U.S. patent application number 10/693003 was filed with the patent office on 2004-09-16 for method of and apparatus for playing a card game.
Invention is credited to Garrod, Glen E..
Application Number | 20040178582 10/693003 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32966663 |
Filed Date | 2004-09-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040178582 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Garrod, Glen E. |
September 16, 2004 |
Method of and apparatus for playing a card game
Abstract
Methods of and apparatuses for playing a card game. In one
method, the dealer's hand contains a specified card, such as e.g.
the ace of spades or, e.g. the queen of clubs, that is displayed
face up. From the remainder of the deck each player is dealt two
face down cards. After viewing the two face down cards, each player
may act upon his or her hand. The player may be given the option to
fold and receive a portion of the original wager back.
Alternatively, the player may remain in the game leaving the
original wager unchanged. As a further alternative, the player may
be given the option to increase the wager up to a determined
amount. After making a decision, one or more common cards are dealt
face up. The common cards are common to each of the players' hands
and to the dealer's hand. The dealer is then dealt one card face up
to complete the deal. Each player compares his or her hand to the
dealer's hand to determine if that player is a winner.
Additionally, the player may receive a bonus for certain hands.
Further, the player may fold and receive a return based on some
portion or all of the wager for having one or two of a
predetermined card (such as a deuce) in the player's initial two
cards.
Inventors: |
Garrod, Glen E.; (Nevada
City, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Varian Medical Systems, Inc.
3100 Hansen Way
Palo Alto
CA
94304
US
|
Family ID: |
32966663 |
Appl. No.: |
10/693003 |
Filed: |
October 25, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10693003 |
Oct 25, 2003 |
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09785677 |
Feb 16, 2001 |
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6637747 |
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09785677 |
Feb 16, 2001 |
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09249663 |
Feb 12, 1999 |
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6206373 |
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60074904 |
Feb 17, 1998 |
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60088534 |
Jun 8, 1998 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
273/292 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F 2003/00996
20130101; A63F 2003/0017 20130101; A63F 3/00157 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
273/292 |
International
Class: |
A63F 001/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method of playing a card game comprising the steps of:
specifying a first card before the cards are dealt, said first card
having a predetermined known value; dealing a hand comprising at
least one card to at least one player; dealing a hand comprising at
least one card to a dealer; dealing at least one common card, said
common card being common to said dealer and to said at least one
player; wherein said dealer's hand comprises said first card; and
wherein the rank of the hands is determined using a first number of
cards, wherein said at least one common card plus said at least one
card dealt to said player is equal to said first number.
2. The method as described in claim 1 wherein said first card is a
queen.
3. The method as described in claim 1 wherein said player places a
wager, and wherein at at least one point during said card game said
player is given the option to raise the wager.
4. The method as described in claim 1 wherein a plurality of common
cards are dealt simultaneously during said step of dealing said at
least one common card.
5. The method as described in claim 1 wherein said player is
determined to be a winner by a method comprising determining if
said player's hand is a higher hand than said dealer's hand
according to a determined ranking of hands.
6. The method as described in claim 1 wherein a plurality of
players participate, and wherein each of said players is determined
to be a winner individually.
7. The method as described in claim 5 wherein said deck is
substantially a standard deck of poker cards, and wherein
substantially standard poker rankings are used for said method of
determining if said player is a winner.
8. The method as described in claim 1 where said player places a
wager, and wherein said player receives a payout for achieving a
specified hand, said payout being a ratio based upon at least a
portion of said wager, said payout given for one or more of the
following of said specified hands: straight, flush, full house,
four of a kind, straight flush, and royal flush.
9. The method as described in claim 8 wherein said payout for said
specified hands is in the range of approximately 1:1-25:1
10. A device comprising means to perform the method as described in
claim 1, said device having a display to display information
regarding said game, computing means to perform said method in
conjunction with player input, and interface means for said player
to indicate said input.
11. The device as described in claim 10 further comprising means
for placing a wager, and wherein said device comprises means for
said player to take an action at at least one point during said
game, said action comprising increasing said wager or staying
without increasing said wager.
12. A storage device storing instructions which, when executed by
processing means cause said processing means to perform the method
described in claim 1.
13. A method of playing a card game comprising the steps of:
dealing a hand comprising at least one card to each of a plurality
of players, said at least one card being a different card for each
of said plurality of players; dealing a hand comprising at least
one card to a dealer; dealing at least one common card, said common
card being common to said dealer and to said players; comparing the
dealer's hand with each of the players' hands; wherein the same at
least one common card must be used by each of said plurality of
players in determining each of said players' hands when comparing
each of said players' hands to said dealer's hand; determining if
each of said players is a winner individually; wherein the rank of
the hands is determined using a first number of cards, wherein said
at least one common card plus said at least one card dealt to said
player is equal to said first number.
14. The method as described in claim 13 further comprising
specifying a first card, and wherein said dealer's hand comprises
said first card.
15. The method as described in claim 14 wherein said specified card
is a queen.
16. The method as described in claim 13 wherein said deck is
substantially a standard deck of poker cards, and wherein
substantially standard poker rankings are used for said step of
determining if said players' hand is a winning hand.
17. The method as described in claim 13 wherein said player places
a wager, and wherein at at least one point during said card game
said player is given at least one option selected from the group
consisting of: i) folding said player's hand; ii) staying in said
game without increasing said wager; iii) increasing said wager;
and, iv) any combination of two or more of options i, ii, and
iii.
18. The method as described in claim 13 wherein said method is
performed on a device having a display to display information
regarding said game, computing means to perform said method in
conjunction with player input, and interface means for said player
to indicate said input.
19. A storage device storing instructions which, when executed by
processing means cause said processing means to perform the method
of claim 13.
20. A method of playing a card game comprising the steps of:
dealing a hand comprising at least one card to at least one player;
dealing a hand comprising at least one card to a dealer; dealing at
least one common card, said common card being common to said dealer
and to said at least one player; wherein said player places a
wager, and wherein at at least one point during said card game said
player must take one of the following actions: i) folding said
player's hand; or ii) increasing said wager without respect to any
other player accepting said increase; or, iii) staying in said
game.
21. The method as described in claim 20 wherein at said at least
one point said player must take one of said actions (ii) or
(iii).
22. The method as described in claim 20 wherein either: (a) in said
option (i) said player receives at least a portion of said wager
back when said player folds and in said option (iii) said player
stays in said game without receiving said portion back; or, (b) in
said option (i) said player is relieved of an additional wager
required to stay in said game and in said option (iii) said player
is required to place said additional wager to stay in said
game.
23. The method as described in claim 20 wherein said method is
performed on a device having a display to display information
regarding said game, computing means to perform said method in
conjunction with player input, and interface means for said player
to indicate said input.
24. A storage device storing instructions which, when executed by
processing means cause said processing means to perform the method
of claim 20.
25. A method of playing a card game comprising the steps of:
dealing a hand comprising at least one card to a plurality of
players; dealing a hand comprising at least one card to a dealer;
dealing at least one common card, said common card being common to
said dealer and to said players; determining if each of said
players is a winner by a comparison of each of said plurality of
players' hands to said dealer's hand, wherein each of said players
place a wager, and wherein said comparison is the sole determinant
of whether each of said players receives a first return on at least
a portion of said wager.
26. The method as described in claim 25 further comprising
providing a second return on at least a portion of said wager,
wherein said second return is based on a ranking of said player's
hand, wherein a specified return is achieved for one or more
rankings.
27. The method as described in claim 32 further comprising
specifying a first card, and wherein said dealer's hand comprises
said first card.
28. The method as described in claim 25 wherein said method is
performed on a device having a display to display information
regarding said game, computing means to perform said method in
conjunction with player input, and interface means for said player
to indicate said input.
29. A storage device storing instructions which, when executed by
processing means cause said processing means to perform the method
of claim 25.
30. A method of playing a card game comprising the steps of:
specifying a first card before the cards are dealt, said first card
having a predetermined known value; dealing a hand comprising at
least one card to at least one player; dealing a hand comprising at
least one card to a dealer; wherein said dealer's hand comprises
said first card; and wherein the rank of the hands is determined
using a first number of cards, wherein said at least one common
card plus said at least one card dealt to said player is equal to
said first number.
31. The method as described in claim 30 wherein said player is
determined to be a winner by a method comprising determining if
said player's hand is a higher hand than said dealer's hand
according to a determined ranking of hands.
32. The method as described in claim 31 wherein a plurality of
players participate, and wherein each of said players is determined
to be a winner individually by said method for determining.
33. The method as described in claim 28 where said player places a
wager, and wherein said player receives a payout for achieving a
specified hand, said payout being a ratio based upon at least a
portion of said wager, said payout given for one or more of the
following of said specified hands: straight, flush, full house,
four of a kind, straight flush, and royal flush.
34. The method as described in claim 33 wherein said payout for
said specified hands is in the range of approximately 1:1-25:1.
35. The method as described in claim 30 wherein said method is
performed on a device having a display to display information
regarding said game, computing means to perform said method in
conjunction with player input, and interface means for said player
to indicate said input.
36. A storage device storing instructions which, when executed by
processing means cause said processing means to perform the method
of claim 20.
37. A method of playing a card game comprising the steps of:
dealing a hand comprising at least one card to each of a plurality
of players, said at least one card being a different card for each
of said plurality of players; dealing a hand comprising at least
one card to a dealer; dealing at least one common card, said common
card being common to said dealer and to said players; comparing
said dealer's hand with each of said players' hands; wherein the
same at least one common card must be used by each of said
plurality of players in determining each of said players' hands
when comparing each of said players' hands to said dealer's hand;
determining if each of said players is a winner individually;
wherein the rank of the hands is determined using a first number of
cards, wherein said at least one common card plus said at least one
card dealt to said player is greater than said first number such
that said player does not use at least one of said at least one
cards in said player's hand and/or does not use at least one of
said at least one common card.
38. The method as described in claim 37 further comprising
specifying a first card, and wherein said dealer's hand comprises
said first card.
39. The method as described in claim 38 wherein said specified card
is a queen.
40. The method as described in claim 37 wherein said deck is
substantially a standard deck of poker cards, and wherein
substantially standard poker rankings are used for said step of
determining if said player's hand is a winning hand.
41. The method as described in claim 37 wherein said player places
a wager, and wherein at at least one point during said card game
said player is given at least one option selected from the group
consisting of: v) folding said player's hand; vi) staying in said
game without increasing said wager; vii) increasing said wager;
and, viii) any combination of two or more of options i, ii, and
iii.
42. The method as described in claim 37 wherein said method is
performed on a device having a display to display information
regarding said game, computing means to perform said method in
conjunction with player input, and interface means for said player
to indicate said input.
43. A storage device storing instructions which, when executed by
processing means cause said processing means to perform the method
of claim 37.
44. A method of playing a card game comprising the steps of:
dealing a hand comprising at least one card to each of a plurality
of players, said at least one card being a different card for each
of said plurality of players; dealing a hand comprising at least
one card to a dealer; dealing at least one common card, said common
card being common to said dealer and to said players; comparing
said dealer's hand with each of said players' hands; wherein each
player may select to use one or more of said at least one common
cards in making said player's hand, wherein the same at least one
common card must be used by each of said plurality of players
selecting to use one or more of said at least one common cards;
and, determining if each of said players is a winner
individually.
45. The method as described in claim 44 further comprising
specifying a first card, and wherein said dealer's hand comprises
said first card.
46. The method as described in claim 45 wherein said specified card
is a queen.
47. The method as described in claim 44 wherein said player places
a wager, and wherein at at least one point during said card game
said player is given at least one option selected from the group
consisting of: ix) folding said player's hand; x) staying in said
game without increasing said wager; xi) increasing said wager; and,
xii) any combination of two or more of options i, ii, and iii.
48. The method as described in claim 44 wherein said method is
performed on a device having a display to display information
regarding said game, computing means to perform said method in
conjunction with player input, and interface means for said player
to indicate said input.
49. A storage device storing instructions which, when executed by
processing means cause said processing means to perform the method
of claim 44.
Description
[0001] This is a continuation in part of application Ser. No.
09/249,663, filed Feb. 12, 1999, incorporated herein by reference,
which application claims benefit and priority of provisional
application serial No. 60/074,904, filed Feb. 17, 1998 and of
provisional application serial No. 60/088,534, filed Jun. 8, 1998,
both of which provisional applications are hereby incorporated in
their entirety herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to the field of card games,
and more particularly to a card game that may be played player
versus the dealer, and in which the dealer may have a hand
comprising a predetermined card.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Poker is one of the oldest gambling card games in America.
Traditionally it has been played in casinos, card rooms, clubs and
homes throughout the country. In recent years there have been
considerable variations and improvements in games. Many new games
use poker as their basis. For example, in the casino "live" gaming
areas, games such as "Caribbean Stud," "Pai Gow" and "Let It Ride"
are becoming increasingly popular, and displacing older standards
such as blackjack, roulette and craps. These newer games are all
based on poker hands using poker rankings. In addition to the new
games, new technology is taking advantage of the interest in poker.
For example, video poker machines, which may use standard poker or
a variation of it, are taking up the casino space previously
occupied by old "one armed bandits" or multi-reel slot machines.
All of the foregoing attests to the popularity of, and interest in,
poker.
[0004] One of the most popular poker games is "Texas Holdem." The
annual World Series of Poker at Binion's Horseshoe in Las Vegas,
Nev. uses No Limit Texas Holdem to determine the World Champion.
The game starts with each player being dealt two cards face down. A
first betting round follows the deal of the two face down cards. In
the betting round, a player may pass or may make the initial bet.
Once a bet has been made by a player, other players may call the
bet, raise the bet, or fold the hand. The betting continues until
there are no further raises, and all players have either called the
last bet or folded. Next, three common cards, so named because they
are common to all hands, are dealt face up. The players again
evaluate their hands, each player using his or her two face down
cards, together with the three common cards. A second betting round
ensues. Next a fourth common card is dealt face up, followed by a
third betting round. Finally, a fifth common card is dealt face up,
followed by a fourth betting round. The hands of all players
remaining--i.e. all players who did not fold in any of the betting
rounds--are compared. The winner is the player who achieves the
highest hand according to standard poker rankings: royal flush,
straight flush, four of a kind, full house, flush, straight, 3 of a
kind, two pair, one pair, high card. The winner takes the pot.
[0005] While games such as the above described game of Texas Holdem
are popular, there are a number of drawbacks. One problem for
commercial gaming establishments is that the game is player versus
player, as opposed to player versus the house. This means that the
house must collect a percentage of the pot to make a profit.
Because each hand can take a considerable amount of time, given the
number of betting rounds and the time inherent in bluffing,
attempting to "read" other players, and so on, the profit margin
for the house is limited. In addition, many would-be customers are
simply too intimidated to play against other players, especially in
light of the fact that the other players may be professional card
players with considerable experience.
[0006] What is needed is a game that may be based on poker but that
may be played player versus the dealer. It is further desirable
that player actions such as increasing the bet and folding the hand
can be performed without time consuming bluffing and attempting to
read other players, to provide acceptable turnaround time per hand
to allow for improved profit margin. It is further desirable that
the game is not intimidating to new or inexperienced players. It is
further desirable that the game maintain some elements of
successive betting, and have a method of play and payout structure
that maintains player interest.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention provides a game that uses, in one
preferred embodiment, a standard deck of cards, optionally an
additional card with certain attributes and standard poker
rankings. In one embodiment each player's hand comprises one or
more individual cards, together with one or more common cards. The
dealer's hand comprises one or more individual cards, together with
the aforementioned common cards. In a preferred embodiment, the
dealer's hand comprises a "permanent" card, which may be the
aforementioned additional card, for example.
[0008] The embodiments of the present invention may provide one or
more advantages including providing a new and challenging form of
gaming entertainment to casino customers; providing a form of poker
that may be played player versus dealer rather than player versus
player; providing a means for increasing the speed of playing poker
so that the house may achieve an acceptable return; and providing a
form of poker that can attract new players.
[0009] The foregoing and other benefits of the inventions will
become apparent from the present specification.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 shows an illustration of the playing field in a
preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a portion of the playing field
of FIG. 1 showing the dealer's hand and the common card area.
[0012] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a portion of the playing field
of FIG. 1 showing one of the player positions.
[0013] FIG. 4 shows a layout of an electronic embodiment of the
present invention.
[0014] FIG. 5 shows an illustration of a portion of the playing
field in a further preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
[0015] FIG. 6 shows an illustration of a portion of the playing
field in a further preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0016] In a preferred embodiment, the present invention utilizes a
standard deck of poker cards having four suits, each having 13
cards ranking 2-10, jack, queen, king and ace (with the ace having
the option of being played low, as is standard.) and, in a
preferred embodiment, an additional "ace of all suits." As will be
described in detail below, in a preferred embodiment, each player's
hand will consist of two face down cards, together with, in one
embodiment, five face up common cards--i.e. common to each player
and to the dealer, while the dealer's hand consists in one
embodiment of the same five common cards together with a face down
card and the aforementioned ace of all suits as a "permanent"card.
Each player utilizes these seven cards to make the best five card
hand using the earlier mentioned rankings--royal flush, straight
flush, four of a kind, full house, flush, straight, three of a
kind, two pairs, one pair, high card. Each player's hand is then
compared to the dealer's hand (but not to the other player's hands)
to determine if the player has a winning hand.
[0017] FIG. 1 shows a playing field 10 having multiple player
positions 11, each having in one embodiment four wager or bet
squares 2 through 5. Also shown is dealer's hand 16, comprising
cards 17 and 18, and common area 20. FIG. 2 shows an enlarged view
of the dealer's hand 16 and common area 20, while FIG. 3 shows an
enlarged view of the player position 11.
[0018] The minimum and maximum wager may be set at any desired
value. Herein, wagers and payouts will be expressed in units to
provide illustrative embodiments of the relative value of the
various bets and payouts of the present invention. In general,
these illustrative embodiments may specify that a player may, for
example, ante a specified number of units and may increase a
specified number of units. As will become apparent, these
illustrative embodiments may be varied. Moreover, it will be
appreciated that even when a specific embodiment is chosen, one
player's wager may be different from another player's wager so long
as each player satisfies the ratio of the specific embodiment and
any applicable minimum and maximum wager. As one example, if an
embodiment provides for an ante of one unit, a bet of two units,
and a maximum increase of three units, a first player may ante one
dollar, bet two dollars, and increase up to three dollars; a second
player may ante two dollars, bet four dollars and increase up to
six dollars, provided that both player's bets are within the house
minimum and maximum limits.
[0019] As will be described later, the relative amounts of wagers
and payouts should be designed to provide for a reasonable return
for the house, while providing a level and frequency of return to
maintain player interest. It is to be understood that the player's
wager may be (or may represent) money, or may be points or tokens
for recreational play. It will be appreciated that in the case of
recreational play, the wagers and payouts need not be structured
such that the house achieves an acceptable margin, although it is
generally desirable that the odds are about even or slightly in
favor of the house to provide a competitive challenge. It will
further be appreciated that variations may be made to the exemplary
embodiments described herein.
[0020] For example, it will be appreciated that allowing a player
to increase the bet at some decision point in the game is similar
to requiring a larger initial bet and allowing the player to
receive a return of a portion of the initial bet upon forfeiting at
that same point. To illustrate this, a first embodiment may require
an ante of one unit and may allow a raise of one unit at a given
point. A second embodiment may require an ante of two units and
allow a player to forfeit at the same point and receive one unit
upon forfeit. The two embodiments are similar inasmuch as in the
event the player loses, the loss may be only a single unit in both
(assuming that the player in the second embodiment forfeits at the
decision point). Of course, one difference is that in the first
embodiment where the increase is optional, the player can continue
playing without betting more than the initial one unit wager,
whereas in the second embodiment the player must have two units at
risk to continue playing past the decision point. As a further
illustration, a third embodiment that would be equivalent to the
second embodiment, but that would have an increase in place of the
unit returned upon forfeit proceeds as follows: the player antes
one unit. At the given point, the player must increase by one unit
to continue. If the player chooses not to increase, the player is
deemed to have forfeited and loses the ante of one unit.
[0021] In any event, the foregoing is meant to illustrate the
various methods of wagering, and is not meant to be limiting as to
the number of units for, or presence or absence of, ante, bet,
optional increase, required increase, and return upon forfeit. Nor
should it be implied that only one such wagering method can be used
at a given point. Thus, although specific embodiments of the
invention are described using a method wherein the player initially
places a plurality of units in different squares (some of which
units may be returned at various points upon forfeit), it will be
appreciated that in any embodiment of the invention, any
combination of one or more of: required increase, optional
increase, portion of the bet returned upon forfeiting can be used
at any decision point.
[0022] Often any amount that the player must put up and that in
most cases is not returned even if player forfeits may be referred
to as the "ante" and other amounts that the player may optionally
put up and/or which are returned upon forfeit may be referred to as
a "bet" or "wager." Herein, for convenience these terms may be used
interchangeably, and no inference is to be drawn from the
particular nomenclature used. In practice, the various squares
described herein may, however, be labeled according standard
nomenclature according to the rules used for a particular wager in
any embodiment.
[0023] It will be appreciated that in some cases, it may be
desirable to adjust the game (as will be discussed in more detail
later) so that it conforms with varying regulations from
jurisdiction to jurisdiction. For example, some jurisdictions do
not allow games where the house has a percentage advantage, but
rather must take a fixed fee per hand. In such a case, the game is
often banked by a player-banker and not the house, and provision is
made to require each player to put up some amount as part of the
"rake" which is taken by the house each hand. The player-banker
takes the position of the dealer (although the physical dealing of
cards and collection of wagers from losers and payments to winners
is usually done by an employee of the house). Some establishments
may still wish to provide an advantage to the player-banker to
provide an incentive for players to act as player-banker. However,
some establishments may desire to reduce or eliminate the dealer's
advantage. In the latter case, the game can be adjusted such that
the dealer's expected return is even. Further, some jurisdictions
do not allow any payout greater than even money, so that
embodiments where there is any type of payout greater than 1:1
could not be used in such jurisdiction.
[0024] In one embodiment, the player is required initially to bet a
plurality of units in square 2, for example two or three units, and
a single unit in each of squares 3 and 4. As will be described in
more detail below, the player may also make a bet of, for example,
one unit in the "high hand" bet square 5. In brief, by placing a
bet in the high hand bet square 5, the player is given a chance to
win a payout on the player's eventual final hand, even if the
player folds during one of the betting rounds to be described
below.
[0025] In one embodiment of the present invention, a "permanent"
card 17 is part of the dealer's hand 16. It is referred to as a
permanent card because the card is specified in advance and is
always present as part of the dealer's hand (that is, it is not
randomly dealt each game as are the other cards). In one
embodiment, permanent card 17 is an "ace of all suits." That is,
this card can be used by the dealer as an ace of any suit in order
to make a hand needing an ace of a particular suit, such as may be
the case in flushes or straight flushes. In other embodiments using
a permanent card 17, other cards can be used as the permanent card
17, including other special cards having defined properties, a wild
card (i.e. a card that may substitute for any card in the deck), a
duplicate of a standard card, or one of the cards of the deck, such
as an ace. One aspect of utilizing a card such as the ace of all
suits, another card with defined properties, a duplicate of a
standard card, or a wild card as permanent card 17 is that all of
the standard cards remain available for play.
[0026] In any embodiment utilizing a permanent card 17, commercial
gaming establishments may find it desirable to employ a decorative
card such as a laminated card, tile card, etc. and to affix the
card to the table in some manner. In any embodiment using one of
the cards of the deck as the permanent card 17, the chosen card is
removed from the deck prior to an initial shuffle and is either
placed face up as the permanent card 17, or removed from the deck
and placed aside if the foregoing decorative card is used. The
remaining cards are then shuffled and dealt as described
immediately below.
[0027] It will be understood that the cards may be dealt in any
desired order, and each card may be dealt at any time prior to its
being played. Each player is dealt two cards face down (not shown),
and the dealer is dealt a face down card 18 in addition to the
permanent ace 17. In addition five common cards 21 through 25 are
dealt in common area 20. As mentioned above, the common cards 21
through 25 are common to all players and to the dealer. Common
cards 21 through 23 constitute the "flop" 26 which means that these
cards are all dealt or turned over at one time (i.e., without the
opportunity for additional wagering or folding between turning of
the individual cards in the flop) as will be described in more
detail immediately below.
[0028] In a preferred embodiment, the game starts with each player
viewing his or her two cards to determine what action to take. The
player may stay and so indicate to the dealer. Alternatively, the
player may fold. If the player folds at this point, the player
forfeits, in one embodiment, one unit from square 2. The remaining
unit(s) in square 2, the unit in square 3 and the unit in square 4
are returned to the player. If a player who has folded had placed a
bet in high hand bet square 5, that bet remains and the player's
cards may be placed face down under the bet in square 5.
[0029] Next, the cards of the flop 20--i.e. cards 21, 22, and
23--are dealt face up, or if previously dealt face down are now
turned over (so as to be face up). Each player again evaluates his
or her hand, which now consists of the player's two face down cards
together with the three common cards 21, 22 and 23, against the
dealer's hand consisting of the permanent ace 17, face down card 18
and the three common cards 21, 22 and 23. The player may stay and
so indicate to the dealer. Alternatively, the player may fold at
this point, in which case the player forfeits all units in square
2. The remaining unit in square 3 and unit in square 4 are returned
to the player. Again, if a player who has folded had placed a bet
in high hand bet square 5, that bet remains and the player's cards
may be placed face down under the bet in square 5. In a further
embodiment of the present invention, each player has the further
option of increasing the player's bet by, for example placing an
additional unit or more in square 3. In this embodiment, the
maximum increase may be set by the house in advance, at for
example, a doubling or tripling of the initial bet in square 3.
[0030] After the flop has been dealt or turned face up and the
above-described player action has been completed, card 24 is then
dealt face up or turned face up if previously dealt face down. The
individual cards 24 and 25 may have fanciful names such as 4th
Street.sup.SM for card 24 and River.sup.SM for card 25. Once again,
each player evaluates the player's hand against the dealer's. The
hands now consists of the two face down cards (for each
player)/permanent ace 17 and card 18 (for the dealer) together with
the three common cards of the flop 20 and 4th Street card 24. The
player may stay and so indicate to the dealer. Alternatively, the
player may fold at this point, in which case the player forfeits
all units in square 2, plus the unit in square 3. The remaining
unit in square 4 is returned to the player. Again, if a player who
has folded had placed a bet in high hand bet square 5, that bet
remains and the player's cards may be placed face down under the
bet in square 5. In a further embodiment of the present invention,
each player has the further option of increasing the player's bet
by, for example placing an additional unit or more in square 4.
Once again, the maximum increase may be set by the house in
advance, at for example, a doubling or tripling of the initial bet
in square 4.
[0031] Next, the dealer deals or turns face up River card 25 and
the dealer's face down card 18. The final hands now consists of the
two face down cards (for each player)/permanent ace 17 and card 18
(for the dealer) together with the three common cards of the flop
20, 4th Street card 24 and River card 25. The dealer determines
winning and losing hands by using the earlier mentioned standard
poker hand rankings to compare each player's hand to the dealer's
hand, utilizing the best five cards in each hand. A hand that has
beaten the dealer's hand will be referred to herein as a "winning
hand."
[0032] The bets in all of squares 2 through 4 are removed from all
losing hands. Each winning hand is paid out, in one embodiment, an
amount equal to the total amount bet in each of the squares 2
through 4, including any increases in the wager during the game as
described earlier.
[0033] In one embodiment of the present invention, a winning hand
(or alternatively any hand (winning or not) that remains in play
until the end of the game) may also win a "bonus" payout based upon
the player's hand according to a payout table that may, for
example, specify a return as a ratio of the player's bet. The bonus
can start at any level of hand (for example, bonus payouts may be
paid for hands of three of a kind or better) and may increase for
increasing level of hands. The payout can be based on any portion
or all of the player's bet (for example, the bonus payout can be
based on only the original bet, or on the original bet and any
increases during the game).
[0034] Additionally, in one embodiment, each folded hand that had a
high hand bet placed in square 5 (referred to as a "high hand bet
winning hand") is paid out according to a payout table, which may
be similar to the above described bonus payout table for winning
hands that have not folded, but may have different payout ratios,
if desired. As with the bonus payout, there is preferably some
minimum level of hand at which the payout starts, and the ratio may
increase for higher level hands. In an embodiment having the high
hand bet, there may be an additional requirement that the player
utilizes at least one of the player's individual cards to make the
winning hand (i.e. the hand is not formed solely from the common
cards) for a payout. If desired, this requirement may be imposed
for some payouts (e.g. higher level winning hands such as full
house or better) but not others. Furthermore, if desired, an
additional requirement may be imposed that the player must beat the
dealer's hand, in addition to achieving one of the hands specified
on the payout table.
[0035] In addition, in one embodiment of the present invention a
player who stays in all the way through the final card (i.e. the
River card 25 in the above described embodiment) but loses to the
dealer's hand (an "unfolded losing hands" herein), may be paid for
achieving a specified level of hand according to a payout table,
which may be different from the other payout tables described
above. The variations and additional requirements described above
for the high hand bet payout may also be used in conjunction with
the unfolded losing hand payout.
[0036] Note that in the present invention, the players' hands are
not compared to one another, thus providing the player versus
dealer rather than player versus player action as described
earlier. Further, note that the player may take actions such as
folding or increasing the bet without reference to other player's
hands or other player's actions. Rather, the player need only
consider the player's own hand and the dealer's hand, which in
essence acts as a reference hand since the dealer does not make any
decisions regarding the dealer's hand. In addition to removing the
elements of bluffing and reading other players which, as described
earlier may be intimidating, the player may take action without
regard to the decisions of other players. This is in contrast to
traditional poker where the player may be forced to either fold or
increase the bet based upon another player's bet or raise.
Similarly, in traditional poker a player may attempt to increase
the wager by means of a bet or raise, but in such case the player
must depend on other players accepting the increase by calling the
bet or raise.
[0037] As one alternative, the 4th Street card 24 and River card 25
may be dealt face up (or turned face up) simultaneously. That is,
these cards may constitute a second flop. Play proceeds in a manner
similar to that described in the above embodiment after the turning
of 4th Street card 24. In this embodiment, it is typically
desirable to have a round of betting after the two cards 24 and 25
are simultaneously dealt or turned face up and prior to revealing
the dealer's card 18. Thus, in one embodiment, after cards 24 and
25 are simultaneously dealt, the player may stay and so indicate to
the dealer. Alternatively, the player may fold, in which case the
player forfeits all units in square 2, plus the unit in square 3.
The remaining unit in square 4 is returned to the player.
Optionally, each player may again be given the opportunity to
increase the player's bet by, for example placing an additional
unit or more in square 4. As before, the maximum increase may be
set by the house in advance, at for example, a doubling or tripling
of the initial bet in square 4. Alternatively, in an embodiment
where cards 24 and 25 are dealt or turned face up simultaneously,
play may proceed in a manner similar that described above after the
dealing of card 25--i.e. the dealer's card 18 is also revealed, and
winners and losers are then determined without any further player
action. In such a case, square 4 would not be required.
[0038] It will be appreciated that additional numerous
modifications may be made to the embodiments described herein. For
example, some variation of the standard poker deck may be used. For
example, as described earlier a card with certain specified
properties (such as the ace of all suits), or one or more wild
cards may be used in the present invention. If desired, some cards
of a standard deck may be removed, and if desired one or more cards
of a standard deck may be duplicated. Decks of cards having such
variations are referred to as "substantially" standard decks
herein. Additionally, although standard rankings have been
described, payouts can be made for non-standard hand rankings as
well. For example, some known variations include allowing a
straight to go "around the corner" e.g. Q-K-A-2-3, which hand ranks
just below a straight; four card straight flushes ranking just
below four of a kind, and so on. See, for example, Poker is the
Name of the Game, by Walter Gibson, Harper and Row, 1974, pp.
10-11. Such rankings are referred to as "substantially" standard
poker rankings herein.
[0039] In some embodiments, the permanent card 17 can be
eliminated, so that the dealer's hand comprises two face down cards
randomly dealt each game. In this case, one or both of the dealer's
face down cards can be shown at any point in the game. For example,
one may be turned face-up at the very beginning of the game.
Amounts bet in each square, amounts forfeited versus amounts
returned upon fold, amounts that the bet can be increased, as well
as the stage in the game that such occurs can be varied as well.
Although the game has been described in conjunction with the
betting squares 2-5, such squares are not necessary and the same
general action can be carried out by defining portions of a total
bet that can be returned, increased, etc. at various stages of the
game. If desired, between the turning of the River card 25 and
dealer's card 18, an additional "round" can be had--i.e., the
player may be given an additional opportunity to increase the bet
some amount, or fold and have some portion of the bet returned.
[0040] Other variations may be made. For example, the number of
cards dealt to the dealer, to each player, as common cards or as
part of the flop may be varied. In general, although exemplary
embodiments and variations are described, it will be appreciated
that the number of points in a game at which a player is provided
with one or more possible actions (e.g. one or more of opportunity
to forfeit and receive return, optional increase, required
increase), can be increased or decreased as desired. In general, it
will be appreciated that the payout amounts of the present game can
be set at an amount that achieves an acceptable margin, while
allowing for a sufficient payout amount and frequency to maintain
player interest. Payout amounts to achieve such margin for any
given embodiment can be determined using standard mathematical
methods well known to those of skill in the art of determining odds
and margin for wagering games. Thus, the specific amounts shown are
for exemplary embodiments, and should not be considered as limited
to any specific embodiment.
[0041] A further exemplary embodiment of the present invention and
variations thereof are described in conjunction with FIG. 5. In the
embodiment shown therein, the common cards may consist solely of a
single flop 40 comprising a plurality of common cards. In this
embodiment, the player may place a specified number of unit(s) in
square 32 (e.g. the ante) and a specified number of unit(s) in
square 33 (e.g. the bet) prior to receiving e.g. two face down
cards. Although only one player betting position is shown, there
may be a plurality of such positions. As before, the dealer's hand
36 may consist of two cards 37 and 38, one of which may be a
permanent card 37 as described above. After viewing the two face
down cards, the player may forfeit and lose the ante, but have one
or more (e.g. all) of the units placed in square 33 returned.
Optionally, the player may increase the wager, for example by
placing up to an additional specified number of unit(s) in square
34. Next a flop 40 of e.g. five cards are dealt or turned face up.
In a preferred embodiment, the dealer's face down card 38 is next
turned face up and winners and losers are determined.
Alternatively, prior to turning or dealing the dealer's card, a
further opportunity to forfeit (and receive a return of a
designated portion of the wager) or to increase the bet (either
optional or required) may be provided.
[0042] Some specific variations of the embodiment described
immediately above will illustrate exemplary magnitudes of the house
advantage and the effect of varying some of the features of game on
that advantage. The following rules apply to all exemplary
embodiments discussed in conjunction with FIG. 5: the dealer has a
permanent ace 17 of a particular suit e.g. spades, taken from the
deck; two face down cards (not shown) are dealt to each player; and
the player places an ante of one unit in square 32 and a bet of two
units in square 33. Further, none of the following exemplary
embodiments use the previously described high hand bet, although
this feature could be added if desired. All odds have been
determined assuming the player pursues an optimum strategy. Should
players utilize a strategy that is less than optimum, the house
advantage will be greater than stated.
[0043] In one embodiment, after viewing the two face down cards,
the player may forfeit, lose the ante in square 32 but receive the
2 units in square 33 back. Alternatively, the player may stay in
and optionally increase the bet by placing up to 8 units in square
34. Next, a five card flop of five common cards 40 are dealt face
up, and the dealer is dealt a second card 38. Winners and losers
are determined using standard poker rankings, with winners (which
in this embodiment and the following variations includes players
whose hands tie the dealer's hand) being paid even money on their
total wager (all amounts placed in squares 32, 33 and 34--e.g. ante
plus bet plus any increases) as described previously. In this
particular embodiment there is no bonus payout or payout for
unfolded losing hands. In such an embodiment the house advantage is
approximately 9%. If this is varied by keeping all of the foregoing
rules except that the maximum a player may increase is 6 units
instead of 8, the house advantage increases to approximately
11%.
[0044] A further variation is as follows: After viewing the two
face down cards, the player may forfeit, lose the ante in square 32
but receive the 2 units in square 33 back. However, if the player
has one or two of a specified card in the player's hand, e.g. a two
of any suit, the player may fold and win even money on the ante
(i.e. the player has the ante of one unit returned and receives an
additional one unit) and receive the bet back (as opposed to
receiving only the bet back as occurs if the player folds without
the specified card in the player's hand). Alternatively, the player
may stay in and optionally increase the bet by placing up to 8
units in square 34. Next, a five card flop of five common cards 40
are dealt face up, and the dealer is dealt a second card 38.
Winners and losers are determined using standard poker rankings,
with winners being paid even money on their total wager. In this
particular embodiment there is no bonus payout or payout for
unfolded losing hands. In such an embodiment the house advantage is
approximately 2%. If this is varied by keeping all of the foregoing
rules except that: i) a player who forfeits with two of the
specified cards--i.e. two deuces--receives a payout of 2:1 on the
ante rather than even money (i.e. the player has the ante of one
unit returned and receives an additional two units) as well as
return of the bet, and ii) the maximum that a player may raise is 6
units rather than 8, the house advantage is approximately 4%.
[0045] Yet a further variation proceeds as follows: After viewing
the two face down cards, the player may forfeit, lose the ante in
square 32 but receive the 2 units in square 33 back. However, if
the player has one of a specified card in the player's hand, e.g. a
two of any suit, the player may fold and win even money on the ante
and receive the bet back. If the player folds with two of the
specified cards--i.e. two deuces, the player receives a payout of
two to one on the ante and receives the bet back. Alternatively,
the player may stay in and optionally increase the bet by placing
up to 8 units in square 34. Next, a five card flop of five common
cards 40 are dealt face up, and the dealer is dealt a second card
38. Winners and losers are determined using standard poker
rankings, with winners being paid even money on their total wager.
Furthermore, in this embodiment, any player who stays in the game
(win or lose) is paid a bonus payout based on the ante, for
specified hands as follows: four of a kind--20:1; straight
flush--200:1; royal flush--1000:1. For winners, this amount is paid
in addition to the even money payout on the total wager. In this
embodiment, there is no high hand bet, and the house advantage is
approximately -1% (i.e. an approximate 1% player advantage).
[0046] In yet another embodiment, after viewing the two face down
cards, the player may forfeit, lose the ante in square 32 but
receive the 2 units in square 33 back. However, if the player has
one of a specified card in the player's hand, e.g. a two of any
suit, the player may fold and win even money on the ante and
receive the bet back. If the player folds with two of the specified
cards--i.e. two deuces, the player receives a payout of two to one
on the ante and receives the bet back. Alternatively, the player
may stay in and optionally increase the bet by placing up to 6
units in square 34. Next, a five card flop of five common cards 40
are dealt face up, and the dealer is dealt a second card 38.
Winners and losers are determined using standard poker rankings,
with winners being paid even money on their total wager.
Furthermore, in this embodiment, any player who stays in the game
(win or lose) is paid a bonus payout based on the ante, for
specified hands as follows: four of a kind--6:1; straight
flush--30:1; royal flush--300:1. For winners, this amount is paid
in addition to the even money payout on the total wager. In this
embodiment the house advantage is approximately 3%.
[0047] As mentioned earlier, in some jurisdictions, payouts greater
than 1:1 are not allowed. In such cases, the above embodiments
having the bonus payout or the 2:1 payout on the pair of deuces
could not be used. Also as described earlier, in such jurisdictions
it is often desirable to reduce the dealer's advantage. This can be
done, for example, by using an embodiment that provides for a
payout of even money the ante as well as return of the bet if the
player has one or more e.g. deuces in the player's hand upon
forfeit. The dealer's advantage can also be reduced by increasing
the amount that the player may raise. For example, as noted above,
where the player antes one unit, bets two units, may raise up to 8
units, and wins even money on the ante as well as return of the bet
upon forfeit with one or two deuces, the house advantage is
approximately 2%. By increasing the permissible amount a player can
raise to 9 units, the house advantage drops to approximately 1%. By
increasing the permissible amount a player can raise to 10 units,
the house advantage drops to approximately even.
[0048] The various illustrative embodiments of the invention
described herein, as well as other variations that will be obvious
of one of skill in the art upon reading the present specification,
provide considerable flexibility in designing the game. There are
numerous means by which the level of player activity and
involvement can be varied. For example, the embodiments having the
above described bonus payout, the high hand bet, and/or payouts for
unfolded losing hands can be utilized to increase the number of
ways a player can win. As another example, the number of points
during the game at which a player may fold and have a portion of
the bet returned or at which the player may increase the bet may be
increased or decreased.
[0049] In general, one or more desired features can be emphasized
to achieve the desired type of game. Typically, there will be some
tradeoff in one or more other aspects of the game to achieve an
acceptable margin. In general, however, each of the various
features and alternative embodiments described herein can be used
as "knobs" to fine tune the margin and the action of the game. For
example, a game that has more ways of winning can compensate by
having lower payouts, and/or having a higher minimum level of hand
returning a specified type of payout, and/or reduced opportunity
for increasing the bets. Similarly, a high payout game may, for
example eliminate or limit one or more of: opportunity to increase
the bet; bonus payout on winning hands; payout for unfolded losing
hands; separate high hand bet; amount of original bet returned upon
fold; etc.
[0050] The foregoing flexibility may be useful to, for example,
ensure that the desired house advantage corresponds to the way the
game is typically played. In particular, while the house advantage
may vary, it is desirable that it not become too excessive as the
player would lose money very quickly and hence lose interest in the
game. Of course, some house advantage will typically be required,
and the advantage must be calculated based upon use of the optimum
strategy by the player, even if many players fail to use it, so
that the game can't be "beat" by players who do use the optimum
strategy.
[0051] Unfortunately, if less than an optimum strategy is played,
the house advantage may become excessive. The house advantage in
the above-described embodiments was based upon an optimum strategy
wherein it is to the player's advantage to remain in the game for
most of all possible combinations of the player's initial two
cards. Further, the optimum strategy calls for raising on many
occasions, and when raising is to the player's advantage, the raise
should be for the maximum amount allowed. Thus, the player may fail
to play close to the optimum strategy by folding too frequently, or
by not raising the maximum.
[0052] If desired, the player can be forced to play closer to an
optimum strategy by not providing for any forfeit with return of
the bet--in effect forcing the player to remain in the game rather
than folding. In such embodiments, one exception to the no fold
rule is to allow for a fold with one or more of a predetermined
card (e.g. two of any suit) where the player receives a return
based on the ante and/or bet for the predetermined card, because
the optimum strategy is always to fold the hand in embodiments
having this feature.
[0053] Additionally, if players have a tendency to raise less than
the maximum, then it may be desirable to provide ways of decreasing
the house advantage other than by increasing the maximum amount a
player can raise. There are many ways to decrease the house
advantage. For example, the bonus for certain hands can extend to
lower hands than described above, and/or can be increased.
Moreover, the bonus can be paid even for folded hands if desired.
Embodiments using the payout on the predetermined card may be used
to decrease the house advantage, and can have a greater payout
ratio (where allowed) and/or the payout can be based on a greater
amount than the ante alone--e.g. can be based on the bet instead of
the ante or can be based upon the bet plus the ante. An additional
means to adjust the odds is to vary the payout based upon the
particular suit(s) of the predetermined card--e.g. red deuces
receive a payout based on the bet plus ante while black deuces
receive a payout based on the bet alone or ante alone. These
variations are useful to adjust the odds where the payout must be
even money, as they provide a way for a greater payout without
using a greater than 1:1 return. Of course where greater than 1:1
payout is allowed, this variation can still be used, and/or the
payout ratio can be made greater than 1:1 for a particular suit(s)
of the predetermined card.
[0054] Some further embodiments of the present invention will
illustrate the foregoing. Once again, the following embodiments
utilize the rules of play described above in relation to FIG. 5,
except as otherwise noted. In one embodiment, the player antes one
unit, bets two units, and may fold, raise or stay after the first
two cards (as in the previous embodiments). However, the maximum
raise is 5 units, and if the player folds with one or two deuces,
the player wins even money on the bet of two units (and has the
ante returned). This embodiment has a house advantage of
approximately 0.3%. This embodiment is useful where payouts of
greater than even money are not allowed.
[0055] In a further embodiment, the maximum raise is 3. Unlike
previous versions, the player is not given the option to fold after
two cards, unless the player has at least one deuce. The player
wins even money on the ante for folding with one deuce, and wins
5:1 on the ante for folding two deuces (in both cases also
receiving a return of the bet). Further a bonus of 5:1 is paid on a
full house; 10:1 on four of a kind; 30:1 on a straight flush; and
300:1 on a royal flush. In this embodiment, the house advantage is
approximately 2.2%.
[0056] In yet a further embodiment, the maximum raise is again 3,
and like the immediately preceding embodiment the player is not
given the option to fold after two cards, unless the player has at
least one deuce. The player wins even money on the ante for folding
with one deuce, and wins 10:1 on the ante for folding two deuces
(in both cases also receiving a return of the bet). Further a bonus
of 6:1 is paid on a full house; 12:1 on four of a kind; 50:1 on a
straight flush; and 250:1 on a royal flush. In this embodiment, the
house advantage is approximately 0.5%. This embodiment may be
particularly advantageous in e.g. player pooled games as it is
typically desirable to keep the house advantage smaller as compared
with games where the house banks the game. In both this and the
preceding embodiment, the bonus is paid on all hands that remain in
the game, winning or not. However, the bonus is not paid on hands
that folded with one or two deuces.
[0057] A further exemplary embodiment of the present invention
illustrating some of the above concepts regarding varying certain
game characteristics is described in conjunction with FIG. 6. In
particular, it is desirable in some embodiments to ensure that the
betting structure is not too "rich." A betting structure may be too
rich by requiring several units initially and/or by allowing a high
number of units in the raise. In embodiments where the raise may be
several units, players may be reluctant to raise as many units as
they can, to conserve cash. By doing so, the player is foregoing an
important advantage, thus lowering the return for such player.
[0058] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the common cards may
consist of a single flop 70 comprising, e.g. 3 cards in one
illustrative embodiment. In this embodiment, in the player betting
position 61, the player may place one unit in square 62 (e.g. the
bet) prior to receiving e.g. two face down cards. In an
illustrative embodiment, there is only a single initial wager where
the player may place the minimum allowed unit (e.g., there is not
both a bet and an ante). Although only one player betting position
61 is shown, there may be a plurality of such positions. As before,
the dealer's hand 66 may consist of two cards 67 and 68, one of
which may be a permanent card 67 as described above. In one
embodiment, permanent card 67 is the queen of e.g. clubs. After
viewing the two face down cards, the player may in one embodiment
raise an amount up to the amount of the bet. Optionally, the player
may continue with the original bet, without being required to
increase the wager. Next the dealer's face down card 68 is turned
face up. In a preferred embodiment, a flop 70 of e.g. three cards
are then dealt or turned face up as common cards. The three common
cards together with the dealer's two cards 67 and 68 make up the
dealer's five card hand, while the same three common cards together
with each of the players' two cards make up each player's five card
hand. Each player's hand is compared with the dealer's hand and
winners and losers are determined using, e.g. standard poker
rankings. In one embodiment, winners are paid even money on their
bets and raise (if any). Ties are "pushes,"--the player does not
win any return but has his bet and any raise returned. In the
foregoing embodiment, the house advantage is approximately 4.6%. In
a further embodiment, a bonus is included where the player receives
a return of 4:1 on the player's original bet (and not on the raise)
for any hand of straight or better (i.e., bonus paid on straight,
flush, full house, four of a kind, and straight flush). The bonus
is paid regardless of whether the player wins, loses or ties the
dealer's hand in one embodiment. With the foregoing bonus, the
house advantage is approximately 2.4%.
[0059] The embodiment described immediately above has several
advantages. First, by having only an initial, single bet of one
unit, and by allowing a maximum raise of only one unit, the betting
structure is not too "rich." Both the minimum required bet (one
unit) and the maximum possible with optional raise (two units) are
relatively small. Both these factors allow a player to play each
hand without a large outlay per hand, which in turn allows a
player's stake to last a greater number of hands, thus reducing the
possibility the player will lose interest quickly. Moreover, by
allowing a raise of only one unit, there is less chance that
players will not take full advantage of the raise. Looked at
another way, the above embodiment removes the player advantage of a
multiple unit raise (which players often do not take advantage of
by raising less than the maximum allowed) but at the same time
lessens the dealer's advantage by changing the permanent card from
an ace to a queen. Thus, the actual return to a player is more
likely to approach that achieved with an optimum strategy.
[0060] Another advantage to the above embodiment is that the
player's and dealer's hands consist of the respective two cards and
three card flop--i.e., the five card poker hand is determined from
five cards, rather than the best five out of seven. While the rank
of poker hands typically are determined from five cards as in the
above embodiment, in general, embodiments of the present invention
according to the foregoing example include any game where the
number of cards used to determine the rank is equal to the number
of cards dealt to the player (or dealer) plus the number of common
cards. In this way, it is easier to determine the rank of both the
dealer's and the player's hand, and to determine the winner between
them, because there is no need to first determine which cards to
use in each hand to obtain the best possible hand. This generally
makes the game more enjoyable and makes it play faster, which helps
retain player interest. Also, by reducing the number of different
types of wagers and decision points to a single bet and single
raise at one point in the game, and no option to fold, the game is
generally easier to learn and to play. Finally, the optimum
strategy for the above game is to raise whenever the player's two
down cards consist of: a pair; an ace plus any other card; a king
plus any other card; or a queen plus eight or higher. Because this
optimum strategy is very simple, players are more likely to
remember it and use it, thus increasing their return to closer to
the theoretical maximum.
[0061] It will be appreciated that the foregoing embodiments are
illustrative of some of the types of variations that may be made.
As mentioned earlier, one of skill in the art knows standard
methods of determining odds based upon a given set of rules. The
foregoing embodiments give guidance as to the magnitude and
direction of the change in the house advantage accompanying a
change in the various features (such as amount of maximum raise,
presence and amount of payout for having one or two predetermined
cards in the player's initial hand, hands winning a bonus payout
and amount of the bonus, etc.). Thus numerous variations may be
made to the foregoing. With respect to the bonus, in general, the
bonus amounts will typically be in the ranges of approximately:
1:1-5:1 for three of a kind; 1:1-10:1 for a straight; 1:1-15:1 for
a flush; 1:1-25:1 for a full house; 2:1-50:1 for four of a kind;
5:1-250:1 for a straight flush; and 100:1 -1000:1 for a royal
flush. Of course, the bonus may be outside these ranges if desired.
For a particular embodiment otherwise having the same or similar
features, it will typically be desired to keep the bonus within
approximately plus or minus 50% of the ratios given herein to keep
the house advantage within a desired range. Also, the foregoing are
desired ranges where there is an ante of one unit and a bet of two
units. The ratio may vary when using different wagering schemes, or
where the payout is based upon a different portion of the
wager.
[0062] With respect to payout on a predetermined card (such as a
deuce), it will typically be desired for a single predetermined
card for a payout ratio based upon the ante in the range of
approximately 1:1-5:1, and for two of the predetermined cards in
the range of approximately 1:1-50:1. The payout may be varied
outside these ranges. Again, the foregoing are desired ranges where
there is an ante of one unit and a bet of two units. The ratio may
vary when using different wagering schemes, or where the payout is
based upon a different portion of the wager.
[0063] The present invention can be played as a video game. As with
the live game, the wager in the video game may be money, or may be
points. Therefore the present invention may be implemented on video
systems such as those seen in casinos having video poker, or may be
implemented on simple, hand held recreational devices. It will be
appreciated that one of skill in the art of video wagering games
can use known methods to implement the present invention as a video
game, including designing computing means and display means in
accordance with the teachings of the present invention. As shown in
FIG. 4, a layout 40 displayed on video screen 40 comprises the flop
20, 4th Street card 24, River card 25, and Dealer's hand 16.
Additionally shown is player's hand 41 comprising cards 42 and 43.
The player action portion of the display may have elements similar
to squares 2 through 5 described earlier. In addition, this section
may include instructions or means for player action such as
touch-screen buttons. For example this section may provide
instructions or means for the player to place initial bets
including the high hand bet, and to stay, fold, increase the bet,
et cetera. The video game of the present invention may use any
embodiment of the present invention. In fact, using known methods,
the video version of the present invention may provide means to
allow the player to select certain options, so as to tailor the
game to the player's liking. For example, a player may choose the
option of increasing a payout at the expense of some other feature
as described generally above.
[0064] Obviously, in the video game the player's hand 41 is dealt
face up. In contrast, it is generally desirable to deal the
players' hands face down in a multi-player "live" game, because the
ability of one player to see another player's cards provides each
player with a significant amount of information, thus increasing
the player's odds. Even in a live game the players' hands may be
dealt face-up, with appropriate adjustment elsewhere, although this
generally is not likely to be desirable. However, in a video game
it may be desirable to so adjust the game to enable multi-seat
video games.
[0065] Although the present invention has been described in terms
of specific embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated that
numerous novel aspects of the present invention, including the
permanent card, player versus dealer play, ability of a player to
take actions such as folding or increasing the bet without
reference to other player's cards or other player's actions, the
bonus payout, the high hand bet, and the unfolded losing hand
payout, may be utilized other than as described specifically herein
and in conjunction with other types of card games than described
herein. Thus, while the present invention has been described in
terms of specific embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated that
present invention is not to be so limited and that numerous
variations of the present invention will be apparent to one of
skill in the art upon reading the present disclosure.
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