U.S. patent application number 10/354252 was filed with the patent office on 2004-07-29 for betting layout for casino games and method of use.
Invention is credited to Calvo, Ismael T., Oliver, Mark.
Application Number | 20040145116 10/354252 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32736304 |
Filed Date | 2004-07-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040145116 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Calvo, Ismael T. ; et
al. |
July 29, 2004 |
Betting layout for casino games and method of use
Abstract
A betting layout (30, 30a, 130) for playing a casino game for
increasing the betting capacity of the game. The betting layout
(30, 30a, 130) includes a dealer position (37, 37a), a plurality of
player betting positions (41-46), indicia uniquely identifying each
the player betting position (41-46), and a plurality of gallery
betting positions (51-56) extending about the dealer position (37,
37a) and past each of the plurality of player betting positions
(41-46). Respective ones of the gallery betting positions (51-56)
include indicia corresponding to that of a respective one of the
player betting positions (41-46). A method of using the betting
layout (30, 30a, 130) is also disclosed.
Inventors: |
Calvo, Ismael T.; (Sparks,
NV) ; Oliver, Mark; (Reno, NV) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DORSEY & WHITNEY LLP
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY DEPARTMENT
4 EMBARCADERO CENTER
SUITE 3400
SAN FRANCISCO
CA
94111
US
|
Family ID: |
32736304 |
Appl. No.: |
10/354252 |
Filed: |
January 29, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
273/274 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F 3/00157
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
273/274 |
International
Class: |
A63F 001/06 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A betting layout for a casino game comprising: a plurality of
player betting positions provided on the layout; indicia
identifying each said player betting position and distinguishing it
from the other player betting positions; at least one gallery
betting position provided on the layout in a location for betting
by a non-player on a selected one of the players' results; and said
gallery betting position including indicia corresponding to that of
at least one of said players' betting positions.
2. The betting layout according to claim 1 wherein, the gallery
betting position is located at a location enabling betting by
players and non-players without interfering with betting by the
other.
3. The betting layout according to claim 1 wherein, said betting
layout is provided for use on a top of a table for wagering on a
card game played at the table.
4. The betting layout according to claim 1 wherein, the betting
layout is provided on a display screen of a electronic gaming
machine to enable betting on a simulated card game.
5. The betting layout according to claim 1 wherein, the layout
includes a plurality of gallery betting positions each including
indicia corresponding to each of the indicia identifying each of
the player betting positions.
6. A betting layout according to claim 1 wherein, said gallery
betting positions are proximate each of said plurality of player
betting positions.
7. A betting layout according to claim 5 wherein, the player
betting positions and the gallery betting positions extend in a
continuous array in front of the players and the non-players.
8. A betting layout according to claim 7 wherein, the continuous
array is a substantially semicircular configuration.
9. The betting layout according to claim 8 wherein, the layout
includes a dealer position centrally located on the layout, and
said player betting positions and said gallery betting positions
are circumferentially spaced about semi-circular configuration.
10. A betting layout according to claim 2 wherein, said player
betting positions and said gallery betting positions are provided
by circumferentially extending betting bands with respect to said
dealer position.
11. A betting layout according to claim 10 wherein, said player
betting positions and said gallery betting positions are provided
by a plurality of concentric semicircles, respective ones of said
semicircles including indicia identifying each of said player
betting positions.
12. A betting layout according to claim 11 wherein, said indicia
identifying each player betting position comprises a color uniquely
identifying each said player betting position.
13. A betting layout according to claim 12 wherein, said layout
includes between four and seven player betting positions and a
gallery betting position between each player betting position.
14. A betting layout according to claim 5 wherein, said indicia
uniquely identifies each said player betting position and an
indicia identifying a dealer betting position, said betting layout
includes six player betting positions and seven gallery betting
positions, each player betting position and each gallery betting
position including indicia corresponding to that of each of said
player betting positions and said dealer betting position.
15. A betting layout according to claim 14 wherein, said gallery
betting positions extend between adjacent player betting positions
allowing a non-player to bet on one or more players' hands or the
dealer's hand without physically interfering with the betting of
players.
16. A method of playing a casino game having rules, said method
comprising: providing a betting layout including a plurality of
player betting positions and a plurality of gallery betting
positions located to enable non-players to wager on player's hands
without interfering with the player's play of the game; permitting
a player at one of said player betting positions to place a wager
on a result of the game as played by the player; permitting a
non-player to place a bet on a gallery betting position as to the
result of the game as played by said player; and paying out on said
wagers in accordance with the rules of the casino game to both said
player and said non-players.
17. The method according to claim 16 wherein, the step of providing
a betting layout is accomplished by providing a betting layout on a
top of table suitable for the play of a card game on top of the
layout.
18. The method according to claim 16 wherein, the step of providing
a betting layout is accomplished by providing the betting layout on
the screen of a gaming machine.
19. A method according to claim 16, and the step of: permitting a
plurality of players, each betting at a respective one of said
player betting positions, to place a wager on their respective
hands; permitting each said plurality of players to place a wager
on the hand of another one of said plurality of players; and
permitting said non-players to place at least one bet on the hand
of at least one of the players.
20. A method according to claim 19, and the step of: permitting a
plurality of non-players to place a bet on the hand of any one of
the players.
21. A method according to claim 20, and the step of: permitting a
plurality of non-players to place a plurality of bets on the hands
of a plurality of the players.
22. A method according to claim 21 wherein, said providing step is
accomplished by providing betting layout having a plurality of
concentric semicircular gallery betting bands extending past each
of a plurality of player positions, respective ones of said
concentric semicircular gallery betting bands corresponding to a
respective one of said player betting positions.
23. A method according to claim 21 wherein, said gallery betting
bands extend between adjacent player betting positions, said method
includes the step of: permitting said plurality of non-players to
place bets on concentric semicircular gallery betting bands at
locations between said player betting positions whereby the
plurality of non-players can bet on one or more players' hands
without physically interfering with the betting of the players.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates, in general, to layouts for casino
games and gaming machines, and more particularly to betting layouts
for card games of the type played at casinos and methods for their
use.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] Casino games based on various card games are well known, for
example, card games such as poker, blackjack and pai-gow poker.
Such casino card games generally allow one or more players to play
against a house dealer or a player/banker and allow the players to
place wagers on their own hand. In fact, casino games also have
been devised which allow players to place wagers on the hands of
other players. Such prior casino games typically include a playing
surface, for example, a felt or cloth table betting layout, which
allows for the seating of four to seven players on one side of the
table and a standing house dealer on the other side of the
table.
[0005] An exemplar of the prior art is U.S. Pat. No. 5,494,296 to
Grassa which shows a multiple position layout for play of a
twenty-one game in which each player can bet on the hands of other
players, as well as their own hand. U.S. Pat. No. 5,839,731 to
Feola also shows a method and a betting layout for playing a casino
game. U.S. Pat. No. 6,270,078 to Leone et al. shows a method of
playing an improved version of the game of pai-gow poker, with its
associated betting layout.
[0006] Most prior casino card games, however, are limited in that
usually casino card games only allow a player seated at the table
to place a wager, either on their own hand or also on another
player's hand. Accordingly, such prior casino games only allow for
four to seven players to place bets on the hands being dealt. Thus,
the betting capacity of such prior casino card games is limited to
the number of bets placed by the handholding players.
[0007] However, in some casinos and card rooms, non-players have
been allowed to place gallery bets on top of, or on the side of,
player's wagers. Such a prior non-player betting, sometimes called
"betting from the balcony" or "gallery betting," however, creates a
chaotic environment in which control of the game by the house may
be compromised. The confusion can be compounded when one of the
players acts as the banker, in which case the house or dealer may
or may not have a hand.
[0008] What is needed is a new and improved betting layout for card
games which facilitates the management of gallery wagering and
overcomes the above noted problems and other disadvantages of known
casino card game layouts.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] In summary, one aspect of the present invention is directed
to a betting layout for betting on a casino game, and particularly
a casino card game. The betting layout includes a plurality of
spaced player betting positions, and most usually a dealer
position, indicia uniquely identifying each of the player betting
positions, and a plurality of non-player betting locations for
wagering by non-players on any one of the player's hands.
Respective ones of the non-player betting positions include indicia
corresponding to that of a respective player betting positions.
[0010] In one embodiment, the player and non-player betting
positions extend continuously past each of the plurality of player
betting positions. The betting layout may advantageously take the
form of a plurality of concentric, substantially semicircular bands
with the dealer position being centrally located and the non-player
and player betting positions being circumferentially spaced about
the dealer position. Other geometries are suitable for use as the
betting array, but they should allow for gallery betting from the
player's side of the table without physical interference by the
gallery betters with the player's betting.
[0011] In one embodiment, the player betting indicia includes a
color uniquely identifying each of the player betting positions.
The non-player betting positions may be located between adjacent
player betting positions around the concentric semicircular layout,
and respective ones of the semicircular bands of the layout have a
color corresponding to that of a respective one of the player
betting positions.
[0012] In one embodiment, the betting layout includes four to seven
player betting positions with non-player betting positions at the
ends of the layout and between the player betting positions. The
non-player betting (gallery betting) positions should be located so
that gallery betters will not physically interfere with the
players, which is particularly well-implemented by the use of a
layout with continuous bands. The present layout can be implemented
electronically in a gaming machine, as well as by a table top
layout.
[0013] Another aspect of the present invention is directed to a
method of playing a casino game which includes the steps of
providing a betting layout including a plurality of player betting
positions and a plurality of non-player betting positions located
to enable non-players to wager on player's hands without
interfering with player's play of the game, permitting a player to
place a wager on the hand of the player, permitting a non-player to
place a gallery wager on a player's hand and paying out on the
wagers in accordance with the rules of the game for both the player
and non-player.
[0014] In one embodiment, the method further includes the step of
permitting a plurality of players, each seated at a respective one
of the player positions, to place a wager on their respective
hands, permitting each of the plurality of players to place a wager
on the hand of another one of the plurality of handholding players,
and permitting non-player to place a gallery wager on the hand of
any one of the handholding players.
[0015] In one embodiment, the step of providing a betting layout
may be accomplished by providing a plurality of concentric,
substantially semicircular, wagering bands extending past each of a
plurality of player positions, respective ones of the wagering
bands being identified with a corresponding one of the player
betting positions. The method further may include the step of
permitting the plurality of non-players to reach between respective
players and place gallery wagers on the concentric substantially
semicircular bands whereby the plurality of non-players can bet on
one or more players' hands without physically interfering with the
players.
[0016] An object of the present invention is to provide a new and
improved betting layout for casino games, and particularly card
games, so as to implement more orderly gallery betting.
[0017] The betting layout for card games of the present invention
has other features and advantages which will be apparent from, or
are set forth in more detail in, the accompanying drawings, which
are incorporated in and form a part of this specification, and the
following Best Mode of Carrying Out the Invention, which together
serve to explain the principles of the present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1 illustrates a betting layout for a casino game
constructed in accordance with the present invention.
[0019] FIG. 2 illustrates a modified betting layout for a card game
in accordance with the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic representation of a gaming
machine assembly constructed in accordance with the present
invention.
BEST MODE OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0021] Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred
embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in
the accompanying drawings. While the invention will be described in
conjunction with the preferred embodiments, it will be understood
that they are not intended to limit the invention to those
embodiments. On the contrary, the invention is intended to cover
alternatives, modifications and equivalents, which may be included
within the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined by the
appended claims.
[0022] Turning now to the drawings, wherein like components are
designated by like reference numerals throughout the various
figures, attention is directed to FIG. 1 which illustrates a
betting layout for a casino game in accordance with present
invention, the betting layout being generally designated by numeral
30. Betting layout 30 may be used in a casino, a card room, other
gaming facilities, or at home. The betting layout allows players to
bet on their own hands, as well as the hands of other players.
Unlike prior casino game layouts, however, the betting layout of
the present invention also allows non-players to bet on the hands
of players from "the gallery" or "the balcony." Accordingly,
betting layout 30 allows for additional people to bet from many
positions around the layout and thereby increases the betting
capacity of the card game for a given layout floor space.
[0023] Betting layout 30 includes a plurality of player
card-receiving zones into which cards are dealt, generally
designated by the numerals 31-36, and in front of which players may
be seated and wager on the game being played. In the illustrated
embodiment, the betting layout includes six card-receiving zones,
however, one will appreciate that the betting layout may include a
wide number of player positions in accordance with the present
invention. Typically, casinos will allow four to seven
card-receiving or seating zones for games such as blackjack. Player
seating zones 31-36 are spaced about a centrally located dealer
card-receiving zone, generally designated by numeral 37. When the
betting layout is utilized for a casino card game, a house dealer
usually will stand during play of the game adjacent dealer zone 37
and deal cards to the player.
[0024] It is the practice in some casinos, however, to allow
players to take turns acting as the banker. In such games, the
house takes a "commission" of $1.00 per player per hand or 5% of
the winnings, depending upon the house rules. The house dealer also
may or may not be dealt a hand, again depending upon the house
rules. It will be understood that betting layout 30 of the present
invention also can be readily employed for player/banker games
and/or games in which the house is not dealt a hand.
[0025] In the illustrated embodiment, betting layout 30 has a
semicircular configuration in which player card-receiving zones
31-36 are circumferentially spaced about dealer's zone 37. Betting
layout 30 may be positioned on top of, or form the top of, a
semicircular table. Advantageously layout 30 can be a felt cover
for the table which facilitates picking up the cards. The dealer
stands adjacent the center of the table, that is, the midpoint of
straight side 38. At will, one or more players are seated, adjacent
a respective one of player card-receiving zones 31-36,
circumferentially along curved side 39 of betting layout 30. One
should appreciate that the betting layout of the present invention
need not be positioned on or formed as a tabletop, but instead may
be used in other gaming contexts. For example, betting layout 30
may be displayed on the viewing screen of a gaming machine, as will
be described further below in connection with FIG. 3. Similarly,
layout 30 can be embodied in a board game or other similar forms of
entertainment.
[0026] Each player seating zone can include a corresponding player
betting position or box 41-46 having indicia uniquely identifying
each player betting position 41-46. In the illustrated embodiment,
each player betting position 41-46 includes a number designating
the player seated at any one of the respective player
card-receiving zones 31-36. Additionally, each player betting
position 41-46 can include a color or other indicia, uniquely
identifying each respective player betting position 41-46.
[0027] Betting layout 30 of the present invention further includes
a plurality of gallery betting positions, which may advantageously
take the form of wagering bands or strips 51-56. Gallery betting
bands 51-56 extended about dealer zone 37 and past each of player
seating zone 31-36. Each gallery betting band also includes indicia
corresponding to the indicia for the player betting positions
41-46. For example, gallery betting position or band 51 may include
a designation 61, for example, the number "one" corresponding to
first player betting position 41. In addition to, or instead of,
designation 61, betting band 51 may include a color (shown
schematically) corresponding to that of player betting box 41.
Similarly, gallery betting bands 52-56 include a corresponding
numeral designation 62-66 (e.g., "two", "three", "four", "five" and
"six", respectively) and/or colors corresponding to that of player
betting positions or boxes 42-46, respectively.
[0028] In the illustrated embodiment, gallery betting positions
51-56 have a semicircular configuration that extend
circumferentially about centrally located dealer position 37 in a
concentric manner. In this manner, a portion of each betting band
51-56 extends in front of each player position in a radially
aligned manner with respect to dealer zone 37. Thus, each player
can place, within arms reach, additional bets on one or more hands
of the other players' hands. It is contemplated, therefore, that
each player also may use the gallery betting bands to place bets on
the hands of other players. Thus, as far as another player is
concerned, each player is also part of the gallery.
[0029] Preferably, the indicia of the betting boxes and the gallery
betting bands are based upon color so that the betting layout or
array is colorful, which increases the aesthetic value of the
betting layout. Such a colorful layout may beneficially add
aesthetics to the casino environment and may attract onlookers to
the particular casino card game played on the betting layout.
[0030] Although the gallery betting bands preferably extend
continuously past each of the player zones 31-36, one should
appreciate that band 51-56 need not be continuous. The betting
bands should be formed so as to provide sufficient space around the
layout upon which a non-player may place a bet while standing
behind or adjacent to a player, without interfering with the player
seated in front or along side of the non-player. A non-player may
bet while standing behind or adjacent to a player since bands 51-56
are within arm's reach all around the betting layout. Betting bands
51-56, therefore, are within arm's length of a non-player standing
at either end of betting layout 30, as well as being within
arm's-length of a non-player standing between adjacent ones of
player zones 31-36. The configuration of betting layout 30, namely
the configuration of arcuate gallery betting bands 51-56, allows a
non-player to place one or more bets on the players' hands without
physically interfering with any of the players betting or play of
the game.
[0031] Betting layout 30 also allows the dealer to better manage
the game and keep track of the collection of, and pay out on, the
bets by players and non-players. Moreover, the ability of
non-players to bet from the gallery or balcony on a selected player
or players' hands, adds excitement to the game and stimulates
interest in the casino.
[0032] The method of using betting layout 30 in accordance with the
present invention can now be described. In operation and use,
betting layout 30 allows players of casino games, such as
blackjack, pai-gow poker, and other card games, to place bets on
their respective hands. Players may also exercise the option of
making one or more additional bets on other players' hands by
placing a bet on the colored semicircular betting bands.
[0033] Additionally, betting layout 30 allows non-players to place
wagers from positions adjacent to the table on the hands of the
players. For example, a non-player can walk up and momentarily
stand between first and second player card-receiving zones 31 and
32. Should the non-player wish to place a wager on the hand of one
of the players seated at card-receiving position 35, the non-player
may quickly identify which betting band corresponds to the fifth
player by the number and/or color of the player position betting
boxes. In particular, the non-player may observe the color and/or
number of player betting box 45 located at the fifth player
card-receiving zone 35, and easily find the corresponding betting
band 55.
[0034] The non-player may then wager on the hand of the selected
player seated at the fifth player zone 35 by simply reaching
between the first and second players and placing a bet on a portion
of semicircular band 55 which extends in front of and between the
first and second player zones 31 and 32.
[0035] Next, the dealer deals a card hand to each handholding
player in accordance with the rules of the particular card game
being played including, but not limited to poker, blackjack and
pai-gow poker. During the play-sequence of each round, the dealer
will pay, take or push all bets on each player betting position
41-46 and each non-player betting band 51-56 after a win/loss/tie
loss comparison is made between each player's hand and the dealer's
hand. In the present example in which hands are dealt to players
zones 31 and 35, the dealer may first look to gallery betting
position 51 and pay or take the bets placed on band 51 around the
semicircle in a counterclockwise fashion, as well as player betting
box 41. Next, the dealer will complete the deal to player
card-receiving zone 35 and look to the next gallery betting band 55
upon which bets have been placed. The bets will be paid or taken in
a counterclockwise fashion. Thus, the configuration of betting
layout 30 facilitates a dealer in handling the additional workload
associated with the additional bets by players, as well as the
gallery bets by non-players, namely, by allowing the dealer to
sweep along each one of gallery betting bands 51-56, as necessary,
until all hands and bets are accounted for. Accordingly, casinos
using the betting layout of the present invention may gain an
increased number of bets per round, gain security, and provide
added comfort to their players, and income per square foot of
casino area.
[0036] In another embodiment of the present invention, betting
layout 30a is similar to betting layout 30 described above but
includes an additional option betting line 70 as shown in FIG. 2.
Like reference numerals have been used to describe like components
of betting layouts 30 and 30a. Betting layout 30a is particularly
suited for card games in which bets may be placed on the dealer's
hand or that of a handholding player, such as pai-gow poker.
[0037] In operation and use, betting layout 30a is used in
substantially the same manner as betting layout 30 discussed above
but allows bets to be placed on the dealer's hand or that of a
handholding player who wishes to serve as the "bank".
[0038] An electronically implemented embodiment of the present
casino game layout is shown in FIG. 3. A plurality of gaming
machines 101-104 are electronically coupled together at 106-108.
Each gaming machine 101-104 includes a display screen 111-114, most
typically a video display screen. The gaming machines also will
include betting input slots, or the like, 116-119 formed for
receipt of coins or credit cards, or both, in a manner well known
in the industry, and at least once CPU having gaming software
therein.
[0039] Displayed on screens 111-114 can be a casino game layout
130, which is common to all screens. If there are two band holding
players at machines 102 and 104, for example, all machines will
display a dealer's hand 136, a hand 137 at the machine 102's
position and a hand 138 at machine 104's position and the gallery
machine's position 101. A non-player may bet at machine 101, for
example, by selecting one of the players, e.g., player at machine
104. This could light up betting band 144 in the sector for machine
101. If the player at machine 102 bets on his own hand, his betting
space 152 will light up, and if he also bets on the player's hand
at machine 104, band 144 in sector for machine 102 will light up,
as schematically shown.
[0040] Thus, the system will allow betting from the gallery by
non-players, as well as betting by players on their own hands and
on other player's hands. Each machine will have the usual input
buttons to "hit" or "stand" in order to allow a player to play the
game, and a "gallery bet" button, or the like, to allow non-players
to bet on player's hands. The "gallery bet" button will also
prevent the non-player from playing.
[0041] Obviously, all player's and non-player's bets must be made
before the play of hands begins, which can be electronically
controlled by a "finished betting" button.
[0042] In the gaming machine embodiment "interfering with the
player's play of the game" is controlled electronically and
continuous betting bands 141-144 are not essential. Non-players do
not physically reach between players to bet, but layouts on screens
111-114 which are similar in configuration to layouts 30, 30a have
visual advantages and help understanding, particularly when the
same layout is being used at gaming tables.
[0043] In many respects the modifications of the various figures
resemble those of preceding modifications and the same reference
numerals followed by subscript "a" designate corresponding
parts.
[0044] The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the
present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration
and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit
the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many
modifications and variations are possible in light of the above
teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to
best explain the principles of the invention and its practical
application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best
utilize the invention and various embodiments with various
modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It
is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the
claims appended hereto and their equivalents.
* * * * *