U.S. patent application number 11/275252 was filed with the patent office on 2007-04-26 for method and apparatus for a card game tournament.
Invention is credited to Russell Hamilton.
Application Number | 20070090599 11/275252 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37968263 |
Filed Date | 2007-04-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070090599 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hamilton; Russell |
April 26, 2007 |
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR A CARD GAME TOURNAMENT
Abstract
A method and apparatus for a card tournament with elimination
hands is presented. The method and apparatus of the present
invention provides for a multi-round blackjack tournament with
periodic hands wherein players with the lowest chip or point total
are eliminated from the game. A home/portable edition
implementation is also provided for, allowing players to conduct a
card game tournament in venues outside of the traditional casino
environment.
Inventors: |
Hamilton; Russell; (Las
Vegas, NV) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LEWIS AND ROCA LLP
40 NORTH CENTRAL AVENUE
PHOENIX
AZ
85004
US
|
Family ID: |
37968263 |
Appl. No.: |
11/275252 |
Filed: |
December 20, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60729190 |
Oct 21, 2005 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
273/292 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F 1/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
273/292 |
International
Class: |
A63F 1/00 20060101
A63F001/00 |
Claims
1. A method of conducting a card game tournament played in
accordance with predetermined game rules by a plurality of players
playing a predetermined number of hands in a predetermined number
of rounds of the card game tournament, the method comprising:
designating at least one said hand in each said round as an
elimination hand in which: for each said player, a chip total is
derived from: each said player's cards; and each said player's chip
wagers; and eliminating from the card game tournament the player
having the lowest said derived chip total.
2. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein said predetermined
number of rounds is one round.
3. The method as defined in claim 1, further comprising
establishing an initial chip total for each said player.
4. The method as defined in claim 3, wherein said initial chip
total is a predetermined monetary value.
5. The method as defined in claim 1, further comprising determining
a player seating order.
6. The method as defined in claim 5, wherein determining a player
seating order further comprises each of said players drawing a card
from a deck or shoe, and determining seating order according to the
rank of the cards chosen by each of said players.
7. The method as defined in claim 1, further comprising: (a)
determining a player wager and play order; (b) placing bets by the
plurality of players in order of said wager and play order; (c)
dealing a plurality of cards to the one or more players in order of
said wager and play order; (d) making play decisions, by the
players; (e) resolving, according to the predetermined game rules,
whether said play decisions result in said players forfeiting their
bets or receiving payouts; and, (f) accumulating new player chip
totals as a result of step (e).
8. The method as defined in claim 7, wherein step (a) further
comprises: placing a play order indicia before a player that has
been designated as a first player for a particular hand; and,
beginning play and betting with said first player.
9. The method as defined in claim 8, wherein at the beginning of
said round said play order indicia is placed before the player
seated at a table location designated as seat 1.
10. The method as defined in claim 8, further comprising: after
completion of one of said hands, moving said play order indicia to
a next ranked player in said seating order.
11. The method as defined in claim 8, further comprising: after
completion of one of said hands, moving said play order indicia to
a player seating position located clockwise from a current position
occupied by said play order indicia.
12. The method as defined in claim 7, wherein step (b) further
comprises a time limit for placing said bets, and if said bets are
not placed within said time limit, a player failing to place said
bet within said time limit will be compelled to place a mandatory
minimum bet.
13. The method as defined in claim 12, wherein said time limit is
established at one value for a non-elimination hand, and a second
value for an elimination hand.
14. The method as defined in claim 7, wherein step (d) further
comprises a time limit for making play decisions, and if a player
fails to make one of said play decisions within said time limit, a
said player being compelled to stand with dealt cards.
15. The method as defined in claim 14, wherein said time limit is
established at one value for a non-elimination hand, and a second
value for an elimination hand.
16. The method as defined in claim 7, wherein the predetermined
game rules comprise the rules of a blackjack game.
17. The method as defined in claim 7, wherein step (b) further
comprises eliminating players who are unable to place at least a
mandatory minimum bet.
18. The method as defined in claim 7, wherein step (b) further
comprises eliminating players who have a chip total less than said
mandatory minimum bet.
19. The method as defined in claim 7, wherein at least one of said
bets in step (b) is a secret bet.
20. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the predetermined
number of rounds in the card game tournament is 5.
21. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the predetermined
number of hands to be played in each predetermined number of rounds
is selected from the group consisting of 30 hands and in the range
of 10 to 60 hands.
22. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the designating one
or more hands as elimination hands step further comprises
designating hand numbers 8, 16, and 25 as elimination hands.
23. The method as defined in claim 1, further comprising, when two
or more players are tied for said lowest derived chip total,
holding a playoff between the tied players.
24. The method as defined in claim 23, wherein the playoff further
comprises: setting a number of playoff hands equal to the number of
tied players in the playoff; establishing a number of playoff chips
for each tied player equal to the number of chips belonging to each
of said tied players at the beginning of the playoff; playing, by
the tied players, the number of playoff hands; ranking the tied
players based on the number of playoff chips remaining for each of
said tied players; and, designating the tied player with the lowest
rank as a player to be eliminated.
25. A method for wagering in a hand of cards, the method
comprising: before cards are dealt, a player rendering an indicia
of a hidden bet, the indicia indicating a first monetary value of
the hidden bet; and, after cards are dealt, said player modifying
the indicia to a second monetary value of the hidden bet.
26. The method as defined in claim 25, further comprising:
establishing a predetermined time limit for rendering said hidden
bet.
27. The method as defined in claim 25, further comprising
compelling said player to wager a mandatory minimum bet if said
player failed to render said indicia within a specified time
limit.
28. The method as defined in claim 25, wherein said second monetary
value of the hidden bet represents a wager for doubling down.
29. The method as defined in claim 25, wherein said second monetary
value of the hidden bet represents a wager for taking
insurance.
30. The method as defined in claim 25, wherein said second monetary
value of the hidden bet represents a wager for a split hand.
31. The method as defined in claim 25, wherein said second monetary
value of the hidden bet represents a wager for a side bet.
32. The method as defined in claim 25, further comprising:
eliminating said player from a tournament if said player possesses
a chip total representing an amount less than the sum of said first
monetary value and second monetary value.
33. The method as defined in claim 25, further comprising:
revealing said hidden bet; and reconciling said first amount of
monetary value and said second amount of monetary value as if said
first amount and second amount had been placed as non-confidential
wagers.
34. The method as defined in claim 25, further comprising: placing
one or more tokens upon a surface to indicate the player's intent
to place a secret bet.
35. A method of conducting a card game tournament played in
accordance with predetermined game rules by a plurality of players,
the card game tournament having a predetermined number of rounds
and a predetermined number of hands to be played in each of the
predetermined number of rounds, the method comprising: designating
one or more of said hands to be played as an elimination hand;
before cards are dealt, one or more said players rendering an
indicia of a hidden bet, the indicia indicating a first monetary
value of the hidden bet; dealing cards to said plurality of
players; after cards are dealt: said one or more said players
modifying the indicia to a second monetary value of the hidden bet;
adjusting an individual chip total for each of said players;
ranking the players in order of their individual chip totals; and
when said hand being played is an elimination hand, removing from
the tournament the player that was ranked lowest in said ranking
step.
36. The method as defined in claim 35, further comprising removing
from the tournament any of said players that have a chip total
below a mandatory minimum bet amount.
37. The method as defined in claim 36, wherein said mandatory
minimum bet amount is less than one tenth of an initial chip total
given to said players at the beginning of a round.
38. The method as defined in claim 35, wherein said adjusting an
individual chip total for each of said players further comprises:
revealing the hidden bet; reconciling the player's card play
according to said predetermined game rules; grading the first
monetary value and second monetary value as if said first monetary
value and second monetary values had been placed as bets with
chips; awarding to said player an amount of chips, if required by
said predetermined game rules; and, decrementing said player's chip
total if required by said predetermined game rules.
39. A method for wagering in a hand of cards, the method
comprising: before cards are dealt, rendering an indicia of a
hidden bet of a player; indicating a monetary value of the hidden
bet of the player before a camera; and, revealing said monetary
value of the hidden bet to at least one person not participating in
said hand of cards.
40. The method as defined in claim 39, wherein said camera is
situated at a location not visible to a second player participating
in said hand of cards, and said one person not participating in
said hand of cards views an image produced by said camera.
41. The method as defined in claim 40, wherein said location is
within an at least partially enclosed booth.
42. The method as defined in claim 39, wherein said camera produces
a video feed.
43. The method as defined in claim 42, wherein said video feed is
recorded for broadcast.
44. The method as defined in claim 42, wherein said video feed is
transmitted by radio frequency broadcast.
45. The method as defined in claim 42, wherein said video feed is
provided to a cable television network.
46. The method as defined in claim 42, wherein said video feed is
distributed to subscribers of a cable television service.
47. The method as defined in claim 42, wherein said video feed from
said camera is displayed to an audience.
48. The method as defined in claim 47, wherein said audience is
viewing said hand of cards live.
49. The method as defined in claim 47, wherein said audience is
located at a pari-mutuel betting facility.
50. The method as defined in claim 42, further comprising: delaying
said video feed from said camera by a predetermined period of time;
and broadcasting the delayed video feed.
51. The method as defined in claim 42, wherein said video feed is
simultaneously displayed to an audience in attendance at said hand
of cards and recorded for broadcast.
52. The method as defined in claim 42, wherein said video feed is
simultaneously displayed to an audience in attendance at said hand
of cards and broadcast live.
53. A game set to be used with playing cards and wager chips in
accordance with card game rules, the set comprising a plurality of
game tokens bearing indicia that include: a first indicator of a
hand selected from a predetermined number of total hands; and a
second indicator that enacts a provision of the rules whereby one
player of the card game is to be eliminated after completion of the
hand on a basis of a value of that player's remaining wager
chips.
54. The game set as defined in claim 53, wherein the card game
rules further comprise rules for a blackjack game.
55. The game set as defined in claim 53, wherein said basis of a
value is a determination that a value of said one player's
remaining wager chips is less than any other player's remaining
wager chips.
56. The game set as defined in claim 53, wherein said card game
rules further comprise a provision whereby one of said game tokens
is placed in a location that indicates an order that is selected
from the group consisting of a betting order and a play order.
57. The game set as defined in claim 53, further comprising one or
more secret bet cards for recording a confidential monetary value
of a secret bet.
58. The game set as defined in claim 53, further comprising one or
more action cards used for performing a function selected from the
group consisting of concealing a bet, making a play decision,
keeping the amount of a double-down bet concealed, keeping the
amount of a surrender bet concealed, and concealing a decision to
stand.
59. The game set as defined in claim 53, further comprising a timer
for measuring available time for placing bets and executing play
choices.
60. The game set as defined in claim 53, further comprising one or
more decks of playing cards for playing said card game.
61. The game set as defined in claim 53, further comprising a
portable surface upon which a blackjack game is played.
62. The game set as defined in claim 61, wherein said surface
further comprises a felt surface bearing indicia utilized in a game
of blackjack.
63. A method of playing a hand of blackjack comprising: before each
player is dealt at least two cards, each said player optionally
placing: a secret bet token on the blackjack table; and a secret
bet card indicating a secret wager under the secret bet token;
after each player is dealt at least two cards, each said player
optionally placing an additional wager; and after a result is
determined for each player's hand: revealing each secret wager; and
summing, for each said player, the secret and additional
wagers.
64. The method as defined in claim 63, where said additional wager
comprises a secret bet.
65. The method as defined in claim 63, wherein said player
optionally placing an additional wager further comprises: removing
the secret bet card from under the secret bet token; modifying the
secret bet card to include a second bet amount; and, placing the
secret back card underneath the secret bet token.
66. The method as defined in claim 63, where said additional wager
represents a wager for doubling down.
67. The method as defined in claim 63 where said additional wager
represents a wager for taking insurance.
68. The method as defined in claim 63 where said additional wager
represents a wager for a split.
69. The method as defined in claim 63, further comprising
eliminating a secret betting player having game chips less than sum
of said secret betting player's secret and additional wagers.
70. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the elimination hands
are designated at a plurality of times during the card game
tournament.
71. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the elimination hands
are designated at certain intervals corresponding to a plurality of
times during the card game tournament.
72. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein at the occurrence of
each of a plurality of particular times, the at least one said hand
in each said round is designated.
73. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the eliminating
occurs at particular times during the card game tournament.
74. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the player having the
lowest said derived chip total is eliminated at particular times
during the card game tournament.
75. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein said eliminating from
the card game tournament the player having the lowest said derived
chip total comprises eliminating the player having the lowest said
derived chip total at a plurality of times during the card game
tournament.
76. A blackjack tournament played by a plurality of players with a
player elimination method comprising: at each of a plurality of
particular times: deriving, for each said player, a chip total
from: the player's cards; and the player's chip wagers; eliminating
from the blackjack tournament the player having the lowest said
derived chip total.
77. The player elimination method as defined in claim 76, wherein:
the blackjack tournament has one or more rounds each having: a
predetermined number of hands; and at least one said particular
time; the player elimination method further comprises: before each
player is dealt at least two cards, each said player optionally
placing a secret chip wager; after each player is dealt at least
two cards, each said player optionally placing an additional chip
wager; and after a result is determined for each player's hand,
summing, for each said player, the player's chip wagers to include
the player's secret and additional chip wagers.
Description
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the full benefit and priority of
U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/729,190, filed on Oct. 21,
2005, titled "Card Game Tournament Method," the disclosure of which
is fully incorporated by reference herein for all purposes.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to method and apparatus for a
card game tournament. More specifically, the present invention
provides for a method for a card game tournament for card games
such as blackjack, with elimination rounds and secret bets to
further increase the entertainment value for players and spectators
alike. Also provided for is an apparatus for conducting the
disclosed card game tournament in venues such as a person's
home.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Over the last few years, the popularity of poker tournaments
has grown substantially, owing in part to the rapidly growing
number of poker players and interested observers. Television cable
channels now routinely broadcast poker tournaments, and games such
as those featuring celebrities receive particularly good ratings.
To the uninitiated, observing a game of poker can at times lack
entertainment value because of the slow pace, and some viewers may
fail to appreciate subtle but important nuances of poker strategy.
However, as the popularity of the game of poker grows, viewers are
often attracted not just for the pure entertainment value, but for
the chance to learn from "the masters" and gain insight into the
less apparent aspects of poker strategy and tactics.
[0006] Also gaining in popularity is the card game "blackjack",
which was already well known and has been played for many years. In
its present conventional or electronic form, this game is played in
almost every major casino in the United States. Blackjack shares a
fast-paced play environment with other table games such as roulette
and craps, yet offers the opportunity for players to utilize some
level of skill to increase game winnings. Blackjack further owes
its popularity to an uncomplicated rule set, as well as the
publicity that arises from news stories of high-skill players that
have received substantial winnings. Further, unlike poker,
blackjack players play against the house rather than other
players.
[0007] The simplicity of the blackjack game along with its rapid
play provides the potential for high observational interest, yet
blackjack tournaments have failed to be as commercially successful
as poker tournaments, especially in the television broadcast realm.
The lagging effect of blackjack tournament popularity may be
attributable to the absence of factors that can increase the
playing tension between the players and provide for more
opportunities for strategic betting decisions.
[0008] What is needed, therefore, is a method for conducting a
blackjack tournament that increases viewer interest. What is
additionally needed is a blackjack tournament method that provides
new play opportunities to increase competition between players and
that supports the use of an overall game strategy to increase
likelihood of player success. What is further needed is a method of
conducting a tournament that spurs user excitement by allowing for
elimination of players at particular times during the tournament.
What is also needed is a blackjack tournament method that allows
the live viewer or television audience to see cards or bets not
within view of other players. What is also needed is a method and
apparatus to allow payers to conduct their own blackjack
tournaments, as disclosed herein, yet outside of a casino
environment such as in the comfort of their own homes.
SUMMARY
[0009] A method is provided for conducting a card game tournament
in one or more rounds, with the possibility of elimination at
several points within a round. In each round, comprised of a
predetermined number of hands, at certain intervals, "elimination
hands" may be declared, wherein after the hand is played, the
player with the lowest score, point count, or chip total will be
eliminated, therefore expediting play of the tournament and
heightening viewer suspense as the player to be eliminated is
determined. Further, such elimination hands cause players to adjust
their play style, since for elimination hands, the players are
competing more directly against one another to avoid the penalty of
elimination. At the end of a round, the player with the highest
player total (in tokens, chips, point value, or dollars, for
instance) will advance to the next round. After the final round is
completed (e.g., the championship round), the player with the
highest score, point count, or chip total is winner of the
tournament. If two players are tied for the highest point total, a
playoff will be held to determine which player advances.
[0010] It is another object of the invention to provide for a
betting technique to further increase viewer interest and
excitement of the tournament. Once or more per tournament, another
implementation of the present invention provides for a "secret
bet," where players may place a bet in confidence, with the amount
not known to other players until the end of the hand when bets are
resolved. However, the present invention provides for a means to
reveal the bet to a viewing audience, a broadcast audience, or
both, at the time the bet is placed (or thereafter). One such means
for revealing a secret bet may be accomplished by displaying a
video feed on a visual display that is viewable only by members of
an intended live or remote audience In this way, viewers have
knowledge of potential game outcomes that players may not, and
therefore viewers become more drawn into observing game play.
Further, the secret bet aspect of the present invention allows for
players to exercise gaming strategy more akin to the game of poker,
where "bluffing" plays a key role in adding an element of the
unknown. In one implementation of the present invention, since
player cards are visible to other players, the secret bet has the
effect of allowing a player to exercise confidential strategy and
force other players to adjust play technique accordingly.
[0011] It is another object of the invention to provide for an
apparatus and method to conduct a blackjack tournament in a venue
outside of a casino or studio environment. With viewer interest
likely increasing in response to the broadcast of tournaments
conducted in accordance with the present invention, viewers may
become motivated to play in such tournament themselves, host their
own tournaments, or conduct tournaments at a public forum such as
for fundraising. In these situations, the method and apparatus of
the present invention provide for game components and rules to
support the implementation of a blackjack tournament at a venue
outside of a typical casino or studio environment.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 depicts a flow chart portraying one method of the
present invention, wherein a card game tournament is conducted;
and
[0013] FIG. 2 illustrates a flow chart for one embodiment of
playing a hand of cards in accordance with the present
invention.
[0014] The same numbers are used throughout the disclosure and
figures to reference like components and features.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] An implementation of the present invention provides for a
card game tournament conducted in one or more rounds, each round
comprising one or more hands of cards. In one implementation, a
round of the tournament comprises 30 hands played, or in some
situations, may comprise 10 to 60 hands played. A round may end
before the predetermined number of hands is played, and may
continue longer to break ties. A sufficient number of rounds is
played to eliminate players and determine an ultimate champion. One
implementation further provides for a card game tournament
utilizing the game of blackjack.
[0016] Turning to FIG. 1, a flowchart of an implementation of the
present invention is presented. At the beginning of the tournament,
certain game play parameters are established, (100) such as the
minimum and maximum allowable bet/wager, the number of rounds in
the tournament, the time limits to place bets and to act upon dealt
cards, and the number and cardinality of elimination hands
(discussed more fully below). In one implementation, hand numbers
8, 16, and 25 are designated as elimination hands, where players
may be eliminated under certain conditions. Further, while in one
implementation elimination hands are announced before the
tournament begins, in an alternate implementation to further
increase the spontaneity and enjoyment of the game, elimination
hands may be declared at the beginning of a round, at the beginning
of an elimination hand, or after an elimination hand of cards had
been played without a player's knowledge that such hand was an
elimination hand.
[0017] At the beginning of each round of the tournament (103),
players are seated in the game and an initial play/seating order is
determined, such as through a random draw. Those of skill in the
art understand that since the order of play typically proceeds
sequentially from one player to the next in the seating order, the
terms "play order" and "seating order" are interchangeable, and are
to be considered interchangeable herein. It is understood that in
some implementations, such as in a computer-implemented tournament,
not all players must necessarily physically reside at the same
location. It is further understood that the number of players in
each game or table may vary due to the number of entrants in the
tournament. In one implementation, a physical or virtual marker is
placed proximal to the player that is first in the bet/play order,
and such marker is rotated to a next player after completion of
play of each hand of cards. In an alternate implementation, such
marker also provides an indicia of which hand number is being
played within a round and/or whether such hand comprises an
elimination hand During this phase (103), players receive an
initial allocation of tournament chips or a monetary indicia of
value ($25,000 worth, in one implementation or in a home edition
implementation, players each receive $100,000 in chips). If the
round being played is a final, or championship round, players
optionally receive a different allocation of chips or monetary
value ($100,000, for instance). With the exception of the final
round, players may vary their bets within predetermined limits, for
instance from $500 to $25,000 in increments of $100. In the final
championship round, or in a home version of the present invention
players may vary their bets in a second range, for instance from
$1,000 to $100,000 in increments of $100. It is understood by those
of skill in the art that bet limits may be adjusted responsive to
the length of the tournament, the number of rounds to be conducted,
the nature of players involved, or the venue of the tournament. In
one implementation, once bets are placed in the player's betting
square, the bets may not be changed.
[0018] The hands of each round are played (105) with rules
determined by the nature of the card game tournament being
conducted. In one implementation, the rules of the card game are
substantially similar to established casino blackjack rules. One
implementation of playing a hand in accordance with an
implementation of the present invention will be discussed more
fully below in relation to FIG. 2, below. At the completion the
playing of a hand of cards (105), each player's point, chip, or
monetary value indicia totals will be adjusted based on their
respective success or failure in that hand of cards.
[0019] If a hand played was designated as an elimination hand
(107), players' point/chip/value totals are accrued and compared
(109). If two or more players tie for lowest total (111), then a
playoff is conducted (113) to determine a player with the lowest
chip total. After the optional playoff (113), the player that has
the lowest remaining total is eliminated (115).
[0020] In one implementation, a playoff (113) may be conducted as
follows. First, a the number of hands in the playoff is determined
and may be set equal to the number of players tied at the beginning
of the playoff. The first bettor in a playoff, in one
implementation, is the player who is naturally positioned to bet
next following the preceding hand. At the beginning of the playoff,
in one implementation, the tied players start with the same value
of chips or monetary indicia that they had at the conclusion of the
hand (105), and will play substantially in accordance with the
rules of a non-playoff hand. In an alternate implementation, prior
to beginning the playoff, special playoff chips may be issued to
the tied players to avoid intermixing chips with each player's
pre-playoff chip total, and optionally, a predetermined amount of
chips or value indicia could be issued to each tied player
irrespective of their pre-playoff bankroll. At the end of the
playoff, the player with the lowest total is determined, and will
therefore be eliminated (115). The player(s) surviving the playoff
(113) will begin the next hand with the same total value of chips
that each had at the conclusion of the hand that preceded the
playoff.
[0021] After an optional player elimination, the play of a round
continues with determining whether a hand was the last hand in a
round (117). If not, in one implementation, more than two players
must remain (119) for the round to continue, otherwise the round
will be concluded. If more than two players remain, and if it is
not the last hand in the round, the marker or indicia that
identifies the initial player/bettor in a hand of cards is advanced
to the next surviving player in sequence (121) and play of a new
hand begins (105). Otherwise, at the end of a round, the surviving
player's chip totals, scores, or monetary value indicia are
compared (123), and if there is a tie between two or more players
for highest value, a playoff is conducted (125) in a manner similar
to the method described above in relation to the elimination
playoff (113), except that it is sought to be determined which of
the tied players obtains highest point value in the playoff.
[0022] To conclude the round, the player with the highest point
total will be determined (127) and designated the round winner if
the tournament has not concluded (129). In such a case, round
winners may be selected to play against each other in new
tournament rounds (105). If the round being played was the final,
or championship round in the tournament, the n the player with the
highest total is declared the tournament winner (131) and the
tournament concludes.
[0023] While an implementation of the present invention provides
for a card game tournament utilizing the card game of blackjack, it
will be appreciated by those of skill in the art that other card
games such as Baccarat, Pai Gow, and Carribean Stud could be
utilized. One implementation of blackjack play rules as follows:
the deck may be dealt from a six deck shoe with approximately one
deck of cards cut out of play, and the decks are combined and
thoroughly shuffled. The dealer deals both initial cards face-up to
the players and one card up and one down to himself. The dealer
hits all hands of 16 or less and also hits soft 17. Players are
paid 3 to 2 for "naturals" or "blackjacks" (a two-card hand
consisting of an ace plus face card or a 10). Players may split any
two-card hand which contains cards of equal value up to three times
for a total of 4 hands. Split aces may be dealt only one card on
each ace, and these cards are dealt down; if the down cards in ace
splits are face cards or "10" cards, such split hands are not
"naturals" or "blackjacks" but are treated as having a value of 21.
The player may double down on any two cards, for any amount from
the table minimum up to and including the amount of their original
wager, and including after splitting, with the exception of split
aces which are governed by the one card per ace rules above. All
double down cards are dealt face down. Late surrender is allowed
for one half of the player's original wager.
[0024] Turning to FIG. 2, to begin play of a hand (200), a player
that is designated as the initial player/bettor, will place a
bet/wager (203) and each surviving player in turn places bets. In
one implementation, if a player is unable to place at least a
predetermined minimum bet as announced with the tournament rules
(205), then that player is eliminated (207).
[0025] In any hand during a tournament round of their choice, each
player has the option (207) of placing a "secret bet." In one
implementation, players may be limited to placing a limited number
of secret bets per round or per tournament, and for example but not
by way of limitation, players may be restricted to placing no more
than one secret bet per tournament round. At the time it is their
turn to place a bet, a player using the secret bet option renders
an indicia of a secret bet (209), such as by placing a designated
"secret bet" chip in a betting square when it is the player's turn.
At that point, the player placing the bet takes steps to record
(209) the value of the secret bet being placed, such as by stepping
away from the table to write the amount of the bet on a secret bet
card or typing the value into a touchpad, keypad, or keyboard The
amount recorded on the secret bet card is held at least partially
in confidence, and in one implementation no other players may
observe the value of the recorded secret bet until the placing
player's wager is resolved at the end of the hand. Further, in one
implementation before writing down the value of the secret bet or
otherwise rendering an indicia of its value, the secret betting
player enters a booth that has an interior that is at least
partially enclosed or concealed from other players. The player then
records the amount of the secret bet in the booth, and optionally,
reveals the amount of the bet to a camera that is installed in a
manner so as to see the player within the booth. In one
implementation the camera produces a video feed that may be
broadcast, recorded, or displayed to an audience but not to other
players that are currently engaged in the game. Those of skill in
the art appreciate that such video feeds may be incorporated into
an entertainment program that is recorded for later broadcast, or
is transmitted live to a broadcast audience, a television audience,
subscribers of a cable service, patrons of a casino, or bettors at
a pari-mutuel betting facility. Such video feed may also be
purposely time delayed to give program directors or editors time to
remove uttered profanity or any other content that could be
offensive to a viewing audience. Also, such video feed may be
combined with or incorporated into other video feeds showing
players not making secret bets.
[0026] After the amount of the secret bet has been rendered, in one
implementation the secret bet card will be placed on the table
under the secret bet token in the player's bet box, and play
proceeds as usual. The amount of the bet is not revealed until the
hand is over, and the hand is typically graded after the dealer has
finished their hand. Additional wagers of either insurance or
doubling down on the player's hand that contain the secret bet will
be written in their appropriate space(s) on the secret bet card
with the same provision that allows the player to walk away from
the table when writing such secret bet information. In one
implementation, the player must have enough chips in the player's
chip total to take insurance. No even money betting will be
allowed.
[0027] If the secret betting player wishes to take insurance,
double down, or split during the secret-bet hand, the player may
similarly render the amount of the bet in confidence, such as by
stepping away from the table and indicating such additional bets in
the appropriate spaces on a secret-bet card. Such rendering of
additional bet amounts may be conducted in a confidential booth
area as discussed above, and optionally, may be visible to a camera
for display to an audience, viewers or other designated attendees.
At the end of the hand, after the dealer has completed play, the
amount of the secret bet and any subsequent bets will be revealed.
In one implementation, if it is discovered that the player does not
have sufficient chips to cover the secret bet, the bet will be
considered to be the total amount of chips the player has remaining
and the player will win, lose, or push that amount.
[0028] Splitting poses additional considerations for the secret bet
process. If a player that has placed a secret bet has two cards of
equal value and would like to split, the player should have enough
chips remaining to do so before splitting the hand. Therefore, in
an implementation of the present invention, a split bet that occurs
by the secret bet option that cannot be covered by the player's
current chip or monetary total may be considered to be a foul and
the player will forfeit the entire original wager and split amount,
further resulting in being eliminated from the tournament.
[0029] If a player wishes to double down on a secret bet, the
player may do so, in one implementation, by writing down the amount
of the double down bet on a secret-bet card in the appropriate
space, or in an alternate implementation, by typing or otherwise
rendering the value of the secret bet in an electronic medium. When
the wager is graded, if the player had enough chips to place the
double down bet, then both bets have full action and are considered
valid bets. If the player had insufficient chips or monetary value
to make the full secret double down wager, then the wager will only
be graded for the amount of chips or value that the player had at
their disposal to wager, that is, the amount of the player's
remaining chips or monetary value.
[0030] In one implementation, once it becomes a player's turn to
place a bet, the player must do so within a time limit specified at
the beginning of the tournament. Those of skill in the art
appreciate that in a virtual or distributed tournament, bets/wagers
may also be placed by rendering an indicia of monetary value either
into a keypad or though a computer interface. In one implementation
of timing rules, players have 20 seconds to place a bet on each
hand and 20 seconds for each strategy decision on a hand. These
time limits may be extended to one minute on each elimination hand
and two minutes on the final hand in each tournament round,
including the final round. Likewise, since placing a secret bet
often takes more time than placing a normal bet, a different time
limit such as two minutes may be imposed upon players to place
secret bets after announcing they are placing such bets. Referring
to FIG. 2, if a player does not place a bet within the allotted
time (211), that player's bet may automatically be set to the
mandatory minimum bet (213).
[0031] Betting continues in a predetermined betting order until all
bets have been placed (215), whereupon cards are dealt (217)
starting with the initial bettor, and one at a time, players are
presented with the obligation to specify play decisions (219).
Since in the game of blackjack additional bets are required to
split hands, double down, or take insurance, players that have
placed secret bets may exercise the process described above to
render a secret bet at least in partial confidence (221, 223). If a
player does provide play decisions or otherwise act on the hand
within the allotted time (225), the player will be considered to
automatically stand (227). Play continues with each successive
player (229) until the last player has conduced playing. The dealer
then uncovers the dealer down card and plays the dealer's hand
(231) in accordance with the tournament rules discussed above.
Based on the dealer's hand, one at a time player bets are resolved
(233), which may include revealing to all players the amount of any
recorded secret bets. Since a new hand may be beginning the initial
player marker is advanced to the next player in turn, and the hand
is considered completed.
[0032] Portable/Home Tournament Edition and Apparatus
[0033] Since it may be desired to provide for a version of the
present invention that lends itself to play outside of a
large-scale tournament venue, a method and apparatus for a home or
portable edition of the tournament is presented. For example, but
not by way of limitation, included in the game apparatus are a
portable surface with indicia substantially similar to surface of a
blackjack casino table, six decks of cards, a dealing shoe, a cut
card, a dealer button, chips, hand-count chips, position-draw
cards, secret-bet cards, and action cards. In one implementation,
the portable surface with indicia comprises a foldable felt cloth
with printed indicia. In another implementation, such indicia could
be silk-screened onto the felt cloth. A timer device may also be
included to ensure play progresses at the desired pace, and, for
example, may measure betting and play execution times, such times
being variable depending on the particular hand number being
played
[0034] Play begins substantially as above, with players receiving
an initial amount of tournament chips. To keep track of the hand
being played, the apparatus provides for hand-count chips
designating the number of the hand that is being played. In one
implementation, hand-count chips are numbered 1-30 with hands 8,
16, and 25 designated as Elimination Hands. On these designated
Elimination Hands, the player with the lowest chip count at the end
of the hand is eliminated from the game. If one or more players
have fewer than the mandatory minimum bet in tournament chips at
the end of the Elimination Hand, including when that amount is
zero, those players are eliminated. Even if one or more players is
eliminated before an Elimination Hand is played, at least one
player may still be eliminated on the Elimination Hand.
[0035] In one home version implementation, hand number 30 is the
final hand of the tournament. After hand 30, all chips are counted
and the player with the highest total is declared the champion. The
tournament can end sooner than hand 30 if only one player is
remaining. If more than one player has less than the mandatory
minimum bet left, the finishing order is determined by the count of
all remaining chips.
[0036] Further, in a home version implementation, a rotating button
determines where the betting and playing action begins on each
hand. The button begins in seat one on hand one. Players positions
at the table may be determined by dealing out or drawing from the
position-draw cards. Players will be positioned or seated in order,
based on their card-draw result, with the ace or 1 designating that
player to occupy the first seat and so on through the 7 card which
will be designated as the last or seventh seat. The player in seat
1 makes the first bet, and betting continues in a direction, such
as clockwise, until all players have bet in the hand. The cards are
then dealt out in accordance with standard blackjack rules. Playing
decisions are also made in order, beginning with the button player
and continuing clockwise around the table. At the conclusion of
hand #1, the #2 button will be placed in front of the next player
in a clockwise rotation and that person shall bet first. In this
manner, the button not only indicates the hand number but also the
initial bettor/player in a hand. Betting and playing decisions on
all hands begin with the button position until the tournament is
completed.
[0037] In a home edition implementation in case of a tie on any
Elimination or final hand, the tied players will be given a
predetermined amount of chips separate from the chips they have
left and they will enter into a playoff that comprises two hands if
two players are tied, three hands if three players are tied, and so
on. The initial bettor/player button will start with the person to
the left of where the button was at the end of the tied hand and
will move to the next person in the playoff on the second and
subsequent hands, if any, in the playoff. If the playoff results in
another tie, the playoff is repeated in the manner just specified.
After the playoff is completed, the person with the lowest chip
count becomes the eliminated player. The remaining players,
including the playoff survivor(s), will continue playing the
tournament with the chips they had at the time the playoff began.
Play continues after a player is eliminated with the button moving
to the first surviving player to the left of the player who had the
button on the hand that necessitated the playoff. If the playoff
occurs on a final hand, the tournament will be completed and the
winner of the playoff will be the champion.
[0038] In a home edition implementation, one secret bet per player
per tournament round is permitted. Players are allowed to step away
from the playing area to record their secret bet, and similarly to
other embodiments discussed herein, multiple bets may be recorded
on the secret bet cards, and other betting options such as
surrender, insurance, double down, or split may be accommodated on
the secret bet card in addition to an initial wager.
[0039] Use of a secret bet also entitles the player to use cards
called "action cards" for the play of the secret-bet hand. Action
cards allow players to record one or more desired play actions to
be taken on the table, so that the desired play action is not be
known to the other players until the end of that hand. An action
card may be used for example, to keep the amount of a double-down
or surrender bet concealed, or to conceal a decision to stand.
Players are allowed to step away from the playing area to mark
their action card. An action card may be used even if a secret bet
was not made on the hand, and in one implementation, doing so will
count as the player's one-time per-tournament round use of the
secret-bet or action option. In one implementation, secret-bet or
action cards are opened after the hand has been completed by all
players and the dealer to determine how much the players bet,
and/or what playing actions were desired to be taken. Bets will be
paid or collected according to the outcome of the hand.
[0040] One implementation of a home edition of the present
invention provides play rules as follows: Normal blackjack rules
will be in force, with the dealer having to hit all soft 17s (A-6,
A-3-3, etc.) or any hard hand of 16 or less until a hard 17 or
better is reached, at which point the dealer will stand. Players
may double on any two cards, including on two-card hands after a
split. Players may double for less than their original wager as
long as it is not for less than the table minimum. Players may
split pairs of equal-value cards, including mixed face cards, such
as queen/king or ten/jack, up to three times to make a total of 4
hands. Aces, however, may be split only once with one card dealt to
each ace. Late surrender is allowed on the player's first two
cards. Surrendering a hand forfeits half of the amount bet. Early
surrender (surrendering vs. a dealer ten or ace before the hand is
checked for a natural) is not allowed. A player may take insurance
if the dealer has an ace showing. A player must have enough chips
to take insurance, and players may not take insurance by verbally
saying "even money." Insurance is allowed for any amount from half
the mandatory minimum bet to half of the original wager. If the
dealer does not have a natural or "blackjack," the player's
insurance wager is collected. If the dealer does have a natural,
the insurance wager is paid at a rate of 2-1.
[0041] Further, in a home edition implementation, a countdown of
all players' chips will take place after designated hand numbers,
such as hand numbers 8, 16, and 25. In one embodiment, a countdown
also occurs before the final hand in a round (for example, before
hand 30). If only two players remain in the game before the start
of the Elimination Hand, the round will end at that point, and if
no additional rounds or players remain, the tournament ends as
well. In one implementation, to assist in fair game play, players
must keep all chips stacked in the same denomination, in piles that
do not exceed 15 chips.
[0042] Although the invention has been described in language
specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is
to be understood that the invention defined in the appended claims
is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts
described. Rather, the specific features and acts are disclosed as
exemplary forms of implementing the claimed invention.
* * * * *