U.S. patent application number 10/073580 was filed with the patent office on 2003-08-14 for table and method of playing a baccarat-type card game.
Invention is credited to Lee, James C..
Application Number | 20030151199 10/073580 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 22114552 |
Filed Date | 2003-08-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030151199 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lee, James C. |
August 14, 2003 |
Table and method of playing a baccarat-type card game
Abstract
A table and method of playing a baccarat-type card game that
provides players with the opportunity to play a simpler version of
baccarat that is both easier to understand and capable of being
played by more players. The method of playing a baccarat-type card
game comprises dealing 3 cards to both a house hand and a player
hand, with the winning hand having a hand value closest to nine
based on the traditional baccarat scoring system, but without all
of the complex baccarat rules for determining if and when a third
card is to be dealt.
Inventors: |
Lee, James C.; (Las Vegas,
NV) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WEISS & MOY PC
4204 NORTH BROWN AVENUE
SCOTTSDALE
AZ
85251
US
|
Family ID: |
22114552 |
Appl. No.: |
10/073580 |
Filed: |
February 12, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
273/292 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F 3/00157 20130101;
A63F 2001/001 20130101; A63F 2001/005 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
273/292 |
International
Class: |
A63F 001/00 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A method of playing a baccarat-type card game comprising, in
combination, the steps of: dealing a player hand having three
cards; dealing a house hand having three cards; determining a hand
value of said player hand, wherein Ace through Nine cards have
respective point values of 1 to 9 and wherein 10's and Jacks and
Queens and Kings have a point value of zero, wherein a hand value
of said player hand is equal to a total point value of said three
cards of said player hand when said three cards have a total point
value less than 10 and when said three cards of said player hand
have a total point value of at least 10 then the first digit of
said total point value is ignored when determining a hand value of
said player hand; determining a hand value of said house hand,
wherein Ace through 9 cards have respective point values of 1 to 9
and wherein 10's and Jacks and Queens and Kings have a point value
of zero, wherein a hand value of said house hand is equal to a
total point value of said three cards of said house hand when said
three cards have a total point value less than 10 and when said
three cards of said house hand have a total point value of at least
10 then the first digit of said total point value is ignored when
determining a hand value of said house hand; and comparing said
hand value of said player hand with said hand value of said house
hand wherein the hand with a hand value closest to 9 is a winning
hand.
2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of: at least
one player wagering a wager on one of said player hand and said
house hand; and paying said at least one player an amount equal to
said wager when said player wagers on a hand subsequently
determined to be a winning hand.
3. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of: at least
one player wagering a wager on one of said player hand and said
house hand; dealing an additional card when said player hand and
said house hand are subsequently determined to have an equal hand
value; and paying said at least one player an amount equal to said
wager when said additional card is one of 8, 9, 10, Jack, Queen,
and King, said at least one player pays a dealer an amount equal to
said wager when said additional card is one of A, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and
7.
4. The method of claim 3 further comprising the step of offering
said at least one player an option to receive half of said wager
instead of receiving said additional card when said player hand and
said house hand are subsequently determined to have an equal hand
value.
5. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of; a player
wagering a wager that said player hand will have a hand value equal
to said house hand; paying said player a multiple of said wager
when said player hand and said house hand are subsequently
determined to have an equal hand value; a player paying a dealer an
amount equal to said wager when said player hand and said house
hand are subsequently determined to have an unequal hand value.
6. A baccarat-type card game table comprising, in combination: a
table having a house hand area dimensioned to receive three playing
cards and a player hand area dimensioned to receive three playing
cards; a plurality of individual betting locations located
proximate an outer perimeter of said table, each of said individual
betting locations has a house hand wagering area designated for
wagering on a house hand and a player hand wagering area designated
for wagering on a player hand; and a tie betting area located
proximate said plurality of individual betting locations, said tie
betting area is designated for wagering that said house hand and
said player hand will subsequently be determined to have an equal
hand value.
7. The baccarat-type card game table of claim 5 comprising 9
individual betting locations.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates generally to card games and tables
and methods therefor and, more particularly, to a table and method
of playing a baccarat-type card game that provides players with the
opportunity to play a simpler version of baccarat that is both
easier to understand and capable of being played by more
players.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The game baccarat is a popular card game at many casinos.
Although usually found in a roped off area to attract high rollers,
baccarat is played by many gamblers. The object of the game is to
receive a hand value closest to 9. An Ace has a point value of 1
and cards 2 through 9 have point values equal to their face values
(e.g. 3 of Spades has a point value of 3). 10s, Jacks, Queens and
Kings have a point value of zero. Thus, if the first two cards
dealt are a Jack and a 6, the total point value of the hand is 6.
When the combination of cards creates a point total of 10 or more,
the first digit is ignored. For example, a 4 and a 7 have a point
value of 1 (not 11). Therefore, the highest point total that it is
possible to achieve is a 9. Between the dealer's hand and the
player's hand, the hand value closest to 9 is the winning hand.
[0003] In baccarat, two cards are first dealt to a player's hand
and two cards are first dealt to a dealer's, or banker's, or house
hand. A two-card point total of 9 is called a "natural" and this
hand cannot lose. A two-card point total of 8 is also called a
"natural" and this is the second-best hand. In the event of a tie
between the player's hand and the dealer's hand neither the
dealer's hand nor the player's hand wins. Although, it is possible
for the player to wager that a tie would occur, in which case the
player is paid a multiple of his or her wager, usually the payer is
paid at a rate of 8 to 1. If the player or dealer receive a
two-card point total of 7, no further cards are received. No more
than a total of 3 cards can be received, including the original two
cards dealt.
[0004] When two-card point totals are 6 or less a very complex set
of rules govern when the banker or player must draw an additional
card. One of the dealers, known as the caller, determines the need
for additional cards, which are dealt automatically and without
direction or consent from the player. This method of play can be
confusing, when one is not completely familiar with all of the
rules governing card disbursement. The rules are often hard to pick
up, causing many players to avoid the game of baccarat
altogether.
[0005] It is also possible for the player to wager that the
banker's hand (and not the player's hand) will win, although a
successful wager on the banker's hand results in a 5% commission on
the wager, paid to the casino. Since it is cumbersome to collect
this sum each time a successful wager on the banker's hand is made,
an additional dealer keeps track of what the player owes, and all
debts are paid to the dealer once 8 decks of cards (known as the
shoe) have been dealt. This method can create the feeling that one
must pay the casino to win, a notion which can create some
animosity and resentment when playing the game of baccarat. The 5%
commission is also an additional calculation that must be taken
into account by a gambler when determining his or her winnings. In
the game of baccarat, the shoe is passed from player to player.
When the player has the shoe, he or she must bet on the banker's
hand, with the ensuing commission to be paid for a winning
wager.
[0006] The game of baccarat can therefore create difficulties in
determining the amount of winnings, and therefore the amount of
money to wager, and the complex set of rules also makes the game of
baccarat hard to follow.
[0007] The game of mini-baccarat has been developed to try and
introduce the game of baccarat to more gamblers. The passing of the
shoe and other customs of the traditional game of baccarat have
been eliminated, but mini-baccarat follows the same rules of play
as regular baccarat. For the most part, therefore, mini-baccarat
retains the same shortcomings of regular baccarat. Mainly, the game
of mini-baccarat was introduced as a way to place the smaller
tables of mini-baccarat amongst the black-jack tables where there
is more pedestrian traffic, and consequently, more likelihood of
attracting gamblers.
[0008] As with virtually every game in a casino, the more players
capable of playing the game, the more money a casino can make.
Additionally, it is often the case that more players means more fun
for the players, as a more social atmosphere is created by a larger
group of people. However, both baccarat and mini-baccarat tables
are only capable of seating six players.
[0009] A need therefore existed for providing a new, simpler table
and method of playing a baccarat-type card game, without all of the
complex rules regarding when a third card is received with no 5%
commission for successfully wagering on a banker's hand, and with
the possibility of playing with additional players.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] An object of the present invention is to provide a new
method of playing a baccarat-type card game in which both a house
hand and a player hand receives three cards, and following the
baccarat rules of determining hand values, the hand with a hand
value closest to nine wins.
[0011] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
baccarat-type card game table capable of allowing more than 6
players to wager on either a house hand, a player hand, or on a tie
between the house hand and the player hand.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0012] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention,
a method or playing a baccarat-type card game is disclosed
comprising, in combination, the steps of dealing a player hand
having three cards, dealing a house hand having three cards,
determining a hand value of the player hand, wherein Ace through
Nine cards have respective point values of 1 to 9 and wherein 10's
and Jacks and Queens and Kings have a point value of zero, wherein
a hand value of the player hand is equal to a total point value of
the three cards of the player hand when the three cards have a
total point value less than 10 and when the three cards of the
player hand have a total point value of at least 10 then the first
digit of the total point value is ignored when determining a hand
value of the player hand, determining a hand value of the house
hand, wherein Ace through Nine cards have respective point values
of 1 to 9 and wherein 10's and Jacks and Queens and Kings have a
point value of zero, wherein a hand value of the house hand is
equal to a total point value of the three cards of the house hand
when the three cards have a total point value less than 10 and when
the three cards of the house hand have a total point value of at
least 10 then the first digit of the total point value is ignored
when determining a hand value of the house hand, and comparing the
hand value of the player hand with the hand value of the house hand
wherein the hand with a hand value closest to 9 is a winning
hand.
[0013] In accordance with another embodiment of the present
invention, a baccarat-type card game table is disclosed comprising,
in combination, a table having a house hand area dimensioned to
receive three playing cards and a player hand area dimensioned to
receive three playing cards, a plurality or individual betting
locations located proximate an outer perimeter of the table, each
of the individual betting locations has a house hand wagering area
designated for wagering on a house hand and a player hand wagering
area designated for wagering on a player hand, and a tie betting
area located proximate the plurality of individual betting
locations, the tie betting area is designated for wagering that the
house hand and the player hand will subsequently be determined to
have an equal hand value.
[0014] The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of
the invention will be apparent from the following, more particular
description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, as
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 is a top view of the preferred embodiment of the
baccarat-type card game table of the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 2 is a top view of the player hand wagering area and
the house hand wagering area in the individual betting locations of
the baccarat-type card game table of FIG. 1.
[0017] FIG. 3a is a top view of two example hands which illustrate
the scoring system of the baccarat-type card game of the present
invention, the Jack, A and 5 have a total point value of 6 and the
5, 4 and King have a total point value of 9.
[0018] FIG. 3b is a top view of the 13 differently ranked playing
cards in a 52-card deck, showing their respective point value in
the baccarat-type card game of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0019] The present invention includes both a method of playing a
baccarat-type card game and a table therefor. Referring to FIG. 3b,
the 13 differently ranked playing cards in a 52-card deck are shown
with their respective point value in the baccarat-type card game of
the present invention.
[0020] Referring now to FIG. 1, the first step in the method of
playing the baccarat-type card game is dealing a player hand 12
having three cards 14. The next step is dealing a house hand 16
also having three cards 14.
[0021] Referring now to FIGS. 3a-3b, the Ace through Nine cards
have respective point values of 1 to 9, and 10's, Jacks, Queens and
Kings have a point value of zero. The next step of the method of
playing a baccarat-type card game is determining a hand value of
the player hand 12. This is done by adding up the individual point
values of all three cards 14 based on the point system discussed
above. When the total point value of the three cards 14 of the
player hand 12 is less than ten, then the hand value is equal to
the total point value. In FIG. 3a, or example, the top hand of
Jack, A and 5 has a total point value of 6 and the bottom hand of
5, 4 and King has a total point value of 9. Since these numbers are
less than ten, the hand value is equal to the total point value. If
the three cards 14 have a total point value of at least 10, then
the first digit of the total point value is ignored when
determining the hand value. For example, if one of the hands
comprised an 8, 3, and a Queen, then even though the total point
value would be 11, the hand value would be 1 since the first digit
is dropped when establishing the hand value for a hand with a point
value of at least 10.
[0022] After determining the hand value for the player hand 12, the
hand value is determined for the dealer hand 16. Then the hand
value of the player hand 12 is compared to the hand value of the
dealer hand 16, with the hand with a hand value closest to nine
constituting the winning hand.
[0023] In the preferred embodiment, the method of playing a
baccarat-type card game further comprises the step of at least one
player (not shown) wagering a wager on one of the player hand 12
and the house hand 16. The method preferably further comprises the
step of paying the at least one player an amount equal to the wager
when the player wagers on a hand subsequently determined to be a
winning hand. Although, as few as one player could play the
baccarat-type card game of the present invention, it should be
clearly understood that as many as 6 or more players are capable of
playing the baccarat-type card game of the present invention.
[0024] In the preferred embodiment, the method of playing a
baccarat-type card game further comprises the step of dealing an
additional playing card 14 when the player hand 12 and the dealer
hand 16 are subsequently determined to have an equal hand value.
Preferably, the method of playing a baccarat-type card game further
comprises paying the player an amount equal to the wager when the
additional card is one of 8, 9, 10, Jack, Queen and King. When the
additional card is one of A, 2, 3, 6, 5, 6 and 7 the player pays
the dealer an amount equal to the wager. In one embodiment of the
method of playing a baccarat-type card game, the dealing of an
additional card is automatic. Alternatively, another embodiment of
the method of playing a baccarat-type card game could further
comprise the step of offering the at least one player an option to
receive half of the wager wagered when the player hand 12 and the
house hand 16 are subsequently determined to have an equal hand
value. The player can then choose to receive half of his or her
wager, terminating his or her participation in the hand, or the
player can accept an offer to be paid an amount equal to the
original wager if an additionally dealt card is either an 8, 9, 10,
Jack, Queen or King. If instead, the additionally dealt card is
either an Ace, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7, then the player loses the
amount equal to the original wager. While, in the preferred
embodiment, the method of playing a baccarat-type card game
comprises the steps of offering a player the chance to recover half
of his or her wager when there is a tie or try to win the full
wager amount if an additional card is an 8, 9, 10, Jack, Queen or
King, it should be clearly understood that substantial benefit
could be derived from an alternative configuration of the method of
playing a baccarat-type type card game in which all players receive
their full initial wagers back in the event of a tie between the
house hand and the player hand, or in which the player wins the
wager amount by receiving a set of cards other than 8-King
(although to maintain a statistical advantage for the house, at
least a 7 to 6 advantage is optimal, such as in the current example
when the house wins if the additional card is A-7 (7 cards) and the
player wins if the additional card is 8-King (6 cards)).
[0025] In the preferred embodiment, the method of playing a
baccarat-type card game further comprises the step of a player
wagering a wager that the player hand 12 will have a hand value
subsequently determined to be equal to the house hand 16. The
player will then be paid a multiple of the wager when the player
hand 12 and the house hand 16 are subsequently determined to have
an equal hand value. Preferably, the multiple is 8, although to
maintain a statistical advantage for the house, the multiple can be
any number less than 10.
[0026] While, in the preferred embodiment, the method of playing a
baccarat-type card game comprises the steps of at least one player
wagering a wager, and paying the at least one player an amount
equal to the wager when the player wagers on a hand subsequently
determined to be a winning hand, or paying the at least one player
a multiple of the wager when the player wagers that the house hand
16 and the player hand 12 will have an equal hand value, it should
be clearly understood that substantial benefit could be derived
from an alternative embodiment of the method of playing a
baccarat-type card game in which there is no wagering.
[0027] Referring now to FIG. 1, a baccarat-type card game table 20
is shown. The baccarat-type card game table 20 comprises a table 22
having a house hand area 24 dimensioned to receive the three
playing cards 14 of the house hand 16 and a player hand area 26
dimensioned to receive the three playing cards 14 of the player
hand 12. The baccarat-type card game table 20 further comprises a
plurality of individual betting locations 28 located proximate an
outer perimeter of the table 22. Preferably, the baccarat-type card
game table 20 comprises 9 betting locations 28, although it should
be clearly understood that substantial benefit could be derived
from an alternative embodiment of the baccarat-type card game table
20 in which the number of individual betting locations 28 deviates,
even substantially, from the preferred number of betting locations
28, in either direction.
[0028] Still referring to FIG. 1, each of the individual betting
locations 28 has a house hand wagering area 30 designated for
wagering on a house hand 16 and a player hand wagering area 32
designated for wagering on a player hand 12. The baccarat-type card
game table 20 further comprises a tie betting area 34 located
proximate the plurality of individual betting locations. The tie
betting area 34 is designated for wagering that the house hand 16
and the player hand 12 will subsequently be determined to have an
equal hand value.
[0029] While the invention has been particularly shown and
described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will
be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and
other changes in form and details may be made therein without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *