U.S. patent application number 10/902436 was filed with the patent office on 2005-06-02 for method, apparatus and article for dual-sided playing cards.
This patent application is currently assigned to ARL, Inc.. Invention is credited to Huizinga, Richard, Soltys, Richard.
Application Number | 20050116417 10/902436 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34115495 |
Filed Date | 2005-06-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050116417 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Soltys, Richard ; et
al. |
June 2, 2005 |
Method, apparatus and article for dual-sided playing cards
Abstract
A dual-sided card deck allows for the contemporaneous play of
two separate card games. The deck is comprised of a plurality of
cards having a first set of values on a first side and a second set
of values on a second side. A first card game is played using
values assigned to symbols provided on the first side of each of
the plurality of cards to determine the outcome of the first game.
The outcome of a second card game is determined using the same hand
of cards used to play the first game, but using values assigned to
symbols provided on the second side of each of the plurality of
cards held during the first game. To deter card counting, the
symbols appearing on the first side of the plurality of cards can
be pseudo-randomly generated and linked to the symbols appearing on
the second side of the plurality of cards.
Inventors: |
Soltys, Richard; (Newcastle,
WA) ; Huizinga, Richard; (Newcastle, WA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SEED INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAW GROUP PLLC
701 FIFTH AVE
SUITE 6300
SEATTLE
WA
98104-7092
US
|
Assignee: |
ARL, Inc.
Bellevue
WA
|
Family ID: |
34115495 |
Appl. No.: |
10/902436 |
Filed: |
July 29, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60491359 |
Jul 30, 2003 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
273/292 ;
273/303; 273/304 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F 2001/0491 20130101;
A63F 3/00157 20130101; A63F 2001/022 20130101; A63F 2011/0088
20130101; A63F 1/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
273/292 ;
273/303; 273/304 |
International
Class: |
A63F 001/00 |
Claims
1. A plurality of playing cards for wagering, each of the playing
cards in the plurality of playing cards comprising: a first side;
and a second side opposed to, the first side; the first side
bearing at least a first primary symbol, the first primary symbol
selected from a first set of primary symbols, each of the first
primary symbols in the first set of primary symbols indicative of a
playing card identity according to a first set of game rules, the
first set of game rules defining values of various combinations of
the playing card identities; and the second side bearing at least a
first secondary symbol, the first secondary symbol selected from a
first set of secondary symbols, each of the first secondary symbols
in the first set of secondary symbols indicative of a playing card
identity according to a second set of game rules, the second set of
game rules defining values of various combinations of the playing
card identities independently of the first primary symbols.
2. The plurality of playing cards according to claim 1 wherein the
first set of secondary symbols is different than the first set of
primary symbols.
3. The plurality of playing cards according to claim 1 wherein the
first set of secondary symbols is identical to the first set of
primary symbols.
4. The plurality of playing cards according to claim 1 wherein the
first side bears at least a second primary symbol, the second
primary symbol selected from a second set of primary symbols, each
of the second primary symbols in the second set of primary symbols
indicative of the playing card identity in combination with the
first primary symbols from the first set of primary symbols
according to the first set of game rules, the first set of game
rules defining values of various combinations of the playing card
identities.
5. The plurality of playing cards according to claim 4 wherein the
first set of primary symbols comprises a standard set of playing
card rank symbols 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, J, Q, K, and A.
6. The plurality of playing cards according to claim 5 wherein the
second set of primary symbols comprises a standard set of playing
card suit symbols , , .diamond-solid., and .
7. The plurality of playing cards according to claim 6 wherein the
second side bears at least a second secondary symbol, the second
secondary symbol selected from a second set of secondary symbols,
each of the second secondary symbols in the second set of secondary
symbols indicative of the playing card identity in combination with
the first secondary symbols from the first set of secondary symbols
according to the second set of game rules, the second set of game
rules defining values of various combinations of the playing card
identities.
8. The plurality of playing cards according to claim 7 wherein the
first set of secondary symbols comprises a standard set of playing
card rank symbols 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, J, Q, K, and A.
9. The plurality of playing cards according to claim 8 wherein the
first set of secondary symbols comprises a standard set of playing
card suit symbols , , .diamond-solid., and .
10. The plurality of playing cards according to claim 9 wherein the
first and second primary symbols on the first side of any of the
playing cards where the second primary symbol on the first side is
one of the and the .diamond-solid. are a first color and the first
and the second primary symbols on the first side of any of the
playing cards where the second primary symbol on the first side is
one of the and the is a second color, and wherein the first and the
second secondary symbols on the second side of any of the playing
cards where the second secondary symbol on the second side is one
of the and the .diamond-solid. are the first color and the first
and the second secondary symbols on the second side of any of the
playing cards where the second secondary symbol on the second side
is one of the and the is the first color.
11. The plurality of playing cards according to claim 1 wherein the
first set of game rules are game rules for one of Blackjack, Poker,
Baccarat, Caribbean Stud Poker, and LET IT RIDE.
12. The plurality of playing cards according to claim 11 wherein
the second set of game rules are game rules for one of Blackjack,
Poker, Baccarat, Caribbean Stud Poker, and LET IT RIDE.
13. The plurality of playing cards according to claim 11 wherein
the second set of game rules are identical to the first set of game
rules.
14. The plurality of playing cards according to claim 11 wherein
the second set of game rules are different than the first set of
game rules.
15. The plurality of playing cards according to claim 1 wherein the
first set of secondary symbols comprises at least a subset of
standard slot machine symbols including a cherry, a bar, and a
bell.
16. The plurality of playing cards according to claim 1 wherein the
first set of secondary symbols comprises a set of numbers.
17. The plurality of playing cards according to claim 1 wherein the
first set of secondary symbols comprises a set of graphics.
18. The plurality of playing cards according to claim 1 wherein the
first set of secondary symbols comprises a set of graphics, at
least some of the graphics in the set of graphics forming at least
one rebus.
19. The plurality of playing cards according to claim 1 wherein the
second set of game rules define values of various combinations of
the playing card identities according to a number of playing cards
collected having matching secondary symbols on the second side of
the playing cards and a relative ordering of the matching secondary
symbols with respect to the other secondary symbols comprising the
first set of secondary symbols.
20. The plurality of playing cards according to claim 1 wherein the
second set of game rules define values of various combinations of
the playing card identities according to a number of playing cards
collected having matching secondary symbols on the second side of
the playing cards.
21. The plurality of playing cards according to claim 1 wherein the
second set of game rules define values of various combinations of
the playing card identities according to a cumulative value of a
collection of playing cards determined by adding a value
represented by the secondary symbols on the second side of the
playing cards.
22. (canceled)
23. The plurality of playing cards according to claim 1 wherein a
first probability of the first symbol appearing on the first side
is dependent on a second probability of the first secondary symbol
appearing on the second side.
24. The plurality of playing cards of claim 1 wherein two playing
cards in the first plurality of playing cards have a same
identity.
25. A set of playing cards for wagering, each of the playing cards
comprising: a first side bearing at least a first primary symbol
and a second primary symbol, the first primary symbol selected from
a standard set of playing card rank symbols comprising 2, 3, 4, 5,
6, 7, 8, 9, 10, J, Q, K, and A, and the second primary symbol
selected from a standard set of playing card suit symbols , ,
.diamond-solid., and , the combination of the first and the second
primary symbols on each of the playing cards indicative of a first
respective playing card identity; and a second side bearing at
least a first secondary symbol, the first secondary symbol on the
second side selected from a first set of secondary symbols, each of
the first secondary symbols in the first set of secondary symbols
indicative of a respective second playing card identity according
to a set of game rules the second playing card identity independent
of the first playing card identity.
26. The set of playing cards according to claim 25 wherein the
first set of secondary symbols comprises at least a subset of
standard slot machine symbols including a cherry, a bar, and a
bell.
27. The set of playing cards according to claim 25 wherein the
first set of secondary symbols comprises a set of integers.
28. The set of playing cards according to claim 25 wherein the
first set of secondary symbols comprises a set of graphics.
29. The set of playing cards according to claim 25 wherein the
first set of secondary symbols comprises a set of graphics, at
least some of the graphics in the set of graphics forming at least
one rebus.
30. The set of playing cards according to claim 25 wherein the set
of playing cards includes fifty-two playing cards, the first side
of each of the playing cards bearing a respective combination of
the first primary symbol and the second primary symbol, and wherein
the first secondary symbol on the second side of the playing card
is not discernible from the first primary symbol and the second
primary symbol on the first side of the playing card.
31. A method of producing playing cards having a face and a back,
the method comprising: forming at least a first primary symbol on
the face of the playing card, the first primary symbol from a first
set of primary symbols and indicative of a first playing card
identity of a playing card according to a first set of game rules,
the first set of game rules defining values of various combinations
of the first playing card identities; pseudo-randomly generating at
least a first secondary symbol from a first set of secondary
symbols, each of the secondary symbols in the first set of
secondary symbols indicative of a second playing card identity
according to a second set of game rules, the second set of game
rules defining values of the second playing card identities
independent of the first playing card identities; and forming the
first secondary symbol on the back of the playing card.
32. The method according to claim 31, the method further
comprising: forming at least a second primary symbol on the face of
the playing card, the second primary symbol from a second set of
primary symbols where the first set of primary symbols is a
standard set of playing card ranks and the second set of primary
symbols is a standard set of playing card suits.
33. The method according to claim 32, further comprising:
pseudo-randomly generating the first and the second primary
symbols.
34. The method according to claim 31 wherein forming the first
secondary symbol on the back of the playing card comprises printing
the first secondary symbol on a portion of the back of the playing
card.
35-37. (canceled)
38. The method according to claim 31 wherein pseudo-randomly
generating at least a first secondary symbol further comprises
pseudo-randomly generating the first secondary symbol and a second
secondary symbol, the second secondary symbol from a second set of
secondary symbols, the combination of the first and the second
secondary symbols indicative of the second playing card identity
according to the second set of game rules where the first set of
secondary symbols comprises a standard set of playing card ranks
and the second set of secondary symbols comprises a standard set of
playing card suits.
39. The plurality of playing cards according to claim 38 wherein if
the second primary symbol on the playing card is one of the and the
.diamond-solid. then forming the first and the second primary
symbols comprises printing with a first color and if the second
primary symbol on the playing card is one of the and the then
forming the first and the second primary symbols comprises printing
with a second color and if the second secondary symbol on the
playing card is one of the and the .diamond-solid. then forming the
first and the second secondary symbols comprises printing with the
second color and if the second secondary symbol on the playing card
is one of the and the then forming the first and the second
secondary symbols comprises printing with the first color.
40. The method according to claim 31, further comprising: removing
the playing card from a printer after forming one of the first
primary symbol and the first secondary symbol; reinserting the
playing card in the printer before forming the other one of the
first primary symbol and the first secondary symbol.
41. The method according to claim 31 wherein both the first primary
symbol and the first secondary symbol are formed before removing
the playing card from a symbol forming device.
42. A device for producing playing cards, the device comprising: a
housing; a media path extending through the housing along which
playing card stock passes; at least a one printhead coupled to
receive print data, the at least one printhead proximate the media
path and operable to print on the playing card stock passing the
printhead along the media path; and at least one processor
configured to pseudo-randomly generate at least a number of first
secondary identifiers, each of the first secondary identifiers
corresponding to a respective first secondary symbol, the first
secondary symbols being from a first set of secondary symbols,
where the at least one processor is coupled to provide print data
representing the first secondary symbols and representing at least
a number of first primary symbols, the first primary symbols from a
first set of primary symbols, the at least one processor configured
to cause the printhead to print the first secondary symbol on a
back of the playing card stock and to print the first primary
symbol on a face of the playing card stock, where each of the
primary symbols in the first set of primary symbols indicative of a
playing card identity according to a first set of game rules, the
first set of game rules defining values of various combinations of
the playing card identities and each of the secondary symbols in
the first set of secondary symbols indicative of a playing card
identity according to a second set of game rules.
43. The device according to claim 42 wherein the processor is
further configured to pseudo-randomly generate at least a first
number of first primary identifiers representing respective ones of
the first primary symbols.
44. The device according to claim 42 wherein the processor is
further configured to pseudo-randomly generate at least a first
number of primary identifiers representing respective combinations
of the first primary symbol and a second primary symbol, the second
primary symbol from a second set of primary symbols.
45. The device according to claim 42, further comprising: at least
a second printhead opposed across the media path with respect to
the first printhead to print on the opposite side of the playing
card stock from the first printhead.
46. A method of producing playing cards having a face and a back,
the face bearing a first primary symbol from a first set of primary
symbols and a second primary symbol from a second set of primary
symbols, the first and the second primary symbols pre-printed on
the face of the playing card and indicative of an a first playing
card identity of a playing card according to a first set of game
rules, the first set of game rules defining values of various
combinations of the first playing card identities, the method
comprising: pseudo-randomly generating at least a first secondary
symbol from a first set of secondary symbols, each of the secondary
symbols in the first set of secondary symbols indicative of a
second playing card identity according to a second set of game
rules, the second set of game rules defining values of the second
playing card identities the second playing card identities
independent of the first playing card identities; and forming the
first secondary symbol on the back of the playing card.
47. The method according to claim 46 wherein the first set of
primary symbols is a standard set of playing card ranks and the
second set of primary symbols is a standard set of playing card
suits, and wherein pseudo-randomly generating at least a first
secondary symbol from a first set of secondary symbols comprises
pseudo-randomly generating the first secondary symbol from at least
a subset of standard slot machine symbols.
48. (canceled)
49. A device for producing playing cards from preprinted playing
card stock, the preprinted playing card stock bearing a first and a
second symbol selected from a standard set of playing card rank
symbols and a standard set of playing card suit symbols,
respectively, the device comprising: a housing; a media path
extending through the housing along which the playing card stock
passes; at least a one printhead coupled to receive print data, the
at least one printhead proximate the media path and operable to
print on the playing card stock passing the printhead along the
media path; and at least one processor configured to
pseudo-randomly generate at least a number of first secondary
identifiers, each of the first secondary identifiers corresponding
to a respective first secondary symbol, the first secondary symbols
from a first set of secondary symbols, where the at least one
processor is coupled to provide the print data representing the
first secondary symbols to cause the printhead to print the first
secondary symbols on a back of the playing card stock.
50. The device according to claim 49 wherein the at least one
processor comprises a first processor configured to pseudo-randomly
generate at least a first number of identifiers and a second
processor configured to provide the print data representing the
first secondary symbols.
51. A method of contemporaneously playing two card games with a
dual-sided card deck, the method comprising: dealing a number of
playing cards to at least a first player, each playing card having
at least a first primary symbol on a first side and at least a
first secondary symbol on a second side, the first primary symbols
from a first set of primary symbols and the first secondary symbols
from a first set of secondary symbols; determining an outcome of a
first game according to a first set of game rules based at least in
part on the first primary symbol on the first side of at least one
of the number of playing cards; and determining an outcome of a
second game according to a second set of game rules based at least
in part on the first secondary symbol on the second side of at
least one of the number of playing cards.
52. The method according to claim 51 wherein the first set of game
rules is one of blackjack rules and baccarat rules, the first set
of primary symbols is a set of stand playing card rank symbols, and
determining an outcome of a first game according to a first set of
game rules based at least in part on the first primary symbol on
the first side of at least one of the number of playing cards
comprises: determining a value for each of the playing cards
corresponding to the rank symbol on the first side of the playing
card; summing each of the determined values for the number of
playing cards; and comparing the sum of the values to at least one
other value.
53. The method according to claim 52 wherein the second set of game
rules is one of blackjack rules and baccarat rules, the first set
of secondary symbols is a set of stand playing card rank symbols,
and determining an outcome of a second game according to a second
set of game rules based at least in part on the first secondary
symbol on the second side of at least one of the number of playing
cards comprises: determining a value for each of the playing cards
corresponding to the rank symbol on the second side of the playing
card; summing each of the determined values for the number of
playing cards; and comparing the sum of the values to at least one
other value.
54. The method according to claim 51 wherein the first set of game
rules is poker, the first set of face symbols is a set of stand
playing card rank symbols, and determining the outcome of the first
game comprises: determining a rank and suit for each of the playing
cards corresponding to the first primary identifier and a second
primary identifier, respectively; determining a number of
combinations of the playing cards having identical ranks and the
number of playing cards in each determined combination; determining
a number of combinations of the playing cards having identical
suits and the number of playing cards in each determined
combination; and comparing the determined number of combinations of
playing cards having identical ranks and identical suits and the
number of playing cards in each combination to at least one other
hand of playing cards employing a set of predefined rankings.
55. The method according to claim 51 wherein determining an outcome
of a second game according to a second set of game rules based at
least in part on the first secondary symbol on the second side of
at least one of the number of playing cards comprises determining
an existence or absence of a particular one of the first secondary
symbols on at least one of the playing cards.
56. The method according to claim 51 wherein determining an outcome
of a second game according to a second set of game rules based at
least in part on the first secondary symbol on the second side of
at least one of the number of playing cards comprises determining a
quantity of the playing cards having identical first secondary
symbols.
57. The method according to claim 51 where the first set of
secondary symbols comprises at least a cherry symbol, a bell symbol
and a bar symbol, and wherein determining an outcome of a second
game according to a second set of game rules based at least in part
on the first secondary symbol on the second side of at least one of
the number of playing cards comprises determining a quantity of the
playing cards having identical first secondary symbols.
58. The method according to claim 51 where the first set of
secondary symbols comprises a number of graphics, at least some of
the graphics forming a rebus, and wherein determining an outcome of
a second game according to a second set of game rules based at
least in part on the first secondary symbol on the second side of
at least one of the number of playing cards comprises determining
whether the player correctly solves the rebus formed by the first
secondary symbols on the playing cards.
59. The method according to claim 51 where the first set of
secondary symbols comprises a number of graphics, at least some of
the graphics representing at least one prize, and wherein
determining an outcome of a second game according to a second set
of game rules based at least in part on the first secondary symbol
on the second side of at least one of the number of playing cards
comprises determining whether the existence of at least one playing
card in the number of playing cards bearing one of the first
secondary symbols representing one of the prizes.
60. A method of playing a wagering game, the method comprising:
dealing a number of hands of playing cards to each of a number of
players, each playing card having at least a first primary symbol
on a first side and at least a first secondary symbol on a second
side, the first primary symbols from a first set of primary symbols
and the first secondary symbols from a first set of secondary
symbols; determining an outcome of a first game according to a
first set of game rules based at least in part on the first primary
symbol on the first side of at least one of the number of playing
cards of each hand; and for each of a number of winning hands
determined based at least in part on the first primary symbol on
the first side of at least one of the number of playing cards of
each hand, determining an outcome of a second game according to a
second set of game rules based at least in part on the first
secondary symbol on the second side of at least one of the number
of playing cards.
61. The method of claim 60 wherein determining an outcome of a
first game according to a first set of game rules based at least in
part on the first primary symbol on the first side of at least one
of the number of playing cards of each hand comprises determining
the outcome of the first game based on a value of the hand of
playing cards based on a value of the first primary symbol on each
of the playing card in the hand.
62. The method of claim 60 wherein determining an outcome of a
second game according to a second set of game rules based at least
in part on the first primary symbol on the second side of at least
one of the number of playing cards comprises determining the
outcome of the second game based on value of the hand of playing
cards based on a value of the first primary symbol on each of the
playing card in the hand.
63. The method of claim 60 wherein determining an outcome of a
second game according to a second set of game rules based at least
in part on the first secondary symbol on the second side of at
least one of the number of playing cards comprises determining the
outcome of the second game based a number of the playing cards in
the hand that each have a same one of the first secondary
symbols.
64. The method of claim 60, further comprising: for each of a
number of winning hands determined based at least in part on the
first primary symbol on the first side of at least one of the
number of playing cards of each hand; providing the player a first
payout; and for each of a number of winning hands determined based
at least in part on the first secondary symbol on the second side
of at least one of the number of playing cards of each hand,
providing the player a second payout.
65. The method of claim 60, further comprising: for each of a
number of winning hands determined based at least in part on the
first secondary symbol on the second side of at least one of the
number of playing cards of each hand, enhancing a payout to the
player.
66. A method of playing a wagering game, the method comprising:
dealing a number of hands of playing cards to each of a number of
players, each playing card having at least a first primary symbol
on a first side and at least a first secondary symbol on a second
side, the first primary symbols from a first set of primary symbols
and the first secondary symbols from a first set of secondary
symbols; determining an outcome of a first game according to a
first set of game rules based at least in part on the first primary
symbol on the first side of at least one of the number of playing
cards of each hand; and for each of a number of losing hands,
determining an outcome of a second game according to a second set
of game rules based at least in part on the first secondary symbol
on the second side of at least one of the number of playing
cards.
67. The method of claim 66 wherein determining an outcome of a
first game according to a first set of game rules based at least in
part on the first primary symbol on the first side of at least one
of the number of playing cards of each hand comprises determining
the outcome of the first game based on value of the hand of playing
cards based on a value of the first primary symbol on each of the
playing card in the hand.
68. The method of claim 66 wherein determining an outcome of a
second game according to a second set of game rules based at least
in part on the first secondary symbol on the second side of at
least one of the number of playing cards comprises determining the
outcome of the second game based on value of the hand of playing
cards based on a value of the first secondary symbol on each of the
playing card in the hand.
69. The method of claim 66 wherein determining an outcome of a
second game according to a second set of game rules based at least
in part on the first secondary symbol on the second side of at
least one of the number of playing cards comprises determining the
outcome of the second game based a number of the playing cards in
the hand that each have a same one of the first secondary
symbols.
70. The method of claim 66 wherein determining an outcome of a
second game according to a second set of game rules based at least
in part on the first secondary symbol on the second side of at
least one of the number of playing cards comprises determining the
outcome of the second game based at least one of the playing cards
in the hand having a particular one of the first secondary
symbols.
71. A method of playing a card game, the method comprising: for
each of a number of players, determining if the player placed a
primary wager; dealing a number of hands of playing cards to each
of a number of players who placed a respective one of the primary
wagers, each playing card having at least a first primary symbol on
a first side and at least a first secondary symbol on a second
side, the first primary symbols from a first set of primary symbols
and the first secondary symbols from a first set of secondary
symbols; determining an outcome of a first game according to a
first set of game rules based at least in part on the first primary
symbol on the first side of at least one of the number of playing
cards of each hand; determining an outcome of a second game
according to a second set of game rules based at least in part on
the first secondary symbol on the second side of at least one of
the number of playing cards; and for each of a number of winning
hands, if any, determined based at least in part on the first
secondary symbol on the second side of at least one of the number
of playing cards of each hand, providing the player an award.
72. The method according to claim 71, further comprising:
determining an amount of the award according to a predetermined
payout schedule.
73. The method according to claim 71, further comprising:
determining an amount of the award based at least on a value
assigned to at least the first secondary symbol.
74. The method according to claim 71, further comprising:
determining an amount of the award based at least one of a good and
a service represented by at least the first secondary symbol.
75. A method of playing a card game, the method comprising: for
each of a first number of players, determining if the player placed
a primary wager; dealing a number of hands of playing cards to each
of the players who placed a respective one of the primary wagers,
each playing card having at least a first primary symbol on a first
side and at least a first secondary symbol on a second side, the
first primary symbols from a first set of primary symbols and the
first secondary symbols from a first set of secondary symbols;
determining an outcome of a first game according to a first set of
game rules based at least in part on the first primary symbol on
the first side of at least one of the number of playing cards of
each hand; for each of a second number of players, determining if
the player placed a secondary wager; and for each of the players
who placed a secondary wager, determining an outcome of a second
game according to a second set of game rules based at least in part
on the first secondary symbol on the second side of at least one of
the number of playing cards in the respective hand of playing
cards.
76. The method of claim 75, further comprising: for each of a
number of winning hands determined based at least in part on the
first primary symbol on the first side of at least one of the
number of playing cards of each hand; providing the player a first
payout; and for each of a number of winning hands determined based
at least in part on the first secondary symbol on the second side
of at least one of the number of playing cards of each hand,
providing the player a second payout.
77. The method of claim 75, further comprising: for each of a
number of winning hands determined based at least in part on the
first secondary symbol on the second side of at least one of the
number of playing cards of each hand, enhancing a base payout to
the player.
78. The method of claim 75 wherein the second number of players is
equal to the first number of players.
79. A device for producing playing cards, the device comprising:
means for pseudo-randomly generating at least a number of first
secondary identifiers; means for associating the number of first
secondary identifiers with respective ones of a number of first
secondary symbol, the first secondary symbols from a first set of
secondary symbols, each of the secondary symbols in the first set
of secondary symbols indicative of a playing card identity
according to one set of game rules; and means for printing the
first secondary symbols on a back of a playing card stock where a
face of the playing card stock bears a first and a second primary
symbols, the first and the second primary symbols from a standard
set of playing card ranks and a standard set of playing card suits,
respectively.
80. The device according to claim 79, further comprising: means for
pseudo-randomly generating at least a number of first primary
identifiers; means for associating the number of first primary
identifiers with respective ones of the number of first primary
symbols; and means for printing the first primary symbols on the
face of the playing card stock.
81. The device according to claim 80 wherein the means for
pseudo-randomly generating at least a number of first secondary
identifiers is independent of the first primary identifiers.
82. The device according to claim 80 wherein the means for
pseudo-randomly generating at least a number of first secondary
identifiers is dependent of the first primary identifiers.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention is generally related to games of skill and
chance, and in particular to a method, apparatus and article for
playing a card game.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Card games are a well-known form of recreation and
entertainment. Card games, especially wagering card games played in
modern-day casinos, are more exciting and offer more entertainment
value to the player when the games are quickly played for rapid
wage resolution and the player is involved in decisions affecting
the outcome of the game. The games are also more exciting to the
player when there is more than one wagering opportunity during the
course of the game, when there are multiple opportunities to win
and/or when a substantial bonus or jackpot is involved, such as a
progressive jackpots.
[0005] Wagering games which provide quick succession of play, more
than one wagering opportunity, and more than one opportunity to win
are all known. For example, for quick play, U.S. Pat. No. 5,154,429
to LeVasseur discloses a game where the dealer plays multiple hands
against a single hand and thereby increases the number of hands
that can be played in the same amount of time. For more than one
wagering opportunity, U.S. Pat. No. 4,861,041 to Jones et al.
discloses a method of wagering where the player makes an additional
wager at the beginning of a hand. These additional wagers are
accumulated as a progressive jackpot, which a player making the
additional wager may win if the cards received match a
predetermined arrangement of cards.
[0006] While the above-mentioned methods and devices are directed
toward wagering games designed to engage the player and provide
entertainment value, the entertainment industry has a continued
need for new and exciting games which can be played out quickly,
and provide more than one wagering opportunity and/or more than one
opportunity to win.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] In one aspect, a set of playing cards comprises a plurality
of playing cards for wagering, each of the playing cards in the
plurality of playing cards comprising: a first side; and a second
side opposed to the first side; the first side bearing at least a
first primary symbol, the first primary symbol selected from a
first set of primary symbols, each of the first primary symbols in
the first set of primary symbols indicative of a playing card
identity according to a first set of game rules, the first set of
game rules defining values of various combinations of the playing
card identities; and the second side bearing at least a first
secondary symbol, the first secondary symbol selected from a first
set of secondary symbols, each of the first secondary symbols in
the first set of secondary symbols indicative of a playing card
identity according to a second set of game rules, the second set of
game rules defining values of various combinations of the playing
card identities.
[0008] In another aspect, a set of playing cards for wagering
comprises, each of the playing cards: a first side bearing at least
a first primary symbol and a second primary symbol, the first
primary symbol selected from a standard set of playing card rank
symbols comprising 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, J, Q, K, and A, and
the second primary symbol selected from a standard set of playing
card suit symbols , , .diamond-solid., and ; and a second side
bearing at least a first secondary symbol, the first secondary
symbol on the second side selected from a first set of secondary
symbols, each of the first secondary symbols in the first set of
secondary symbols indicative of a playing card identity according
to a set of game rules.
[0009] In another aspect, a method of producing playing cards
having a face and a back, comprises: forming at least a first
primary symbol on the face of the playing card, the first primary
symbol from a first set of primary symbols and indicative of an
identity of a playing card according to a first set of game rules,
the first set of game rules defining values of various combinations
of the playing card identities; pseudo-randomly generating at least
a first secondary symbol from a first set of secondary symbols,
each of the secondary symbols in the first set of secondary symbols
indicative of a playing card identity according to a second set of
game rules, the second set of game rules defining values of playing
card identities; and forming the first secondary symbol on the back
of the playing card.
[0010] In yet another aspect, a device for producing playing cards
comprises: a housing; a media path extending through the housing
along which playing card stock passes; at least a one printhead
coupled to receive print data, the at least one printhead proximate
the media path and operable to print on the playing card stock
passing the printhead along the media path; and at least one
processor configured to pseudo-randomly generate at least a number
of first secondary identifiers, each of the first secondary
identifiers corresponding to a respective first secondary symbol,
the first secondary symbols being from a first set of secondary
symbols, where the at least one processor is coupled to provide
print data representing the first secondary symbols and
representing at least a number of first primary symbols, the first
primary symbols from a first set of primary symbols, the at least
one processor configured to cause the printhead to print the first
secondary symbol on a back of the playing card stock and to print
the first primary symbol on a face of the playing card stock, where
each of the primary symbols in the first set of primary symbols
indicative of a playing card identity according to a first set of
game rules, the first set of game rules defining values of various
combinations of the playing card identities and each of the
secondary symbols in the first set of secondary symbols indicative
of a playing card identity according to a second set of game
rules.
[0011] In still another aspect, a method of producing playing cards
having a face and a back, the face bearing a first primary symbol
from a first set of primary symbols and a second primary symbol
from a second set of primary symbols, the first and the second
primary symbols pre-printed on the face of the playing card and
indicative of an identity of a playing card according to a first
set of game rules, the first set of game rules defining values of
various combinations of the playing card identities comprises
pseudo-randomly generating at least a first secondary symbol from a
first set of secondary symbols, each of the secondary symbols in
the first set of secondary symbols indicative of a playing card
identity according to a second set of game rules, the second set of
game rules defining values of playing card identities; and forming
the first secondary symbol on the back of the playing card.
[0012] In yet still another aspect, a device for producing playing
cards from preprinted playing card stock, the preprinted playing
card stock bearing a first and a second symbol selected from a
standard set of playing card rank symbols and a standard set of
playing card suit symbols, respectively, comprises: a housing; a
media path extending through the housing along which the playing
card stock passes; at least a one printhead coupled to receive
print data, the at least one printhead proximate the media path and
operable to print on the playing card stock passing the printhead
along the media path; and at least one processor configured to
pseudo-randomly generate at least a number of first secondary
identifiers, each of the first secondary identifiers corresponding
to a respective first secondary symbol, the first secondary symbols
from a first set of secondary symbols, where the at least one
processor is coupled to provide the print data representing the
first secondary symbols to cause the printhead to print the first
secondary symbols on a back of the playing card stock.
[0013] In a further aspect, a method of contemporaneously playing
two card games with a dual-sided card deck comprises: dealing a
number of playing cards to at least a first player, each playing
card having at least a first primary symbol on a first side and at
least a first secondary symbol on a second side, the first primary
symbols from a first set of primary symbols and the first secondary
symbols from a first set of secondary symbols; determining an
outcome of a first game according to a first set of game rules
based at least in part on the first primary symbol on the first
side of at least one of the number of playing cards; and
determining an outcome of a second game according to a second set
of game rules based at least in part on the first secondary symbol
on the second side of at least one of the number of playing
cards.
[0014] In yet a further aspect, a method of playing a wagering game
comprises: dealing a number of hands of playing cards to each of a
number of players, each playing card having at least a first
primary symbol on a first side and at least a first secondary
symbol on a second side, the first primary symbols from a first set
of primary symbols and the first secondary symbols from a first set
of secondary symbols; determining an outcome of a first game
according to a first set of game rules based at least in part on
the first primary symbol on the first side of at least one of the
number of playing cards of each hand; and for each of a number of
winning hands determined based at least in part on the first
primary symbol on the first side of at least one of the number of
playing cards of each hand, determining an outcome of a second game
according to a second set of game rules based at least in part on
the first secondary symbol on the second side of at least one of
the number of playing cards.
[0015] In still a further aspect, a method of playing a wagering
game comprises: dealing a number of hands of playing cards to each
of a number of players, each playing card having at least a first
primary symbol on a first side and at least a first secondary
symbol on a second side, the first primary symbols from a first set
of primary symbols and the first secondary symbols from a first set
of secondary symbols; determining an outcome of a first game
according to a first set of game rules based at least in part on
the first primary symbol on the first side of at least one of the
number of playing cards of each hand; and for each of a number of
losing hands, determining an outcome of a second game according to
a second set of game rules based at least in part on the first
secondary symbol on the second side of at least one of the number
of playing cards.
[0016] In yet still a further aspect, a method of playing a card
game comprises: for each of a number of players, determining if the
player placed a primary wager; dealing a number of hands of playing
cards to each of a number of players who placed a respective one of
the primary wagers, each playing card having at least a first
primary symbol on a first side and at least a first secondary
symbol on a second side, the first primary symbols from a first set
of primary symbols and the first secondary symbols from a first set
of secondary symbols; determining an outcome of a first game
according to a first set of game rules based at least in part on
the first primary symbol on the first side of at least one of the
number of playing cards of each hand; determining an outcome of a
second game according to a second set of game rules based at least
in part on the first secondary symbol on the second side of at
least one of the number of playing cards; and for each of a number
of winning hands, if any, determined based at least in part on the
first secondary symbol on the second side of at least one of the
number of playing cards of each hand, providing the player an
award.
[0017] In even a further aspect, a method of playing a card game
comprises: for each of a first number of players, determining if
the player placed a primary wager; dealing a number of hands of
playing cards to each of the players who placed a respective one of
the primary wagers, each playing card having at least a first
primary symbol on a first side and at least a first secondary
symbol on a second side, the first primary symbols from a first set
of primary symbols and the first secondary symbols from a first set
of secondary symbols; determining an outcome of a first game
according to a first set of game rules based at least in part on
the first primary symbol on the first side of at least one of the
number of playing cards of each hand; for each of a second number
of players, determining if the player placed a secondary wager; and
for each of the players who placed a secondary wager, determining
an outcome of a second game according to a second set of game rules
based at least in part on the first secondary symbol on the second
side of at least one of the number of playing cards in the
respective hand of playing cards.
[0018] In still even a further aspect, a device for producing
playing cards comprises: means for pseudo-randomly generating at
least a number of first secondary identifiers; means for
associating the number of first secondary identifiers with
respective ones of a number of first secondary symbol, the first
secondary symbols from a first set of secondary symbols, each of
the secondary symbols in the first set of secondary symbols
indicative of a playing card identity according to one set of game
rules; and means for printing the first secondary symbols on a back
of a playing card stock where a face of the playing card stock
bears a first and a second primary symbols, the first and the
second primary symbols from a standard set of playing card ranks
and a standard set of playing card suits, respectively.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] In the drawings, identical reference numbers identify
similar elements or acts. The sizes and relative positions of
elements in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. For
example, the shapes of various elements and angles are not drawn to
scale, and some of these elements are arbitrarily enlarged and
positioned to improve drawing legibility. Further, the particular
shapes of the elements as drawn, are not intended to convey any
information regarding the actual shape of the particular elements,
and have been solely selected for ease of recognition in the
drawings.
[0020] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a wagering environment such
as a casino showing a gaming table for playing one or more card
games.
[0021] FIG. 2 shows a number of playing cards bearing primary
symbols for a first card game on a first side, and secondary
symbols for a second card game on a second side.
[0022] FIG. 3 is a chart illustrating various symbols for use as
primary and secondary symbols on the playing cards of FIG. 2.
[0023] FIGS. 4A and 4B are a diagrammatic illustration of a
plurality of playing cards employing standard rank and suit
markings on both the face and the back of the playing cards.
[0024] FIGS. 5A and 5B are a diagrammatic illustration of a set of
playing cards employing standard rank and suit markings on the face
of the playing cards and graphical symbols such as standard slot
machine symbols on the back of each of the playing cards.
[0025] FIGS. 6A and 6B are a diagrammatic illustration of a
plurality of playing cards employing standard rank and suit marking
on the face of the playing cards and numerical symbols on the back
of the playing cards.
[0026] FIGS. 7A and 7B are a diagrammatic illustration of a
plurality of playing cards employing numeric symbols on the face of
each playing card and graphical symbols on the back of each playing
card.
[0027] FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic illustration of the back of three
playing cards each bearing a graphical symbol, the graphical
symbols forming a rebus.
[0028] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a printer operable to print
symbols on one side of the playing cards.
[0029] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a printer operable to
print primary and secondary symbols on both the face and the back
of the playing card in a single pass.
[0030] FIG. 11 is a flow diagram of a method of forming playing
cards including pseudo-randomly generating values corresponding to
the secondary symbols to be formed on the back of the playing
card.
[0031] FIG. 12 is a flow diagram of a method of forming playing
cards including pseudo-randomly generating values corresponding to
the primary symbols on the face of the playing and pseudo-randomly
generating values corresponding to the secondary symbols on the
back of the playing card.
[0032] FIG. 13 is a flow diagram of a method of forming playing
cards including pseudo-randomly generating a value corresponding to
a secondary symbol to be formed on the back of the playing card
carrying preprinted primary symbols on the face.
[0033] FIG. 14 is a flow diagram of a method of forming playing
cards including pseudo-randomly generating values corresponding to
the secondary symbols for the back of the playing cards based on
values associated with primary symbols preprinted on the face of
the playing cards.
[0034] FIG. 15 is a flow diagram of a method of playing a wagering
game, including determining an outcome of a first game based on
primary symbols carried on the face of the playing card and for
each losing hand determining an outcome of a second game based on
secondary symbols on the back of the playing card.
[0035] FIG. 16 is a flow diagram of a method of playing a wagering
game including determining an outcome of a first game based on
primary symbols carried on the face of the playing card and for
each winning hand determining an outcome of a second game based on
secondary symbols carried on the back of the playing card.
[0036] FIG. 17 is a flow diagram of a method of playing a card
game, including determining an outcome of a first game based on
primary symbols carried on the face of the playing card, and for
players who place a secondary wager determining an outcome of a
second game based on secondary symbols carried on the back of the
playing card.
[0037] FIG. 18 is a flow diagram of a method of playing a wagering
game, including determining an outcome of a first game based on
primary symbols carried on the face of a playing card and for
players with winning hands who have also placed secondary wagers,
determining an outcome of a second game based on secondary symbols
carried on the back of the playing card.
[0038] FIG. 19 is a flow diagram of a method of playing a wagering
game, including determining an outcome of a first game based on
primary symbols carried on a face of the playing card and for
players with winning hands who also placed secondary wagers,
determining an outcome of a second game based on secondary symbols
carried on the back of the playing card.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0039] In the following description, certain specific details are
set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various
embodiments of the invention. However, one skilled in the art will
understand that the invention may be practiced without these
details. In other instances, well-known structures associated with
playing cards, printers, processors, and gaming or wagering
apparatus have not been shown or described in detail to avoid
unnecessarily obscuring descriptions of the embodiments of the
invention.
[0040] Unless the context requires otherwise, throughout the
specification and claims which follow, the word "comprise" and
variations thereof, such as, "comprises" and "comprising" are to be
construed in an open, inclusive sense, that is as "including, but
not limited to."
[0041] The headings provided herein are for convenience only and do
not interpret the scope or meaning of the claimed invention.
[0042] Gaming Environment
[0043] FIG. 1 shows a card game, such as blackjack, being played at
a gaming table 10 by a game operator or dealer 12 employed by a
gaming house or casino and customers or players 14, 16. While
blackjack is used as an example, the teachings herein a generally
applicable to a variety of card games, such as baccarat or poker,
to name only a few.
[0044] During a game, the dealer 12 removes playing cards 18 from a
card shoe 20. The dealer 12 can individually draw the playing cards
18 from the card shoe 20, or can remove a number of the playing
cards 18 from the card shoe 20 to deal by hand. Many players 14, 16
appreciate the experience of a game where the playing cards 18 are
dealt from a handheld deck of playing cards 18, rather than being
individually drawn or produced from the card shoe 20.
[0045] The players 14, 16 place their respective wagers by placing
a number of chips 22 in wager circles 24 demarcated on a playing
surface 26 of the gaming table 10. The chips 22 typically come in a
variety of denominations, as is explained in detail below. Players
14, 16 are issued chips in exchange for currency or credit by the
casino's tellers. Casinos typically require the use of chips 22 for
wagering, rather than actual currency. In some games, a player 14
may chose to play multiple hands by placing more than one wager, as
illustrated in FIG. 1. The players 14, 16 will often have a reserve
of chips 28 from which to place wagers. In some aspects, secondary
wager circles 29 may be demarcated on the playing surface 26, for
playing secondary or bonus wagers 31. The secondary wager 31 would
be in addition to the primary wager 22 played in wager circles 24,
and may correspond to a wager on a second game, progressive jackpot
or other type of bonus wager, as described in detail below.
[0046] In blackjack, after the players 14, 16 have placed an
initial wager of chips 22 in their respective wager circles 24, 29,
the dealer 12 deals each player two cards 30 face down and deals
themselves one card 32 face down ("hold card") and one card 34 face
up ("show card") from the deck 18. In some casinos, the playing
cards 30 dealt to the players 14, 16 are also dealt face up. The
players 14, 16 can accept additional cards ("hits") from the deck
18 as they attempt to reach a total card value of 21 without going
over, where face cards count as 10 points, and Aces can count as
either one or 11 points, at the card holder's option. The dealer 12
also attempts to reach 21 without going over, although the rules
typically require the dealer to take a hit when holding a soft 17.
The players 14, 16 can vary their wagers (i.e., chips 22 and/or 31)
after the initial cards 30, 34 are dealt based on their knowledge
of their own hand and the dealer's face up card 34. For example,
the players 14, 16 can "hit" or "stand" and may "double down" or
"buy insurance."
[0047] At the end of a hand or game, the dealer 12 collects the
wager chips 22 from losing players and pays out winnings in chips
to the winning players. The winnings are calculated as a multiple
of a set of odds for the game and the amount of the wager chips 22.
The losses are typically the amount of the wager chips 22, 31. The
dealer 12 places the collected wager chips 22 or "take" from the
losing hands into a gaming table bank that takes the form of a chip
tray 36. The dealer 12 pays out the winning hands using the
required number of chips 38 from the chip tray 36. The chip tray 36
generally consists of a number of wells, sized to receive the chips
38 with different wells generally used to contain different value
chips. Changes to the contents of the chip tray 36 represent the
winnings and losses of the casino ("house") at the gaming table 10.
Many casinos permit the dealer 12 to exchange chips for items 40 of
value, such as currency or other items at the gaming table 10. The
dealer 12 deposits the item of value 40 into a drop box 42 at or
near the gaming table 10. Periodically, for example at the end of a
dealer's shift, the contents of the drop box 42 must be reconciled
with the contents of the chip tray 36, to ascertain that the
correct number and value of chips were distributed.
[0048] Dual Sided Playing Cards
[0049] FIG. 2 shows a set of playing cards 18 including an
individual playing card 44 having a first side or face 44a and a
second side or face 44b. As used herein, first side or face 44a
refers to a surface of the playing card 44 carrying primary symbols
used in a primary or first game, while second side or back refers
to a surface of the playing card 44 carrying secondary symbols used
in a secondary or second game.
[0050] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the face 44a of the playing card
44 carries a first primary symbol (i.e., K) 46 and a second primary
symbol (i.e., ) 48. In this embodiment, the first primary symbol 46
is selected from a first set of primary symbols constituting
standard playing card rank symbols (i.e., 2-10, J, Q, K, A). Also
in this embodiment, the second primary symbol 48 is selected from a
second set of primary symbols consisting of standard playing card
suit symbols (i.e., , .diamond-solid., , ).
[0051] Also as illustrated in FIG. 2, the back 44b of the playing
card 44 includes at least a first secondary symbol 50. In this
embodiment, the first secondary symbol 50 is selected from a first
set of secondary symbols, for example, a set comprising all or a
portion of standard slot machine symbols (e.g., cherry, bar, bell,
star, lemon).
[0052] Various Suitable Symbols
[0053] FIG. 3 shows some examples of suitable symbols for use on
the face 44a and/or back 44b of each of the playing cards 44 of the
playing card set 18. The first and second, primary and secondary
symbols may take the form of standard playing card rank symbols,
such as illustrated in row 52 and/or standard playing card suit
symbols such as illustrated in row 54. The first and second primary
and secondary symbols may take the form of pictorial or graphic
symbols such as illustrated in row 56, numerical symbols such as
illustrated in row 58, and/or text symbols such as illustrated in
row 60. The graphic and/or text symbols may indicate a particular
good, service or other prize to be awarded, and/or may form a
portion of a puzzle to be solved. For example, the graphic or text
symbols may form a rebus or a riddle to be solved, the answer to
the rebus or riddle identifying the prize to be won. The first and
second primary and secondary symbols may take the form of color
symbols such as illustrated in row 62 and/or amount symbols such as
illustrated in row 64. The amount symbols may indicate an amount to
be awarded, or an amount by which some other winning amount will be
multiplied or enhanced. In some aspects, these symbols may be
employed in matching games, for example games require the identical
matching of two or more symbols, or the combination of various
symbols to achieve a desired result, as is explained in detail
below.
[0054] FIGS. 4A and 4B show a set of playing cards 18 according to
one illustrated embodiment, in this illustration consisting of 52
playing cards. Other embodiment may use a greater or less number of
playing cards 44 in the set of playing cards 18. The playing cards
18 are organized into rows of like suit and columns of like rank
for ease of presentation. The individual playing cards 44 in FIG.
4B are arranged in the same order as in FIG. 4A. Thus, FIGS. 4A and
4B illustrate a mapping between the face 44a and the backs 44b of
the playing cards 44 forming the set of playing cards 18.
[0055] In particular, FIG. 4A shows the face 44a of each playing
card 44 in the set of playing cards 18. The face 44a of each
playing card 44 bears a first primary symbol 46 and a second
primary symbol 48. The first primary symbols 46 are selected from a
first set of primary symbols, such as a set of standard playing
card rank symbols. The second primary symbols 48 are selected from
a second set of primary symbols such as a set of standard playing
card suit symbols. Thus, the set of playing cards 18 form a
standard deck of playing cards based on the primary symbols 46,
48.
[0056] FIG. 4B shows the backs 44b of each playing card 44 in the
set of playing cards 18. The back 44b of each playing card 44 bears
a first and second secondary symbol, 50, 66. The first and the
second secondary symbols 50, 66 also take the form of standard
playing card rank and suit symbols, respectively, to form a
standard deck of playing cards based on primary symbols 46, 48.
[0057] The mapping illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 4B is not absolute.
As will become apparent, it is advantageous to vary the
relationship between the primary symbol(s) 46, 48 appearing on the
faces 44a and secondary symbol(s) 50, 66 appearing on the backs 44b
such that the secondary symbol(s) 50, 66 are not discernible to the
players 14, 16 from a knowledge of the primary symbol(s) 46, 48.
Thus, while a player 14, 16 may know the value or identity of the
playing card 44 as defined by the primary symbol(s) 46, 48 on the
face 44a of the playing card 44, the player 14, 16 does not know
and cannot discern the value or identity of the playing card 44 as
defined by the secondary symbol(s) 50, 66 on the back 44b of the
playing card 44.
[0058] FIGS. 5A and 5B show a set of playing cards 18 according to
a second illustrated embodiment, in this illustration consisting of
52 playing cards. Again, the playing cards 18 are organized into
rows of like suit and columns of like rank for ease of
presentation, and the individual playing cards 44 in FIG. 5B are
arranged in the same order as in FIG. 5A. Thus, FIGS. 5A and 5B
illustrate a mapping between the face 44a and the backs 44b of the
playing cards 44 forming the set of playing cards 18.
[0059] In particular, FIG. 5A shows the face 44a of each playing
card 44 in the set of playing cards 18. The face 44a of each
playing card 44 bears a first primary symbol 46 and a second
primary symbol 48. The first primary symbols 46 are select from a
first set of primary symbols, such as a set of standard playing
card rank symbols. The second primary symbols 48 are selected from
a second set of primary symbols such as a set of standard playing
card suit symbols. Thus, the set of playing cards 18 form a
standard deck of playing cards based on the primary symbols 46,
48.
[0060] FIG. 5B shows the backs 44b of each of the playing cards 44
in the set of playing cards 18. The back 44b of each playing card
44 bears a first secondary symbol 50. The first secondary symbol 50
takes the form of a graphic symbol selected from a first set of
secondary symbols set such as all or some of a set of standard slot
machine symbols (e.g., cherry, bell, star, lemon, bar, double bar).
In this embodiment, a winning hand of playing cards may be formed
by matching a number of the secondary symbols 50 in a similar
fashion as employed in slot machine games.
[0061] FIGS. 6A and 6B show a set of playing cards 19 according to
another illustrated embodiment. Again, the playing cards 18 are
organized into rows of like suit and columns of like rank for ease
of presentation, and the individual playing cards 44 in FIG. 6B are
arranged in the same order as in FIG. 5A. Thus, FIGS. 6A and 6B
illustrate a mapping between the face 44a and the backs 44b of the
playing cards 44 forming the set of playing cards 18.
[0062] In particular, FIG. 6A shows the face 44a of each playing
card 44 in the set of playing cards 18. The face 44a bears a first
primary symbol 46 and a second primary symbol 48. The first primary
symbols 46 are select from a first set of primary symbols, such as
a set of standard playing card rank symbols. The second primary
symbols 48 are selected from a second set of primary symbols such
as a set of standard playing card suit symbols. Thus, the set of
playing cards 18 form a standard deck of playing cards based on the
primary symbols 46, 48.
[0063] FIG. 6B shows the backs 44b of each of the playing cards in
the set of playing cards 18. The back 44b of each playing card 44
bears a first secondary symbol 50. The first secondary symbol 50 is
selected from a first set of secondary symbols, for example a set
of numeric symbols such as integers (e.g., 5, 10, 20). As discussed
further below, these numeric secondary symbols may be employed in
games that require matching of the numeric symbols, the summing of
the numeric symbols, an amount by which an award amount is
multiplied or may otherwise indicate an award.
[0064] FIGS. 7A and 7B a set of playing cards 18 according to a
second illustrated embodiment, in this illustration consisting of
52 playing cards. Again, the individual playing cards 44 in FIG. 5B
are arranged in the same order as in FIG. 5A. Thus, FIGS. 5A and 5B
illustrate a mapping between the face 44a and the backs 44b of the
playing cards 44 forming the set of playing cards 18.
[0065] In particular, FIG. 7A shows the face 44a of each playing
card in the set of playing cards 18. The face 44a of each playing
card 44 bears a first primary symbol 46. The first primary symbol
46 is selected from a first set of primary symbols, for example, a
set of numeric symbols such as integers (e.g., 5, 10, 20). These
numeric secondary symbols may be employed in games that require
matching of the numeric symbols, the summing of the numeric
symbols, a amount by which an award amount is multiplied or may
otherwise indicate an award.
[0066] FIG. 7B shows the backs 44b of each of the playing cards 44
in the set of playing cards 18. The back 44b of each playing card
44 bears a first secondary symbol 50. The first secondary symbol 50
is selected from a first set of secondary symbols, for example a
set of graphic symbols, text symbols, color symbols, and/or amount
symbols. As discussed herein, these secondary symbols may be
employed in games that require matching of the symbols, the
collection of symbols to match a defined combination, the summing
of the symbols to achieve a defined total, and/or the solution of a
rebus or puzzle. These secondary symbols may additionally, or
alternatively indicate an award, an amount of an award, an amount
by which an award amount is multiplied or may otherwise indicate an
award or prize.
[0067] FIG. 8 shows the backs 44b of three playing cards 44, each
of the playing cards 44 bearing a first secondary symbol 50 in the
form of a graphical symbol. The graphical symbols form a rebus
(i.e., representation of words in the form pictures or symbols) for
solution by the player 14, 16. As illustrated, the first secondary
symbols 50 represent an eye, a heart and a ewe, which the player
may solve as the phrase "I love you." The player cards 44 may
employ other symbols to form additional or alternative rebus, and
may employ text symbols to form riddles or other puzzles.
[0068] Thus, the above described embodiments permit a player to
play a first card game, for example blackjack, while a second card
game is simultaneously occurring. The illustrated embodiments are
intended to be representative, and one skilled in the art will
recognize that various aspects from the different embodiments can
be combined or replaced by various aspects of other embodiments.
Further, playing cards 44 may employ symbols other than those
illustrated.
[0069] Typically, the player 14, 16 will make decision (e.g., hit
or stay) based on the primary symbols 46, 48 to achieve a winning
outcome (e.g., hand with a total value close to twenty-one without
going over) in a first game (e.g., blackjack) played according to a
first set of rules. The player 14, 16 may make the decision in the
first game independently of the secondary symbols or the rules of a
second game. Alternatively, the player 14, 16 may at the same time,
base the decision in the first game on a desired outcome in the
second game. For example, the player 14, 16 may hold a hand having
primary symbols totaling a value 17. While the player 14, 16
holding such a hand would strongly consider not accepting further
playing cards, the probability of improving a hand formed by the
secondary symbols may cause the player 14, 16 to take an additional
playing card. For example, where the secondary symbols are standard
slot machine symbols, an additional playing card may significantly
increase the odds of forming a hand having two or more matching
secondary symbols, and/or may increase the odds of winning an
enhanced or bonus prize or award.
[0070] Devices For Forming Dual Sided Playing Cards
[0071] FIG. 9 shows a device 70 for forming the playing cards 44 of
the set of playing cards according to one embodiment. The device 70
may be located at a playing card manufacturing facility remote from
the casino, or remote from the gaming floor of the casino.
Alternatively, the device 70 may be located at the casino, either
in an area closed to patrons or on the gaming floor, such as
positioned on the gaming table 10 (FIG. 1) in the form of the card
shoe 20. Where located on the gaming table 10, the device 70 may
dispense playing cards 44 in real time, which are dealt to the
players 14, 16 by the dealer 12 The device 70 comprising a housing
72, a media path 74 defined through at least a portion of the
housing 72 along which media such as playing cards or playing card
stock 76 passes. As illustrated in FIG. 9, the playing card stock
76 may take the form of a plurality of individual playing card
blanks. The device 70 includes a controller, such as a
microprocessor 78, coupled to control a printhead 80, for example
via a print controller 82, to print on the playing card stock 76.
The microprocessor 78 is also coupled to control a motor 84, such
as a stepper motor, for example via a motor controller 86. The
motor 84 is coupled to drive a platen 88 for advancing the playing
card stock 76 along the media path 74.
[0072] The microprocessor 78 may receive instructions and/or data
from one or more memories such as random access memory (RAM) 90
and/or read-only memory (ROM) 92. One or both of the memories 90,
92 may store print data corresponding instructions for controlling
the printhead 80 to print primary and/or secondary symbols. The
printhead 80 can take any of a variety of forms including thermal
printhead, inkjet printhead, impact printhead, or laser
printhead.
[0073] The microprocessor 78 is programmed to generate at least one
secondary identifier for each playing card 44, where the secondary
identifier identifies at least one of a set of secondary
symbols.
[0074] The pseudorandom generation of secondary identifiers and
hence the pseudorandom generation of the secondary symbol(s) 50, 66
may be independent of the primary symbol(s) 46, 48 to be printed on
or previously printed on the face 44a of the card stock 76. For
example, the microprocessor 78 may employ a seed value that is
unrelated to the primary symbol(s) 46, 48 in a standard
pseudo-random number generation algorithm.
[0075] Alternatively, the pseudo-random generation of secondary
identifiers and hence the pseudorandom generation of the secondary
symbol(s) 50, 66 may be dependent on the primary symbol(s) 46, 48
to be printed on or previously printed on the face 44a of the card
stock 76. For example, the microprocessor 78 may employ a seed
value that is related to the primary identifier and/or primary
symbol(s) 46, 48 in a standard pseudo-random number generation
algorithm.
[0076] Additionally, or alternatively, the pseudo-random number
generation algorithm may be weighted based on the seed value. The
weighting may increase the likelihood of pseudo-randomly selecting
a "high" value secondary symbol 50, 66 (e.g., cherry or high value
ranks such as 10, J, Q, K, A) where the primary symbol has a "low"
value (e.g., low value ranks such as 2-6). Likewise, the weighting
may decrease the likelihood of pseudo-randomly selecting a "high"
value secondary symbol 50, 66 (e.g., cherry or high value ranks
such as 10, J, Q, K, A) where the primary symbol has a "high" value
(e.g., high value ranks such as 10, J, Q, K, A). The weighting may
be obtained by varying the probability or size of the set for
particular seed values. For example, the pseudo-random number
generation algorithm may define a 1 in 100 chance of generating a
secondary identifier corresponding to a cherry for seed values
associated with high value primary identifiers, and a 1 in 20
chance of generating a secondary identifier corresponding to a
cherry for seed values associated with low value primary
identifiers. The pseudo-random number generation algorithm may be
defined to produce pairings of primary and secondary identifiers
based on a combined probability of a player winning one game, the
other game or both games.
[0077] Thus, the microprocessor 78 may pseudo-randomly generate an
secondary identifier corresponding to one of the standard playing
card rank and/or suit symbols, graphical symbols, numerical
symbols, text symbols, color symbols and/or amount symbols
previously discussed.
[0078] The device 70 may optionally include a sensor 94 for
automatically reading markings identifying the primary symbol(s)
46, 48. The sensor may be an optical or magnetic sensor. For
example, the sensor 94 may be an optical scanner or imager. The
sensor 94 may sense the primary symbols 46, 48, or may sense some
other symbol that indicative of the primary symbols 46, 48. For
example, the sensor 94 may take the form of a barcode reader to
read barcode carried by each card. The barcodes may encode the
identity of the playing card 44 and/or primary symbols 46, 48, or
may encode an identifier such as a unique serial number from which
the identity of the playing card 44 may be determined, for example
via a lookup table or algorithm.
[0079] The device 10 of FIG. 9 is particularly suitable where the
playing cards 18 include one or more primary symbols 46, 48
preprinted on the face 44a, or where the playing cards pass through
the device 70 twice, once face up and the other time face down.
[0080] FIG. 10 shows an alternative embodiment of the device 70.
This alternative embodiment, and those alternative embodiments and
other alternatives described herein, are substantially similar to
previously described embodiments, and common acts and structures
are identified by the same reference numbers. Only significant
differences in the operation and structure are described below.
[0081] The device 70 of FIG. 10 includes at least a second
printhead 96 positioned across the media path 74 with respect to
the first printhead 80, for printing on a face 44a of the playing
card stock 76 in a single pass. The microprocessor 78, or an
alternative or additional microprocessor (not shown) controls the
second printhead 96 via a second print controller 98 to print one
or more primary symbols 46, 48 on the face 44a of the playing card
stock 76. As illustrated in FIG. 10, the playing card stock 76 may
be provided in the form of a roll. A platen 99, which may be driven
or undriven, is opposed from the second printhead 96 to provide a
substantially smooth flat surface for printing.
[0082] While discussed in terms of a printhead and printing, the
device 70 may take any form of device suitable for forming visual
images on the playing card stock 76, including but not limited to
devices employing GYRICON.TM. technology developed by Xerox PARC of
Palo Alto, Calif. and/or leucodye thermochromic inks.
[0083] Methods of Producing Dual Sided Playing Cards
[0084] FIG. 11 shows a method 100 of operating the device 70 of
FIG. 10 according to a one illustrated embodiment. In step 102, the
microprocessor 78 pseudo-randomly generates at least one secondary
identifier per playing card 44.
[0085] As used herein the "identifier" is a value, typically a
numeric value, that identifies the playing card. Employing a
numeric identifier is particular useful where the identifiers a
computer or microprocessor 78 will pseudo-randomly generate the
identifier via standard pseudo-random number generation algorithms.
Random number generation on computers is well known in the
computing arts. Mathematicians do not generally consider computer
generated random numbers to be truly random, and thus commonly
refer to such numbers as being pseudo-random. However such numbers
are sufficiently random for most practical purposes, such as
distributing playing cards to players. Hence, while we denominate
the computer generated identifiers as being pseudo-random, such
term as used herein and in the claims should include any
identifiers having a suitable random distribution, whether truly
mathematically random or not.
[0086] The identifier is mapped to one or more symbols which are
recognized by humans. For example, the identifier may be one of
fifty-two numbers (e.g., 0-51) and may be mapped to the fifty-two
combinations of rank and suit symbols of a standard set of playing
cards. Thus, the microprocessor 78 may, for example, generate a
single identifier that maps to more than one symbols (e.g., the
numeric identifier 1 indicates the two of diamonds), or may
generate identifiers that map to individual symbols (e.g., the
numeric identifier 1 indicates a rank of two and the numeric
identifier 52 indicates the suit of diamonds).
[0087] In step 104, the microprocessor 78 associates the secondary
identifier(s) to print data stored in memories 90, 92 representing
corresponding secondary symbol(s) 50, 66. In step 106, the
microprocessor 78 provides print data representing secondary
symbol(s) 50, 66 and primary symbol(s) 46, 48 to the printheads 80,
96, respectively. In step 108, the printhead 80 prints at least one
secondary symbol 50, 66 on the back 44b of the playing card stock
76. In step 110, the printhead 96 prints at least one primary
symbol 46, 48 on the face 44a of the playing card stock 76. Thus,
the primary and secondary symbols 46, 48, 50, 66 are formed on the
respective playing cards 44 in a single pass.
[0088] FIG. 12 shows a method 120 of operating the device 70 of
FIG. 10 according to another illustrated embodiment. In step 122,
the microprocessor 78 pseudo-randomly generates at least one
primary identifier for each playing card 44. In step 124, the
microprocessor 78 associates the primary identifier(s) to print
data stored in memories 90, 92 representing corresponding primary
symbol(s) 46, 48. In step 126, the microprocessor 78
pseudo-randomly generates at least one secondary identifier for
each playing card 44 based at least in part on the primary
identifier(s). In step 128, the microprocessor 78 associates the
secondary identifier(s) to print data stored in memories 90, 92
representing corresponding secondary symbol(s) 50, 66. In step 130,
the microprocessor 78 provides print data for the secondary and
primary symbols 50, 66, 46, 48 to the printheads 80, 94,
respectively. In step 132, the second printhead 96 prints at least
one primary symbol 46, 48 on the face 44a of each playing card 44.
In step 134, the first printhead 80 prints at least one secondary
symbol 50, 66 on the back 44b of each playing card 44. Thus, the
primary and secondary symbols 46, 48, 50, 66 are formed on the
respective playing cards 44 in a single pass, and the secondary
symbol(s) 50, 66 are dependent on the primary symbol(s) 46, 48.
[0089] FIG. 13 shows a method 150 of operating the device 70 of
FIG. 9 according to one illustrated embodiment. In step 152, the
device 70 receives playing cards 44 with one or more primary
symbols 46, 48 preprinted on the face 44a of each playing card 44.
In step 154, the microprocessor 78 pseudo-randomly generates at
least one secondary identifier per playing card 44. In step 156,
the microprocessor 78 associates the secondary identifier(s) to
print data stored in memories 90, 92 representing corresponding
secondary symbol(s) 50, 66. In step 158, the microprocessor 78
provides print data to the printhead 80 via the print controller
82. In step 160, the printhead 80 prints at least one secondary
symbol 50, 66 on the back 44b of each playing card 44. Thus, the
device 70 forms secondary symbols 50, 66 on playing cards 44 in a
single pass independently of the primary symbol(s) 46, 48.
[0090] In an alternative method, the device 70 of FIG. 9 may employ
blank playing card stock 76 or playing card stock without any
previous formed primary symbols 46, 48. In such an alternative, the
device 70 may form one or more primary symbol(s) 46, 48 on the face
44a of the playing cards 44 in an additional pass, either before or
after forming the secondary symbol(s) 50, 66.
[0091] FIG. 14 shows a method 170 of operating the device 70 of
FIG. 9 according to another illustrated embodiment. In step 172,
the device 70 receives playing card stock 76 with one or more
primary symbol(s) 46, 48 preprinted on the face of each playing
card. In step 174, the microprocessor 78 determines primary
identifier(s) associated with the primary symbol(s) 46, 48. In step
176, the microprocessor 78 pseudo-randomly generates at least one
secondary identifier per playing card 44 based at least in part on
the determined primary identifier(s). In step 178, the
microprocessor 78 associates the secondary identifier(s) to print
data stored in memories 90, 92 representing corresponding secondary
symbol(s) 50, 66. In step 180, the microprocessor 78 provides the
print data to the printhead 80 via the print controller 82. In step
182, the printhead 80 prints at least one secondary symbol 50, 56
on the back 44b of each playing card 44.
[0092] Game Playing Employing Dual Sided Playing Cards
[0093] FIG. 15 shows a method 200 of playing a wagering game
according to one illustrated embodiment. In step 202, the dealer 12
determines the players 14, 16 who have placed a primary wager 22.
In step 204, the dealer 12 deals cards to the players 14, 16 who
place primary wagers 22 and optionally to the dealer's own self. In
step 206, the dealer 12 determines the outcome of a first game
based on one or more of the primary symbol(s) 46, 48 according to a
first set of game rules. In step 208, the dealer 12 pays off
winning hands of the first game.
[0094] In step 210, for each losing hand, the dealer 12 determines
an outcome of the second game based on one or more of the secondary
symbol(s) 50, 66 according to a second set of game rules. The rules
of the second game may be the same as the rules of the first game,
for example, where both games are blackjack and the set of cards
are similar to that shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B. Alternatively, the
rules of the second game may be the different from the rules of the
first game, for example, where one game is blackjack, the second
game is a matching game, and the set of cards are similar to that
shown in FIGS. 5A, 5B, 6A, 6B, 7A, and 7B.
[0095] In step 212, the dealer 12 pays off winning hands of the
second game.
[0096] FIG. 16 shows a method 220 of playing a wagering game
according to another illustrated embodiment. In step 222, the
dealer 12 determines the players 14, 16 who have placed primary
wagers 22. In step 224, the dealer 12 deals cards to the players
14, 16 who have placed primary wagers 22 and optionally to the
dealer's own self. In step 226, the dealer determines an outcome of
a first game based on the primary symbol(s) 46, 48.
[0097] In step 228, for each winning hand, the dealer 12 determines
an outcome of a second game based on secondary symbol(s) 50, 66. In
step 230, the dealer 12 pays off the hands which won only the first
game at a base payout, and pays off the hands which won both the
first and the second games at an enhanced payout. The enhanced
payout may, for example, be some multiple of the base payout, or
may be some defined bonus or an amount based on an aggregation
based on progressive wagering system.
[0098] FIG. 17 shows a method 250 of playing a wagering game
according to yet another illustrated embodiment. In step 252, the
dealer 12 determines the players 14, 16 who have placed primary
wagers 22. In step 254, the dealer 12 deals cards to players 14, 16
who have placed the primary wager 22, and optionally to the
dealer's own self. In step 256, the dealer 12 determines an outcome
of a first game based on the primary symbol(s) 46, 48.
[0099] In step 258, the dealer 12 determines the players 14, 16 who
have placed a secondary wager 31. In step 260, for each player 14,
16 who placed secondary wagers 31, the dealer 12 determines an
outcome of a second game based on secondary symbol(s) 50, 66. In
step 262, the dealer 12 pays off winning wagers. The pay off of
winning wagers may include paying of winning wagers on each of the
first and second games independently, or paying off the wagers
based on a combination of the outcomes of the games for any given
hand. For example, hands that win both the first and second games
may receive an enhanced payout as discussed above.
[0100] FIG. 18 shows a method 270 of playing a wagering game
according to yet another illustrated embodiment. In step 272, the
dealer 12 determines the players 14, 16 who have placed primary
wagers 22. In step 274, the dealer 12 deals cards to the players
14, 16 who have placed the primary wagers 22 and optionally to the
dealer's own self. In step 276, the dealer 12 determines the
outcome of a first game based on the primary symbol(s) 46, 48.
[0101] In step 278, the dealer 12 determines the players 14, 16 who
have placed secondary wagers 31. In step 280, for players with
winning hands in the first game who have also placed secondary
wagers, the dealer 12 determines an outcome of the second game
based on the secondary symbol(s) 50, 66. In step 282, the dealer 12
pays off winning wagers, as discussed above.
[0102] FIG. 19 shows a method 290 of playing a wagering game
according to still a further illustrated embodiment. The method 290
is similar in many respects to the method of 280, and thus common
acts are identified by the same reference numbers. The method 290
replaces step 280 of method 270 with step 292. In step 292, for
players with losing hands who also placed secondary wagers, the
dealer 12 determines an outcome of a second game based on the
secondary symbol(s) 50, 66. Thus, the method 290 allows players 14,
16 who have lost a first game to have a chance at winning a second
game.
[0103] Although specific embodiments of and examples for the
dual-sided card game method, apparatus and article are described
herein for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications
can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention, as will be recognized by those skilled in the relevant
art. The teachings provided herein of the invention can be applied
to other card games, not necessarily the exemplary blackjack card
game generally described above. The teachings can be applied to
devices for forming symbols on playing cards other than printers.
The device may employ any of a variety of algorithms for
pseudo-randomly generating symbols. The pseudo-randomly generation
of the secondary symbols may be either independent of, or dependent
on the primary symbols as suits the particular application.
[0104] The various embodiments described above can be combined to
provide further embodiments. All of the U.S. patents, U.S. patent
application publications, U.S. patent applications, foreign
patents, foreign patent applications and non-patent publications
referred to in this specification and/or listed in the Application
Data Sheet, including but not limited to U.S. Provisional
Application Ser. No. 60/296,866, filed Jun. 8, 2001, and entitled
"METHOD, APPARATUS AND ARTICLE FOR RANDOM SEQUENCE GENERATION AND
PLAYING CARD DISTRIBUTION"; U.S. patent application Ser. No.
10/017,276, filed Dec. 13, 2001, and entitled "METHOD, APPARATUS
AND ARTICLE FOR RANDOM SEQUENCE GENERATION AND PLAYING CARD
DISTRIBUTION"; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,638,161, issued Oct. 28, 2003,
and entitled "METHOD, APPARATUS AND ARTICLE FOR VERIFYING CARD
GAMES, SUCH AS PLAYING CARD DISTRIBUTION", are incorporated herein
by reference, in their entirety. Aspects of the invention can be
modified, if necessary, to employ systems, circuits and concepts of
the various patents, applications and publications to provide yet
further embodiments of the invention.
[0105] These and other changes can be made to the invention in
light of the above-detailed description. In general, in the
following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limit
the invention to the specific embodiments disclosed in the
specification and the claims, but should be construed to include
all playing cards; cards games, and/or devices for forming or
dispensing dual-sided playing cards that operated in accordance
with the claims. Accordingly, the invention is not limited by the
disclosure, but instead its scope is to be determined entirely by
the following claims.
* * * * *