U.S. patent application number 10/667231 was filed with the patent office on 2005-03-17 for method of playing a wagering game.
Invention is credited to Dreaper, Thomas Scott, Yin, Mark.
Application Number | 20050057000 10/667231 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34274759 |
Filed Date | 2005-03-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050057000 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Dreaper, Thomas Scott ; et
al. |
March 17, 2005 |
Method of playing a wagering game
Abstract
A method and apparatus for playing a wagering game using cards
having numeric value associated therewith is disclosed. In one
embodiment each player is dealt four cards which are set into a two
card high hand and a two card low hand. A comparison occurs to
determine one or more winning hands, tie hands, or losing hands. In
one embodiment the ranking is based on, in numeric order, the
highest pair, followed by the least significant digit of the
numerical sum of the two or more cards with the goal being closest
to be closest to nine, and finally, the case of ties, the hand
having the highest ranking single card. In one embodiment the
player or the player/banker must win both the front hand and the
back hand to collect or win the wager.
Inventors: |
Dreaper, Thomas Scott; (Las
Vegas, NV) ; Yin, Mark; (Las Vegas, NV) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Weide & Miller, Ltd.
Bank West Building, 5th Floor
Suite 530
7251 W. Lake Mead Blvd.
Las Vegas
NV
89128
US
|
Family ID: |
34274759 |
Appl. No.: |
10/667231 |
Filed: |
September 17, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
273/292 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F 3/00157
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
273/292 |
International
Class: |
A63F 001/00 |
Claims
1. A method of playing a wagering game, comprising: providing a
deck of cards, each card associated with a numeric value; receiving
a wager from one or more players; dealing four cards to each player
position and a dealer or house position to create player hands and
a dealer hand; each player and the dealer or house arranging the
cards into a high hand and a low hand; comparing each player hand,
upon which a wager has been place, to the dealer hand; collecting
the wagers associated with losing player hand(s), if any such hands
exist; and providing a payout to winning player hand(s), if any
such hands exist, wherein a winning hand is a hand where the high
hand and low hand of a player hand are higher in ranking than the
high hand and the low hand of the dealer hand and a losing hand is
a hand where the high hand and low hand of a player hand are lower
in ranking than the high hand and the low hand of the dealer,
wherein a ranking of hands from highest to lowest is: pairs,
highest to lowest, then, in non-paired hands, the sum total of the
two cards having the highest least significant digit of the sum
total of the numeric value of the cards.
2. (Canceled)
3. The method of claim 1, further comprising allowing a player an
option to wager upon and arrange unwagered hand dealt to a player
position.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the deck of cards includes a
joker and the joker is defined as wild card.
5. A method of playing a wagering game, comprising: providing a
deck of cards, wherein the deck of cards does not include face
cards, and each card is associated with a numeric value from 1 to
10; receiving a wager from one or more players; dealing four or
more cards to each player position and a dealer position; each
player and the dealer arranging the cards into a high hand and a
low hand; comparing each player high hand and low hand to the
dealer high hand and low hand respectively; determining winning
players and losing players, to the extent any such players exist;
collecting the wagers associated with losing players, if any such
players exist; and providing a payout to winning players, if any
such players exist, wherein a winning player is a player having the
high hand and low hand higher in ranking than the high hand and the
low hand of the dealer hand and a losing player is a player having
the high hand and low hand lower in ranking than the high hand and
the low hand of the dealer.
6. The method of claim 5, further comprising providing an option
for player to wager on unwagered cards or unwagered hands.
7. The method of claim 5, wherein if the player arranges their
cards into other an the high hand and low hand the dealer
reconfigures the cards in a house way.
8. A method of playing a wagering game, comprising: providing a
deck of cards, wherein each card has a single numeric value
associated therewith and the numeric values range in value from
zero to some number N, where N equals any whole number; receiving a
wager from one or more players; dealing four cards to each player
position and a dealer or house position to create player hands and
a dealer hand; each player and the dealer or house arranging the
cards into a high hand and a low hand; comparing each player hand,
upon which a wager has been place, to the dealer hand; collecting
the wagers associated with losing player hand(s), if any such hands
exist; and providing a payout to winning player hand(s), if any
such hands exist, wherein a winning hand is a hand where the high
hand and low hand of a player hand are higher in ranking than the
high hand and the low hand of the dealer hand and a losing hand is
a hand where the high hand and low hand of a player hand are lower
in ranking than the high hand and the low hand of the dealer.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein the deck of cards includes a
joker and the joker is defined as wild card.
10. The method of claim 8, wherein a ranking of hands from highest
to lowest is: pairs, highest to lowest, then, in non-paired hands,
the sum total of the two cards having the highest least significant
digit of the sum total of the numeric value of the cards.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to wagering games, and in
particular to a method of playing a wagering game based on the
comparison of a high hand and a low hand to a dealer's or another
player's high hand and low hand.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] With the increase in popularity of gaming and gambling there
is also an increase in the need for new games that appeals to new
players and to existing players seeking a different gaming
challenge. One example game is Pai gow poker, which is a variation
of the Chinese domino game gai gow or "tiles" and is well known in
the area of gaming. Pai gow poker is usually played with a 53 card
deck. The game is played between a player(s) and a player/banker,
each competing to make the best possible hands. Each player is
dealt seven cards. The player then set their cards into a two
different hands and a comparison is made to between the various
hands to determine the winner as compared to the dealer or house
hand.
[0003] While Pai gow poker and the related game tiles, are a
popular games, they suffer from drawbacks which may limit play. One
such drawback is that these games are slow. For example, in Pai Gow
Poker seven cards are dealt to each player. This slows game play
which reduces player interest and reduces profits or the take for
the house. Moreover, they can be undesirably complex which also
limits play or may slow play. As a result, there is a need in the
art for an similar game that does not suffer from the drawbacks of
the prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention overcomes the drawbacks of the prior
art by providing a method of playing a wagering game using playing
cards. The playing cards may comprise the cards having numeric
indicators thereon. Before receiving the cards, the player's may
place a wager. In one embodiment each player is dealt four cards
which are set into a two card front hand and a two card back hand.
In any order or manner, the players then compare hands with a
player/banker or other players. The front hand and back hand may
comprise hands arranged to come as close to, without exceeding, a
particular numeric value. In one embodiment the front hand is of
greater value than the back hand.
[0005] The comparison occurs to determine one or more winning
hands, tie hands, or losing hands. In one embodiment the ranking of
hands may be based on a ranking of pairs, highest cards, or numeric
sum totals of the cards or the cards in each hand. In one
embodiment the ranking is based on, in numeric order, the highest
pair, followed by the least significant digit of the numerical sum
of the two or more cards with the goal being closest to be closest
to nine, and finally, the case of ties, the hand having the highest
ranking single card. It is contemplated that various different
arrangements may be made to determine who is the winner of a wager.
In one embodiment the player or the player/banker must win both the
front hand and the back hand to collect or win the wager. In the
event the player wins one hand while another player or the bank
wins the other hand is a push event in that neither party collects
any winnings.
[0006] In one embodiment four cards are dealt to each player and
the dealer. The cards are arranged into a high hand and a low hand.
The hands are ranked in the following order, from highest to
lowest. a pair of aces, a pair of tens, a pair of nines, a pair of
eights, a pair of sevens, a pair of sixes, a pair of fives, a pair
of fours, a pair of threes, a pair of twos, a least significant
digit of a numerical total of two cards equaling nine, a least
significant digit of a numerical total of two cards equaling eight,
a least significant digit of a numerical total of two cards
equaling seven, a least significant digit of a numerical total of
two cards equaling six, a least significant digit of a numerical
total of two cards equaling five, a least significant digit of a
numerical total of two cards equaling four, a least significant
digit of a numerical total of two cards equaling three, a least
significant digit of a numerical total of two cards equaling two, a
least significant digit of a numerical total of two cards equaling
one, and a least significant digit of a numerical total of two
cards equaling zero.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a top plan view of an exemplary table layout for
use in conjunction with the method described herein.
[0008] FIG. 2 is an operational flow diagram of an example method
of play.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0009] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary table layout for use in
conjunction with the game described herein. A table 107 includes
one or more player positions 110. A player position comprises a
location for a player to sit or stand and may include marking on
the table to aid in play. In one embodiment a player position has
table marking comprising a high hand location 114 and a low hand
location 112. Also provided is a dealer position 120 having a high
hand H and a low hand L position as shown. As shown the table is
especially suited for play at a casino or other gaming
establishment. Also shown is a betting area 124 associated with one
or more player positions configured to accept a wager from a
player. In other embodiments additional or fewer player areas may
be provided than are shown.
[0010] The dealer may be a non-participating house dealer or the
dealer may serve as the bank and thus collect wagers from and payer
winner payouts to players. In contrast, it is contemplated that in
one or more embodiments one of the players may be selected as
player/banker such that the player/banker plays against each of the
other players. In one embodiment of the invention an action player
is selected wherein the action player is the first player to bet or
have their cards evaluated against the player or banker or the
dealer or house hand.
[0011] It is contemplated that in other embodiments other table
arrangements may be provide such as more or fewer number of player
stations 110, different card placement areas 112, 114, and bet
areas 124. Hence the claims that follow are not limited the
particular layout shown in FIG. 1.
[0012] Turning now to the various methods of play of the game
disclosed herein, it is contemplated that numerous different
variations of play are possible. These various permutations of play
are described below. The following permutations of methods of play
may be combined in any combination, whether expressly set forth
herein or not, or may be enabled individually.
[0013] Unwagered Hand Betting Option
[0014] With respect to the various embodiments and methods of play,
it is contemplated that in one embodiment cards may only be dealt
to each player and empty player positions or non-wagering players
are bypassed during the deal. Alternatively in one embodiment cards
are dealt to each player position regardless of whether a player is
occupying the position or if a player is wagering. In the event
that cards are dealt to a player position that is not occupied or
for which a player is not placing a wager, such hands may be
referred to herein as non-wagered hands. Dealing to every player
position, even non-wagered hands, may have the advantage of
allowing for counting of cards to verify no cards are missing from
the deck of cards. As discussed below, other play options may be
enabled by dealing unwagered hands.
[0015] House or Player as Bank
[0016] In yet another embodiment, the bank or house position may
rotate or be exchanged between the various players or be occupied
solely by the house, such as the casino or gaming establishment. In
this manner a player may bankroll one or more hands during which
they are the house or bank. Alternatively, the casino or gaming
establishment may bankroll the hand. If the bank responsibilities
rotate between the players then it is contemplated that the player
may or may not refuse the option to bank a hand. Further, it is
contemplated that this method of play may be enabled with or
without the option for a player to wager upon an unwagered
hand.
[0017] Source of Revenue for Entity Offering Game
[0018] It is contemplated that the entity offering the game, such
as the house, a casino or gaming establishment, may earn a profit
in numerous ways, or similarly, there are numerous different ways
to allow the players to pay to play the game. In one embodiment the
house charges a flat fee to each player for each hand played, such
as for example one dollar per hand or on an hourly table time
charge. In one embodiment the house charges a percentage of the pot
or a percentage of all winning wagers on a per hand basis. In one
embodiment the house serves as the bank and the game is configured
with odds that favor the house. Thus, over time the house collects
revenue based on the odds factor and the amount wagered. It is
further contemplated that these various method of play may be
combined in any manner to allow for the house to generate
revenue.
[0019] Deck of Cards of Indicators
[0020] As can be appreciated, various types of decks of cards may
be utilized. In one embodiment a modified deck of conventional
playing cards is provided. The modified deck of playing cards
includes a conventional deck of 52 playing cards from which all
face cards (Jacks, Queens, and Kings) have been removed to result
in a 40 card deck. In one embodiment of the invention, the modified
deck further includes at least one Joker, wherein the Joker is wild
and can be selected by the player to assume the value of any other
card. For example, if a player holds an Ace and a Joker, the hand
may be arranged by the player to have a value of a pair of Aces. In
a preferred embodiment of the invention, the modified deck includes
exactly one Joker, and therefore contains 41 playing cards. In one
embodiment the cards represent numeric indicators that range in
value from zero to some number N, where N equals any whole number.
In addition, any number of cards may be utilized. Shuffling or
replacement of cards may occur at any time and may be achieved
manually or with an auto shuffler, or continuous shuffler, or in
any other form known. In one embodiment the numeric values on the
cards ranges from zero to 10. In addition, there may be one or more
wild cards, such as for example a joker. It is further contemplated
the indicia other than cards may be utilized such as but not
limited to tiles, or dice. Likewise, the cards or indicia may be
represented in electronic form, such as on a screen if the game is
played or offered in electronic form.
[0021] Rank of Hands
[0022] In the example embodiment shown herein each hand consists of
a total of four cards. These four cards are arranged by a player or
a dealer into a high hand and a low hand. Through the arrangement
of the four cards into the two hands, it is desired to make the
high hand better or higher, than the low hand, although both hands
are ranked according to the following ranking rules.
[0023] It is contemplated that the ranking of cards may occur in
any manner or variation to provides the desired odds and player
interest. In one embodiment the ranking of two card hands, from
highest to lowest, is as follows:
[0024] Pairs: A/A, 10/10, 9/9, 8/8, 7/7, 6/6, 515, 4/4, 3/3, 2/2,
(Joker may be combined for any pair and that duplicate pairs are
considered a copy, and the Banker hand wins copies. Duplicate pairs
including a Joker are considered a copy.
[0025] Unpaired Two Card Totals: 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0 where
for hands with unpaired cards, the cards are totaled or added and
if the sum exceeds 9, then first digit is dropped, for example:
10/6=16=6. For hands producing the same total, the winner is the
hand with the highest ranking individual card, for example, A/6=7
vs. 5/2=7, A/6 is deemed the winning hand. Also note that duplicate
unpaired card totals are considered a copy, the Banker hand wins a
copy, for example, A/6 vs. A/6, "Banker" hand wins a copy.
[0026] Individual Cards: A, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2
[0027] House Way Arrangement of Cards
[0028] It is further contemplated that the cards may be set a house
way. House way is defined as a pre-defined arrangement of cards to
establish hands. The dealer, house, or banker hand may be forced to
be set house way. Thus, in one embodiment the cards associated with
the house or sponsoring entity shall always be set according to
rules known as the "House Way". Also, any player may request that
the dealer set the players' cards according to these House Way
rules. In one embodiment house way is as follows.
1 Hand HI LO 1. Four of a kind Pair Pair Example: 5, 5, 5, 5 = 5,
5/5, 5 2. Three of a kind (Plus Joker) Pair Joker Pair Example: 6,
6, 6, J = 6, 6/6, J 3. Three of a kind (no Joker) Pair Non Pair
Example: 8, 8, 8, 7 = 8, 8/8, 7 4. Two pair Highest Pair Lowest
Pair Example: 9, 9, 7, 7 = 9, 9/7, 7 5. One pair (plus Joker)
Highest Pair Lowest Pair Example: 5, 5, 7, J = 7, J/5, 5 6. One
pair (no Joker) Pair Non Pair Never split a pair Example: 10, 10,
9, 6 = 10, 10/9, 6
[0029] 7. No Pair (with Joker)
[0030] Set hand to produce the highest "LO" hand. Pair in "HI"
position, and highest non-pair total in "LO" position.
[0031] Example: J,5,4,3=J,3/5,4
[0032] 8. No Pair (No Joker)
[0033] If two of the four cards total 9, set the 9 as "HI" and the
two remaining cards as "LO".
[0034] If a total of nine does not exist, set the hands to
"closests totals" with the highest total in the "HI" position and
the lowest total in the "LO" position.
[0035] Example: 9,6,A,2=9,6/A,2
[0036] Example Methods of Play
[0037] In one embodiment the method of play comprises one or more
of the following steps or occurrences when the house or dealer
serves as the bank. FIG. 2 illustrates an operational flow diagram
of an example method of play. At a step 200 the deck as defined
above is shuffled or mixed. At step 204 the players place wagers
and then at step 208 the cards are dealt to the player stations. In
one embodiment the cards only dealt to occupied player stations
while in another embodiment cards are dealt to all stations. At
step 212 the players and dealers arrange their cards into a high
hand and a low hand. At step 216 the players may optionally wager
upon unwagered hands and arrange the unwagered hands. Then, a step
220, the players expose their cards and the dealer exposes his or
her hand. This may occur in any order. At step 224 a comparison
occurs between each the player hand and the dealer hand to
determine which hands are winners and which are losers and which
hands are a push, i.e. neither party wins or loses the wager. At
step 228 and based on the comparison of step 224, the dealer,
house, or banker pays the winning wagers and collects the losing
wagers. This process may repeat for additional hands at step
232.
[0038] At the onset of the game, the players may place their wagers
on the designated wagering spaces or other designed area.
Thereafter, the dealer may optionally determine the order of
playing card dealing using the dice cup and 3 dice. The playing
position to the right of the dealer constitutes position 1 for this
determination and proceeds counter clockwise. In this embodiment
all player positions are counted for this determination.
[0039] Thereafter, the dealer removes four cards from the deck of
cards and places them face down in front of a player, such as the
designated card areas, starting with the position determined in
step 2 and proceeds counter clockwise there after. In this
embodiment all playing positions receive 4 cards. The dealer counts
and verifies that 13 cards remain un-dealt. In other embodiment
greater or fewer than 4 cards may be dealt and depending on the
number of player positions and cards in the deck, other than 13
cards may remain un-dealt.
[0040] After the cards are dealt or concurrently, the players set
their hands by placing 2 cards each on the layout locations for the
high hand and the low hand such that a higher ranking hand is
placed on the HI location and the lower ranking hand is placed in
the LO location. A player may request the cards be set the House
Way by the dealer. The house way is discussed below in more detail.
Likewise, the dealer reveals and sets the dealers house cards.
[0041] The dealer or players reveal the players cards and compares
each hand based on the ranking to the house hand. The dealer
verifies that each hand is set such that the HI hand is ranked
higher than the LO hand. If this is not the case, the dealer will
reposition the hands such that the hand ranked highest is placed in
the HI hand position and the lower ranked hand is placed in the LO
hand position. In one embodiment, no change shall be made to the
two card combinations selected by the player.
[0042] Based on the cards, a players wager is deemed a winner if
both the HI hand and LO hand are ranked higher than the dealer hand
or banker hand. Cards from a hand deemed a winner may remain face
up on the table. A winner hand is paid a payout based on the amount
bet and the table odds. In one embodiment, winning hands are paid 1
to 1 minus a 5% commission.
[0043] A player's wager is deemed a loser if both the HI hand and
LO hand are ranked lower than the dealer hand or banker hand, or if
one hand is a tie or copy and the other hand is ranked lower than
the dealer hand or banker hand. Cards from a hand deemed a loser
are removed from play and the losing player wager placed into the
dealers chip rack.
[0044] A players wager is deemed a push if either the HI hand or LO
hand is ranked higher than the dealer hand or banker hand and the
other hand is ranked lower or is a tie or copy of the dealer hand
or banker hand. Cards from a hand deemed a push are removed from
play and the wager returned to the player.
[0045] After losing wagers are collected and winning wagers are
paid, the dealer replaces all cards into the automatic shuffler or
manually shuffles the cards, or continues to deal from the same
deck and play resumes with a new hand.
[0046] In an alternative method of player, it is contemplated the
house or dealer may serve as the bank and that the game may include
the option for any unwagered hands to be played or bet upon by one
or more other players at the table. In one embodiment this method
comprises the following steps.
[0047] The players place their wagers on the designated wagering
spaces and the dealer optionally determines the order of playing
card dispersion using the dice cup and 3 dice. The playing position
to the right of the dealer constitutes position 1 for this
determination and proceeds counter clockwise. All player positions
are counted for this determination.
[0048] The dealer may removes four cards from the mechanical
shuffler or deal from the shuffler and places them face down in the
designated card areas starting with the position determined above
and proceeds counter clockwise there after. All playing positions
receive 4 cards although in other embodiment other number of cards
can be dealt. The dealer counts and verifies that the proper number
of cards remain un-dealt.
[0049] The players set their hands by placing 2 cards each on the
layout locations labeled HI/LO such that a higher ranking hand is
placed on the HI location than the LO location. A player may
request the cards be set the House Way by the dealer.
[0050] If an un-played or un-wagered player position exists it
becomes eligible to be an unwagered hand. The dealer offers the
optional unwagered hand to another player, such as the first player
to the right of the dealer position and continues counter clockwise
until the unwagered hand is accepted. Future option to bet on the
unwagered hand player is determined starting with the first player
position counter clockwise from the last player accepting the
unwagered hand. In one embodiment cards eligible for the unwagered
hand are derived from the first un-played position from the dealers
right.
[0051] If the unwagered hand is accepted the dealer places the
cards in front of the player and places the unwagered hand button
on the cards. Hence the player accepting the otherwise unwagered
hand will have the ability to wager upon and play the unwagered.
The adds excitement to the game by allowing for increased betting
opportunities and double hand play.
[0052] The unwagered hand player places a wager amount on the
unwagered hand. In one embodiment this wager must be equal to or
less than the players' primary wager, but in other embodiments
other amounts or limits may be set.
[0053] Next, the unwagered hand player sets the unwagered hand
cards or requests they be set the House Way by the dealer and the
dealer reveals and sets the dealers house cards. Then, the dealer
reveals the players cards and compares them to the house hand.
Alternatively, the players may show their hands first.
[0054] The dealer verifies the hand is set such that the HI hand is
ranked higher than the LO hand. If this is not the case, the dealer
will reposition the hands such that the hand ranked highest is
placed in the HI hand position and the lower ranked hand is placed
in the LO hand position. In one embodiment no change shall be made
to the two card combinations selected by the player.
[0055] A players wager is deemed a winner if both the HI hand and
LO hand are ranked higher than the dealer hand or banker hand.
Cards from a hand deemed a winner remain face up on the table.
[0056] A players wager is deemed a loser if both the HI hand and LO
hand are ranked lower than the dealer hand or banker hand, or if
one hand is a tie or copy and the other hand is ranked lower than
the dealer hand or banker hand. Cards from a hand deemed a loser
are removed from play and the losing player wager placed into the
dealers chip rack.
[0057] A players wager is deemed a push if either the HI hand or LO
hand is ranked higher than the dealer hand or banker hand and the
other hand is ranked lower or is a tie or copy of the dealer hand
or banker hand. Cards from a hand deemed a push are removed from
play and the wager returned to the player. In one embodiment
winning hands are paid 1 to 1 minus a 5% commission.
[0058] To start a new game, the dealer replaces all cards into the
automatic shuffler or the deck and play resumes with a new
deal.
[0059] As discussed above, the bank or house position may rotate or
be exchanged between the various players. In this manner the bank
player may bankroll the hand during which they are the house or
bank. The bank responsibilities may rotate between the players and
it is contemplated that the player may or may not refuse the option
to bank and hand. Further, it is contemplated that this method of
play may be enabled with or without the option for a player to
wager upon an unwagered hand. The following exemplary method
provides a method of play wherein a player serves as the bank and
the option exists for player(s) to bet upon or assume unwagered
hands.
[0060] This exemplary method may comprise the following steps.
[0061] The dealer determines what position will be designated as
the "Banker" for the round of play. In one embodiment the option to
"Bank" is offered to each player starting in the "6" position for
each alternate round of play and continues counter clockwise. If a
player refuses the option to bank, the house will serve as Banker
or the option may pass to the next or another player. The house may
serve as the Banker for each alternate round of play or when a
player declines the option.
[0062] The players place their wagers on the designated wagering
spaces. If one of the players has been designated as the Banker,
the house position will post a wager equal to or less than the
Bankers previous wager. This wager amount is at the discretion of
the player Banker. The Banker may cover all other wagers or only
certain wagers as may determined by the casino or gaming
establishment.
[0063] The dealer may optionally determine the order of playing
card dispersion using the dice cup and 3 dice or in any manner
known. The playing position to the right of the Banker constitutes
position 1 for this determination and proceeds counter clockwise.
All player positions are counted for this determination.
[0064] The dealer removes four cards from the mechanical shuffler
and places them face down in the designated card areas starting
with the position determined in step 3 and proceeds counter
clockwise there after. All playing positions receive the cards. The
dealer counts and verifies that the proper number of cards
remain.
[0065] The players set their hands by placing 2 cards each on the
layout locations labeled HI/LO such that a higher ranking hand is
placed on the HI location than the LO location. In other
embodiments, a player may request the cards be set the House Way by
the dealer.
[0066] In this embodiment the dealer offers the optional unwagered
hand to the first player to the right of the Banker position and
continues counter clockwise until the unwagered hand is accepted.
Future determination of the optional unwagered hand player may be
determined starting with the player position to the right of the
last player accepting the unwagered hand. Cards eligible for the
unwagered hand may be derived from the first un-played position
from the dealers right.
[0067] If the unwagered hand is accepted the dealer places the
cards in front of the player and may optionally place the unwagered
hand button on the cards. The unwagered hand player places a wager
amount equal to or less than the players' primary wager or in other
embodiments, a wager in any amount.
[0068] The unwagered hand player sets the unwagered hand cards or
requests they be set the House Way by the dealer. The Banker player
sets the Banker cards or requests they be set the House Way by the
dealer. The dealer reveals and sets the dealers house cards. The
dealer reveals the Banker hand cards. The dealer verifies the hand
is set such that the HI hand is ranked higher than the LO hand. If
this is not the case, the dealer will reposition the hands such
that the hand ranked highest is placed in the HI hand position and
the lower ranked hand is placed in the LO hand position. In one
embodiment no change shall be made to the two card combinations
selected by the player.
[0069] If a player is the Banker the dealer compares that hand to
the dealers house hand first. A winning player Banker wager is paid
1 to 1 minus a 5% commission from the dealers house rack. A losing
player Banker wager is collected from the player Banker wager
designated to cover all wagers. The dealer then removes the house
hand, places them in the discard and moves the player Bankers cards
to the corresponding center area.
[0070] The dealer reveals the player cards and compares them to the
Banker hand. The dealer verifies that each player hand is set such
that the HI hand is ranked higher than the LO hand. If this is not
the case, the dealer will reposition the hands such that the hand
ranked highest is placed in the HI hand position and the lower
ranked hand is placed in the LO hand position. In one embodiment no
change shall be made to the two card combinations selected by the
player
[0071] A players wager is deemed a winner if both the HI hand and
LO hand are ranked higher than the Banker hand. Cards from a hand
deemed a winner remain face up on the table.
[0072] A players wager is deemed a loser if both the HI hand and LO
hand are ranked lower than the Banker hand, or if one hand is a tie
or copy and the other hand is ranked lower than the Banker hand.
Cards from a hand deemed a loser are removed from play and the
losing wager placed a) into the rack if the house was Banker or b)
placed to the center of the table for payment to the player
Banker.
[0073] A players wager is deemed a push if either the HI hand or LO
hand is ranked higher than the Banker hand and the other hand is
ranked lower or is a tie or copy of the Banker hand. Cards from a
hand deemed a push are removed from play and the wager returned to
the player. In one embodiment winning player wagers are paid 1 to 1
minus a 5% commission from the player Banker chips designated to
cover all wagers. In one embodiment winning player Banker hands are
paid 1 to 1 minus a 5% commission.
[0074] Thereafter the dealer replaces all cards into the automatic
shuffler and play resumes with dealing of another hand.
[0075] Example Scenarios of Play
[0076] The following comprise various example game play scenarios
to further explain the game and aid the reader in their understand
of the game.
[0077] The following exemplary steps outline an example game
wherein the house or casino is serving as the Banker.
[0078] The player seated in the "1" player position places a $5.00
wager on the designated wager spot.
[0079] The player receives the cards, sets them, and places them
face down on the layout.
[0080] The dealer reveals the Banker cards and sets them the House
Way which results in the following configuration:
[0081] HI=6/6
[0082] LO=4/2
[0083] The dealer reveals the cards in player position "1" which
have been set in the following configuration:
[0084] HI=7/7
[0085] LO=5/4
[0086] The player hand is deemed a winner
[0087] The dealer pays the player in position "1" $5.00 minus a
$0.25 commission and removes the cards.
[0088] Play resumes with Step 1.
[0089] In another example method of play, the house may serve as
Banker and there may exist an option for a player to bet upon
unwagered hand. In such an example embodiment the steps may
comprise:
[0090] The player seated in the "1" player position places a $5.00
wager on the designated wager spot.
[0091] The player seated in the "1" player position is offered the
optional unwagered hand and accepts. The player places a $5.00
wager on the unwagered hand.
[0092] The player receives the cards, sets them, and places them
face down on the layout.
[0093] The dealer reveals the Banker cards and sets them the House
Way which results in the following configuration:
[0094] HI=6/6
[0095] LO=4/2
[0096] Since the 6/6 pair is higher in value than the 4/2 hand.
[0097] The dealer reveals the cards in player position "1" which
have been set in the following configuration:
[0098] HI=7/7
[0099] LO=5/4
[0100] The player hand is deemed a winner because the 7/7 pair is
higher than the 6/6 pair and the sum of 5/4 yields a least
significant digit of 9, which is higher than the least significant
digit of the sum of 4/2.
[0101] The dealer pays the player in position "1" $5.00 minus a
$0.25 commission and removes the cards. Of course, in alternative
embodiment, and in any method of play described herein, the payout
may be commission based, based on odds, or a fee charged on a per
hand basis.
[0102] The dealer reveals the cards from the unwagered hand played
by the player in player position "1" which have been set in the
following configuration:
[0103] HI=5/5
[0104] LO=3/2
[0105] The player unwagered hand is deemed a loser because both of
the dealer's hands are higher.
[0106] The dealer collects the losing $5.00 wager from the
unwagered hand.
[0107] Play resumes with Step 1.
[0108] In yet another example play scenario, a rotating house or
player is the Banker and the option exists for an unwagered hand to
be bet upon by another player. This exemplary method includes the
following steps.
[0109] The player seated in player position "1" opts to serve as
player Banker.
[0110] The player Banker indicates to the house dealer that the
house shall post a $5.00 wager.
[0111] The player seated in player position "2" places a $5.00
wager.
[0112] The player seated in player position "2" is offered the
optional unwagered hand and accepts. The player places a $5.00
wager on the unwagered hand.
[0113] The players receive the cards, set them, and place them face
down on the layout.
[0114] The dealer reveals the dealers house cards and sets them the
House Way which results in the following configuration:
[0115] HI=9/9
[0116] LO=A/6
[0117] The dealer reveals the player Banker cards seated in the
player position "1" which have been set in the following
configuration:
[0118] HI=6/6
[0119] LO=6/2
[0120] The dealer house hand is deemed a push
[0121] The dealer returns the wager posted by the house to the
dealer chip rack.
[0122] The dealer reveals the cards in player position "2" which
have been set in the following configuration:
[0123] HI=7/7
[0124] LO=6/3
[0125] The player hand is deemed a winner
[0126] The dealer reveals the cards in the unwagered hand played by
player position "2" which have been set in the following
configuration:
[0127] HI=4/4
[0128] LO=A/3
[0129] The unwagered hand is deemed a loser
[0130] The dealer places the losing $5.00 wager from the unwagered
hand in the center of the table.
[0131] The dealer pays the winning $5.00 wager in player position
"2" from the stack of the player banker" 1 to 1 minus a $0.25
commission.
[0132] The dealer pays the losing $5.00 wager from the unwagered
hand to the player Banker minus a $0.25 commission.
[0133] Play resumes with Step 1.
[0134] The embodiments of the invention described herein are
exemplary and numerous modifications, variations, and
rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve an equivalent
result, all of which are intended to be covered and within the
scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *