U.S. patent application number 10/818982 was filed with the patent office on 2005-10-06 for modified playing cards and method of use.
Invention is credited to Malone, Peter T., Roed, Jerome K..
Application Number | 20050218599 10/818982 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35053418 |
Filed Date | 2005-10-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050218599 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Malone, Peter T. ; et
al. |
October 6, 2005 |
Modified playing cards and method of use
Abstract
A deck of modified playing cards enhances traditional wagering
card games. In a first example, traditional card ranks are replaced
with letters. For example, each Ten, Jack, Queen, King and Ace of
one or more suits in a deck of playing cards is replaced with the
letters "V", "E", "G", "A", and "S", respectively. In another
example, all Jacks are replaced with the numeral "11" to facilitate
a 7/11 bonus game. In another example, all Kings are replaced with
the number "13" and all Sevens are replaced with the letter "L" and
word "Lucky." In yet another example, pre-established cards are
replaced with logos such that the logo card in a final card hand
acts as bonus card or may act as a wild card. In such an
arrangement, casino logos can be used to promote the casino and its
amenities. In one version, awards include comps to businesses
represented by the logo.
Inventors: |
Malone, Peter T.; (Las
Vegas, NV) ; Roed, Jerome K.; (Las Vegas,
NV) |
Correspondence
Address: |
QUIRK & TRATOS
3773 HOWARD HUGHES PARKWAY
SUITE 500 NORTH
LAS VEGAS
NV
89109
US
|
Family ID: |
35053418 |
Appl. No.: |
10/818982 |
Filed: |
April 5, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
273/292 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F 2001/008 20130101;
A63F 1/00 20130101; A63F 1/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
273/292 |
International
Class: |
A63F 001/00 |
Claims
1. A deck of playing cards comprising: a plurality of cards grouped
into four suits, said suits comprising diamonds, hearts, clubs and
spades, wherein each of the plurality of cards depicts a suit in
two diagonally opposite corners of a card face; the plurality of
cards comprising a front face and a back; said plurality of cards
including one or more first cards depicting on the front face
traditional card ranks, each first card further depicting a number
of pips matching the card rank or a picture denoting a face card;
said plurality of cards further including one or more second cards
depicting on the front face a letter or logo near a card center in
place of the card rank, pips and picture, said second cards
depicting only the letter or logo in combination with a suit; and
wherein the first cards in combination with the second cards form
the complete deck of playing cards.
2. The deck of playing cards of claim 1 wherein the first cards
include traditional card ranks two through nine and the second
cards include letters V, E, G, A and S in place of the traditional
ace, king, queen, jack and ten, respectively.
3-4. (canceled)
5. The deck of playing cards of claim 1 wherein the first cards
include traditional ranks ace through nine and jack through king
and the second cards include a logo in place of the traditional
ten.
6. The deck of playing cards of claim 1 wherein the first cards
include traditional ranks ace and three through king and the second
cards include a logo in place of the traditional two.
7. The deck of playing cards of claim 1 wherein the logo is
selected from the group consisting of a casino, restaurant, spa,
show, club and shop.
8. The deck of playing cards of claim 1 wherein the cards are
simulated on an electronic gaming device.
9. The deck of playing cards of claim 8 wherein the electronic
gaming device facilitates the play of video poker or blackjack.
10. A method of playing card games comprising: accepting a player
wager; providing a plurality of cards grouped into four suits, said
suits including diamonds, hearts, clubs and spades, said plurality
of cards comprising a first set of cards having traditional card
ranks, each first card in the first set further comprising a number
of pips matching the card rank or a graphic denoting a face card
and a second set of cards incorporating a numeral, letter, logo or
symbol in place of the card rank, pips and picture, said second
cards identified by suit; selecting a pre-established number of
random cards from the plurality of cards formed by a combination of
the first set and the second set of cards; and awarding a player a
payout based on the player wager, said award being related to the
selected random cards.
11. The method of claim 10 wherein the first set of cards includes
traditional card ranks two through nine and the second set of cards
includes letters V, E, G, A and S in place of the traditional ace,
king, queen, jack and ten, respectively.
12. The method of claim 11 wherein the player receives an award in
response to holding one or more of the cards from the second set
cards in a final player hand.
13. The method of claim 1 1 wherein a player receives an award for
holding each of the five letters of the same suit in a final
hand.
14. The method of claim 10 wherein the first set of cards includes
traditional card ranks ace through six, eight through ten, queen
and king and the second set of cards includes numerals 7 and 11 in
place of the traditional seven and jack.
15. The method of claim 14 wherein the player receives an award for
holding a one or more of the cards from the second set of cards in
a final hand.
16. The method of claim 14 wherein the player receives an award for
holding a full house comprising only cards from the second set of
cards.
17. The method of claim 14 wherein the player receives an award for
holding a 7, 11, queen, king and ace of the same suit in a final
hand.
18. The method of claim 10 wherein the first set of cards includes
traditional card ranks ace through six and eight through queen and
the second set of cards includes the word lucky in place of the
traditional seven and a numeral 13 in place of the traditional
king.
19. The method of claim 18 wherein the player receives an award for
holding one or more of the cards from the second et of cards in a
final hand.
20. The method of claim 18 wherein the player receives an award for
holding four 13s and the word lucky in a final hand.
21. The method of claim 10 wherein the first set of cards includes
traditional ranks ace through nine and jack through king and the
second set of cards includes a logo in place of the traditional
ten.
22. The method of claim 21 wherein the player receives an award for
holding one or more of the cards from the second set of cards in a
final hand.
23. The method of claim 21 wherein the logo is selected from the
group consisting of a casino, restaurant, spa, show, club and
shop.
24. The method of claim 23 wherein the payout is a comp related to
the casino, restaurant, spa, show, club or shop.
25. The method of claim 21 wherein the card from the second set of
cards are deemed wild cards.
26. The method of claim 10 facilitated by an electronic gaming
device.
27. A method of playing card games comprising: accepting a player
wager; providing a plurality of cards grouped into four suits, said
suits including diamonds, hearts, clubs and spades, said plurality
of cards comprising a first set of cards having traditional card
ranks, each card in the first set further comprising a number of
pips matching the card rank or a graphic denoting a face card and a
second set of cards incorporating a logo; selecting a
pre-established number of random cards from the plurality of cards
formed by a combination of the first set and the second set of
cards; and providing the player an award based on an amount of the
player wager and the arrangement of the selected random cards, said
award being complimentaries to one or more businesses represented
by the logo.
28. The method of claim 27 wherein the complimentaries include
discounts on business merchandise.
29. The method of claim 27 wherein the logo is selected from the
group consisting of a casino, restaurant, spa, show, club and shop.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to playing cards. More
particularly, modified playing cards for use in live games and
games facilitated by electronic gaming devices.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Traditional playing cards have been in existence for
centuries. A traditional deck of playing cards includes four suits,
namely clubs, diamonds, spades and hearts. Each suit comprises an
Ace, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, Eight, Nine, Ten, Jack,
Queen and King for a total deck of 52 cards.
[0003] Traditional cards have facilitated many games of chance
including Poker, Blackjack, Cribbage, Pinochle, etc. In each
instance, the rank and suit of the card is depicted on its face.
While it is understood that new games of chance utilizing
traditional cards may be developed, the ability to create
corresponding new and unique game enhancements is quite limited.
That is, traditional cards no longer provide a great deal of
versatility.
[0004] The ability to provide versatility is more important given
the proliferation of electronic gaming devices, namely video poker
machines. Indeed, video poker machines are now more popular than
live games of chance. Correspondingly, there is a need for modified
playing cards which benefit both live games of chance and wagering
games facilitated by electronic gaming devices.
SUMMARY
[0005] Accordingly, a first embodiment of the present invention
comprises a modified deck of cards wherein card ranks are replaced
with letters. For example, each Ten, Jack, Queen, King and Ace in a
deck of playing cards is replaced with the letters "V", "E", "G",
"A", and "S", respectively. Each of the letter cards also include
suits.
[0006] In another embodiment, all Jacks are replaced with the
numeral "11" to facilitate a 7/11 bonus. Similarly, an enhanced
royal flush comprises a 7, 11, Queen, King and Ace. The traditional
royal flush (i.e., 10, Jack, Queen, King and Ace) may be paid at a
reduced rate.
[0007] In another embodiment, all Kings are replaced with the
number "13" and all Sevens are replaced with the letter "L" and
word "Lucky." Other embodiments comprise replacing all cards with
letters and/or numbers to facilitate unique objectives.
[0008] In yet another embodiment, pre-established cards are
replaced with logos such that the logo card in a final card hand
acts as bonus card or may act as a wild card. In one such
embodiment, casino logos are used to promote the casino offering
the games of chance. As described in more detail below, the logos
may be used to award player comps as well.
[0009] The use of the modified cards disclosed herein provides a
means for enhancing traditional card games and personalizing games
for individual casinos and related gaming venues.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 shows a modified portion of a deck of cards wherein
letters replace royal flush cards;
[0011] FIG. 2 shows a modified portion of a deck of cards wherein
Jacks are replaced by the numeral "11";
[0012] FIG. 3 shows a modified portion of a deck of cards wherein
Sevens are replaced with the letter "L" and Kings are replaced with
the numeral "13";
[0013] FIG. 4 shows a modified portion of a deck of cards wherein
Tens are replaced with logos; and
[0014] FIG. 5 shows a gaming device which may facilitate electronic
games of chance.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] While both live games (e.g., Blackjack) and wagering games
facilitated by electronic gaming devices (e.g., video poker) may
utilize the modified cards of the present invention, for the sake
of brevity, gaming devices, more particularly gaming devices
facilitating video poker, are relied upon throughout the detailed
description. Traditional video poker comprises a player receiving
five cards on a display of a video poker machine. The player then
elects, via a player interface, which cards to hold and fold.
Folded cards are replaced with remaining cards in the deck. Players
are then paid based on the strength of the player's final poker
hand.
[0016] Video poker machines are controlled by processors in
communication with a random number generator, memory device,
display and player interfaces. The operation of video poker
machines is well known to those skilled in the art and need not be
overly described herein.
[0017] Reference is now made to the figures wherein like parts are
referred to by like numerals throughout. FIG. 1 illustrates a
modified portion of a deck of cards 100, wherein the royal flush
cards are replaced with the letters "V", "E", "G", "A" and "S"
110-1 through 110-5. While spades 120 are shown, any of the cards
of the four suits in the deck may be similarly modified. Indeed,
each of the selected cards of the four suits may be modified in a
single deck simultaneously.
[0018] The royal flush is the highest achievable hand in standard
video poker. There are four possible royal flushes in a standard
deck of playing cards. That is, each suit comprises one royal
flush. In the VEGAS arrangement of FIG. 1, players attempt to
obtain the five letters in sequential order or random order to win
pre-established payouts. Should only one suit be modified,
obtaining the five letters in any order can be subject to a large
award as cards in only one suit (i.e., five cards) have the
letters. Moreover, obtaining the letters in a sequential (i.e.,
VEGAS) or reverse sequential order (i.e., SAGEV) can have a very
large award since there is only one way to achieve the hands.
[0019] Now referring to FIG. 2, the four Jacks in the deck are
replaced with numerals "11" 130. In addition, Sevens are modified
by replacing the large suit icons or pips 140 with a single large
numeral "7" 145. Such a modified deck facilitates the play of new
interesting games. For example, 7-11 royal flush poker creates a
new royal flush poker hand comprising the 7, 11, Queen, King and
Ace. The traditional royal flush (i.e., 10, Jack, Queen, King and
Ace) may still pay the player, but in a lower amount. In another
example, 7-11 full house poker pays players a bonus for obtaining a
full house comprising 7-11 only (e.g., 7-7-11-11-11 or
11-11-11-7-7). Based on the dice game of craps, 7-11 are popular
numbers in gaming circles and serve to enhance the traditional game
of video poker.
[0020] In another embodiment, shown in FIG. 3, Sevens are replaced
with the letter "L" 150 and word "LUCKY" 155 and Kings are replaced
with the numeral "13" 160. This arrangement facilitates a bonus
award for final hands comprising four 13s and a designated LUCKY
card (i.e., LUCKY 13). Other bonus hands are also conceivable using
the combination of the LUCKY cards and 13s.
[0021] Yet another embodiment, utilizing logo cards, is shown in
FIG. 4. The logo cards may be used as replacement cards for any
cards in the deck. In one example, the Tens from a Blackjack deck
of cards are replaced with logos 170. In one bonus scheme, players
receive a bonus payout when receiving a two card Blackjack wherein
one card is the logo card (i.e., the Ten). So, an Ace and logo card
results in a bonus award above and beyond the traditional Blackjack
payout. In a video poker example, logos 170 replace Twos and act as
wild cards.
[0022] The benefits of the logo cards include enhancing old games
of chance and provide a mechanism for advertising. In one approach,
the casino offering the game of chance places its logo on the cards
simulated on each and every video poker machine on the casino
floor. The casino may also place on the cards logos which represent
restaurants, shops and related businesses within the casino. Then,
bonus awards can include free dinners and/or merchandise (i.e.,
comps) from the business represented by the logo. A myriad of
different promotional concepts are possible with the logo cards.
For example, having one or more logo cards may provide the player
with a steak dinner or free movie tickets.
[0023] Now referring to FIG. 5, an electronic gaming device 200 of
the type which may facilitate the embodiments of the present
invention is shown. The general external features of the gaming
device 200, include a display 210, coin slot 220, a bill reader
230, a card reader 240 and a credit display 250. The gaming device
200 also includes several player buttons which act as interfaces
between the player and the machine processor. Player buttons
include hold/discard buttons 260, a one coin wager button 270, a
maximum coin wager button 280 and a deal button 290. While not
shown, the device 200 may also incorporate a ticket dispenser for
printing tickets for redemption at a cashier window. Such cashless
systems are becoming increasingly popular in most gaming
jurisdictions. It is noted that any of the functions facilitated by
the gaming machine buttons 260-300 can be accomplished by a display
employing touchscreen technology.
[0024] The operation of electronic gaming devices, including slot
machines and video poker machines, is well known in the industry so
that the minute details are not set forth herein. In general terms,
slot machines and video poker machines are controlled by processors
including, or in communication with, a random number generator. The
random number generator generates the machines' outcomes. A display
in communication with the processor provides visual information to
players.
[0025] Although the invention has been described in detail with
reference to several embodiments, additional variations and
modifications exist within the scope and spirit of the invention as
described and defined in the following claims.
* * * * *