U.S. patent application number 11/419721 was filed with the patent office on 2006-09-07 for casino style wagering game.
Invention is credited to Charles Muench, Daniel E. Reiner.
Application Number | 20060199630 11/419721 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35186263 |
Filed Date | 2006-09-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060199630 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Reiner; Daniel E. ; et
al. |
September 7, 2006 |
CASINO STYLE WAGERING GAME
Abstract
A wagering game combining the attributes of keno and video poker
is disclosed. First, players place wagers and select one or more
cards from a plurality of face-up cards. One or more cards from the
plurality of cards are then randomly identified. Players receive
awards based on the number of randomly identified cards which match
player selected cards and/or the strength of a poker hand formed by
the randomly identified cards. Players may also be provided an
option to replace one or more of the randomly identified cards with
new randomly identified cards. An optional bonus award is directed
to the position of the randomly identified cards. For example if
two or more of the randomly identified cards are arranged adjacent
to one another or in a pre-determined card display pattern, a bonus
ward is paid. The game may also be played in a live table game
version or stand alone version similar to conventional keno.
Inventors: |
Reiner; Daniel E.; (Pahrump,
NV) ; Muench; Charles; (Henderson, NV) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GREENBERG TRAURIG
3773 HOWARD HUGHES PARKWAY
SUITE 500 NORTH
LAS VEGAS
NV
89109
US
|
Family ID: |
35186263 |
Appl. No.: |
11/419721 |
Filed: |
May 22, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10835339 |
Apr 29, 2004 |
|
|
|
11419721 |
May 22, 2006 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/13 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/32 20130101;
G07F 17/3293 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/013 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Claims
1. An electronic gaming device comprising: means for accepting
player wagers; a processor in communication with a random number
generator, display and interface means, said processor, random
number generator, display and interface means for: a. displaying a
plurality of cards face-up: b. permitting a player to select one or
more of the plurality of cards; c. randomly identifying one or more
of the plurality of cards; and d. resolving the player wagers based
on a number of randomly identified cards matching the player
selected cards and a strength of a poker hand formed by the
randomly identified cards.
2. The gaming device of claim 1 wherein the interface means is
touch screen display.
3. The gaming device of claim 1 wherein the means for accepting
wagers comprises a bill validator.
4. The gaming device of claim 1 wherein wagers include side wagers
on which poker hand will be formed by the randomly selected
cards.
5. The gaming device of claim 1 wherein the means for accepting
wagers comprises a ticket validator.
6. A method of conducting a wagering game comprising: allowing
multiple players to place wagers on a common gaming table layout
wherein said wagers are dependent upon outcomes of a dealer dealing
a plurality of cards from one or more decks of cards, said wagers
dependent upon outcomes, including single cards, suits, colors and
poker hands, formed by the dealt cards; and comparing the dealt
cards to the players' wagers and resolving the players' wagers
based on the single cards, suits, colors and poker hands within the
dealt cards.
7. The method of claim 6 wherein the dealer deals five cards.
8. The method of claim 6 wherein jokers are included in the
plurality of cards.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a divisional of application Ser. No.
10/835,339 filed Apr. 29, 2004.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The embodiments of the present invention relate to a casino
wagering game. More particularly, the embodiments relate to a
wagering game combining aspects of keno and poker.
BACKGROUND
[0003] As the popularity of legalized gaming continues to increase,
the desire for new games of chance increases as well. Therefore,
significant numbers of new wagering games are being developed and
promoted. However, a large number of the new wagering games are
destined to fail. Reasons for failure include complexity,
unfamiliar rules and a large house edge associated with the games.
Thus, new games of chance which incorporate common themes and
provide an acceptable house edge stand a better chance of
success.
[0004] Accordingly, the embodiments of the present invention
combine the games of poker and keno. In fact, poker is the most
popular wagering card game in the world. Poker comprises the use of
playing cards to form the highest poker hand pursuant to
pre-established poker hand rankings. On the other hand, keno is a
very popular casino numbers game wherein players select one to
fifteen numbers from a pool of eighty numbers. Thereafter, twenty
of the numbers from the pool of eighty numbers are randomly
selected. Players are paid based on the number of matches between
their selected numbers and the randomly selected twenty
numbers.
[0005] Although poker and keno are popular in their own right, each
game has been around for a long time and could use an infusion of
excitement. Therefore, the embodiments of the present invention
combine aspects of both games into a single exciting wagering
game.
SUMMARY
[0006] Accordingly, a first embodiment of the present invention
comprises an electronic gaming device (e.g., video poker machine or
keno machine) displaying fifty-two playing cards from a standard
deck of playing cards. Optionally, the deck may incorporate jokers
which may act as wild cards. The playing cards are displayed face
up. An infinite number of card arrangements are possible but the
final arrangement is not critical to practicing the embodiments of
the present invention. Once the cards are displayed, a player is
able to select one or more of the cards. Then, one or more cards
are randomly selected or identified by the gaming device. The
player is first paid for the number of matches between the player
selected cards and the randomly selected cards. Second, the player
is provided a payout for pre-established poker hands formed by the
randomly selected cards. Thus, the first embodiment provides
multiple ways to win. In alternative embodiments, the player may be
paid either for the number of matches or the formation of
pre-established poker hands rather than both.
[0007] In another embodiment, players place a side wager based on
predicting the upcoming specific poker hand, if any, which will be
formed by the randomly selected cards. In yet another embodiment,
the player is able to replace one or more randomly selected cards
with new randomly selected cards.
[0008] While the embodiments of the present invention are ideal for
electronic gaming devices, the embodiments may also be practiced in
a live setting akin to live keno or may be practiced using a more
restricted live gaming table.
[0009] These together with other objects and advantages which will
become subsequently apparent from the details of the construction
and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 shows a gaming device of the type for facilitating an
electronic embodiment of the game;
[0011] FIG. 2 shows a gaming device display screen displaying
fifty-two playing cards;
[0012] FIG. 3 shows a gaming device display screen highlighting
five player selected cards;
[0013] FIG. 4 shows a gaming device display screen once five random
cards have been selected;
[0014] FIG. 5 shows a gaming device display screen depicting a
bonus award outcome;
[0015] FIG. 6 shows a flow chart detailing play of one embodiment
of the present invention; and
[0016] FIG. 7 shows a table layout for a multi-player live game
embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] The operation of electronic gaming machines, including video
poker and keno machines, is well known in the industry so that the
minute details are not set forth herein. In general terms, video
poker and keno machines are controlled by processors including, or
in communication with, a random number generator. The random number
generator generates the machine's outcomes. A display in
communication with the processor provides visual information to
players.
[0018] Reference is now made to the figures wherein like parts are
referred to by like numerals throughout. FIG. 1 illustrates a
perspective view of a video poker or keno type gaming machine for
facilitating the embodiments of the present invention and is
generally denoted by reference numeral 100. The general external
features of the video poker machine 100 include a display 110, coin
slot 120, a bill reader 130, a card reader 140 and a credit display
150. The gaming machine 100 also includes several player buttons
which act as interfaces between the player and the machine
processor. Player buttons include directional buttons 160-1 through
160-4, a card selection button 170, a one coin wager button 180, a
maximum coin wager button 190 and a start button 200. The
directional buttons 160-1 through 160-4 comprise an up, down, right
and left directional button for highlighting player cards which are
then selected by depressing the card selection button 170. While
not shown, the machine 100 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 160-200 can be accomplished using a
display employing touchscreen technology.
[0019] In a first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, a display screen
300 displays fifty-two cards 220 from a standard deck of playing
cards. As shown, the fifty-two cards 220 are arranged in four rows
230-1 through 230-4 wherein each row 230-1 through 230-4 represents
one of the four card suits (i.e., spades, hearts, clubs and
diamonds). Countless other card arrangements, such as four columns
wherein each column represents a suit or random arrangements are
possible. Optionally, jokers may be added to the deck to create
additional game variations, including wild card games.
[0020] After causing a wager to be placed, a player is able to
select one or more of the displayed cards. As shown in FIG. 3, the
player has selected five cards comprising the A 220-1,
A.diamond-solid. 220-2, 4 220-3, 8 220-4 and 2 220-5. The selection
is made using the directional buttons 160-1 through 160-4 or by
touching the cards 220-1 through 220-5 on the display screen 300
wherein the screen 300 incorporates touchscreen technology. Once
selected, the cards 220-1 through 220-5 or their borders are
highlighted by changing color, illumination and/or brightness.
Also, selected cards may blink or otherwise be highlighted to
denote their selection. Once the cards 220-1 through 220-5 are
selected, the player depresses the start button 200 or its
touchscreen equivalent to cause the gaming machine 100 to select a
pre-determined number of random cards from the displayed cards. In
this example, and as shown in FIG. 4, five cards comprising the A
240-1, A.diamond-solid. 240-2, J 240-3, 2 240-4 and 6 240-5 have
been randomly selected by the machine. As shown, the three randomly
selected cards comprising the A 240-1, A.diamond-solid. 240-2 and 2
240-4 match three of the player selected cards, namely the A 220-1,
A.diamond-solid. 220-2 and 2 220-5. Also, the five randomly
selected cards 240-1 through 240-5 comprise a pair of Aces.
[0021] In the first embodiment of the present invention, the player
receives awards based on both the number of player selected cards
220-1 through 220-5 which match the randomly selected cards 240-1
through 240-5 and the strength of the poker hand formed by the
randomly selected cards 240-1 through 240-5. In this example the
player has matched three of the five selected player cards and has
received a pair of Aces formed by the randomly selected cards. Like
keno, the more player selected cards which match the randomly
selected cards, the greater the payout. Also, like video poker, a
pre-established pay table based on winning five card poker hands
provides a list of payouts corresponding to final poker hands. The
pay table may be modified to account for the random selection of
more or less than five cards. For example, randomly selecting less
than five cards requires the creation of two, three and four-card
poker hands and corresponding alternative payouts. Similarly,
randomly selecting more than five cards results in increased
chances of achieving winning five-card poker hands (or seven-card
poker hands). The random selection of a single card may be paid
according to the rank of the single card. Consequently, an Ace is
the most valuable card selection followed by a King and so on.
[0022] In an alternative embodiment, after the first random
selection of cards, the player is provided with the opportunity to
discard one or more of the randomly selected cards in favor of
randomly selected replacement cards. Depending on the game, player
decisions regarding holding and discarding are based on matching
more cards and/or increasing the strength of the resultant poker
hand. With the draw feature, corresponding payouts are likely
reduced based on the increased chances of achieving pre-established
winning results.
[0023] In alternative embodiments, players receive payouts solely
for matching player selected cards with randomly selected cards or
the strength of one or more poker hands formed by the randomly
selected cards. These embodiments may also incorporate the draw
feature.
[0024] In another embodiment, players place side wagers related to
specific poker hands being formed by the randomly selected cards.
In this manner, players may wager that a specific hand (e.g., four
Aces) or general hand (e.g., four of a kind) is going to be formed
with the randomly selected cards. The payouts for wagers on the
specific hands are larger than for corresponding general hands. The
side wagers may also be based on the resultant poker hand
subsequent to a draw.
[0025] A bonus feature applicable to any embodiment of the present
invention comprises a payout for positions of, or patterns formed
by, the randomly selected cards. Referring to FIG. 5 for example,
the random selection of the cards comprising the 4 230-6, 4 230-7,
J 230-8, 4 230-9 and 5 230-10 results in one or more bonus
outcomes. That is, cards 230-6 and 230-7 and cards 230-9 and 230-10
are arranged adjacent to one another, respectively. Accordingly, a
player is entitled to a pre-established bonus award. Bonus awards
may also be based on card patterns such as four corners, columns,
etc. An alternative bonus scheme involves a secondary or bonus game
triggered by one or more primary game outcomes. For example, a
bonus game may be triggered in response to a player selecting a
joker and the joker also being randomly selected by the machine.
The bonus game may comprise any mechanism, including spinning
wheels, video outputs or mechanical devices, for providing the
player with a bonus award or a chance at a bonus award.
[0026] Now referring to FIG. 6, a flow chart 400 details play of
one embodiment of the present invention facilitated by an
electronic gaming machine. At step 410, a player causes a game
wager and any side wagers to be placed. The wagers may be taken
from a machine credit or may be inserted by the player. Then, at
step 420, the player selects one or more player cards. Once the
player cards have been selected, at step 430, the player causes the
machine to randomly generate and identify one or more cards. In a
non-draw embodiment, the player is paid based on the number of
matches between the player selected cards and the randomly selected
cards and/or the strength of the poker hand of the five randomly
selected cards. However, with the draw option, at step 440, the
player holds or discards each of five randomly selected cards. At
step 450, any discards are replaced with new randomly selected
cards. Next, at step 460, the machine determines whether the player
is entitled to an award for the game wager or any side wagers. If
so, the player is paid at step 470. Optionally, at step 470, the
player may receive a bonus award for randomly selected cards being
arranged in a pre-established winning fashion. At step 480 the game
ends.
[0027] The embodiments of the present invention may also be
practiced in a live gaming environment. In one such embodiment,
players select cards via a paper ticket. The ticket is then
provided to casino personnel or fed into a keno kiosk. In return,
the player receives a record of the payer selected cards. At a
certain time, random card ranks are selected. The random selection
may be facilitated by a container of air-agitated balls having a
card ranked depicted thereon. The container is in contact with a
tube which randomly draws in the pre-established number of balls
and corresponding card ranks. A random number generator may also
select the cards. Players receive awards based on a number of
matches between player selected cards and the randomly selected
cards and the strength of a poker hand formed by the one or more
randomly selected cards. Any number of players may participate in
such an embodiment.
[0028] Alternatively, a table game facilitates a more restricted
play of the game. In this embodiment, a gaming table layout (not
shown) incorporates a plurality of player card selection grids and
a plurality of player markers for players to temporarily mark their
player cards on the grid. Once each player has placed a wager and
marked or selected his or her cards on his or her grid, a dealer
deals face-up one or more cards from a deck of playing cards. A
random number generator in communication with a display device may
also act to randomly select cards. The dealer then resolves player
wagers based on the number of matches between player selected cards
and the dealt cards and/or the strength of the poker hand formed by
the one or more randomly selected cards.
[0029] FIG. 7 shows a multi-player embodiment facilitated by a
table layout 500 providing means for a plurality of player to place
wagers. In a manner similar to live roulette, multiple players
place wagers on the single table layout 500. Once all wagers are
placed, a dealer deals five cards and resolves all wagers. The
layout 500 comprises a series of wagers based on single cards,
multiple card combinations and/or card colors. Single card wagers
are depicted as replicas of playing cards 510. Below each aligned
card rank there are wagers 520 dependent on the exact number of
specific card ranks. Players may also wager on entire rows of
exactly one, two, three or four specific card ranks 530 appearing
in the five dealt cards. Next to the rows of cards 510 players may
place wagers on zero, one, two, three or four specific suits 540.
Next to the suit wagers 540, players may place wagers on the entire
row of identified suit wagers 550 appearing in the five dealt
cards. Above the playing cards 510 there are poker hand wagers 560
which include wagers on poker hands comprising any two pair up to,
and including, a royal flush. Wagers 570 allow players to wager on
different color card outcomes. For player convenience, the layout
500 also depicts illustrative payouts corresponding to the numerous
wagers. It is also conceivable to include jokers in the standard
deck. The jokers may act as wild cards and tend to create more game
versatility.
[0030] 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.
* * * * *