U.S. patent application number 10/802367 was filed with the patent office on 2005-09-22 for poker-type game having adjustable payouts and method therefor.
Invention is credited to Gold, Steven Terrance, Zarowitz, Jeremy Wood.
Application Number | 20050206083 10/802367 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34985424 |
Filed Date | 2005-09-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050206083 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gold, Steven Terrance ; et
al. |
September 22, 2005 |
Poker-type game having adjustable payouts and method therefor
Abstract
A method and apparatus for playing a poker-style game has a
player making an opening wager. The player is permitted to make at
least one wager to obtain at least one certain selected winning
hand. The payout odds are adjusted on winning hands based on an
amount of the opening wager and the at least one wager to obtain at
least one certain selected winning hand. A hand of cards are then
dealt to the player. The player is allowed to hold desired cards of
the hand. Replacement cards are dealt to the player. One determines
if a new hand of cards is a winning hand. Paying the player is
based on the adjusted payout odds.
Inventors: |
Gold, Steven Terrance; (Las
Vegas, NV) ; Zarowitz, Jeremy Wood; (Las Vegas,
NV) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WEISS & MOY PC
4204 NORTH BROWN AVENUE
SCOTTSDALE
AZ
85251
US
|
Family ID: |
34985424 |
Appl. No.: |
10/802367 |
Filed: |
March 17, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
273/292 ;
273/303; 463/13 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/3293 20130101;
G07F 17/32 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
273/292 ;
273/303; 463/013 |
International
Class: |
A63F 001/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method of playing a poker-style game comprising: making an
opening wager by a player; permitting the player to make at least
one wager to obtain at least one certain selected winning hand;
adjusting payout odds on all winning hands based on an amount of
the opening wager and the at least one wager to obtain at least one
certain selected winning hand; dealing a hand of cards to the
player; allowing the player to hold desired cards of the hand;
dealing replacement cards to the player; determining if a new hand
of cards is a winning hand; and paying the player based on the
adjusted payout odds.
2. The method of claim 2 wherein determining if a new hand of cards
is a winning hand further comprises: determining if the player has
placed a wager on a certain selected winning hand; determining if
the new hand of the player is the same as the certain selected
winning hand; and determining if the new hand of the player is the
same as a traditional winning hand in video poker.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein permitting the player to make at
least one wager to obtain at least one certain selected winning
hand further comprises permitting the player to make at least one
wager to obtain at least one certain selected winning hand after
the player has made an opening wager above a predetermined
amount.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein permitting the player to make at
least one wager to obtain at least one certain selected winning
hand further comprises permitting the player to place a second
wager on the at least one certain selected winning hand only after
placing a first wager on a second certain select winning hand.
5. A video poker-style game comprising: a video display adapted to
display to a player a hand of cards for a poker-style game; means
for permitting said player to make an opening wager by the player;
means for permitting the player to make at least one wager to
obtain at least one certain selected winning hand; means for
permitting the player to hold a desired number of the hand of
cards; means for permitting the player to receive replacement
cards; means for displaying a payout table associated with
probabilities of obtaining the at least one selected winning hand
of said game; means for displaying the payout associated with each
said at least one wager; means for determining if a winning hand
has been achieve; and means for paying the player in accordance
with the payout table.
6. The video poker-style game of claim 5 wherein the player is only
permitted to make said at least one wager when said player had also
made a wager on obtaining any non-selected winning hand.
7. The video poker-style game of claim 5 wherein the player is only
permitted to place a second wager on the at least one certain
selected winning hand only after placing a first wager on a second
certain select winning hand.
8. The video poker-style game of claim 5 wherein the means for
determining if a winning hand has been achieve further comprises:
means for determining if the player has a hand which is the same as
the certain selected winning hand; and means for determining if the
player has a hand that is the same as a traditional winning hand in
video poker.
9. A method of playing a video style poker game comprising:
providing a video display adapted to display to a player a hand of
cards for a poker-style game; making an opening wager by a player;
permitting the player to make at least one wager to obtain at least
one certain selected winning hand; adjusting payout odds on all
winning hands based on an amount of the opening wager and the at
least one wager to obtain at least one certain selected winning
hand; displaying a hand of cards to the player on the video
display; allowing the player to hold desired cards of the hand by
pressing hold buttons underneath the desired cards; dealing
replacement cards to the player; displaying the replacement cards
on the video display; determining if a new hand of cards is a
winning hand; and paying the player based on the adjusted payout
odds.
10. The method of claim 9 wherein determining if a new hand of
cards is a winning-hand further comprises: determining if the
player has placed a wager on a certain selected winning hand;
determining if the new hand of the player is the same as the
certain selected winning hand; and determining if the new hand of
the player is the same as a traditional winning hand in video
poker.
11. The method of claim 9 wherein permitting the player to make at
least one wager to obtain at least one certain selected winning
hand further comprises permitting the player to make at least one
wager to obtain at least one certain selected winning hand after
the player has made an opening wager above a predetermined
amount.
12. The method of claim 9 wherein permitting the player to make at
least one wager to obtain at least one certain selected winning
hand further comprises permitting the player to place a second
wager on the at least one certain selected winning hand only after
placing a first wager on a second certain select winning hand.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates generally to poker-style games and
methods, and more particularly to poker-style games and methods
that provide opportunities for a player to make wagers on certain
selected winning hands which will adjust the posted payout odds on
the selected winning hand as well as other winning hands thereby
increasing player excitement.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] The game of poker is widely played at peoples' homes and in
a casino setting. At a casino, it is played both in a traditional
format, with traditional playing cards, and in an electronic
format. In the electronic version, typically known as "video
poker", a player makes a wager, pushes a button to start the game,
and is then presented with five cards shown on the video display. A
player can choose to either keep the cards or discard a specified
number of cards and receive replacement cards. Whether or not the
player's final hand qualifies for a payment is determined according
to a pay table, which is generally displayed on the video poker
machine itself.
[0005] The best hand that a player can achieve in classic five card
poker of the type typically played on video poker machines is a
royal flush. A royal flush consists of an Ace-high straight, where
all of the cards have the same suit.
[0006] Many video poker players find that the basic video poker
game has become somewhat stale and boring. In addition, many feel
that the payouts associated with video poker are not high enough to
make the game exciting. For instance, the chances of a player
achieving a royal flush are generally about 1 in 35,000. However,
since the player essentially wagers on all potential winning hands
at once, the payout for a royal flush is typically no more than 800
credits or coins to every one credit or coin wagered. If the player
were provided the opportunity to wager on any one selected hand(out
of a large number of possible hands), in some instances, a player
could stand to win at least one hundred times what the player would
normally win by wagering in the typical manner and achieving the
same winning hand.
[0007] Furthermore, if a player is able to wager on a specific
winning hand, then the posted payout odds on other winning hands
should also be adjusted. For example, if a player places a wager on
a royal flush, then the payouts associated with other winning hands
(i.e., straight, flush, 4 of a kind, etc) should also increase. The
reason for this is that a player's strategy has a large effect on
obtaining the specific winning hand. Thus, in the above example, if
a player wagers heavily on a royal flush, the player will most
likely play the optimum strategy for achieving a royal flush. As a
result, the probability of the player achieving other winning hands
(i.e., straight, flush, 4 of a kind, etc) will decrease. Thus the
posted payout odds for the other winning hands should increase to
encourage the player to wager on other hands as well.
[0008] Therefore a need existed to provide a video poker-style game
and method that substantially increases payouts by providing
additional wagering opportunities for the player to wager on
selected winning hands. A need further existed to provide the
highest possible payouts for the additional wagering opportunities
by adjusting the posted payout odds based on the player's wager, or
by restricting the player's wagering options.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention,
it is an object of the present invention to provide a video
poker-style game and method that substantially increases payouts by
providing additional wagering opportunities for the player to wager
on selected winning hands.
[0010] It is another object of the present invention to provide the
highest possible payouts for the additional wagering opportunities
by adjusting the posted payout odds based on the player's wager, or
by restricting the player's wagering options.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0011] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention,
a method of playing a poker-style game comprising: making an
opening wager by a player; permitting the player to make at least
one wager to obtain at least one certain selected winning hand;
adjusting payout odds on winning hands based on an amount of the
opening wager and the at least one wager to obtain at least one
certain selected winning hand; dealing a hand of cards to the
player; allowing the player to hold desired cards of the hand;
dealing replacement cards to the player; determining if a new hand
of cards is a winning hand; and paying the player based on the
adjusted payout odds.
[0012] In accordance with another embodiment of the present
invention, a video poker-style game is disclosed. The video
poker-style game has a video display adapted to display to a player
a hand of cards for a poker-style game; means for permitting the
player to make an opening wager by the player; means for permitting
the player to make at least one wager to obtain at least one
certain selected winning hand; means for permitting the player to
hold a desired number of the hand of cards; means for permitting
the player to receive replacement cards; means for displaying a
payout table associated with probabilities of obtaining the at
least one selected winning hand of said game; means for displaying
the payout associated with each said at least one wager; means for
determining if a winning hand has been achieved; and means for
paying the player in accordance with the payout table.
[0013] The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of
the invention will be apparent from the following, more particular,
description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, as
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] The novel features believed characteristic of the invention
are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, as well
as a preferred mode of use, and advantages thereof, will best be
understood by reference to the following detailed description of
illustrated embodiments when read in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings.
[0015] FIG. 1 is a elevated front view of a video poker machine or
terminal using the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 2 is a flow chart depicting a number of methods of play
consistent with the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0017] Referring to FIG. 1, a video poker machine terminal 10 is
shown. Its main features include a video display 12, a plurality of
hold buttons 14, a draw/deal button 16, at least one bet button 18,
a pay table 20, and a coin output 22. The terminal 10 should also
have a payment receiver (not shown), through which coins, cash,
payment cards, paper credits or the like may be inserted for
purposes of placing a wager.
[0018] Generally, in a prior art video poker game, play is
initiated by the insertion of a payment into the payment receiver.
A player will typically then depress the bet button 18 in order to
receive a display of a hand of cards. (In some games, more than one
bet button 18 is provided, with, for example, one bet button
allowing a player to bet one amount, and another allowing a player
to bet a larger or additional amount.) After a hand of cards is
displayed in the video display 12, the player then decides which
cards he/she wants to hold and which cards are to be discard. A
player indicates a hold selection for each card that is to be held
by depressing the hold button 14 located directly below a card 24
that is to be held. (If a player changes his or her mind, the hold
button 14 can be depressed a second time to cancel the
selection.)
[0019] Once the player completes his or her hold selections, the
player will depress the draw/deal button 16 a second time. This
will cause the non-held cards 24 to be replaced with new cards. If
the player has a winning hand according to the pay table 20, a
payment is made and can either be paid through the coin output 22
or simply indicated on a portion of the video display 12 as credits
to be paid later.
[0020] The present invention concerns both the video poker-style
game using, for example, the video poker machine on terminal 10 of
FIG. 1, and the wagering options provided to the player both before
play is initiated and during the game. Referring to FIG. 2, a
method of playing and wagering options of one embodiment of the
game of the present invention is illustrated. The video display 12
will display a pay table which relates the payouts (as a ratio of
the amount paid per unit bet) associated with wagers placed on
certain selected winning hands. The following table shows a
preferred pay table to be used with one embodiment of the game and
method of the present invention. Changes in the various ratios can
be made, as desired, in keeping with the concepts of this
invention.
1 TABLE 1 Royal Flush 20,000 to 1 Straight Flush 5,000 to 1 Four of
a Kind 300 to 1 Full House 60 to 1 Flush 60 to 1 Straight 60 to 1
Three of a Kind 8 to 1 Two Pair 3 to 1 Jacks or Better 2 to 1
[0021] The player will then wager on the certain selected winning
hand or hands of his or her choice. This can be done in any desired
form, including for example having a touch-sensitive region on, for
example, the video display 12, or on the pay table 20 so that the
player can touch the different section or sections of the pay table
20 to select the winning hand or hands on which he or she chooses
to wager, as well as selecting how much to wager on each selected
hand. Software in the terminal 10 is used to recognize that such
wagers have been made and the amount of any payout due to the
player depending on the amount wagered. As the player makes these
wagers, for example, the video display 12 or the pay table 20 will
display the potential payouts associated with each wager should the
player obtain or achieve that certain selected winning hand. Play
will then continue as described above in prior art games with the
player receiving a hand of cards, deciding which cards to hold, and
receiving replacements for the non-held cards. After play is
completed, software in the terminal 10 will determine if a winning
hand has been achieved (i.e. a pair of Jacks or better) and also if
a wager was registered on the player obtaining the certain selected
winning hand or hands that occurred. If such a wager was
registered, a payment is made according to the payout odds in Table
1, or according to other pre-set payout odds acceptable to the
casino and any applicable gaming authority.
[0022] Still referring to FIG. 2, a method of play of another
embodiment of the game of the present invention is illustrated.
There is a concern that some casino operators might not want to
provide the wagering option of the present invention unless the
player has also wagered in the traditional manner of prior art
games as described above. To address this, optionally, a player can
be required to register such a traditional wager prior to receiving
the wagering option of the present invention (to pre-select a
winning hand or hands). That this step is optional is illustrated
by dashed-lines for this portion of the flow chart of FIG. 2.
[0023] Referring to FIG. 3, another method of an embodiment of the
game of the present invention is illustrated. This method is
similar to that described above. A player will wager in the
traditional manner of prior art games as described above. Once, the
player makes the traditional wager, the player will receive the
wagering option to pre-select a winning hand or hands. There will
be certain restrictions on what a player may wager on selected
winning hands. For example, a player will generally not be allowed
to place credits on a selected winning hand without first placing a
certain minimum traditional wager. Larger traditional wagers will
allow more credits to be placed on a selected winning hand.
[0024] Other restrictions may include, only allowing a player to
place a single credit wager on a first select winning hand. The
player may place another credit on the first selected winning hand
only after placing another credit on a second select winning hand.
For example, if a player makes a one credit wager on obtaining a
royal flush, the player must wager another credit on a second
winning hand (for example, a straight) prior to placing another
credit wager on the royal flush. Another restriction may include,
having the maximum allowable wager on a selected winning hand being
a function of the total amount wagered on all other selected
winning hands.
[0025] Once the traditional wager is made, the video display 12
will display a pay table which relates the payouts (as a ratio of
the amount paid per unit bet) associated with wagers placed on
certain selected winning hands. The player will then wager on the
certain selected winning hand or hands of his or her choice. This
can be done in any desired form, including for example having a
touch-sensitive region on, for example, the video display 12, or on
the pay table 20 so that the player can touch the different section
or sections of the pay table 20 to select the winning hand or hands
on which he or she chooses to wager, as well as selecting how much
to wager on each selected hand.
[0026] Software in the terminal 10 is used to recognize that wagers
on select winning hands are made. Once this is done, the payout
odds will be adjusted. The adjustment on the payout odds may be
done in several different manners. First, the payout odds on the
select winning hands may be adjusted. The adjustment on the certain
select winning hands are adjusted by the software. The adjustment
on the payout for select winning hands is based on the amount
wagered in the traditional manner. Thus, larger wagers in a
traditional manner will increase the payout odds on the select
winning hands. For example, a player makes a traditional wager of 5
credits. The player then makes a wager of 1 credit on a select
winning hand. The software will then produce a payout schedule for
the traditional winning hands as well as the select winning hand.
If the player had made a traditional wager of 8 credits, then the
software would have produce a payout schedule for the traditional
winning hands as well as the select winning hand wherein the payout
schedule for the select winning hand would be higher. Thus, larger
wagers in a traditional manner will increase the payout odds on the
select winning hands.
[0027] Alternatively, the adjustment to the payout odds may be done
to the non-selected winning hands. For example, a player makes a
normal traditional wager of 5 credits. The player then makes
another wager of 1 credit on a select winning hand (for example a
royal flush). Since the player made a wager on a select winning
hand, the posted payout odds on the non-selected winning hands will
be adjusted. The reason for this is that a player's strategy has a
large effect on the probability of winning the selected winning
hand. In the above example, if a player bets on obtaining a royal
flush, the player will most likely play the optimum strategy for
achieving a royal flush. As a result, the probability of the player
obtaining other winning hands that were not selected will decrease.
Thus, the posted payout odds for the other winning hands that were
not selected will increase to encourage the player to wager on
additional hands, as well as provide the highest possible
payouts.
[0028] While the invention has been particularly shown and
described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will
be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and
other changes in form and details may be made therein without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *