U.S. patent application number 11/240877 was filed with the patent office on 2007-04-05 for replacement symbol selection in a method and apparatus for symbol play.
Invention is credited to Kathleen Nylund Jackson.
Application Number | 20070077976 11/240877 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37902568 |
Filed Date | 2007-04-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070077976 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Jackson; Kathleen Nylund |
April 5, 2007 |
Replacement symbol selection in a method and apparatus for symbol
play
Abstract
In a symbol providing game or video poker game, the player makes
a wager to play an underlying symbol providing game such as a
slot-type game or a draw poker game. An additional or side bet may
be required to utilize the discard gameplay option. A predetermined
number of cards are dealt face-up to form an initial hand. The
player may select to hold none, one, some or all of the dealt
cards. The player then may choose none or at least one of the
unheld cards ("discards")--if any discards are available--to
receive a narrowed selection of possible replacement cards. The
narrowing of the number of possible replacement cards will most
likely increase the odds of receiving a replacement card that will
ultimately enhance the initial deal. The narrowed replacement card
selection is based on predetermined criteria relative to the
discard, a player selection, or a processor selected basis.
Inventors: |
Jackson; Kathleen Nylund;
(Scituate, MA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Mark A. Litman & Associates, P.A.
York Business Center
3209 West 76th St., Suite 205
Edina
MN
55435
US
|
Family ID: |
37902568 |
Appl. No.: |
11/240877 |
Filed: |
September 30, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/13 ;
273/292 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/3265
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/013 ;
273/292 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24; A63F 1/00 20060101 A63F001/00 |
Claims
1. A method of playing a wagering game in which symbols are
provided to a player comprising: a player making a wager on a
gaming apparatus; a displayed set of symbols being provided from a
complete set of symbols to a player along at least one line of
play; the player being provided with an opportunity to accept all
symbols in the at least one line or replacing at least one symbol
on the line; when the player replaces the at least one symbol, the
at least one symbol is removed from the line and one symbol is
randomly selected from a set of symbols as a replacement symbol;
wherein the one symbol randomly selected as a replacement symbol is
selected from a replacement set of symbols that consists of a
number of symbols less than the complete set of symbols.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the replacement set of symbols
consists of a number of symbols that is less than the complete set
of symbols less the displayed set of symbols.
3. The method of claim 2 wherein the complete set of symbols
comprises a defined number of various symbols and a specific number
of each of the various symbols.
4. The method of claim 2 wherein the player may select criteria by
which the replacement set is reduced in number to less than the
complete set of symbols.
5. The method of claim 2 wherein the player may select criteria by
which the replacement set is reduced in number to less than the
complete set of symbols less the displayed set of symbols.
6. The method of claim 4 wherein the complete set of symbols
comprises a defined number of various symbols and a specific number
of each of the various symbols.
7. The method of claim 5 wherein the complete set of symbols
comprises a defined number of various symbols and a specific number
of each of the various symbols.
8. The method of claim 1 practiced on a slot machine having at
least three rows of symbols provided.
9. The method of claim 8 wherein the replacement set of symbols
consists of a number of symbols that is less than the complete set
of symbols less the displayed set of symbols.
10. The method of claim 2 wherein the complete set of symbols
comprises a defined number of various symbols and a specific number
of each of the various symbols.
11. A method of playing a video poker game in which playing card
symbols are provided from a complete set of playing cards
comprising a complete number of cards in at least one line of play
comprising: a player placing a wager on the video poker game;
displaying a first displayed set of playing card symbols comprising
a displayed number of playing cards to the player along at least
one line of play; the player selecting at least one symbol from the
displayed set of playing card symbols to be discarded; a criteria
for providing replacement playing card symbols being in effect
which defines limiting criteria for selection of playing cards so
that playing cards available for use as replacement cards are
selected from a replacement set comprising a number of cards that
is less than the complete number of cards less the displayed number
of cards.
12. The method of claim 11 wherein the player may select the
criteria for replacing cards.
13. The method of claim 11 wherein a processor selects the criteria
for replacing cards.
14. The method of claim 11 wherein the criteria comprises at least
one criterium selected from the group consisting of the at least
one replacement card being: a) a different color than the discarded
card; b) a different suit than the discarded card; c) a different
rank than the discarded card; d) a rank within a defined range of
ranks; e) a rank above a predetermined rank; f) a rank below a
predetermined rank; and g) a rank other than one or more specific
ranks.
15. The method of claim 1 wherein payouts for at least one winning
set of symbols is lower for that set of symbols when the
replacement symbol is available or when a replacement symbol is
selected on the game than when the replacement symbol is not
available or is not used in the game.
16. The method of claim 11 wherein payouts for at least one winning
set of playing cards is lower for that set of playing cards when
the replacement playing card is available or when a replacement
playing card is selected on the game than when the replacement
playing card is not available or is not used in the game.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a video game format or
poker game format suitable for use in casinos, on the internet and
in other gaming establishments as an electronic slot game or
electronic poker game such as video poker. The invention relates to
a video or mechanical reel format in which after an initial display
of symbols to a player, fewer than all symbols (or all symbols) may
be discarded and replacement symbols are provided with predefined
parameters on the replacement symbols being provided or selected by
the player. The invention further relates to video gaming play
featuring an underlying draw game such as a symbol display game and
especially a poker game which is enhanced by the allowance of
unique game play options relative to the attributes of the
discard.
[0003] 2. Background of the Art
[0004] Games played on apparatus and with physical symbol
components (such as tiles or cards) have been played for many
years. The underlying play is generally to place a wager before
receiving symbols in the hope that the specific symbols or
combinations of symbols provide a pattern (usually of a relatively
low probability) that an award is received on the wager. In a
standard slot-type machine, for example, a wager is placed along at
least one pay line (a path along which displayed symbols are read,
sometimes in order and sometimes collectively). Symbols are
provided along that pay line (symbols including blank areas or
spaces in a typical slot machine). There is a predetermined pay
table provided such that the presence of specific symbols in the
pay line is given awards. For example, three lemons will pay
nothing (0), a cherry in the first frame of a three-frame pay line
pays 1 or 2 times the wager amount, a cherry in the second frame of
a three-frame pay line pays 2 or 4 times the wager amount, a cherry
in the third frame of a three-frame pay line pays 3 or 6 times the
wager amount, three sevens or three special symbols pays a larger
amount, etc. The amount of the payout and the probability of a
payout occurring are designed by various processes known in the art
to control the total statistical return to a player to less than
100% of the total amount wagered. The use of playing card symbols
and particularly poker hand ranks in a symbol game is especially
popular. Games based upon variations of poker have attained
enormous popularity as casino-type entertainment games,
particularly in the last twenty years. The success of poker games
in the gaming industry is partially based on the game's simplicity
(i.e., there is widespread public knowledge of the game rules) and
the fact that players feel more directly involved in exercising
judgment in the play of the game. Unlike typical slot machine games
that are based solely on chance, video poker games allow the player
to make simple, yet potentially important decisions which can
affect the outcomes.
[0005] Many approaches to poker have been developed for casino
table games and for video games. Draw poker games are especially
popular, and represented on the casino floor in numerous
variations. Basic draw poker provides the player with a deal of
five cards, from which the player may choose to keep or hold none,
any or up to all cards. Replacement cards are provided for the
non-held cards, and the resultant hand is evaluated against a
paytable. Awards are given for particular hands, from a return of
the wager for a Pair of Jacks, for instance, to 800.times. the
wager for a Royal Flush.
[0006] Many players have become bored with the basic draw poker
game and have taken to versions that provide more challenging and
entertaining play. Among the most popular methods that have been
designed to enhance the gameplay are multiple play versions,
whereby the player may play many hands at once; the addition of
wild cards or extra Aces; random multipliers; etc.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 6,855,054 (White) describes methods of playing
games of chance and gaming devices and systems comprising a display
of a plurality of symbols where at least one symbol may be
interchanged with another symbol of the plurality of symbols. After
a combination of symbols is randomly generated and the results are
displayed to a player, the player may have the opportunity to
interchange at least one displayed symbol with another symbol in
order to configure a more advantageous symbol arrangement.
Interchanging may include transposing, sliding, or moving one or
more symbols that are generated by way of a random process.
Furthermore, interchanging may include a slide game or wraparound
type movement of symbols or trading a symbol for another symbol
provided by an exterior source. Additionally, the interchanging
opportunity may be limited by way of constraints applied to
movement of the symbols, time for interchanging, or other criteria,
and may be conditioned on placing an additional or side bet.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 6,669,198 (Wichinsky) describes a new method
of playing multiple-draw poker that provides players with the
opportunity to progressively build poker hands by duplicating held
cards from a latest completed hand into a new hand and also
receiving a bonus hand in the form of a five-card poker hand, with
no re-draws, that is by itself capable of receiving a predetermined
bonus amount based on the poker hand value of the bonus hand.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 6,641,477 and 5,704,835 (Dietz) describe an
electronic slot machine and method of use which allows a player to
completely replace up to all of the initial symbols displayed after
the first draw in order to create, improve or even lose a winning
combination. In its preferred form, the electronic slot machine of
the present invention features a video monitor with a plurality of
separate symbol display boxes arrayed in rows and columns. When the
machine is activated, one or more random numbers are generated in
the slot machine's microprocessor to determine which symbols are to
be displayed in each of the symbol display boxes. If a suitable
winning combination is not formed with the initial symbols, the
player is given opportunities to select up to all of the symbol
display boxes for replacement.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 6,604,998 (Singer) describes a video poker
game system and method that includes dealing a card to a player for
placement into one position of a hand having a predetermined number
of positions. The player then arranges the dealt card in one
position of the hand with an object of obtaining a hand having
cards placed in a predetermined order. These steps are repeated
until all of the predetermined number of positions in the player's
hand are filled with dealt cards. A first payout is awarded to the
player if the dealt cards of the hand are arranged in the
predetermined order. In addition, a second payout is awarded to the
player if the dealt cards of the hand constitute a payable hand as
determined according to a winning hand payout schedule.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 6,595,520 (Richards) describes a card game
that begins with designating at least one playing card to be a
substitute card and defining a substitution pattern for the
substitute cards: The first player is dealt a first player hand of
cards. The player plays the first player hand to completion and
receives at least one additional player hand of cards. For each
additional hand, the substitute cards are copied into other player
hands to replace a card in that hand, according to the substitution
pattern, only if the substitution results in a higher poker ranking
for the hand. Players are rewarded based on the final poker ranking
of each player hand after substitution, if any.
[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 6,585,267 (Webb) describes a game that enables
players to wager on a particular card or hand being dealt into a
first position or a second position. Wagers matching the first card
or hand in the first position and wagers matching the second card
or hand in the second position are paid. Wagers for matching ranks
in the incorrect position are taken. If that particular card or
hand does not appear, the wager stays in play for a next round.
When the first card or hand is equivalent to the second card or
hand, matching wagers win, and unmatching wagers are resolved
according to characteristics of the first card or hand and the
second card or hand, such as card suit, card color, whether the
cards are odd or even or high or low, using a hand rank such as
according to poker combinations, by a numerical computation of the
hand with reference to prescribed rankings of high/low or odd/even
or the like.
[0013] U.S. Pat. No. 6,569,014 (Walker) and 6,332,839 (Walker) each
disclose a method for playing draw poker wherein an initial hand is
dealt, the player selecting to hold certain cards and discard
others, if any, replacing the discards with replacement cards, and
determining a payout on the resultant hand based on a ranking of
the final hand and the number of cards drawn.
[0014] U.S. Pat. No. 6,517,074 (Moody); 6,135,883 (Hachquet);
6,098,985 (Moody); 6,050,568 (Hachquet); 6,007,066 (Moody); and
5,823,873 (Moody) each disclose a method for playing multiple hands
of draw poker wherein an initial hand of cards is dealt, the player
selecting none, one or more of the cards to be held, replacing the
discards with replacement cards, and evaluating the resultant hand
or hands for winning combinations.
[0015] U.S. Pat. No. 6,068,552 (Walker) describes a gaming device
such as a video based slot machine that provides a player the
ability to modify at least one parameter of the slot machine. The
slot machine then modifies other parameters to ensure a desired
house advantage. Odds, payout schedules and wager amounts may be
customized by a player, and the slot machine automatically
determines changes in other parameters which were not customized to
maintain a constant house advantage. Software running on the slot
machine uses an equation that takes into account pertinent
parameters or variables such as size of jackpot, amount wagered
taken in at each pull, and probability of hitting the jackpot at
each pull. Based on the equation, the software adjusts parameters
other than the one(s) specified by the player so that the outcome
(the house advantage) remains constant with each pull. A player
interface provides an easy to use method of modifying selected
parameters.
[0016] United States Patent Application Number 20050173863 (Walker)
describes a game in which two sets of cards are dealt. In one
embodiment, an indication of a first set of cards may be output by
a first display device and an indication of a second set of cards
may be output by a second display device. The player selects one or
more cards from the second set of cards that are to be discarded,
and the player is dealt a replacement card for each such discarded
card. Each card in the first set which matches a replacement card
is removed. The value of each hand of the modified first set of
cards is then determined. A credit balance is adjusted based on the
determined values of the modified first set of cards.
[0017] United States Patent Application Number 20050151319 (Berman)
describes an apparatus and method for enhancing participation in
gaming activities that involve replacement items, replacement
cards, or other draw-type activity. A player is allowed to hold
cards (or other items) of a starting hand/payline. Multiple sets of
potential replacement cards are provided, from which the player can
select the desired set of replacement cards. The selected set of
replacement cards is used to complete the player's hand. Multiple
hands may be played concurrently.
[0018] United States Patent Application Number 20050113161 (Walker)
describes a game involving a first random outcome and a second
random outcome that are combined according to game rules to produce
a game outcome. The game is administered by receiving a player
request for a specific entry, the specific entry replacing one of
the random outcomes and being selected from a finite set of
possibilities not determined by chance. The requested specific
entry affects the probable outcome of the game. The specific entry
is combined with the remaining one of the random outcomes according
to the game rules to determine the game outcome. According to one
embodiment, the specific entry may be a score such as 18 which
replaces the player's hand in the game of blackjack.
[0019] United States Patent Application Number 20050059448 (Sims)
describes a method and apparatus for playing a card game in which a
player places a wager and is dealt two playing cards. The player
then selects one of two or more possible ranges, based upon the
first and second cards dealt, wherein a third card may fall. After
the player selects a range, a third card is dealt to the player and
the player wins if the third card falls in the range selected. The
players win may be based upon the amount wagered and the number of
playing cards in the range selected.
[0020] United States Patent Application Number 20040242312 (Gomez)
describes a method of conducting a wagering game on a gaming
machine. The wagering game may, for example, be a video reel slot
game that includes a plurality of symbols displayed in an array.
The plurality of symbols are evaluated to determine a change to one
of the symbols that will yield one of a plurality of predefined
winning combinations of symbols. The one of the symbols is changed
to another of the symbols to form the winning combination, and an
award is awarded for the winning combination.
[0021] United States Patent Application Number 20040229672 (Aoki)
describes a method of conducting a video poker game in which a
plurality of face-up cards are dealt from a deck into a card hand.
If any of the face-up cards is a predefined special card, the game
proceeds with a special feature that allows the player to draw a
replacement card to replace the special card. The replacement card
may be drawn from a plurality of possible face-up or face-down
cards. The game may include a standard draw option that allows a
player to select and replace none or more of the face-up cards. The
special card may trigger the special feature at any time, whether
it appears before or after the draw. The game determines a poker
hand ranking of the final card hand and provides an award based on
that ranking.
[0022] United States Patent Application Number 20040127280 (Moody)
describes a slot machine with a plurality of slot symbols which
results in a display matrix having a plurality of reel stop
locations. A player makes a wager for each pay line on the slot
machine that the player wishes to be active. Prior to the reels
being spun, the player selects at least one of the reel stop
locations that will be respun after the initial spin of the reels.
The slot reels are spun and the player receives an award for any
winning symbol combinations that appear on active pay lines. Then
the reel stop locations selected by the player are respun and the
pay lines are reanalyzed to determine if winning combinations have
been achieved as a result of the switching of the two reel stop
locations. The player receives an award for any winning symbol
combinations that appear on active pay lines.
[0023] United States Patent Application Number 20040116170 (Walker)
describes a method including steps of populating a primary set of
card positions with a first set of initial cards, determining at
least one discarded card from the first set of initial cards,
replacing the at least one discarded card from the first set of
initial cards with replacement cards to form a final set of cards,
and determining whether to include the at least one discarded card
in at least one secondary set of card positions. If the at least
one discarded card is to be included in the at least one secondary
set of card positions, the method further provides for populating
the at least one secondary set of card positions with the at least
one discarded card. Some embodiments of the present invention also
provide for determining a payout based on at least the final set of
cards.
[0024] United States Patent Application Number 20040072603
(Shuster) describes a gaming apparatus, such as a slot machine,
that randomly determines a combination of symbols and pays prizes
according to a determined payout table, and is used to perform a
gaming method similar to conventional slot machine play, but
permits greater interaction with the player. The gaming method
provides the player with the option of increasing an amount wagered
after at least one of the symbols has been determined. The method
additionally provides the player with the option to randomly
determine a symbol or symbols a second time, or to force a symbol
to be the same as a symbol already determined, optionally at
additional cost. The method includes making appropriate adjustments
to a payout table, depending on the player's actions during game
play.
[0025] United States Patent Application Number 20030153376
(Duhamel) describes a card choice system that offers to gamers two
parallel hands of cards to choose from to compose a Poker hand.
Gamers choose cards from the two sets displayed one above and one
below, and move cards into the Poker hand while respecting the same
position for the card. When the gamer has chosen all the cards they
want to be part of the Poker hand, the cards still available from
the original sets are discarded and removed from the display. Next,
new cards are dealt from the same card deck that dealt the original
sets of cards to complete the Poker hand. The hand yielded is the
final outcome of the Poker game and is further evaluated with a
prize being awarded to the gamer if the final poker hand
corresponds to a winning criterion.
[0026] United States Patent Application Number 20040214624 (Moody)
describes a game in which the player makes a wager for a first hand
and a wager for a second hand and the player then has displayed to
him a first hand. The player selects which cards to hold and the
unheld cards are discarded from the first hand and placed as the
starting cards in the second hand. Replacement cards are displayed
into the first hand to create a final first hand. Additional cards
are displayed into the second hand to create a final second hand.
The poker hand ranking of each hand is determined and the player
receives a payout for any winning hand combination that is achieved
in the final first hand and in the final second hand. The amount of
the payout is based on a pay table and the amount wagered by the
player.
[0027] It is an ever-increasing challenge to provide players with
new and enticing game play features that will stimulate player
interest and increase time on the machine.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0028] In a symbol providing game, once the symbols have been
provided, a player will often find that it is possible that the
replacement of one or more of a multiple number of symbols might
provide the player with a high payout hand. For example, in a reel
slot play, the player may have two jackpot symbols and a lemon. If
the lemon were treated as a discard (as in poker) and a replacement
drawn randomly, this might provide a maximum jackpot result. The
present technology provides not only a method of enabling the
player to replace the unwanted symbol(s), but to provide the
replacement symbol in a way that gives the player the perception if
not reality of an enhanced chance of a replacement symbol being a
desirable symbol than would occur with a normal random selection
for the replacement symbol. Although the selection according to the
described technology is still random, the mapping (real or virtual)
of replacement symbols is provided in the replacement selection of
symbols in a way that the probability of a favorable symbol is
enhanced by either adding more favorable symbols to the pool of
symbols from which a replacement symbol is selected or the removal
of adverse symbols from the pool of available replacement
symbols.
[0029] In a video poker game, the player makes a wager to play an
underlying draw poker game. An additional or side bet may be
required to utilize a discard game play option. A predetermined
number of cards are dealt face-up to form an initial hand from an
original set of cards (e.g., a deck, a deck with additional cards
therein such as jokers or specialty cards, multiples decks, or
multiple decks with additional cards). The player may select to
hold none, one, some or all of the dealt cards. The player then may
choose (among positions or voids in the original hand formed by the
removal of the discard) that none or at least one of the "unheld"
cards (usually referred to in the art as discards)--if any discard
voids in the hand are available--to receive a narrowed selection
from amongst the remaining cards in the deck or original set of
cards as possible replacement cards. The narrowed replacement card
selection may be or is based on predetermined or preselected (e.g.,
by rules, the house, the processor or the player) criteria relative
to the discard. For example, the narrowed number of possible
replacement cards for the discard may be achieved by selecting
(using touch pad technology, touch screen technology, physical
machine buttons, random processor selection or the like) a defined
criteria for replacement such as, by way of non-limiting examples,
the same-or-higher rank than the discard, the same-or-lower rank,
the same suit color as the discard, the same suit as the discard, a
different suit from that of the discard or the opposite color of
the discard. Other criteria may include odd ranks, even ranks,
suits, face cards, non-face cards, even numbered cards, odd
numbered cards or a certain predetermined range of cards (e.g., a
card between 9 and Queen). This method may be used with various
poker game variations such as Jacks or Better, Bonus Poker Games,
or Wild Card Games and may be played in a single-line or multiplay
game format.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0030] FIG. 1 shows a the monitor screen of a video poker machine
with touch-screen selection buttons and the initial play of the
game comprising the deal of a 5-card hand.
[0031] FIG. 2 shows the same game at a later stage.
[0032] FIG. 3 shows the same game at a final stage.
[0033] FIG. 4 shows a the monitor screen of a video poker machine
with touch-screen selection buttons and the initial play of a
second game comprising the deal of a 5-card hand.
[0034] FIG. 5 shows the second game at a later stage.
[0035] FIG. 6 shows the second game at a final stage.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0036] The games according to the present disclosure may be
provided as a live or hybrid casino table game or as a video gaming
system. By hybrid systems is meant those systems known in the art
where there may be a fully automated gaming table, such as the
Shuffle Master, Inc. Multi-Player Platform.TM. system or a system
with a dealer and automated bet recognitions and card reading
and/or display. The wager may be provided in a casino table card
game with chips, tokens, money, credit or credit charge. The wager
in a video game is usually made with credits or credit charges.
[0037] The practice of the present technology may include a method
of playing a wagering game in which symbols are provided to a
player. The game may comprise a player making at least a first
wager on a gaming apparatus. A set of displayed symbols is provided
from a complete set of symbols to a player along at least one line
of play. The player is provided with an opportunity to accept all
symbols in the at least one line or replace at least one symbol on
the line. When the player replaces the at least one symbol, the at
least one symbol is removed from the line and one replacement
symbol is randomly selected from a replacement set of symbols as a
replacement symbol. The replacement symbol is randomly selected as
a replacement symbol and is selected from a replacement set of
symbols that consists of a number of symbols less than the complete
set of symbols. For example, if a physical reel is used to provide
the replacement symbol, the replacement set will consist of less
than all symbols originally available on the first spin of the
reel. Certain criteria may be used for defining the symbols
available. Either in absolute terms (e.g., no blank spaces) or in
relative terms (e.g., a symbol other than that presently on the
play line on that reel). The game may have a fixed criteria (e.g.,
a symbol other than that presently on the play line on that reel)
or may have a number of different criteria that may be selected by
the player or by a processor or be randomly occurring by operation
of the apparatus or processor.
[0038] The replacement set of symbols may consist of a number of
symbols that is less than the complete set of symbols less the
displayed set of symbols. For example (as also explained above),
the original set of replacement symbols may comprises a defined
number of various symbols and a specific number of each of the
various symbols, and specific classes of symbols may be excluded in
the second provision of symbols as replacement symbols. The player
may select criteria by which the replacement set is reduced in
number to less than the complete set of symbols. The method may be
practiced on a slot machine having at least three rows of symbols
provided as a mechanical reel-type slot machine or a video
machine.
[0039] A method of playing a video poker game may be played in
which playing card symbols are provided from a complete set of
playing cards comprising a complete number of cards in at least one
line of play. The method may comprise a player placing a wager on
the video poker game; displaying a first displayed set of playing
card symbols comprising a displayed number of playing cards to the
player along at least one line of play; the player selecting at
least one symbol from the displayed set of playing card symbols to
be discarded; and a criteria for providing replacement playing card
symbols being in effect which defines limiting criteria for
selection of playing cards so that playing cards available for use
as replacement cards are selected from a replacement set comprising
a number of cards that is less than the complete number of cards
less the displayed number of cards.
[0040] Again, the player may select the criteria for replacing
cards or a processor may select the criteria for replacing cards.
The criteria may, by way of non-limiting examples, comprise at
least one criterium selected from the group consisting of the at
least one replacement card being: [0041] a) a different color than
the discarded card; [0042] b) a different suit than the discarded
card; [0043] c) a different rank than the discarded card; [0044] d)
a rank within a defined range of ranks; [0045] e) a rank above a
predetermined rank; [0046] f) a rank below a predetermined rank;
and [0047] g) a rank other than one or more specific ranks.
[0048] A player places a wager to participate in the play of the
underlying card game.
[0049] The wager may be selected by the player to include wagering
on a single hand of play or wagering on each hand in concurrent
multiple hands of play. That is, the player may wish to play one
hand at a time or play two or more hands (e.g., up to 100 hands).
An additional or side bet may be required to play the discard game
play option. After placing the wager or wagers, a predetermined
number of cards are dealt into an initial hand. Exemplary game play
reveals a preferred method of utilizing a single standard deck of
cards (or a standard deck of cards that is augmented by wild cards
or jokers) and an initial deal of 5 face-up cards. After viewing
the cards in the initial deal, the player may choose to hold none,
one, some or all of the cards. Any unheld cards are "discards", and
will be replaced by "replacement cards" in the draw stage of the
game. The set of replacement cards is comprised of the full deck
minus the initially dealt cards (in the preferred method 52 cards
minus 5 cards, or 47 possible replacement cards). As an alternate
gameplay, the discards may or may not be added to the number of
possible replacement cards.
[0050] The player then may choose none or at least one of the
discards--if any discards are available--to receive a narrowed
selection of possible replacement cards. The narrowing of the
number of possible replacement cards will most likely increase the
odds of receiving a replacement card that will ultimately enhance
the initial deal. The narrowed replacement card selection is based
on predetermined criteria relative to the discard. For example, the
narrowed number of possible replacement cards for the discard may
be achieved by selecting (using touch pad technology, touch screen
technology, physical machine buttons, or the like) the
same-or-higher rank than the discard, the same-or-lower rank, the
same suit color as the discard, or the opposite color. Other
criteria may include odd ranks, even ranks, suits or a certain
predetermined range of cards. The preferred method allows the
choice of any one discard, and one choice of four parameters for
replacement cards relative to said discard: the same rank or higher
than the discard; the same rank or lower than the discard; the same
color as the suit of the discard; or the opposite color of the suit
of the discard.
[0051] In a video poker game, the player makes a wager to play an
underlying draw poker game. An additional or side bet may be
required to utilize a discard game play option. A predetermined
number of cards are dealt face-up to form an initial hand from an
original set of cards (e.g., a deck, a deck with additional cards
therein such as jokers or specialty cards, multiples decks, or
multiple decks with additional cards). The player may select to
hold none, one, some or all of the dealt cards. The player then may
choose (among positions or voids in the original hand formed by the
removal of the discard) that none or at least one of the "unheld"
cards (usually referred to in the art as discards)--if any discard
voids in the hand are available--to receive a narrowed selection
from amongst the remaining cards in the deck or original set of
cards as possible replacement cards. The narrowed replacement card
selection may be or is based on predetermined or preselected (e.g.,
by rules, the house, the processor or the player) criteria relative
to the discard. For example, the narrowed number of possible
replacement cards for the discard may be achieved by selecting
(using touch pad technology, touch screen technology, physical
machine buttons, random processor selection or the like) a defined
criteria for replacement such as, by way of non-limiting examples,
the same-or-higher rank than the discard, the same-or-lower rank,
the same suit color as the discard, the same suit as the discard, a
different suit from that of the discard or the opposite color of
the discard. Other criteria may include odd ranks, even ranks,
suits, face cards, non-face cards, even numbered cards, odd
numbered cards or a certain predetermined range of cards (e.g., a
card between 9 and Queen). This method may be used with various
poker game variations such as Jacks or Better, Bonus Poker Games,
Texas Hold'Em poker, High rank poker games, Low rank poker games,
Three-Card Poker.RTM. games (registered trademark of Shuffle
Master, Inc.), Caribbean Stud Poker.RTM. game (registered trademark
of Mikohn Gaming, Inc.) or Wild Card Games and may be played in a
single-line or multiplay game format.
[0052] Optimum play strategy teaches that the choice of a
particular discard is dependent on the held cards. For example, in
an initial deal of Ace, Ace, King, 4, 8 (the suits being
irrelevant), the player would most likely choose the two Aces to
hold, and the King as the chosen discard. By choosing the option to
play the King as "SAME OR HIGHER", the number of replacement cards
for said specific discard is reduced from 47 to 5 (the other two
Aces plus the other 3 Kings). The player locks in the "Hold"
choices and the discard option choice, and presses "Draw". The
chosen discard is then replaced first, from the subset of suitable
replacement cards, following the chosen parameter. The rest of the
discards, in this case two discards, are then replaced from the set
of remaining 46 replacement cards. Continuing the example, the
final hand for evaluation against a predetermined paytable is Ace,
Ace, Ace, 2, 7; with the chosen discard (King) being replaced
advantageously by the third Ace.
[0053] The option of a different suit than that of the discard
would be to a player's advantage where the player retains four
cards in a single suit and would (by exercise of that option)
increase the probability of the drawn card matching the original
suit. Upon use of the discard and drawn card parameter
definition/exclusion option, the original paytable may remain the
same (especially if the paytable were constructed with the
probability of hands built into the option play effect) or may
change upon exercise of the option. For example, the payout for a
flush may change from 5:1 in a first 5-card hand to 2:1 in a 5-card
hand with the option exercised on a single card.
[0054] Alternate methods may be used to deal the replacement cards.
For instance, the Random Number Generator may provide a shuffle of
the (47) cards, and go through the cards one at a time, (from 1 to
47), until the first card within the chosen parameter is drawn and
the remaining discards would be the next cards in order. Or, as a
separate example, the chosen discard may be the last to be
replaced. In any event, any method of replacement technology within
the scope of the invention may be utilized. The random number
generator may also be instructed to exclude cards from outside the
defined parameters and then randomly select from within the new
(remaining) group. For example, If the original hand were four
hearts and a club (leaving 9 hearts, 12 clubs, 13 spades and 13
diamonds in the remaining virtual deck), and option of "a card suit
different from the discard" would leave a virtual partial deck for
selection of 35 cards (leaving 9 hearts, 13 spades and 13 diamonds
in the remaining virtual deck). If the "opposite color of the
discard were selected, this leave a virtual partial deck for
selection of 22 cards (leaving 9 hearts and 13 diamonds in the
remaining virtual deck).
[0055] As a separate illustration of the invention, an initial hand
of 2 of Spades, 3 of Spades, 6 of Spades, 9 of Spades and 7 of
Diamonds is dealt. The player chooses to hold the four Spades, and
plays the only discard (the 7 of Diamonds) as "OPPOSITE COLOR",
meaning that the subset of suitable replacement cards will be black
(as opposed to the red Diamond). In this case, the replacement card
will be either a Club or a Spade, reducing the set of replacement
cards from 47 cards to 22 cards (13 Clubs plus the 9 remaining
Spades). The draw of a Spade would create a Flush hand that would
be paid according to a predetermined paytable. The draw of a Club
would be a losing final hand. discards. The player chooses to hold
the two 2s, and plays the Ace of Diamonds discard as "SAME COLOR",
meaning that the subset of suitable replacement cards will be red;
the 3 of Spades discard as "SAME or LOWER", meaning that the subset
of suitable replacement cards would be 3s or lower; and the 5 of
Diamonds discard as "SAME or LOWER", meaning that the subset of
suitable replacement cards would be 5s or lower. The final hand
becomes 2 of Spades, 2 of Clubs, 4 of Hearts, 2 of Diamonds and 4
of Clubs, for a Full House payout according to a predetermined
paytable.
[0056] It was previously stated that although the selection
according to the described technology is still random, the mapping
(real or virtual) of replacement symbols is provided in the
replacement selection of symbols in a way that the probability of a
favorable symbol is enhanced by either adding more favorable
symbols to the pool of symbols from which a replacement symbol is
selected or the removal of adverse symbols from the pool of
available replacement symbols. This should be further
explained.
[0057] In a mechanical reel (e.g., a reel with, for example 40
frames of one symbol in each frame (e.g., including possibly a
blank or empty space as a symbol) is provided. The reel is spun,
the reel is stopped at a random space so that one of the 40 symbols
is displayed in the pay line, and the total set of symbols from the
3 or more frames forming a payline is read. Although the selection
is "random," the probability of a particular symbol occurring is
not necessarily equal to the probability of every other symbol
appearing. For example, of the 40 symbols on a single reel, 20 may
be blank spaces, 5 may be lemons, 5 may be oranges, 3 may be bells,
2 may be cherries, 2 may be plums, 2 may be 7's, and 1 may be a
wild symbol or special bonus symbol. In addition, the probability
of any one of the symbols being selected may be mechanically
adjusted to affect the probability. In a mechanical slot, a cog or
tooth may be sized to engage the selection function more easily (a
larger slot) or with greater difficulty or lower probability (a
smaller slot) than other slots associated with particular symbols.
In an electronic system, the program may associate a greater
probability or lesser probability to a symbol than a mere
statistical reflection of equal probability for each symbol. This
process is referred to as mapping within the gaming industry. Where
the actual natural probabilities of symbol selection do not provide
the exact statistical results desired in a game, mapping may be
applied to control the payout rate. It is in this manner that
different machines playing the same apparent game may have
different payout rates.
[0058] In the present game, for the selection of a replacement
symbol, the probability of a desirable symbol being selected or
being available may be enhanced (in addition to or aside from
mapping) by changing the pool of symbols available for selection in
the replacement `spin` or replacement random selection. A few
examples of how this can be done would be elucidating.
[0059] In a standard slot-type symbol format, such as the prophetic
example of 40 frames with forty possible symbol positions on a
reel, consider the situation where the jackpot is provided with
three jackpot symbols and the first spin shows two jackpot symbols
and a cherry. Although the cherry (often in any of the three
positions) is a winner, the player sees an opportunity to win a
jackpot if only one of the frames is replaced with a jackpot
symbol. Either if the player has placed an optional wager to allow
replacement of symbols (e.g., of at least one, only one or all of
the symbols with a replacement step as described herein), the game
automatically allows for such replacements, or if a payment is made
after the player has seen the first display of symbols, a
replacement step is then available to the player. The player may
indicate which of the one(s) of the symbols is to be replaced, and
the symbol providing action of the apparatus (in this case a reel
or virtual reel or frame spinner) is activated. Rather than the
reel being spun with the same (e.g., mapped) or even equal
probability of the available frames, a pool is defined with an
identified basis or criteria for indicating or providing an
enhanced probability for the occurrence of a beneficial symbol. For
an easiest example, the replacement providing step may have such
criteria available (that are implemented by game intelligence or
mechanical operation, such as providing gearing that excludes
specific symbols, such as a gear where there are no slots available
for displaying a blank position on the reel) that enhances the
probability of a favorable symbol being displayed. The simplest
such enhancement would be that the replacement `spin` would exclude
the possibility of a blank space being shown when blank spaces do
not contribute to winning events. Other enhancing criteria could be
all symbols allowed (including blank spaces) except for lemons, or
except for lemons and cherries, or any other combination.
[0060] Those skilled in the art are aware that the payouts for the
play of this type of game and this type of format are likely to be
adjusted to meet the changed probabilities for good hands
occurring. For example, if a jackpot were 1000.times. on a single
spin game, the payout might be only 500.times. where there is an
option replacement in the game. The payout might remain at
1000.times. if no option is taken or the payout may be lowered for
only jackpot or bonus payouts when the option is used. Mapping may
also be provided in the original spin or the replacement spin to
control the level of payout.
[0061] Reference to the Figures will assist in further
understanding of the practice of the present invention.
[0062] FIG. 1 shows a slot machine monitor screen 2 with five HOLD
buttons for card play selection (10B, 12B, 14B, 16B, 18B), five
sets of discard selection buttons (10C, 12C, 14C, 16C, 18C), each
of said five sets comprising a SAME OR HIGHER button 20, a SAME OR
LOWER button 22, a SAME COLOR button 24 and an OPPOSITE COLOR
button 26. Also shown is the initial deal of five face-up cards
(10A, 12A, 14A, 16A, 18A). The player's selection to hold the two
aces (10A, 16A) is depicted by the two highlighted HOLD buttons
(10B, 16B).
[0063] FIG. 2 refers to the game elements shown in FIG. 1 with the
player selecting to play the King of Clubs discard 12A as SAME OR
HIGHER, depicted by the highlighted button 20A.
[0064] FIG. 3 refers to the game elements shown in FIG. 2 with the
draw of an additional Ace 12D to replace the King of Clubs discard
12A, two additional replacement cards (14D, 18D), and a Win Message
30 disclosing the win of 15 credits for the 3-of-a-Kind (10A, 12D,
16A).
[0065] FIG. 4 shows a slot machine monitor screen 2 with five HOLD
buttons for card play selection (10B, 12B, 14B, 16B, 18B), five
sets of discard selection buttons (10C, 12C, 14C, 16C, 18C), each
of said five sets comprising a SAME OR HIGHER button 20, a SAME OR
LOWER button 22, a SAME COLOR button 24 and an OPPOSITE COLOR
button 26. Also shown is a second separate deal of five face-up
cards (10E, 12E, 14E, 16E, 18E). The player's selection to hold the
four Clubs (10E, 12E, 14E, 16E) is depicted by the four highlighted
HOLD buttons (10B, 12B, 14B, 16B).
[0066] FIG. 5 refers to the game elements shown in FIG. 4 with the
player selecting to play the 7 of Spades discard 18E as SAME COLOR,
depicted by the highlighted button 24A.
[0067] FIG. 6 refers to the game elements shown in FIG. 5 with the
draw of the 3 of Spades 18F to replace the 7 of Spades discard 18E,
and a No Win Message 40 disclosing end of the game.
[0068] In a symbol providing game or video poker game, the player
makes a wager to play an underlying symbol providing game such as a
slot-type game or a draw poker game. An additional or side bet may
be required to utilize the discard gameplay option. A predetermined
number of cards are dealt face-up to form an initial hand. The
player may select to hold none, one, some or all of the dealt
cards. The player then may choose none or at least one of the
unheld cards ("discards")--if any discards are available--to
receive a narrowed selection of possible replacement cards. The
narrowing of the number of possible replacement cards will most
likely increase the odds of receiving a replacement card that will
ultimately enhance the initial deal. The narrowed replacement card
selection may be based on predetermined criteria relative to the
discard. For example, the narrowed number of possible replacement
cards for the discard may be achieved by selecting (using touch pad
technology, touch screen technology, physical machine buttons, or
the like) the same-or-higher rank than the discard, the
same-or-lower rank, the same suit color as the discard, or the
opposite color. Other criteria may include odd ranks, even ranks,
suits or a certain predetermined range of cards, and may or may not
be specifically relative to the discard This method may be used
with various poker game variations such as Jacks or Better, Bonus
Poker Games, or Wild Card Games and may be played in a single-line
or multiplay game format.
[0069] Although specific examples and specific images have been
provided in this discussion, these specifics are intended to be
only support for the generic concepts of the invention and are not
intended to be absolute limits in the scope of the technology
discussed.
[0070] All patents and applications referenced herein are
incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
* * * * *