U.S. patent application number 11/083376 was filed with the patent office on 2005-07-28 for gaming devices and methods of playing card games with indicator of cards played from previous hands.
Invention is credited to Miller, Randy.
Application Number | 20050161882 11/083376 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46304162 |
Filed Date | 2005-07-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050161882 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Miller, Randy |
July 28, 2005 |
Gaming devices and methods of playing card games with indicator of
cards played from previous hands
Abstract
Gaming devices and methods of playing games wherein an
indication of the cards which have already been discarded or dealt
is displayed for a player to view prior to making a decision. One
embodiment is directed to a gaming device comprising a video
display which is designed for the play of Blackjack. Other
embodiments are directed to table versions of the present invention
wherein physical playing cards are actually dealt to one or more
players. At the conclusion of each hand, an indication of the cards
dealt is displayed for viewing by all of the players. Other
embodiments provide information from unrelated games.
Inventors: |
Miller, Randy; (Las Vegas,
NV) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Daniel P. Burke, Esq.
GALGANO & BURKE, LLP
Suite 135
300 Rabro Drive
Hauppauge
NY
11788
US
|
Family ID: |
46304162 |
Appl. No.: |
11/083376 |
Filed: |
March 18, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11083376 |
Mar 18, 2005 |
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10302061 |
Nov 21, 2002 |
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6869074 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
273/274 ;
273/292; 463/12 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F 3/00157
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
273/274 ;
273/292; 463/012 |
International
Class: |
A63F 001/00 |
Claims
1. A gaming device comprising: a first card indicia display for
displaying card indicia being used during the play of a hand; and a
second display which displays information corresponding to at least
one previous unrelated hand.
2. A gaming device according to claim 1 wherein said first display
displays cards for at least one hand of Blackjack.
3. A gaming device according to claim 1 wherein said first display
and said second display are on a single screen.
4. A gaming device according to claim 3 wherein said first display
displays cards for at least one hand of Blackjack.
5. A gaming device according to claim 1 wherein said first display
displays cards for a plurality of hands of Blackjack.
6. A gaming device according to claim 1 wherein the displayed card
indicia are randomly selected from a plurality of card decks.
7. A gaming device according to claim 1 wherein the displayed card
indicia correspond to card images which are a subset of card images
from a plurality of card decks.
8. A gaming device according to claim 1 wherein said device resets
if no player input is received within a predetermined time
period.
9. A gaming device according to claim 1 wherein said first display
displays card indicia for a plurality of hands.
10. A gaming device according to claim 1 wherein said device
comprises means for randomly selecting card indicia for said first
display
11. A gaming device according to claim 1 wherein said second
display displays the number of each card value in at least one
previous unrelated winning hand.
12. A gaming device according to claim 1 wherein said second
display displays information relating to a plurality of unrelated
hands.
13. A gaming device according to claim 1 wherein the availability
of at least some information on said second display is dependent on
some predetermined criteria.
14. A gaming device according to claim 13 wherein said
predetermined criteria comprises a predetermined successful outcome
on at least one hand.
15. A gaming device according to claim 13 wherein said
predetermined criteria comprises a predetermined unsuccessful
outcome on at least one hand.
16. A gaming device according to claim 13 wherein said
predetermined criteria comprises the amount wagered by a
player.
17. A gaming device according to claim 13 wherein said
predetermined criteria comprises an additional payment by at least
one player.
18. A gaming device according to claim 1 wherein said second
display displays information relating to unrelated winning
hands.
19. A method of playing a card game comprising the steps of:
providing a player with at least one opportunity to make a wager;
displaying at least two randomly selected card indicia from which a
player forms an initial hand; displaying information corresponding
to at least one previous unrelated game; and providing said player
with an opportunity to have at least one additional card displayed
for use with said hand.
20. A method of playing a card game according to claim 19 wherein
said step of displaying information comprises displaying the number
of each card value in at least one previous unrelated hand.
21. A method of playing a card game according to claim 19 wherein
said card game is Blackjack and said step of displaying information
comprises displaying at least one predetermined range of card
values in previous unrelated winning hands.
22. A method of playing a game of chance comprising the steps of:
providing a player with at least one opportunity to make a wager;
providing a player with information relating to unrelated games;
displaying randomly selected indicia to said player.
23. A method of playing a game according to claim 22 wherein a
player is provided with said information before said player is
required to make a wager.
24. A method of playing a game according to claim 22 wherein a
player is provided with said information after said player is
required to make a wager.
25. A method of playing a game according to claim 24 wherein a
player is provided with said information before said player is
required to make a strategic decision.
26. A method of playing a game according to claim 25 wherein said
decision is whether to discard a card.
27. A method of playing a game according to claim 25 wherein said
decision is whether to select another card.
28. A method of playing a game according to claim 25 wherein said
decision is whether to select a number.
29. A method of playing a game according to claim 25 wherein said
decision comprises selecting a number.
30. A method of playing a game according to claim 25 wherein said
decision is whether to select some indicia for said game.
31. A method of playing a game according to claim 23 wherein said
decision is whether to discard a card.
32. A method of playing a game according to claim 23 wherein said
decision is whether to select another card.
33. A method of playing a game according to claim 23 wherein said
decision is whether to select a number.
34. A method of playing a game according to claim 23 wherein said
decision is whether to select some indicia for said game.
35. A method of playing a card game according to claim 22 wherein
said step of providing said player with information comprises
displaying the exact number of each value of card discarded in at
least one previous unrelated hand.
36. A method of playing a card game according to claim 22 wherein
said step of providing said player with information comprises
displaying an approximation of the number of each value of card
discarded in at least one previous unrelated hand.
37. A gaming device comprising: an electronic display which
displays a plurality of randomly selected indicia for the play of a
game of chance, and a electronic display which provides information
relating to unrelated games.
38. A gaming device according to claim 37 wherein said display
comprises: a first card indicia display for displaying card indicia
being used during the play of a hand; and a second display which
displays information relating to unrelated card games of the same
type of card game.
39. A gaming device according to claim 38 wherein said first
display and said second display are on a single screen.
40. A gaming device according to claim 38 wherein said first
display displays cards for at least one hand of Blackjack.
41. A gaming device according to claim 38 wherein said first
display displays cards for a plurality of hands of Blackjack.
42. A gaming device according to claim 38 wherein the displayed
card indicia are randomly selected from a set of card indicia
comprising card indicia from a plurality of card decks.
43. A gaming device according to claim 37 wherein said device
resets if no player input is received within a predetermined time
period.
44. A gaming device according to claim 37 wherein the availability
of at least some information on said second display is dependent on
some predetermined criteria.
45. A gaming device according to claim 44 wherein said
predetermined criteria comprises a predetermined successful outcome
on at least one hand.
46. A gaming device according to claim 44 wherein said
predetermined criteria comprises a predetermined unsuccessful
outcome on at least one hand.
47. A gaming device according to claim 44 wherein said
predetermined criteria comprises the amount wagered by a
player.
48. A gaming device according to claim 44 wherein said
predetermined criteria comprises an additional payment by at least
one player.
49. A gaming device according to claim 37 wherein said device
comprises means for randomly selecting card indicia for said first
display.
50. A gaming device comprising a first card indicia display for
displaying card indicia being used during the play of a hand
wherein said display also displays information corresponding to the
number and value of at least one value of card discarded in at
least one previous related hand.
51. A gaming device according to claim 50 wherein said display
displays information corresponding to the number and value of at
least one value of card discarded in at least one previous
unrelated hand simultaneously with card indicia being used during
the play of a hand.
52. A gaming device according to claim 50 wherein said display
displays information corresponding to the number and value of at
least one value of card discarded in at least one previous
unrelated hand alternately with card indicia being used during the
play of a hand.
53. A method of playing a game of keno comprising the steps of:
providing a player with an opportunity to make a wager; providing a
player with information relating to at least one unrelated game;
and randomly selecting a plurality of winning numbers.
54. A method of playing a game of keno according to claim 53
wherein said unrelated game is a keno game.
55. A method of playing a game of keno according to claim 53
wherein the availability of at least some information from an
unrelated game is dependent on some predetermined criteria.
56. A method of playing a game of keno according to claim 54
wherein said predetermined criteria comprises a predetermined
successful outcome in at least one game.
57. A method of playing a game of keno according to claim 54
wherein said predetermined criteria comprises a predetermined
unsuccessful outcome in at least one game.
58. A method of playing a game of keno according to claim 54
wherein said predetermined criteria comprises the amount wagered by
a player.
59. A method of playing a game of keno according to claim 54
wherein said predetermined criteria comprises an additional payment
by at least one player.
Description
[0001] The present invention is directed to gaming devices and
methods of playing card games wherein cards played from previous
hands are discarded and displayed for ready viewing by players.
BACKGROUND
[0002] It is well recognized in the gaming industry that persons
playing card games at a casino will have a distinct advantage if,
while playing a card game, they know which cards have already been
played from the collection of cards being dealt. For example, when
playing the game of Blackjack, players have an opportunity to draw
additional cards. Those cards are commonly drawn from a card shoe
containing a plurality of 52 card decks. Since a number of hands
are typically dealt from such a card shoe, during the play of
multiple hands, it is difficult and sometimes impossible for
players to view all of the cards which have been played by all
players and the dealer. Moreover, it is difficult for players to
remember all of the cards which have been played. In fact, it is
common practice for casinos to ban the practice of card counting.
Players which are suspected of card counting are typically
ostracized from casinos, since knowledge of the cards previously
played offers players a significant advantage. The advantage arises
from the player's ability to predict which cards are remaining in
the card shoe. For example, if many high value cards have
previously been played, then the player will realize the likelihood
of drawing a low value card is high, and vice versa. Since casinos
have traditionally desired to avoid increasing the players chances
of winning, casinos have disfavored devices or methods of play
which tend to increase the players chances of recalling which cards
have already been dealt from a card shoe. Those skilled in the art
will appreciate that this same prevalent thinking has also applied
to other games where players have had the opportunity to draw cards
from a predetermined collection of cards, for example a single deck
or multiple decks of cards.
[0003] It is also common practice in the gaming industry to have
all cards played during a card deal on an electronic gaming device,
e.g. a video poker machine, to be effectively "reshuffled" after
each card deal. The practice of reshuffling between card deals
prevents players from counting cards and gaining an advantage in
subsequent deals.
[0004] Players often desire to play new games of chance,
particularly games which are perceived to offer greater likelihoods
of achieving a winning outcome or games which offer opportunities
for higher payouts.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] Embodiments of the present invention are directed to gaming
devices and methods of playing card games wherein an indication
which cards have already been discarded is displayed for the player
or players to view. The various aspects of the present invention
are contrary to traditional casino practices which tended to impede
a player's ability to see and/or recall the cards previously
played.
[0006] One preferred aspect of the present invention is directed to
a gaming device comprising a video display which is designed for
the play of Blackjack. Cards are dealt to one or more hands from a
simulated multi-deck card shoe. For example, a single player may be
provided with the opportunity to play five hands of Blackjack
during a single card hand. After the hand is played or after the
cards are dealt, an indication of the cards used is shown in a
discarded card table. Therefore, when a player is deciding whether
to draw another card, the player can readily see which cards have
already been played. If the player needs an ace and all of the aces
have already been discarded, then the player will know that it
would be futile to try to draw an ace. In a similar manner, the
player can assess the likelihood of drawing relatively high or low
cards from the number of such cards already discarded.
[0007] Another preferred embodiment of the present invention
comprises providing a player with an opportunity to play a game
wherein cards are drawn from a multi-deck card shoe, for example, a
six deck shoe and wherein a "cut card" is randomly placed in the
deck. The player or players are then dealt cards from those cards
forward of the "cut card". When a cut card or similar step is taken
to establish a subset of cards from which cards will be dealt,
players cannot actually determine the likelihood of drawing a
specific card but can still get an idea of the likelihood of
drawing one or more specific value cards. Specific card values or
cards falling within predetermined ranges which have been discarded
and dealt in previous hands are available for display to a player.
The player may be required to meet certain criteria, such as
wagering a predetermined amount or making an additional payment, in
order to receive access to some or all of the information regarding
previously played cards.
[0008] Another aspect of the present invention is directed to a
keno game wherein a plurality of keno-type games are played by
drawing indicia, e.g. numbers, from a single pool of numbers.
According to this embodiment of the present invention, players are
provided with an opportunity to wager on one or more keno games
subsequent to the first keno game while having the ability to view
which numbers had been played on the initial or other previous
games.
[0009] Another aspect of the present invention comprises methods
and electronic gaming devices, e.g. video card game machines
wherein cards are not reshuffled after every deal. According to
these embodiments of the present invention, a player will receive
multiple deals, each of which can comprise one or more hands, out
of a single collection of cards.
[0010] Other aspects of the present invention are directed to table
versions of the present invention wherein physical playing cards
are actually dealt to one or more players. At the conclusion of
hand, an indication of the discarded cards is displayed for viewing
by all of the players. According to one aspect of this invention,
the actual cards are provided with some indicia which can be
electronically read. In this manner, the cards can be automatically
tallied and displayed by simply feeding them through a card reader.
Alternatively, each individual player can be provided with an
opportunity to obtain his own indication of some or all of the
previously discarded cards. Therefore, either a common display can
be provided or each player can be provided with his own display.
Providing players with their own displays will facilitate requiring
additional payments or other player-specific criteria.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 illustrates a screen display for use with one
embodiment of the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 2 illustrates an alternative screen display for use
with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 3 illustrates a still further screen display for use
with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 4 illustrates a keno display for use with another
embodiment of the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 5 illustrates a card table which can be used with
another embodiment of the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 6 illustrates a card table embodiment of the present
invention wherein each player is provided with a separate screen
indicating cards played from previous hands.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] Various embodiments of the present invention provide a
player with a discernable indication of which cards have been
discarded, or, alternatively, which cards have been dealt from the
collection of cards from which cards are dealt, e.g., a multi-deck
card shoe. If the display is set to indicate all previously
discarded cards then cards presently being utilized in a hand being
played will not be shown in the discarded card screen.
Alternatively, in order to provide a player with a single, viewable
location for determining cards which are no longer in the card deck
and which therefore can not be drawn, an alternative embodiment of
the present invention lists all cards which have been dealt in the
discard display. While a visible display is the preferred manner of
indicating to players the number of cards of each type which have
already been discarded, it is also within the scope of the present
invention to provide this information to players in other forms,
e.g. audibly.
[0018] FIG. 1 is one illustrative example of a touch screen which
can be utilized with one embodiment of the present invention. While
a touch screen appears to be particularly suitable for electronic
gaming device versions of the present invention, the present
invention is not limited to use on touch screens. Furthermore,
since the particular electronic components, whether mechanical,
electro mechanical or electronics, as well as the software,
programmable devices or other components used to build various
embodiments of the present invention are within the scope of one
skilled in the art, detailed description of those components is not
provided herein. In this preferred embodiment, a player wagers
credits on games of Blackjack. In this illustrated embodiment, five
separate hands 15-19 are displayed on the screen along with a
dealer hand 20. A player or players are provided with input
controls which, in this illustrated embodiment, are designated
areas on the touch screen. The designated areas on this illustrated
embodiment provide a player with the ability to provide input.
"WAGER DENOM" area 21 permits a player to choose the denomination
of the amount being wagered, for example the player may choose
between 25.cent., $1.00, or $5.00 denominations. The "CREDITS BET
PER HAND" touch area 22 allows a player to choose how many credits
are being wagered on each hand being played. For example, the
player can be provided with the option of wagering any numbers of
credits, e.g. from 1 to 5 credits, per hand being played. In this
illustrated embodiment the number of credits bet per hand is
illustrated in screen area 32. The "NUMBER OF HANDS" area permits a
player to choose the number of hands played per deal. In this
illustrated embodiment, the screen is displaying five hands and the
number of hands selected is indicated in screen area 33.
[0019] According to the method of play of this illustrated
embodiment, the particular hand which is being played is
highlighted or otherwise provided with some clear indicia so that
the player can readily determine which hand is being played. For
example, the hand being played can flash or be illuminated brighter
or with different colors from the other hands. A hand remains in
play, according to this illustrated embodiment, until a player goes
"BUST" i.e., goes over twenty-one, or until the "STAND" button has
been touched. Touch screen areas 24-28 provide a player with the
option to reshuffle by touching "RESHUFFLE" area 24, to stand by
touching "STAND" area 25, to take another card by touching "HIT"
area 26, to split the hand by touching "SPLIT" area 27, or to
double down by touching "DOUBLE DOWN" area 28. The illustrated
display screen 10 also comprising wager display 35 area which
indicates the number of credits still available, the amount wagered
during a game, and the number of credits won during a given
game.
[0020] Illustrated display screen also advantageously comprises a
discarded card display 40. The illustrated discarded card area 40
comprises twenty four rows and thirteen columns. The twenty four
rows provide one row for each card denomination for six decks of
cards. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that each deck of
cards comprises four cards of each denomination, for example, four
Jacks. This illustrated embodiment is designed for use with a six
deck shoe simulation, therefore, it is possible to have twenty four
cards of each value discarded. The thirteen columns represent a
single column for each card denomination. According to this
illustrated embodiment, there is no distinction between cards of
different suits. From the present description, those skilled in the
art will appreciate that for other types of card games, it may be
desirable to provide an indication of particular suits or
particular cards of a particular suit that have been discarded.
[0021] Therefore, in this illustrated embodiment, cards are only
listed in the discarded card area after a particular deal is over
and the cards have been discarded. It is also within the scope of
the present invention to discard a particular hand after that
particular hand has gone bust. According to this illustrated
embodiment, only cards which have been discarded are shown in the
discarded card area 40. As noted above, it is also within the scope
of the present invention to provide a display which lists all cards
which have been dealt. In an embodiment which indicates all cards
once the cards have been dealt, the dealers face down card would
not preferably be indicated.
[0022] While this illustrated embodiment of the present invention
comprises a discarded card area on the same screen as the game
being played and the input areas, it is also within the scope of
the present invention to have the "DISCARDED CARD" display or a
"DEALT CARD" display separate from the game display.
[0023] As used herein, the term "DISCARDED" is not limited to cards
which have been displayed and then not used in any card hand. The
term "DISCARDED" as used herein includes all cards which have been
used in previous hands, whether those cards were used in the hand
of a player or a dealer, or even if those cards were not
incorporated or used in any hand of a game participant. The term
"CARD INDICIA" is used to indicate images of playing cards as well
as the playing cards themselves. Therefore, the term "CARD INDICIA"
refers to both visual displays of card images on a screen as well
as cards placed on a table game. The selection of cards displayed
in gaming device embodiments of the present invention is preferably
determined randomly.
[0024] Even though the card images are determined randomly, the
present invention is not limited nor dependent upon any one
particular type of electronic embodiment or circuitry. While one or
more random number generators or other random signal generators can
be utilized with various embodiments of the present invention and
those devices may generate signals which are subsequently converted
into signals producing card indicia on a display screen, for
simplicity, all such signals, whether subsequent to or prior to
conversion to a signal which creates the image of a playing card on
a screen are referred to herein as "CARD INDICIA".
[0025] In a table game format of a conventional Blackjack game,
those skilled in the art will appreciate that a card shoe may
typically comprise a plurality of card decks, for example, six
decks of cards. A "cut card" is typically inserted into the card
shoe and then cards forward of the "cut card" are then dealt. When
the dealer gets down to the "cut card" the cards are reshuffled.
According to the various embodiments of the present invention, the
use of a "cut card" can be simulated. When a "cut card" is used,
the pool of cards from which any particular displayed card is
chosen will be a subset of the total number of card indicia in the
number of decks utilized.
[0026] From the present description, those skilled in the art will
appreciate that after playing a game of the present invention for
awhile and as the number of displayed discarded cards increases,
players will have an advantage since they will have a better idea
of cards which may be dealt. In order to avoid providing this
advantage to undeserving players, e.g., a different player who uses
a gaming device after a first player had played for awhile, the
gaming devices of the present invention are preferably designed to
reset and reshuffle if a pre-determined time span has elapsed
between the end of one game and the start of another game. For
example, if a gaming device sits idle for thirty seconds, then the
game may automatically reset and reshuffle. The length of time can
be set as desired by the manufacture or its designee. This feature
will also advantageously tend to hold players at a specific gaming
device once the number of cards in the discarded card display
becomes significant.
[0027] As noted above, it is also within the scope of the present
invention to provide an indication of all cards dealt up to any
given time, rather than just the cards which were dealt in previous
games/hands. If the display indicates which cards have been dealt,
then a player has a single, convenient location to view for an
indication of possible cards to be drawn and would not have to add
the cards displayed on the display screen to the cards shown on the
discarded card screen.
[0028] FIG. 2 illustrates an alternative to the embodiment of the
present invention shown in FIG. 1. According to the embodiment
shown in FIG. 2, the "DISCARDED CARDS" display indicates ranges of
cards which have been previously played. In this illustrated
embodiment, the ranges are four ranges of "2-5", "6-9", "10-KING",
and "ACES". While the illustrated display could have 96 rows in
order to indicate the exact number of cards from each range
previously played, it is also within the scope of the present
invention to have alternative displays. For example, a certain
segment of a column may be illuminated, colored or provided with
some other discernable indicia after a certain number of cards from
a given range have been discarded. Such a display might simply
comprise a bar graph, with or without an indication of the exact
number of cards from the specific range which have been
discarded.
[0029] The touch screen display of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2
is also provided with additional touch screen areas 41-45 which
allow a player to input the range of card values for which he would
like to see the number of discarded cards. According to this
embodiment, a player may be required to pay to receive this
information. For example, a player may be charged one credit to
view the discarded cards in any of the discarded card ranges.
Therefore, if a player wished to see how many cards ranging from
TEN through KING had been displayed, he would depress "10-K" touch
screen area 43 and then the information would appear on the
discarded card display 40. The player would automatically be
charged a single credit, or some other predetermined amount. In
order to encourage use of this feature, a player could be charged
less for viewing all areas. For example, if a player touched "ALL"
touch area 45, the player might only be charged two or three
credits.
[0030] FIG. 3 illustrates a still further embodiment of the present
invention. In this embodiment, only card values of ten, i.e., TENS,
JACKS, QUEENS and KINGS, are provided in a single grouping.
[0031] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, some or all of the
information provided in "DISCARDED CARDS" display area 40 may be
provided to all players whenever the game is played or in response
to any predetermined criteria, e.g., the total amount wagered, the
number of credits wagered, a certain amount of play on a gaming
device, a certain level of activity on a player's comp card at a
specific gaming facility, etc.
[0032] FIG. 4 illustrates a keno board used with another embodiment
of the present invention. According to this embodiment, a first
keno-type game is played wherein a plurality of numbers are
selected randomly. Prior to the selection and display of those
numbers, players are provided with an opportunity to wager on the
numbers to be selected. For example, a typical keno game may
provide a payout after selecting two to ten numbers to all players
who have matched at least some predetermined number of the randomly
selected numbers. According to this embodiment of the present
invention, after a first keno game has been played and certain
numbers have been used or eliminated for subsequent play, one or
more players are provided with the opportunity to wager on the
remaining numbers. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that
the players will have an increased chance of winning on the second
or other subsequent games since the total pool of available numbers
is reduced by the number of numbers used in the previous
game(s).
[0033] FIG. 5 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the present
invention in the form of a play table for actual playing cards.
This illustrated embodiment comprises a plurality of player
stations comprising card areas 61-66 having corresponding wager
areas 71-76, respectively. A card shoe 80 and chip rack 85 are also
provided in a conventional manner. In addition, this illustrated
embodiment also comprises a discarded card reader 90 and a discard
display 95. According to this embodiment of the present invention,
discarded cards are dropped into an inlet of discarded card reader
90. The discarded card reader electronically scans the discarded
cards and provides a visible indication of the discarded cards in
the discarded card display 95. For these purposes, cards can be
provided with some machine readable indicia, such as a bar code.
Such code should be on the same side of the card that shows the
card value and suit. Card reader 90 can be fashioned to scan both
sides of a card therefore allowing a dealer to drop cards into card
reader 90 facing either way. While the discarded card display 95 of
this illustrated embodiment is shown as attached to the table, the
discarded card display 95 can be mounted anywhere within sight of
the players.
[0034] Additionally or alternatively, if desired, each player
station can be provided with a discarded card or dealt card display
as shown in FIG. 6 and players can be provided with visible access
to the discard display depending upon certain criteria, or, if
desired, randomly. For example, this embodiment of the present
invention can provide players visual access to the discard display
only if the players wager the maximum amount permitted.
Alternatively, the players may be required to pay a fee, for
example, five dollars prior to a wagering session which can be for
a pre-determined length of time, for example two hours, if the
player wishes access to the discard display. Alternatively, a
common or individual discard display can be made visually
accessible to one or more players in response to the success or
lack of success that players have attained while playing the card
game, e.g. Blackjack in this illustrated embodiment. For example,
if no players win during two deals, then the discard display may be
activated for the subsequent deal or until a player wins.
Alternatively, the discard display may be actuated for a
predetermined length of time or for a predetermined number of deals
every time one or some other predetermined number of players
attains a Blackjack.
[0035] The electronic and mechanical details of the discarded card
reader 90 are not provided herein, but are well within the scope of
one of ordinary skill in the art. For example, the playing cards
can be provided with a machine readable code on the same side which
displays the denomination and suit. Such a code would be readable
by discard reader 90.
[0036] While the illustrated card game embodiments have been
directed to Blackjack card games, other card or non-card games can
be played utilizing the present invention. For example, draw poker
in various forms could be played using aspects of the present
invention.
[0037] According to still other embodiments of the present
invention, other types of games wherein items or values are drawn
from predetermined collections can also enjoy the benefits of the
present invention.
[0038] Another embodiment of the present invention enables a player
ready access to information, e.g. winning numbers or hands on
previously played games. For example, this embodiment of the
present invention can be utilized separately or in combination with
the embodiment described above which allowed the play of multiple
games on a single Keno board. This embodiment of the present
invention simply provides players with ready access to information,
e.g. the winning numbers from previous, unrelated games. It is
believe that this embodiment of the present invention will be
particularly attractive to players who may be superstitious or
players who simply like to keep track of previous games and
previous winning numbers or patterns. Therefore, according to this
embodiment of the present invention, a player can see which
numbers, symbols or other indicia were selected in previously
played games. The player can be required to provide input, e.g. by
pushing a button, before seeing this information.
[0039] As used herein, the term "unrelated game" indicates that the
odds of a certain outcome in one game are independent of the
outcomes of another game. The term "unrelated" is not used herein
to provide any indication of the winning payouts, but refers to one
or more player's likelihood of receiving or being displayed certain
indicia. For example, the odds of the player receiving a display of
the number EIGHT in a subsequent unrelated game is independent of
the odds of the player receiving a display of the number EIGHT in
an earlier game. To the contrary, according to the embodiment of
the present invention described above, if a first game of KENO is
played on a certain KENO board and the number EIGHT is not
selected/displayed as a winning number, then in a subsequent game
played on the same board without clearing the board, the odds of an
EIGHT being displayed are greater since the total pool of available
numbers have been reduced by the number used in the first game. In
this instance, the second game played on the same board without
clearing the numbers would not be considered an "unrelated
game.".
[0040] If this embodiment of the present invention is utilized with
the previously disclosed embodiment, then one or more players can
be provided with the opportunity to see which numbers came up, the
sequence of the winning numbers, and/or in what games certain
winning numbers were selected in previous, unrelated games. For
example, according to the previously described embodiment of the
present invention, a single Keno board comprising eighty numbers
may be used to play a first game wherein ten numbers are selected
randomly and then the same board is used in a second game to draw
an additional ten numbers from the remaining, previously unselected
seventy numbers, and possibly a third game wherein another set of
numbers are chosen from the then remaining sixty numbers, etc.
According to this embodiment of the present invention, one or more
players are provided with access to a display which shows which
numbers were drawn in the first previous unrelated game, which
numbers were drawn in the second previous unrelated game and/or in
the third previous unrelated game. This aspect of the present
invention is not limited to providing players with information on
immediately preceding games but can be performed and/or programmed
to provide as much historical data as desired by the game operator.
The information about the unrelated games is also not limited to
winning numbers or hands.
[0041] Alternatively, according to this aspect of the present
invention, a player can obtain a display which provides the
frequency of certain numbers being drawn during either a
predetermined number or a player selected number of previous games.
For example, a player may wish to know the winning numbers selected
at a certain time of day on the previous day or on some other
previous day such as the player's birthday. These and other
parameters are programmable into electronic embodiments of the
present invention.
[0042] Additionally, as with the previously disclosed embodiments,
players may be provided with information relating to previously
unrelated games depending upon certain criteria, or, if desired,
randomly. For example, this embodiment of the present invention can
provide players information relating to unrelated games only if the
player wagers the maximum amount permitted. Alternatively, the
players may be required to pay a fee, for example, five dollars
prior to a wagering session which can be for a pre-determined
length of time, for example two hours, if the player wishes to
access information relating to unrelated games. Alternatively,
information relating to unrelated games can be made accessible to
one or more players in response to the success or lack of success
that players have attained while playing the game. For example, if
no players win during two deals, then information relating to
unrelated games may be provided for the subsequent deal or until a
player wins. Alternatively, information relating to unrelated games
may be provided for a predetermined length of time or for a
predetermined number of deals every time one or some other
predetermined number of players wins, e.g. attains a Blackjack or a
certain number of matching numbers in a game of Keno. As used
herein, the term "same type of game" is used to indicate a game
played with substantially the same rules. For example, when this
phrase is used in reference to an unrelated game during the play of
Keno, the phrase would indicate an unrelated game of Keno, even if
that Keno game was played with slightly different rules or
payouts.
[0043] The present invention is believed to be particularly
attractive to players since the disclosed embodiments of the
present invention provide ready access to information which was
previously unavailable or difficult to remember.
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