U.S. patent application number 11/560262 was filed with the patent office on 2007-05-24 for card game system with auxiliary games.
Invention is credited to Otho Dale Hill.
Application Number | 20070117604 11/560262 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38054227 |
Filed Date | 2007-05-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070117604 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hill; Otho Dale |
May 24, 2007 |
Card Game System with Auxiliary Games
Abstract
A system and method for creating a bonus system to reward casino
card game players and to further generate and monitor wager and
bonus based auxiliary card games, played simultaneously with a
primary card game, whereas winning wager based auxiliary game
players are paid in gaming chips, cash or prizes; and primary game
players, who qualify to play a bonus based auxiliary game by means
of a player tracking card who receive winning bonus based game
hands are paid slot machine credits issued at the game table by
means of a TITO ticket that can be redeemed only by the player
playing designated slot machines operated by or associated with the
host casino to assist a casino in cross marketing casino table
games and slot machines.
Inventors: |
Hill; Otho Dale; (Las Vegas,
NV) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PEACOCK MYERS, P.C.
201 THIRD STREET, N.W.
SUITE 1340
ALBUQUERQUE
NM
87102
US
|
Family ID: |
38054227 |
Appl. No.: |
11/560262 |
Filed: |
November 15, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60738726 |
Nov 21, 2005 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
463/16 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/32 20130101;
G07F 17/322 20130101; G07F 17/3251 20130101; G07F 17/3258
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/016 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Claims
1. A gaming system for playing a game of chance having a primary
card game and one or more secondary card games, said system
comprising: a gaming table having a top displaying indicia for
playing a primary card game; a processing unit responsive to
software instructions, said software instructions being adapted to
enable the processing unit to monitor the play of the primary card
game and the play of a secondary card game; one or more cards to be
dealt to a primary card game hand; a card scanner that reads the
one or more cards dealt to a primary card game hand and
communicates the information to the processing unit; a monitor for
displaying information related to the game of chance and viewable
by a player at the gaming table; and a printer in communication
with the processing unit said printer configured to print a payout
ticket.
2. The gaming system of claim 1 further comprising an automatic bet
recognition device for detecting a bet placed by the player when
the player designates interest in playing the game of chance
wherein the bet is communicated to the processing unit;
3. The gaming system of claim 2 wherein the automatic bet
recognition device includes a side bet location that contains a
sensor for detecting when the player designates interest in playing
the secondary card game by placing a side wager at the bet
location.
4. The gaming system of claim 2 wherein the automatic bet
recognition device provides a signal to the dealer when a player
makes a bet, said signal is communicated to the processing
unit.
5. The gaming system of claim 1 further comprising a player
tracking card reader in communication with the processing unit.
6. The gaming system of claim 1 further comprising a slot machine
in communication with the processing unit for playing a tertiary
game at the gaming table.
7. The gaming system of claim 1 further comprising a bill acceptor
in communication with the processing unit.
8. The gaming system of claim 7 wherein the bill acceptor is
configured to accept currency or gaming tickets issued at a slot
machine or card game table operated by or associated with the host
casino.
9. The gaming system of claim 1 wherein the monitor is located at
the gaming table.
10. The gaming system of claim 1 further comprising a data input
device in communication with the processing unit.
11. The gaming system of claim 10 wherein the data input device is
a keyboard.
12. The gaming system of claim 1 wherein the software instructions
are further adapted to enable the processing unit to randomly
select one or more virtual cards for play in the secondary card
game.
13. The gaming system of claim 1 wherein the card scanner is in
communication with a card dealing shoe.
14. A method of playing a game of chance comprising the steps of:
qualifying a player for a primary card game by placing a bet;
qualifying the player for a bonus based auxiliary card game at the
discretion of the casino; selecting one or more cards projected to
be dealt to a primary card game hand wherein the one or more cards
projected to be dealt is the bonus based auxiliary card game hand;
scanning one or more cards dealt to the primary card game hand;
comparing the one or more cards dealt to the primary card game hand
with the bonus based auxiliary card game hand; and identifying a
winner of the bonus based auxiliary card game hand when the cards
dealt to the primary card game hand match those in the bonus based
auxiliary card game hand.
15. The method of claim 14 wherein the step of card selection is
made by a random number generator that generates a virtual card
from the inventory of cards in a game deck or at the discretion of
the casino from the inventory of cards in a game deck.
16. The method of claim 15 wherein the inventory of cards in the
game deck is a complete deck or a depleted deck.
17. The method of claim 14 further comprising the step of
calculating a payout for each winner.
18. The method of claim 14 further comprising the step of awarding
a payout to the winner.
19. The method of claim 18 wherein the payout is a TITO ticket.
20. The method of claim 19 wherein the TITO ticket is redeemable
for cash, slot machine credits, prizes or anything of value
designated by the host casino.
21. The method of claim 20 wherein the slot machine credits are
restricted to play on designated machine.
22. A method of playing a game of chance, the method comprising the
steps of: qualifying a player for a primary card game by placing a
first bet; qualifying the player for a wager based auxiliary card
game by placing a second bet; projecting one or more cards selected
by a RNG algorithm from the inventory of cards available to be
dealt to a primary card game hand wherein the one or more cards
projected to be dealt is the wager based auxiliary card game hand;
scanning one or more cards dealt to the hand in the primary card
game; comparing the one or more cards dealt to the primary card
game hand with the wager based auxiliary card game hand; and
identifying a winner of the wager based auxiliary card game when
the one or more cards dealt to the primary card game hand match
those in the wager based auxiliary card game hand.
23. The method of claim 22 wherein the step of qualifying for a
wager based auxiliary card game includes placing a bet at a side
bet location to designate interest in playing the wager based
auxiliary card game.
24. The method of claim 22 further comprising the step of
calculating a payout for the winner of the wager based auxiliary
card game.
25. The method of claim 22 further comprising the step of printing
a payout ticket for a winner of a primary card game and or a wager
based auxiliary card game.
26. The method of claim 25 wherein the payout ticket is redeemable
for slot machine credits, cash, prizes or anything of value
designated by the host casino.
27. A gaming system for playing a game of chance, the system
comprising: a gaming table having a top displaying indicia for
playing a primary card game; a processing unit responsive to
software instructions, said software instructions being adapted to
enable a random selection of one or more cards projected to be
dealt to a primary card game hand; a card scanner that reads the
one or more cards dealt to the primary card game hand and
communicates the information to the processing unit; an automatic
bet recognition device for detecting a bet placed by a player when
the player designates interest in playing the game of chance
wherein the bet is communicated to the processing unit; a monitor
for displaying information related to the play of the secondary
card game, said monitor viewable from the gaming table and in
communication with the processing unit; a player tracking card
reader in communication with the processing unit; a bill acceptor
in communication with the processing unit; and a printer configured
to print a payout ticket said printer in communication with the
processing unit.
28. A method of playing a game of chance at a card game table, the
method comprising the steps of: qualifying a player for a primary
card game by placing a first bet at a first automatic bet
recognition device; qualifying the player for a first bonus based
auxiliary card game when a player tracking card reader validates a
player tracking card of the player; selecting one or more cards
projected to be dealt to a primary card game hand as the bonus
based auxiliary card game hand; displaying the bonus based
auxiliary card game hand to a monitor viewable by the player;
scanning one or more cards dealt to the primary card game hand by a
scanner; comparing the one or more cards dealt to the primary card
game hand with the bonus based auxiliary card game hand to identify
a winner when the cards are the same; awarding a predetermined
payout to the winner.
29. The method of claim 28 wherein the payout is a TITO ticket for
slot machine credits.
30. The method of claim 28 further comprising qualifying the player
for a second bonus based auxiliary card game when a predetermined
criteria set by the casino is meet by the player.
31. The method of claim 28 further comprising exchanging currency
for chips using a bill acceptor at the card game table.
32. The method of claim 28 further comprising exchanging chips for
a TITO ticket the card game table.
33. A method of playing a game of chance at a card game table, the
method comprising the steps of: qualifying a player for a primary
card game by placing a first bet at a first automatic bet
recognition device; qualifying the player for a wager based
auxiliary card game by placing a second bet at a second automatic
bet recognition device; selecting one or more cards with a RNG from
the inventory of cards available to be dealt to a primary card game
hand wherein the one or more cards selected to be dealt is the
wager based auxiliary card game hand; displaying to a monitor
viewable by the player the wager based auxiliary card game hand;
scanning one or more cards dealt to the primary card game hand by a
scanner; comparing the one or more cards dealt to the primary card
game hand with the wager based auxiliary card game hand to identify
a winner of the wager based auxiliary card game when the cards are
the same; and awarding a payout to the winner.
34. A computer readable medium storing executable software code
thereon, the executable software code including: code to qualify a
player for a primary card game after the player places a first bet
at a first automatic bet recognition device, code to qualify the
player for a wager based auxiliary card game after the player
places a second bet at a second automatic bet recognition device,
code to select one or more cards with a RNG algorithm as the wager
based auxiliary card game hand, code to compare the one or more
cards dealt to the primary card game hand with the wager based
auxiliary card game hand to identify a winner and code to award a
calculated payout to the winner of the second bet.
35. A computer readable medium storing executable software code
thereon, the executable software code including: code to qualify a
player for a primary card game by placing a first bet at a first
automatic bet recognition device, code to qualify the player for a
first bonus based auxiliary card game when a player tracking card
reader validates a player tracking card of the player, code to
select one or more cards projected to be dealt to a primary card
game hand as the bonus based auxiliary card game hand, code to scan
one or more cards dealt to the primary card game hand by a scanner,
code to compare the one or more cards dealt to the primary card
game hand with the bonus based auxiliary card game hand to identify
a winner when the cards are the same, code to award a predetermined
payout to the winner.
Description
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to and the benefit of the
filing of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/738,726
entitled CARD GAME SYSTEM WITH AUXILIARY GAMES, filed on Nov. 21,
2005, and the specification and claims thereof are incorporated
herein by reference.
COPYRIGHT AUTHORIZATION
[0002] A portion of the disclosure of this patent document and of
the related application 60/738,726 entitled CARD GAME SYSTEM WITH
AUXILIARY GAMES, filed on Nov. 21, 2005, listed above contains
material that is subject to copyright protection. The owner has no
objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent
document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and
Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all
copyrights whatsoever.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The invention relates to a system and method for playing an
auxiliary (secondary) game in addition to a primary table card
game, a system for playing the same and a computer system and
method for monitoring the play of the primary and secondary card
games and/or automated bonusing of the auxiliary games.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] In general, casino card games are either dealt from a deck
of cards carried in the dealer's hand, known in the trade as a
"hand deck", which is typically comprised of one (1) or two (2)
standard decks of playing cards, or the game may be dealt from a
Card Dispensing Shoe, known in the trade as a "shoe". A shoe
typically carries four (4), six (6) or eight (8) standard decks of
playing cards.
[0005] A standard deck of playing cards is comprised of fifty-two
(52) cards consisting of four suits: Hearts, Clubs, Diamonds and
Spades. Each suit is comprised of 13 cards including an Ace, three
ranked cards (a King, a Queen, and a Jack) and one card each having
a value of 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3 or 2. The rank or value of the
cards comprising a deck may vary according to the rules of the card
game being played. The Ace is typically valued as one (1) or eleven
(11) when playing the game of "21" or "Blackjack". The King, Queen
and Jack typically have a card game value of ten (10) when playing
the game of Blackjack, and a card game value of zero (0) when
playing the game of Baccarat. Card games like Poker are played with
one (1) standard deck of playing cards. Blackjack games may be
played with one (1) or more standard decks of playing cards.
Baccarat is typically played with eight (8) decks of standard
playing cards.
[0006] Card dispensing shoes for dealing or delivering cards to
players of casino card games, i.e., "21" or Blackjack, Baccarat,
Caribbean Stud, Let It Ride, Poker etc., are known in the art. The
shoe is placed near a dealer's station on a card game table, and at
least one standard deck of playing cards is inserted into an
opening at the top of the shoe and positioned face down in a card
chute that is slanted downward and forward toward the mouth of the
shoe. A wedged device housing a heavy steel roller forces the deck
down and forward positioning the deck flush against a retaining
wall containing a card outlet at the front of the shoe. Only a
portion of the back side of the top card of the deck is observable
through the card outlet while the cards are in the shoe.
[0007] The dealer feeds cards for delivery to players at the table
by manually engaging and forcing the top card of the deck out of
the shoe through the card outlet which includes a slit extending
fully across the base of the retaining wall. The dealer pulls the
top card from the deck carried by the shoe, and it is delivered or
dealt to a game player or game hand. A series of cards is thus
delivered one-by-one to the players at the card game table until
each player or game hand has the requisite number of cards for
playing the game. The shoe remains in view of the dealer and game
players. Absent cheating, neither dealer nor any player is aware of
any of the cards values contained within the shoe prior to their
removal from the shoe.
[0008] Increasingly, modern day casinos are using card game tables
and card dispensing shoes coupled to a processing unit, coupled to
one or more electronic devices, that monitor the play of the game
and the game players, which is known as a Card Game and Player
Rating System (CGPRS).
[0009] There are several different configurations of computerized
prior art CG&PRS that use one or more scanning devices to
identify information regarding card play and/or player activity and
identity. The information of interest includes card value and/or
the card rank and suit and the delivery sequence of at least one
card delivered to at least one game, player or dealer hand prior
to, during or after the removal and delivery of each card,
one-by-one, from a game deck held in the dealer's hand or,
one-by-one, from a deck contained in a card dispensing shoe.
CG&PRS systems with scanners are being integrated into all
types of card dispensing shoes including those that include batch
shufflers. Other CG&PRS use scanners that are not carried by
the shoe. The CG&PRS can be improved.
[0010] CG&PRS systems perform many tasks by means of a Central
Processing unit (CPU) that is coupled to a (LAN) or (WAN),
including the Internet, in addition to multiple other components.
These components include various types of playing card and playing
card deck(s) scanners, player tracking card readers, (PTCR),
keyboards, manual input devices, automatic data input devices,
imaging devices, displays, machine readable gaming chips, scanning
devices to read machine readable gaming chips, gaming chips with
embedded radio frequency identification devices, (RFID),
transponders, RFID chip readers, light sensors, bet sensors,
automatic bet recognition devices and supporting software
modules.
[0011] Examples of the use of information manually or automatically
input into the CG&PRS for storage in memory, retrieval and or
display include at least one statistic related to the play of the
game and/or at least one statistic related to the game player's
game strategy (i.e., the identity of the game monitored, the number
of the table at which the game is played, the number of seats
available at the game table, the identity of the game dealer(s) and
the game player(s), the number of hands and game rounds dealt by
the dealer at the game table, the number of hands and game rounds
played by each player during a play session, each players minimum,
maximum and average bets, the card inventory of game deck, the card
value, card rank, card suit and the delivery sequence of each card
removed from the game deck and the identity of each card dealt to a
game, player, or dealer hand, the value, score and outcome of each
game hand dealt to a game, player, or dealer hand during the play
of a game round, the win/loss of each of the game players, and each
player's strategy proficiency, earning potential, complimentary
equivalency, and etc.). All game and player information gathered by
these systems is typically stored on the host casino's main
processing unit; whereas information gathered on a player who is
known to the casino who has played more than one session, is
compiled creating an electronic "Year to Date File" that tracks and
analyzes the players current, past and combined playing sessions at
the host casino's game tables and ultimately determines the
player's "true worth" to the casino. Immediately below are some
U.S. patents which include one or more types of playing card
scanners that may be used to monitor the play of casino card games
and/or rate casino card game players. These patents are
incorporated herein by reference.
[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 5,374,061 (Albrecht) describes a card
dispensing shoe that houses a scanner to scan special decks of
cards encoded with information identifying the value of each card
as it is removed from the shoe and displaying a running count of
the deck on a display housed in the back of the shoe.
[0013] U.S. Pat. No. 5,605,334 (McCrea, Jr.) describes a secure
game table system, including a card scanning device for monitoring
casino card games, that allows the game player(s) to make a side
wager that will qualify the player to win a progressive jackpot
comprised of an initial sum of money contributed by the game
operator when the progressive jackpot is first initiated. The
amount of the initial jackpot is increased until won by withholding
a designated percentage of each side bet wagered by the game
players to qualify to win the progressive jackpot. When the
progressive jackpot is won, the amount of the jackpot is reset to
the amount of the initial jackpot.
[0014] U.S. Pat. No. 5,722,893 (Hill et al.) describes a card
dispensing shoe wherein the shoe houses a neural-network scanner
which is trained to identify indicia imprinted on a standard
playing card. During the play of a card game, the scanner scans
each card carried by the shoe as the card passes over the scanner
while it is being manually pushed from the shoe by the game dealer
through a card outlet at the mouth of the shoe. The output of the
system scanner and other information gathered by other apparatus
housed by or coupled to the shoe is processed by a processing unit,
associated with the shoe, to identify the card value and suit of
each card removed from the deck of cards carried by the shoe, and
to identify the game hand to which a game card is delivered, and
records the outcome of the play of the game and other statistics
specific to the players of the game.
[0015] U.S. Pat. No. 5,941,769 (Order) describes a system and
apparatus for monitoring casino card games that includes a shoe
housing a scanner to identify the cards dealt from the shoe,
playing card and bet sensors positioned beneath the game table
layout at each player position to identify where each card removed
from the shoe has been delivered, and the presence of a wager at a
player position for the current game round. Also included in the
system are gaming chips containing an embedded RFID device that are
read by a RFID reader positioned beneath the game table layout to
identify the amounts wagered by each of the game players during the
play of the game.
[0016] U.S. Pat. No. 6,217,447 (Lofink, et. al.) describes a method
for removing a card from a shoe and then using a scanner external
to the shoe and embedded in the game's table top to scan each of
the cards prior to their delivery to a Player or Bankers hand
during the play of the game of Baccarat.
[0017] U.S. Pat. No. 6,039,650 (Hill) describes a shoe apparatus,
system and method wherein the shoe has a card scanner which scans
the indicia on a playing card as it is removed from the shoe. This
information is recorded by the system processing unit which uses
this information and other information gathered by other apparatus
coupled to the shoe, including game and player rating software
modules, to monitor the play of the game, to evaluate the
proficiency of the game players at one or more card game strategies
and to calculate the true worth of the players.
[0018] U.S. Pat. No. 6,299,536 (Hill) describes a shoe apparatus,
system and method wherein the shoe has a card scanner which scans
the indicia on a playing card as it is removed from the shoe, prior
to it's being burned or removed from play or it's delivery to a
game hand, game player or game dealer. This information is recorded
by the system processing unit which includes game and player rating
software modules and software routines that use the scanner output
and other information gathered by other apparatus coupled to the
shoe to monitor the play of the game and to evaluate the
proficiency of the game players at one or more card game strategies
and to calculate the "true worth" of the players. This patent
further describes a means by which a player uses a keyboard that is
coupled to the system and embedded in the game table top to enter
actions that comprise wagers on items related to the card game,
including order and sequence of the cards and/or value and suit of
the cards to be dealt to the players and a dealer during an
upcoming game round to be dealt from the deck(s) carried by the
housing.
[0019] U.S. Pat. No. 6,460,848 (Soltys, et. al.) describes a system
that automatically monitors the play of casino card games. The
system apparatus uses a scanner to read machine readable indicia
placed on the edges of special cards comprising the game deck. The
scanner scans all of the cards of the deck in one sweep and stores
in memory the card value and order in which the cards are
positioned in the game deck prior to the deck's removal from the
shoe. The deck, if a hand deck, i.e., one or two decks, is placed
in the dealer's hand and the cards are removed from the hand deck
and delivered one-by-one to the game players. The deck, if not a
hand deck, i.e., three or more decks, is placed in a shoe to be
removed one-by-one by the game dealer and delivered to the game
players during the play of the game.
[0020] U.S. Pat. No. 6,582,301 (Hill) describes a shoe that
includes a scanner system, apparatus and method that discerns and
displays on one or more remote displays coupled to the shoe a
computer generated image of the card value and suit and delivery
sequence of each card dispensed from the shoe, the game hand to
which each card is delivered, and includes a mechanical barrier to
prevent and/or identify the wrongful dispensing of a card to a game
hand, game player or game dealer. The card game can be video
broadcast along with an image of each scanned card and the
resultant data broadcast over the internet to remotely located
bettors who can place bets on the game in progress. Casinos are
constantly searching for new and novel cost effective means to
encourage gamblers to wager more at it's casino card games, and
slot machines, and to bring new, and encourage existing, customers
to visit or return to their casino. Casinos are also seeking
innovative ideas and methods to increase their casino game table
and slot machine revenues, preferably without the need to utilize
additional floor space or employing additional employees.
[0021] In recent years, one means used by casinos to increase their
casino game table revenues, without utilizing additional floor
space or employing additional employees, has been to enhance some
of their existing base or primary card games with auxiliary or
secondary card games that are played simultaneously with the base
card game. Typically, the player of the base game is required to
make a side bet, in addition to the minimum bet required for the
base game, to participate in the auxiliary card game.
[0022] U.S. Pat. No. 5,707,285 (Place) describes a method and
apparatus for random prize selection in wagering games.
[0023] U.S. Pat. No. 6,146,270 (Huard) describes an auxiliary game
with random prize generation.
[0024] The value of a CG&PRS system to a casino can be
considerable, as is the cost of such systems. There is a need to
improve these systems so that the value of the system to the casino
is increased; and the casino's cost for the systems can be
significantly reduced by enhancing these systems with the means to
generate additional game revenues for game tables monitored by a
computerized CG&PRS, operating on a Local Area Network, (LAN),
or a Wide Area Network, (WAN) whereas the CG&PRS is coupled to
one or more playing card scanners by wire or wireless means.
[0025] U.S. Pat. No. 6,620,046 (Rowe) describes a method and system
for funding and awarding bonuses in a gaming environment. The
system includes gaming machines associated with a player tracking
host and a bonus system host. Each gaming machine has a player
tracking device. In accordance with a method, a bonus is funded
independently of specific wagers placed at the gaming machines. The
bonus system host configures bonus event information which is
presented via the player tracking devices of the gaming machines.
In the event a player is a bonus event winner, bonus award
information is transmitted to the player via the player tracking
device. The bonus is awarded based on criteria independent of the
outcome of a game played by the player at the gaming machine. The
system and method provide for the award of bonuses independent of
the configuration of the games the gaming machine presents, player
wagers or game outcome.
[0026] Many principle or base casino card games currently offer
auxiliary games that allow the game players to make an optional
side bet in addition to the ante or minimum bet a player is
required to wager to be eligible to participate in the principle or
base game. The auxiliary game is played simultaneously with the
base game. A game player having made a side bet to participate in
an auxiliary game may win designated payouts payable to the
auxiliary game player when his/her base game hand for the current
game round is comprised of one or more cards that match specific
card combinations designated as winning hands for the auxiliary
game, i.e., a specific card value, card rank and suit, a pair,
three of a kind, a straight, four of a kind, straight flush, royal
flush, and etc.
[0027] The winning card combinations for the auxiliary game are
typically listed in a schedule of payouts for one or more
combination of cards dealt to a base hand during the play of the
base game. The payout schedule is normally imprinted on the game
table layout and/or posted on or in close proximity to the base
game table in full view of the game players and the dealer, or the
payout schedule may be printed in a brochure that includes the
rules for the auxiliary game along with the payouts for winning
card combinations, and the brochure is readily accessible to the
game players. The game dealer is primarily responsible for securing
and identifying winning and losing auxiliary game hands and
determining the correct amount of any payouts. Large payouts are
normally verified and approved by a game supervisor.
[0028] Bet The Set "21" is an example of an auxiliary game played
in concert with the game of Blackjack or "21", the principle or
base game. Prior to the commencement of a game round, if the player
thinks he/she will be dealt a pair, he/she places a bet in a Pair
Square imprinted on the game table layout adjacent to the betting
area provided for the "21" game wager. If the first two cards dealt
to the player for the current game round are a pair of cards having
the same value, i.e., Q, Q, 7, 7 etc., the player wins. A pair pays
10 to 1 and a pair of the same suit pays 15 to 1. All "Bet the Set
21" bets are settled by the game dealer after the other bets for
the base "21" game are settled according to the game rules set by
the host casino.
[0029] Typically, auxiliary card games are not monitored by a game
table monitoring system that automatically identifies seats
occupied by players, participating in an auxiliary game round. The
winning hands are not automatically verified by an electronic
monitoring system. The amounts payable to winning auxiliary game
players are not automatically calculated by the monitoring system.
There is room for improvement.
[0030] Some base card games, i.e., Caribbean Stud and Let It Ride,
utilize electronic bet sensors embedded in the game table top with
at least one bet-sensor for each player seat or position to record
the placement of a "side bet" for the auxiliary game to be played
simultaneously with the principle or base game offered at the game
table. (Typically the amount of the "side bet" is fixed; i.e.,
$1.00.) Prior to the delivery of the game cards for an upcoming
game round, any player wishing to make a "side bet" will place
his/her "side bet" over the bet-sensor, and the dealer will press a
keypad coupled to the bet-sensors, that will illuminate the
bet-sensors for all seats having made a "side bet" for the upcoming
game round. The dealer will pick up the "side bets" and place them
in the chip rack. The illuminated bet-sensors will remain
illuminated during the play of the current game round identifying
those seats from which a side bet for the auxiliary game has been
collected by the game dealer prior to the commencement of the
current game round.
[0031] During the settlement of each game round, the dealer will
complete the settlement of all bets related to the base game and
then proceed to the settlement of all bets related to the auxiliary
game. All seats having an illuminated bet-sensor, the dealer will
verify that the player placed a "side bet" for the current game
round for all bets related to the auxiliary game and settle,
according to a payout schedule usually imprinted on the game table
top layout. The auxiliary game provides the house with a long-term
advantage over the players thereby generating additional game table
revenues and profits for the house without increasing the costs for
additional floor space or employees.
[0032] Currently, no base casino card game is known that offers the
base game players the opportunity to participate in a auxiliary
card game, played simultaneously with the base game during the play
of a base game round, unless the player makes a side bet in
addition to the minimum bet he/she is required to make to play the
base game. Further, no prior art base casino card game is known
that provides base card game players the opportunity to participate
in more than one auxiliary card game, played simultaneously with
the base game during the play of the base game round. Further
still, no known base casino card game is know that offers the base
game player(s) the opportunity to participate in at least one free
Bonus Based Auxiliary Card Game, (BBACG), and/or at least one Wager
Based Auxiliary Card Game, (WBACG), where one or more auxiliary
card games are played simultaneously with the base game during the
play of a base game round.
[0033] Bonus systems for slot machines are known in the art. U.S.
Pat. No. 5,876,284 (Acres) describes "A system for monitoring and
configuring gaming devices interconnected over a high-speed
network. Each gaming device includes a data communication node
which allows the gaming device to communicate with a floor
controller over a current loop network. The data communication
network communicates with both the floor controller and the gaming
device. In a multiple jackpot time bonus, the system activates a
storm simulator which provides simulated lightning and thunder that
vary in intensity with the value of a jackpot multiplier during a
bonus period. The bonus jackpots are paid to players at the gaming
device.
[0034] Typically, most casinos reward their slot machine player's
"Bonus Points" based on the total amount of cash, coin-in, the
player puts into a machine during individual and cumulative playing
sessions at the casinos slot machines. (i.e., a player having
wagered $100.00 may be awarded 100 bonus points valued at $0.01
cent per point). The coin-in is automatically tracked by an
electronic player rating system for slot machine players, and the
bonus points are automatically calculated by the system and stored
on the host casino's processing unit and/or a PTC card, issued to
the customer by the host casino. The customer, when engaged in the
play of a slot machine coupled to the system, inserts his/her PTC
card into a player tracking card reader (PTCR) housed by the slot
machine, and any bonus points earned by the customer are
transferred to the customers file stored on the host casino's
central computer and the customer's PTC card. The customer may
redeem these bonus points at his/her leisure for cash, prizes,
room, food, beverage or other things of value at one or more
designated redemption stations located within the host casino.
[0035] Ticket-in-ticket-out printers, "TITO Printers" and "Bill
Acceptors" are known in the art to be associated with casino slot
machines. "Bill Acceptors" are not known in the art to be
associated with casino table games.
[0036] Most of the world's major casinos are currently switching
from coin operated slot machines to coin-less slot machines.
Coin-less slot machines do not accept coins, instead the slot
machine players purchases credits to be played on the slot machine
by placing currency into a "Bill Acceptor", a.k.a. a "Currency
Validator", housed by the slot machine. The "Bill Acceptor",
coupled to the printer, reads and validates the denomination of the
inserted bill and subsequently displays, on a display carried by
the slot machine, the appropriate amount of credits (the designated
value of the credits for each machine may vary, i.e., $0.25, $0.50,
$1.00 and etc.), equal to the value of the currency.
[0037] During the play of the slot machine, the number of credits
displayed will decrease each time the customer pulls the slot
handle, and increase when the slot machine displays a winning
combination of symbols. In the event the player terminates his/her
play at the slot machine, and slot machine credits remain on the
machine, the player will press the "Cash Out" button, embedded in
the housing of the slot machine, and the machine will respond by
activating a TITO printer, carried by the slot machine, that will
printout a TITO ticket imprinted with the value of the slot machine
credits cashed out and other information relative to the slot
machine. The TITO ticket may be cashed out, for cash by the
customer at one or more designated slot machine booths, casino cage
cashiers, or electronic stations (similar to an ATM machine),
equipped with a TITO ticket reader; or the player may insert the
TITO ticket into a "Bill Acceptor" carried by another slot machine
operated by the host casino. There is room for improvement.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0038] One aspect of one embodiment of the present invention
provides at least one (1) Bonus Based Auxiliary Card Game (BBACG)
and/or at least one Wager Based Auxiliary Card Game (WBACG)
(referred to herein as a secondary card game), which can be played
individually, jointly, and simultaneously, with a base or primary
casino card game during the play of a primary card game round.
[0039] Another aspect of one embodiment of the present invention
provides a unique bonusing system that automatically awards bonuses
to casino card game players.
[0040] Another aspect of one embodiment of the present invention
provides a bonusing system for the casino's card table game players
that will encourage card game players who do not have a Player
Tracking Card (PTC) issued to the player by the host casino, to
fill out a PTC Application to obtain one, and thereby provide the
host casino with valuable personal information about the PTC
applicant.
[0041] Another aspect of one embodiment of the present invention
encourages a customer logging into a primary card game with a PTC
card, wherein the primary card game is played at a system and
method of the present invention able to collect, transfer and store
valuable game and player rating information, specific to the
customer presenting the PTC in the customer's file (for example
electronic file).
[0042] Another aspect of one embodiment of the present invention is
to add excitement to the play of the primary game and to provide a
means for the host casino to cross market its table games and slot
machines, whereas a bonus secondary game player winning slot
machine credits at a card game table can only redeem those credits
by playing the slot machine credits won at the card game table on
one or more slot machines specified by the host casino or game
table operator.
[0043] Another aspect of one embodiment of the present invention is
to provide a means for casino card game players to acquire gaming
chips at a card game table by means of a "Bill Acceptor" and a
means for the players to cash gaming chips out at a card game table
my means of a TITO printer.
[0044] Another aspect of one embodiment of the present invention is
to provide a combination segmented housing and color coded display
to track the status of one or more secondary games, played
simultaneously with the primary card game.
[0045] Another aspect of one embodiment of the present invention
provides a means for automatically determining the outcome of
secondary games.
[0046] Another aspect of one embodiment of the present invention is
to provide a TITO ticket that is restricted to play on a casino
designated slot machine and having no cash out value.
[0047] Another aspect of one embodiment of the present invention
provides for a computer system and instructions for automatically
authenticating a winning player's hand in a secondary game and
automatically calculating the payout.
[0048] Another aspect of one embodiment of the present invention
provides that winning 1.sup.st BBACG game players will be awarded
slot machine credits by means of a TITO ticket, printer coupled to
a system of the present invention, whereas preferably, the slot
machine credits are playable only on designated slot machines owned
by, or licensed to, the host casino, or a casino associated with
the host casino.
[0049] Another aspect of one embodiment of the present invention
provides slot machine credits awarded to winning 1.sup.st BBACG
players will be limited for play on one or more progressive slot
machines, owned by, or licensed to, the host casino, or a casino
associated with the host casino which may be coupled to a LAN or
WAN which may include the Internet, whereas the play of the slot
machine and the collection and disbursement of the progressive slot
machines jackpot(s) are monitored by the networks controller.
[0050] Another aspect of one embodiment of the present invention
provides that a card game table monitored by a CG&PRS is in
communication with a "Bill Acceptor" and/or a TITO printer. For
example, a player in possession of a large number of gaming chips
who terminates his/her playing session at a card game table by
surrendering the gaming chips to the game dealer in exchange for a
TITO ticket will enhance the host casino's ability to monitor the
play of the customer, reduce the number of fills the casino will
have to make to replace chips removed from the game table, and
provide the casino with additional means to track the players play
at other game tables and slot machines. Further, the departing
player can easily transport and secure the subject TITO ticket, and
when the player has logged into the game by means of a PTC his/her
name will be imprinted on the TITO ticket preventing the ticket
from being exchanged for cash or chips if the ticket is lost or
stolen by anyone other than the customer to which the ticket was
issued.
[0051] Another aspect of one embodiment of the present invention
provides a system comprising a card scanner and software that
enables the system to identify at least the card value, and/or card
value and suit of each of the cards removed from the deck, wherein
the inventory of a complete or depleted card game deck, prior to
the commencement of each card game round, is known by the
processing unit. During the play of the card game, the card scanner
and supporting software may further identify the card value and/or
card value and suit and the delivery sequence of at least one card
removed from the deck and delivered to at least one game, player or
dealer hand, (prior to or after the removal and/or delivery of each
card from a game deck held in the dealer's hand, or a deck
contained in a card dispensing shoe), engaged in the play of the
game as the game progresses. This information may be stored in
memory of a system having a processing unit, and being used in
authenticating a game hand dealt and/or identifying a winner of a
secondary game hand.
[0052] Another aspect of one embodiment of the present invention
improves existing CG&PRS systems, by providing one or more
Random-Number-Generator (RNG) software programs. Another aspect of
one embodiment of the present invention to a system of the present
invention, provides at least one display positioned at, or adjacent
to a card game table being monitored by a CG&PRS that is in
full view of the game players, or embedded in the game table top,
or remotely located from the game table.
[0053] Another aspect of one embodiment of the present invention
provides a method for automatically monitoring, authenticating and
calculating one or more secondary card game, winners and payout
wherein the secondary card game can be played in concert with the
principle or base game.
[0054] Another aspect of one embodiment of the present invention
provides that a game player make a side bet or wager in addition to
the base game's required minimum bet to participate in one or more
fee or WBACG rounds, thereby generating additional game table
revenues for the casino operator.
[0055] Another aspect of one embodiment of the present invention
provides that the casino creates one or more free BBACG specific to
casino card game players by allowing all players engaged in the
play of the base card game who have logged into the game by means
of a Player Tracking Card (PTC) issued to the game player by the
host casino or a casino associated with the host casino to
participate in one or more designated BBACG rounds free of
charge.
[0056] Another aspect of one embodiment of the present invention
provides that the casino operator, without limitation, may also
choose to let all players known or unknown to the casino, (i.e., no
PTC card required) who have made the minimum bet required to play
the base game and participate in designated game rounds for one or
more BBACG games played at the base game table.
[0057] Another aspect of one embodiment of the present invention
provides a method that will automatically calculate the payouts for
winning secondary game hands, thereby eliminating the necessity for
the game dealer and/or supervisor to calculate such payout, thereby
improving the accuracy of payouts for winning secondary game hands
and speed up the play of the game.
[0058] Another aspect of one embodiment of the present invention
provides that the host casino operator, at it's sole discretion,
may determine the amount, value or type of pay outs to be awarded
to winning BBACG & WBACG players. Such pay outs may include,
without limitation, cash, slot machine credits, lodging, food,
beverages or anything of value designated by the game table
operator. Preferably, players who have qualified to participate in
a 1.sup.st BBACG, by logging into the base casino card game by
means of a PTC card issued to the game player(s) by the host
casino, or a casino associated with the host casino, who have
received one or more winning secondary game cards during the play
of a game round, will be awarded slot machine credits playable on
one or more virtual, real or video slot machines located within the
host casino or a casino associated with the host casino.
[0059] One aspect of the present invention provides that existing
TITO printers currently carried by casino slot machines, can be
programmed to immediately print out a bonus TITO ticket awarding a
special prize to a select slot player, preferably slot machine
players who are using a PTC card issued by the host casino, and/or
an associated casino, when playing a slot machine. Special prizes
awarded to slot machine players by means of a bonus TITO ticket
would automatically occur when the slot machine player achieved one
or more criteria arbitrarily determined by the host casino. Such
criteria could include the player's birthday, anniversary, specific
holidays, special events, coin-in, coin-out, time played, but is
not limited thereto. The value of any bonuses awarded to slot
machine players by means of a bonus TITO ticket would also be
arbitrarily determined by the host casino.
[0060] Another aspect of one embodiment of the present invention
provides improvements in card dealing that are coupled to at least
one card scanning device that is capable of determining the real
time inventory of one or more complete or depleted decks of playing
cards used in the play of a card game when the cards are dealt one
by one by a game dealer to a game, player, or dealer hand from the
top of a deck of cards that is either held in the game dealers
hand, a "hand deck", or one or more decks carried by a card
dispensing "shoe". The card or scanner and associated software
identifies and records the card value and/or card rank and card
suit of each of the cards comprising the game deck, (complete or
depleted), prior to the commencement of each card game round and
the sequence in which each card removed from the deck is burned,
removed from play, or delivered to a game, player or dealer hand
and the outcome of each game hand played during each game
round.
[0061] Another aspect of one embodiment of the present invention
provides that one or more RNG software programs are merged into the
system and method to provide instructions for generating virtual
cards projected to be delivered to a primary hand. The virtual
cards projected may be selected from a complete deck or deflected
deck. A card scanner monitors the actual cards delivered to the
primary hand. A processing unit in communication with a RNG and
scanner, compares cards delivered to those projected to be
delivered, and authenticates the hand for a winning player. The
player may win a WBACG when, in addition to the minimum wager
he/she is required to make to participate in the primary game,
makes a side bet specific to the WBACG.
[0062] One or more RNG programs are merged into a system having a
card scanner, processing unit and instructions for monitoring
projections of cards predicted to be delivered to a primary card
game. At the option of the casino operator, a primary game player
can participate in one or more BBACG rounds played simultaneously
with the primary game offered at the game table when a primary game
player, in addition to the minimum wager he/she is required to make
to participate in the primary game, has logged into a primary game
by means of a PTC card issued to the casino customer by the host
casino or a casino or game table operator that is affiliated with
the host casino.
[0063] Another aspect of one embodiment of the present invention
provides that once the primary player has logged into the primary
game by means of the PTC card, he/she will automatically qualify to
participate in one or more upcoming BBACG (for example a 1.sup.st
BBACG, a 2.sup.nd BBACG and a 3.sup.rd BBACG), while engaged in the
play of the primary card game.
[0064] Another aspect of one embodiment of the present invention
provides that in a WBACG or a BBACG round, the cards projected to
be delivered to a primary card game hand are the same or different
for the WBACG and BBACG hands.
[0065] Still another aspect of one embodiment of the present
invention provides a casino, during real time, the means to
automatically monitor the play of one or more WBACG, (i.e., "RANDOM
MATCH 21"), rounds including the identity of one or more player
positions or game table seats occupied by game players actively
engaged in the play of the game who have achieved at least one
pre-determined criteria, prerequisite to participating in the play
of the principle or base game and/or at least one additional
pre-determined criteria, prerequisite to participating in the play
of one or more auxiliary card games during an upcoming game round,
the individual and total amount of any side bets made by players of
the auxiliary game, winning and losing auxiliary game hands, and
the automatic calculation and display of any payouts or awards,
which may include cash, lodging, food, beverages, prizes or
anything of value, payable to auxiliary game players having
received winning auxiliary game hands during the play of a WBACG or
BBACG round.
[0066] Yet another aspect of one embodiment of the present
invention provides a casino with one or more free BBACG, (i.e.,
"BONUS RANDOM MATCH 21"), that can be utilized, without limitation,
to provide a casino with a unique bonus system to reward card game
players engaged in the play of a primary card game, augmented by
one or more 1.sup.st BBACG operated by the host casino, who have
logged into a base game monitored by the system of the present
invention by means of a PTC card issued to the casino customer by
the host casino or a casino or game table operator that is
affiliated with the host casino. The 1.sup.st BBACG may be
automatically monitored by the card delivery system and method of
one embodiment of the present invention. A further aspect of one
embodiment of the present invention provides a card table game
bonusing system having a unique bonus system for awarding at least
one award to player's of a 2.sup.nd BBACG and/or a 3.sup.rd BBACG,
which may include cash, lodging, food, beverages, prizes, or
anything of value when the player has made the minimum bet required
to participate in the primary or base game. The 2.sup.nd BBACG
and/or 3.sup.rd BBACG are automatically monitored by the card
delivery apparatus, system and method of the enhanced CG&PRS of
the current invention.
[0067] Another aspect of one embodiment of the present invention
provides that bonus payouts payable to winning 1.sup.st BBACG
players in the form of slot machine credits can be played on a
virtual, real or video slot machine that is in communication with
the present invention by means of a network, including but not
limited to the Internet.
[0068] Yet another aspect of one embodiment of the present
invention provides a virtual or video progressive slot machine
embedded in the primary game table top where the secondary game is
played. The virtual or video progressive slot machine embedded in
the game table top is coupled to one or more virtual, real or video
progressive slot machine(s), remote to the game table, owned by or
licensed to the host casino whereas the remote virtual, real or
video slot machine(s) are in communication with a network
configured to monitor progressive jackpot slot machines.
[0069] Still another aspect of one embodiment of the present
invention provides a casino, at its discretion, to periodically
award at least one bonus award to one or more casino card game
players actively engaged in the play of a primary card game, at one
or more card game tables monitored by the system of the present
invention, offering a 2.sup.nd BBACG and/or a 3.sup.rd BBACG.
[0070] Other aspects and advantages of the current invention will
become apparent as the following specifications are disclosed with
reference to the accompanying drawings to illustrate the
invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0071] FIG. 1 is a top view of a typical prior art game table.
[0072] FIG. 2 is a top view of an intelligent game table according
to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0073] FIG. 3 is a close up top view of a segmented housing
according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0074] FIG. 4 is a top view of an intelligent game table top
according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0075] FIG. 5 is a close up top view of an intelligent game table
top identifying elements of one embodiment of the present
invention.
[0076] FIG. 6 is a top view of an intelligent Baccarat game table
top identifying elements of one embodiment of the present
invention.
[0077] FIG. 7 is a top view of an intelligent card dispensing shoe
according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0078] FIG. 8 is a front view of a LCD monitor with an exemplary
configuration of a Payout Schedule screen generated for use with a
WBACG according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0079] FIG. 9 is a front view of a LCD monitor with an exemplary
configuration of a 1st Game Round Results screen generated for use
with a WBACG according to one embodiment of the present
invention.
[0080] FIG. 10 is a front view of a LCD monitor with an exemplary
configuration of a 2nd Game Round Results screen generated for use
with a WBACG according to one embodiment of the present
invention.
[0081] FIG. 11 is a front view of a LCD monitor with an exemplary
configuration of a 3rd Game Round Results screen generated for use
with a WBACG according to one embodiment of the present
invention.
[0082] FIG. 12 is a front view of a LCD monitor with an exemplary
configuration of a 4th Game Round Results screen generated for use
with a WBACG according to one embodiment of the present
invention.
[0083] FIG. 13 is a front view of a LCD monitor with an exemplary
configuration of a Payout Schedule screen generated for use with a
BBACG and a WBACG according to one embodiment of the present
invention.
[0084] FIG. 14 is a front view of a LCD monitor with an exemplary
configuration of a 1st Game Round Results screen generated for use
with a BBACG and a WBACG according to one embodiment of the present
invention.
[0085] FIG. 15 is a front view of a LCD monitor with an exemplary
configuration of a 2nd Game Round Results screen generated for use
with a BBACG and a WBACG according to one embodiment of the present
invention.
[0086] FIG. 16 is a front view of a LCD monitor with an exemplary
configuration of a 3rd Game Round Results screen generated for use
with a BBACG and a WBACG according to one embodiment of the present
invention.
[0087] FIG. 17 is a front view of a LCD monitor with an exemplary
configuration of a 4th Game Round Results screen generated for use
with a BBACG and a WBACG according to one embodiment of the present
invention.
[0088] FIG. 18 is a front view of a LCD monitor with an exemplary
configuration of a Payout screen for a second BBACG according to
one embodiment of the present invention.
[0089] FIG. 19 is a front view of a LCD monitor with an exemplary
configuration of a Payout screen for a 3rd BBACG according to one
embodiment of the present invention.
[0090] FIG. 20 is a top view of tertiary game positioned in the
play area of an intelligent game table top according to one
embodiment of the present invention.
[0091] FIG. 21 is a tertiary game positioned in the play area of an
intelligent game table top according to one embodiment of the
present invention.
[0092] FIG. 22 is an illustration of a method according to one
embodiment of the present invention.
[0093] FIG. 23 is an illustration of a system according to one
embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0094] As used herein "a" means one or more.
[0095] As used herein RNG means an algorithm that selects cards
that are members of a complete deck, cards remaining in a depleted
deck and may select a seat at a card game table or an entire table
in a casino to play a secondary game.
[0096] As used herein a "player hand" represents the cards
delivered to a active game table seat, occupied by a player who has
placed a wager that the received "player hand" will beat the
"dealer's hand", (i.e., the game of Blackjack), or the received
"player hand" will beat another "player hand", (i.e., the game of
Poker), delivered to one or more active seat(s) at the game table,
occupied by another player(s), engaged in the play of the game. As
used herein, "game hand" represents the cards delivered as the
PLAYERS HAND or the BANKERS HAND during a Baccarat game round. The
PLAYERS HAND and the BANKERS HAND are common to all players seated
at an active Baccarat game table seat. During the play of a
Baccarat game round all of the players engaged in the play of the
game may wager on either the PLAYERS HAND or the BANKERS HAND.
[0097] One embodiment of the present invention provides a method of
bonusing a player of a primary card game. The method can be
automatic or manual. The method includes at least one secondary
game played simultaneously with a primary game by customers engaged
in the play of the primary casino card game. The primary and
secondary game is monitored by a system having a card dealing
apparatus in communication with a scanner. The card dealing
apparatus is in communication with a processing unit which monitors
activity at the table, including but not limited to cards delivered
and to whom, active seats and the tables bankroll.
[0098] Prior to the commencement of each game round, the scanner
provides the processing unit with the identity of the real time
inventory of the game deck(s), which can be a complete or depleted
deck(s), from which the cards for the upcoming game round will be
dealt. The inventory may include the total number of cards
contained in the deck's inventory, card value and/or card rank and
suit of each of the cards comprising the game deck, and a real time
breakdown of the number of cards in the deck that have the same
card value and/or card value and suit. The scanning means, during
the play of each game round, may further identify at least one
statistic relative to the play of the game and/or the game
player.
[0099] The statistic may be the card value and/or card value and
suit and the sequence in which each card is removed from the game
deck to be burned, removed from play, or delivered to a hand, (for
example, the game, player or dealer hand) during the play of the
game, the identity of the specific game, game table, seat, player
or dealer position to which a game card has been delivered. The
system compares one or more game cards delivered to a hand during
the play of a game round with the cards projected by the RNG.
[0100] The RNG generates one or more virtual cards projected to be
delivered to a primary game hand prior to the commencement of each
game round, based on the contents of the game deck's card
inventory. For example the RNG may generate at least two cards, in
sequence a 1.sup.st card and a 2.sup.nd card, from the game cards
known to comprise the game deck's current inventory. The RNG will
generate a card selection for each active seat if playing a type of
poker for example or a player hand and a dealer hand if playing
Baccarat for example. The RNG will not project any cards for
delivery to any active seat when the occupying player has not
qualified to participate in one or more secondary auxiliary games,
such as WBACG or BBACG, during the upcoming game round. The cards
projected for a WBACG played simultaneously with a BBACG can be the
same or different.
[0101] One or more displays coupled to one embodiment of the
present invention will display a graphic image of any card
projected by the RNG for delivery to a qualified primary game hand.
The graphic image of the projected cards will identify the card
value and/or card rank, card suit and the sequence in which the RNG
projected the selected cards will be delivered when more than one
card is delivered to a primary game hand during the upcoming game
round. For example, the 1.sup.st card selected for delivery to a
primary game hand will be displayed 1.sup.st, and the 2.sup.nd card
selected for delivery to a primary game hand will be displayed
2.sup.nd). The one or more cards projected by the RNG for delivery
to a primary game hand are designated as the winning hand for the
1.sup.st BBACG, in which winning 1.sup.st BBACG round players
preferably are awarded slot machine credits; and/or the winning
hand for the WBACG, in which winning WBACG round players preferably
are awarded gaming chips.
[0102] During a card game played with a system according to one
embodiment of the present invention, a 1.sup.st BBACG is offered.
It is possible that more than one game player seated at an active
game table seat has qualified to participate in a 1.sup.st BBACG
game round. At the option of the game table operator, the system
RNG may be programmed to randomly select, designate and/or allow
only one player logged into the game table by means of a PTC issued
by the host casino, or a casino associated with the host casino, to
participate in the upcoming 1.sup.st BBACG round.
[0103] During a card game played with a system and method according
to one embodiment of the present invention, a 2.sup.nd BBACG and/or
a 3.sup.rd BBACG is offered by the host casino. The 2.sup.nd BBACG
and the 3.sup.rd BBACG may be, for example, hand of the hour, or
hand of the day, respectively. In a preferred embodiment, the
system is in communication with at least two card game tables by
means of a network. A processing unit having software instruction
for a RNG selects, designates, and/or allows the players at one
game table that is coupled to the system to participate in a
2.sup.nd BBACG and/or a 3.sup.rd BBACG rounds commencing at the
selected card game table during a designated time period. For
example, a new table is selected by the RNG every sixty (60)
minutes, when at the option of the game table operator one or more
of the game players has qualified to participate in a 2.sup.nd
BBACG or 3.sup.rd BBACG game round. This can occur since the
winning cards are designated by management for the 2.sup.nd BBACG
and 3.sup.rd BBACG games. The cards are selected from a complete
deck when the game deck is known to be comprised of at least one or
more complete decks. During each designated time period that a
2.sup.nd BBACG and/or a 3.sup.rd BBACG is being played, only one
card selection is projected for delivery to a primary card game
hand. Therefore, the composition of the deck prior to the
commencement of the upcoming game round is not relevant as new
winning cards are projected by the RNG from the card inventory of a
complete or depleted deck prior to the commencement of each
secondary game round for delivery to each game player who has
qualified to participate in the upcoming 1.sup.st BBACG round.
[0104] The system and method according to another embodiment of the
present invention offers a 2.sup.nd BBACG, (for example a "BONUS
BLACK JACK (BJ) of THE HOUR", and a 3.sup.rd BBACG, (for example
"BONUS HAND OF THE DAY"), which are also played simultaneously with
the primary game and other secondary games offered at the primary
game table.
[0105] Preferably, the game hands for the 2.sup.nd BBACG and the
3.sup.rd BBACG rounds are pre-determined by management selecting
one or more cards known to be contained in the inventory of a
complete game deck used to play the primary card game, for example,
at least two cards are selected from a Caribbean Stud deck.
Management will designate the card value and/or card rank, card
suit, and the sequence in which the cards comprising a designated
game hand will be delivered to a game, player or dealer hand
participating in a 2.sup.nd BBACG and/or a 3.sup.rd BBACG round.
The game cards designated as a 2.sup.nd BBACG hand, or a 3.sup.rd
BBACG hand are electronically stored within the system and
subsequently, at a predetermined date, time or hour, system
software will automatically, by visual or audible means, alert the
game players to the commencement of a new time, and the display of
a new game hand, on one or more monitors coupled to the system for
the appropriate 2.sup.nd BBACG and/or a 3.sup.rd BBACG hands.
[0106] Preferably, a designated 2.sup.nd BBACG hand or subsequent
BBACG game hand will be common to all participating 2.sup.nd BBACG
and subsequent BBACG players, but this is not required as the game
hand may be unique for each player playing at one or more game
tables coupled to the system of the present invention.
[0107] Preferably, a participating game player can win a 2.sup.nd
BBACG round or a 3.sup.rd BBACG round during the play of a primary
game round when one or more cards are dealt to a primary hand, and
one of the first two cards dealt to his/her primary game hand are
identical to the card value and/or card rank, suit and delivery
sequence of the 2.sup.nd BBACG hand, or a 3.sup.rd BBACG hand
designated for the current game round. If the first and second
cards dealt to the primary hand match the card value and/or card
rank, suit and delivery sequence of the cards of the 2.sup.nd BBACG
and 3.sup.rd BBACG designated for the current game round the player
wins a bonus.
[0108] In the event the primary game played is Baccarat, the system
RNG prior to the commencement of a game round may randomly select
and designate only one active seat as eligible to win a 1.sup.st
BBACG round and/or a 2.sup.nd BBACG round and/or a 3.sup.rd BBACG
round since the PLAYERS HAND and the BANKERS HAND are common to all
Baccarat players. The cards designated for the 2.sup.nd BBACG hand,
or a 3.sup.rd BBACG hand during the play of a Baccarat game round
will only apply to the game hand, the PLAYERS HAND or the BANKERS
HAND, for which the game player has placed the primary game
wager.
[0109] When a winning 2.sup.nd BBACG hand has been dealt to a
qualified 2.sup.nd BBACG player, and the player has been paid,
preferably by means of the system TITO printer, the current
2.sup.nd BBACG will be terminated. Subsequently, at the top of the
next hour a new 2.sup.nd BBACG set of cards will be displayed as
the "BOUS BJ of THE HOUR".
[0110] When a winning 3.sup.rd BBACG hand has been dealt to a
qualified 3.sup.rd BBACG player and the player has been paid,
preferably by means of the system TITO printer, the current
3.sup.rd BBACG will be terminated. Subsequently, at the top of the
hour designated for a new twenty-four hour day to begin, a new set
of cards will be displayed as the "BONUS HAND of THE DAY".
[0111] In a preferred embodiment, a card scanner will automatically
identify the seat(s) receiving winning 2.sup.nd BBACG and/or
winning 3.sup.rd BBACG hands. Preferably, the game player and
dealer will be alerted by means of one or more audible and/or
visual alerts. The system TITO printer will automatically print out
a TITO ticket identifying the winning player's seat number, the
amount and/or the description of the prize won and instructions as
to how the customer may collect the actual award. Either the game
dealer(s) will present the ticket to the winning player, or the
ticket will print out of the player's seat.
[0112] The card scanner is provided to identify one or more cards
actually delivered to a game, player or dealer hand during a game
round, including the card value and/or card rank and suit and the
actual sequence in which each card is delivered to a game, player
or dealer hand during the current game round. A system and method
of one embodiment of the present invention will automatically
compare the game cards projected for delivery with a player
position to those cards actually delivered to a game hand or game
player, and identify the game table seat/position occupied by
secondary game player(s) having received one or more winning
secondary game cards during the current game round.
[0113] In a further preferred embodiment and method of the present
invention, a system will automatically identify the amount of any
secondary game wagers and calculate and/or display any awards or
payouts payable to one or more secondary game hand winners.
[0114] One embodiment of the present invention provides a card game
system having a table for playing a primary card game, including a
bet location for each player position. The primary card game may be
Baccarat, poker, or BJ for example. A plurality of cards are dealt
to each player from a shoe having a card scanner in communication
therewith or attached thereto for scanning cards dealt to each
player. A processing unit is in communication with the scanner and
configured to determine the cards dealt to each player and to store
data related to the cards into a memory.
[0115] In a preferred embodiment, a monitor is associated with a
secondary game (for example BBACG or WGACG) and is configured to
display one or more cards for example at least two cards, a set for
each seat qualified that are selected from the game deck by the RNG
or the house to be delivered to the primary card game hand from the
game deck. A real time inventory is provided to the processing unit
as the cards are scanned by the card scanner. The cards selected by
the RNG can be the same, different or random for each seat
qualified. The game deck from with the selection of cards is made
by the RNG or the house may be a deck that is either complete or
depleted. When a qualified player or game hand is dealt one or more
of the cards projected by the RNG for the current game round, the
player wins a payout designated for the winning card(s) delivered
to a secondary game hand.
[0116] In an alternate embodiment, the RNG will be programmed to
randomly select only one active seat at a game table to receive two
cards projected by the RNG to be delivered to the selected seat's
primary game hand during the play of an upcoming secondary game
(for example 1.sup.st BBACG game round). Preferably, each player
position includes a player station in communication with the
processing unit and/or a PC configured to provide the display for
the cards associated with the secondary game wherein each player
station includes a display and/or keyboard configured for playing
the secondary game.
[0117] In a preferred embodiment, a ticket scanner is in
communication with a processing unit and configured to read a
ticket, for example, a TITO ticket, and store data related to the
ticket into memory.
[0118] In a more preferred embodiment, a ticket scanner is in
communication with the processing unit and configured to read a
ticket printed by a printer coupled to a slot machine and/or a
printer coupled to a card game table.
[0119] In a more preferred embodiment, a PTC reader, for example, a
magnetic stripe reader or a RFID reader, is in communication with
the processing unit. A player with a PTC is entitled to play at
least one secondary game without making a wager once the PTC is
authenticated. Alternatively, a player is entitled to play at least
one secondary game once the player has achieved a predetermined
level of activity in the primary game or at the discretion of the
casino.
[0120] In a preferred embodiment, the processing unit is configured
with a RNG that, prior to the commencement of a game round in which
one or more players have qualified to participate in at least one
secondary game, selects from the real time inventory of the cards
comprising the game deck, one or more virtual cards projected to be
delivered to a primary card game hand. For example, at least two
cards which are the same set or a different set or a combination
thereof for each seat qualified to participate in the upcoming
1.sup.st BBACG and/or WBACG round, and displays, on one or more
monitors, or displays coupled to the system of the present
invention for an individual player and or the table to see. An
image (for example computer generated) of the cards the RNG is
projected for delivery to a player position or game hand.
[0121] Alternatively, in another embodiment, the processing unit is
configured with software for a RNG that prior to the commencement
of a secondary game (for example a 1.sup.st BBACG round), the RNG
randomly selects and/or designates one seat, from those active
seats eligible to participate in the upcoming 1.sup.st BBACG round.
The game table number and seat number of the designated active
1.sup.st BBACG seat and the cards projected by the RNG for delivery
to the selected active seat are displayed on one or more monitors
coupled to the system.
[0122] Additionally, the processing unit may also receive
information regarding any of a primary game and/or secondary game.
Further, the processing unit may be in communication with a printer
to print a TITO ticket, for example, representing a win of the
secondary game.
[0123] A tertiary game may be associated with the system offering a
secondary game such as a 1.sup.st BBACG and can be configured to
accept and read the TITO ticket issued for a secondary game for
play. For example, the tertiary game is a slot game, a table game,
or a combination thereof.
[0124] Yet another embodiment of the present invention is a card
game system having a processing unit configured to receive
information regarding the secondary game, wherein a player position
includes a player station in communication with the processing unit
and configured to provide the display associated with the secondary
game to the player.
[0125] Yet another embodiment of the present invention is a card
game system having a processing unit configured to receive
information regarding a secondary game, wherein a player position
includes a player station with a virtual or video slot machine in
communication with a processing unit and the virtual or video slot
machine is coupled to a network configured to monitor progressive
jackpot slot machines interconnected over a high-speed computer
network. The network can be wired or wireless. The player station
includes a display and keyboard configured for playing the
secondary game and/or the virtual or video slot machine. When a
player wins at the secondary game, the player station is configured
to offer the player a tertiary game, (i.e., the virtual or video
slot machine), for play.
[0126] Another embodiment of the present invention provides a
system and a method for playing a card game that includes a "Bill
Acceptor" (for example, TITO ticket reader or currency reader) and
a TITO printer attached to a game table or positioned in close
proximity to the game dealer. The "Bill Acceptor" and TITO printer
are in communication with a processing unit. Typically, when a card
game player having a large number of chips leaves the game, he/she
may present the gaming chips to a game table dealer to be exchanged
for chips of a larger denomination. Preferably, when a card game
player having a large number of chips leaves the game, he/she may
present the gaming chips to a game table dealer to be exchanged for
a TITO ticket imprinted with the value of the chips cashed in or
presented for exchange. The dealer will verify the amount of the
chips to be cashed in and enter the information into the system,
for example by means of a keyboard attached to the system. If the
player has not used their PTC, the duration of play may also be
recorded. The system printer may print a TITO ticket, which the
game dealer may present to the departing player, imprinted with the
value of the chips cashed out and other relevant game and player
information.
[0127] A player in possession of the TITO ticket may, at his/her
convenience, exchange it for gaming chips at any game table,
monitored by one embodiment of the system and method of the present
invention. The game dealer will insert the ticket into the game
tables "Bill Acceptor" programmed to read the TITO ticket. The
system will provide, on one or more displays coupled to the system,
the dollar value of the TITO ticket, which the game dealer will
give to the presenting player in gaming chips. Preferably, TITO
tickets issued at a game table can be redeemed for cash, and read
by "Bill Acceptors" carried by slot machines. Further, TITO tickets
issued at a slot machine that can be redeemed for cash, can be read
by "Bill Acceptors" at a game table monitored by the system of one
embodiment of the present invention.
[0128] Another embodiment of the present invention comprises a
table for playing a primary card game, including a bet location for
each player position, communication with a processing unit, a
plurality of cards for dealing to each player, a card scanner for
scanning cards dealt to each player, a processing unit in
communication with the scanner and configured to determine the
cards dealt to each player, and the outcome of each game round, a
memory to store data related to the cards, a monitor configured to
display one or more cards that are selected by House or RNG
projected to be dealt to a player in the next round by a RNG, or
wherein the cards projected to be dealt are selected from the real
time inventory of the cards comprising the game deck(s) prior to
the commencement of the upcoming game round. If the player is dealt
at least one of the two cards projected (when there are two cards
projected) by the RNG, the player wins a secondary game payout.
[0129] In a preferred embodiment, the one or more cards associated
with the secondary game are selected and programmed into the system
as a 2.sup.nd BBACG or a 3.sup.rd BBACG hand, prior to the
commencement of the upcoming game round. The cards are delivered to
one or more game players in a dedicated sequence during the play of
the upcoming game round, such that if the player is dealt at least
one of the one or more cards predetermined my management, the
player wins the secondary game. The BBACG hand determined by
management can be unique to each player, the same for each player,
randomly generated or the same for a defined duration. The duration
can be measured by the hand, by the hour, by the day or entirely at
management's discretion.
[0130] In a preferred embodiment, a memory stores data related to
the cards in inventory and dealt, the players, active seats,
payouts and a display associated with a secondary game configured
to display at least one or more cards known to be contained in the
inventory of a complete game deck used to play the primary card
game. The pre-selected cards, for example a first and second card,
have been previously selected, designated and preprogrammed by
management into system software associated with the secondary game,
as a 2.sup.nd BBACG hand, or a 3.sup.rd BBACG hand, prior to the
commencement of the upcoming game round, for delivery to one or
more game players in a dedicated sequence during the play of the
upcoming game round, such that if the player is dealt the two cards
in the sequence predetermined by management, the player wins the
secondary game.
[0131] Players of a 1.sup.st BBACG round who have achieved
designated winning hands may, without limitation, preferably be
awarded slot machine credits at the base card game table by means
of a TITO printer, coupled to the system of the present invention
that will print a TITO ticket imprinted with indicia identifying
the value of the slot machine credits won and how the slot machine
credits may be utilized. Preferably, the TITO ticket cannot be
redeemed for cash or other things of value but must be played on
one or more designated slot machines, located within the host
casino or at a sister casino associated with the host casino,
coupled to the casino table game(s) bonus system by means of a
processing unit or network as described according to an embodiment
of the present invention.
[0132] Any slot machine credits won playing the 1.sup.st BBACG,
plus any additional slot machine credits won by a winning secondary
game player during the play of one or more designated slot
machines, cannot be redeemed by the player unless the player has
won the highest award jackpot available to players playing on slot
machines having a "Bill Acceptor" programmed to read and accept
TITO tickets issued at a casino game table offering the 1.sup.st
BBACG associated with the designated slot machines.
[0133] Alternatively, at the discretion of the host casino, TITO
tickets issued to 1.sup.st BBACG winners can be redeemed for cash
or other things of value. When a TITO ticket issued to 1.sup.st
BBACG winners is used by the winning player to play one or more
designated slot machines located within the host casino, or at a
sister casino associated with the host casino, any slot machine
credits won playing the BBACG, plus any additional slot machine
credits won by a winning secondary game player on one or more of
the host casino's slot machines, can be redeemed for cash by the
player in the same manner as TITO tickets issued by coin-less slot
machines.
[0134] For example, at the beginning of one or more designated
twenty-four hour periods, or other designated periods of time,
and/or prior to the commencement of each game round, a RNG will
randomly select from the inventory of the virtual deck from which
the game is played one or more cards for example at least two
cards, known to be contained in the deck(s) of playing cards. The
virtual deck is identical to the real inventory of cards from which
the game is played.
[0135] The cards selected by a RNG for the 2.sup.nd BBACG will be
designated as,( i.e., "BONUS BJ of THE HOUR"), and the cards
selected by the system RNG for the 3.sup.rd BBACG will be
designated (i.e.,"BONUS HAND of THE DAY"). Two cards will be
randomly selected by the RNG for the 2.sup.nd BBACG and the
3.sup.rd BBACG. The cards are preferably common to all players
engaged in the play of a primary game at one or more game tables in
communication to the system of the present invention. According to
one embodiment, the tables are linked via a network which may
include game tables that do not offer the same primary game, (i.e.,
Blackjack, Poker, Baccarat, Caribbean Stud, Let It Ride), etc.
During the designated time period for the (i.e., "BONUS BJ of THE
HOUR" and/or the "BONUS HAND of THE DAY") game rounds a computer
generated image of the RNG are randomly selected (i.e., "BONUS BJ
of THE HOUR" and/or the "BONUS HAND of THE DAY") and a hand will be
displayed on one or more displays embedded in, attached to, or in
close proximity to the game table(s).
[0136] Preferably, any player who has made a wager to participate
in the play of a primary card game round would be eligible to
participate in a 2.sup.nd BBACG and/or a 3.sup.rd BBACG round
offering a bonus award to players who receive cards identical to
the card value and/or card rank and suit and the delivery sequence
of the selected cards designated as either the (i.e., "BONUS BJ of
THE HOUR" and/or the "BONUS HAND of THE DAY"). The system scanner
will automatically identify the seat(s) receiving winning 2.sup.nd
BBACG and/or winning 3.sup.rd BBACG hands and, preferably, alert
the game player and the game dealer by means of one or more visual
or audible alerts activated by the system of the present invention,
and the system printer will automatically print out a TITO ticket
imprinted with the value and or description of the award and other
game and player information relative to the winning BBACG. Other
variations of BBACG will be apparent to those skilled in the art
and are meant to be included herein.
[0137] Multiple BBACG games can be created and monitored by means
of the improved system and method of the present invention that are
relative to criteria specific to individual players engaged in the
play of one or more card game(s), i.e., including birthdays,
anniversaries, weddings, special achievements or events, and etc.
and/or relative to the number of game players engaged in the play
of a base game at one or more game tables coupled to the system by
means of a single processing unit and/or network. Prizes awarded to
players of the subject BBACG games are arbitrarily determined by
the casino operator and may include anything of value, for example,
cash, lodging, food, beverages, prizes, but is not limited
thereto.
[0138] Referring now to FIG. 1 a card game table known in the art
is provided for illustration purposes. A game table top 110 having
an imprinted game table top layout 111, a card discard rack 112
which accepts cards removed from play, a drop box slot 113 accepts
cash, chips, and documentation for debit and credit transactions
relative to the game table bankroll, a chip tray 114 holds gaming
chips that comprise the game table's bankroll whereas the gaming
chips are disbursed to, or collected from, game players seated in
an assigned game table seat (i.e., seats 1-7) 117 who have placed a
wager in a betting box 116 designated for wagers for the primary
game (also referred to herein as a secondary game) a side wager
placed within a side bet box 118 designated for wagers for an
auxiliary game, and a padded rail 115 for the comfort of the game
players.
[0139] Referring now to FIG. 2, a top view of an intelligent game
table is illustrated according to one embodiment of the present
invention. Electrical components coupled to or carried by the
intelligent game table top 210 include at processing unit 219, in
communication with one or more electronic elements carried by or
associated with the game table including one or more of the
following: a Keyboard 220, a Keypad 221 which may be embedded in
the housing 227 of a Card Dispensing Shoe 222, a monitor 223, a
segmented auxiliary bet location (for example, "game bet housing")
230, a printer 226 a "Bill Acceptor" 229 (also referred to herein
as a "Currency Validator), an automatic bet recognition device
(ABRD) (not shown). Each of the cards removed from the shoe 222 are
scanned by a scanner (not shown) housed by the shoe 222, or a
system scanner (not shown) that is external to the shoe 222. A
scanner (not shown) may be an infrared scanner that reads a bar
code imprinted on the back of the cards, a neural-network scanner
trained to read indicia imprinted on any standard deck of cards and
a charge-coupling-device, optical scanners that read machine
readable indicia placed on the edges of the cards, and overhead
cameras that capture images of the game cards placed face up on the
game table top 210 but are not limited thereto. A scanner (not
shown) is in communication with a processing unit 219.
[0140] Preferably the housing 230 is segmented to include an
outside segment 231 and a center or inside segment 232 whereas the
surfaces of the segments 231 and 232 are translucent. Preferably,
at least one Tri-Colored LED (not shown) is contained within the
outside segment 231 of the housing 230. The center segment 232 of
the embedded housing 230, preferably, contains at least one
Tri-Colored LED, (not shown) and a automatic bet recognition device
(for example side bet sensors, light sensors, and/or a RFID chip
reader). The electronic components are in communication with a
processing unit 219, wherein the communication is by wired or
wireless means or a combination thereof. One or more of the
components may be positioned on the game table, attached to the
table, near the table or remote from the table. The shoe 222 may be
in communication with the system scanner, (not shown), by wire or
wireless means. Prior art player tacking cards (not shown) can be
scanned by a magnetic strip reader (not shown) carried by the shoe
222 or may be scanned by another device that is known in the art
and in communication with the processing unit 219 of the system.
Monitors 223 may be positioned on or adjacent to the game table in
full view of the game players and/or the game dealer. The "Bill
Acceptor" 229 may be positioned on or adjacent to the game table
top 210 in close proximity to the game dealer.
[0141] The printer 226, is in communication with the processing
unit 219. The printer 226, is positioned on or in close proximity
to the card game table, preferably, printer 226 is a Ticket-In,
Ticket-Out (TITO) printer. Printer 226 may be used to generate a
receipt or ticket with a bar code identifying the dollar value of
any gaming chips a departing base game player may present to the
game table dealer to be cashed out, (i.e., exchanged), preferably,
for a TITO ticket printed by printer 226, bearing imprinted indicia
identifying the value of the chips the player has surrendered to
the game dealer for the dealer to cash out. The subject TITO ticket
may also include player and game information relative to the
identity of the game table, the game played at game table, the seat
number occupied by the departing game player, and etc.
[0142] Preferably, Keyboard 220 is coupled to printer 226. The
Keyboard 220 may be configured with the appropriate "Cash Out",
"Buy In" and Numeric Keys to provide the game dealer with the means
to input the "Cash Out" and "Buy In" transactions into the system.
When a departing player chooses to exchange his/her gaming chips
for a TITO ticket the game dealer will use Keyboard 220 to input
the exchange into the system. For example the player in Seat 4
decides to leave the game and chooses to "Cash Out" his/her chips
at the game table in exchange for a TITO ticket. The player
surrenders his/her chips to the dealer who identifies and confirms
the value of the surrendered chips. The dealer then presses the
"Cash Out" Key (not shown) followed by the appropriate numeric keys
to enter the dollar value of the chips being cashed out by the
departing player, followed by the "Enter" Key (not shown) to enter
the "Cash Out" transaction into the system, thereby signaling the
TITO printer 226 to print out a TITO ticket identifying the dollar
value of the chips cashed out my the player in Seat 4. The printed
TITO ticket is presented to the player by the dealer, the dealer
places the surrendered chips into the chip rack 114 and/or the
player may continue to play or leave the game. The customer
receiving the TITO ticket imprinted with the value of the players
chip "Cash Out" may choose to present the subject ticket to a
dealer, at a another game table, operated by the issuing casino,
that is also fitted with a "Bill Acceptor" and a TITO printer 226,
in exchange for gaming chips. TITO tickets issued at a gaming table
in exchange for chips may also be cashed out for cash at designated
stations or a casino cashier cage fitted with a "Bill Acceptor" or
reader programmed to read the subject TITO tickets.
[0143] In the event the departing player has logged into the game
table by means of a PTC card, preferably, in addition to the dollar
value of the chips surrendered to the game dealer, the name of the
departing player will be imprinted on the TITO ticket. When the
TITO ticket is surrendered by the player to a game dealer at a game
table operated by the host casino or a casino associated with the
host casino and fitted with a "Bill Acceptor" 229 programmed to
read the subject TITO ticket, the game dealer will insert the TITO
ticket into the game table's "Bill Acceptor" 229. The TITO ticket
is read and concurrently the dollar value of the ticket, along with
the name of the presenting player, if any, imprinted on the TITO
ticket will be displayed on one or more displays coupled to the
system of the present invention. The game dealer will remove gaming
chips from the chip rack 114, equal in value to the amount
displayed, and/or the amount printed on the TITO ticket. To
finalize the transaction the dealer will ask the customer to
confirm that the value of the chips removed from the chip tray 114
are equal to the value of the TITO ticket display on the monitor
associated with the "Bill Acceptor" 229. Upon receiving the players
confirmation the dealer will surrender control of the gaming chips
to the customer and then press a "Buy In" Key (not shown) and other
keys carried by Keyboard 220 to enter the transaction into [system
software] associated with the "Bill Acceptor" 229 and the game
table's bankroll, and to clear the display screen. Further, at the
discretion of the host casino, the customer presenting a TITO
ticket issued at a gaming table in exchange for gaming chips may be
asked to verify his or her ownership of the TITO ticket by means of
a PTC imprinted with the name of the customer imprinted on the TITO
ticket and/or other means of identification specific to the
presenting player, before the game dealer issues gaming chips,
equal in value to the TITO ticket, or a cage cashier give cash, to
the player presenting the TITO ticket.
[0144] Preferably, TITO tickets issued at a gaming table in
exchange for gaming chips, and TITO tickets issued at a slot
machine are interchangeable and "Bill Acceptors" 229 associated
with either a slot machine or a casino table game will read and
accept TITO tickets issued at a slot machine or casino table game
table operated by the host casino.
[0145] The advantages of fitting a card game table with a "Bill
Acceptor" 229 and a TITO printer 226 are many. For example, a
player in possession of a large number of gaming chips who
terminates his/her playing session at a game table by surrendering
the gaming chips to the game dealer in exchange for a TITO ticket
will improve the host casino's ability to monitor the play of the
customer, reduce the number of fills the casino will have to make
to replace chips removed from the game table thereby reducing labor
costs, provide the casino with additional means to track the
players play at other game tables and slot machines. Further, the
departing player can easily transport and secure the subject TITO
ticket, and when the player has logged into the game by means of a
PTC his/her name will be imprinted on the TITO ticket preventing
the ticket from being exchanged for cash or chips, if the ticket is
lost or stolen, by anyone other than the customer to which the
ticket was issued. According to one embodiment of the present
invention, a base card game player may participate in a secondary
game (for example a WBACG and/or a BBACG). Free participation in a
BBACG may be awarded to a player upon verification of the player's
PTC card. Alternatively, a free BBACG round may be awarded to a
player at the discretion of the casino when a player meets a
predetermined level of activity; for example the total amount of
wagers placed, duration of a playing session, total play in a
designated time period, and/or when the player first engages in the
play of a game on the players birthday, his or/her wedding
anniversary and/or the anniversary date of the player being issued
a PTC by the casino.
[0146] A segmented housing 230 is embedded in the game table,
preferably one each for each game table seat or player position.
Preferably the surface of the top of the housing 230 is translucent
and flush with the surface of the game table top 210 and layout.
Any WBACG bet is positioned over the center segment 232 of housing
230 by the participating game player prior to the commencement of
each game round.
[0147] According to another embodiment, the center segment 232 of
the housing's 230 surface is translucent. A player designates
interest in playing the secondary WBACG game by placing a side
wager on top of the center segment 232 of the housing 230
associated with his/her base game table seat. Contained within and
beneath the surface of the center segment 232 of the housing 230 is
at least one Tri-Colored LED (not shown) and an Automatic Bet
Recognition Device (ABRD) (for example a RFID Chip Reader and/or
Light Sensor, but not limited thereto) (not shown), to
automatically identify the amount and/or presence or absence of any
side bet(s) made by the player(s) to participate in the WBACG
during the upcoming game round.
[0148] When a game table seat is occupied by a game player actively
engaged in the play of the base game, the surface of the center
segment 232 of the housing 230 will, preferably, be illuminated for
example White.
[0149] When the base game players have made their bets for the
upcoming game round and at the players option, the player has also
made a wager to participate in the upcoming WBACG round, the
dealers presses a Deal Key (see 725 of FIG. 7) to initiate the
commencement of the upcoming game round by activating the system's
automatic bet recognition device (not shown) of housing 230. The
affiliates cause a processing limit to record, and store in memory,
the presence and/or amounts of side bets wagered by each player to
participate in the WBACG during the upcoming game round. When the
Deal Key 725, (a Deal Key 725 may also be integrated into Keyboard
220 when the game is dealt from a "hand deck" or a "shoe" 222), is
pressed, and the ABRD (see 333 of FIG. 3) contained within and
beneath the surface of center segment (see 232 of FIG. 3) of
housing (see 230 of FIG. 3) does not detect the presence of a wager
for the upcoming WBACG round at an active seat, the translucent
surface of the center 232 of the active seat's housing 230 will
remain illuminated White. When the system detects the presence,
and/or the amount of a wager for the upcoming WBACG round the
translucent surface of the center 232 of the housing 230 will be
illuminated a color, preferably Orange. At this point the game
dealer picks up any WBACG bets and places them in the chip tray 114
and the translucent surface of the center 232 of the housing 230
for those seats having made a WBACG bet for the current game round
will remain illuminated Orange.
[0150] Concurrently, a system RNG will, prior to the removal of the
first card from the deck for delivery to a game, player or dealer
hand during the upcoming game round randomly select for each active
seat one or more cards that are projected to be delivered. For
example, the ANG will generate at least two cards, in sequence a
1.sup.st card and a 2.sup.nd card, from the game cards known to
comprise the game deck's inventory. A player may be eligible to
participate if the game player occupying the active seat has
qualified to participate in one or more secondary games during the
upcoming game round.
[0151] The cards projected by the system RNG for each of the
qualified seats will preferably be displayed face-up on one or more
monitors 223 associated with an active game table seat when a game
player occupying the active seat has made the minimum required
wager to participate in the primary game and the active primary
game seat player has also made the required side bet to participate
in the WBACG round for the upcoming game round and/or when the
active seat's player has qualified to participate in one or more
1.sup.st BBACG rounds. The dealer then proceeds to deliver the
cards from the game deck to the game players.
[0152] A winning hand occurs when during the play of the current
primary game round, a WBACG game player or dealers hand is actually
delivered from the game deck to the preliminary hand. The WBACG
hand is one or more game cards projected by the system RNG for
delivery, in "Any Sequence", to a participating primary hand. For
example the RNG projects an Ace of Hearts and a King of Hearts will
be dealt in any sequence for the primary game hand. If the cards
are dealt to the primary hand, then the illuminated center 232 of
the housing 230 will change from the color Orange to, preferably
Light Blue. When the winning "Any Sequence" hand is paid the
illuminated center 232 of the housing 230 will change from the
color Light Blue to preferably Red. When a WBACG game, player or
dealer hand is actually delivered one or more game cards projected
by the system RNG to be delivered, "in Sequence", to a
participating WBACG game or player hand, the illuminated center 232
of the housing 230 will change from the color Orange to preferably
Royal Blue. When the winning "In Sequence" hand is paid the
illuminated center 232 of the housing 230 will change from the
color Royal Blue to preferably Red.
[0153] Preferably, the amount of any pay outs or awards payable to
winning WBACG players will be arbitrarily determined by the game
table operator and pre-programmed into the system. The system of
the current invention will automatically identify winning and
losing BBACG and WBACG hands and display the number of the seat
occupied by the winning player, and the amount and/or description
of any pay outs or bonus awards payable to players having winning
secondary game hands on one or more monitors coupled to the
system.
[0154] Preferably, winning WBACG wagers are paid to the players in
gaming chips that are playable at the host casino's gaming tables.
Alternatively, at the discretion of the host casino, winning WBACG
wagers may be paid with cash or any prize or award having a cash
value. Preferably, when winning WBACG players win cash, prizes or
other things of value the winning WBACG player is paid by means of
a TITO ticket printed and issued to the winning player at the game
table where the player is engaged in the play of the game.
[0155] Preferably, winning 1.sup.st BBACG hands are paid with slot
machine credits playable on one or more slot machines owned or
operated by the host casino. Alternatively, winning 1.sup.st BBACG
hands may be paid, at the discretion of the casino operator, with
cash or any prize or award having a cash value by means of a TITO
ticket printed and issued to the winning player at the game table
where the player is engaged in the play of the game.
[0156] Preferably, winning 2.sup.nd BBACG hands are paid with
"Room, Food or Beverage" by means of a TITO ticket printed and
issued to the winning player at the game table where the player is
engaged in the play of the game. Alternatively, winning 1.sup.st
BBACG hands may be paid, at the discretion of the casino operator,
with cash or any prize or award having a cash value by means of a
TITO ticket printed and issued to the winning player at the game
table.
[0157] Preferably, winning 3.sup.rd BBACG hands are paid with
durable goods, (i.e., Televisions, Computers, Boats, Automobiles,
and etc.), by means of a TITO ticket printed and issued to the
winning player at the game table where the player is engaged in the
play of the game. Alternatively, winning 3.sup.rd BBACG hands may
be paid, at the discretion of the casino operator, with cash or any
prize or award having a cash value by means of a TITO ticket
printed and issued to the winning player at the game table.
[0158] At the end of each game round the settlement of the base
game wagers is achieved, manually, by the game dealer initiating
the settlement of the game round by paying or taking gaming chips
(see 2080 of FIG. 20), relative to the outcome of the game round,
starting with the highest numbered active game table seat available
at the game table, (i.e., seats, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1), and
continuing the settlement, in descending order to the next lowest
numbered active seat at the game table engaged in the play of the
just completed game round.
[0159] The cards projected by the system RNG for delivery to a game
or player hand participating in WBACG round and/or a 1.sup.st BBACG
round may be common to both secondary card games. At the end of
each game round, a processing unit 219 will automatically compare
the card value and/or card rank, card suit and delivery sequence of
the two cards projected by the system RNG for delivery to a game or
player hand, (i.e., Seat 1), engaged in the play of a just
completed WGACG round or a 1.sup.st BBACG round with the card value
and/or card rank, card suit and delivery sequence of the two cards
the system scanner has identified as actually being dealt to a game
or player hand, (i.e., Seat 7), during the play of the just
completed game round.
[0160] Further, at the end of each game round a processing unit 219
will automatically compare the card value and/or card rank, card
suit and delivery sequence of the two cards designated as the
2.sup.nd BBACG hand, (i.e., "BONUS BJ of THE HOUR), for the just
completed game round, to the card value and/or card rank, card suit
and delivery sequence of the two cards the system scanner has
identified as actually being dealt to a primary game or player
hand, (i.e., Seat 7), during the play of the just completed game
round to identify winning and losing 2.sup.nd BBACG hands. At the
end of each game round a processing unit 219 will automatically
compare the card value and/or card rank, card suit and delivery
sequence of the two cards designated as the 3.sup.rd BBACG hand,
(i.e., "BONUS HAND of THE DAY), for the just completed game round,
to the card value and/or card rank, card suit and delivery sequence
of the two cards the system scanner has identified as actually
being dealt to a game or player hand, (i.e., Seat 7), during the
play of the just completed game round to identify winning and
losing 3.sup.rd BBACG hands.
[0161] The processing unit 219 will identify the seat(s) receiving
a winning or losing secondary game hand(s) during the just
completed game round and automatically calculate and/or display the
amount or description of any awards payable to the secondary game
player(s) (i.e., the player occupying Seat 7), associated with each
winning secondary game hand. When the amount and/or description of
any awards payable to the secondary game player(s) has been
identified, preferably, as the game dealer engages in the
settlement of the primary game hands, the printer 226 will
automatically commence to print the appropriate receipt to be
presented to the winning player (i.e., Seat 7), in settlement of
any winning secondary game hands received by the winning player.
While the printer 226 is printing the receipt for a player or game
hand, (i.e., Seat 7), the center segment 232 of the segmented
housing 230 dedicated to (i.e., Seat 7) will be illuminated for
example, a pulsating color, preferably Red. When the printer 226
finishes printing out all winning receipts for one or more
secondary games played during the just completed game round
associated with a game player or game hand (i.e., Seat 7), and the
dealer has removed the receipts from the printer 226 for
presentation to the winning player, (i.e., Seat 7), the illuminated
center segment 232 of the housing 230 will cease pulsating.
[0162] Preferably, the printer 226 will be programmed to
automatically initiate the settlement of winning secondary game
hands dealt to a winning game or player hand (i.e., Seat 7), for
the just completed game round, starting with the highest seat
number of the game seats available at the game table, (i.e., 7, 6,
5, 4, 3, 2 and 1). When the printer 226 finishes printing out all
winning receipts (for example TITO tickets) payable to a game
player or game hand, (i.e., Seat 7), having received one or more
winning cards that are applicable to one or more secondary games
played during the just completed game round, the printer 226 will
signal the game dealer, by means of a visual or audible alert, that
all winning secondary game TITO ticket(s) for the game player,
(i.e., Seat 7), have been printed, whereas the printer 226 will
automatically continue the game round settlement by advancing, in
descending order, to the next lowest numbered active seat, (i.e.,
Seat 5), at the game table that has received a winning secondary
game hand for one or more secondary games played during the just
completed game round.
[0163] In the event the game table operator chooses to pay winning
WBACG players pay outs based on the "true odds" of a game, the
processing unit 219 will automatically determine, prior to the
commencement of a game round, the player and/or dealer hand being
dealt one or more cards from the cards comprising the game deck,
the number of game, player and/or dealer hands to be dealt during
the upcoming game round, and the card value, card rank and suit of
each of the cards comprising the deck's card inventory. The amount
and/or description of any pay offs due winning WBACG and/or BBACG
hands will be automatically calculated and/or displayed by the
appropriate software module on one or more monitors 223 coupled to
one embodiment of the present invention at the conclusion of the
current game round.
[0164] Alternatively, the "true odds" of one or more secondary
virtual game cards being projected for delivery to a game, player
or dealer primary hand can be pre-calculated and stored in memory
and the appropriate pay out(s) for winning secondary game hands can
be selected from the system memory and displayed on one or more
monitors coupled to the system of one embodiment of the present
invention at the conclusion of each game round.
[0165] At the option of management the printer 226 can be activated
manually to print winning secondary game TITO tickets by means of
Keyboard 220, or Keypad (see 721 of FIG. 7) embedded in the housing
723 (see FIG. 7) of the shoe 722 (see FIG. 7). For example, the
dealer holds down the Pay Key (see 727 of FIG. 7) and then presses
a numeric key(s) identical to the highest numbered seat (i.e., Seat
7), that has received a winning secondary game hand for one or more
secondary game rounds for the just completed game round.
Subsequently printer 226 will be activated and proceed, starting
with Seat 7, for example, to print out TITO tickets for all active
game player or game hands that have received a winning auxiliary
game hand for one or more auxiliary games. After the appropriate
Pay 727 and Numeric keys have been pressed to identify the first
winning seat, printer 226 is activated. The printer 226 will then
default to the method of issuing TITO tickets to winning secondary
game players as previously described when the printer 226 is
activated automatically by the processing unit 219 at the end of
each game round. The printer 226 continues to print out winning
TITO tickets for all other active seats that have been dealt
winning secondary game hands during the just completed game round.
This is achieved without further input by the game dealer by means
of Keyboard 220 or Keypad 221.
[0166] Preferably all winning TITO tickets will be imprinted with
table, game and player information which may include one or more of
the following: the name of the casino, the game table number, the
name of the game being played, the amount of the WBACG side bet
wagered, the amount, value or description of any pay out or award
due the winning game hand, seat or player, the number of the seat
receiving the winning WBACG auxiliary game card(s), the card value,
card suit and delivery sequence of cards delivered to the winning
game hand, the name of the player if the player has been logged
into the game by means of a PTC, the date and time that the TITO
ticket was printed and instructions for redemption of the TITO
ticket by the player.
[0167] When the primary game players playing at game table
monitored by one of the system and method have made their bets for
the upcoming game round and one or more of the game players has
logged into a game table by means of a PTC issued to the player by
the host casino, or by a casino associated with the host casino,
when the game dealer presses the Deal Key, (see 725 of FIG. 8)
signaling the system that the game round is to commence.
Thereafter, the outside segment 231 of the housing 230 assigned to
the seat occupied by the player logging into the game by means of
an appropriate PTC will illuminate color, preferably Orange,
indicating that the player occupying the seat associated with the
side bet housing has qualified to participate in one or more of the
1.sup.st BBACG, 2.sup.nd BBACG or 3.sup.rd BBACG rounds during the
upcoming game round.
[0168] During the play of a BBACG round, should a BBACG player
having qualified to participate in a 1.sup.st BBACG during the
upcoming game round by means of a PTC or other means, game hand
receive one or more cards that match one or more game cards
projected by the system RNG or cards selected by the house for
delivery in "Any Sequence" to a designated game or player hand, the
outside segment 231 of the housing 723 will change from the color
Orange to preferably Yellow. When the winning 1.sup.st BBACG game
hand is paid the outside segment 231 of the housing 723 will change
from the color Yellow to Red indicating that the settlement of the
winning BBACG hand is complete.
[0169] When one or more game cards projected by the system RNG to
be delivered "in Sequence", to a qualified 1.sup.st BBACG game or
player hand, the illuminated outside segment 231 of the side bet
housing 723 will change from the color Orange to preferably the
color Green. When the winning hand is paid the color of the outside
segment 231 will change from the color Green to the color Red
indicating that the settlement of the winning 1.sup.st BBACG hand
is complete.
[0170] Preferably, the amount and value of any slot machine credits
payable to winning 1.sup.st BBACG players will be arbitrarily
determined by the game table operator and pre-programmed into the
system. The system of the current invention will automatically
identify all types of BBACG, for example a 1.sup.st BBACG, a
2.sup.nd BBACG and a 3.sup.rd BBACG, player or game hands that have
received a winning game hand for the current game round. Further,
the system will identify and display, on one or more monitors 223
in communication with the system, the seat/position number and
amount and/or value of any pay outs or awards, payable to winning
secondary game players.
[0171] Preferably, primary game players, who have qualified by
means of a PTC to participate in a 1.sup.st BBACG round, who are
dealt winning game hands during a 1.sup.st BBACG round will be
awarded slot machine credits that are playable on one or more
virtual, real or video slot machines located within the host
casino, or within a remote casino associated with the host casino.
Alternatively, qualified 1.sup.st BBACG players may be paid cash or
any prize or award having a cash value.
[0172] Preferably, qualified 1.sup.st BBACG players having received
one or more winning cards during the play of a 1.sup.st BBACG round
are paid by means of TITO tickets automatically printed at the end
of a game round by the system printer 226 of the current invention
using the method previously described. When the system recognizes
that the settlement of all winning WBACG and BBACG hands has been
completed the center 232 and outside 231 segments of the housing
723 will be, reset, illuminating White. According to another
embodiment of the present invention, in the event that a WBACG
player has placed a winning wager that is not payable to the player
at the game table in gaming chips, i.e., Cash, Room, Food,
Beverage, TV, Car or anything of value that is listed on the game
payout schedule, (not shown), the system printer 226, at the end of
a game round will print out a receipt/ticket for all seats in
descending order, (i.e., seat 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1), that have
received winning WBACG hands for the current game round. When a
player wins more than one secondary game during the same game round
the printer 226 will print all winning secondary game tickets
associated with the seat occupied by the winning player for the
current game round. Preferably the ticket for the WBACG is printed
first, followed by the 1.sup.st BBACG G, the 2.sup.nd BBACG and
last, the 3.sup.rd BBACG tickets.
[0173] When the printer has finished printing all winning secondary
game tickets for a game seat the system will alert the game dealer
for example by means of a visual and/or audible alert and the game
dealer will remove the winning tickets from the printer 226 and
distribute them to the winning secondary game player. As the
printer 226 automatically proceeds for example in descending order
to the next active seat having received a winning auxiliary game
hand during the current game round and printout any tickets
identifying the award due the player occupying the seat.
Alternatively, each seat is equipped with printer 226 and the
ticket is printed for the player to take. Alternatively, management
may decide to forgo the automatic method of payment and choose the
payment method previously described wherein the game dealer and or
the player manually activates the printer 226 by means of Keyboard
220 or Keypad (see 721 of FIG. 7) to print winning tickets for
secondary game players.
[0174] A winning secondary game player may, at his/her convenience,
use the ticket to redeem the value of the ticket at one or more
designated casino cage cashiers, prize redemption booths or
electronic stations located within the casino that have a means to
read the ticket and to award the customer the cash or prize
imprinted on the winning ticket.
[0175] Alternatively, when a player is engaged in the play of a
1.sup.st BBACG round, the winning 1.sup.st BBACG game hands are
paid slot machine credits via the system printer 226 in
communication with a system according to one embodiment of the
present invention. The system will, during the settlement of a
1.sup.st BBACG game round, automatically generate an electronic
record and/or a physical ticket having indicated, identifying the
dollar value and/or amount of the slot machine credits won by the
1.sup.st BBACG game player and other game and player information
relative to the just completed game round. The information may be
stored on the ticket in the form of a bar code. The game dealer or
player removes the ticket from the printer 226 and the winning
1.sup.st BBACG player at his/her convenience, can use the ticket to
play one or more slot machines, hosted by the game table operator,
housing a "Bill Acceptor" 229 or "Currency Reader" programmed to
accept the ticket. The term "Bill Acceptor" 229 and "Currency
Reader" are used herein interchangeably. Preferably, the printer
226 may be programmed to imprint indicia on the ticket that will
restrict the play of 1.sup.st BBACG slot machine credits awarded to
the customer by means of the ticket to one or more designated
progressive slot machines under the control or associated with the
host casino.
[0176] TITO printers 226 are currently used by casinos operating
coin-less slot machines. When playing a coin-less slot machine, the
player buys credits on the machine by inserting currency into a
"Bill Acceptor" 229 carried by or coupled to the slot machine. The
slot machine reads and identifies the value of the inserted bill
and the value of the bill is converted into slot machine credits,
relative to the value or denomination of the slot machine credits
designated for playing that specific slot machine. The credits are
displayed on one or more displays carried by the slot machine. For
example, a $20.00 bill is inserted into a designated $1.00 slot
machine's "Bill Acceptor" 229 and subsequently the slot machine
displays twenty (20) slot machine credits available for play on the
machine, or a $20.00 is inserted into a designated $0.25 cent slot
machine's "Bill Acceptor" 229 and subsequently the slot machine
displays eighty (80) slot machine credits available for play on the
machine.
[0177] When the player decides to terminate his/her play of the
slot machine and at least one display carried by the slot machine
indicates that the player still has, for example, sixty (60) slot
machine credits valued at $0.25 cents each remaining on the slot
machine, the player presses a "Cash Out" button. Thereafter, the
number and value of the credits to be cashed out are sent to the
TITO printer 226 which proceeds to print and eject a bar coded
ticket showing the dollar amount of the slot machine credits cashed
out as $15.00. At the option of the customer receiving the TITO
ticket, he/she also has the option of taking it to one or more
designated automated stations, (similar to an ATM machine), slot or
casino cashier booths having a bar code scanner and/or TITO reader,
and cash in the ticket for it's cash value or $15.00.
Alternatively, the customer may insert the TITO ticket into a slot
machines "Bill Acceptor" 229 for conversion to slot machine credits
playable on the receiving slot machine, or the customer may choose
to keep the TITO for use another day or time.
[0178] According to one embodiment of the present invention, it is
preferable that a TITO ticket imprinted with slot machine game
credits won playing a 1.sup.st BBACG game also be imprinted with a
code that would restrict the use of the ticket to playing one or
more designated Progressive Slot Machine(s). For example, an
International Gaming Technology's "MegaBucks".TM. progressive slot
machines . . . which are "participation" slot machines, associated
with the casino hosting the 1.sup.ST BBACG game. The ticket would
not be accepted by the "Bill Acceptors" of other slot machines
located within the host casino. Any other TITO ticket, payable in
gaming chips or cash, issued to winning WBACG game players at a
casino card game table may be coded, at the host casino's
discretion, for acceptance by any slot machine owned, operated,
controlled by or associated with the host casino. The feature of
restricting the use of the 1.sup.st BBACG tickets to specific
machines is to reduce the cost of the 1.sup.st BBACG bonusing
system to the casino. For example, the system of the present
invention may be programmed to limit the customer's use of TITO
tickets, issued to winning 1.sup.st BBACG game players, preferably,
to progressive slot machines the host casino has licensed from a
specific slot machine manufacture or vendor. In that event it is
more than probable that the slot machine manufacturer, or vendor,
of a known progressive jackpot slot machine will be willing to
compensate the host casino for limiting the use of 1.sup.st BBACG
tickets to the licensing vendor's slot machines which would prove
to be advantageous to both casino and vendor.
[0179] Preferably, the codes imprinted on the 1.sup.st BBACG TITO
ticket can only be read by "Bill Acceptors" 229 associated with the
vendor's slot machines. Preferably, 1.sup.st BBACG tickets for slot
machine credits cannot be cashed out for cash unless the customer
wins a casino determined level on the machine being played. More
preferably, the casino determined level would be the largest
jackpot available on the slot machine being played. Restricting the
use of the TITO tickets in this manner stops the player from
cashing out any slot machine credits won at the game table and/or
any intermediate payouts won during the play of a slot machine
programmed to accept the 1.sup.st BBACG TITO tickets. Therefore,
the casino's actual cost of slot machine credits issued to a
winning 1.sup.st BBACG player is limited to the amount of the
participation fee the casino pays to the slot machine manufacturer
or vendor, (i.e., $300 in 1.sup.st BBACG slot machine credits won
at the game table are charged to the game table, and subsequently
the $300 in 1.sup.st BBACG slot machine credits are destined to be
played and, more than probably lost, at a "Participation
Progressive Slot Machine" located on the property of the host
casino.) Also, if the winning player is to benefit from the bonus
slot machine credits won at a card game table operated by the host
casino he/she is compelled to visit the host casino's slot
department and become familiar with and, preferably, play the
designated slot machines available there. Further, during his or
her visit to the host casino's slot department the winning 1.sup.st
BBACG player will be exposed to other slot machines that will
require "cash" if the player chooses to play these machines. Of
course the TITO tickets issued to winning 1.sup.st BBACG players
can be programmed to be accepted by all slot machines operated by
the host casino.
[0180] A "Participation Progressive Slot Machine" is typically
owned, operated and maintained by a slot machine manufacturer or
vendor who may couple one or more of its Progressive Slot Machines,
located in one or more casinos having the same or different
ownership and located at one or multiple remote locations, by means
of a network (LAN or WAN). The vendor absorbs the expenses of
ownership, operation, and maintenance of the Progressive Slot
Machine(s), including the management and payment of any Progressive
Jackpots won by "Participation Progressive Jackpot Machine" players
playing at the hosting casino. The host casino pays the slot
machine vendor a participation fee of, for example, 6% of dollars
waged. For example, if a customer wages $3.00 on the slot, $0.18
goes to the vendor, the remainder goes to the casino, less any
contribution to the progressive jackpot). For example, IGT's
MegaBucks.TM. progressive slot machines' minimum progressive
jackpot is $7,000,000. IGT'S MegaBucks.TM. machines have paid
jackpots in excess of $30,000,000. When the progressive jackpot is
won, IGT's controller monitoring the progressive jackpot system, on
verifying the jackpot automatically resets the jackpot to the
minimum of $7,000,000. Some casinos own, operate, and maintain
their own progressive jackpot systems.
[0181] A TITO ticket from a slot machine may be present to a card
table equipped with a "Bill Acceptor" 229. The game dealer,
responding to the displayed value of the TITO ticket, will then
proceed to issue to the presenting player gaming chips equal to the
displayed dollar value of the TITO ticket. The dealer will then
input data using a data entry system for example a keyboard 220,
coupled to a processing unit 219 to record the transaction and
monitor the game table's bankroll. Preferably, Keyboard 220 will be
configured with the appropriate "Seat Activation/Deactivation",
"Numeric", "Cash Out", and "Buy In" Keys to allow the dealer to
input the transactions into the system. When a departing player
chooses to exchange his/her gaming chips for a TITO ticket the game
dealer will use Keyboard 220 to input the exchange into the system
and the system printer 226 will print out a TITO ticket imprinted
with the amount of the chips presented to the dealer for cash out,
the dealer then presenting the TITO ticket to the departing player,
and subsequently the dealer places the gaming chips in the game
tables chip rack 114 which contains the game tables working
bankroll.
[0182] The customer receiving the TITO ticket imprinted with the
value of the players "Cash Out" may choose to present the ticket to
a dealer, at another game table operated by the issuing casino that
is also fitted with a "Bill Acceptor" 229 and a TITO printer 226
insert the TITO ticket into a "Bill Acceptor" 229 carried by a slot
machine operated by the host casino or game table operator, or the
player may present the TITO ticket to a casino cage cashier or
electronic station, (similar to an ATM machine), to redeem the cash
value of the TITO ticket (making TITO tickets issued at a slot
machine or a card cage table interchangeable, acceptable, at a
"Bill Acceptor" 229 carried by either slot machine or card game
table should be claimed).
[0183] Referring now to FIG. 3, a close up top view of a segmented
housing 230 is illustrated according to one embodiment of the
present invention. A translucent surface covers the segmented
auxiliary game housing 230 which has two segments. Segmented
housing 230 showing the outside segment 231 and the inside segment
232 with an automatic bet recognition device 333, (ABRD) (i.e.,
preferably a RFID Chip Reader or Light Sensor), at a location on
the table for example concealed beneath the surface of the inside
segment. At least one housing 230 is positioned adjacent to each
player position for the player to place any side bets for an
upcoming WBACG game round and to monitor the play of the WBACG and
BBACG game rounds. The center segment 232 of the housing 230
contains one or more Tri-Colored LEDs (not shown) for illuminating
and color coding the translucent surface of the center segment 232
which is directed at alerting the player and/or the game dealer to
the player qualifications to participation in an upcoming WBACG
game round and to further alert the player and the game dealer to
the outcome of a WBACG game round when a game hand associated with
a seat's housing 230 has received a winning WBACG hand, and the
progress of the settlement of a winning WBACG hand. The outside
segment 231 of the housing 230 contains one or more Tri-Colored
LEDs (not shown) for illuminating and color coding the translucent
surface of the outside segment 231 which is directed at alerting
the player and/or the game dealer to the player qualifying to
participate in an upcoming BBACG game round and to further alert
the player and the game dealer to the outcome of a BBACG game round
when a game hand associated with a seat's housing 230 has received
a winning BBACG hand, and the progress of the settlement of a
winning BBACG hand.
[0184] Example color codes for the outside segment 231 are: [0185]
Orange=Player is qualified to participate in a 1.sup.st BBACG
round; or [0186] Yellow=1.sup.st BBACG round "Any Sequence" winner;
or [0187] Green=1.sup.st BBACG round "In Sequence" winner; or
[0188] Pink=2.sup.nd BBACG round "Bonus BJ of The Day" winner; or
[0189] Magenta=3.sup.rd BBACG round "Bonus Hand of The Day" winner;
or [0190] Red & Pulsating=TITO ticket for settlement of winning
hand is printing; or [0191] Red=TITO ticket removed from printer
for presentation to winning player, settlement of winning hand(s)
is complete.
[0192] Example color codes for the inside segment 232 are: [0193]
White=Active game table seat; or [0194] Orange=Player placed side
bet for upcoming WBACG round; or [0195] Light Blue=WBACG round "Any
Sequence" winner; or [0196] Royal Blue=WBACG round "In Sequence"
winner; or [0197] Red=WBACG; winning hand settlement is complete.
Each of the cards removed from the shoe 222 may be scanned by a
system scanner, (not shown), housed by the shoe 222, or a system
scanner (not shown) that is external to the shoe 222. The system
scanner(s) (not shown) is in communication with a processing unit
219. All other elements are as previously described.
[0198] The housing 230 is positioned in the game table (not shown),
preferably at the top right in front of each Primary Game's
designated players betting box imprinted on the game table layout.
Similar housings 230 may also be positioned in front of each
Primary Game's designated players betting box to accommodate
similar ABRD 333 devices for other wagers made at the game table
(not shown), i.e., Insurance and Surrender wagers when the game
being played is Blackjack, and on all card game tables (not shown)
allowing a game player to make a wager for the game dealer.
Further, the Keyboard 220 may be used to Activate/Deactivate the
ABRD 333 and LED devices contained within the housing 230.
[0199] Outside segment 232 of the segmented housing 230 is
dedicated to monitoring the play of the BBACG games(s), (i.e., a
1.sup.st BBACG G, a 2.sup.nd BBACG G, and/or a 3.sup.rd BBACG G).
The surface of the segmented housing 230 is translucent. Within the
housing's 230 outside segment 232 is at least one Tri-Colored LED.
In the event a game player has logged into the primary game by
means of a PTC card, the surface of the outside segment 232 will
illuminate preferably Orange, indicating that the player is
eligible to participate in one or more 1.sup.st BBACG rounds,
offered by the host casino, during his/her playing session at the
game table. The inside segment 231 of a seat's housing 230 is
illuminated the color Orange if the occupying player has made a
wager to participate in the upcoming WBACG round, otherwise it is
illuminated White.
[0200] During the play of the current game round, should a 1.sup.st
BBACG G, (i.e., paying slot machine credits to winning players),
game, player or dealer hand receive one or more game cards
projected by the system RNG for delivery in "Any Sequence" to a
participating 1.sup.st BBACG game or player hand, the illuminated
surface color of the outside segment 232 will change from Orange to
another color, preferably Yellow. When the dealer holds down a Pay
Key (see 727 of FIG. 7) and then presses a numeric key (see 721 of
FIG. 7) that corresponds to the seat occupied by the player
receiving the winning hand the illuminated surface color of the
outside segment 232 will change from Yellow to Red, indicating the
settlement of the winning seat's 1.sup.st BBACG hand is complete.
Should a 1.sup.st BBACG game, player or dealer hand receive one or
more game cards projected by the system RNG to be delivered "in
Sequence" to a participating BBACG game or player hand, the
illuminated surface color of the outside segment 232 will change
from Orange to another color, preferably Green and when the dealer
holds down the Pay Key (see 727 of FIG. 7) and then presses a
numeric key (see 721 of FIG. 7) that corresponds to the seat
occupied by the player receiving the winning hand the illuminated
surface color of the outside segment 232 will change from Green to
Red, indicating the settlement of the winning seat's 1.sup.st BBACG
game hand is complete.
[0201] Slot machine credits won by 1.sup.st BBACG players, at the
option of the host casino, during a playing session may be
automatically recorded, accrued and stored, at the end of each game
round, stored by the system of the present invention; and when the
system indicates slot machine credits 2070, payable to a winning
1.sup.st BBACG player, have been accrued the surface color of the
outside segment will illuminate a color, preferably, Lavender at
the end of the 1.sup.st BBACG round alerting the player and the
game dealer that the player has won slot machine credits, and the
total amount of the accumulated slot machine credits 2070 won
during a playing session will be displayed on one or more monitors,
preferably monitor (see 511 of FIG. 20) that is embedded in the
game table top 210, at each player's designated seat\position, and
coupled to the system of the present invention. When a player
terminates his/her playing session at a game table offering a
1.sup.st BBACG the dealer signals the system CG&PRS the player
is leaving the game by deactivating the departing players
seat/position by holding down the Seat Activate/Deactivate Key (see
730 of FIG. 7) and then pressing the numeric key(s) 721
corresponding to the seat occupied by the departing player. In the
event that the departing player has won any slot machine credits
that have been accumulated and stored on the system during the
players play session, when the dealer terminates the player's
seat/position at the game table the system printer 226 will
automatically print out a TITO ticket, imprinted with the total
amount and/or value of the accumulated slot machine credits won by
the departing 1.sup.st BBACG player, which the dealer will present
to the player leaving the game, and the illuminated surface of the
outside segment 232 of the housing 230 of the departing players
seat will go dark, as will the center 231 of the housing 230.
[0202] When a game table seat is occupied by a game player who had
qualified to participate in a 1.sup.st BBACG round offering and the
settlement of the 1.sup.st BBACG round is complete, and the player
has also qualified to participate in a 2.sup.nd BBACG (i.e., BONUS
BJ of THE HOUR (see 1842 of FIG. 18) during the same game round,
and/or the player's hand is dealt the designated "BONUS BJ or THE
HOUR" hand the outside segment 232 of the housing 230 surface will
illuminate, preferably, a color (i.e., Pink), and when the
settlement of a winning "BONUS BJ of THE HOUR" hand is complete the
outside segment 232 of the housing 230 surface will change from the
color Pink to another color, preferably Red indicating settlement
of the winning hand. In the event the player has also qualified to
participate in a 3.sup.rd BBACG during the same game round, (i.e.,
"BONUS HAND of THE DAY" (see 1943 of FIG. 19) and the player's hand
is dealt the "BONUS HAND or THE DAY", the outside segment 232 of
the housing 230 surface will illuminate another color, preferably
Magenta. When the settlement of a winning "BONUS BJ of THE HOUR"
hand is complete the outside segment 232 of the housing 230 surface
will change from the color Magenta to another color, preferably,
Red indicating settlement of the winning 3.sup.rd BBACG hand.
[0203] Inside segment 232 of the segmented housing 230 is
preferably illuminated White to indicate the presence of a player
actively engaged in the play of the primary game, otherwise it is
dedicated to monitoring the player's participation (seat/position)
in a WBACG during the upcoming or current game round. The surface
of the housing 230 is translucent. Contained within the inside
segment 232 of the housing 230 is at least one Tri-Colored LED (not
shown) and a ABRD (see 333 of FIG. 3) concealed within the center
segment 232 beneath the surface of housing 230, preferably, (i.e.,
a Light Sensor or a RFID chip reader that communicates with a RFID
chip embedded in each of the gaming chips that comprise the
wager(s), to automatically identify the presence and/or amount of
any side bet made to participate in the WBACG during an upcoming
game round. When a game table seat is occupied by a game player who
had qualified to participate in one or more WBACG rounds by making
the primary game wager, and preferably the player has logged into
the game using a PTC card issued to the player by the host casino
or a casino associated with the host casino, the surface of the
inside segment 232 of the housing 230 will be illuminated a color,
preferably, i.e., Orange, as will the outside segment 231.
[0204] During the play of the current game round, should a WBACG
game, player or dealer hand receive one or more game cards
projected by the system RNG for delivery, in "Any Sequence", to a
participating WBACG game or player hand, the illuminated center 232
of housing 230 will change from one color to another, for example,
Orange to, preferably, a Light Blue. When the settlement of the
winning WBACG round concludes the illuminated center 232 of housing
230 will change from the color Light Blue to preferably, another
color, for example, Red. Should a WBACG game, player or dealer hand
receive one or more WBACG game cards projected by the system RNG to
be delivered "in Sequence" to a participating WBACG game or player
hand, the surface of the inside segment 232 of the housing 230 will
change in color from Orange to, preferably another color, for
example, Royal Blue. When the settlement of the winning WBACG round
concludes the illuminated center 232 of housing 230 will change
from the color Royal Blue to preferably another color, for example,
Red.
[0205] For example, during the settlement of any game round in
which a player has made a WGACG wager and has received one or more
winning cards, the game dealer holds down the Pay Key (see 727 of
FIG. 7) and then presses a numeric key (see 721 of FIG. 7) that
corresponds to the seat occupied by the player receiving the
winning hand. Subsequently the system printer 226 will
automatically print a ticket imprinted with the value and/or
description of the payout or prize won, which will be presented to
the player occupying the seat receiving the winning hand. The
ticket will be presented to the player by the game dealer or other
employee of the host casino. Alternatively, the ticket will be
delivered directly to the player by a printer located at the
player's station.
[0206] In the event the payout is gaming chips, preferably, gaming
chips can be delivered to the game player by the dealer, or as an
alternative the value of any gaming chips won can be paid to the
game player by means of the printer 226 printing a ticket to be
presented to the game player by the game dealer, whereas at the
discretion of the game player the ticket can be cashed out for cash
at one or more designated stations, or at the casino's cashier
cage; or the player may choose to redeem the value of the ticket by
inserting it in one or more "Bill Acceptors" 229, coupled to a slot
machine or to a table game under the control of the host casino or
a casino associated with the host casino, programmed to read and
accept TITO tickets issued to winning WBACG players. If the WBACG
offers designated prizes other than cash to winning WBACG players
and the actual prize is not presented to the player at the game
table, the system can be programmed to issue a ticket imprinted
with the description and/or value of the prize won. The player may
redeem the TITO ticket at one or more designated stations located
with the host casino or at a location remote to the host
casino.
[0207] Contained beneath the surface of housing 230, is at least
one ABRD 333. The task of the ABRD 333 preferably the RFID is a
chip reader that communicates with a RFID chip embedded in each of
the gaming chips used in the play of the game), is to signal the
system RNG that the subject ABRD 333 has identified that the game
player engaged in the play of the primary game has made a WBACG
wager for the upcoming WBACG round by positioning the wager over
the center segment 232 of a seat's designated housing 230. A
processing unit 219 associated with the RNG responds to the betting
information provided by the ABRD 333 by referring to the known card
inventory, (as provided by the system scanner (not shown) software
module), of a complete or depleted game deck from which the game
cards for the upcoming game round are to be dealt. The system RNG
selects at least one or more cards, preferably, prior to the
commencement of the upcoming game round. Preferably the RNG also
selects the card value and/or card rank and card suit and the
delivery sequence of each of the two cards selected, which the RNG
projects will be dealt from the top of the game deck and delivered
to a game or player hand, having made a side wager to participate
in the upcoming WBACG game round.
[0208] The system and method of the present invention identifies
the number of active seats at a game table and the number of game,
player and dealer hands that are to be dealt during the upcoming
game round. This information is communicated to a processing unit
and the RNG. Prior to the commencement of each game round the
CG&PRS is acted upon by the processing unit 219 and the RNG
generates a secondary hand for those active seats occupied by game
players who have who have made a side bet to qualify to participate
in an upcoming WBACG round; and/or to further identify those active
seats occupied by game players who have qualified to participate in
an upcoming BBACG round. In the event a player occupying an active
game table seat has qualified to participate in the WGACG and one
or more of the 1.sup.st BBACG, 2.sup.nd BBACG or 3.sup.rd BBACG
during the upcoming game round the RNG selects a card (preferably
tow or more) from the deck's real time inventory, prior to the
commencement of the upcoming game round. The cards are dealt from
the top of the game deck and delivered to a game or player hand,
having made a side wager to participate in the upcoming WBACG game
round and/or logging into the game table by means of a PTC to
qualify to participate in the upcoming 1.sup.st BBACG round. The
cards selected by the RNG for the upcoming game round may be common
to both the WGACG and the 1.sup.st BBACG. Concurrently an image of
each card selected/projected by the RNG is displayed on one or more
monitors 223. The monitors 223 may be embedded in the game table
top 210 or located in full view of the game players. The monitors
223 may be in communication with the system according to one
embodiment of the present invention. As the game is being played a
scanner (not shown) identifies each card removed from the deck that
is actually delivered to a game or player hand. The information
identified may include the card value and/or card rank, card suit
and the delivery sequence of each card dealt from the top of the
game deck and delivered to one or more game or player hands during
the play of the current game round. The information may be stored
in memory.
[0209] The cards selected/projected for delivery to one active
seat's player or game hand may be the same or different from one
active seat's player or game hand to another during the play of a
WBACG round, and/or a 1.sup.st BBACG round. When a secondary game
round is completed the system identifies those active seats that
have received one or more winning secondary card game hands for a
secondary card game played during the current game round. The
system verifies the customer occupying an active game table had
qualified to play the secondary game and authenticates the cards
delivered to the winning hand. The authentication step comprises
software instructions comparing the cards projected to be delivered
with the cards the scanner has identified as actually being dealt
to a participating secondary card game player's hand during the
current game round. When the system determines that one or more of
the projected game cards and the game cards actually delivered to a
game hand match, the win is authenticated. The projected cards and
real cards are color coded to further identify the type(s) of
winning game hand(s) the secondary game player has received, (i.e.,
a WBACG game hand, a 1.sup.st BBACG game hand, a 2.sup.nd BBACG
game hand and/or a 3.sup.rd BBACG game hand).
[0210] Preferably, the system will automatically calculate and
display the correct payout, (i.e., cash or prize), for each winning
auxiliary game or player hand. When a 1.sup.st BBACG and a WBACG
games are played simultaneously by the same player during the same
game round, the cards projected by the system RNG for delivery to a
game or player hand and the cards that are actually delivered to a
game or player hand are used to determine the outcome of both the
1.sup.st BBACG round and the WBACG round. Preferably, the system
RNG will not be used to project the cards that will comprise the
2.sup.nd BBACG game hand, (i.e., "BONUS BJ of THE HOUR" and/or a
3.sup.rd BBACG game hand, (i.e., "BONUS HAND of THE DAY").
Preferably, 2.sup.nd BBACG and/or 3.sup.rd BBACG game hands will be
predetermined and/or dictated, at the sole discretion of the host
casino's management and preprogrammed into the system software.
[0211] Referring now to FIG. 4, a top view of a system according to
one embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. A RFID PTC
Reader 411, is in communication with a processing unit 219,
preferably by wire or wireless means preferably is positioned
beneath the game table layout 111 and/or under each game table seat
number 117, to provide a means for a new player, possessing a RFID
PTC to automatically log into the game table when the player waves
and/or positions his/her RFID PTC card over, or in close proximity
to the RFID PTC Reader. The system opens a customer Year-To-Date
file maintained on a host casino's processing unit 219 mainframe
computer associated with the customers RFID PTC card. When the
player terminates his/her play the game dealer will use one or more
keyboards, for example, 220 or 221 in communication with the system
to deactivate the seat vacated by the departing player and the
electronic file associated with the departing player's RFID PTC
will be closed. A ABRD 333, preferably, a RFID Chip Reader 410, is
configured to read gaming chips and is embedded with a RFID Chip,
coupled to the system processing unit 219 by wire or wireless
means. The ABRD 333 is in communication with and is positioned
beneath the game table layout 111 preferably there is one RFID Chip
Reader 410 for each game table seat's betting box 116 designated
for the primary or primary game wagers. All other elements are as
previously described.
[0212] Referring now to FIG. 5, a top view of an intelligent game
table top 210 identifying elements of one embodiment of the present
invention. A housing 510 for Virtual or Video Slot Machine and
Monitor 511 is embedded in the game table top, whereas the housing
510 and Virtual or Video Slot Machine and Monitor 511 communicates
with the system processing unit 219 by wire or wireless means.
Element 210, 510, 511 and 219 may also be in communication to one
or more progressive slot machines monitored by a network under the
control, or associated with, the host casino. All other elements
are as previously described.
[0213] Referring now to FIG. 6, a top view of a Baccarat game table
top 610 with supporting elements according to one embodiment of the
current invention is illustrated. An imprinted Baccarat game table
layout 611 is imprinted with a seat number 616 for each seat
available at the game table whereas each seat is assigned a
designated Play Area 615, (which includes a designated area for the
player to place a wager on the PLAYERS HAND 617p, a designated area
for each player to place a wager on the BANKERS HAND 617b, a
designated area for each player, at the option of the player, to
place, a Tie 617t wager that the outcome of the PLAYER HAND 617p
and BANKERS HANDS 617b for the upcoming game round will end in Tie
HANDS, RFID Chip Readers 630p, 630b, and 630t that communicates
with a RFID Chip embedded in each of the gaming chips used at the
game table, and at least one LCD 623a). A Chip Rack 614 imprinted
commission boxes 627 for the dealer(s) to place "Lamers", (non
negotiable chips) used to keep track of commissions owed by game
players having placed winning wagers on the BANKERS HAND 617b
during the play of the game is also provided. A "Lamer Rack" 627a
to store the "Lamers", a Drop Box Slot 613, a Discard Card Can Slot
612, and a Dealers Tip Can Slot 628 is also provided. Also
illustrated is three (3) Dealer Stations, i.e., (a 1.sup.st Dealer
Station D1, (i.e., the Callers station), a 2.sup.nd Dealer Station
D2 and a 3.sup.rd Dealer Station D3); and a processing unit 619. A
Card Dispensing Shoe 622 for dispensing cards and one or more
monitors 623 are associated with the game table 610. At least one
monitor 623a is embedded in the game table top 610 and positioned
within each seat's designated Play Area 615. Also associated with
the game table 610 are one or more Keyboards w/Display, (i.e., a
1.sup.st Keyboard 620, a 2.sup.nd Keyboard 620a and a 3.sup.rd
Keyboard 620b), one or more printers, (i.e., a 1.sup.st TITO
printer 626, a 2.sup.nd TITO printer 626a and a 3.sup.rd TITO
printer 626b), one or more "Bill Acceptors" 629, at least one
segmented housing 624p which is positioned, immediately adjacent to
the outside of each seat's designated Play Area 615. A segmented
housing 624 identifies when a player occupying a seat has by one or
more means qualified to play a BBACG round and/or the player has
placed a side wager to qualify to play a WBACG game round. During
the play of an upcoming Baccarat game round when the game player
has placed a wager on a PLAYERS HAND 617p, BANKERS HAND 617b OR TIE
617t and at least one segmented housing 624b is positioned
immediately adjacent to the outside of each seat's designated Play
Area 615, to identify when the player occupying the seat has by one
or more means qualified to play a BBACG round. Alternatively the
player can place a side wager to qualify to play a WBACG game round
during the play of an upcoming Baccarat game round. The game player
places a wager on either the BANKERS HAND 617b, PLAYERS H617p and
or TIE 617t for the upcoming Baccarat game round wherein the wager
is detected by a RFID Chip Reader 630p. A chip embedded in each of
the gaming chips. A sensor, preferably a RFID chip reader, is
positioned beneath each seat's designated area for the player to
place a wager on the PLAYERS HAND 617p, BANKERS HAND 617b OR TIE
617t. A designated area for the placement of the PLAYERS HAND 631
and the BANKERS HAND 632, to be placed faced-up by the game Caller
D1 during the play of the game are imprinted on the game table top.
All electrical components attached to, carried by or embedded in
the Intelligent Game Top 610 of the present invention communicate
with a processing unit 619 by wire or wireless means.
[0214] The game of Baccarat is unique in that regardless of how
many players are engaged in the play of the game (i.e., typically
one (1) to nine (9) players when played at a Mini-Baccarat table
(not shown), and one (1) to fourteen (14) players when played at a
Big-Baccarat table 610), only two game hands are dealt during a
game round a PLAYERS HAND and a BANKERS HAND which are common to
all of the players engaged in the play of the game. All game
players have the option of wagering on either the PLAYERS HAND or
the BANKERS HAND during the play of a game round. The minimum
number of cards that may comprise a Baccarat hand is two (2), and
the maximum number of cards that may comprise a Baccarat hand are
three (3).
[0215] During the play of a Baccarat game round the 1.sup.st and
3.sup.rd cards removed from the shoe 622 are designated by the game
rules as the original two-cards that will ultimately be delivered
to (the PLAYERS HAND), the 1.sup.st Dealer D1, the Caller. The
caller will position them face-up on the game table in the area
designated for the placement and viewing of the PLAYERS HAND 631.
The 2.sup.nd and 4.sup.th cards removed from the shoe 622 during a
game round are designated by the game rules as the original
two-cards that will ultimately be delivered to the 1.sup.st Dealer
D1, the Caller. The caller will position them face-up on the game
table in the area designated for the placement and viewing of the
BANKERS HAND 632. When the original two cards comprising both the
PLAYERS and the BANKERS HANDS have been placed faced-up, the Caller
calls the score of the PLAYERS HAND and the BANKERS HAND. If the
score of the original two cards dealt to the PLAYERS HAND or the
BANKERS HAND is eight (8) or nine (9), no additional cards will be
dealt to either HAND. The game round is over and the Caller
announces its outcome. If the score of the original two cards dealt
to the PLAYERS HAND and the BANKERS HAND is less than eight (8) the
PLAYERS HAND and/or the BANKERS HAND will draw a 3.sup.rd and final
card, or stand, according to Baccarat's 3.sup.rd Card Rule. When
the final 3.sup.rd Card for the game round is dealt the 1.sup.st
Dealer D1 will call the results of the game round. For example, the
PLAYERS have Seven (7) the BANK has Six (6) . . . the PLAYERS win.
Pay the PLAYERS!) The base Dealer, the 2.sup.nd Dealer D2 and the
3.sup.rd Dealer D3, primary responsibilities are to issue gaming
chips to the game players in exchange for cash, or other negotiable
instruments such as "casino markers", and to "Pay and Take" winning
and losing wagers during the settlement of a game round. The
Caller, the 1.sup.st Dealer D1 may also engage in these activities.
The game of Baccarat as described herein is a contest between two
game hands; 1) the PLAYERS HAND and 2) the BANKERS HAND. Both game
hands are common to all players seated at the Baccarat game table,
and all players engaged in the play of a Baccarat game round may
wager on either the PLAYERS HAND or the BANKERS HAND to win, and/or
place a Tie wager.
[0216] When a card game player is engaged in the play of a Baccarat
game round at a Baccarat game table associated with a system and
method of the embodiment of the present invention, instructions the
software associated with an automatic bet recognition devices 630p
and 630b carried by the Baccarat game table top 610 identifies what
game hand, the PLAYERS HAND or the BANKERS HAND, each game player
has chosen to wager on and the amount of the wagers, during an
upcoming game round. Each seats Play Area 615 contains a Betting
Area for the placement of wagers on the PLAYERS HAND and a ABRD
630p may be embedded in the game table top 610 beneath each seats
Betting Area to identify the presence and amount of the wagers for
the PLAYERS HAND. Each seats Play Area 615 contains a Betting Area
for the placement of wagers on the BANKERS HAND. A ABRD 630b is
embedded in the game table top 610 beneath each seats Betting Area
to identify the presence and amount of the wagers for the BANKERS
HAND. Each seats Play Area 615 contains a Betting Area for the
placement of wager that the PLAYERS HAND and the BANKERS HAND will
TIE during the upcoming game round. A ABRD 630t is embedded in the
game table top 610 beneath each seats Betting Area to identify the
presence and amount of the TIE wagers.
[0217] When a secondary card game (i.e., a 1.sup.st BBACG G, a
2.sup.nd BBACG G, a 3.sup.rd BBACG and/or a WBACG) is played at a,
(i.e., Blackjack table), preferably, the game table 610 is fitted
with a segmented housing 230 to monitor the play of the secondary
card game. When the secondary card game is played at a Baccarat
game table 610, preferably, the game table 610 is fitted with two
segmented housings, (i.e., 624p and 624b), identical to segmented
housing (see 230 of FIG. 3), with two exceptions: 1) segmented
housing 624p is imprinted with the letter "P" to guide the game
players in the placements of side bets on the PLAYERS HAND and to
indicate its dedication to monitoring the outcome of the secondary
auxiliary card games associated with a Baccarat player who has
placed a wager that the PLAYERS HAND will beat the BANKERS HAND
during the play of the upcoming game round; and 2) segmented
housing 624b is imprinted with the letter "B", to guide the game
players in the placements of side bets on the BANKERS HAND, and to
indicate its dedication to monitoring the outcome of the auxiliary
card games associated with a Baccarat player who has placed a wager
that the BANKERS HAND will beat the PLAYERS HAND during the play of
the upcoming game round.
[0218] During the play of a Baccarat game round a player occupying
an active seat, preferably, may place a WBACG round wager on one or
both segmented housings 624p and 624b when the player has also made
the minimum required wager on either the PLAYERS HAND or the
BANKERS hand for the current game round.
[0219] During the play of a Baccarat game round a player occupying
an active seat, preferably, cannot qualify by any means to
participate in a BBACG round for both the PLAYERS HAND and BANKERS
HAND during the same game round. When a Baccarat player has
qualified to participate in one or more of the BBACG during a game
round the player's participation in the BBACG rounds will only be
applicable to the game hand, the PLAYERS HAND or the BANKERS HAND,
on which the player has placed a wager for the upcoming Baccarat
game round. A Baccarat player who has placed a wager on the PLAYERS
HAND for the upcoming game round and has also qualified to
participate in one or more BBACG during the upcoming game round
will have the outside segment 231 of segmented housing 624p will be
activated to monitor the BBACG games in which the player has
qualified to participate for the upcoming game round. The outside
segment 231 of housing 624b will not be activated during the play
of the upcoming game round. However, in the event the Baccarat
player placed a WBACG wager on the BANKERS HAND for the upcoming
game round the center segment 232 of housing 624b will be activated
to monitor the WBACG during the play of the upcoming game
round.
[0220] When a Baccarat game table seat is activated, the center
segment(s) 232 of both segmented housings, 624p and 624b, assigned
to the activated seat, preferably will illuminate White. When the
ABRD 333 of housing 624p detects the presence of a WBACG the center
segment 232 of 624p will illuminate another color preferably
Orange. When the ABRD 333 of housing 624b detects the presence of a
WBACG the center segment 232 of 624b will illuminate a color,
preferably Orange. Preferably, when a WBACG is offered at a
Baccarat table, one of the embodiments of the present invention and
when at least one active primary game player has made the minimum
bet required to participate in a upcoming Baccarat game round,
other players seated at an activated game table seat do not have to
make the minimum primary game wager as a prerequisite to being
eligible to make a WBACG wager on the PLAYERS HAND or the BANKERS
HAND for an upcoming Baccarat game round (i.e., currently Baccarat
players may make a TIE bet without making a bet on the PLAYERS HAND
or the BANKERS HAND during the play of a Baccarat game round.) When
playing the game of Baccarat the first prerequisite, if the player
wishes to qualify to participate in one or more BBACG rounds, for
the player is that he/she is required to make the minimum bet
required on the PLAYERS HAND or the BANKERS HAND to participate in
the primary Baccarat game round.
[0221] When at least one Baccarat game player has made the required
minimum wager for the upcoming Baccarat game round and one or more
players seated at the game table at an active seat have also made a
wager to participate in the upcoming WBACG wager, the dealer D1
presses the Deal Key (not shown) integrated into Keyboard 620 to
initiate the commencement of the upcoming game round and
subsequently triggering the system's automatic bet recognition
device. The device is on communication with a processing unit 619
that can record and store in memory the presence and/or amounts of
any primary game wagers and/or WBACG side bets wagered by each
player for the upcoming game round.
[0222] When the Deal Key (not shown) integrated into Keyboard 620
is pressed, and the ABRD 333 of housing 624p and/or 624b does not
detect the presence of a wager for the upcoming WBACG round at an
active seat, the translucent surface of the center segment 232 of a
active seat's housing 624p and/or 624b will remain illuminated
White. When the system detects the presence and/or the amount of a
wager for the upcoming WBACG round the translucent surface of the
center segment 232 of a active seat's housing 624p and/or 624b will
be illuminated a color preferably Orange. At this point the game
dealer(s) D2 and D3 pick up any WBACG bets and places them in the
chip tray 614 and the translucent surface of the center segment 232
of the appropriate housing 624p or housing 624b for those active
seats having made a WBACG bet for the current Baccarat game round
will remain illuminated Orange. Concurrently, the RNG will
automatically select/project from the inventory of the cards
comprising the game deck prior to the removal of the first card
from the deck for delivery to the PLAYERS HAND at least two cards.
The cards selected will be displayed face-up on one or more
monitors 623 associated with an active game table seat when the
game player(s) occupying the active seat has made the minimum
required wager to participate in the primary game and are qualified
for a BBACG round. Preferably, the cards projected by the RNG for
delivery to a BBACG round and/or a WBACG round participant are
displayed on the participating player's monitor 623a positioned in
the secondary game players Play Area 615. The dealer then proceeds
to deliver the cards from the game deck to the PLAYERS HAND and to
the BANKERS HAND.
[0223] During the play of a Baccarat game round, when a player has
wagered on the PLAYERS HAND for the current WBACG round and the
PLAYERS HAND receives one or more game cards projected by the
system RNG for delivery in "Any Sequence" to the PLAYERS HAND, the
illuminated center 232 of housing 624p will change from the color
Orange to preferably Light Blue. When the winning "Any Sequence"
hand is paid the illuminated center 232 of the housing 624p will
change from the color Light Blue to preferably Red indicating
settlement of the winning hand. When a player has wagered on the
PLAYERS HAND for the current WBACG round and the PLAYERS HAND
receives one or more game cards projected by the system RNG for
delivery "in Sequence" to the PLAYERS HAND, the illuminated center
232 of housing 624p will change from the color Orange to preferably
Royal Blue. When the winning "In Sequence" hand is paid the
illuminated center 232 of the housing 624b will change from the
color Royal Blue to preferably Red indicating settlement of the
winning hand.
[0224] During the play of a Baccarat game round, when a player has
wagered on the BANKERS HAND for the current WBACG round and the
BANKERS HAND receives one or more game cards projected by the
system RNG for delivery in "Any Sequence" to the BANKERS HAND, the
illuminated center 232 of housing 624b will change from the color
Orange to preferably Light Blue. When the winning "Any Sequence"
hand is paid the illuminated center 232 of the housing 624b will
change from the color Light Blue to preferably Red indicating
settlement of the winning hand. When a player has wagered on the
BANKERS HAND for the current WBACG round and the BANKERS HAND
receives one or more game cards projected by the system RNG for
delivery "In Sequence" to the BANKERS HAND, the illuminated center
232 of housing 624b will change from the color Orange to preferably
Royal Blue. When the winning "In Sequence" hand is paid the
illuminated center 232 of the housing 624b will change from the
color Royal Blue to preferably Red indicating settlement of the
winning hand.
[0225] Preferably, the amount of any pay outs or bonus awards
payable to winning WBACG and BBACG players playing at a Baccarat
table 610 will be arbitrarily determined by the game table operator
and preprogrammed into the system. The system of the current
invention will automatically identify winning and losing BBACG and
WBACG hands and display the seat/position number and amount and/or
description of any pay outs or bonus awards payable to players
having winning auxiliary game hands on one or more monitors in
communication with the system. Alternatively, the pay outs or bonus
awards payable to winning WBACG and/or 1.sup.st BBACG players may
be based on the true odds for the cards remaining in the deck
inventory prior to the commencement of the current game round.
[0226] At the end of each game round a processing unit 619 of the
system will compare the card value, card suit and delivery sequence
of at least one card selected/projected for delivery to each game
hand during the upcoming game round by the system RNG to the card
value, card suit and delivery sequence of the card(s) scanner has
identified as actually being dealt to each game, player or dealer
hand during the play of the current game round. The system will use
this information to automatically identify winning and losing
secondary game hands for the current game round and calculate
and/or display the winnings to be paid to the winning auxiliary
game player(s). During the settlement of an secondary game round,
preferably, the game dealers settle the primary game wagers first,
starting with the highest numbered seat and then continuing in
descending order to the lowest active seat. Dealer D2 will execute
the settlement of winning Baccarat game wagers and winning WBACG
wagers, paid in casino chips, for seats 1-7, and Dealer D3 will
execute the settlement of winning Baccarat game wagers and winning
WBACG wagers, paid in casino chips, for seats 8-15.
[0227] In a preferred embodiment, the game dealers are engaged in
the settlement of winning Baccarat game wagers and winning WBACG
wagers which are paid in casino chips. The system automatically
identifies winning secondary game hands not payable in gaming
chips, and will automatically calculate and/or display the amount
won, or a description of the award won. The system will then
automatically activate the appropriate printer(s) (printer 626a is
the dedicated printer for Seats 7-1 and Printer 626b is the
dedicated printer for 15-8 and printer 626 can be programmed to
override printers 626a and/or 626b and print out winning tickets
for all or selected seats), preferably winning buckets will be
distributed, starting with the highest numbered seat and then
continuing in descending order to the lowest active seat.
Preferably, each ticket may be imprinted with table, game and
player information which may include the name of the casino, the
game table number, the name of the game being played, the amount of
the WBACG side bet wagered, the amount, value or description of any
pay out or award due the winning game hand, seat or player, the
number of the seat receiving the winning WBACG auxiliary game
card(s), the card value, card rank and card suit and delivery
sequence of cards delivered to the winning game hand, the name of
the player if the player has been logged into the game by means of
a Player Tracking Card, the date and time that the ticket was
printed and instructions for redemption of the TITO ticket by the
player, etc. When a ticket for winning WBACG hand is being printed
the center segment 232 will illuminate a color preferably Red
and/or pulsate. When printed the game dealer will remove the ticket
from the printer and hand it to the winning player. When a winning
seat's ticket has finished printing, the corresponding seats color
coded winning hand indicator light will cease pulsating and
illuminate Red alerting the dealer that the winning ticket has
finished printing and is ready for presentation to the winning
player.
[0228] Preferably the winning tickets for seats having won more
than one secondary card game during the current game round will be
printed in the following order: the winning WBACG hand, the winning
1.sup.st BBACG hand, the winning 2.sup.nd BBACG hand and the
3.sup.rd BBACG hand. When printer 626, 626a and/or 626b finishes
printing out all winning tickets payable to a game player or game
hand (i.e., Seat 7 or Seat 15), having received one or more winning
cards that are applicable to one or more secondary games played
during the just completed game round the printer will signal the
game dealer by means of a visual or audible alert that all winning
auxiliary game TITO ticket(s) for the game player (i.e., Seat 7 or
Seat 15) have been printed. The printers 626a and 626b will
automatically continue the settlement of the secondary game rounds
by advancing, in descending order, to the next lowest numbered
active seat, (i.e., Seat 5 or Seat 12), at the game table that has
received a winning auxiliary game hand for one or more auxiliary
games played during the just completed game round. Dealer D2 will
remove the winning TITO tickets from printer 626a and present them
to the winning player, (i.e., Seat 7), and Dealer D3 will remove
the winning TITO tickets from printer 626b and present them to the
winning player, (i.e., Seat 15) and etc.
[0229] Alternatively the game dealers may use Keyboards 620, 620a
and/or 620b to manually activate printers 626, 626a and/or 626b to
print out TITO tickets, in settlement of one or more winning
auxiliary game hands received by individual game players.
[0230] If the game table operator chooses to pay winning WBACG
players playing at a Baccarat table, their pay outs based on the
"true odds" of a hand being dealt one or more cards from the cards
comprising the game deck, then the number of game, player and/or
dealer hands to be dealt during the upcoming game round, and the
card value, card rank and suit of each of the cards comprising the
deck's card inventory is information useful for the system. The
amount of any pay offs due winning BBACG and/or WBACG hands will be
automatically calculated by the system software and the results
will be displayed on one or more monitors 623 coupled one
embodiment of the present invention at the conclusion of the
current game round. Alternatively, the "true odds" of one or more
cards being projected for delivery to a game, player or dealer hand
can be pre-calculated and stored in memory and the appropriate pay
out(s) for winning auxiliary game hands can be selected from the
system memory and displayed on one or more displays coupled to the
system of the current invention at the conclusion of each game
round.
[0231] A base game player may log into the game table by means of a
PTC issued to the player by the host casino or by a casino
associated with the host casino. When the game dealer presses the
Deal Key (not shown) preferably carried by Keyboard 620 signaling
the system that the game round is to commence, the outside segment
231 of housing 624p or housing 624b assigned to the seat occupied
by the player, logging into the game by means of a PTC will
illuminate preferably a color, for example Orange. The color
indicates that the player occupying the seat associated with either
housing 624p or housing 624b has qualified to participate in one or
more of the 1.sup.st BBACG, 2.sup.nd BBACG or 3.sup.rd BBACG rounds
during the upcoming game round and the player has also placed the
minimum bet, required to participate in the upcoming Baccarat game
round, on either the PLAYERS HAND or the BANKERS HAND.
[0232] When a player has wagered on the PLAYERS HAND for a current
Baccarat game round and the player has logged into the game table
by means a casino PTC card a game dealer presses the Deal Key (not
shown). The Deal Key is carried by Keyboard 620. The Deal Key
signals the system that the game round is to commence and the
outside segment 231 of housing 624p or housing 624b assigned to the
seat occupied by the player, will illuminate, preferably a color
for example, Orange. The illuminated outside segment 231 indicates
that the player occupying the seat associated with either housing
624p or housing 624b has also qualified to participate in a
1.sup.st BBACG round during the upcoming game round and the player
has also placed the minimum bet required to participate in the
upcoming Baccarat game round on either the PLAYERS HAND or the
BANKERS HAND. If the PLAYERS HAND receives one or more game cards
projected by the system RNG for delivery in "Any Sequence" to the
PLAYERS HAND, the illuminated outside segment 231 of housing 624p
will change from the color Orange to preferably Light Blue. When
the winning "Any Sequence" hand is paid the illuminated outside
segment 231 of the housing 624p will change from the color Light
Blue to preferably Red indicating settlement of the winning hand.
When a player has wagered on the PLAYERS HAND for the current
Baccarat round and the PLAYERS HAND receives one or more game cards
projected by the system RNG for delivery "in Sequence" to the
PLAYERS HAND, the illuminated outside segment 231 of housing 624p
will change from the color Orange to preferably Royal Blue. When
the winning "In Sequence" hand is paid the illuminated outside
segment 231 of the housing 624b will change from the color Royal
Blue to preferably Red indicating settlement of the winning
hand.
[0233] Similarly during the play of a Baccarat game round, when a
player has wagered on the BANKERS HAND for the current Baccarat
game round and the player has logged into the game table by means a
casino PTC card the player has qualified to participate in a
1.sup.st BBACG round. If the BANKERS HAND receives one or more game
cards projected by a RNG for delivery in "Any Sequence" to the
BANKERS HAND, the illuminated outside segment 231 of housing 624b
will change from the color Orange to preferably Yellow. When the
winning "Any Sequence" hand is paid the illuminated outside segment
231 of the housing 624b will change from the color Yellow to
another color preferably Red indicating settlement of the winning
hand. When a player has wagered on the BANKERS HAND for the current
Baccarat round and the player has logged into the game by means of
a PTC card issued to the player by the host casino or a casino
associated with the host casino and the BANKERS HAND receives one
or more game cards projected by the system RNG for delivery "in
Sequence" to the BANKERS HAND, the illuminated outside segment 231
of housing 624b will change from the color Orange to preferably
Green. When the winning "In Sequence" hand is paid the illuminated
outside segment 231 of the housing 624b will change from the color
Green to preferably Red indicating settlement of the winning
hand.
[0234] Preferably, the amount and value of any slot machine credits
payable to winning 1.sup.st BBACG players will be arbitrarily
determined by the game table operator and entered into the
system.
[0235] Preferably, 1.sup.st BBACG players who have qualified, by
means of a PTC to participate in a 1.sup.st BBACG round who are
dealt winning game hands during a 1.sup.st BBACG round will be
awarded slot machine credits that are playable on one or more
virtual, real or video slot machines located within the host
casino, or within a remote casino associated with the host casino.
Alternatively, qualified 1.sup.st BBACG players may be paid cash or
any prize or award having a cash value. Preferably, qualified
1.sup.st BBACG players having received one or more winning cards
during simultaneous play of a Baccarat game round and the play of a
1.sup.st BBACG round are paid by means of a ticket printed by the
printer(s) 626, 626a and 626b. The printer(s) 623, 626a and 626b
are located in close proximity to the game dealer(s) D1, D2 and D3,
and when the printer(s) 626, 626a and 626b have completed the
printing of a TITO ticket the game dealer(s) present the ticket to
the winning player.
[0236] For example, at the conclusion of a 1.sup.st BBACG round, in
which one or more winning game cards have been dealt to
participating 1.sup.st BBACG players, the game dealer by means of a
Keyboard 620 in communication with a processing unit 619 associated
with table 610, holds down the Pay Key (see 727 of FIG. 7) presses,
in descending order, one at a time, the numeric key(s) identical to
the seat(s) to which one or more winning 1.sup.st BBACG cards has
been dealt. The system printer 626 prints out a ticket imprinted
with table, game and player information which may include the game
table number, the name of the game being played, the number of the
seat receiving the winning 1.sup.st BBACG hand, the name of the
player to which the PTC was issued the amount, value or description
of any pay out or award due the winning game hand, seat or player,
the card value, card suit and delivery sequence of cards delivered
to the winning game hand, the date and time that the ticket was
printed and instructions for redemption of the TITO ticket by the
player. As each ticket for winning 1.sup.st BBACG G, (and 2.sup.nd
BBACG and 3.sup.rd BBACG), hands are printed the game dealer will
remove the ticket from the printer 626 and hand it to the winning
player. When the system recognizes that the settlement of all
winning WBACG and BBACG hands has been completed the center segment
232 and outside 231 segments of the housing 230 will be reset and
illuminated for example, White.
[0237] Referring now to FIG. 7, one embodiment of a shoe 722 is
illustrated. A housing for the shoe 723 wherein the shoe 722 and
any electronics carried by the shoe 722 are coupled by wire or
wireless means to the system processing unit 219 and scanner (not
shown). Removable Cover 724 covers the decks (not shown) carried by
the shoe 722 during the play of the game. The Shuffle Key 728
illuminates a color preferably Red when the shoe 722 is empty or
when the cards comprising a game deck have been removed from the
shoe 722. The Shuffle Key 728 is pressed by the game dealer when a
new deck is placed in the shoe and illuminates a second color,
preferably Green, signaling system applications that the game decks
inventory is that of a full or complete game deck. The Burn Key 729
illuminates a color, preferably Orange, when a freshly shuffled
deck is placed in the shoe 722 indicating that the game rules,
pre-programmed into the system software, require one or more cards
to be removed from the top of the deck and burned (removed from
play and placed face down in the discard rack (not shown) without
being exposed to the game players or the game dealer. When the
requisite number of card(s) designated by the game rules have been
removed from the shoe 722 and burned, the Burn Key 729 illuminates
a color, preferably Green, indicating that the next card removed
from the shoe 722 is to be delivered to a seat, game, player or
dealer hand that has been manually activated by the game dealer by
means of the system keyboard (not shown) or the keypad 721 carried
by the shoe 722 or automatically activated by means of the player
logging into the game table using a PTC issued to the player by the
host casino, or a casino associated with the host casino.
[0238] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the
game rules are programmed into the system, which receives
information input into the system manually or automatically prior
to the commencement of each game round to identify each seat at the
game table occupied by a player actively engaged in the play of the
game. The information provides the system with the ability to know
what seat, game, or player hand are to be dealt a game or player
hand during the upcoming game round. This information is shared
with the RNG software application(s).
[0239] When one or more cards that have been removed from the deck
are inadvertently exposed and the game supervisor authorizes the
game dealer to place the exposed card(s) in the discard rack (see
112 of FIG. 5), the dealer holds down the Zero Key 726 and presses
a numeric key corresponding to the seat number to which the subject
exposed card was designated for delivery, releases the Zero Key
726, then holds down the Burn Key 729 and presses one or more
numeric key (i.e., 0-9) having the same card value as the value of
the exposed card(s) assigned to the subject seat by the system
software that are to be removed from play, and then releases the
Burn Key 729. Ten valued cards are entered into the system by
holding down the Burn Key 729 and then pressing the Zero Key
726.
[0240] Numeric Keys 1-7 are color coded to assist the game dealer
in identifying the status of each seat and or at least one action
taken by a game player during the play of the game, for example
Seats 1, 731 & Seat 7, 731 are dark, this indicates that Seats
1 and 7 are not occupied by any player engaged in the play of the
Primary Game. Each of the keypad 721 keys houses at least one
Tri-Colored LED (not shown). When Numeric Key 2 731a is
illuminated, preferably White, this indicates that Seat 2 has been
activated to identify Seat 2 as being occupied by a player engaged
in the play of the Primary Game. When Numeric Key 3 731b is
illuminated preferably the color Orange, this indicates that Seat 3
has logged into the Primary Game by means of a PCT card, or has
achieved at least one other criteria determined by the casino, and
is eligible to participate in one or more BBACG rounds during the
play of the game.
[0241] For example, when Numeric Key 4 731c is illuminated,
preferably the color Green, this indicates that Seat 4 is occupied
by a player engaged in the play of the Primary Game; however the
player has chosen not to engage in the play of the current game
round and is designated as a Sit Out seat.
[0242] Numeric Key 5 731d is illuminated preferably the color Blue,
indicating that Seat 5 is occupied by a player engaged in the play
of the Primary Game. The player has made a side bet to participate
in the WBACG for the upcoming game round.
[0243] Numeric Key 6 731e is illuminated oscillating preferably
between the colors Blue and Orange, indicating that Seat 6 has made
a side bet to participate in the upcoming WBACG game round and to
further identify the player as having qualified to participate in
one or more BBACG rounds for the upcoming game round.
[0244] Numeric Key Zero (0) 726, aka ten (10) card value key, when
held down and the dealer presses a numeric key corresponding to a
game table seat number for which a card(s) has been inadvertently
exposed, will illuminate a color preferably Light Green. The dealer
then releases the Zero and numeric keys whereby the dealer then
holds down the Burn Key 729 and presses one or more numeric keys
having the same card value as the value of the designated seats
exposed card(s) that are to be removed from play, and then releases
the Burn Key 729.
[0245] Seat Activation/Deactivation Key 730 is held down by the
game dealer while pressing the appropriate numeric key (i.e., 1-7)
to activate a corresponding game table seat when the game player
has not logged into the game table by means of a PTC card. The Seat
Activation/Deactivation Key 730 is held down by the game dealer
while pressing the appropriate numeric key (i.e., 1-7) to
deactivate a corresponding active game table seat having been
occupied by a game player who has or has not logged into the game
table by means of a PTC card when the player has left the game.
When the Activation/ Deactivation Key 730 is used to terminate a
customer's play at the game table and in the event that the
departing player has any slot machine credits accumulated by means
of participating in a BBACG game, the printer (not shown) will
automatically print out a ticket in the amount of the credits due
the departing player which the game dealer will give to the player.
A retaining wall 732 at the front of shoe 722 with card outlet 733
is also illustrated.
[0246] The Deal Key 725 is pressed by the game dealer after all
bets, Primary and WBACG, have been made for the upcoming game round
to activate the ABRD. The ABRD devices can be activated when the
system applications detect that a first card is removed from the
top of the game deck for delivery to a game or player hand during
the upcoming game round.
[0247] At anytime between game rounds that a game player having
accrued slot machine credits or other winnings that have not been
previously collected, the dealer will hold down the Pay Key 727 and
then press the numeric key corresponding to the seat having the
accrued winnings. The system printer (not shown) will print out a
ticket to be presented to the player. All other elements are as
previously described.
[0248] Referring now to FIG. 8, a monitor 223 attached to a game
table is illustrated according to one embodiment of the present
invention. A monitor 223 displays an example name for a WBACG,
(i.e., "Random Match 21") 842 and game Table Number 844 at which
the WBACG is being played. The display indicates to the game
players including the game dealer that the cards projected 846 and
847 by the system RNG are specific to the BJ Table 23 844 and Seat
4 845 occupied by a game player who has made a side bet prior to
the commencement of an upcoming game round to participate in the
upcoming WBACG round.
[0249] An example Payout Schedule 848 is displayed for a WBACG. A
Card Suit Indicator Symbol 854 (CSIS) colored RED or BLACK is also
displayed. Prior to the commencement of a WBACG game round, any
card(s) 846 and 847 projected by the RNG for delivery to a game,
player or dealer hand will, preferably, be displayed face up. Each
projected card(s) Card Suit Indicator Symbol, (CSIS) 854 will be
appropriately colored Red (Hearts or Diamonds) or BLACK (Clubs or
Spades), as will the CSIS 854 of one or more cards 950 and/or 951
actually delivered to a game, player or dealer hand.
[0250] An example Screen for WBACG Payout Schedule 864 is displayed
for winning card combinations and dollar value of gaming chips 848
awarded to winning WBACG players. At the discretion of the casino
operator, winning WBACG game players may be awarded items of value
other than casino chips. All screens are applicable for use on all
monitors (see 223 of FIG. 2, 511 of FIG. 5 and 623a of FIG. 6).
Prior to the delivery of the first card to a active game table
seat's game or player hand, the occupying player will have been
qualified to participate in the upcoming WBACG game round. The
system RNG projects and displays the cards selected for delivery to
each of the qualified active game table seat's game or player hands
during the upcoming game round on one or more monitors (not shown)
coupled to the system. The card(s) projected 846 and 847 by the
system RNG are displayed, preferably, face up.
[0251] Referring now to FIG. 9, a WBACG game according to one
embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. BJ Table 23 844
and Seat 4 845 are displayed indicating to the game players and the
game dealer that the cards projected 846 and 847 by the system RNG
are specific to that game table seat for the upcoming game round.
Further the graphic image(s) 950 and 951 represent real cards
identified by the scanner (not shown) as being actually delivered
to that specific game table's seat during the current game round. A
player qualifies for WBACG by placing a side wager over the center
segment 232 of segmented housing 230. A graphic image of the 1st
Card 846 including card value and/or card rank, card suit and
delivery sequence is projected by the system RNG for delivery to BJ
Table 23 846 and Seat 4 847 occupied by a player who has made a
side bet to participate in the WBACG during the play of the
upcoming game round. A graphic image of the 2nd Card 847, including
card value and/or card rank, card suit and delivery sequence is
projected by the system RNG for delivery to the specified WBACG
game table's seat during the upcoming game round. The WBACG
color-coded Matched Card(s) Received Indicator (MCRI) 949, is
illuminated preferably a color Orange, prior to the commencement of
a game round. The WBACG MCRI 949 is, illuminated preferably a color
Light Blue when during the play of a WBACG game round, a game,
player or dealer hand has actually received one or more cards 950
and/or 951 that match the cards 846 and/or 847 projected by the
system RNG for delivery to a game, player or dealer hand in "Any
Sequence" during the upcoming game round. The WBACG MCRI 949 is
illuminated preferably another color Royal Blue, when during the
play of a WBACG game round, a game, player or dealer hand has
received one or more cards 950 and/or 951 that match the cards 846
and/or 847 projected by the system RNG for delivery to a game,
player or dealer hand "In Sequence" during the upcoming game round.
A Graphic image of the 1.sup.st Card 950 including card value
and/or card rank, card suit and delivery sequence identified and
generated by the system scanner (not shown) is illustrated as
actually being delivered to one or more game hands during the play
of the current game round. A graphic image of the 2.sup.nd Card 951
including card value and/or card rank and card suit and delivery
sequence identified and generated by the system scanner (not
shown), is illustrated as actually being delivered to one or more
game hands during the play of the current game round, when the
player for the designated seat has qualified to participate in a
WBACG for the current game round.
[0252] During the play of a WBACG game round when one or more
card(s) 950 and/or 951 delivered to a game, player or dealer hand
Match one or more cards 846 and/or 847 projected for delivery to a
game hand, in "Any Sequence", the CSIS 955 symbol(s) of the
projected and delivered cards that Match are preferably illuminated
a color Light Blue as is the background of the MCRI 949.
Preferably, the payout line 962 indicates the cash value of the
payout based upon the calculated odds of the play occurring based
upon the cards that comprise the game deck prior to the
commencement of the current game round. Alternatively the host
casino, at it's discretion, may arbitrarily choose not to determine
the value of cash pay outs based upon the calculated odds of the
play occurring based upon the cards that comprise the game deck
prior to the commencement of the current game round and designate
the value of cash pay outs for winning secondary game hands.
Alternatively, the host casino may choose to award pay outs other
than cash to winning secondary card game players. All other
elements are as previously described.
[0253] Referring now to FIG. 10, another display for a secondary
game is illustrated. An example screen for a WBACG game round 1064
displays Color Coded Winning Card Combinations and Dollar Value of
Gaming Chips 962 awarded to winning WBACG players. During the play
of a WBACG game round 1064 when one or more card(s) 950 and/or 951
delivered to a game, player or dealer hand Match one or more cards
846 and/or 847 projected for delivery to a game hand, "In
Sequence", the CSIS 1055 symbol(s) of the projected and delivered
cards that Match are preferably illuminated a color Royal Blue as
is the background of the MCRI 949. All other elements are as
previously described.
[0254] Referring now to FIG. 11, another display for a WBACG is
illustrated. The 1.sup.st Card 950 and the 2.sup.nd card 951 are
delivered in "Any Sequence" to the game table's seat's player hand
and match the first card 846 and second card 847 projected by the
system RNG for delivery to Seat 2 845 prior to the commencement of
the game round. During the play of a WBACG game round when one or
more card(s) 950 and/or 951 are delivered to a game, player or
dealer hand Match one or more cards 846 and/or 847 projected for
delivery to a game hand, in "Any Sequence", the CSIS 955 symbol(s)
of the projected and delivered cards that Match are preferably
illuminated a color Light Blue, as is the background of the MCRI
949. All other elements are as previously described.
[0255] Referring now to FIG. 12, another display for a WBACG is
illustrated. The first card received 950 and the second card
received 951 are delivered "In Sequence" to a game hand and match
the first card 846 and second card 847 projected by the system RNG
for delivery to Seat 4 prior to the commencement of the game round.
During the play of a WBACG game round when one or more card(s) 950
and/or 951 delivered to a game, player or dealer hand Match one or
more cards 846 and/or 847 projected by the system RNG for delivery
to a game hand during the upcoming game round, "In Sequence", the
CSIS 1055 symbol(s) of the projected and delivered cards that Match
are preferably illuminated a color Royal Blue, as is the background
of the MCRI 949. All other elements are as previously
described.
[0256] Referring now to FIG. 13, a 1.sup.st BBACG and a WBACG games
are illustrated according to one embodiment of the present
invention. Example Screen 1364 for a 1.sup.st BBACG and WBACG games
provides a name 1342 for 1.sup.st BBACG and WBACG games played
individually or simultaneously with the primary or base game. Color
Coded Winning Card Combinations and Dollar Value of Slot Machine
Credits 1361 awarded to winning 1.sup.st BBACG players are
depicted. Dollar Value of Gaming Chips 962 awarded to winning WBACG
players is shown. Preferably, the payout line 1361 indicates the
cash value of the slot machine credits pay out arbitrarily
determined by the host casino at its sole discretion of the host
casino. Alternatively, the host casino may choose to determine the
value of slot machine credit pay outs based upon the calculated
odds of the play occurring based upon the cards that comprise the
game deck prior to the commencement of the current game round. The
host casino may choose to award pay outs other than slot machine
credits to winning 1.sup.st BBACG players. Preferably, the payout
line 962 indicates the cash value of the payout based upon the
calculated odds of the play occurring based upon the cards that
comprise the game deck prior to the commencement of the current
game round. Alternatively, the host casino, at it's discretion, may
arbitrarily choose not to determine the value of cash pay outs
based upon the calculated odds of the play occurring based upon the
cards that comprise the game deck prior to the commencement of the
current game round and designate the value of cash pay outs for
winning auxiliary game hands, and/or the host casino may choose to
award pay outs other than cash to winning WBACG players. Color
coded matched cards received indicator lights 1359 & 1360.
Without limitation, at the discretion of the casino or game table
operator, payouts for winning auxiliary game hands may be cash,
food, beverage, lodging, prizes and/or anything of value. All other
elements are as previously described.
[0257] Referring now to FIG. 14, 1.sup.st BBACG and WBACG games are
illustrated according to one embodiment of the present invention.
When a game player is engaged in the play of a primary game at a
game table offering a 1.sup.st BBACG and a WBACG player may qualify
to play one or both of the 1.sup.st BBACG and WBACG game(s),
simultaneously, with the primary game during the same game round.
When a game player is playing at a game table and he/she has not
qualified to participate in the upcoming 1.sup.st BBACG round, the
1.sup.st BBACG MCRI 1359 is illuminated a color preferably Red. If
he/she has not qualified to participate in the upcoming WBACG round
the WBACG MCRI 1360 is illuminated a color preferably Red. When a
game player is playing at a game table and he/she has qualified to
participate in the upcoming 1.sup.st BBACG round the 1.sup.st BBACG
MCRI 1359 is illuminated a color preferably Orange. If he/she has
qualified to participate in the upcoming WBACG round the WBACG MCRI
1360 is illuminated a color preferably Orange. When, during the
play of a game round a player has qualified to participate in both
the 1.sup.st BBACG and WBACG rounds and the players game or player
hand has received one or more cards 950 and/or 951 that match the
cards 846 and/or 847 projected by the system RNG for delivery to a
game, player or dealer hand in "Any Sequence" during the current
game round, the 1.sup.st BBACG MCRI 1359 is illuminated a color
preferably Yellow. The WBACG MCRI 1360 is illuminated a color
preferably Light Blue. When, during the play of a game round a
player has qualified to participate in both the 1.sup.st BBACG and
WBACG rounds, and the players game or player hand has received one
or more cards 950 and/or 951 that match the cards 846 and/or 847
projected by the system RNG for delivery to a game, player or
dealer hand in "Any Sequence" during the current game round, the
background of the CSIS 1445 is illuminated a color preferably Light
Blue. The foreground of the CSIS 1445 is illuminated a color
preferably Yellow indicating that the player has received winning
cards for both the 1.sup.st BBACG and WBACG for the current game
round. All other elements are as previously described.
[0258] Referring now to FIG. 15, a bonus game is illustrated
according to one embodiment of the present invention. When one (1)
or more cards projected for delivery to a game, player or dealer
hand during the current game round is actually delivered to a game,
player or dealer hand in the sequence projected by the system RNG,
"In Sequence", the CSIS 1055 of the projected card(s) 846 and/or
847 will be illuminated a color preferably Royal Blue as will the
CSIS 1055 of one (1) or more cards 950 and/or 951 actually
delivered to the game player in sequence. Color Coded 1055 is Royal
Blue. All other elements are as previously described.
[0259] Referring now to FIG. 16, another bonus game according to
one embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. The first
card received 950 and the second card received 951 match the
1.sup.st Card projected 846 and the 2.sup.nd Card projected 847 out
of sequence. The CSIS 955 of the projected card(s) 846 and/or 847
will be illuminated a color preferably Light Blue as will the CSIS
955 of cards 950 and/or 951 actually delivered to the game player
out of sequence. Color Coded 955 is Light Blue. The payout line 962
indicates the payout. All other elements are as previously
described.
[0260] Referring now to FIG. 17, another bonus game according to
one embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. The game
player has qualified to participate in the 1.sup.st BBACG and the
WBACG for the current game round. The first card actually received
950 and the second card actually received 951 match the 1.sup.st
Card projected 846 and the 2.sup.nd Card projected 847 for delivery
to the game hand in sequence. The background of the CSIS 1755 is
Royal Blue and the foreground of the CSIS 1755 is Green indicating
that the player has received winning hands for both secondary card
games "In Sequence". The payout line 1361 indicates the 1.sup.st
BBACG payout, and the pay out line 962 indicates the WBACG payout.
The Color Coded 1755 background is Royal Blue and the foreground is
Green. All other elements are as described in preceding
figures.
[0261] Referring now to FIG. 18, another bonus secondary game
according to one embodiment of the present invention is
illustrated. An example name for a 2.sup.nd BBACG is "BONUS BJ of
THE HOUR" 1842 is displayed. To play a WBACG, a player is required
to place a side bet in addition to the minimum bet required to
participate in the Primary Game. To play a 1.sup.st BBACG, a player
is required to log into the game with a PTC card and place the
minimum bet required to participate in the Primary Game. To engage
in the play of a 2.sup.nd BBACG "BONUS BJ of THE HOUR" game round,
the only qualifying prerequisite would be to place the minimum bet
required to participate in the play of the Primary Game. The casino
may program the RNG to select the "BONUS BJ of THE HOUR", or
preferably, the casino may choose to designate the "BONUS BJ of THE
HOUR" selection(s) and program the selection(s) into the system. An
example Screen 1864 identifies a free "BONUS BJ of THE HOUR" game.
Designated 1.sup.st Card Selection for BJ of THE HOUR 1843
identifies a Jack of Hearts. Designated 2.sup.nd Card Selection for
"BONUS BJ of THE HOUR 1844 identifies an Ace of Diamonds. Winning
2.sup.nd BBACG hands are automatically identified by the system.
Awards paid to players having received a winning "BONUS BJ of THE
HOUR" game hand are determined at the sole discretion of the casino
operator. All other elements are as described in preceding
figures.
[0262] Referring now to FIG. 19, another bonus secondary game
according to one embodiment of the present invention is
illustrated. An example name for a 3.sup.rd BBACG is "BONUS HAND of
THE DAY" 1942. To play a WBACG, a player is required to place a
side bet in addition to the minimum bet required to participate in
the Primary Game. To play a 1.sup.st BBACG the player is required
to log into the game with a PTC card and place the minimum bet
required to participate in the Primary Game. To engage in the play
of a 2.sup.nd BBACG "BONUS BJ of THE HOUR" game round the only
qualifying prerequisite would be to place the minimum bet required
to participate in the play of the Primary Game. To engage in the
play of a 3.sup.rd BBACG "BONUS HAND of THE DAY" game round, the
only qualifying prerequisite would be to place the minimum bet
required to participate in the play of the Primary Game. The casino
may program the RNG to select the "BONUS HAND of THE DAY", or
preferably, the casino may choose to designate the "BONUS HAND of
THE DAY" selection(s) and program the selection(s) into the system
software. An example Screen 1964 identifies a free "BONUS HAND of
THE DAY" game. Designated 1.sup.st Card Selection for "BONUS HAND
of THE DAY" 1943 identifies a king of hearts. Designated 2.sup.nd
Card Selection for "BONUS HAND of THE DAY" 1944 identifies a Queen
of Hearts. Winning 3rd BBACG hands are automatically identified by
system applications. Awards paid to players having received a
winning "BONUS HAND of THE DAY" game hand are determined at the
sole discretion of the casino operator. All other elements are as
described in preceding figures.
[0263] Referring now to FIG. 20, a bonus game is illustrated
according to one embodiment of the present invention. The player
position at a card game table includes a segmented housing 230,
dedicated to alerting secondary card game players to the progress
and outcome of secondary game rounds played simultaneously with the
primary game. The bonus game table is imprinted with a Primary Game
Betting Box 116, a contact-less RFID PTC Reader 411 and is asserted
with the table RFID Chip Reader 410 is concealed beneath the game
table layout. Gaming chips 2080 embedded with an RFID Chip (not
shown) are positioned over a RFID Chip Reader 410 concealed beneath
the game table top layout. A housing 510 for the Virtual or Video
Slot Machine and Monitor 511 displays an exemplary virtual or video
slot machine screen including a touch screen keypad 2074 for
playing the slot machine. The slot machine playable with slot
credits earned from a BBACG is a tertiary game of one embodiment of
the present invention.
[0264] Example configuration(s) is preferably for a virtual or
video progressive slot machine monitor's screen display 511 whereas
the progressive slot machine is coupled to the system of one
embodiment of the current invention that creates and monitors the
1.sup.st BBACG. The virtual or video progressive slot machines
operating algorithm is identical to the algorithm of one or more
virtual, video or real progressive slot machines connected to a
network (LAN or WAN for example) and maintained by the casino or,
preferably, a slot machine vendor owning, operating or hosting the
network progressive jackpot slot machines. The virtual or video
slot machine is, preferably embedded in the game table top (210 of
FIG. 5). The screen includes a touch screen keyboard 2074 whereby a
player, having accumulated game credits 2070 won playing the
1.sup.st BBACG may touch the Play Credits Key 2079 to play the
maximum number of game credits per play necessary to win the
maximum jackpot available on the present virtual or video slot
machine. The slot machine is coupled to the system of one
embodiment of the present invention and/or one or more progressive
slot machines coupled to a network monitored and maintained by the
casino operator and/or monitored and maintained by a slot machine
vendor who is paid a participation fee by the casino operator.
Total Slot Machine Credits Available for Play 2070 is
displayed.
[0265] Name of Featured Progressive Jackpot display 2071 may also
appear. There are several slot machine vendors that install,
maintain and monitor their own progressive slot machines in many
casinos located in many remote locations whereas the progressive
slot machines installed in one casino are coupled to other
progressive slot machines located in other casinos, under the
control of the vendor by means of a network. The machines are
operated by the vendor in exchange for a participation fee from the
each of the participating casinos. It would be to the advantage of
the casino operator if the 1.sup.st BBACG system could be
programmed to work with any progressive jackpot network whereas the
casino operator can negotiate the participation fees, etc. with the
slot machine vendor in exchange for featuring the vendor's
progressive slot machines as a component of the present invention.
An example Slot Machine Symbol 2072 can be displayed.
[0266] An example Progressive Jackpot Pay Line 2073 is also
displayable. Most, if not all slot machines offering a progressive
jackpot provide the game player with the opportunity to play a
minimum of one coin or a number of coins less than the maximum
amount of coins that can be played on the subject machine. To win
the progressive jackpot paying the largest payout that a player can
win on the machine being played, the customer is required to wager
the maximum amount of coins/slot credits necessary, (i.e., three
(3) coins), for the current play of the progressive slot machine if
he or she is to win, for example the Big Bucks Progressive Jackpot
($7,711,711.11), by lining up the four Progressive Jackpot symbols
on the Progressive Jackpot Pay Line 2073. If the player plays, for
example, two (2) coins and lines up the four Progressive Jackpot
symbols on the Progressive Jackpot Pay Line 2073, the amount of the
jackpot would be considerably less, (i.e., $3,000).
[0267] An example Touch Screen Keypad 2074 is provided for user
manipulation and includes Up-Arrow, Down-Arrow, Menu Screen, Game
Screen and Play Credits Keys. The keypad 2074 is found within the
monitor 511 display. The Touch Screen Keypad 2074 is used by the
game player to play the virtual or video progressive slot machine
and to further navigate one or more screens that are related to the
primary game the 1.sup.st BBACG and/or one or more other Secondary
Games displayed on the embedded slot machine's 510 monitor 511.
[0268] When displayed on the slot machine's monitor 511, the Up
Arrow Key 2075 and the Down Arrow Key 2076 are used to navigate the
Menu Screen 2077 and the Game Screen 2078. The Menu Screen Key 2077
is pressed to call the default Menu Screen (not shown) displaying
all of the games currently available for play at the game table,
(i.e., the Primary Game), the 1.sup.st BBACG, other secondary card
games and the tertiary game, (i.e., the progressive slot machine).
The game information will include the game rules, payout schedules
and any other information relative to the play of the card game(s)
and the Virtual or Video Progressive Slot Machine. Information
regarding the host casino and its associated hotel, restaurants,
facilities, entertainment, special promotions, etc. is also
accessible to the game player by navigating the Menu Screen by
means of the Up-Arrow Key 2075 and Down-Arrow Key 2076.
[0269] At such time that a card game is in progress, at the option
of the game player, the game player may press the Game Screen Key
2078 to call the default Game Screen for the current game(s) being
played at the game table.
[0270] When the game player wins any 1.sup.st BBACG slot machine
credits, the virtual or video slot machine screen will be displayed
as the default screen on the monitor. At the option of the game
player, the player may choose to use those credits by touching the
Play Credits Key 2079 to play the slot machine while continuing to
play the primary card game, or the player may choose to not
immediately play the recently won slot machine credits with a view
toward accruing additional slot machine credits as he/she continues
to play the Primary and 1.sup.st BBACG, or the game player may
choose to play any slot machine credits won at the game table, at
one or more virtual, video or real slot machines associated with
the 1.sup.st BBACG hosted by the casino or game table operator at a
location other than the present game table. The player will inform
the game dealer of that decision, and the game dealer will
subsequently, by means of keyboard 220 or keypad 221, cause printer
226 to print out a machine readable BBACG ticket. The ticket may
list the amount of slot machine credits cashed out at the game
table and other 1.sup.st BBACG information which may include the
name of the 1.sup.st BBACG, the name of the player, date, time,
game and game table number, seat number, and number and value of
the slot machine credits won by the game player. The dealer or
other casino personnel will present the BBACG ticket to the winning
1.sup.st BBACG player who, at his/her convenience, may use the
BBACG ticket to play the slot machine credits won at the card game
table on one or more virtual, video or real slot machines
associated with the 1.sup.st BBACG, hosted by the casino or game
table operator, by inserting the Bonus Based Auxiliary Game TITO
Ticket into a compatible TITO ticket reader, (i.e., a Bill
Acceptor), coupled to or housed by the selected slot machine.
Gaming Chips for Primary Game Wager 2080 are illustrated and played
during a wager. All other elements are as previously described.
[0271] Referring now to FIG. 21, a tertiary bonus based game is
illustrated according to one embodiment of the present invention.
The player position includes a Housing for Virtual or Video Slot
Machine 510 and a Monitor 2169 displays an exemplary virtual or
video slot machine screen and Keyboard Buttons 2181 embedded in the
housing 510. Keyboard Buttons 2811 include Up-Arrow, Down-Arrow,
Menu Screen, Game Screen buttons and a Play Credits button embedded
within the slot machine housing 510 whereas the Keyboard Buttons
are used by the game player to play the virtual or video
progressive slot machine. The buttons may also be used to navigate
one or more screens related BBACG and, without limitation, other
secondary games according by one embodiment of the present
invention can be displayed on the embedded slot machine's monitor
2169. Up Arrow Key 2182 and Down Arrow Key 2183 are used to
navigate the Menu Screen (not shown) when displayed on the slot
machine's monitor. An example configuration for a virtual or video
progressive slot machine monitor's screen display whereas the
progressive slot machine is coupled to the system of the current
invention that creates and monitors the 1.sup.st Bonus Based
Auxiliary Game. The virtual or video progressive slot machine's
operating algorithm is the same as the algorithm of one or more
virtual, video or real progressive slot machines connected to a
network maintained by the casino or a slot machine vendor, owning,
operating or hosting the network progressive jackpot slot
machines.
[0272] The Menu Screen Button 2184 is pressed to call the default
Menu Screen (not shown) displaying all of the games currently
available for play at the game table, (i.e., the Primary Game, the
WBACG, the 1.sup.st BBACG, other secondary card games and the
tertiary game, (i.e., the progressive slot machine). The game
information will include the game rules, payout schedules and any
other information relative to the play of the card game(s) and the
Virtual or Video Progressive Slot Machine. Information regarding
the host casino and its associated hotel, restaurants, facilities,
entertainment, special promotions, etc. is also accessible to the
game player by navigating the Menu Screen by means of the Up-Arrow
Button 2182 and Down-Arrow Button 2183.
[0273] At such time that a game is in progress, at the option of
the game player, the game player may press the Game Screen Button
2185 to call the default game screen for the current game(s) being
played at the game table. The Play Credits Button 2186 is pushed by
the player to play any accumulated slot machine credits 2070 he/she
has won playing the 1.sup.st BBACG at the game table. A bonus game
is not limited to the embodiments presented, for example, other
games that a player may play include "Bonus and Random Match 21".
All other elements are as previously described.
[0274] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the
largest payout a player of a free 1.sup.st BBACG can win is payable
in four steps: 1) the secondary game player first qualifies to
participate in the primary game; 2) the secondary game player
further qualifies to participate in the 1.sup.st BBACG; 3) the
1.sup.st BBACG game player wins slot machine credits payable to the
player at the game table by means of a bar coded ticket printed by
a printer 226 that is coupled to an embodiment of the present
invention. The TITO ticket cannot be cashed out by the winning
player for cash or prizes at a slot or casino cage cashier or other
designated stations but instead the player must play the maximum
number of credits required to win the maximum progressive jackpot
available at one or more of the host casinos, or a casino
associated with the host casino, progressive jackpot machines
fitted with a "Bill Acceptor" programmed to accept and read the
winning 1.sup.st BBACG ticket.
[0275] The winning player, in an effort to win the largest bonus
jackpot available to winning 1.sup.st BBACG TITO tickets holders,
must use the winning ticket to play one or more designated slot
machines located in the host casino or at a sister casino
associated with the host casino. Each of the designated slot
machines will be coupled to, or house a Bill Acceptor (currency
reader), that will also be programmed to accept, read and identify
the ticket as being a 1.sup.st BBACG ticket.
[0276] During the play of the slot machine any slot machine credits
won by the player will be accumulated and displayed on the slot
machine. If the 1.sup.st BBACG player decides to terminate his/her
play of the slot machine and has unused credits, he/she will press
the cash out button embedded in the housing of the slot machine and
a printer, coupled to or housed by the slot machine will print and
eject a ticket identifying the dollar value of the credits cashed
out. The subject ticket will also carry a bar code identifying the
ticket as a 1.sup.st BBACG ticket which cannot be redeemed by the
departing player at a slot or casino cage cashier or other
designated station for cash or other things of value. The departing
player may only use the ticket to play another designated slot
machine at a later time or date.
[0277] Alternatively, at the option of the casino operator, any
bonus based auxiliary slot machine credits won at the game table or
at a designated slot machine may be cashed out at a slot or casino
cage cashier for cash or other things of value or at one or more
designated stations having a means to read the ticket. In the event
the 1.sup.st BBACG player playing a designated slot machine wins
the largest jackpot available on the slot machine, he/she will be
able to cash out and collect the full amount of the jackpot and any
remaining slot machine credits.
[0278] An alternative embodiment provides that when the housing 510
houses a monitor 2169, the RNG card display for the 1.sup.ST BBACG
and the WBACG are preferably unique to each player. However, the
RNG cards displayed can also be common to all game players playing
at one table or to all players playing at an unlimited number of
game tables coupled to the system by means of a network. Special
bonus games like "BONUS BJ of THE HOUR" 1842 designated game cards
1843 and 1844 are preferably common to all BJ players playing at
one or more game tables coupled to the system. Special bonus games
like "BONUS HAND of THE DAY" 1942 designated game cards 1943 and
1944 are preferably common to all of the players seated at all game
tables, BJ, Big-Baccarat, Mini-Baccarat and Poker tables, etc.
coupled to the system as the "BONUS BJ of THE HOUR" and the "BONUS
HAND of THE DAY" hands have nothing to do with the game being
played or the composition of a depleted game deck's card inventory.
Without limitation, the "BONUS BJ of THE HOUR" and the "BONUS HAND
of THE DAY" hands could be determined by the system RNG, or they
could be entered into the system by the host casino to accommodate
specific days and/or occasions, i.e., the 10 of Diamonds and 7 of
Diamonds on St. Patrick's Day, the King and Queen of Hearts on
Valentine Day, Birthdays, Anniversaries, National Holidays and/or
special events, etc. Further, the 2.sup.nd BBACG and the 3.sup.rd
BBACG games can be initiated at all game tables at any time
because; 1) they are periodic bonus games, and 2) the payout would
not be relative to the composition of the deck at the time the game
is initiated on one or more game tables.
[0279] When the housing 510 houses a virtual or video slot machine,
the games offered can be identical. According to one embodiment,
any Slot Machine Credits won by a 1.sup.st BBACG player would have
to be collected by means of the ticket. In yet another embodiment
any Slot Machine Credits won by a 1.sup.st BBACG player can be
collected by playing slot machine credits won on the slot machine
embedded in the game table top 510 which is in communication with
the system and the network monitoring the Progressive Slot Machine
Jackpot; and/or the 1.sup.st BBACG player of the embedded slot
machine is provided the option of collecting his/her slot machine
credits by means of the unit.
[0280] One advantage of the embedded slot machine is that any slot
machine credits payable to the game player that total less than the
amount required (the maximum) to be played per spin etc. to win the
maximum payout on a progressive slot machine can be accrued for
play at a later time or on a different progressive slot machine.
Further, by means of the "Bill Acceptor" 229 a game player may
choose to purchase slot machine credits playable on the virtual or
video slot machine of one embodiment of the present invention.
There would be no restrictions on the amount of slot credits the
player would be required to play on the slot machine and also there
would be no restrictions relating to playing any credits purchased
with cash, or won playing cash credits, that are cashed out at the
virtual or video slot machine, on any slot machine operated by the
host casino; and there would be no restrictions regarding cashing
in cash credits for cash at any of the host casino's slot or cage
cashier cages. All other elements are as previously described.
[0281] Auxiliary Game slot machine credits playable on the virtual
or video slot machine screen will be displayed on the monitor. At
the option of the game player, the player may choose to use those
credits to play the slot machine while continuing to play the
primary card game. Alternatively, the player may choose to not
immediately play the recently won slot machine credits with a view
toward accruing additional slot machine credits as he/she continues
to play the 1.sup.st BBACG. Alternatively, the game player may
choose to play any slot machine credits won at the game table at
one or more virtual, video or real slot machines associated with
the 1.sup.st BBACG and hosted by the casino or game table operator
at a location other than the present game table. The player will
inform the game dealer of that decision and the game dealer will
subsequently, by means of the keyboard 220 or keypad 221, when
playing Blackjack, or by means of keyboards 620, 620a or 620b, when
playing Baccarat, cause the printer 226 or printers 626, 626a or
626b to print out a machine readable 1.sup.st Bonus Based Auxiliary
Game Ticket listing. The ticket may list the name of the 1.sup.st
Bonus Based Auxiliary Game, the name of the player, date, time,
game and game table number, seat number, and number and value of
the slot machine credits won by the game player. The dealer or
other casino personnel will present the 1.sup.st Bonus Based
Auxiliary Game Ticket to the winning 1.sup.st Bonus Based Auxiliary
Game player who, at his/her convenience, may use the 1.sup.st Bonus
Based Auxiliary Game Ticket to play the subject credits on one or
more virtual, video or real slot machines associated with the
1.sup.st Bonus Based Auxiliary Game hosted by the casino or game
table operator, by inserting the 1.sup.st Bonus Based Auxiliary
Game Ticket into a reader coupled to or housed by a selected slot
machine programmed to accept and read the ticket.
[0282] Referring now to FIG. 22, one method for playing a secondary
card game is illustrated according to one embodiment of the present
invention. A player qualifies for a secondary game 2201 and/or 2203
and a primary game 2203. In a preferred embodiment, a player
position qualifies for a primary card game by making a minimum bet
and the same player position qualifies for a 1.sup.st BBACG by
logging into the game with a PTC. In a more preferred embodiment a
player position qualifies for a 2.sup.nd BBACG and/or a 3.sup.rd
BBACG by meeting a qualification selected by the casino such as a
player having a birthday on the date of play or meeting a defined
level of play for example. A player position may also qualify for a
WBACG by making a side bet for a secondary game. A dealer activates
a side bet sensor to record WBACG wagers for current game round. In
a preferred embodiment, a side bet sensor detects when a bet is
wagered and the amount of the wager and communicates the
information to a processing unit and may also communicate the
information to the dealer and to the table in general. For example
the bet sensor may light up when a bet is wagered.
[0283] One or more virtual cards are identified and projected for
delivery to a player qualified to play a primary card game and a
secondary card game 2205 round. Actual cards are dealt to the
primary card game hand 2207. The virtual cards projected to be
dealt are compared to the actual cards delivered to the primary
hand 2209. A winning secondary card game hand is authenticated by
comparing the card value, suit and delivery sequence of at least
one card recorded as delivered to the player's primary card game
hand by the card scanner and communicated to the processing unit
2211. When the cards are authenticated a winning secondary game
hand is identified 2213. A payout is calculated based upon the odds
2215. The winner receives a payout 2217 and a new game begins. In a
preferred embodiment the authentication step is made automatically
by the system. Once a winning hand is authenticated, the system
identifies the winner for example via visual or audible signal such
as a bet sensor changing colors. In a more preferred embodiment the
payout calculation step is made automatically by the system and
displayed and/or a predetermined payout is automatically displayed.
The winning hands for WBACG and the BBACG are paid. A new game
begins.
[0284] Referring now to FIG. 23, a system for playing a primary
card game and a secondary card game is illustrated according to one
embodiment of the present invention. Card game table 2307 and 2305
allow players who have qualified for a primary card game and or a
secondary card game to receive cards scanned by a card scanner
2311. The card scanner 2311 is in communication with a processing
unit 2309 and or 2303. The processing unit 2309 and or 2303
monitors the cards scanned and delivered to each game or player
hand and the cards left in the deck.
[0285] A player may qualify for a primary game and or a secondary
game by placing a bet for a primary game which preferably is
recognized by an automatic bet recognition device 2323. Further, a
player may qualify for a primary game and a secondary game by
placing a bet for the primary game and an additional side bet for
the secondary game that are preferably recognized by an automatic
bet recognition device 2323. In addition a player may qualify for a
secondary game by entering into the game with a PTC handed to the
dealer or read by a PTC reader 2315. The player tracking card
reader and the automatic bet recognition device are in
communication with a processing unit 2309 and or 2303. A bill
acceptor 2317 in communication with a processing unit 2309 and or
2303 is located at the table and will accept a player's currency
which may be a bill or a TITO ticket for example. In exchange the
player will receive gaming chips to bet on the primary game hand,
the secondary game hand, the tertiary game or any combination
thereof. The cards selected in the secondary game and the cards
actually delivered in to a game or player hand will be displayed on
a monitor 2313. If a player wins a primary game hand or a secondary
game hand the processing unit 2309 and or 2303 will authenticate
the win. An authenticated secondary game winner will receive a
payout which may be chips or a TITO ticket identifying the payout,
printed by a TITO ticket printer 2319 in communication with a
processing unit 2303 and or 2309 depending on the restrictions of
the casino.
[0286] If a player wins a BBACG for example the casino may restrict
the payout to a TITO ticket playable only on a designated slot
machine for example a slot machine located at the table 2321.
Alternatively, the designated slot machine may be a progressive
slot machine 2309a, 2309b, or 2309c that is in communication with a
processing unit 2309 and or 2303 via a network 2301 and may be
remote from the primary card game table. The information
communicated to a processing unit 2309 and or 2303 from a card
scanner 2311, bill acceptor 2317 automatic bet recognition device
2323, player tracking card reader 2315, and or a slot machine 2321
may be stored in a database. The information sent to the processing
unit 2309 and or 2303 may be stored on a computer readable medium.
For example the player tracking card information, the wagers
placed, the payouts made for a primary game and a secondary game
and other. Bonuses awarded at a card game table using one
embodiment of the system and method of the present invention allows
the casino to track and account for all awards (bonus and wager
based) that are issued by the card game table for internal purposes
and marketing purposes. Using the stored information with one or
more authentication programs, RNG programs, payout calculation
programs and scanning programs, the system and method of one
embodiment of the present invention provides improved
CG&PRS.
[0287] Although the present invention has been described in terms
of specific embodiments, various substitutions of materials and
conditions can be made as will be known to those skilled in the
art. Other variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art
and are meant to be included herein.
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