U.S. patent application number 10/441673 was filed with the patent office on 2004-11-25 for wagering-type card game.
Invention is credited to English, Toby J..
Application Number | 20040232616 10/441673 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33450044 |
Filed Date | 2004-11-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040232616 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
English, Toby J. |
November 25, 2004 |
Wagering-type card game
Abstract
A multi-card stud poker game is provided for at least one player
and a dealer. Players make at least one wager that the player's
hand will exceed the dealer's hand. In the most preferred variant,
the player and the dealer each receive a five-card sequential poker
hand. The player's five cards present a one-card hand, a three-card
hand and a five-card hand. The dealer's one-card hand is compared
with the player's one-card hand to determine whether the one-card
wager is successful by conventional poker criteria. Likewise, the
dealer's three-card hand and five-card hand are compared with the
player's three-card hand and five-card hand, respectively. Each
player is then paid a predetermined amount for each successful
one-card, three-card and five-card wager. In preferred variants of
the game the one-card wager is mandatory and the cards are dealt
face up. In particularly preferred variants a world bet is included
such that if the one-card, three-card and five-card wagers are all
successful, then the world wager is also successful. Another
particularly preferred variant includes a bonus bet wherein if the
player's one-card, three-card or five-card hands match certain
preselected poker criteria then the bonus wager is also successful.
The game may also be played with an electronic apparatus including
a display, a player interface for receiving player input, and a
processor configured to effect game play.
Inventors: |
English, Toby J.; (Shawnee,
KS) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Stephen R. Robinson
1121 Pennsylvania
Lawrence
KS
66044
US
|
Family ID: |
33450044 |
Appl. No.: |
10/441673 |
Filed: |
May 20, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
273/292 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F 3/00157 20130101;
A63F 2001/005 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
273/292 |
International
Class: |
A63F 001/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method of playing a multi-card poker game with at least one
player and a dealer, comprising the steps of: (a) receiving at
least one wager from each player that the player's hand will exceed
the dealer's hand, including the optional multiple card wagers; (b)
receiving additional wagers as desired by each player; (c) dealing
a sequential multi-card player hand, presenting a one-card player
hand, and another, bettable-card hand; (d) dealing a sequential
multi-card dealer hand, presenting a one-card dealer hand, and
another, bettable-card hand; (e) comparing the dealer's one-card
hand with the player's one-card hand to determine whether the
one-card wager is successful by conventional poker criteria; (f)
comparing the dealer's other, bettable-card hand with the player's
other, bettable-card hand; and (g) paying each player a
predetermined amount for each successful one-card, and other,
bettable-card hand.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the player's one-card hand and the
player's bettable-card hand are both dealt before the dealer's
one-card hand and the dealer's bettable-card hand.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein at step (b) a world wager is
provided such that if a player bets on and wins the one-card wager
and the bettable-card wager, then the world wager is also
successful, and wherein step (g) includes paying each player a
predetermined amount for a successful world wager.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein at step (b) a bonus wager is
provided such that if the player's one-card, three-card or
five-card hands match certain preselected poker criteria then the
bonus wager is also successful, and wherein step (g) includes
paying each player a predetermined amount for a successful bonus
wager.
5. A method of playing a five-card poker game with at least one
player and a dealer, comprising the steps of: (a) receiving at
least one wager from each player that the player's hand will exceed
the dealer's hand, including the options of a one-card wager,
three-card wager and a five-card wager; (b) receiving additional
wagers as desired by each player; (c) dealing a sequential
five-card player hand, presenting a one-card player hand, a
three-card player hand and a five-card player hand; (d) dealing a
sequential five-card dealer hand, presenting a one-card dealer
hand, a three-card dealer hand and a five-card dealer hand; (e)
comparing the dealer's one-card hand with the player's one-card
hand to determine whether the one-card wager is successful by
conventional poker criteria; (f) comparing the dealer's three-card
hand with the player's three-card hand; (g) comparing the dealer's
five-card hand with the player's five-card hand; and (h) paying
each player a predetermined amount for each successful one-card,
three-card and five-card wager.
6. The method of claim 5 wherein the player's one-card hand and the
player's bettable-card hand are both dealt before the dealer's
one-card hand and the dealer's bettable-card hand.
7. The method of claim 5 wherein the five-card player hand is dealt
face up.
8. The method of claim 5 wherein the five-card dealer hand is dealt
face up.
9. The method of claim 5 wherein at step (b) a world wager is
provided such that if a player bets on and wins the one-card wager,
the three-card wager and the five-card wager, then the world wager
is also successful, and wherein step (h) includes paying each
player a predetermined amount for a successful world wager.
10. The method of claim 5 wherein at step (b) a bonus wager is
provided such that if the player's one-card, three-card or
five-card hands match certain preselected poker criteria then the
bonus wager is also successful, and wherein step (h) includes
paying each player a predetermined amount for a successful bonus
wager.
11. A method of playing a five-card poker game with at least one
player and a dealer, comprising the steps of: (a) receiving a
one-card wager from each player; (b) receiving a three-card wager,
a five-card wager, a world wager and a bonus wager as desired by
each player; (c) dealing a sequential five-card player hand,
presenting a one-card player hand, a three-card player hand and a
five-card player hand; (d) dealing a sequential five-card dealer
hand, presenting a one-card dealer hand, a three-card dealer hand
and a five-card dealer hand; (e) comparing the dealer's one-card
hand with the player's one-card hand to determine whether the
one-card wager is successful by conventional poker criteria; (f)
comparing the dealer's three-card hand with the player's three-card
hand to determine whether the three-card wager is successful by
conventional poker criteria; (g) comparing the dealer's five-card
hand with the player's five-card hand to determine whether the
five-card wager is successful by conventional poker criteria; and
(h) paying each player a predetermined amount for each successful
one-card, three-card, five-card, world and bonus wager.
12. An apparatus configured for playing a five-card poker game with
at least one player and a dealer, the apparatus comprising a
display, a player interface for receiving player input, and a
processor configured to effect game play, the processor enabling:
(a) receiving at least one wager from each player that the player's
hand will exceed the dealer's hand, including the options of a
one-card wager, three-card wager and a five-card wager; (b)
receiving additional wagers as desired by each player; (c) dealing
a sequential five-card player hand, presenting a one-card player
hand, a three-card player hand and a five-card player hand; (d)
dealing a sequential five-card dealer hand, presenting a one-card
dealer hand, a three-card dealer hand and a five-card dealer hand;
(e) comparing the dealer's one-card hand with the player's one-card
hand to determine whether the one-card wager is successful by
conventional poker criteria; (f) comparing the dealer's three-card
hand with the player's three-card hand; (g) comparing the dealer's
five-card hand with the player's five-card hand; and (h) paying
each player a predetermined amount for each successful one-card,
three-card and five-card wager.
13. An apparatus configured for playing a five-card poker game with
at least one player and a dealer, the apparatus comprising a
display, a player interface for receiving player input, and a
processor configured to effect game play, the processor enabling:
(a) receiving a one-card wager from each player; (b) receiving a
three-card wager, a five-card wager, a world wager and a bonus
wager as desired by each player; (c) dealing a sequential five-card
player hand, presenting a one-card player hand, a three-card player
hand and a five-card player hand; (d) dealing a sequential
five-card dealer hand, presenting a one-card dealer hand, a
three-card dealer hand and a five-card dealer hand; (e) comparing
the dealer's one-card hand with the player's one-card hand to
determine whether the one-card wager is successful by conventional
poker criteria; (f) comparing the dealer's three-card hand with the
player's three-card hand to determine whether the three-card wager
is successful by conventional poker criteria; (g) comparing the
dealer's five-card hand with the player's five-card hand to
determine whether the five-card wager is successful by conventional
poker criteria; and (h) paying each player a predetermined amount
for each successful one-card, three-card, five-card, world and
bonus wager.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates to card games. More particularly, the
invention relates to wagering card games suitable for gaming
establishments and other environments.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] Gaming establishments are always looking for new card games.
Such games typically allow each player to play against a banker
(who usually also acts as dealer) provided by the casino (Ante
Bets), or play to match predetermined poker criteria, i.e. rank
(Pair Plus Bets). Players typically enjoy games which can be played
rapidly and offer a variety of choices. Variety heightens player
interest in the game. It would therefore be desirable to provide
card games including a plurality of new wagering options.
[0005] Problematically, some poker games seem complicated for the
novice. The rules or odds may seem too complex. Some do not wish to
learn to play in front of more experienced players. Additionally,
inexperienced players may be intimidated by a new poker game which
seems hard to learn. What is needed is a game which provides for
extremely simple rules, rapidity of play and multiple wagering
options for game enjoyment and optimizing house revenue.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention provides a multi-card stud poker game
with extremely simple rules, rapid play and a plurality of betting
choices. The game is played with at least one player and a dealer.
The game may also be played with an electronic apparatus including
a display, a player interface for receiving player input, and a
processor configured to effect game play, as well as on the
Internet.
[0007] Players make at least one wager that the player's hand will
exceed the dealer's hand (the ante bet). The player and the dealer
each receive a multi-card sequential poker hand. In the preferred
embodiment, the player's five cards present a one-card hand, a
three-card hand and a five-card hand, with the one-card hand being
the ante bet. The dealer's one-card hand is compared with the
player's one-card hand to determine whether the one-card wager is
successful by conventional poker criteria with certain optional
changes. Likewise, the dealer's three-card hand and five-card hand
are compared with the player's three-card hand and five-card hand,
respectively. Each player is then paid a predetermined amount for
each successful one-card, three-card and five-card wager.
Preferably, the three-card and five-card bets are optional.
[0008] Another variant of the game would provide, for example, only
three cards dealt respectively to the player and the dealer. The
player would bet on the one-card hand and optionally bet on the
three-card, bettable hand. In its most general form a hand may
consist of two to seven cards, with at least one ante bet.
[0009] In preferred variants of the game the one-card wager is
mandatory and the cards are dealt face up. In particularly
preferred variants the player's one-card hand is an automatic win
if an ace or king shows, while it is an automatic loss if a two,
three, four or five shows. A world bet may be included such that if
the one-card, three-card and five-card wagers are all successful
(or the one-card and bettable-card hand, for example, in the
variant described above) then the world wager is also respectively
successful. Another particularly preferred variant includes a bonus
bet wherein if the player's one-card, three-card or five-card hands
match certain preselected poker criteria then the bonus wager is
also successful.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 illustrates a playing surface (layout) of a
casino-type table in accordance with the invention;
[0011] Fig.2 depicts a representative dealer five-card hand and a
representative player five-card hand in more detail;
[0012] FIG. 3a illustrates a predetermined payout schedule for the
five-card bonus wager in a preferred embodiment;
[0013] FIG. 3b illustrates a predetermined payout schedule for the
three-card bonus wager in a preferred embodiment;
[0014] FIG. 3c illustrates a predetermined payout schedule for the
one-card bonus wager in a preferred embodiment; and
[0015] FIG. 4 is schematic illustration of an electronic system in
accordance with the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] Referring to the figures in general and FIG. 1 in particular
a wagering-type card game or layout system 10 is illustrated.
System 10 includes a table 12, a playing surface 14, a chip rack
16, a deck shoe 18, cash slot 20, and automatic card shuffler 22
(schematically shown). Table 12, also includes rail 24, deal side
26 and legs (not shown). Chip rack 16 houses chips 28.
[0017] Playing surface 14 includes a dealer station 30 (generally
occupying the center of playing surface 14) and a plurality of
player stations 32. Playing surface 14 also includes a dealer hand
area 34 and a player hand area 36. Each player station 32 includes
a main wager area 38 and a side wager area 40 (only the middle of
the seven shown player stations 32 includes the detailed reference
numerals 38 and 40 for ease of illustration). Main wager area 38
includes a one-card spot 42, and three-card spot 44 and a five-card
wager spot 46. The side wager area 40 includes a bonus wager spot
48 and a world wager spot 50.
[0018] System 10 is used in accordance with the present invention
in the following fashion. A dealer 52 and a plurality of players 54
(up to seven players 54 are provided for in the preferred
embodiment) gather at table 12 with the dealer 52 generally located
as indicated at dealer's side 26 and each player 54 generally
located at a respective player station 32. Dealer 52 will receive
at least one wager from each player 54 at the beginning of each
hand. In the preferred embodiment a one-card wager is mandatory, so
each player 54 who wishes to play that hand must place at least the
minimum bet (ante bet) on the one-card wager spot 42 for his
respective player station 32. All other bets may be played at the
same time. In other words, a three-card wager may be placed on the
three-card wager spot 44, a five-card wager may be placed on the
five-card wager spot 46, a bonus wager may be placed on bonus wager
spot 48 and a world wager may be placed on world wager spot 50.
[0019] Referring to FIG. 2, dealer hand area 34 and player hand
area 36 are shown with more detail. In particular, dealer hand area
34 includes a dealer first card slot 56, a dealer second card slot
58, a dealer third card slot 60, a dealer fourth card slot 62, and
a dealer fifth card slot 64. Player hand area 36 includes a player
first card slot 66, a player second card slot 68, a player third
card slot 70, a player fourth card slot 72, and a player fifth card
slot 74. Dealer hand area 34 is configured so that a dealer
one-card hand 76 is determined by inspection of a card 77 on dealer
slot 56. Card 77 is illustrated to be an ace of spades in this
example. Dealer hand area 34 is further configured so that a dealer
three-card hand 80 is determined by inspection of cards 77, 82, and
84 respectively positioned at dealer first card slot 56, dealer
second card slot 58 and dealer third card slot 60. Cards 82 and 84
are illustrated to be a seven of hearts and nine of clubs
respectively in this example. Dealer hand area 34 is finally
configured so that a dealer five-card hand 86 is determined by
inspection of cards 77, 82, 84, 88 and 90 respectively positioned
at dealer card slots 56 through 64. Cards 88 and 90 are illustrated
to be a two of diamonds and a queen of spades respectively.
[0020] In analogous fishion, player hand area 36 is configured so
that a player one-card hand 92 is determined by inspection of a
card 94 on player slot 66. Card 94 is schematically illustrated to
be the king of hearts in this example. Player hand area 36 is
further configured so that a player three-card hand 96 is
determined by inspection of cards 94, 98, and 100 respectively
positioned at player slots 66 through 70. Cards 98 and 100 are
illustrated to be a king of spades and a nine of diamonds
respectively. Player hand area 36 is finally configured so that a
player five-card hand 102 is determined by inspection of cards 94,
98, 100, 104 and 106 respectively positioned at player card slots
66 through 74. Cards 104 and 106 are illustrated to be a three of
diamonds and a two of hearts respectively in this example.
[0021] After dealer five-card hand 86 and player five-card hand 102
have been dealt all bets are determined by comparision using
general stud poker conventions as to priority of hands except for
exceptions added by the house, as desired. For example, in
preferred variants no priority is given for suit and an ace is
always considered to be "high" In other words, in general, if
player 54 and dealer 52 have identical hands except for suit, the
result is a "push."
[0022] Also, in particularly preferred variants the player's
one-card hand is an automatic win if he has an ace or king, and an
automatic loss if he has a two, three, four or five. Dealer 52 (or
other authorized agent) will resolve each bet. Dealer one-card hand
76 is compared with player one-card hand 92. By casual inspection
it will be noted that dealer one-card hand 76 is ace 77 and player
one-card hand 92 is king 94. Therefore the bet placed by each
player 54 at his respective one-card wager spot 42 is successful
because the player's king 94 beats the dealer's ace 77 (note that
in preferred variants one-card hand 92 of player 54 is
automatically successful if an ace or king shows as in this
example).
[0023] Next, dealer three-card hand 80 is compared with player
three-card hand 96. It will be noted that dealer three-card hand 80
is composed of cards 77, 82 and 84. Player three-card hand 96 is
composed of cards 94, 98 and 100. Therefore the bet placed by any
player 54 at his respective three-card wager spot 44 is successful
because the player's pair of kings beats the dealer's ace.
[0024] Finally, dealer five-card hand 86 is compared with player
five-card hand 102. It will be noted that dealer five-card hand 86
is composed of cards 77, 82, 84, 88 and 90. Player five-card hand
102 is composed of cards 94, 98, 100, 104 and 106. Therefore the
bet placed by any player 54 at his respective five-card wager spot
46 is successful because the player's pair of kings beats the
dealer's ace. In summary, any one-card wagers were successful and
the three-card and five-card wagers were successful in this
example.
[0025] Any bets placed at world wager spot 50 are resolved by
determination of the one-card, three-card and five-card bets. If
all three of those bets are successful, then the world bet is also
successful. In the preferred embodiment, the successful world bet
pays eight to one. In the instance illustrated in FIG. 2, the world
bet would be successful. In the event the one-card or three-card or
five-card hand is a push, then the world bet is also a push.
[0026] Determination of the success of any bets placed at bonus
wager spot 48 are resolved by reference to predetermined tables.
The predetermined tables in the preferred embodiment of this
invention are illustrated in FIGS. 3a, 3b and 3c where three tables
are illustrated, namely a one-card bonus table (FIG. 3c), a
three-card bonus table (FIG. 3b), and a five-card bonus table (FIG.
3a). Any bets placed on this bonus wager spot 48 would be
successful by noting the occurrence, for example, of a three-card
straight on player three-card hand 96 (note the three-card bonus
table which provides on the third line for a straight and declaring
a payout of three to one).
[0027] Once all hands have been compared all payouts are made,
pushes are noted and all losing bets are collected.
[0028] In its most general form, the inventive game may be played
with two to seven cards. The only requirement is that there at
least two available ("bettable") bets on the two to seven cards.
For example, instead of five cards as in the most preferred
variant, the player and dealer could each receive six cards and
could compare the respective two-card hands and the respective
six-card hands in analogous fashion with the procedure as
illustrated in FIG. 2. Many variants could arise but the essence of
the game is to have at least two bettable-card hands. In the
illustrated example of FIG. 2, the bettable-card hands are the
one-card hand 76, 92, the three-card hand 80, 96 and the five-card
hand 86, 102.
[0029] While the foregoing preferred embodiments have been
particularly described for play in a gaming establishment
environment, it would be apparent to one skilled in the art that
the present invention can be embodied in a wide variety of forms
and media including, but not limited to, single player slot video
machines, multi-player video machines, electronic games and
devices, lottery terminals, scratch-card formats, software, as well
as in-flight, home, and Internet entertainment. For example,
referring to FIG. 4, a block diagram is illustrated showing the
components of an electronic system 110 configured for playing a
wagering-type card game in accordance with the invention. System
110 includes a display 112, a player interface 114, and processing
circuitry or processor 116. The processing circuitry 116 effects
game play in accordance with the rules of the game. The
configuration of elements, illustrated in FIG. 4 is not to suggest
any particular electronic, optical or other connections.
[0030] The system 110 can facilitate games for a single player 54
(not shown in FIG. 4) against system 110 however, it is also within
the scope of the present invention to provide a multi-unit video
format wherein a plurality of players 54 may play against each
other and/or against a virtual dealer (not shown). Those skilled in
the art will appreciate that suitable controls can be provided for
receiving and processing the necessary inputs and therefore will
not be described in detail herein. In addition, the invention can
be readily implemented as a computer program product (e.g., floppy
disk, compact disk (CD), etc.) comprising a computer readable
medium having control logic recorded therein to implement the
features of the invention as described in relation to the other
preferred embodiments. The control logic can be loaded into the
memory of a computer and executed by a central processing unit
(CPU) to perform the operations described herein.
[0031] In addition, system 110 can include electronic, optical, or
other communication with other players 118 as generically
illustrated. Likewise processor 116 could be in electronic and/or
photonic communication with other processors 120 as generically
illustrated. One such example would be a player using his own PC,
playing by communicating with a server on the Internet with or
without other players.
[0032] Although the invention has been particularly shown and
described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will
be understood by those skilled in the relevant art that various
changes in form and details may he made therein without departing
from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the
appended claims. For example, the suit of the card could be
considered for priority (as is normally done in stud poker) and
therefore eliminate pushes. Likewise the ante bet could be the
three-card hand or another bettable hand.
* * * * *