U.S. patent application number 10/059550 was filed with the patent office on 2003-09-11 for methods of playing card games.
Invention is credited to Ethier, Albert J., Jones, Daniel A..
Application Number | 20030168807 10/059550 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27787411 |
Filed Date | 2003-09-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030168807 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Jones, Daniel A. ; et
al. |
September 11, 2003 |
Methods of playing card games
Abstract
Methods of playing card games include the steps of (a) affording
each player an opportunity to place an ANTE wager to participate in
the game; (b) affording each player an opportunity to make an
optional BONUS BET wager; (c) dealing three cards to each player
and to a dealer; (d) affording each player an opportunity to view
their cards; (e) affording each player an opportunity to either
fold and forfeit their ANTE wager, or call by making a BET wager
exactly twice the amount of the ANTE wager; (f) evaluating whether
the dealer's hand qualifies by achieving a predetermined point
value; and (g) settling wagers by (1) if the dealer's hand does not
qualify, paying the ANTE wagers and refunding the BET wagers to
each remaining player and paying each remaining player who opted to
make the BONUS BET wager an amount determined by a predetermined
pay table based on a point value of the player's hand; (2) if the
dealer's hand does qualify, comparing each remaining player's hand
with the dealer's hand using point value as the criterion for
comparison, (I) wherein if the dealer wins the hand the house wins
the ANTE and BET wagers and pays to each remaining player who opted
to make the BONUS BET wager an amount determined by a predetermined
pay table based on the point value of the player's hand; and (II)
wherein if a player wins the hand, the player wins the ANTE wager
and is paid on the BET wager an amount according to a predetermined
pay table based on the point value of the player's hand and the
house pays to each remaining player who opted to make the BONUS BET
wager an amount determined by a predetermined pay table based on
the point value of the player's hand.
Inventors: |
Jones, Daniel A.; (Las
Vegas, NV) ; Ethier, Albert J.; (Whittier,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WALL MARJAMA & BILINSKI
101 SOUTH SALINA STREET
SUITE 400
SYRACUSE
NY
13202
US
|
Family ID: |
27787411 |
Appl. No.: |
10/059550 |
Filed: |
January 29, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
273/292 ;
273/303 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F 3/00157
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
273/292 ;
273/303 |
International
Class: |
A63F 001/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method of playing a card game wherein at least one player
competes against a dealer, comprising the steps of: (a) affording
each player an opportunity to place an ante wager to participate in
the game; (b) dealing three cards to each player and to a dealer;
(c) affording each player an opportunity to view their cards and to
either fold and forfeit their ante wager, or call by making a bet
wager; (d) evaluating whether said dealer's hand qualifies
according to predetermined qualifying criteria based upon a point
value of said dealer's hand; (e) comparing said player hand against
said dealer hand using point value as the criteria for comparison,
wherein certain predetermined card combinations count as zero
points; and (f) settling at least one of said ante and bet wagers
according to at least one predetermined payout table.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of affording
each player an opportunity to place an optional bonus bet
wager.
3. The method of claim 1, further comprising prior to step (b), the
step of affording each player an opportunity to place an optional
bonus bet wager.
4. The method of claim 2, wherein said bet wager is settled
according to a first payout table and said bonus bet wager is
settled according to a second, different payout table.
5. The method of claim 3, wherein said bet wager is settled
according to a first payout table and said bonus bet wager is
settled according to a second, different payout table.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein step (e) is performed only if
said dealer hand qualifies according to predetermined qualification
criteria.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein step (e) is performed only if
said dealer hand qualifies according to predetermined qualification
criteria.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein said predetermined qualification
criteria includes said dealer hand having a point value of sixteen
or less.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein said bet wagers are settled
substantially according to the following payout table based upon a
point value of said player's hand:
6 Player Hand Point Value 0 1-6 7-15 30 Payout Ratio 25:1 2:1 1:1
10:1
10. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of affording
each player an opportunity to place an optional bonus bet wager,
and wherein said bonus bet wagers are settled substantially
according to the following payout table based upon a point value of
said player's hand:
7 Player Hand Point Value 0 1-6 7-12 30 Payout Ratio 50:1 2:1 1:1
40:1
11. The method of claim 1, wherein said game is played on a live
casino gaming table with a human dealer.
12. The method of claim 1, wherein said game is played on an
electronic gaming device.
13. A method of playing a card game, including the steps of: (a)
affording each player an opportunity to place an ante wager to
participate in the game; (b) affording each player an opportunity
to make an optional bonus bet wager; (c) dealing three cards to
each player and to a dealer; (d) affording each player an
opportunity to view their cards; (e) affording each player an
opportunity to either fold and forfeit their ante wager, or call by
making a bet wager exactly twice the amount of the ante wager; (f)
evaluating whether the dealer's hand qualifies by achieving a
predetermined point value; and (g) settling wagers by (1) if the
dealer's hand does not qualify, paying the ante wagers and
refunding the bet wagers to each remaining player and paying each
remaining player who opted to make the bonus wager an amount
determined by a predetermined pay table based on a point value of
the player's hand; (2) if the dealer's hand does qualify, comparing
each remaining player's hand with the dealer's hand using point
value as the criterion for comparison; (I) wherein if the dealer
wins the hand the house wins the ante and bet wagers and pays to
each remaining player who opted to make the bonus bet wager an
amount determined by a predetermined pay table based on the point
value of the player's hand; and (II) wherein if a player wins the
hand, the player wins the ante wager and is paid on the bet wager
an amount according to a predetermined pay table based on the point
value of the player's hand and the house pays to each remaining
player who opted to make the bonus bet wager an amount determined
by a predetermined pay table based on the point value of the
player's hand.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein said bet wagers are settled
substantially according to the following payout table based upon a
point value of said player's hand:
8 Player Hand Point Value 0 1-6 7-15 30 Payout Ratio 25:1 2:1 1:1
10:1
15. The method of claim 13, wherein said bonus bet wagers are
settled substantially according to the following payout table based
upon a point value of said player's hand:
9 Player Hand Point Value 0 1-6 7-12 30 Payout Ratio 50:1 2:1 1:1
40:1
16. The method of claim 13, wherein said game is played on a live
casino gaming table with a human dealer.
17. The method of claim 13, wherein said game is played on an
electronic gaming device.
18. The method of claim 13, wherein said step (f) includes
evaluating certain predetermined card combinations as zero
points.
19. The method of claim 18 wherein said predetermined card
combinations include any pair, any triple, and any two or more
suited consecutive cards.
20. The method of claim 13, wherein said predetermined point value
in step (f) is sixteen or less.
21. A method of playing a card game, including the steps of: (a)
affording each player an opportunity to place an ante wager to
participate in the game; (b) affording each player an opportunity
to make an optional bonus bet wager; (c) dealing three cards to
each player and to a dealer; (d) affording each player an
opportunity to view their cards; (e) affording each player an
opportunity to either fold and forfeit their ante wager, or call by
making a bet wager exactly twice the amount of the ante wager; (f)
evaluating whether the dealer's hand qualifies by achieving a
predetermined point value of sixteen or less, wherein certain
predetermined card combinations including any pair, any triple, and
any two or more suited consecutive cards count as zero points; (g)
settling wagers by (1) if the dealer's hand does not qualify,
paying the ante wagers and refunding the bet wagers to each
remaining player and paying each remaining player who opted to make
the bonus wager an amount determined by a predetermined pay table
based on a point value of the player's hand; (2) if the dealer's
hand does qualify, comparing each remaining player's hand with the
dealer's hand using point value as the criterion for comparison;
(I) wherein if the dealer wins the hand the house wins the ante and
bet wagers and pays to each remaining player who opted to make the
bonus bet wager an amount determined by a predetermined pay table
based on the point value of the player's hand; and (II) wherein if
a player wins the hand, the player wins the ante wager and is paid
on the bet wager an amount according to a predetermined pay table
based on the point value of the player's hand and the house pays to
each remaining player who opted to make the bonus bet wager an
amount determined by a predetermined pay table based on the point
value of the player's hand; wherein said bet wagers are settled
substantially according to the following payout table based upon a
point value of said player's hand:
10 Player Hand Point Value 0 1-6 7-15 30 Payout Ratio 25:1 2:1 1:1
10:1; and
wherein said bonus bet wagers are settled substantially according
to the following payout table based upon a point value of said
player's hand:
11 Player Hand Point Value 0 1-6 7-12 30 Payout Ratio 50:1 2:1 1:1
40:1
22. The method of claim 21, wherein said game is played on a live
casino gaming table with a human dealer.
23. The method of claim 21, wherein said game is played on an
electronic gaming device.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to methods of playing card
games, and more particularly pertains to variations of a
conventional card game known as Rummy.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Technology
[0004] A variety of methods of playing card games, including
methods of playing variations of Rummy, are reflected in the
following U.S. Patents:
1 U.S. Pat. No. Inventor Issue Date Title 5,374,067 Jones Dec. 20,
1994 Method for playing a card game 5,380,012 Jones Jan. 10, 1995
Method for playing a card game 5,810,361 Kadlic Sep. 22, 1998
American canasta 5,816,576 Aramapakul Oct. 6, 1998 Method of
playing a rummy-type card game 5,853,325 Kadlic Dec. 29, 1998
Method of playing an electronic rummy game apparatus 6,027,119
DeLisle Feb. 22, 2000 Method for playing a card game
[0005] The entire disclosure of each of the foregoing patents is
hereby incorporated herein by this reference.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Methods of playing live and electronic versions of card
games according to example preferred embodiments of the invention
include the steps of (a) affording each player an opportunity to
place an ANTE wager to participate in the game; (b) affording each
player an opportunity to make an optional BONUS BET wager; (c)
dealing three cards to each player and to a dealer; (d) affording
each player an opportunity to view their cards; (e) affording each
player an opportunity to either fold and forfeit their ANTE wager,
or call by making a BET wager exactly twice the amount of the ANTE
wager; (f) evaluating whether the dealer's hand qualifies by
achieving a predetermined point value; and (g) settling wagers by
(1) if the dealer's hand does not qualify, paying the ANTE wagers
and refunding the BET wagers to each remaining player and paying
each remaining player who opted to make the BONUS BET wager an
amount determined by a predetermined pay table based on a point
value of the player's hand; (2) if the dealer's hand does qualify,
comparing each remaining player's hand with the dealer's hand using
point value as the criterion for comparison, (I) wherein if the
dealer wins the hand the house wins the ANTE and BET wagers and
pays to each remaining player who opted to make the BONUS BET wager
an amount determined by a predetermined pay table based on the
point value of the player's hand; and (II) wherein if a player wins
the hand, the player wins the ANTE wager and is paid on the BET
wager an amount according to a predetermined pay table based on the
point value of the player's hand and the house pays to each
remaining player who opted to make the BONUS BET wager an amount
determined by a predetermined pay table based on the point value of
the player's hand.
[0007] These and various other advantages and features of novelty
that characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity
in the claims annexed hereto and forming a part hereof. However,
for a better understanding of the invention, its advantages, and
the objects obtained by its use, reference should be made to the
drawings which form a further part hereof, and to the accompanying
descriptive matter, in which there is illustrated and described a
preferred embodiment of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a flow chart illustrating a method of playing a
card game according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0009] FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating an example gaming table
layout for use in playing a live casino version of a card game
according to one embodiment of a method of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)
[0010] Referring now to the drawings, and referring in particular
to FIG. 2, one embodiment of a method of playing a card game
according to the present invention may be implemented on a
conventional type of casino gaming table layout 10 of the type used
in casinos to play Twenty-One or Black Jack. Preferably, the table
layout 10 includes a dealer position 20 adjacent to a chip rack 30,
and six player positions 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, and 100 spaced around
a curved perimeter of the layout 10, in a conventional manner.
[0011] As an alternative, the card game methods disclosed by the
present invention may be implemented on an electronic gaming device
of the type employed by casinos for playing electronic card game
simulations, for example of draw poker, stud poker, Caribbean
Stud.TM. Poker, etc. Other alternative ways of playing card games
according to the methods of the present invention include software
implementations on personal computers, either in stand alone modes,
over local networks, or over the Internet. A still further
implementation contemplates printing card representations on
lottery cards and scratching away covering portions of the lottery
card to reveal card hands. Accordingly, in conjunction with the
instant application, the terms "cards," "dealing," "hand" and the
like should be understood as encompassing both live card games with
a human dealer and one or more players, as well as electronic games
with electronic representations of cards displayed on a video
screen. Similarly, the terms "wager," "bet," and "extra bet" should
be understood as encompassing the use of currency, coins, chips,
tokens, or electronic representations of value, in both live and
electronic versions of implementation.
[0012] The game begins with one or more players placing an ANTE
wager as a requirement for playing the game. In connection with a
live version of the game, this can be accomplished, for example, by
a player placing a conventional token or chip in an ANTE region
designated on the felt surface 40 of the layout 10 of a
conventional casino gaming table, as shown in connection with the
player position 50, depicted in FIG. 2. In connection with an
electronic version, a player may press an ANTE or WAGER button on
an electronic gaming device, or may touch designated regions of a
touch sensitive video screen.
[0013] With reference to the flow chart shown in FIG. 1, preferably
after each of the players has placed the ANTE wager, each player is
preferably afforded an opportunity to make an optional BONUS BET or
wager. In a live casino version of the game, the BONUS BET wager
may be made by a player positioning a token in a region disposed on
a surface 40 of the layout 10 designated for the purpose, as shown
adjacent player position 50 in FIG. 3. The sequence of placing the
ANTE wager and the BONUS BET wager is preferably irrelevant.
Thereafter, each player and the dealer are dealt three cards, face
down, from a preferably shuffled standard 52-card deck of
conventional playing cards. The use of a standard 52-card deck
allows card hands to be dealt to each of six players and to one
dealer. In connection with an electronic version of the game, the
dealing involves displaying electronic representations of cards on
a video screen, actuated, for example, by a player pressing a DEAL
button on a video gaming device.
[0014] Players are then afforded an opportunity to view their three
cards. After each player has been afforded an opportunity to view
their cards, but before the dealer has been permitted an
opportunity to inspect the dealer's cards, each player is
preferably afforded an option to either FOLD and surrender their
ANTE wager, or to continue play by placing a BET wager. In one
embodiment of the invention, the BET wager must be exactly twice
the amount of the ANTE wager. In connection with the live version
of the game, a player may make the BET wager by placing an
appropriate token or other indicator in a region of the gaming
table layout 10 (FIG. 2) designated for the purpose, as shown
adjacent the player position 50. In an electronic version of the
game, a player may make a BET wager by pressing an associated
button on an electronic gaming device, or by touching an
appropriate region of a touch sensitive video screen.
[0015] The timing of the BET option being made prior to inspection
of the dealer's cards prevents the dealer from either intentionally
or inadvertently communicating information regarding the dealer's
hand to the players.
[0016] After each player has been afforded the option to either
FOLD or place a BET wager, the dealer views the dealer's three
cards, and may at this time turn the cards face up on the surface
40 of the table layout 10, so that the players may also view the
dealer's cards. In connection with the electronic version of the
game, such viewing of the dealer's cards may be performed by a
microprocessor operating under control of software or firmware and
operative to reveal electronic card representations from a face
down to a face up orientation, and to move such card
representations to designated regions on a video screen for viewing
by a game player.
[0017] Following viewing of the dealer's cards, the dealer's hand
is evaluated according to predetermined criteria to ascertain
whether the dealer's hand has "qualified." According to one
preferred embodiment, the dealer's hand must qualify by achieving a
point value below a particular point value, preferably by achieving
a point value of 16 or less.
[0018] If the dealer's hand does not achieve a point value of 16 or
less, then the dealer or house must pay the ANTE wager, refund the
BET wagers of each remaining player (each player that did not elect
to FOLD), and pay the BONUS BET wagers according to a predetermined
payout table based upon the point value of the player's hand. A
preferred example Bonus Bet Payout Table appears as TABLE 2 below.
Note that the preferred Bonus Bet Payout Table (TABLE 2) provides
that only certain player hand point values win a payout on the
BONUS BET, with the non-listed player hand point values resulting
in the BONUS BET wager being won by the house. Thus, the BONUS BET
can be viewed as a side bet between the player and the house as to
whether the player's hand will have a predetermined winning point
value as provided in the Bonus Bet Payout Table.
[0019] If the dealer's hand does qualify by achieving a point value
of 16 or less, each remaining player's hand is compared with the
dealer's hand using point value as the criterion for comparison. If
the player's hand does not have a point value less than the point
value of the dealer's hand, the house wins the ANTE and BET wagers
and pays to each remaining player who opted to make the BONUS BET
wager an amount determined by a predetermined pay table based on
the point value of the player's hand. An example preferred Bonus
Bet Payout Table appears as TABLE 2 below. If a player's hand has a
point value less than the dealer's hand, the player wins the ANTE
wager and is paid on the BET wager an amount according to a
predetermined pay table based on the point value of the player's
hand, and the house pays to each remaining player who opted to make
the BONUS BET wager an amount determined by a predetermined pay
table based on the point value of the player's hand. An example
preferred Bet Payout Table appears as TABLE 1 below.
[0020] If the player's hand and the dealer's hand have the same
point count, then the ANTE and the BET are a push, and are returned
to the player, however, preferably the player is still paid for any
BONUS BET wager according to the Bonus Bet Payout Table.
[0021] It should be understood that other payout tables or
schedules for both the BET and BONUS BET wagers may be employed.
Within the scope of the present invention, the terminology
"predetermined payout table" should be understood as encompassing
both fixed, randomly generated, and progressive payout amounts, as
well as combinations of fixed, randomly generated, and progressive
payout amounts. In addition to, in combination with, or as an
alternative, the payouts may include electronic credits, gift
vouchers, free or reduced entry into other contests, merchandise,
services, etc.
[0022] In totaling or ranking the point values of the hands of
players and the dealer, the following point values are preferably
assigned:
2 Card Point Values Card Point Value Ace 1 King 10 Queen 10 Jack 10
10 10 9 9 8 8 7 7 6 6 5 5 4 4 3 3 2 2 Any Pair 0 Any Triple 0
Suited Run 0
[0023] In connection with the instant specification and the
appended claims, the term "Any Pair" is used in the conventional
sense, such that a 9 of diamonds and a 9 of spades contained with
the same hand would total 0 points. Similarly, the term "Any
Triple" means any three cards of the same value, for example 9 of
diamonds, 9 of spades, and 9 of clubs. The term "Suited Run" means
any two or more consecutively ranked cards of the same suit
(hearts, diamonds, clubs or spades). For example, Ace, 2, 3 suited;
or Ace, King suited, etc. The counting of Any Pair, Any Triple, and
any Suited Run as a point value of 0 provides a "meld" type of
feature which lends a familiar aspect of a conventional Rummy card
game, so as to make the game more familiar, enjoyable, and readily
accepted by players.
[0024] The following examples serve to further illustrate the
preferred predetermined rules for evaluating the point value of
player and dealer hands, as well as the qualification of the dealer
hand.
EXAMPLE NO. 1
[0025] Dealer: King (spades), Ace (diamonds), 2 (clubs)=point value
of 13, which qualifies.
[0026] Player: 4 (spades), 4(hearts), 6(clubs)=point value of 6 (as
the pair of 4s count 0).
[0027] Player wins 1:1 on the ANTE wager and 2:1 on the BET wager
for a total of 3 units or tokens.
[0028] If the player opted to make the BONUS BET wager, the player
is paid 2:1 on the BONUS BET as well.
EXAMPLE NO. 2
[0029] Dealer: King (clubs), Queen (hearts), 6 (hearts)=point value
of 26, no qualification.
[0030] Player: 9 (spades), 9 (hearts), 5 (clubs)=point value of 5
(as the paired 9s count 0).
[0031] The Player wins 1:1 on the ANTE wager, and the BET wager is
refunded to the player with no payout. If the player opted to make
the BONUS BET wager, the player is paid 2:1 on the BONUS BET as
well.
EXAMPLE NO. 3
[0032] Dealer: 9 (hearts), 8 (hearts), 3 (clubs)=point value of 3
(as the suited 9-8 run counts 0). The dealer qualifies.
[0033] Player: King (spades), Queen (spades), 5 (diamonds)=point
value of 5.
[0034] The Player loses the ANTE wager and loses the BET wager. If
the player has made the BONUS BET wager, the player is paid 2:1 on
the BONUS BET even though the hand was lost to the dealer.
[0035] TABLE 1 below reflects the payout ratio associated with
particular point values of a player's hand for the BET wager,
according to one example embodiment of the invention. For example,
if a player's hand had a point value of 5 and met the conditions
qualifying the player to win the BET wager, for example a $2 wager,
then the player would be paid 2:1, or $4. Note that the payout
table contains an exception to the foregoing rules when the player
achieves a point count of 30. In such a situation, the player will
never beat the dealer, however, the player is still awarded a
payout of 10:1 on the BET wager.
3TABLE 1 Bet Payout Player Hand Point Value 0 1-6 7-15 30 Payout
Ratio 25:1 2:1 1:1 10:1
[0036] TABLE 2 below reflects the payout ratio associated with
particular point values of a player's hand for the BONUS BET wager
according to one example embodiment of the invention. For example,
if a player's hand had a point value of 30 and met the conditions
qualifying the player to win the BONUS BET wager, for example a $1
wager, then the player would be paid 40:1, or $40.
4TABLE 2 Bonus Bet Payout Player Hand Point Value 0 1-6 7-12 30
Payout Ratio 50:1 2:1 1:1 40:1
[0037] TABLE 3 reports the results of a computer simulation using
the indicated payout ratio for the various player hand point
values.
5TABLE 3 Payout Statistics Point Value Percent Odds Cumulative
Percent 0 0.0043 0.43% 1 0.0211 2.54% 2 0.0201 4.55% 3 0.02 6.55% 4
0.0198 8.53% 5 0.0198 10.51% 6 0.0217 12.68% 7 0.0222 14.90% 8
0.0242 17.32% 9 0.0266 19.98% 10 0.09 28.98% 11 0.0124 30.22% 12
0.0168 31.90% 13 0.0269 34.59% 14 0.0319 37.78% 15 0.0411 41.89% 16
0.0436 46.25% 17 0.05 51.25% 18 0.0515 56.40% 19 0.0554 61.94% 20
0.0553 67.47% 21 0.0642 73.89% 22 0.0553 79.22% 23 0.0488 84.10% 24
0.0388 87.98% 25 0.0348 91.46% 26 0.0259 94.05% 27 0.0235 96.40% 28
0.0151 97.91% 29 0.0133 99.24% 30 0.0076 100.00% Total
100.0000%
[0038] Based upon a computer simulation of ten million hands using
the payouts reflected in TABLE 1 and TABLE 2 above, the basic game,
without the BONUS BET option, provides a payback of 97.00%. When
the BONUS BET option is added to the basic game, the payback is
reduced to 96.62%.
[0039] The above tables illustrate particular calculated
statistical payouts obtained in connection with particular
preferred payout tables for the BET and BONUS BET wagers. Other
alternative payout tables may be employed within the scope of the
invention. Preferably, the BONUS BET wager may be paid
independently of whether the dealer qualifies, and independently of
whether the player's hand beats the dealer's hand. Alternatively,
certain preconditions may be required for a player to win the BONUS
BET wager. For example, the method of playing the game may require
that the dealer qualify to make a player eligible to win the BONUS
BET wager. Alternatively, the method of playing the game may
require that the player's hand beats the dealer's hand in order to
make a player eligible to win the BONUS BET wager. Also, the game
may be played with the player having an option to place either the
ANTE wager or the BONUS BET wager or both and may be played with
the player required to place both wagers.
[0040] It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous
characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been
set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of
the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is
illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in
matters of shape, size and arrangement of parts within the
principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the
broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are
expressed.
* * * * *