secondly, especially for blackjack, the
probability of reaching 21 even with the combination of cards which
has the smallest probability of reaching this number is relatively
high. Consequently, players could win the jackpot in the system
disclosed in the '041 patent frequently so that there is little
time to accumulate more than a modest jackpot.
[0012] As a result, live card games can never match the large size
of jackpots that can be won when playing mechanical or video slot
machines. Live card games are popular as skill or knowledge of the
game improves the players' chances of winning. There is no
opportunity to win large sums of money such as the multi-million
dollar progressive slot jackpots. Casinos participating in systems
including thousands of slot machines that each provides a
percentage of the bets into a common pool pay out for progressive
jackpots.
[0013] Thus, to enhance the attractiveness of live card games and
to provide greater player satisfaction, there remains a need to
modify live card games so that truly large jackpots; e.g. in excess
of $100,000 or $1 million, for example, can be won. An acceptor
particularly adapted for use with an apparatus for providing a
progressive jackpot pay out to a live casino table game, is
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,078,405, incorporated herein and made
a part hereof by reference as a teaching of at least one disclosure
of an acceptor. Coin currency-accepting apparatuses and token
verifying devices are well known commodities in the gaming
business. The acceptor mounts at each player location of a live
casino card gaming table of the type typically used in the play of
Caribbean Stud (.TM.) Poker and "twenty one". Each player may place
an optional bet to participate in a progressive jackpot pay out of
a live casino card game by inserting a gaming token into the
acceptor located at the player's location. Each acceptor includes a
light automatically illuminated by control circuitry to indicate
bet acceptance and player participation in the progressive
jackpot.
[0014] U.S. Pat. No. 5,794,964, incorporated herein and made a part
hereof by reference, describes a method and apparatus for including
a progressive jackpot component in a live casino table game. In
addition to playing a live casino table game, each player makes an
additional bet at the beginning of each hand to make that player
eligible to win all or part of a jackpot. If during the play of the
hand a player is dealt a predetermined arrangement of cards, the
player wins a preselected percentage of the jackpot amount. In
claims 28 and 32 thereof the amount is designated as a fixed fee.
The jackpot may be considered progressive because amounts of the
jackpot not won carry over to the next and following hands.
Apparatus is provided to accept each gaming token bet for the
jackpot component, to increment a jackpot meter displaying the
jackpot amount, to decrement the jackpot meter whenever a winning
hand is paid and to reset the apparatus for the next hand.
[0015] The present invention includes apparatus and method for
enhanced pay out when there has been a maximum level bet made on a
table card game hand. Consequently, the excitement of the card game
is increased; since each player may choose to bet at the maximum
level and to win an enhanced pay out that is more than
proportionally greater than the standard propositions.
[0016] It is a feature of the present invention to enable each
participant to choose to make a maximum level bet and be eligible
to receive enhanced pay out for predetermined winning card
combinations when that participant achieves that predetermined
playing hand.
[0017] It is an advantage of the present invention that when the
maximum level bet is made during typical table card games such as
poker, "twenty one" or the like, the house will recover the added
expense of enhanced pay out from the lost bets made at all
connected tables.
[0018] It is an advantage of the present invention that when the
maximum level bet is bet at typical table card games such as poker,
"twenty one" or the like and that the players will enjoy these
games of skill more and that the amount of play will increase.
[0019] It is a further object of the present invention to provide
apparatus useful and methods of use in providing the enhanced pay
out during casino or card room table games such as poker, "twenty
one" or the like.
[0020] It is a further feature of the present invention to have a
computer electronically interconnected to one or more gaming tables
to monitor betting levels of each player and to record and
automatically activate a display showing each player's
participation and level of bet made.
[0021] It is an advantage of the present invention that the
apparatus makes it easy for each table game card player to place a
maximum level bet.
[0022] In summary, it is always desired to find a game that is easy
to play, fast moving and potentially lucrative for the player and
cost effective for the house. When the player is provided with a
considerable amount of participation and additional winning based
on maximum level betting, table card games of skill become much
more attractive and enjoyable. Also, it is desirable to provide the
players with enhanced winning opportunities, monetarily supported
by the participants placing maximum level betting.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0023] The method of the present invention generally involves a
typical casino or card room game modified to include an enhanced
pay out. During the play of a "twenty one" game, for example, in
addition to a normal bet, a player will have the option of making
an additional bet that becomes part of, and makes the player
eligible to win, the progressive jackpot. If the player's "twenty
one" hand has a particular, predetermined arrangement of cards, the
player will win all, or part of, the amount showing on the
progressive jackpot. This progressive jackpot feature is also
adaptable to any other casino or card room game such as Draw Poker,
Stud Poker, Lo-Ball Poker or Caribbean Stud..TM.. Poker.
[0024] The apparatus used to practice the present invention
comprises a gaming table, such as those used for "twenty one" or
poker, modified with the addition of an acceptor that is
electronically connected to a progressive jackpot meter. When a
player drops a coin into the acceptor, a light is activated at the
player's location indicating that he is participating in the
progressive enhanced pay out of the game during that hand. At the
same time, a signal from the acceptor is sent to the progressive
meter to increment the amount shown on the progressive meter. At
the conclusion of the play of each hand, the acceptor is reset for
the next hand. When a player wins all or part of the progressive
jackpot, the amount showing on the progressive jackpot meter is
reduced by the amount won by the player. Any number of gaming
tables can be connected to a single progressive jackpot meter.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0025] The method of the present invention provides a method of
playing a new betting game having unique winning hands and an
enhanced pay out schedule. Furthermore, the game method of the
present invention provides the further possibility of very large
winning amounts. Lastly, the method of the present invention
provides for a betting game with appropriate winning probabilities
to make the game feasible for gaming establishments to provide the
game to players. If possible, the specifications should describe at
least two embodiments of this invention.
[0026] Alternaively, a player eligible to receive a progressive
jackpot (or some portion thereof) by making a maximum bet might
also receive a pay out from an enhanced pay table wherein the
maximum pay out would be a fixed jackpot paying at least 50 to
1.
[0027] A method of playing a card game at a card game table may
have the steps including providing one or more decks of playing
cards and displaying a pay table having a matrix listing
predetermined hand rankings relative to the pay out for minimum to
maximum level bets and wherein the maximum level bet pays an
enhanced preset amount. To play the game the step of accepting a
bet from each player by the act of each player placing one or more
tokens in a table slot adjacent each player's location at the card
game table is preferably performed. The step of dealing a hand so
each player has at least several cards from the one or more decks
so that each player may receive a predetermined amount based on the
predetermined ranking of the hand that each player holds. Then the
step of increasing the amount by the enhanced preset amount of pay
out according to the pay table for each player that has made a
maximum level bet and holds the card combination of predetermined
ranking is most preferably followed.
[0028] The steps of dealing and the pay table matrix displaying can
be performed during a card game of draw poker. The step of placing
the bets is recorded automatically by each player placing one or
more tokens in the player's respective acceptor and sensing
placement with a sensor associated with each player's respective
acceptor. The steps of dealing and the pay table matrix displaying
may be performed during a card game of stud poker. The step of
automatically recording could be performed by connecting each
sensor of each respective acceptor to a computer programmed for the
steps of comparing and calculating each player's pay out according
to each respective player bet and the pay table matrix listing by
comparison of each hand dealt and the pay table matrix listing of
pay out. The added step of displaying to at least the dealer the
amount bet by each player and the potential calculated pay out for
any possible winning hand of each player could follow. The step of
connecting is preferably performed by transmitting radio frequency
signals between the sensor and the computer. The step of connecting
may be performed by transmitting radio frequency signals between
the sensor and the computer and the step of displaying might be
performed by receiving radio frequency information between the
computer and the display.
[0029] The step of increasing the pay out received by each player
according to the pay table matrix listing of predetermined hand
rankings relative to pay out from minimum to maximum level bets and
the enhanced preset pay out that each winning player may receive is
as follows:
1 One Token Two Tokens Three Tokens Royal Flush 250X 500X 2500X
Straight Flush 50X 100X 500X Four-Of-A-Kind 10X 20X 100X Full House
6X 12X 120X Flush 4X 8X 80X Straight 3X 6X 60X Three-Of-A-Kind 2X
4X 40X Two Pair 1X 2X 20X
[0030] when X is the amount of each player's bet and three coins
are the maximum level bet for the enhanced preset pay out. Although
the enhancement is shown as ten times the pay out for one token
bet, those skilled in the art will appreciate that any multiple can
be used and that any number of tokens can be selected to be the
maximum level bet. Information such as appears above could be
displayed to the players and is usually called the pay table. The
information on the pay table could be included in the computer to
automatically calculate the amount that the winning player
receives.
[0031] A method of playing a betting game which uses standard
playing cards may have the steps of providing one or more decks of
playing cards and posting a pay table having a matrix listing
predetermined hand rankings relative to pay out for minimum to
maximum level bets and wherein the maximum level bet pays an
enhanced preset amount. The method may have each player placing an
initial bet to participate in the game and accepting a second bet
from each player by the act of each player placing one or more
tokens in a table acceptor adjacent each player's location at the
card game table. The step of dealing a hand so each player has at
least several cards from the one or more decks can then be followed
by each player receiving a predetermined pay out amount based on
the predetermined ranking of the hand that each player holds. Then
most preferred method includes increasing the amount of pay out for
each player that has made a maximum level bet by the enhanced
preset amount according to the pay table.
[0032] The step of each player placing the initial bet might be
performed by inserting a token into the respective player's
acceptor. The step of displaying the predetermined ranking of cards
can include a plurality of poker hands. The method may require that
prior to the step of awarding the preset amount, the player selects
which cards in the hand to keep and those cards to discard.
Thereafter the step of dealing replacement cards to replace the
discarded cards may follow.
[0033] In an apparatus for including an enhanced pay out as an
additional feature in a live casino table card game, there may be a
gaming table having a plurality of player locations whereat a
player receives playing cards from a dealer. The gaming table most
preferably having a posted pay table matrix listing of pay out for
maximum level or number of tokens bet and an acceptor associated
with each player location for accepting token bets by which a
player may make bets and also participate in the enhanced pay out
from the live casino table card game. The acceptor could be coupled
to a counter for registering the maximum level or number of tokens
bet. A sensor is preferred to be within each acceptor for signaling
upon the event of each token bet. The live casino card gaming table
may be electronically connected to a computer including the pay
table matrix listing therein so the computer can compare and
calculate each player's pay out according to each respective
player's bet when compared to the hand dealt and the pay table
matrix listing of pay out.
[0034] The counter could be connected within the computer for
counting bets placed by each player in the acceptors and for
determining the eligibility of each player for the enhanced pay out
resulting from maximum tokens bet. The live casino table game might
be poker and the pay table matrix listing of pay out has the
ranking of winning hands for enhanced pay out when maximum level of
betting has been made by the player. The live casino table card
game can be stud poker and the pay table lists a royal flush as the
winning hand for the enhanced pay out with maximum tokens bet by
the player. A light is preferably associated with each playing
location to indicate when the maximum bet has been placed in the
acceptor by a player to participate in the enhanced pay out. A
dealer activated lockout for preventing players from participating
in the enhanced pay out jackpot by betting after cards are dealt. A
reset may be included for reinitiating the apparatus at the end of
each hand of the live casino table card game upon activation of the
reset by the dealer. A card deck shoe for delivery of cards to be
dealt by the dealer and a reader in the shoe for monitoring card
hands dealt therefrom could be used when the reader connects to the
computer for indicating each players hand and for computing the pay
out consistent with the pay table and maximum level or number of
tokens placed in the respective acceptor by each player.
[0035] Means for showing the amount of each player's bet and that
player's eligibility to win the enhanced pay out when dealt a
predetermined winning combination of cards may be provided. The
live casino table card game can be "twenty one" and the enhanced
pay out is preferably obtained with a two-card combination totaling
twenty-one. The live casino table card game may be draw poker and
the pay table matrix listing shows that the winning combination of
cards for the enhanced pay out includes a royal flush.
[0036] A table for playing a live casino card game having an
enhanced pay out as an additional feature with the bet to
participate in the enhanced pay out is optional and in addition to
bets for the card game, the table may have an acceptor operatively
associated with the table and operative to recognize and signal
placement of gaming tokens at each player location of the table and
for participation in the enhanced pay out. An indicator can
illuminate when the number of gaming tokens has been recognized by
the acceptor for participation in the enhanced pay out. A sensor
operatively connected to read the presence of gaming tokens may be
in the acceptor. A counter electronically interconnected to the
acceptor and operative to count gaming tokens recognized by the
acceptor of each player. The pay table matrix listing can afford an
enhanced pay out including a progressive jackpot or portion thereof
attainable with maximum level bets.
[0037] The jackpot may include alternatively preselected, fixed fee
jackpot pay out amounts. A computer can electronically be
interconnected with the acceptor and operative to control and
register the occurrence or recognition of the placement of gaming
tokens in the acceptor. A manually operable lock out switch might
be operatively connected to deactivate the acceptor such that the
computer does not register the occurrence or recognition of the
placement of a gaming token by the acceptor.
[0038] A table for playing a live casino card game has an enhanced
pay out as an additional feature having the bet to participate in
the enhanced pay out is optional and separate from bets for the
card game. An acceptor operatively associated with the table and
operative to recognize the placement of gaming tokens for
participation in the enhanced pay out and a counter electronically
interconnected to the acceptor and adapted to count gaming tokens
bet through the acceptor. A computer could be electronically
interconnected with the acceptor and operative to register and
control the occurrence or recognition of the placement of gaming
tokens in the acceptor so a manually operable lock out switch
operatively connected deactivates the acceptor such that the
computer does not register the occurrence of the placement of
gaming tokens. A pay table might have a matrix listing the enhanced
pay out jackpot preferably including a preselected, fixed fee
jackpot pay out amount for maximum level betting. A counter
electronically interconnects, in the preferred embodiment, to the
acceptor and operative to count gaming tokens recognized by the
acceptor and registered by the computer.
[0039] In a live casino card gaming table having an enhanced pay
out as an additional feature and with the bet to participate in the
enhanced pay out is optional and separate from bets for the card
game, the table preferably has at least one electronic acceptor
operatively associated with the table and operative to recognize
placement of maximum level of gaming tokens as a bet for
participation in the enhanced pay out. In a live casino card gaming
table having an enhanced pay out as an additional feature and with
the bet to participate in the enhanced pay out is optional and
separate from bets for the card game, the table may include a
plurality of player locations at which players receive cards from a
dealer to play the card game; and a plurality of electronic
acceptors. Each of the acceptors is preferably and operatively
associated with a corresponding one of the player locations and is
operative to recognize placement of maximum level of gaming tokens
as a bet for participation in the enhanced pay out.
[0040] In a live casino card gaming table having an enhanced pay
out as an additional feature with the bet to participate in the
enhanced pay out optional and separate from bets for the card game,
the table may have a plurality of player locations at which a
player receives playing cards from a dealer and a jackpot control
might include a plurality of buttons adapted for manual activation
by the dealer. The buttons corresponding to a plurality of
predetermined winning arrangements of the playing cards achieved by
a player for winning a progressive jackpot payoff amount or portion
thereof in accordance with a predetermined payoff table. The payoff
table may include the jackpot or portion thereof as the enhanced
pay out for at least one type of achieved player hands or card
combinations when a bet has been made to the maximum level.
[0041] In a live casino card game table, the table having a
plurality of player locations at which a player receives playing
cards from a dealer to play the live casino table card game there
may be a plurality of sensors. Each sensor associated with a
corresponding one of the player locations, for sensing placement of
gaming tokens bet by a player and a plurality of light indicators,
each indicator associated with a corresponding one of the player
locations, can visually indicate that a player has bet gaming
tokens. A counter is preferably connected with the sensors for
counting tokens bet by each player. A light indicator for visually
could indicate that a player has bet gaming tokens necessary to
participate in the enhanced pay out.
[0042] An acceptor for receiving one or more tokens may be
positioned in the table and located accessible to players for
deposit of tokens therein. A computer could be operatively
connected to the acceptor. A sensor within the acceptor for sensing
placement and acceptance of the one or more tokens into the
acceptor and for signaling the computer so a counter within the
computer can count the number of signaled accepted tokens. A visual
display operatively connected to the computer and operative may
pursuant to control instructions from the computer display visually
the maximum level or number of tokens placed and accepted in the
acceptor. The visual display might have a plurality of light
sources disposed in a predetermined pattern or simultaneous
flashing of the light sources or sequential flashing of the light
sources. The acceptor can be on the table gaming apparatus
including cards so the acceptor detects bets and has a slot
dimensioned for insertion of the one or more tokens in the form of
coins or a receptacle dimensioned for receipt of the one or more
tokens and the sensor detects each token placed in the
receptacle.
[0043] The table most preferably includes one or more acceptors for
receiving one or more tokens with each acceptor positioned in the
table and located accessible to a player for deposit of tokens
therein. A computer operatively connected to the acceptors, a
sensor within the acceptor for sensing tokens bet and for
acceptance of each token as a bet into the acceptor, a counter
within the computer and connected to each sensor are most
preferred. The counter for recording the maximum level or number of
tokens bet and accepted and a visual display operatively connected
to the computer and operative, pursuant to control instructions
from the computer can display a visual state corresponding to the
number of tokens bet in each acceptor. One of the acceptors might
be disposed at each player location of the card gaming table and
operatively connected to display the visual state of at least the
maximum level of tokens bet to win an enhanced pay out and to allow
multi player participation in the enhanced pay out wherever each
player bets the maximum level of tokens in their respective
acceptor. A plurality of light sources disposed in a predetermined
pattern to show maximum level bets by simultaneous or sequential
flashing of the light sources.
[0044] A method of indicating the condition of an acceptor of a
card game table for one or more players may have the steps of
providing an acceptor dimensioned to receive one or more tokens
from one or more players. The acceptor associated preferably with
the card game table and has respective token receiving receptacles
for each of the one or more players. The step of providing a
computer operatively connected to the acceptor is preferred. The
step of providing a sensor within the acceptor for sensing bets by
acceptance of one or more tokens into the acceptor is followed.
Providing a counter within the computer for counting the number of
bet and accepted tokens is a preferred step of the method. The
method may have the steps of providing a visual display operatively
connected to the computer and displaying on the visual display
pursuant to control instructions from the computer the number of
tokens bet by each player and registering any maximum level betting
for enhanced pay out. The method step of providing the visual
display might be by the step of providing a plurality of light
sources with simultaneously or sequentially flashing the light
sources. The method wherein the step of displaying can be by the
step of showing which of the one or more players has bet the
maximum level of tokens.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0045] FIG. 1 is a perspective of an apparatus of the present
invention including a casino gaming table with acceptors at each
playing location for electronically connecting to a progressive
jackpot meter.
[0046] FIG. 2 shows a schematic side cross section of one acceptor
of one player location and the connections that acceptor with the
display, counter and computer for the casino gaming table.
[0047] FIG. 3 shows a flow chart of one method of the present
invention.
[0048] FIG. 4 shows a flow chart of another method of the present
invention.
[0049] FIG. 5 shows a flow chart of a further method of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0050] In FIG. 1 there is an apparatus for including an enhanced
pay out as an additional feature in a live casino table card game.
The apparatus has a gaming table 10 having a plurality of player
locations 11 whereat each player receives playing cards from a
dealer. The gaming table 10 has a display 12 with a posted pay
table matrix listing 13 of pay out for number of tokens bet for
card combinations received as best depicted in FIG. 1. An acceptor
14 associated with each player location 11 for accepting token bets
by which a player may make bets and also participate in the
enhanced pay out from the live casino table card game. Each
acceptor 14 may be of the type described in the prior patents noted
and included by reference in the background. Any coin, token or
currency validating device known to skilled artisans would also be
acceptable for use in the present invention. Acceptor 14 includes a
sensor 14' that validates the bet by token authentication. Sensor
14' couples to a counter 15 for counting tokens bet to enable the
registering of the maximum level of tokens bet for winning the
enhanced pay out.
[0051] The apparatus has the sensor 14' within each acceptor 14 for
signaling the counter 15 upon the event of each token bet. The
counter 15 signals the fulfillment of the maximum level of tokens
bet by each player. The live casino card gaming table 10 counter 15
electronically connects to a computer 16 that has the pay table
matrix listing 13 therein. The computer 16 for compares and
calculates each player's pay out according to each respective
player's bet by comparing each the hand dealt with the pay table
matrix listing 13 of pay out. The counter 15 connects to or may be
within the computer 16 for counting bets placed by each player in
each respective acceptor 14. The counter 15 and the computer 16
determine the eligibility of each player to receive the enhanced
pay out resulting when maximum tokens were bet and winning card
combinations were received. When the live casino table 10 game is
for poker, the pay table matrix listing 13 of the pay out includes
the ranking according to card combinations of winning hands for
poker. Enhanced pay out is received only when the maximum level of
betting has been made by the player. If the card game is stud
poker, the pay table may list a royal flush as the winning hand for
the enhanced pay out with maximum tokens bet by the player.
[0052] A light 17 is associated with each playing location 11 to
indicate when the maximum level bet has been placed in any one or
more player's acceptor 14 for eligibility to participate in the
enhanced pay out. A dealer lockout 18 is connected to the computer
16 and disconnects the acceptors 14 to prevent players from
participating in the enhanced pay out jackpot by betting after
cards are dealt. A reset 19 reinitiates the lockout at the end of
each hand of the live casino table 10-card game. The activation of
the reset 19 may be automatic or by the dealer, see FIGS. 1 and 2.
A card deck shoe 20 may be used for delivery of cards dealt by the
dealer. A reader 21 is positioned in the shoe 20 to monitor card
hands dealt therefrom and the relative location of the reader 21 is
best shown in FIG. 2. The reader 21 connects to the computer 16 for
indicating automatically each player's hand and for computing the
pay out consistent with the pay table and maximum level or number
of tokens placed in the respective acceptor 14 by each player.
[0053] The game table 10 has counter 15 and display 12 coupled to
the computer 16; the display 12 shows the amount of each player's
bet and that player's eligibility to win the enhanced pay out when
dealt a predetermined winning card combination after betting the
maximum level of tokens. Should the live casino table 10 card game
be "twenty one", the enhanced pay out is obtained with a maximum
level bet and a two card combination totaling twenty one. If the
live casino table 10 card game is draw poker and the pay table
matrix listing 13 shows that the winning combination of cards for
the enhanced pay out with a maximum level bet is a royal flush.
[0054] A table 10 for playing a live casino card game has an
enhanced pay out as an additional feature whenever a maximum level
bet to participate in the enhanced pay out is optionally made in
addition to bets for the card game. Acceptor 14 is accessible to
each player and is on the table 10 and operative to recognize and
signal maximum placement of gaming tokens at each player location
11 the table 10 for participation in the enhanced pay out. Light 17
illuminates when the maximum level of gaming tokens have been
recognized by the acceptor 14 for participation in the enhanced pay
out. The dealer is thus notified that an enhanced pay out must be
made when there is a winning combinations of cards in the player's
hand.
[0055] The acceptor 14 includes sensor 14' operatively connected to
read the presence of gaming tokens and sensor 14' couples to
indicator light 17. Counter 15 electronically interconnects to each
sensor 14' and is operative to count gaming tokens received by the
acceptor 14 from each player. Pay table matrix listing 13 affords
an enhanced pay out including but not limited to a progressive
jackpot or portion thereof attainable with maximum level bets. The
jackpot includes preselected, fixed fee jackpot pay out amounts of
enhanced amounts for maximum level betting. Computer 16
electronically interconnects with the acceptor 14, the sensor 14'
and the counter 15 is operative to control and register the
occurrence or recognition of the placement of the maximum level of
gaming tokens in the acceptor 14 for each player location 11. A
dealer operable lock out 18 switches to deactivate the acceptor 14
after the cards are dealt so the computer 16 can not register the
occurrence or recognition of the placement of a gaming token by the
acceptor 14. Enhanced pay out is an additional feature as the bet
to participate in the enhanced pay out is optional and separate
from bets for the card game. Acceptor 14 operatively associated
with the table is used to recognize the placement of the maximum
level of gaming tokens for enhanced pay out. Counter 15
electronically interconnects to sensor 14' and is adapted to count
gaming tokens bet through the acceptor 14.
[0056] Table 10 for playing a live casino card game has enhanced
pay out as an additional feature when the bet to participate in the
enhanced pay out is optional and separate from bets for the card
game. Each acceptor 14 operatively associated with the table
recognizes the placement of the maximum level of gaming tokens by
each player as required for participation in the enhanced pay out.
Computer 16 electronically interconnects with each acceptor 14 and
operates to register and control the recognition of the placement
of the maximum level of gaming tokens in each acceptor 14 of each
player. Dealer operable lock out 18 switches to deactivate
acceptors 14 after the cards are dealt so the computer 16 can not
register the placement of gaming tokens. The pay table has a matrix
listing 13 of the enhanced pay out jackpot including a preselected,
fixed fee enhanced jackpot pay out amount for maximum level
betting. The enhanced jackpot pay out may be a progressive tied
into other tables which have the maximum level bet apparatus and
method disclosed. Counter 15 electronically interconnects to the
acceptor 14 and operates to count gaming tokens recognized by the
acceptor 14 and registered by the computer 16 as shown in FIGS. 1
and 2.
[0057] A live casino card gaming table 10 has enhanced pay out as
an additional feature when the bet to participate in the enhanced
pay out is optional and separate from bets for the card game. The
table 10 has at least one electronic acceptor 14 operatively
associated with the pay table and operative to recognize placement
of maximum level of gaming tokens as a bet for participation in the
enhanced pay out. The table 10 includes a plurality of player
locations 11 at which players receive cards from a dealer to play
the card game and a plurality of electronic acceptors 14. Each of
the acceptors 14 operatively associates with a corresponding one of
the player locations 11 and recognizes placement of maximum level
of gaming tokens as a bet for participation in the enhanced pay
out. The table 10 has a plurality of player locations 11 at which a
player receives playing cards from a dealer. A jackpot control 22
including a plurality of buttons 23, 24, 25, 26 and 27 adapted for
manual activation by the dealer. The buttons 23, 24, 25, 26 and 27
correspond to a plurality of predetermined winning arrangements of
the playing cards that may be attained by a player for winning. An
enhanced jackpot payoff amount in accordance with a predetermined
payoff table includes enhanced pay out for at least one type of
achieved player hands or card combination when a bet has been made
to the maximum level. A plurality of sensor 14' positioned with one
sensor 14' at each of the corresponding player locations 11 senses
placement of gaming tokens bet by a player. A plurality of lights
17 each indicate at a corresponding one of the player locations 11
that player has bet the maximum level of gaming tokens. Counter 15
connects with each sensor 14' for counting tokens bet by each
player. Each light 17 visually indicates that a player has bet the
maximum level of gaming tokens necessary to participate in the
enhanced pay out. Counter 15 connects with the sensor 14' for
counting the tokens bet by the player to participate by the maximum
level bet in the enhanced pay out.
[0058] Table 10 includes a visual display 12 and each acceptor 14
has a slot 28. The slot 28 receives one or more tokens and each
slot 28 is positioned in the table 10 and located accessible to
each player location 11. Each slot 28 is for deposit of tokens
therein. Computer 16 operatively connects to each acceptor 14.
Sensor 14' within each acceptor 14 senses placement and acceptance
of the one or more tokens into that acceptor 14 and signals the
computer 16 when at least the maximum level of tokens have been
bet. Counter 15 may be within the computer 16 and counter 15 counts
the number of signaled accepted tokens. Visual display 12
operatively connects to the computer 16 and operates pursuant to
control instructions from the computer 16 to display 12 visually
the maximum level or number of tokens placed each slot 28 and
accepted in each acceptor 14.
[0059] The visual display 12 has a plurality of light sources 29
disposed in a predetermined pattern. The visual display 12 for
maximum tokens accepted can correspond to simultaneous flashing of
the light sources 29. The visual display 12 for maximum tokens
accepted could correspond to sequential flashing of the light
sources 29. The acceptor 14 is on a gaming apparatus including
cards. The acceptor 14 detects bets and includes he slot 28
dimensioned for insertion of the one or more tokens in the form of
coins. Each slot 28 includes in an embodiment a receptacle 30
dimensioned for receipt of the one or more tokens and the sensor
14' detects each token placed in the receptacle 30.
[0060] Table 10 is a gambling device having one or more acceptors
14 for receiving one or more tokens and each acceptor 14 is
positioned in table 10 and located accessible to a player for
deposit of tokens therein. Computer 16 operatively connects to the
acceptors 14 via sensor 14' within acceptor 14 to sense tokens bet.
Sensor 14' accepts each token as a bet deposited into each acceptor
14. Counter 15 within the computer 16 connects to each sensor 14'
and counter 15 records the maximum level or number of tokens bet
and accepted. Visual display 12 operatively connects to the
computer 16 and operates pursuant to control instructions from the
computer 16 to display 12 at least a visual state corresponding to
the maximum level of tokens bet in each acceptor 14. A pay table
matrix listing 13 includes the card combination necessary to win
enhanced pay out with maximum level betting. One acceptor 14 is
disposed at each player location 11 of the card gaming table 10.
Each acceptor 14 operatively connects to display the visual state
of at least the maximum level of tokens bet to win enhanced pay out
and to allow multi player participation in the enhanced pay out
wherever one or more players bet the maximum level of tokens in
their respective acceptor 14. The visual display 12 has a plurality
of light sources 29 disposed in a predetermined pattern to show
maximum level bets by simultaneous or sequential flashing of the
light sources 29.
[0061] Also included are several methods of practicing the
invention as shown in the flow charts of FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 and as
described hereinafter in this specification. One method of playing
a card game at a card game table 10 has the steps of:
[0062] providing one or more decks of playing cards;
[0063] displaying pay table matrix listing 13 of predetermined hand
ranking card combinations relative to the pay out for minimum to
maximum level bets and wherein the maximum level bet pays an
enhanced amount;
[0064] accepting a bet from each player by the act of each player
placing one or more tokens in acceptor 14 of table 10 adjacent each
player's location 11;
[0065] dealing a hand so each player has at least several cards
from the one or more decks;
[0066] each player receiving a predetermined pay out amount based
on the predetermined ranking of the hand that each player holds,
and
[0067] increasing the amount by the enhanced preset amount of pay
out according to the pay table matrix listing 13 for each player
that has made a maximum level bet and holds a card combination of
predetermined ranking.
[0068] The method wherein the steps of dealing and the pay table
matrix listing 13 are performed during a card game of draw poker
and the card combinations are ranked accordingly. The method
includes the step of placing the bets includes the step of
recording automatically in computer 16 when each player places one
or more tokens in the player's respective acceptor 14 and sensing
placement with sensor 14' associated with each player's respective
acceptor 14. The method has the step of dealing performed during a
card game of stud poker and the card combinations are ranked
accordingly. The step of automatically recording is performed by
connecting each sensor 14' of each respective acceptor 14 to
computer 16 that is programmed for the steps of comparing and
calculating each player's pay out according to each respective
player bet and the pay table matrix listing 13. The added step of
displaying to at least the dealer the amount bet by each player and
the potential calculated pay out for any possible winning hand of
each player.
[0069] The step of connecting is performed by transmitting radio
frequency signals 31 between the sensor 14' and the computer 16 as
schematically shown in FIG. 2. The step of connecting is performed
by transmitting radio frequency signals 31 between the sensor 14'
and the computer 16 and the step of displaying is performed by
sending radio frequency information 32 between the computer 16 and
the display 12 at 33 as shown in FIG. 2. While radio frequency is
mentioned, any transmission and even hard wiring are within the
skill of ordinary technicians in the electronics field. Disclosure
of techniques and equipment for transmission and receipt of
electromagnetic signals including radio frequencies is disclosed
for another use in pending application U.S. Ser. No. 09/249,453,
entitled: GAME TABLE PLAYER COMP RATING SYSTEM AND METHOD THEREFOR
which is incorporated herein by reference and made a part
hereof.
[0070] The step of increasing the pay out received by each player
according to the pay table matrix listing 13 of predetermined hand
rankings relative to pay out from minimum to maximum level bets and
the enhanced preset pay out that each winning player may receive is
in one embodiment for poker, as follows:
2 One Token Two Tokens Three Tokens Royal Flush 250X 500X 2500X
Straight Flush 50X 100X 500X Four-Of-A-Kind 10X 20X 100X Full House
6X 12X 120X Flush 4X 8X 80X Straight 3X 6X 60X Three-Of-A-Kind 2X
4X 40X Two Pair 1X 2X 20X
[0071] and when X is the amount of each player's bet and three
tokens are the maximum level bet for the enhanced preset pay out.
Although the enhancement is shown as ten times the pay out received
for one token bet, those skilled in the art will appreciate that
any multiple can be used and that any number of tokens can be
selected to be the maximum level bet. Information such as appears
above would be displayed to the players and is designated herein
the pay table matrix listing 13. The information on the pay table
matrix listing 13 could be included in the computer 16 to
automatically calculate the amount that each winning player
receives. Light sources 29 could be coupled to the computer 16 to
automatically display the enhanced pay out and would increase the
excitement of the game.
[0072] A method of playing a betting game that uses standard
playing cards has the steps of:
[0073] providing one or more decks of playing cards;
[0074] posting a pay table matrix listing 13 with predetermined
hand rankings relative to pay out for minimum to maximum level bets
and wherein the maximum level bet pays an enhanced preset
amount;
[0075] each player placing an initial bet to participate in the
game;
[0076] accepting a second bet from each player by the act of each
player placing one or more tokens in a table 10 acceptor 14
adjacent each player's location 11 at the card game table 10;
[0077] dealing a hand so each player has at least several cards
from the one or more decks;
[0078] each player receiving a predetermined pay out amount based
on the predetermined ranking of the hand that each player holds,
and increasing the amount of pay out for each player that has made
a maximum level bet for the enhanced preset amount according to the
pay table matrix listing 13.
[0079] The step of each player placing the initial bet is performed
by inserting a token into the respective player's acceptor 14. The
step of displaying the predetermined ranking of cards includes
listing a plurality of poker hands. The method wherein prior to the
step of awarding the preset amount, the method further includes the
steps of:
[0080] the player selecting cards in the hand to keep and cards to
discard, and
[0081] dealing replacement cards to replace the discarded
cards.
[0082] A method of indicating the condition of acceptor 14 of card
game table 10 for one or more players, has the steps of:
[0083] providing acceptor 14 dimensioned to receive one or more
tokens from one or more players, acceptor 14 associated with card
game table 10 and having respective token receiving receptacles 30
for each of the one or more players;
[0084] providing computer 16 operatively connected to acceptor
14;
[0085] providing sensor 14' within acceptor 14 for sensing bets by
acceptance of one or more tokens into acceptor 14;
[0086] providing counter 15 within computer 16 for counting the
number of bet and accepted tokens;
[0087] providing visual display 12 operatively connected to
computer 16; and
[0088] displaying on visual display 12 pursuant to control
instructions from computer 16 the maximum level or number of tokens
bet by each player, and registering any maximum level betting for
enhanced pay out.
[0089] The method with the step of providing the visual display 12
includes the step of providing a plurality of light sources 29. The
step of displaying the visual display 12 includes the step of
simultaneously or sequentially flashing the light sources 29. The
step of displaying includes the step of showing which of the one or
more players has bet the maximum level of tokens.
[0090] It should be understood that the above described methods and
apparatuses could be altered in numerous ways without departing
from the principles of the invention. All modifications coming
within the scope and spirit of the following claims are to be
protected.
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