U.S. patent application number 10/293074 was filed with the patent office on 2004-05-13 for wagering game with table bonus.
This patent application is currently assigned to Shuffle Master, Inc.. Invention is credited to Snow, Roger M..
Application Number | 20040090003 10/293074 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32229591 |
Filed Date | 2004-05-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040090003 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Snow, Roger M. |
May 13, 2004 |
Wagering game with table bonus
Abstract
A method of playing a casino table wagering game with at least
two players comprises wagering on an underlying game where players
may receive a bonus for obtaining a player hand of at least a
predetermined rank; placing a side bet that at least one player of
the at least two players will obtain a player hand of at least a
predetermined rank; playing a hand of the casino table wagering
game to conclusion; determining if at least one of the at least two
players has obtained a player hand of said at least a predetermined
rank; if a player has not obtained a player hand of at least a
predetermined rank, but that player has placed the side bet that at
least one player of the at least two players will obtain a player
hand of at least a predetermined rank, and if another player has
obtained a player hand of at least a predetermined rank, awarding
that player a predetermined proportional share of the bonus for
obtaining a player hand of at least a predetermined rank.
Inventors: |
Snow, Roger M.; (Las Vegas,
NV) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Mark A. Litman & Associates, P.A.
York Business Center
Suite 205
3209 West 76th Street
Edina
MN
55435
US
|
Assignee: |
Shuffle Master, Inc.
|
Family ID: |
32229591 |
Appl. No.: |
10/293074 |
Filed: |
November 12, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
273/274 ;
273/303 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F 3/00157
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
273/274 ;
273/303 |
International
Class: |
A63F 001/00; A63F
003/08 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method of playing a casino table wagering game with at least
two players comprising: wagering on an underlying game where
players may receive a payout for obtaining a player hand of at
least a predetermined rank; placing a side bet that at least one
player of the at least two players will obtain a player hand of at
least a predetermined rank; playing a hand of the casino table
wagering game to conclusion; determining if at least one of the at
least two players has obtained a player hand of said at least a
predetermined rank; if at least one player has obtained a player
hand of at least a predetermined rank, awarding each player who
placed the side bet a predetermined proportional share of the bonus
for obtaining a player hand of at least a predetermined rank.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the casino table wagering game is
a card game.
3. The method of claim 2 wherein the card game is a poker-type card
game.
4. The method of claim 3 wherein the poker game is a form of
five-card stud.
5. The method of claim 2 wherein the card game is Let It Ride.RTM.
stud poker or a variant of Let It Ride.RTM. stud poker.
6. The method of claim 2 wherein each player may place a table bet
as the side bet, an individual bet as a side bet, or both a table
bet and an individual bet as a side bet.
7. The method of claim 2 wherein different pay tables for the bonus
are provided that differ in at least some awards depending upon the
number of players that place the side bet that at least one player
of the at least two players will obtain a player hand of at least a
predetermined rank.
8. The method of claim 3 wherein different pay tables for the bonus
are provided that differ in at least some awards depending upon the
number of players that place the side bet that at least one player
of the at least two players will obtain a player hand of at least a
predetermined rank.
9. The method of claim 4 wherein different pay tables for the bonus
are provided that differ in at least some awards depending upon the
number of players that place the side bet that at least one player
of the at least two players will obtain a player hand of at least a
predetermined rank.
10. The method of claim 5 wherein different pay tables for the
bonus are provided that differ in at least some awards depending
upon the number of players that place the side bet that at least
one player of the at least two players will obtain a player hand of
at least a predetermined rank.
11. The method of claim 6 wherein different pay tables for the
bonus are provided that differ in at least some awards depending
upon the number of players that place the side bet that at least
one player of the at least two players will obtain a player hand of
at least a predetermined rank.
12. The method of claim 2 wherein the predetermined proportional
share of the bonus for each player placing the side bet is an equal
share of the bonus with all players who are awarded proportional
shares of the bonus.
13. The method of claim 4 wherein the predetermined proportional
share of the bonus for each player placing the side bet is an equal
share of the bonus with all players who are awarded proportional
shares of the bonus.
14. The method of claim 6 wherein the predetermined proportional
share of the bonus for each player placing the side bet is an equal
share of the bonus with all players who are awarded proportional
shares of the bonus.
15. The method of claim 8 wherein the predetermined proportional
share of the bonus for each player placing the side bet is an equal
share of the bonus with all players who are awarded proportional
shares of the bonus.
16. The method of claim 11 wherein the predetermined proportional
share of the bonus for each player placing the side bet is an equal
share of the bonus with all players who are awarded proportional
shares of the bonus.
17. The method of claim 2 wherein the predetermined proportional
share of the bonus for each player placing the side bet are not all
equal shares of the bonus with all players who are awarded
proportional shares of the bonus.
18. The method of claim 3 wherein the wagering card game is played
with at lest two players using standard playing cards having a
standard rank, said game involving standard poker hand rankings and
comprising: each player placing at least four distinct wagering
parts to participate in the game; dealing three cards to each
player and at least two common cards, all of said at least two
common cards being dealt face down; giving each player the chance
to examine the cards received by that player and to withdraw at
least a first part of said at least four distinct wagering parts
wager based on the rank of said player's cards prior to one of said
at least two common cards being dealt face down being exposed;
showing said at least one common card, thereby providing at least a
partial hand for each player, each player's at least a partial hand
comprising said shown at least one common card and the cards each
player was dealt; allowing each player to withdraw a second part of
the at least four wagering parts and forfeiting a third part of the
at least four wagering parts; showing at least one more common card
to expose all common cards that had been dealt face down; and
resolving each player's remaining wager based on the rank of that
player's hand, which remaining wager was not withdrawn.
19. The method according to claim 18, said wager to participate in
the game comprising exactly four parts.
20. The method according to claim 19, wherein there are exactly two
common cards.
21. The method according to claim 18, wherein said wager is divided
into four parts and the number of common cards is two.
22. The method according to claim 18, wherein said four parts of
said wager are equal.
23. The method according to claim 19, wherein said four parts of
said wager are equal.
24. The method of claim 18 wherein a side bet is placed by the
player, prior to receiving and viewing player cards, to play
against a bonus pay table and/or progressive jackpot.
25. A method of playing a side bet wagering game in connection with
a casino game, the casino game utilizing game symbols, comprising
the steps of: each player placing a wager to participate in a
casino wagering game, the wagering game having a first set of rules
for resolving the game, and a separate set of rules for resolving a
side bet game; each player optionally placing a wager to
participate in the side bet game; a dealer distributing game
symbols to the house and/or each player according to the first set
of rules of the casino game; resolving the casino game according to
the first set of game rules; and when at least one player who
placed the side bet obtains a predetermined winning outcome
according to the second set of rules, and when at least two players
have placed a wager in the side bet game, all players having placed
a wager on the side bet game win a payout
26. The method of claim 25, wherein the casino card game is
poker.
27. The method of claim 25, wherein the game symbols are standard
cards.
28. The method of claim 26, wherein the first set of rules includes
a table of winning hand combinations and corresponding payout
odds.
29. The method of claim 28, wherein the second set of rules
includes a subset of the table of winning hand combinations and
corresponding payout odds.
30. The method of claim 25, wherein each player receives a hand of
cards.
31. The method of claim 25, wherein the dealer holds common
cards.
32. The method of claim 25, wherein at least the first set of rules
includes each player playing against a dealer hand.
33. The method of claim 25, wherein all players who participated in
the side bet game receive an equal payout amount.
34. The method of claim 33, wherein the payouts decrease as the
number of participating players increase.
35. The method of claim 33, wherein the winning hand combinations
and payouts for each number of players is displayed on an
electronic display.
36. The method of claim 33, wherein the winning hand combinations
and payouts for each number of players is displayed on the game
layout.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to playing card wagering games
that can be played with playing cards, including a standard deck(s)
of cards or by video machine technology, particularly in a casino
environment. In particular, it relates to a method and apparatus
for playing a wagering game, wherein the game includes bonus awards
for predetermined card combinations, hands or ranks to a player,
and where all players at the table have an option at the beginning
of the game to place a side bet to participate in all awards to any
player for obtaining such predetermined card combinations or hand
ranks.
[0003] 2. Background of the Art
[0004] There are many wagering games used for gambling. Such games
should be exciting to arouse players' interest and uncomplicated so
they can be understood easily by a large number of players.
Ideally, the games should include more than one wagering
opportunity during the course of the game, yet be able to be played
rapidly to a wager resolving outcome. Exciting play, the
opportunity to make more than one wager and rapid wager resolution
enhance players' interest and enjoyment because the frequency of
betting opportunities and bet resolutions is increased.
[0005] Wagering games, particularly those intended primarily for
play in casinos, should provide players with a sense of
participation and control, the opportunity to make decisions, and
reasonable odds of winning, even though the odds favor the casino,
house, dealer or banker. The game must also meet the requirements
of regulatory agencies.
[0006] Wagering games, including wagering games for casino play,
with multiple wagering opportunities are known. U.S. Pat. Nos.
4,861,041 and 5,087,405 (both to Jones et al.) disclose methods and
apparatus for progressive jackpot gaming, respectively. The former
patent discloses that a player may make an additional wager at the
beginning of a hand, the outcome of the additional wager being
determined by of a predetermined arrangement of cards in the
player's hand. U.S. Pat. No. 4,836,553 (to Suttle and Jones)
discloses a modified version of a five card stud poker game.
[0007] Additional symbols may be added to the usual means of
playing a game to increase wagering opportunities. This is
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,098,107 (to Boylan et al.). Somewhat
similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 3,667,757 (to Holmberg) discloses a board
game and apparatus, including a way to allow the player to make a
choice with respect to several different alternative types of game
play and risk bearing strategies. The alternative play is based on
providing cards with additional symbols and therefore, a new set of
odds. The game and apparatus disclosed by Holmberg requires new
sets of rules, relatively complicated procedures and time for a
player to learn the game.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,154,429 (to LeVasseur) involves the dealer
playing multiple hands against a player's single hand, whereby the
number of hands played in the same amount of time is increased.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,288,081 (Breeding) describes the game Let It
Ride.RTM. stud poker which is played in many casinos around the
world. That wagering game is played with a single, typical
(standard) fifty-two card poker deck and broadly involves the
generally well recognized and accepted set of rules, procedures and
wager-resolving outcomes of five card poker. The game method
comprises each player placing an initial, three-part wager to
participate in the game. A separate bonus wager (a side bet wager)
may be placed to play against a pay table. Cards are dealt by a
dealer, three down to each player and two down to the dealer.
Players inspect or "sweat" their cards, and the dealer asks "take
it or leave it?" or as the name of the game implies, "Let It
Ride.RTM.?" with regard to the first part of the initial bet.
Players can choose to retrieve or remove from play the first part
of their initial bet, or leave the first part in play or at risk,
based on the value of the three cards in their hand. The side wager
or bonus wager cannot be withdrawn and is immediately withdrawn by
the house in the play of the game. The dealer then turns over one
of the dealer's cards and the dealer's query is repeated with
regard to the second part of the initial bet. Players can choose to
retrieve or remove from play the second part of their initial bet
or leave the second part in play or at risk, based on the value of
the four cards consisting of the three cards in the player's hand
and the exposed dealer's card. Players have no option with the
third part of the bet. Finally, all cards are shown and the payouts
and collections are resolved according to the ranking of the poker
hand of each player, i.e., the players are not playing against each
other or the dealer.
[0010] Another element of play in casino games and particularly
casino table card games is in the wagering structure. There are a
multitude of card games that are based on one or more decks of
conventional playing cards. Among the most popular of these games
is poker, wherein a player's fortunes are determined by a
well-known hierarchy of five card combinations. Card games that are
variants of poker are also very popular, such as Let It Ride.RTM.
stud poker, Caribbean Stud Poker.RTM., Three Card Poker.RTM.) and
the like. Three Card Poker.RTM. utilizes a different poker
hierarchy. This is due, at least in part, to the basic nature of
the underlying game itself, combining elements of both strategy and
luck. Additionally, poker-variants allow an existing player-base to
capitalize on their preexisting knowledge of a game and to apply
that knowledge in novel settings. The two most popular forms of
traditional poker are draw poker and stud poker.
[0011] In a conventional hand of draw poker, a single 52-card deck
of shuffled playing cards is used. Each player begins a hand by
contributing an initial or "ante" bet to a common pool or "pot",
the pot ultimately going to the owner of the winning hand. The
dealer then distributes five face-down cards to each player, the
remaining cards in the deck being set aside for later use. Each
player evaluates the cards that he or she has been dealt and each,
in turn, is given an opportunity to discard one or more cards from
the dealt hand. The dealer gives the player replacement cards for
those that have been discarded by dealing additional cards
face-down from the top of the deck. Following the deal, one or more
rounds of betting take place, during which time each player may
make an initial raise, a check wager, fold (drop-out), match a
previous raise or raise a previous bet. The meanings of these
wagering terms are well know to those skilled in the art and
typical definitions of same may be found in, for example, Hoyle's
Rules of Games, pp. 75-102, by Morehead and Mot-Smith, 1963, the
disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. At the
conclusion of the wagering rounds, the players display their hands
and the holder of the highest ranking poker hand takes all of the
money in the pot.
[0012] Stud poker is the most popular form of "open poker," wherein
each player is dealt some cards that are face-up and, hence,
available for viewing by the other players. Stud poker comes in two
varieties: 5-card and 7-card, the two being of approximately equal
popularity. In five-card stud poker, the dealer gives each player a
face-down (or "hole" card) and then a face-up card. Thus, at the
start each player knows his own two cards and one card of each of
his opponents. After the first two cards are dealt, a wagering
round ensues, during which time each player contributes his or her
wager to the pot. A typical description of the rules that govern
this round might be found in, for example, Hoyle's Rules of Games,
pp. 75-102, by Morehead and Mot-Smith, 1963, the disclosure of
which is incorporated herein by reference. After the wagering
round, another card is dealt face-up to each player. This is
followed by another wagering round. Alternating dealing and
wagering rounds continue until each player has a total of five
cards: four face-up and a concealed hole card. After the final bets
have been placed, each player who has not dropped out during the
deal/wager rounds reveals his or her hole card. The owner of the
highest ranking 5-card poker hand wins and takes whatever amount is
in the pot.
[0013] Seven-card stud poker differs slightly from 5-card poker.
First, in 7-card poker each player initially receives two cards
face-down and one card face-up. A bidding round then ensues. The
dealer then gives each player another face-up card, which is
followed again by a bidding round. Deals (of one face-up card) and
bids are alternated until each player has four face-up cards and
two face-down cards. Finally, a third face-down card is dealt to
each player (making a total of seven cards). This is followed by a
last bidding round. The winner of the hand is the player who can
form the highest ranking 5-card poker hand from his seven
cards.
[0014] As is well known to those skilled in the art, five-card
poker hands are ranked from "Royal Flush" (highest) to "High
Card(s) in Hand" (lowest) according to the following ordering:
1 Hand Description Example Royal Flush The five top cards of a suit
A, K, Q, J, 10 (suited) Straight Flush Five cards in sequence in
the 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 (suited) same suit Four of a Kind Any four cards
of the same 2, 2, 2, 2, J rank Full House Three of a kind and a
pair 2, 2, 2, J, J Flush Five cards of the same suit 2, 4, 8, 10, A
(suited) Straight Five cards in sequence 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 (unsuited)
Three of a Kind Three cards of the same rank 2, 2, 2, 9, J Two Pair
Two cards of the same rank 2, 2, Q, Q, A and two others of a
different (unsuited) rank One Pair Two cards of the same rank 9, 9,
5, 8, K High Card(s) in Five unmatched cards A, 9, 5, 3, 2
(unsuited) Hand
[0015] In some variations of poker, the ace may also act as the
lowest card in the deck to form a straight when used in a sequence
like A, 2, 3, 4. Additionally, a "wild card"--often the "joker"
card may be designated, so that a person who holds that card may
declare its value to be that of any card in the deck, the
presumption being that the declared card value will help that
player form a better poker hand.
[0016] At its core, poker is a vehicle for gambling. Commonly the
quantities wagered are monetary, but that is not strictly required
and poker chips, matches, and other non-pecuniary tokens have been
used in place of money to help the players determine who is winning
without exposing them to financial loss. Of course, casinos are in
the business of providing people with the opportunity to gamble
and, given the popularity of poker among the general populous, it
only stands to reason that casinos would desire to offer this game
in some form or another to those who seek to play it. However,
conventional-rules poker is not particularly well suited for use in
a casino.
[0017] A casino that offers traditional poker to its clientele
typically does so by providing a dealer and a room in which to
play, but the casino's dealer does not actually participate in the
game as a player: his or her function is just to distribute the
cards and referee the game. The casino makes its money by taking
some percent of all of the money wagered (the "rake") or by leasing
the room to the participants. The cost of the lease may be measured
in time (e.g., a fixed amount per hour) or by a count of the number
of hands played. Traditional poker games are not particularly
favored by casinos because the casino does not make as much money
acting as a landlord as it would if it were an active participant
in the game.
[0018] Similarly, from the standpoint of the gaming public,
traditional poker has some disadvantages which have tended to make
it less desirable as a casino game. First, traditional poker is
readily available "at home," e.g., at the Friday night poker
session, and there is no particular need for most people to travel
to a casino to play it. Second, when an individual wins at
traditional poker it is at the expense of the other
players/participants. Many people prefer to play against the more
impersonal "house" (i.e., the casino) so that their winning hand
does not necessarily result in a loss by a fellow player, who may
be an acquaintance. Finally, traditional poker does not offer the
excitement associated with "jackpot" type games. That is, a royal
flush in traditional poker--as improbable as that card combination
is--will result in winning only the amount in the pot and nothing
more. Many players seek out games where there is some possibility
of "winning big," an option that is not available under
conventional poker rules.
[0019] As a consequence of these disadvantages, casinos have
introduced a variety of poker-type game variants to address the
shortcomings discussed previously. One obvious advantage of these
poker-type games from the casino's point of view is that the casino
becomes an active participant in the game (as the house) and can,
as a consequence, increase the revenue earned on the game.
Additionally, these poker-type games are very attractive to many of
the gambling public, and the mere fact that they are available in a
particular casino has the potential to increase consumer traffic
and revenue there.
[0020] A variety of innovative strategies have been employed to
make poker-type games more appealing to casino gamblers. For
example, many poker-variants are designed to let the players
compete against the house, rather than against each other. In other
cases, progressive betting has been utilized, wherein the player
may increase his or her bet during the play of a hand. This makes
the game more exciting to the player and potentially more
profitable for the casino. Jackpots have been introduced, wherein
certain predetermined card combinations in the player's hand result
in an enhanced payout to that player. Finally, computer
implementations of these games is always an attractive possibility,
with video based casino games becoming increasingly popular. One
such video implementation of a poker-type game is taught by
Weingardt, U.S. Pat. No. 5,042,818. Of course, a natural next step
is to offer these same video based casino games over the Internet,
thereby making the games available to a potentially enormous
audience. The most successful casino table poker games to date are
Let It Ride.RTM. stud poker (as originally described in U.S. Pat.
No. 5,288,081), Caribbean Stud.TM. poker (originally described in
U.S. Pat. No. 4,836,533), and Three Card.TM. poker (as described in
U.S. Pat. No. 6,237,916).
[0021] In most casinos, a game of blackjack begins by having each
player place an initial wager. The blackjack dealer then
distributes two cards face-down to each player and two cards--one
face up and another face down--to him or herself. After the player
has examined the two dealt cards and compared those cards with the
face-up dealer's card, a number of options present themselves to
the player. The player may "stand" (i.e., take no further cards),
draw one or more additional cards in order to increase the numeric
sum of the hand, double down (a form of progressive wagering), or
split the two cards. Additionally, if the dealer's face-up card is
an ace, the player may elect to buy insurance against the
possibility that the dealer has a blackjack. If, after the dealer's
face-down card is revealed, the dealer does not have a blackjack,
the player loses the amount that was paid as insurance (although he
or she may go on to ultimately win that deal). If, on the other
hand, the dealer has a blackjack, the player collects double the
amount of insurance bought (but may still lose the amount of the
original wager). The option of purchasing insurance is unique to
blackjack type games and has not, heretofore, been available in
poker-style games. The broad rules of blackjack are generally known
to those skilled in the art and a fuller description may be found
in the materials previously incorporated by reference.
[0022] In addition to novel games being introduced into casinos,
novel betting formats have also been introduced. Side bets have
always been common in wagering environments, but the use of side
bets for jackpots and bonuses in casino table card games was
believed to have been first practiced by David Sklansky in about
1982 in a public showing of Sklansky's Poker in Las Vegas, Nev. The
play and/or betting structure of Caribbean Stud.TM. poker was
modeled after that game. Blackjack has allowed surrender play at
many tables, where half the original wager is withdrawn and the
other half is forfeited to the house at the election of the player.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,820,460 (Fulton) describes a method for playing a
casino table card game wherein wagers are changed after some cards
are viewed by the player. Let It Ride.RTM. stud poker advanced that
theory significantly as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,273,424, where
specific segments of wagers could be withdrawn from an original
wager that was placed in multiple parts.
[0023] It is still beneficial to provide additional wagering
formats and structures to add both interest to the game and better
control over house retention and player awards.
[0024] The desired attributes of wagering games outlined above are
in large measure provided by the method and apparatus for a
wagering game in accordance with the present invention. The game is
uncomplicated, exciting and provides the opportunity for players to
make multiple wagers and choices regarding those wagers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0025] The wagering game of the present invention is played with at
least a single standard fifty-two card poker deck and broadly
involves the generally well recognized and accepted set of rules,
procedures and wager-resolving outcomes of card games, especially
five card poker and variations of five card poker. The table bonus
wager and format of the present game is amenable to use with any
casino table card game or video gaming equivalent where multiple
players play at the same time against a house pay table or against
the dealer, and bonus awards are provided for hands or at least a
predetermined rank. Each player has the option (before seeing
sufficient cards to provide even a preliminary evaluation of the
likelihood of winning) of placing a side bet wager on the
occurrence that a player at the table will obtain a hand of a
predetermined rank that will receive a bonus payout. This is called
a table wager, community wager, group wager, or the like. The
player may also make an optional and additional individual wager
that he/she will receive a hand of a predetermined rank that will
receive a bonus payout.
[0026] The preferred game method played with this wagering format
comprises Let It Ride.RTM. stud poker, and a new variant of that
game where each player placing an initial, four-part wager (as
opposed to the required three-part wager used in Let It Ride.RTM.
stud poker) to participate in the game. Cards are dealt by a
dealer, three down to each player and two down to the dealer.
Players inspect or "sweat" their cards, and the dealer asks "take
it or leave it?" or "Let It Ride.RTM.?" with regard to the first
part of the initial bet. Players can choose to retrieve or remove
from play the first part of their initial bet, or leave the first
part in play or at risk, based on the value of the three cards in
their hand. The dealer then turns over one of the dealer's common
cards and the dealer's query is repeated with regard to the second
and third parts of the initial bet, except that withdrawal of the
second part results in the house claiming the third part of the
wager. This step requires that two parts (the second part and the
third part) of the four-part bets (usually equal parts) be
interdependent--that is, considered at the same time of play.
Players can choose to retrieve or remove from play the second part
and forfeit the third part of their initial bet or leave the second
part and third part in play or at risk, based on the value of the
four cards consisting of the three cards in the player's hand and
the first exposed dealer's card. Players have no option with the
fourth part of the bet, which is referred to as the contract wager,
as it must remain in play through the conclusion of play of the
game. Finally, all cards are shown and the payouts and collections
are resolved according to the five card poker ranking of each
player's hand, i.e., the players are not playing against each other
or the dealer.
[0027] The pay table in this game (to be marketed as "Dakota
Stud.TM." table card game) can be adjusted from the pay tables in
Let It Ride.RTM. poker to reflect the change in betting/wagering
structure. For example, to compensate for the required forfeit of
the third wager part if the second wager part is withdrawn, the
qualifying hand for a win may be lowered from the pair of 10's
ordinarily required to win against the pay table in Let It
Ride.RTM. stud poker. For example, the minimum winning hand may be
any pair, a pair of 2's, 3's, 4's, 5's, 6's, 7's, 8's or 9's.
Additionally, higher odds may be paid on higher ranked hands to
make play of the game more attractive to players. The game may also
be modified to provide the player with five cards and the dealer
with two hole cards or common cards, with the best five-card poker
hand playing against a pay table, or with the player being dealt
four cards, and the dealer receiving three cards. This may be done
with the dealer having one of the three cards exposed immediately
before consideration of withdrawal of the first part of the wager,
or with three cards provided face down. In the latter circumstance,
the dealer's face down cards may be exposed one-at-a-time, or
preferably two at one time and one card at another time in the
betting/wagering sequence. Two cards may be exposed before
consideration of withdrawal of the second (and third) parts of the
wager, or first one card exposed at this stage and then two cards
exposed at the end of play, after withdrawal of the second and
third parts has been considered and exercised. Additionally,
players may individually receive all cards, and play against each
other, or a dealer hand, or both.
[0028] More specifically, in the preferred play of the game the
initial wager placed by each player comprises four equal parts and
is made or placed before any cards are dealt. Each player is dealt
three cards face down in the customary fashion. Two common cards
are dealt face down in front of the dealer for use by all of the
players. Each player will use the two common cards in front of the
dealer in combination with his or her three cards to create a five
card hand. After all players have placed their four wagers/bets
(and in an optional play of the game, a special bonus wager or
jackpot wager for extra or extraordinary awards for high ranking
hands against a pay table) and received and examined their cards,
each is given the opportunity to retrieve one part (if equal wagers
are placed, that is one-fourth) of the initial wager before the
dealer reveals one of the two down cards previously placed in front
of him. After all of the players have been queried and decided
whether to withdraw the first part of their wager, the dealer turns
one of the down cards face up. Each player now has the benefit of
four cards, the three he or she is holding down plus the common
card, and the dealer again gives each player the opportunity to
retrieve further part(s) of the initial wager, In this case, with
equal wagers, the player has the option of leaving the second and
third parts in play or withdrawing the second part and forfeiting
the third part before exposing the second common down card. After
the second common down card is revealed, the players turn up the
three cards they are holding thereby forming five card hands made
up of the three cards dealt to each player and the two dealer
cards. The dealer examines each of the players hands and determines
what payout, if any, each player is entitled to receive according
to that players' remaining wager and a preselected payout schedule.
Payouts are made to players with winning hands and the losing
wagers are collected. The cards are then reshuffled for the next
hand. Where a separate side bet has been placed as a bonus or
jackpot wager (against a pay table and/or against a progressive
jackpot), that wager must also be resolved.
[0029] Apparatus is disclosed for playing the wagering game
according to the method outlined above. A typical gaming table,
with a playing surface, is modified to include specific areas that
provide locations for placing the wagers and for displaying the
common cards. A card shuffling machine such as that disclosed in
U.S. Pat. No. 4,807,884 or other shuffling machines manufactured by
Shuffle Master Gaming, Inc. of Las Vegas, Nev. for facilitating and
speeding the play of the wagering game may be used. A display
device may be associated with the apparatus for displaying game
information, shuffle status, or other information relevant to the
dealer, the players or the house.
[0030] The present invention provides an exciting and interesting
wagering game. The wagering game is easy to learn, largely being
based on five card stud poker and the well known ranking of poker
hands. The present invention provides a new variation of a well
known wagering game, five card poker, and in particular Let It
Ride.RTM. stud poker, which is made more interesting by providing
the opportunity for players to make multiple wagers and decisions
related to those wagers based on the progress of the game.
[0031] Still another aspect of the present invention is to provide
a wagering game that is easy to learn, yet demands skill of players
in making strategic decisions about whether to let part of their
bet ride. It is yet another aspect of the present invention to
provide a unique, exciting card game for play in casinos or at home
and on various media including casino tables, video poker machines,
video lottery terminals or home computers. It is an advantage of
the game of the present invention that wagering decisions are
inherent in the game. The game enhances players' sense of
participation and takes advantage of players' inclination to let
wagers ride once placed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0032] FIG. 1 depicts the table layout and apparatus used in
playing the wagering game of the present invention; and
[0033] FIG. 2 is a block diagram representing the flow of play in
the game.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0034] Referring to FIG. 1, the apparatus for the wagering game of
the present invention includes a typical casino gambling or gaming
table 10. The table 10 has a curved side 12 for accommodating up to
seven players and a straight side 14 for accommodating the dealer.
The table 10 has a flat surface 16 covered with felt or other
appropriate material. Although seven playing positions or locations
18a-g for individual players are provided, it is not essential to
the game that exactly seven persons play and as many as sixteen
players may participate. For casino play, a maximum of seven
players provides for a game that is easily manageable by the dealer
and house, and one in which the individual players feel more
involved. A house dealer position 20, including an area suitable
for displaying the dealer's cards 21, is provided.
[0035] Each of the playing positions 18a-g includes a wagering zone
22, comprising four separate and distinct wagering or betting areas
22a, b, c, d. A separate wagering area 22e may be provided for
placing of a bonus or jackpot (e.g., progressive jackpot) wager.
Each position 18a-g also includes a card area 19a-g for receiving
and displaying cards dealt to the player occupying the position.
The wagering areas 22a, b, c, d are designed to receive appropriate
wagering indicators or settling means such as chips (not
shown).
[0036] At one side of the dealer station 20, the apparatus for
practicing the method of the present invention may include a
microprocessor or computer controlled shuffling machine 32
supported by a table extension 34. The shuffling machine 32 may be
of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,807,884 or any other
single deck or multideck shuffling apparatus manufactured by
Shuffle Master Gaming, Inc., the disclosure of which patent is
incorporated herein by reference. The shuffling machine 32 may
include a dealing module for automatically and sequentially dealing
cards and also may include a display means for displaying wager
amounts, the identity of winning players, or other game related
information.
[0037] Referring to the flow diagram of FIG. 2, the initial step in
playing the game of the present invention is preparing or shuffling
a deck of cards, represented at block 40, by activating the
shuffling machine 32 or by hand-shuffling a deck to provide a
shuffled deck. Next, the players place the initial wager, block 42,
by putting equal amounts in each of the four betting areas 22a, b,
c, d. Two of the parts of this initial wager, the parts placed in
wagering area 22a and 22b are retrievable at the option of the
player. The third portion placed in area 22c is a wager that is
forfeited if the second wager at 22b is withdrawn. The fourth part
22d of the four part wager is a nonwithdrawable bet. After the
placing of the wager by each player, the cards are dealt, block 44,
preferably three cards being dealt down to each player and
preferably two cards are dealt down in front of the dealer. The
players inspect or "sweat" their cards in preparation for reaching
decision block 46. At decision block 46, the players are queried by
the dealer about whether the first part of the initial wager, the
part placed in wagering area 22a, should be left or whether the
player wishes to withdraw that portion of the bet. Each player
makes the decision at decision block 46 on the basis of the three
cards forming the player's incomplete hand at this point. Once each
player has been queried and has decided whether or not to let the
first portion of the bet ride, and those bets the player chooses to
retrieve or remove are physically removed from area 22a and
returned to the player, the dealer shows one of the down common
cards, block 48. Now, each player has four cards to consider, the
three cards dealt to that player originally and the single common
card showing on the table. Each player must then decide whether to
let the second part of the initial wager ride or whether to
withdraw it from the game. As noted, if the second part of the
wager is withdrawn, the third part of the wager is forfeit and is
collected by the house. After each player is queried and decides
what to do with regard to the second part of the bet, and those
bets to be withdrawn are physically removed from area 22b (and 22c
if the third part is forfeit) and returned to the player, the
dealer reveals the second common down card, as represented at block
52. Each player now has a five card hand comprised of the three
cards each player was originally dealt plus the two revealed common
cards. The third bet, the bet placed at wagering area 22d, is a
nonretrievable portion of the initial bet and the flow of the game
proceeds to block 54 wherein the players show or reveal their three
cards to the dealer. The dealer resolves each player's bet (which
includes all three parts, the second and third part or only the
third part, depending on the player's choices during play of the
hand) based on the five card hand at block 56 and determines what
payout, if any, the player is entitled to receive according to the
payout schedule at the particular gaming table or casino. Bets on
non-winning hands are collected by the dealer or house. The hand is
then over and the flow of the game returns to block 40, preparing
and shuffling the deck for a new hand.
[0038] The award or payoff is given for each of the optional bets
that were allowed to ride to the end of the hand and for the
non-withdrawable part of the bet. A typical pay table would be as
follows:
2 Pairs, Sixes or Better 1-1 (even money) Two Pairs 2-1 Three of a
Kind 3-1 Straight 4-1 Flush 5-1 Full House 9-1 Four of a Kind 40-1
Straight Flush 100-1 Royal Flush 500-1
[0039] The method of the present invention is not limited to five
card poker games, but may be applied or used in other appropriate
games such as seven card poker, as described elsewhere herein. The
method of the present invention does not require a shuffling
machine 32, dealing module 33 or a display means 36. However, these
facilitate and expedite the play of the game as well as add
interest to the game. While the initial wager of the present
invention is preferably comprised of four equal bets, the bets do
not necessarily have to be equal. The second and third parts should
be equal, or the third part may be smaller than or greater than the
second part. Similarly, the first, second, third and fourth parts
may be of different values, but the fourth bet must be at least
equal to a table minimum and may be required to be at least equal
to or greater than any other wager part. While equal bets are
highly preferred for casino play, unequal bets may be used in home
play, if desired. The wagering game of the present invention might
be played live in casinos with a dealer, or in casinos or homes in
interactive electronic or video form with automatic coin or betting
means receptacles and payout capability, wherein appropriate
symbols for cards, wagers or score keeping would be displayed
electronically. A "board-type game" suitable for home, club or
casino use may also be provided for practicing the method of the
present invention.
[0040] In combination with or separate from the play of Dakota
Stud.TM. casino table poker, a new wagering structure resulting in
different bonus structures may be used. The pure wagering structure
described above, where the third part of the wager is tied to the
election made by the player on the separate part of the wager is
itself novel. The use of that wagering structure in combination
with certain pseudo-pooling payout outcomes at the table is a
further advance in the structure of wagering and play at casino
table card games.
[0041] An example of the additional wagering structure and
alternative payout structures include the use of excess retention
by the house because of the unique wagering structure described
above in the four-part wager (e.g., retaining a pair of 10's or
other rank higher than 6's, 7's, 8's, or 9's as the winning hand)
or by providing the option of a side bet to enter the additional
award structure described below. Once the player is entered into
the additional award structure (either automatically or with the
optional or required side bet), the payout can be altered as
follows. Those players that are entered into play of the additional
award structure can participate in winning awards at the table,
even where the awards occur in different hands, that is, hands of
other players.
[0042] In present table gaming with bonuses or jackpots with side
wagers, only the player receiving the hand is paid on the
achievement of the bonus hand of at least a predetermined rank. In
some poker clubs, certain events are paid both to players at the
table and to the winning player from a pool when certain unusual
events occur. For example, house rake may be partially deposited in
a pool account where when the event occurs, the pool is paid to the
table where it occurs and the money in the pool is distributed
proportionally. Such a situation would occur where, for example,
the winning event in a pool was where a losing hand at a card table
was at least a full house with at least three Aces and two 10's as
the losing hand. The pool is distributed among the players and the
sometimes the dealer at the table as, for example (70% to the
winning hand, 10% to the losing hand and 20% to the remaining
players at the table; or 70% to the winning hand, 15% to the second
place hand, 20% to the remaining players at the table, and 5% to
the dealer). The pool is a form of progressive jackpot which is
incremented according to discretionary rules of the poker club or
casino. All players at the table share the pool winnings if they
anted in the play of the hand where the winning event occurred. No
distinct side wager or particular wagering element is required to
enter into the chance to win the pool, which occurs with only a
single specific event occurring, as described.
[0043] In the practice of the present invention, accumulating funds
from the third wager (automatically entering the player in the
bonus event during the game) or preferably requiring a separate
side wager to enter the bonus payout event is used to enable a
player to enter the bonus event. The player is either required to
place a side bet or has the option of placing a side bet to enter
the bonus event. The bonus event is played against a pay table,
whereby whenever any player at the table achieves a hand of
predetermined rank, all players that are entered into the bonus
event (either automatically or by placing the side bet) shares the
bonus award for the predetermined hand. The rules may vary, so that
a) only players that made the side bet wager can participate in the
bonus, b) only players that made the side bet wager and remain in
the game at the end of the hand can participate in the bonus, c)
only players that made the side bet wager and have a qualifying
hand can participate in the bonus, or d) only players that made the
side bet wager and have a hand that beats the dealer's hand can
participate in the bonus. The preferred method of play is a). The
play of this bonus event with side bet can even be extended to
include multiple tables. For example, certain progressive jackpot
games link tables for the jackpot or bonus awards taken out of the
jackpot pool. The tables can be linked by having players who had
made the side bet wager at a distal table in the last hand before
the bonus event was won at a proximal table. This is not a
preferred embodiment (because of potential complexities in
synchronization of play or debating when hands were played relative
to distal side bets), but is within the skill of play and design.
Additionally, the bonus may be paid either when any hand at the
table achieves the predetermined hand rank, or only when a player
that has made a side bet achieves a hand of the predetermined rank.
The second format is preferred to stimulate more persons at the
table to make the wager.
[0044] An aspect of this pay structure is to increase the frequency
of bonus events at a table. With more players at a table, there are
more hands per game at the table, and the hit frequency of bonus
hands increases. Even though the actual size of individual awards
per player decreases, the increased frequency improves the overall
appeal of the game. For example, if there are six players at a
table, the frequency of bonus hands statistically increases to
approximately six times what the frequency was with a single player
at the table.
[0045] The payouts for each player will necessarily vary according
to the number of players that are in the game and/or have made the
side bonus bet. The house may require a minimum number of players
to engage play of this side bet bonus event, primarily to limit the
number of pay tables that must be displayed It is also possible to
have a display device (e.g., screen, monitor LED, liquid crystal
display, plasma screen, etc.) that is fed by data from a computer
or microprocessor or other image source to show the applicable pay
table for the number of players involved in the payout for the
hands. For example, the display may show separate screen for 2
player, 3 player, 4 player, 5 player, 6 player and 7 player bonus
events, each screen having different odds and payouts. Automated
equipment indicating the number of wagers placed, the number of
players entered, the rank of the hand, and other factors can be
provided. For example, camera, scanners, digital readers, and
software interpreting the data such as that provided in U.S. Pat.
Nos. 6,313,871; 6,460,848; 6,126,166; 5,941,769; and the like could
be used to assist in automating the reading of cards, ranks,
wagers, and the number of players.
[0046] It is also possible for players to elect to play a "double
bonus." In this format, rather than a typical one dollar side bet
being placed, two separate one dollar wagers or a single two dollar
wager may be placed to enter the player in both an individual bonus
payout event and the shared bonus event discussed above. Except
where the bonus was a progressive bonus, this system could be
highly attractive to players. The rules must be clear in the event
that a progressive jackpot is used, so that it would be understood
that a 100% jackpot win by a player with both side bets placed
would win 50% of the total jackpot for him/herself, and the
remaining 50% would be split among players in the bonus event,
including the winning player. With a fixed bonus pay table, one of
five players at a table with both side bets having been placed (the
individual bonus and the shared bonus or group bonus wager) would
receive a payment of the fixed amount for obtaining a predetermined
rank hand and 1/5.sup.th of the award for the group award on the
ranked hand. For example, if the ranked hand were a Straight Flush
with a $2,000 fixed award, the player with that hand would win
$2,400-$2,000 for the individual bonus side bet and 1/5.sup.th of
$2,000 ($400) for the group bonus wager.
[0047] The side bets may be made on sensing systems or by placing
tokens, chips or money on the table that remain on the table at
appropriate locations until conclusion of the game. Typical sensing
devices include coin drops, photo optical sensors, proximity
detectors, cameras, scales, and the like.
[0048] The format of this game is particularly compatible with any
poker-type games where bonus awards are provided from a pay table,
such as Let It Ride.RTM. stud poker, Three Card.TM. poker, Four
Card poker, 3-5-7.TM. Poker table game, and the like. It is also
useful in games where progressive jackpots are used, alone or in
combination with pay tables, such as with certain formats of
Caribbean Stud.TM. poker. The wager could also be used in games
where there are special bonuses given to players who obtain unique
hands. For example, in Pai Gow poker, there may be special awards
for perfect Pai Gow hands (e.g., 9, 8, 7, 5, 4, 3 and 2) or
uniquely ranked hands (e.g., a front pair of aces and at least
four-of-a-kind on the rear hand). The payouts could be made to all
players participating in the wager (e.g., on a proportional basis),
rather than just to the player who obtains the hand. The bonus
wager could also be doubled so that a player could receive both the
individual award and the group award for the hand.
[0049] The present invention may be embodied in other specific
forms without departing from the essential attributes thereof. It
is desired that the embodiments described above may be considered
in all respects as illustrative, not restrictive, reference being
made to the appended claims to indicate the scope of the
invention.
[0050] What is claimed:
* * * * *