U.S. patent application number 10/406079 was filed with the patent office on 2004-10-07 for video poker system and method.
Invention is credited to Herrington, Brian D., Rogers, Arthur O., Yee, James R..
Application Number | 20040198481 10/406079 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33097243 |
Filed Date | 2004-10-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040198481 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Herrington, Brian D. ; et
al. |
October 7, 2004 |
Video poker system and method
Abstract
A system and method of playing a video poker game by a player.
The video poker game has a hand composed of a predetermined number
of cards. The method includes the steps of displaying on a video
screen a number of plurality of playing cards. The number of cards
being greater than the predetermined number of cards. The player is
given an opportunity to stop play and receive a payout as a
function of a first pay table and any winning combination of cards
in the plurality of playing cards. If the player does not stop
play, a first number of the plurality of playing cards is deleted
and a first remaining plurality of playing cards is displayed.
Inventors: |
Herrington, Brian D.;
(Okemos, MI) ; Rogers, Arthur O.; (Dexter, MI)
; Yee, James R.; (Rochester, MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BRIAN D. HERRINGTON
4439 SATINWOOD
OKEMOS
MI
48864
US
|
Family ID: |
33097243 |
Appl. No.: |
10/406079 |
Filed: |
April 2, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/13 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/32 20130101;
G07F 17/3267 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/013 |
International
Class: |
A63F 009/24 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method of playing a video poker game by a player, the video
poker game having a hand composed of a predetermined number of
cards, including the steps of: displaying on a video screen a
number of plurality of playing cards, the number of plurality of
cards being greater than the predetermined number of cards; giving
the player an opportunity to stop play and paying a payout as a
function of a first pay table and any winning combination of cards
in the plurality of playing cards; and, if the player does not stop
play, randomly deleting a first number of the plurality of playing
cards and displaying a first remaining plurality of playing
cards.
2. A method of playing a video poker game by a player, as set forth
in claim 1, further comprising the step of paying a payout as a
function of a second pay table and any winning combination of cards
in the first remaining plurality of playing cards.
3. A method of playing a video poker game by a player, as set forth
in claim 2, wherein the second pay table provides enhanced payouts
of an increased payout over the first pay table.
4. A method of playing a video poker game by a player, as set forth
in claim 1, further comprising the steps of: giving the player an
opportunity to stop play and paying a payout as a function of a
second pay table and any winning combination of cards in the first
remaining plurality of playing cards; and, if the player does not
stop play, randomly deleting a second number of the plurality of
playing cards and displaying a second remaining plurality of
playing cards.
5. A method of playing a video poker game by a player, as set forth
in claim 1, wherein the predetermined number of cards is five.
6. A method of playing a video poker game by a player, as set forth
in claim 1, wherein the predetermined number of cards is seven.
7. A method of playing a video poker game by a player, as set forth
in claim 1, wherein the first number is predetermined.
8. A method of playing a video poker game by a player, as set forth
in claim 1, wherein the first number may be selected by the
player.
9. A method of playing a video poker game by a player, as set forth
in claim 2, wherein the first number may be selected by the player
and the second pay table is determined as a function of the first
number.
10. A method of playing a video poker game by a player, as set
forth in claim 9, wherein the player selects the first number from
a plurality of choices and the second pay table has a higher payout
based on a higher first number.
11. A method of playing a video poker game by a player, as set
forth in claim 1, including the step of graphically identifying any
winning combination of cards in the plurality of playing cards.
12. A method of playing a video poker game by a player, as set
forth in claim 11, wherein the step of graphically identifying any
winning combination of cards includes the step of cycling through
each winning combination if there is more then one winning
combination.
13. A method of playing a video poker game by a player, as set
forth in claim 1, including the steps of: displaying the first pay
table; and, graphically identifying any winning combination on the
displayed pay table.
14. A method of playing a video poker game by a player, as set
forth in claim 13, wherein the step of graphically identifying any
winning combination of cards includes the step of cycling through
each winning combination if there are more then one winning
combination.
15. A method of playing a video poker game by a player, as set
forth in claim 1, wherein the step of randomly deleting a first
number of the plurality of playing cards includes the steps of:
sequentially identifying groups of at least one card and
graphically identifying the groups to the player, each group having
a number of cards equal to the first number; and, allowing the
player to choose a desirable group through manipulation of a player
interface; and, selecting one of the groups as a function of user
manipulation of the player interface, where the selected group is
deleted.
16. A method of playing a video poker game by a player, as set
forth in claim 1, wherein the randomly selected plurality of
playing cards are selected from at least one virtual deck, the
virtual deck including at least 52 playing cards.
17. A method of playing a video poker game by a player, as set
forth in claim 16, the virtual deck including at least one wild
card.
18. A method of playing a video poker game by a player, as set
forth in claim 1, including the step of allowing the player to lock
at least one of the plurality of playing cards, wherein any locked
card cannot be deleted.
19. A method of playing a video poker game by a player, as set
forth in claim 18, wherein the player selects the at least one of
the plurality of playing cards.
20. A method of playing a video poker game by a player, as set
forth in claim 18, wherein the at least one of the plurality of
playing cards is randomly selected.
21. A method of playing a video poker game by a player, as set
forth in claim 1, including the step of the player placing a wager
to start the game.
22. A method of playing a video poker game by a player, as set
forth in claim 1, wherein the step of giving the player an
opportunity to stop play includes the step of requiring the player
to place a wager to not stop play.
23. A method of playing a video poker game by a player, as set
forth in claim 1, wherein the plurality of playing cards are
randomly selected.
24. A method of playing a video poker game by a player, as set
forth in claim 1, wherein cards deleted from the plurality of
playing cards form an alternative hand of playing cards, the method
including the step of paying an alternative payout as a function of
an alternative pay table and any winning combination of cards in
the alternative hand of playing cards.
25. A method of playing a video poker game by a player, as set
forth in claim 1, including the steps of: displaying a plurality of
selectable playing cards face down; and allowing the player to
select the plurality of playing cards from the plurality of
selectable playing cards.
26. A method of playing a video poker game by a player, the video
poker game having a hand composed of a predetermined number of
cards, including the steps of: displaying on a video screen of
plurality of playing cards, the plurality of cards being greater
than the predetermined number of cards in the hand; giving the
player an opportunity to stop play and paying a payout as a
function of a first pay table and any winning combination of cards
in the plurality of playing cards; if the player does not stop
play, permitting the player to receive an additional number of
cards, the plurality of playing cards and the additional number of
cards forming a first set of playable cards; giving the player an
opportunity to stop play and paying a payout as a function of a
second pay table and any winning combination of cards in the first
set of playable cards; if the player does not stop play, randomly
deleting a first number of the plurality of playing cards and
displaying a second set of playable cards; and. paying a payout as
a function of a second pay table and any winning combination of
cards in the second set of playable cards.
27. A video poker game machine for playing a video poker game by a
player, the video poker game having a hand composed of a
predetermined number of cards, comprising: a video display for
displaying the video poker game to the player; a player interface
for receiving input from the player; a game controller coupled to
the video display and the player interface, the game controller for
displaying on the video screen a number of plurality of playing
cards, the number of cards being greater than the predetermined
number of cards, for giving the player an opportunity to stop play
and paying a payout as a function of a first pay table and any
winning combination of cards in the plurality of playing cards,
and, if the player does not stop play, randomly deleting a first
number of the plurality of playing cards and displaying a first
remaining plurality of playing cards.
28. A video poker game machine for playing a video poker game by a
player, as set forth in claim 27, the game controller adapted to
pay a payout as a function of a second pay table and any winning
combination of cards in the first remaining plurality of playing
cards.
29. A video poker game machine for playing a video poker game by a
player, as set forth in claim 28, wherein the second pay table
provides enhanced payouts for winning combinations over the first
pay table.
30. A video poker game machine for playing a video poker game by a
player, as set forth in claim 27, the game controller for giving
the player an opportunity to stop play and paying a payout as a
function of a second pay table and any winning combination of cards
in the first remaining plurality of playing cards, and, if the
player does not stop play, randomly deleting a second number of the
plurality of playing cards and displaying a second remaining
plurality of playing cards.
31. A video poker game machine for playing a video poker game by a
player, as set forth in claim 27, wherein the predetermined number
of cards is five.
32. A video poker game machine for playing a video poker game by a
player, as set forth in claim 27, wherein the predetermined number
of cards is seven.
33. A video poker game machine for playing a video poker game by a
player, as set forth in claim 27, wherein the first number is
predetermined.
34. A video poker game machine for playing a video poker game by a
player, as set forth in claim 27, wherein the game controller is
adapted to allow the player to select the first number.
35. A video poker game machine for playing a video poker game by a
player, as set forth in claim 27, wherein the first number may be
selected by the player and the second pay table is determined as a
function of the first number.
36. A video poker game machine for playing a video poker game by a
player, as set forth in claim 34, wherein the player selects the
first number from a plurality of choices and the second pay table
has a higher payout based on a higher first number.
37. A video poker game machine for playing a video poker game by a
player, as set forth in claim 27, wherein the game controller
displays on the video display any winning combination of cards in
the plurality of playing cards.
38. A video poker game machine for playing a video poker game by a
player, as set forth in claim 37, wherein the game controller
cycles through each winning combination if there are more then one
winning combination.
39. A video poker game machine for playing a video poker game by a
player, as set forth in claim 27, wherein the game controller
displays the first pay table on the video display and graphically
identifies any winning combination of cards on the displayed pay
table.
40. A video poker game machine for playing a video poker game by a
player, as set forth in claim 39, wherein the game controller
cycles through each winning combination if there are more then one
winning combination.
41. A video poker game machine for playing a video poker game by a
player, as set forth in claim 27, wherein the game controller
sequentially identifies groups of at least one card and graphically
identifies the groups to the player, each group having a number of
cards equal to the first number, allows the player to attempt to
choose a desirable group through manipulation of a player
interface, and selects one of the groups as a function of user
manipulation of the player interface, where the selected group is
deleted.
42. A video poker game machine for playing a video poker game by a
player, as set forth in claim 27, wherein the randomly selected
plurality of playing cards are selected from at least one virtual
deck having at least 52 playing cards.
43. A video poker game machine for playing a video poker game by a
player, as set forth in claim 42, wherein the virtual deck of
playing cards includes at least one wild card.
44. A video poker game machine for playing a video poker game by a
player, as set forth in claim 27, wherein the game controller
allows the player to lock at least one of the plurality of playing
cards, wherein any locked card cannot be deleted.
45. A video poker game machine for playing a video poker game by a
player, as set forth in claim 44, wherein the player selects the at
least one of the plurality of playing cards.
46. A video poker game machine for playing a video poker game by a
player, as set forth in claim 44, wherein the at least one of the
plurality of playing cards is randomly selected.
47. A video poker game machine for playing a video poker game by a
player, as set forth in claim 27, wherein the player places a wager
to start the game.
48. A video poker game machine for playing a video poker game by a
player, as set forth in claim 27, wherein the player must place a
wager to not stop play.
49. A video poker game machine for playing a video poker game by a
player, as set forth in claim 27, wherein the plurality of playing
cards are randomly selected by the game controller.
50. A video poker game machine for playing a video poker game by a
player, as set forth in claim 27, wherein the game controller
displays a plurality of selectable playing cards face down on the
video display and allows the player to select the number of
plurality of playing cards from the plurality of selectable playing
cards.
51. A video poker game machine for playing a video poker game by a
player, as set forth in claim 27, wherein cards deleted from the
plurality of playing cards form an alternative plurality of playing
cards, the game controller for paying an alternative payout as a
function of an alternative pay table and any alternative winning
combination of cards in the alternative plurality of playing
cards.
52. A video poker game machine for playing a video poker game by a
player, the video poker game having a hand composed of a
predetermined number of cards, comprising: a video display for
displaying the video poker game to the player; a player interface
for receiving input from the player; and, a game controller coupled
to the video display and the player interface, the game controller
for displaying on the video screen a plurality of playing cards,
the plurality of cards being greater than the predetermined number
of cards in the hand, for giving the player an opportunity to stop
play and paying a payout as a function of a first pay table and any
winning combination of cards in the plurality of playing cards, if
the player does not stop play, for permitting the player to receive
an additional number of cards, the plurality of playing cards and
the additional number of cards forming a first set of playable
cards, for giving the player an opportunity to stop play and paying
a payout as a function of a second pay table and any winning
combination of cards in the first set of playable cards.
53. A method of playing a video poker game by a player, the video
poker game having a hand composed of a predetermined number of
cards, including the steps of: (a) the player making a wager; (b)
displaying on a video screen a plurality of playing cards, the
number of plurality of playing cards being greater than the
predetermined number of cards; (c) determining all subsets of the
plurality of playing cards that form a combination which matches
one or more of a predetermined list of winning combinations; (d)
giving the player an opportunity to stop play and paying a payout
as a function of an active pay table and at least one of the
winning combinations; and, (e) if the player does not stop play,
randomly deleting a first number of the plurality of playing cards
and displaying the remaining plurality of playing cards, activating
a new active paytable, and repeating steps (c) through (e) using
the new active paytable and the remaining plurality of playing
cards.
54. A method of playing a video poker game by a player, as set
forth in claim 53, wherein the step of giving the player an
opportunity to stop play includes the step of requiring the player
to place a wager to not stop play.
55. A method of playing a video poker game by a player, as set
forth in claim 53, wherein the first number is predetermined.
56. A method of playing a video poker game by a player, as set
forth in claim 53, wherein the first number is determined by the
player and wherein the new active paytable is determined as a
function of the first number.
57. A method of playing a video poker game by a player, as set
forth in claim 53, including the step of graphically identifying
the subsets of the plurality of playing cards that form a winning
combination.
58. A method of playing a video poker game by a player, as set
forth in claim 57, includes the step of cycling through each subset
if there are more then one winning combination.
59. A method of playing a video poker game by a player, as set
forth in claim 53, wherein the step of randomly deleting a first
number of the plurality of playing cards includes the steps of:
sequentially identifying groups of at least one card and
graphically identifying the groups to the player, each group having
a number of cards equal to the first number; and, allowing the
player to choose a desirable group through manipulation of a player
interface; and, selecting one of the groups as a function of user
manipulation of the player interface, where the selected group is
deleted.
60. A method of playing a video poker game by a player, as set
forth in claim 53, wherein the randomly selected plurality of
playing cards are selected from at least one virtual deck, the
virtual deck including at least 52 cards.
61. A method of playing a video poker game by a player, as set
forth in claim 53, including the step of allowing the player to
lock at least one of the plurality of playing cards, wherein any
locked card cannot be deleted.
62. A method of playing a video poker game by a player, as set
forth in claim 61, wherein the player selects the at least one of
the plurality of playing cards.
63. A method of playing a video poker game by a player, as set
forth in claim 61, wherein the at least one of the plurality of
playing cards is randomly selected.
64. A method of playing a video poker game by a player, as set
forth in claim 53, wherein cards deleted from the plurality of
playing cards form an alternative hand of playing cards, the method
including the step of paying an alternative payout as a function of
an alternative pay table and any winning combination of cards in
the alternative hand of playing cards.
65. A method of playing a video poker game by a player, including
the steps of: displaying on a video screen a plurality of playing
cards; giving the player an opportunity to stop play and paying a
payout as a function of a first pay table and any winning
combination of cards in the plurality of playing cards; if the
player does not stop play, randomly deleting a first number of the
plurality of playing cards and displaying a remaining plurality of
playing cards; and, paying a payout as a function of a second pay
table and any winning combination of cards in the remaining
plurality of playing cards.
66. A method of playing a video poker game by a player, including
the steps as set forth in claim 1, wherein cards deleted from the
plurality of playing cards form an alternative plurality of playing
cards, and paying an alternative payout as a function of an
alternative pay table and any alternative winning combination of
cards in the alternative plurality of playing cards.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates generally to video poker, and
more particularly to a system and method for playing video poker
played with a user selectable diminishing number of cards.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Video poker games are frequently played in a casino on a
video poker machine or over an online network of computers (e.g.,
the Internet). A significant advantage of the video poker machine
is that there no need for a dealer, a table, cheques, cards and/or
a plethora of other items that are used in playing traditional
poker. Therefore, video poker utilizes little of the casino's
infrastructure. Because little of the casino's infrastructure is
used, video poker is often favored by the casino operators.
[0003] Video poker games are well known in the art. Traditionally,
these video poker games appeal to hard-core poker players, but
these video poker games become stale very quickly to advanced
players. Additionally, the occasional poker player also finds these
traditional video poker games unappealing.
[0004] Also, as players become more sophisticated regarding
electronic video poker gaming machines, players prefer to play
those poker machines that have pay tables with higher payouts for
the types of poker hand rankings that are achievable. There is a
need for new video poker gaming machines that are capable of
encouraging a high volume of play while at the same time offering
what the players consider to be good pay tables.
[0005] Many types of electronic video poker gaming machines have
been developed in response to this phenomenon and are used in the
casino gaming industry. Some of these video poker games are stud
poker games and some are draw poker games. Each of these types of
electronic video poker gaming machines is designed to replicate the
play of a hand of poker. The player attempts to achieve the highest
ranking poker hand possible from the cards dealt or displayed to
the player.
[0006] The first electronic video poker gaming machines were
standard draw poker games that dealt the player a hand of cards
from a standard 52 card poker deck and displayed a single five card
hand to the player. This was a conventional "player's hand only"
game since the player did not play against a dealer's hand, but was
only trying to achieve the highest poker hand ranking he could for
his five card hand. In the conventional embodiment, the cards are
electronically shuffled and an initial deal of five cards are
displayed to the player. The player then selects which of the five
cards he wants to hold. The non-selected cards are then removed and
the replacement or drawn cards are displayed in place of the cards
the player chose to discard. The player then wins or loses based on
conventional poker hand rankings (as discussed infra) for the
resulting five card hand.
[0007] The classic video draw poker machine has been modified over
time to use Deuces (or other cards) as wild cards. Also, one or
more Jokers may also be added to the standard fifty-two card deck
and the Jokers are also used as wild cards. "Deuces Wild" and
"Jokers Wild" draw poker still display to the player a single five
card hand and allow the player to discard unwanted cards and
receive replacement cards. The pay table is modified to recognize
the differing odds for achieving various poker hands when wild
cards are involved. When wild cards are used, other winning poker
hand rankings can be used such as Five of a Kind or Wild Royal
Flushes.
[0008] As video poker has evolved, the various gaming machines that
have been disclosed in the related art generally continue to use an
electronic video gaming machine that uses a video screen display to
show the cards to the player. Computer controls carried on a
printed circuit board mounted on the interior of the gaming machine
electronically shuffles the deck of cards, activates the dealing
sequence in response to input by a player, causes the initial five
cards to be displayed on the video screen display, and deals
replacement cards after the player has selected which cards to hold
and discard and analyze the final five card hand to determine
winning and losing hands. The computer controls also effect the
payouts to the player based on the amount of the player's wager and
the poker hand ranking of the final five card hand.
[0009] An invariant of most poker games is that a traditional poker
hand is comprised of five cards. Most video poker machines use
conventional poker hand rankings. The player with the highest
ranking hand is usually the winner. The traditional rankings of
poker hands, in descending order, are given as:
[0010] ROYAL FLUSH, (Ace, King, Queen, Jack and 10 of the same
suit);
[0011] STRAIGHT FLUSH, (five cards in sequence in any suit, i.e.
Jack, 10, 9, 8, 7, of the same suit);
[0012] FOUR OF A KIND, (four Aces is highest);
[0013] FULL HOUSE, (THREE OF A KIND plus a PAIR, i.e., 10, 10, 10,
King King);
[0014] FLUSH (Five cards of the same suit);
[0015] STRAIGHT (five cards in sequence but of different suits,
i.e., (Jack, 10, 9, 8, 7);
[0016] THREE OF A KIND (Three cards of the same rank, i.e., three
Aces);
[0017] TWO PAIRS (i.e., two Kings and two 10's);
[0018] ONE PAIR (two 5's); and
[0019] NO PAIR
[0020] Since players have become bored with traditional video draw
poker, and gaming casino operators are desirous of having different
types of electronic video poker games to offer to the players,
there is a need to provide new and interesting electronic video
poker games that attract players and that can increase the volume
of wagering in each gaming machine.
[0021] It is an object of the present invention to provide a new
and interesting form of video poker which will attract players and
increase the number of hands that can be played in a given time
period while at the same time offering the player a good pay
table.
[0022] Other objects, features and advantages of the present
invention will become apparent from a consideration of the
following detailed description.
[0023] The present invention is aimed at one or more of the
problems set forth above.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0024] The subject invention provides a gaming machine and a method
of playing the game. The gaming machine includes a processing unit
(game controller) for controlling and processing the order of game
play through one or more rounds as described below, input means for
player wagering and player game play input/selections, and a
display and a display processor for displaying representations of a
plurality of playing cards, game information and options, and
paytables to a player.
[0025] The subject invention provides a method of playing a video
card-based game. The game, in its general form, includes the steps
of:
[0026] (1) a player placing a wager
[0027] (2) displaying a randomly selected plurality of playing
cards in number at least one greater than the standard hand (i.e.,
a hand being comprised of a predetermined number of cards) of the
game being played,
[0028] (3) identifying (according to a list of predetermined
combinations, as typically reflected in a "paytable") any "winning
combinations" that can be formed using subset(s) of the plurality
of cards,
[0029] (4) giving the player the opportunity to selectively:
[0030] (a) stop the game and receive a payout of winnings according
to the currently active paytable and winning combination, or
[0031] (b) allow the game controller to randomly delete a number of
the plurality of cards in exchange for providing the player
enhanced payout odds if winning combinations can still be formed
following the random reduction,
[0032] (4) repeating the sequence of steps 3 and 4 until the game
is terminated by:
[0033] (a) the player electing to stop play and being paid any
payout awarded at the current round,
[0034] (b) the deletion results in the non-existence of any winning
combinations, or
[0035] (c) the plurality of cards is reduced to a predetermined
lowest number.
[0036] Accordingly, the game of the subject invention overcomes the
deficiencies of the related art games by providing a very
fast-paced, easily understood game which encourages play by both
experts and non-expert gamers alike, encouragement of repeated
additional wagering and/or wagering of amounts previously won in
exchange for the opportunity to win enhanced amounts.
[0037] It is a feature and an advantage to the present invention to
provide an improved modified video card game that creates a higher
perceived sense of winning than conventional video card games.
[0038] It is another feature and advantage to the present invention
to provide an improved modified video card game that enables the
player to exhibit some control over the risk versus reward balance
by deciding how many rounds to advance in the game.
[0039] It is another feature and advantage of the present invention
in providing an improved modified card game which may be
implemented in a stand-alone environment.
[0040] It is another feature and advantage of the present invention
in providing an improved modified video card game that is exciting
and fast to play.
[0041] It is another feature and advantage of the present invention
in providing a modified video card game which provides the player
or players the opportunity to increase their winnings.
[0042] In addition, the present invention optionally and
advantageously provides the player with the feature of increasing
their winnings with additional risk of loss, including any winnings
in prior rounds. Thus, in the present invention, an opportunity is
provided to the player to increase his or her winnings, making the
modified card game unexpectedly and substantially more exciting
than other games.
[0043] In addition, the game is simple to learn, fast-paced, and
may encourage players to wager additional amounts, thereby
attracting a variety of players of differing skill levels and
interests, while potentially increasing revenues for the game's
owner.
[0044] The subject invention provides a gaming machine and a method
of playing the game. The gaming machine includes a processing unit
(game controller) for controlling and processing the order of game
play.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0045] Other advantages of the present invention will be readily
appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to
the following detailed description when considered in connection
with the accompanying drawings wherein:
[0046] FIG. 1 is block diagram of a video poker system, according
to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0047] FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic illustration of a video poker
gaming machine apparatus, according to an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0048] FIG. 3 is an exemplary screen shot of the video poker system
of FIG. 1;
[0049] FIG. 4 is a second exemplary screen shot of the video poker
system of FIG. 1; and
[0050] FIG. 6 is an exemplary screen shot of the video poker system
of FIG. 1, according to an alternate embodiment of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0051] To achieve the features and advantages of the present
invention, an improved video card game apparatus and method of game
play is provided. In the preferred embodiment, the game is based
upon five card poker.
[0052] With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, an electronic video poker
gaming machine apparatus 10 is used to practice the method of the
present invention. The electronic video poker gaming machine 10 has
electronic computer controls ("game controller") 14, a coin hopper,
coin-in handling equipment, currency-in handling equipment, such as
a bill or stored valued ticket acceptor, a video screen display 14
and other optional equipment such as player tracking apparatus, all
as are conventional and well-known in the field. The game
controller 14 is programmed to display and operate the method of
the present invention. A representative electronic video poker
gaming machine 12 upon which the method of the present invention
can be practiced is shown in FIG. 2.
[0053] The screen display 14 includes at any desired location a
card display area in which the cards to be played by the player are
shown. In one embodiment, the screen display 14 is sized to display
a first plurality of ten playing cards 26. The screen display 14
may also show the player the number of COINS IN that the player has
wagered on the current game as well the number of CREDITS that the
player has accrued. In addition, multiple paytables 22 (as shown in
FIGS. 4-6) may be displayed on the screen display 14, as may be
information regarding the current winning combinations formable by
the cards in play at a particular time. The screen display 14
depicts said multiple paytables at any suitable location on the
screen display 14, with said paytables displaying to the player the
amounts that the player can win in each round depending on the
winning combinations formable utilizing the existing plurality of
playing cards. The paytables 22 can have various payout amounts
associated with winning combinations depending on what percentages
(or house advantage) are desired by the game's owner or operator to
be used with the game.
[0054] As is also conventional, a player interface 18 is provided.
Specifically, buttons may be provided on a button panel 24 by which
the player operates the gaming machine 12 to cause wagers to be
placed (using a BET or MAX BET buttons), cards to be dealt (using a
DEAL button), cash out accrued credits using any conventional cash
out apparatus such as a coin hopper or ticket printer (using a CASH
OUT button), and to selectively chose to end the game (using a STOP
button) or advance (using an ADVANCE button) to a next round of the
game when certain conditions are present as described below in more
detail. Instead of, or in addition to, using physical buttons on
the button panel to operate the player interface, conventional
touch screen technology may be used for some or all such buttons
(see FIGS. 4-6). The screen display 14 is thus provided with
various touch screen locations that use conventional touch screen
technology to allow the player to conduct some or all aspects of
the method of play of the present invention. Most suitable
electronic video poker gaming machines can be modified so that the
method of the present invention can be practiced thereon.
[0055] The method of play of the preferred embodiment is
illustrated in the flowchart in FIG. 3, and as described below:
[0056] Step 1. The player introduces coins or gaming tokens into
the coin-in handling equipment or suitable currency or stored value
media into the currency-in handling equipment to activate the
gaming machine. Alternatively, if the player has accrued credits
from previous games, the player may use those credits to make
further wagers.
[0057] Step 2. The player wagers the desired number of credits
(preferably a minimum of four in this embodiment) by pressing the
desired physical or touchscreen BET or MAX BET buttons, then begins
the game play by pressing a physical or touchscreen DEAL button to
cause the initial deal of a plurality of cards 26 to be displayed
on the video screen 14.
[0058] Step 3. The game controller electronically "shuffles," as is
conventional, a standard deck of 52 virtual playing cards and then
randomly selects a first plurality of playing cards 26 (P1) to be
displayed on the screen display. PI should be at least one greater
than the predetermined number of cards (N) which would otherwise
constitute a standard hand for the card game being played. In the
preferred embodiment, a standard poker hand consists of five cards
(i.e., N=5). In the preferred embodiment, therefore, P1 >=six
cards, and preferably P1=ten cards. Px represents the number of
cards remaining in play in round number x (e.g., x=1, 2, 3 . . . 6
in the preferred embodiment).
[0059] Step 4. The game controller 16 determines all subsets (if
any) of the Px cards that will form a combination which matches one
or more of a predetermined list of combinations ("winning
combinations") for which the active paytable (Tx) provides a
payout. The active pay table may be highlight, as shown in FIGS.
4-6 or otherwise indicated. In the preferred embodiment, winning
combinations consist of the following standard poker card
combinations, in descending order of payout:
[0060] ROYAL FLUSH, (Ace, King, Queen, Jack and 10 of the same
suit);
[0061] STRAIGHT FLUSH, (five cards in sequence in any suit, i.e.
Jack, 10, 9, 8, 7, of the same suit);
[0062] FOUR OF A KIND, (four Aces is highest);
[0063] FULL HOUSE, (THREE OF A KIND plus a PAIR, i. e., 10, 10, 10,
King King); FLUSH (Five cards of the same suit);
[0064] STRAIGHT (five cards in sequence but of different suits,
i.e., (Jack, 10, 9, 8, 7);
[0065] THREE OF A KIND (Three cards of the same rank, i.e., three
Aces);
[0066] TWO PAIRS (i.e., two Kings and two 6's);
[0067] ONE PAIR, JACKS OR BETTER (two Jacks, two Queens, two Kings,
or two Aces).
[0068] As will be recognized, often multiple winning combination
subsets of the Px cards may be formable. Tx represents the paytable
active in round x, an example of which is depicted in FIG. 4-6.
[0069] Step 5. If there are no winning combinations which are
formable using the Px cards, the game ends and the player receives
no award payout.
[0070] Step 6. If there are one or more winning combinations which
are formable using the Px cards, the game controller identifies the
winning combinations which are thusly formable and identifies the
winning payout available to the player corresponding to the highest
formable winning combination vis-a-vis paytable Tx, and preferably
highlights the corresponding rows on the paytables for the current
round (Tx) and for any and all subsequent rounds.
[0071] Step 7. In the preferred embodiment, if Px=N (i.e., when
there are only five total cards remaining in play), the game ends
and the player is awarded a payout corresponding to the highest
formable winning combination.
[0072] Step 8. In the preferred embodiment, if Px>N, the player
is given the option as to whether to
[0073] (8a) accept the winning payout offered by the current
paytable Tx and thereby end the game (using the STOP button),
or
[0074] (8b) decline the payout and proceed (using the ADVANCE
button), preferably by requiring that an additional wager be
placed, to the next round in accordance with Step 9 below.
[0075] Step 9. If the player declines the payout (and places the
required additional wager as required in the preferred embodiment),
the game controller randomly selects one or more of the Px cards
and deletes same, thereby creating a remaining plurality of playing
cards.
[0076] Step 10. x=x+1, a next enhanced paytable is activated, and
the next round commences at Step 4 using the remaining plurality of
playing cards. As will be apparent, the next round thus takes place
with a reduced number of cards still in play (e.g., 9 rather than
10 in the preferred embodiment after the first round), and thus
lower probabilities of being able to form winning combinations.
Importantly, however, a new enhanced paytable 22 is activated,
which must provide increased payouts vis-a-vis the paytable of the
prior round so as to entice the player to accept the increased
lower probabilities associated with the remaining/reduced number of
plurality of playing cards from which to form any winning
combinations.
[0077] In one embodiment, the initial number of plurality of
playing cards P1 equals ten and the predetermined number of cards
equals five. In the preferred embodiment where play can continue
only until Px=N, therefore, there are six potential rounds and,
accordingly, five potential opportunities for the player to place
an additional wager and advance to the next round. It is
envisioned, however, that P1 can be any number of cards greater
than N, depending upon the desired number of potential rounds,
cards to be deleted per round, and/or attendant paytable odds which
the game's operator (or, alternatively, the player) selects.
[0078] In the preferred embodiment, the player is required to make
an additional wager (e.g., one credit) to proceed to the next
round, although it is envisioned that in some embodiments such an
additional wager may not be required of the player in order to
proceed to the next round.
[0079] In addition, in the preferred embodiment, one card is
randomly deleted each round at Step 9, although it is envisioned
that that in some embodiments more than one card could be deleted
per round, provided that the number of cards Px is never less than
the N cards required to otherwise form a full normal hand.
[0080] In addition, in the preferred embodiment, one virtual
standard 52-card deck is used, although it is envisioned that
alternative decks, multiple decks or partial decks could
alternatively be used in the game, including those with Joker(s) or
other designated "wild cards."
[0081] In addition, in the preferred embodiment, the paytables 22
from prior rounds and cards deleted during prior rounds are dimmed
or crossed out to signify they are no longer in play.
[0082] In addition, it is envisioned that many typical variations
on the standard video poker game may easily be incorporated into
the game as described herein. These include incorporation of one or
more "Jokers" in the virtual deck, treating certain predetermined
cards as "wild" cards, and/or providing the player with the option
to selectively delete/"discard" and "draw" one or more replacement
cards from those remaining in the deck between Steps 3 and 4 above,
as well as other common variations which are well known to those
skilled in the art.
[0083] In addition, the game method as described herein is
adaptable to a variety of other games where final combinations of
one or more elements are utilized to establish the existence of
predetermined winning combinations.
[0084] In addition, it is envisioned that between Steps 3 and 4,
the player may be given the option to selectively choose to "lock"
one or more of the cards, thereby preventing same from being
randomly deleted by the game controller in Step 9 for one or more
rounds. Alternatively, the one more or cards to be locked may be
randomly selected.
[0085] In addition, it is envisioned that between Steps 8 and 9,
the player may be given the option (optimally for an additional
wager) during one or more predetermined rounds to selectively
"lock" one or more cards, thereby preventing same from being
randomly deleted by the game controller in Step 9 during one or
more subsequent rounds.
[0086] In addition, while in the preferred embodiment the game has
the potential to continue until the minimum number of cards remain
sufficient to form a normal hand (as reflected in Steps 7 and 8
above), it is envisioned that the game could continue until any
predetermined number of cards remain in excess of that minimum
(e.g., when six cards remain in a five-card hand game).
[0087] In addition, while in the preferred embodiment the game has
the potential to only continue until the minimum number of cards
remain sufficient to form a normal hand (as reflected in Steps 7
and 8 above), it is envisioned that the game could continue for
additional rounds until a predetermined lesser number of cards
remain (e.g., when just two cards remain in an otherwise five-card
hand based game).
[0088] In addition, while in the preferred embodiment the game
method is described for use in a physical casino environment, it is
envisioned that games in accordance with the method of this
invention could easily be adapted for use in an online casino
gaming context and/or over a networked system of computers such as
the Internet.
[0089] In addition, while in the preferred embodiment the minimum
winning combination is a pair of jacks, it is envisioned that other
lesser combinations (including no pairs) could constitute a winning
combination(s) on one or more of the paytables.
[0090] In addition, in the preferred embodiment, the game
controller selects and displays the initial plurality of cards. It
is envisioned, however, that the player may select the initial
plurality from a display of the 52 randomly arranged face-down
cards via the touchscreen.
[0091] In addition, while in the preferred embodiment the deleted
cards are not used as an element of the game after they are deleted
from the plurality of cards, it is envisioned that the deleted
cards could be displayed as and form an alternative hand/plurality
of playing cards 28 (see FIG. 6), with alternative paytables 30
providing for alternative payouts on alternative winning
combinations.
[0092] Other aspects and features of the present invention can be
obtained from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the
appended claims.
* * * * *