U.S. patent application number 11/891702 was filed with the patent office on 2008-02-21 for interactive simulated blackjack game with side bet apparatus and in method.
Invention is credited to R. Brooke Dunn, Philip S. Smith, Roger M. Snow, Mark L. Yoseloff.
Application Number | 20080042354 11/891702 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39100655 |
Filed Date | 2008-02-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080042354 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Yoseloff; Mark L. ; et
al. |
February 21, 2008 |
Interactive simulated blackjack game with side bet apparatus and in
method
Abstract
A multi-player automated casino table card game platform enables
play of casino table BLACKJACK-type games according to rules
effected through a processor. Rules may include games similar to
standard blackjack or Twenty-One with an additional bonus event
present in the play of the game. The game play may include
optionally placing a wager on the auxiliary card game; dealing a
first number of cards to a player; dealing a second number of cards
to the dealer; displaying at least one of the player's cards;
displaying at least one of the dealer's cards; wherein if at least
one of the displayed player's cards or at least one of the
displayed dealer's cards is a card of a specific predetermined
rank, paying a player who has placed the optional wager for the
occurrence of the at least one card of a specific predetermined
rank being displayed in either the exposed card(s) of the dealer's
hand and/or the player's hand; and then continuing deal of cards
according to the rules of the underlying game and continuing play
of the underlying game.
Inventors: |
Yoseloff; Mark L.;
(Henderson, NV) ; Dunn; R. Brooke; (Henderson,
NV) ; Smith; Philip S.; (Las Vegas, NV) ;
Snow; Roger M.; (Las Vegas, NV) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Mark A. Litman & Associates, P.A.;York Business Center
Suite 205
3209 West 76th St.
Edina
MN
55435
US
|
Family ID: |
39100655 |
Appl. No.: |
11/891702 |
Filed: |
August 13, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10945369 |
Sep 20, 2004 |
7255351 |
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11891702 |
Aug 13, 2007 |
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10272407 |
Oct 15, 2002 |
6808173 |
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11891702 |
Aug 13, 2007 |
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10764827 |
Jan 26, 2004 |
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11891702 |
Aug 13, 2007 |
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10764994 |
Jan 26, 2004 |
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11891702 |
Aug 13, 2007 |
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10764995 |
Jan 26, 2004 |
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11891702 |
Aug 13, 2007 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
273/292 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/32 20130101;
G07F 17/3216 20130101; G07F 17/3211 20130101; G07F 17/322 20130101;
G07F 17/3293 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
273/292 |
International
Class: |
A63F 1/00 20060101
A63F001/00 |
Claims
1. A multi-player platform that provides multiple player positions
for live players to engage in an underlying card game with an
auxiliary card game, the system providing a virtual dealer and
virtual cards, the platform comprising at least two player
positions that enable live players to place wagers on the
underlying card game, a display system for showing a virtual
dealer, a display system for showing the virtual cards used in play
of the underlying card game, and a processor that contains the
rules of the underlying card game, the processor enabling play for
each player on the underlying card game according to the following
rules: placing at least one wager on the underlying card game;
optionally placing a wager on the auxiliary card game; dealing a
first number of cards to a player; dealing a second number of cards
to the dealer; displaying at least one of the player's cards;
displaying at least one of the dealer's cards; wherein if at least
one of the displayed player's cards or at least one of the
displayed dealer's cards is a card of a specific predetermined
rank, paying a player who has placed the optional wager for the
occurrence of the at least one card of a specific predetermined
rank being displayed in either the exposed card(s) of the dealer's
hand and/or the player's hand; and then continuing deal of cards
according to the rules of the underlying game and continuing play
of the underlying game.
2. The platform of claim 1 wherein the underlying game comprises
blackjack.
3. The platform of claim 1 wherein the first two cards dealt to the
player are displayed.
4. The platform of claim 1 wherein only one card dealt to the
dealer is displayed.
5. The platform of claim 2 wherein the first two cards dealt to the
player are displayed.
6. The platform of claim 2 wherein only one card dealt to the
dealer is displayed.
7. The platform of claim 5 wherein only one card dealt to the
dealer is displayed.
8. The platform of claim 2 wherein paying a player who has placed
the optional wager is performed is based on a pay table based on
the appearance of cards of specific rank on only displayed player's
cards and a first displayed dealer's card.
9. The platform of claim 3 wherein paying a player who has placed
the optional wager is performed is based on a pay table based on
the appearance of cards of specific rank on only displayed player's
cards and a first displayed dealer's card.
10. The platform of claim 4 wherein paying a player who has placed
the optional wager is performed is based on a pay table based on
the appearance of cards of specific rank on only displayed player's
cards and a first displayed dealer's card.
11. The platform of claim 5 wherein paying a player who has placed
the optional wager is performed is based on a pay table based on
the appearance of cards of specific rank on only displayed player's
cards and a first displayed dealer's card.
12. The platform of claim 6 wherein paying a player who has placed
the optional wager is performed is based on a pay table based on
the appearance of cards of specific rank on only displayed player's
cards and a first displayed dealer's card.
13. The platform of claim 7 wherein paying a player who has placed
the optional wager is performed is based on a pay table based on
the appearance of cards of specific rank on only displayed player's
cards and a first displayed dealer's card.
14. The platform of claim 2 wherein a pay table having awards that
are no greater than those in the following table is used:
TABLE-US-00014 Fewer Than 4 Decks 3 Jacks 100 to 1 100 to 1 100 to
1 100 to 1 2 one-eyed Jacks 50 to 1 50 to 1 50 to 1 40 to 1 2 Jacks
9 to 1 8 to 1 7 to 1 7 to 1 1 one-eyed Jack 3 to 1 3 to 1 3 to 1 3
to 1 1 Jack 1 to 1 1 to 1 1 to 1 1 to 1
TABLE-US-00015 Four Decks 3 Jacks 100 to 1 100 to 1 100 to 1 100 to
1 2 one-eyed Jacks 50 to 1 50 to 1 40 to 1 40 to 1 2 Jacks 9 to 1 8
to 1 9 to 1 8 to 1 1 one-eyed Jack 3 to 1 3 to 1 3 to 1 3 to 1 1
Jack 1 to 1 1 to 1 1 to 1 1 to 1
TABLE-US-00016 Six Decks 3 one-eyed Jacks 500 to 1 500 to 1 500 to
1 3 Jacks 100 to 1 100 to 1 100 to 1 2 one-eyed Jacks 50 to 1 40 to
1 30 to 1 2 Jacks 7 to 1 7 to 1 8 to 1 1 one-eyed Jack 3 to 1 3 to
1 3 to 1 1 Jack 1 to 1 1 to 1 1 to 1
15. A multi-player platform that provides multiple player positions
for live players to engage in an underlying card game having an
auxiliary card game, the platform providing a virtual dealer and
virtual cards, the platform comprising at least two player
positions that enable live players to place wagers on an underlying
card game, a display system for showing a virtual dealer, a display
system for showing the virtual cards used in play of the underlying
card game, and a processor that contains the rules of the
underlying card game, the processor enabling play for each player
on the underlying card game according to the following rules with a
virtual at least one, fifty-two card deck, the cards having
standard rank and value, said game comprising the steps of: placing
at least one wager on the underlying card game; optionally placing
a wager on the auxiliary card game; dealing a first number of cards
to a player; dealing a second number of cards to the dealer;
displaying at least one of the player's cards; displaying at least
one of the dealer's cards; wherein if at least one of the displayed
player's cards or at least one of the displayed dealer's cards is a
card of a specific predetermined rank, paying a player who has
placed the optional wager for the occurrence of the at least one
card of a specific predetermined rank being displayed in either the
exposed card(s) of the dealer's hand and/or the player's hand; and
then continuing deal of cards according to the rules of the
underlying game and continuing play of the underlying game.
16. The platform of claim 15 wherein the underlying game comprises
blackjack.
17. The platform of claim 15 wherein the first two cards dealt to
the player are displayed.
18. The platform of claim 15 wherein only one card dealt to the
dealer is displayed.
19. The platform of claim 16 wherein the first two cards dealt to
the player are displayed.
20. The platform of claim 16 wherein only one card dealt to the
dealer is displayed.
21. The platform of claim 19 wherein only one card dealt to the
dealer is displayed.
22. The platform of claim 16 wherein paying a player who has placed
the optional wager is performed is based on a pay table based on
the appearance of cards of specific rank on only displayed player's
cards and a first displayed dealer's card.
23. The platform of claim 17 wherein paying a player who has placed
the optional wager is performed is based on a pay table based on
the appearance of cards of specific rank on only displayed player's
cards and a first displayed dealer's card.
24. The platform of claim 18 wherein paying a player who has placed
the optional wager is performed is based on a pay table based on
the appearance of cards of specific rank on only displayed player's
cards and a first displayed dealer's card.
25. The platform of claim 19 wherein paying a player who has placed
the optional wager is performed is based on a pay table based on
the appearance of cards of specific rank on only displayed player's
cards and a first displayed dealer's card.
26. The platform of claim 20 wherein paying a player who has placed
the optional wager is performed is based on a pay table based on
the appearance of cards of specific rank on only displayed player's
cards and a first displayed dealer's card.
27. The platform of claim 21 wherein paying a player who has placed
the optional wager is performed is based on a pay table based on
the appearance of cards of specific rank on only displayed player's
cards and a first displayed dealer's card.
28. The platform of claim 16 wherein a pay table having awards that
are no greater than those in the following table is used:
TABLE-US-00017 Fewer Than 4 Decks 3 Jacks 100 to 1 100 to 1 100 to
1 100 to 1 2 one-eyed Jacks 50 to 1 50 to 1 50 to 1 40 to 1 2 Jacks
9 to 1 8 to 1 7 to 1 7 to 1 1 one-eyed Jack 3 to 1 3 to 1 3 to 1 3
to 1 1 Jack 1 to 1 1 to 1 1 to 1 1 to 1
TABLE-US-00018 Four Decks 3 Jacks 100 to 1 100 to 1 100 to 1 100 to
1 2 one-eyed Jacks 50 to 1 50 to 1 40 to 1 40 to 1 2 Jacks 9 to 1 8
to 1 9 to 1 8 to 1 1 one-eyed Jack 3 to 1 3 to 1 3 to 1 3 to 1 1
Jack 1 to 1 1 to 1 1 to 1 1 to 1
TABLE-US-00019 Six Decks 3 one-eyed Jacks 500 to 1 500 to 1 500 to
1 3 Jacks 100 to 1 100 to 1 100 to 1 2 one-eyed Jacks 50 to 1 40 to
1 30 to 1 2 Jacks 7 to 1 7 to 1 8 to 1 1 one-eyed Jack 3 to 1 3 to
1 3 to 1 1 Jack 1 to 1 1 to 1 1 to 1
29. A method of playing an automated wagering gaming event on a
system, the system comprising: at least two distinct video
displays, a first display for showing a dealer in a card game and
at least a second display showing playing cards to individual
players; at least one processor for enabling play of the wagering
gaming event; multiple player positions to enable multiple players
to play the game; wherein at least one processor can feed at least
two different multiple video images and merge the at least two
multiple video images to form a composite image of a dealer against
a background, wherein the background comprises at least one dynamic
image and the system displays images enabling play of a game
according to the following rules: placing at least one wager on the
underlying card game; optionally placing a wager on the auxiliary
card game; dealing a first number of cards to a player; dealing a
second number of cards to the dealer; displaying at least one of
the player's cards; displaying at least one of the dealer's cards;
wherein if at least one of the displayed player's cards or at least
one of the displayed dealer's cards is a card of a specific
predetermined rank, paying a player who has placed the optional
wager for the occurrence of the at least one card of a specific
predetermined rank being displayed in either the exposed card(s) of
the dealer's hand and/or the player's hand; and then continuing
deal of cards according to the rules of the underlying game and
continuing play of the underlying game.
30. The method of claim 29 wherein the underlying game comprises
blackjack.
31. The method of claim 29 wherein the first two cards dealt to the
player are displayed.
32. The method of claim 29 wherein only one card dealt to the
dealer is displayed.
33. The method of claim 30 wherein the first two cards dealt to the
player are displayed.
34. The method of claim 30 wherein only one card dealt to the
dealer is displayed.
35. The method of claim 33 wherein only one card dealt to the
dealer is displayed.
36. The method of claim 30 wherein paying a player who has placed
the optional wager is performed is based on a pay table based on
the appearance of cards of specific rank on only displayed player's
cards and a first displayed dealer's card.
37. The method of claim 31 wherein paying a player who has placed
the optional wager is performed is based on a pay table based on
the appearance of cards of specific rank on only displayed player's
cards and a first displayed dealer's card.
38. The method of claim 32 wherein paying a player who has placed
the optional wager is performed is based on a pay table based on
the appearance of cards of specific rank on only displayed player's
cards and a first displayed dealer's card.
39. The method of claim 33 wherein paying a player who has placed
the optional wager is performed is based on a pay table based on
the appearance of cards of specific rank on only displayed player's
cards and a first displayed dealer's card.
40. The method of claim 34 wherein paying a player who has placed
the optional wager is performed is based on a pay table based on
the appearance of cards of specific rank on only displayed player's
cards and a first displayed dealer's card.
41. The method of claim 35 wherein paying a player who has placed
the optional wager is performed is based on a pay table based on
the appearance of cards of specific rank on only displayed player's
cards and a first displayed dealer's card.
42. The method of claim 30 wherein a pay table having awards that
are no greater than those in the following table is used:
TABLE-US-00020 Fewer Than 4 Decks 3 Jacks 100 to 1 100 to 1 100 to
1 100 to 1 2 one-eyed Jacks 50 to 1 50 to 1 50 to 1 40 to 1 2 Jacks
9 to 1 8 to 1 7 to 1 7 to 1 1 one-eyed Jack 3 to 1 3 to 1 3 to 1 3
to 1 1 Jack 1 to 1 1 to 1 1 to 1 1 to 1
TABLE-US-00021 Four Decks 3 Jacks 100 to 1 100 to 1 100 to 1 100 to
1 2 one-eyed Jacks 50 to 1 50 to 1 40 to 1 40 to 1 2 Jacks 9 to 1 8
to 1 9 to 1 8 to 1 1 one-eyed Jack 3 to 1 3 to 1 3 to 1 3 to 1 1
Jack 1 to 1 1 to 1 1 to 1 1 to 1
TABLE-US-00022 Six Decks 3 one-eyed Jacks 500 to 1 500 to 1 500 to
1 3 Jacks 100 to 1 100 to 1 100 to 1 2 one-eyed Jacks 50 to 1 40 to
1 30 to 1 2 Jacks 7 to 1 7 to 1 8 to 1 1 one-eyed Jack 3 to 1 3 to
1 3 to 1 1 Jack 1 to 1 1 to 1 1 to 1
43. An automated wagering gaming event system comprising: at least
two distinct video displays, a first dealer display for showing a
foreground image of a dealer in a card game, and at least a second
display showing playing cards to individual players; at least one
processor for enabling play of the wagering gaming event; multiple
player positions to enable multiple players to play the game;
wherein at least one of the processors can feed at least three
different sets of video image data and merge the at least three
multiple video images to form a composite image of a dealer against
a background, the processor feeding at least one set as a mask
layer and at least one set as an auxiliary dynamic background
image, the system implementing play of a game according to the
rules: placing at least one wager on the underlying card game;
optionally placing a wager on the auxiliary card game; dealing a
first number of cards to a player; dealing a second number of cards
to the dealer; displaying at least one of the player's cards;
displaying at least one of the dealer's cards; wherein if at least
one of the displayed player's cards or at least one of the
displayed dealer's cards is a card of a specific predetermined
rank, paying a player who has placed the optional wager for the
occurrence of the at least one card of a specific predetermined
rank being displayed in either the exposed card(s) of the dealer's
hand and/or the player's hand; and then continuing deal of cards
according to the rules of the underlying game and continuing play
of the underlying game.
44. The platform of claim 43 wherein the underlying game comprises
blackjack.
45. The platform of claim 43 wherein the first two cards dealt to
the player are displayed.
46. The platform of claim 43 wherein only one card dealt to the
dealer is displayed.
47. The platform of claim 44 wherein the first two cards dealt to
the player are displayed.
48. The platform of claim 44 wherein only one card dealt to the
dealer is displayed.
49. The platform of claim 44 wherein a pay table having awards that
are no greater than those in the following table is used:
TABLE-US-00023 Fewer Than 4 Decks 3 Jacks 100 to 1 100 to 1 100 to
1 100 to 1 2 one-eyed Jacks 50 to 1 50 to 1 50 to 1 40 to 1 2 Jacks
9 to 1 8 to 1 7 to 1 7 to 1 1 one-eyed Jack 3 to 1 3 to 1 3 to 1 3
to 1 1 Jack 1 to 1 1 to 1 1 to 1 1 to 1
TABLE-US-00024 Four Decks 3 Jacks 100 to 1 100 to 1 100 to 1 100 to
1 2 one-eyed Jacks 50 to 1 50 to 1 40 to 1 40 to 1 2 Jacks 9 to 1 8
to 1 9 to 1 8 to 1 1 one-eyed Jack 3 to 1 3 to 1 3 to 1 3 to 1 1
Jack 1 to 1 1 to 1 1 to 1 1 to 1
TABLE-US-00025 Six Decks 3 one-eyed Jacks 500 to 1 500 to 1 500 to
1 3 Jacks 100 to 1 100 to 1 100 to 1 2 one-eyed Jacks 50 to 1 40 to
1 30 to 1 2 Jacks 7 to 1 7 to 1 8 to 1 1 one-eyed Jack 3 to 1 3 to
1 3 to 1 1 Jack 1 to 1 1 to 1 1 to 1
Description
RELATED APPLICATION DATA
[0001] This Application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 10/272,407, filed Oct. 15, 2002, titled
"BLACKJACK GAME WITH SINGLE WAGER ON DISPLAYED CARDS." This
application is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
application Ser. Nos. 10/764,827; 10/624,994; and 10/624,995, all
filed on Jan. 26, 2004.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to an automated gaming
platform, particularly an automated gaming platform that can
support multiple players, automated gaming apparatus with a virtual
dealt on a multi-player platform, and the implementation of card
games, particularly to blackjack card games and its variants and
more particularly to an underlying Blackjack card games and
variants with side bets on events that do not influence the
underlying strategies in the play of the underlying Blackjack
game.
[0004] 2. Background of the Art
[0005] In the gaming industry, significant gambling occurs at live
table games that use playing cards and a live dealer. Exemplary
live table games include blackjack, poker, poker variants such as
Let It Ride.RTM. stud poker, baccarat, casino war and other games.
There are a number of proprietary or specialty live table card
games which have developed, such as pai-gow poker, Let-It-Ride.RTM.
stud poker, Three Card Poker.RTM. game, Four Card Poker.RTM. game,
Caribbean Stud.RTM. poker and others. These and many other games
all involve play using playing cards. The cards are dealt by a live
dealer to the players, to a flop and/or to the dealer. The use of
playing cards provided by a live dealer has a number of associated
limitations and disadvantages that have long plagued the casino
industry. Some of these are of general concern to all or most
playing card games. Others are problems associated with the use of
playing cards in particular games. Some of the principal concerns
and problems are discussed below.
[0006] The use of playing cards at live table games typically
involves several operational requirements that are time-consuming.
These operations are conveniently described as collecting,
shuffling, dealing and reading of the cards. In many card games
there is also a step of cutting the deck after it has been
shuffled. In the collecting operation, a live dealer typically
collects the cards just played at the end of a hand of play. This
is done in preparation for playing the next hand of cards. The
cards must often be collected in the specific order in which they
had appeared in the play of the game and must also be collected in
a specific orientation, such as all cards being in a facedown or
face-up condition. The cards also are typically straightened into a
stack with the long sides and short sides aligned. These
manipulations take time and are not typically appreciated by either
the dealer or players as enhancing the play and entertainment value
of the game. The use of physical cards also adds a regular cost to
play of the game in the wear on decks of cards that must be
replaced every few hours. In many games the cards collected at the
end of the hand are deposited in a discard rack that collects the
played cards until the time a new stack is obtained or the stack is
shuffled. In some games the cards are immediately shuffled into the
stack either manually or using a card shuffling machine. More
typically, the cards are collected and then shuffling is performed
later by the dealer or a shuffling device controlled by the
dealer.
[0007] When shuffling is needed, it involves a break in the action
of the table game and consumes a significant amount of time.
Shuffling is also the most time consuming operation in preparing
for the next hand. Thus, shuffling is of substantial financial
significance to the casino industry because it requires significant
time and reduces the number of hands that can be played per hour or
other period of time. The earnings of casinos are primarily
dependent upon the total number of hands played. This is true
because the casino on average wins a certain percent of the amounts
wagered, and many or most casinos are open on a 24-hour basis.
Thus, earnings are limited by the number of hands that can be
played per hour. In light of this there has been a significant and
keen interest by casino owners to develop practices that allow more
games to be played in a given amount of time. Accomplishing this
without detracting from the players' enjoyment and desire to play
the game is a challenging and longstanding issue with casino owners
and consultants in the gaming industry. The use of high quality
shuffling machines, such as those produced by Shuffle Master, Inc.
(Las Vegas, Nev.) as shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,655,684; 6,651,982;
6,588,751; 6,658,750; 6,568,678; 6,325,373; 6,254,096; 6,149,154;
6,139,014; 6,068,258; and 5,695,189 have significantly reduced the
problem in down time, but there is still the need for a human
operator and a human dealer in the use of these shuffling devices
for casino table games.
[0008] The amount of time consumed by collecting, shuffling and
dealing is also of significance in private card games because it
also delays action and requires some special effort to perform. In
private games there is also some added complexity due to card
players remembering or figuring out which player had previously
dealt and who should now shuffle and re-deal the cards as
needed.
[0009] In addition to the time delay and added activity needed to
collect, shuffle and deal cards, there is typically some time
devoted to cutting the deck of cards which have been shuffled and
which are soon to be dealt. This traditional maneuver helps to
reduce the risk that the dealer who has shuffled the cards may have
done so in a way that stacks the deck in an ordered fashion that
may favor the dealer or someone else playing the game. Although
cutting the deck does not require a large amount of time, it does
take some time. The amount of time spent on cutting also somewhat
reduces the frequency at which hands of the card game can be played
and introduces another physical step in which human error or design
can be introduced, such as dropping and exposing the cards or
cutting the deck in a specific position to control the outcome in a
fixed deck.
[0010] In the gaming industry there is also a very significant
amount of time and effort devoted to security issues that relate to
play of the casino games. Part of the security concerns stem from
frequent attempts to cheat during play of the games. Attempts to
cheat are made by players, dealers, or more significantly by
dealers and players in collusion. This cheating seeks to affect the
outcome of the game in a way that favors the dealer or players who
are working together. The amount of cheating in card games is
significant to the casino industry and constitutes a major security
problem that has large associated losses. The costs of efforts to
deter or prevent cheating are very large and made on a daily basis.
Many of the attempts to cheat in the play of live table card games
involve some aspect of dealer or player manipulation of cards
during collection, shuffling, cutting or dealing of cards. Thus,
there is a need for methods and apparatus that can be used in the
play of live table card games that reduce the ability of the dealer
and/or players to cheat by manipulation of playing cards. Of
greatest concern are schemes whereby the deck is stacked and the
stacked deck is used to the collusive player's advantage. Stacked
decks represent huge potential losses since the player is aware of
the cards which will be played before play occurs and can optimize
winnings by increasing bets for winning hands and decreasing bets
for losing hands. It is also desirable to provide decks or groups
of cards where card counters are disadvantaged because of the
reduction in their ability to track distributions of cards in the
group of cards used for play. Continuous shufflers, in which cards
are reintroduced into the group of cards being used, the
introduction being random throughout the entire group, helps to
eliminate that aspect of improper behavior at the gaming table.
[0011] Casinos have recognized that their efforts to reduce
cheating would be improved if the casino had comprehensive
information on the cards which have been played, the amounts bet,
the players and dealers involved and other information about
actions which have taken place at the card tables. This is of
particular importance in assessing the use of stacked decks. It is
also important where card tracking is occurring. Additional
explanation about card tracking is discussed below. The information
desired by the casinos includes knowing the sequence and exact
cards being dealt. It would be even more advantageous to the casino
if physical cards and live dealers could be eliminated, as this
would remove almost all major existing methods of fraud from casino
table card games.
[0012] Some attempts have been made to record card game action. The
best current technology involves cameras that are mounted above the
tables to record the action of the card games. This approach is
disadvantaged by the fact that not all cards dealt are easily
imaged from a camera position above the table because some or all
of the cards are not dealt face-up, or are hidden by overlying
cards. Although many blackjack games are sufficiently revealing to
later determine the order of dealt cards, others are not. Other
card games, such as poker, have hands that are not revealed. The
covered cards of the players do not allow the order of dealt cards
to be ascertained from an above-table camera or on table cameras,
as exemplified by U.S. Pat. No. 6,313,871 (Schubert); U.S. Pat. No.
5,781,647 (Fishbine); and numerous patents assigned to MindPlay LLC
(e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,663,490; 6,652,379; 6,638,161; 6,595,857;
6,579,181; 6,579,180; 6,533,662; 6,533,276; 6,530,837; 6,530,836;
6,527,271; 6,520,857; 6,517,436; 6,517,435; and 6,460,848.
[0013] Even where cameras are used, their use may not be effective.
Such cameras may require time-consuming and tedious human analysis
to go over the videotapes or other recordings of table action or
require the use of software that is complex and imprecise. In some
present systems, some human study may be needed just to ascertain
the sequence of cards dealt or to determine the amount of betting
or to confirm software determinations from camera read data. Such
human analysis is costly and cannot economically be used to
routinely monitor all action in a casino card room or table game
pit.
[0014] For the above reasons, the video camera monitoring
techniques have found very limited effectiveness as a routine
approach for identifying cheating. There has also been relatively
limited use as a serious analytical tool because of the difficulty
of analysis. Such camera surveillance techniques are also of only
limited effectiveness as a deterrent because many of the people
involved with cheating have a working knowledge of their
limitations and utilize approaches which are not easily detectable
by such systems.
[0015] Another use of video camera monitoring and recording has
been made in the context of analyzing card table action after
someone has become a cheating or card counting suspect. The tape
recordings serve as evidence to prove the cheating scheme. However,
in the past, this has generally required other evidence to
initially reveal the cheating so that careful analysis can be
performed. More routine and general screening to detect cheating
has remained a difficult and continuing problem for casinos. This
is also a human intensive review, with both video monitoring
security personnel and live personnel watching the players and
apprehending players at the tables.
[0016] Another approach to reducing security problems utilizes card
shoes having card detection capability. Card shoes hold a stack of
cards containing typically from one to eight decks of cards. The
cards are held in the card shoe in preparation for dealing and to
secure the deck within a device that restricts access to the cards
and helps prevent card manipulations. Card shoes can be fit with
optical or magnetic sensors that detect the cards as they are being
dealt. Some of the problems of security analysis using above-table
cameras is reduced when the sequence of cards dealt can be directly
determined at the card shoe using optical or magnetic sensors.
[0017] One advantage of such card shoes is that the card sequence
information can be collected in a machine-readable format by
sensing the specific nature (suit and count) of each card as they
are dealt out of the card shoe. However, most such card shoes have
special requirements for the cards being used. Such cards must
carry magnetic coding or are specifically adapted for optical
reading. This increases the cost of the cards and may not fully
resolve the problems and difficulties in obtaining accurate
information concerning sequence information. The automated data
collecting card shoes also do not have an inherent means for
collecting data on the assignment of the card to a particular
player or the dealer. They further do not collect data on the
amounts bet. These factors thus require some other manual or
partially automated data collection system to be used, or require
that time-consuming human analysis be performed using video tapes
as explained above.
[0018] The use in blackjack of numerous card decks, such as six
decks, has been one strategy directed at minimizing the risk of
card tracking or counting, especially when the set of cards is cut
relatively shallowly so that many cards are not allowed into play
from the set. Such tracking should be contrasted with card counting
strategies which are typically less accurate and do not pose as
substantial a risk of loss to the casino. Use of numerous card
decks in a stack along with proper cut card placement can also
reduce the risk of effective card counting. However, it has been
found that multiple decks are not sufficient to overcome the
skilled gambler's ability to track cards and turn the advantage
against the house.
[0019] Card tracking can be thought of as being of two types.
Sequential card tracking involves determination of the specific
ordering of the card deck or decks being dealt. This can be
determined or closely estimated for runs of cards, sequences of
cards forming a portion or portions of a stack. Sequential card
tracking can be devastating to a casino since a player taking
advantage of such information can bet large in a winning situation
and change the odds in favor of the player and against the
casino.
[0020] Slug tracking involves determining runs of the deck or stack
that show a higher frequency of certain important cards. For
example, in the play of blackjack there are a relatively large
number of 10-count cards. These 10-count cards are significant in
producing winning blackjack hands or 20-count hands that are also
frequently winning hands. Gamblers who are proficient in tracking
slugs containing large numbers of 10-count cards can gain an
advantage over the house and win in blackjack.
[0021] There is also a long-standing problem in the play of
blackjack which concerns the situation when the dealer receives a
blackjack hand in the initial two cards dealt. If the dealer has a
10-count card or ace as the up card, then it is possible for the
dealer to have a blackjack. If the dealer does have a blackjack,
then there is no reason to play the hand out since the outcome of
the hand is already determined without further dealing. If the hand
is fully played out, and the dealer then reveals that the dealer
has received a blackjack hand, then a significant amount of time
has been wasted. It also causes players to often be upset when a
hand is played out to no avail. In many casinos the waste of time
associated with playing out hands with a winning dealer blackjack
has lead to various approaches that attempt to end the hand after
the initial deal. Some of these allow the dealer to look at the
down card to make a determination whether a blackjack hand has been
dealt to the dealer. This looking is commonly called "peeking" and
is an operation that has been the source of numerous cheating
schemes involving dealers and players who work in collusion. In
such cheating associated with peeking at the down card, the dealer
cheats in collaboration with an accomplice-player. This cheating is
frequently accomplished when the dealer signals the accomplice
using eye movements, hand movements or other signals. If a dealer
does not peek, then he does not know the value of his hand until
after the players have completed their play. If the dealer does
peek, then he can use such eye movements, hand movements or other
techniques to convey instructions to his accomplice-player. These
signals tell the accomplice what hand the dealer has been dealt.
With this knowledge of the dealer's hand, the accomplice has
improved odds of winning and this can be sufficient to turn the
long-term odds in favor of the accomplice-player and against the
casino. Many casinos do not allow the dealer to look at or inspect
the down card until all insurance wagers have been made or
declined.
[0022] There have also been a substantial number of apparatuses
devised to facilitate the peeking procedure or render it less
subject to abuse. Such peeking devices are intended to allow
determination of whether the dealer has received a blackjack hand;
however, this is done without revealing to the dealer what the down
card is unless it makes a blackjack. Some of these devices require
a special table with a peeking device installed in the table.
Others allow the down card to be reviewed using a tabletop device
in which the card is inserted. These systems and others involve the
use of special playing cards. These devices and methods generally
add greater costs and slow the play of the game. The slowed play
often occurs to such a degree that it offsets the original purpose
of saving the time associated with playing out possible dealer
blackjack hands. The prior attempts have often ended up
unacceptable and are removed.
[0023] Another notable problem suffered by live table games is the
intimidation which many novice or less experienced players feel
when playing such games. Surveys have indicated that many new or
less experienced people who come to a casino are inclined to play
slot machines and video card games. These people feel intimidation
at a live table game because such games require quick thinking and
decision making while other people are watching and waiting. This
intimidation factor reduces participation in table games.
[0024] A further issue that has developed in the casino business is
the public's increasing interest in participating in games that
have a very large potential payoff. This may be in part a result of
the large amount of publicity surrounding the state operated
lotteries. News of huge payoffs is read with keen interest and
creates expectations that gaming establishments should provide
games with large jackpots. One approach has been the networked or
progressive slot machines that use a centralized pool of funds
contributed by numerous players. These slot machine systems are
relatively more costly to purchase and operate. For many gamblers,
this approach is not particularly attractive. This lack of
attractiveness may be due to the impersonal and solitary nature of
playing slot machines. It may alternatively be for other reasons.
Whatever the reason, the public is clearly interested in
participating in games that can offer potential jackpots that are
very large. Table card games have not been able to satisfactorily
address this interest. The continued diminishment in the percent of
people who play live table games indicates the need for more
attractive games and game systems that address to public's
interests.
[0025] Further problems associated with live table card games are
the costs associated with purchasing, handling and disposal of
paper and plastic playing cards. Casinos pay relatively favorable
prices for card decks, but the decks roughly cost about $1 per deck
at this time. Each casino uses decks for a very limited period of
time, typically only one shift, and almost always less than one
day. After this relatively brief life in the limelight, the decks
are disposed of in a suitable manner. In some cases they can be
sold as souvenirs. This is done after the cards are specially
marked or portions are punched out to show they have been
decommissioned from a casino. This special marking allows the cards
to be sold as souvenirs while reducing the risk that they will
later be used at the card tables in a cheating scheme which
involves slipping a winning card into play at an appropriate point.
In other cases the playing cards are simply destroyed or recycled
to eliminate this last risk. In any case, the cost of playing cards
for a casino is significant and can easily run in the hundreds of
thousands of dollars per year.
[0026] In addition to the above problems, there are also
significant costs associated with handling and storing the new and
worn playing cards. Sizable rooms located in the casino complexes
are needed just to store the cards as they are coming and going.
Thus, the high costs of casino facilities further exacerbate the
costs associated with paper and plastic playing cards.
[0027] The most significant cost in operation of gaming apparatus
is personnel costs. A number of attempts have been made to reduce
time requirements for not only the dealers, relief dealers, but
also for the supervisors, managers, security and the other staff
that are directly or indirectly involved in the operation or
maintenance of the games.
[0028] A number of attempts have been made to design and provide
fully automated gaming machines that duplicate play of casino table
card games. These attempts have ranged from and included the highly
successful video poker slot games to the mildly successful
slot-type blackjack game (for single players). In those systems,
the individual player sits at an individual machine, inserts
credits/currency/coins, and plays a one-on-one game that is
controlled by a processor in the machine or to which the machine is
distally connected (networked). These machines are common in
casinos, but do not duplicate the ambience of the casino table game
with multiple players present.
[0029] Another type of attempt for simulating casino table card
games is the use of a bank of individual player positions
associated with a single dealer position in an attempt to simulate
the physical ambiance of a live casino table card game. Such
systems are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,397,509 (Miller); U.S. Pat.
No. 4,614,342 (Takashima); U.S. Pat. No. 4,995,615 (Cheng); U.S.
Pat. No. 5,470,080 (Naku); and Published U.S. Patent Applications
2002/0169013 (Serizawa); 2003/0199316 (Miyamoto); and the like.
These systems have a video display of a dealer and have individual
monitors for display of the players' hands and the dealer hands.
The architecture of these systems has generally been designed on a
unique basis for each game, and there tends to be a main
computer/processor that drives all elements of the game, or two
computers/processors that distribute the video control of the
dealer image and the remainder of the game elements between the two
distinct computer/processors. This tends to maximize the cost of
the system and tends to provide a slow system with high processing
power demands to keep the operation working at speeds needed to
maximize use and profit from the machines.
[0030] Sines, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,651,985 and 6,270,404 are titled
"Automated system for playing live casino table games having
tabletop changeable playing card displays and play monitoring
security features". Sines U.S. Pat. No. 6,165,069 is similarly
titled "Automated system for playing live casino table games having
tabletop changeable playing card displays and monitoring security
features."
[0031] The latter two patents (U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,270,404 and
6,165,069) are related as continuations and therefore have
identical disclosures. U.S. Pat. No. 6,651,985 claims
continuation-in-part status from the earliest application (U.S.
Pat. No. 6,165,069).
[0032] Sines, U.S. Pat. No. 6,651,985, describes the use of a live
dealer, even though virtual cards are used. There is no virtual
dealer display and no software or architecture controls needed for
a virtual dealer display. There are distinct display components for
the players' hands and dealer's hand. Looking at FIGS. 23, 24 and
25 (which are identical to the same figures in U.S. Pat. No.
6,651,895, discussed above), it appears that at least for betting
functions, the system operates with parallel communication to the
player input stations. (See wire connections shown in FIGS. 24 and
25 to the Player Bet Interfaces 196, 198, 201 and 203.)
[0033] U.S. Pat. No. 6,607,443 (Miyamoto et al., Kabushiki Kaisha
SEGA Enterprises) and Published U.S. Application 2003/0199316 A1
(also KKSE) and particularly FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 and
13, discloses a virtual blackjack table system. The main objective
of this patent is to have optical data that enables the SEGA system
to read hand signals of players, such as calls for hits and Stand
signals. The hardware architecture in FIG. 15, as described in the
specification at column 11, lines 29-54 show that there are
distinct CPU's for the (audio and video, 280, 281, 282, 283) which
is driven by the Sub-CPU, which is turn connected to the main CPU
(201), with an additional sub-CPU 204 directing the motion sensor
system 13, 14, 15, 16, and 32. There are distinct processing blocks
for the sound (22), the video (21), the main CPU (20), and the
subsystems (13), as well as the components already noted for the
motion sensors/facial recognition sensors system.
[0034] U.S. Pat. No. 5,221,083 (Dote, SEGA Enterprises, Ltd.)
describes a blackjack automated game system that has a reflected
video image of a dealer and also has individual satellite player
positions, with individual CRT monitors for each player. There is
no disclosure of the type of information processing hardware in the
system.
[0035] U.S. Pat. No. 5,934,998 (Forte and Sines, unassigned) and
U.S. Pat. No. 5,586,766 (Forte and Sines, assigned to
Casinovations, Inc.) describe a system using physical cards and a
physical dealer, with no dealer display, on a blackjack table that
has a CPU. FIGS. 6-10 show circuit construction and hardware
considerations in the design of the system, including communication
architecture. This system provides a count display (e.g., LED
display) at each player position to show the player count and
dealer count (as appropriate) that is determined from reading of
the physical cards. Physical playing chips are also used; with no
credit wagering capability is shown.
[0036] U.S. Pat. No. 5,159,549 describes a system that provides a
multiple player game data processing unit with wager accounting.
There are distinct player stations with player input on wagering.
There may be a limited amount of intelligence at player stations
(see column 4, line 1 through column 7, line 55), but there are
multiple lines to each player station.
[0037] U.S. Pat. No. 4,614,342 (Takashima) describes an electronic
game machine with distinct display units (CRT screens) at the
player positions and the dealer position. The dealer screen (10)
does not show an image of a dealer, but shows the dealer's card(s)
and game information. There are typical player input controls (16)
at each player position. The system provided is more like a bank of
slot systems than a card table. In addition to a dealer data
processor (6), each player position includes a player data
processor CPU (30) with player memory (32). The central dealer
computer apparently polls the individual player data processors to
obtain the status of the events at each position (column 4, lines
1-60; and column 3, lines 8-17).
[0038] U.S. Pat. No. 5,586,936 (Bennett et al., assigned to Mikohn
Gaming) describes a ticketless control system for monitoring player
activity at a table game, such as blackjack. Physical cards and
physical chips are shown. Player identity cards identify each
player entering play at a table, and a separate ticket printer
issues a results ticket (500) at the end of play or reads the
ticket at the beginning of play. There is no distinct intelligence
apparent at each player position, and there is a central CPU that
controls the system (e.g., FIG. 8). Physical chips and a real
dealer are apparently used. A phone line (630) is connected from
each player position to the CPU (820) through a communications port
(814).
[0039] U.S. Pat. No. 4,995,615 (Cheng) describes a method and
apparatus for performing fair card play. There are individual
player positions with individual screens (12) provided for each
player. There are three vertical, card-display screens (11, 13, 11)
shown for "receiving instructions from the computer to display
sequentially the cards being distributed throughout the processing
of the play . . . " (Column 4, lines 4-13). There is no visual
display of a dealer, there are individual player image panels, and
no details of the architecture are shown or described.
[0040] U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,879,235; 5,976,019; and 6,394,898, assigned
to SEGA Enterprises, Ltd. relate to non-card game systems, such as
horse race simulators or ball game simulators (e.g., roulette).
There is no dealer or croupier simulation. The horse race simulator
is an automated miniature track with physically moving game
elements. The point of interest is in evaluating the architecture
to see how the intelligence is distributed between the player
stations and the wagering screen. The system again shows individual
monitors at each player position (80, 81) and no dealer display.
The schematics of the electrical architecture in FIG. 11 shows a
main board that also includes a Picture Control Section (95), Sound
Control Section (96), and a communication control section (107).
There is a distinct picture output board (108).
[0041] U.S. Pat. No. 6,607,443 (Miyamoto et al., Kabushiki Kaisha
Sega Enterprises) shows an automated gaming table device in which
there is an upright screen that displays a dealer's image. The
particular purpose described in this patent is for recognition of
sound and hand movement by players, but there is some description
of the dealer screen display. For example, Column 7, line 45
through column 9, line 8 describes the images of the dealer
provided on the main central screen 7 during game play. There is
disclosure to the effect that a dealer's image and particular
expressions and body position are provided (along with sound) of
the dealer. There are no details at all with respect to the
background, the combination of images or the like.
[0042] U.S. Pat. No. 5,221,083 (Dote, Sega Enterprises, Ltd.) shows
an automated gaming machine with a vertical image of a dealer
presented to players sitting at a kiosk-type counsel. The screen or
upright portion 2 has an image of a dealer 4 on a background or
georama 13 that is formed on the inner surface of the upright
portion 2. There are physical elements (e.g., pillars 14) that may
be located in recesses in the upright portion 2 in front of the
image to emphasize three-dimensionality. The table 5 is disposed in
front of the pillars 14 and the image of the dealer 4 behind the
pillars 14. The georama 13 is a physical image or construction, and
the image of the dealer is originated in a CRT (e.g., 17) lying
with the screen horizontal, and the image from the CRT 17 is
reflected from a 45 degree mirror 20 for display to the players.
This gives the illusion of the dealer being between the table and
the georama background. The georama is a physical element, and has
no video background at all. The dealer image is a reflected image,
not a direct image. The reference appears to describe a distinct
dealer image set against a backdrop of a scene.
[0043] It must be remembered that the technology of combining video
images is standard commercial technology and is relatively old
technology from the 1970's. Although many different backing colors
may usefully be employed under special conditions, the most
commonly selected backing color is substantially pure blue.
Therefore, for clarity of description a blue backing will generally
be assumed in the present discussion, and the process will
ordinarily be referred to by the customary term, "blue screen
process." However, any such simplifying assumptions and
terminology, are not intended to imply that other colors may not be
used, with corresponding modification of the procedure. For
example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,595,987, entitled "Electronic Composite
Photography" describes apparatus and operations that can be used in
creating such combined video images.
[0044] U.S. Pat. No. 4,007,487 (Vlahos, Motion Picture Academy of
America) describes an improved electronic compositing procedure and
apparatus. The process is typically used in the blue screen process
and it is suitable for processing motion pictures of professional
quality and the like. The invention provides compensation for color
impurity in the backing illumination over a continuous range of
effective transparencies of the foreground scene. Applicant's
previous method for limiting the blue video component for the
foreground scene to permit reproduction of light blue foreground
objects is improved by a dual limitation criterion which
simultaneously suppresses blue flare light from the backing
reflected by foreground objects of selected colors, typically
including grey scale and flesh tones. The control signal for
attenuating the background scene is developed as a difference
function predominantly only at areas occupied by opaque or
partially transparent foreground objects, and is developed
predominantly as a ratio function at unobstructed backing areas,
thereby compensating undesired variations in brightness of the
backing illumination, while permitting desired shadows on the
backing to be reproduced in the composite picture. This is an
overlay imaging process for video imaging.
[0045] U.S. Pat. No. 4,100,569 (Vlahos) discloses an electronic
circuit for combining foreground and background pictures
substantially linearly, and included special arrangements for
accommodating objects including both blue and magenta colors in the
foreground. The system as described merges of foreground and
background pictures through a wide range of transparency of the
foreground objects. In addition to the normal type of transparent
foreground images, including smoke, glasses, and the like, the
edges of moving objects are shown as being partially transparent to
provide the illusion of rapid movement.
[0046] U.S. Pat. No. 4,344,085 (Vlahos, Vlahos-Gottschalk Research)
describes a blue screen imaging compositing process using a
clean-up circuit that eliminates problems caused by footprints,
dust, and dirt on the "blue-screen" floor or other single color
backing for the foreground scene, by modifying the basic linear
background control signal by using a dual control signal. The
normal linear control signal operates over the entire picture in
the normal manner. The second control signal is generated by
amplifying the linear control signal and inserting it back into the
control circuits via a linear OR gate. Thus, any selected level of
the background control signal E.sub.c below 100 percent may be
raised to 100 percent without influencing the lower levels of
E.sub.c. At a background control voltage level of perhaps 80
percent or 90 percent of the full background picture intensity, it
may be abruptly increased to 100 percent. Above this selected
level, any semi-transparency object, (for example the undesired
footprint) is made fully transparent and is not reproduced.
Further, while the foregoing signals are reduced to zero at this
point, the background scene turn-on signal is raised to full
intensity levels. This has the interesting collateral effect that
thin wires that may be employed to support foreground objects may
be rendered invisible, along with the undesired footprints and
dust. There is no disclosure of its use for Video Gaming.
[0047] U.S. Pat. No. 6,661,425 describes a method for overlapping
images in a display. An information input/output device has an
intuitive operating feeling and improved information viewing and
discriminating properties. The device comprises an superposing
image extraction unit extracting a portion for super positional
display from an image to output the extracted image portion as an
superposing image, a mask pattern generating unit generating a mask
pattern, effectors processing the superposing image, and the mask
pattern based on the effect designation information, and a base
image generating unit synthesizing the mask pattern image and the
original image to generate a base image. The device also comprises
a switcher, brightness/contrast controllers adjusting the
brightness or contrast of the display image switching means, a
control unit, super positional image display unit for superposed
demonstration of display image planes of the displays and a display
position adjustment mechanism. The display information of the image
for display in superposition is demonstrated at a position that
appears to be floated or recessed from the basic display plane.
[0048] U.S. Pat. No. 6,469,747 describes a video signal mixer with
a parabolic signal mixing function, especially useful in
scene-by-scene color correction systems and "blue screen" video
masking applications. The mixer effects mixing two independent
signal sources while smoothly controlling the rate of change during
mixing. An input stage receives a first video signal and a second
video signal. The mixing circuit mixes the first video signal with
the second video signal based on a predetermined parabolic
function. An aperture signal circuit in the mixer allows a degree
of operator control over the parabolic function. An output stage
provides a parabolized output signal. The output signal, which
comprises the mixture of the first video signal and the second
video signal, eliminates discontinuities in regions of the signal
which would otherwise produce discontinuities in prior art types of
video signal mixers. There is no specific description of the
combining of live images on the screen with a preprogrammed
image.
[0049] There are many wagering games used for gambling. Such games
should be exciting to arouse players' interest and uncomplicated so
they can be understood easily by a large number of players.
Ideally, the games should include more than one wagering
opportunity during the course of the game, yet be able to be played
rapidly to a wager resolving outcome. Exciting play, the
opportunity to make more than one wager and rapid wager resolution
enhance players' interest and enjoyment because the frequency of
betting opportunities and bet resolutions is increased.
[0050] Wagering games, particularly those intended primarily for
play in casinos, should provide players with a sense of
participation and control, the opportunity to make decisions, and
reasonable odds of winning, even though the odds favor the casino,
house, dealer or banker. The game must also meet the requirements
of regulatory agencies.
[0051] Wagering games, including wagering games for casino play,
with multiple wagering opportunities are known. U.S. Pat. Nos.
4,861,041 and 5,087,405 (both to Jones et al.) disclose methods and
apparatus for progressive jackpot gaming, respectively. The former
patent discloses that a player may make an additional wager at the
beginning of a hand, the outcome of the additional wager being
determined by of a predetermined arrangement of cards in the
player's hand. U.S. Pat. No. 4,836,553 (to Suttle and Jones)
discloses a modified version of a five card stud poker game.
[0052] In addition to novel games being introduced into casinos,
novel betting formats have also been introduced. Side bets have
always been common in wagering environments, but the use of side
bets for jackpots and bonuses in casino table card games was
believed to have been first practiced by David Sklansky in about
1982 in a public showing of Sklansky's Poker in Las Vegas, Nev. The
play and/or betting structure of Caribbean Stud Poker.RTM. was
modeled after that game. Blackjack has allowed surrender play at
many tables, where half the original wager is withdrawn and the
other half is forfeited to the house at the election of the player.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,820,460 (Fulton) describes a method for playing a
casino table card game wherein wagers are changed after some cards
are viewed by the player. Let It Ride.RTM. stud poker advanced that
theory significantly as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,273,424, where
specific segments of wagers could be withdrawn from an original
wager that was made in multiple parts.
[0053] In an attempt to accommodate the desire for variety and the
retention of a significant table game presence, several Blackjack
variant games and baccarat variant games have been introduced.
These games include Mini-Baccarat, progressive win side bets in
Baccarat, Multiple Action Blackjack, Spanish 21, Over/Under 13,
Face-Up 21, and Royal Match. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,673,917 to
Vancura. A summary of known Blackjack variants is discussed in the
Vancura patent.
[0054] The addition of side bet wagers to table games has provided
an additional level of excitement and a chance for increased awards
to be made in table games. The side bet in Over/Under 13 is limited
to a one-to-one payout, so again, large payouts are provided with
only large wagers. Such games as Minnesota 21.TM. provide higher
bonuses (e.g., as much as $500 on a one dollar side bet for three
consecutive blackjacks) with a side bet or house take based on the
level of the underlying wagers. Other payouts that are multiples of
the house take are based on hands of 6-7-8, blackjacks in suit, and
the like.
[0055] U.S. Pat. No. 6,296,251 describes a baccarat or blackjack
game with a payout that is a multiple of the initial wager (there
is no side bet or additional wager beyond the wager on the
underlying game). The broadest concept of the game described is as
a method of playing a casino card game that is based on card hand
numerical totals (e.g., blackjack and baccarat) and includes a
player core wager, the core wager being the only wager required for
the player to participate in the game. The method comprises
establishing a dealer hand having a numerical total and a player
hand having a numerical total; and paying a variable payoff
according to the player core wager that varies according to an
amount of numerical difference between the dealer hand numerical
total and the player hand numerical total. A typical pay table for
blackjack is described as TABLE-US-00001 Player Wins By Payoff 4 4
to 1 3 3 to 1 2 2 to 1 1 1 to 1
[0056] Attempts have been made to vary the game of Blackjack to a
relatively minor degree wherein a Blackjack player could have more
than one betting option other than the Blackjack player's bet to
receive a higher card total not more than the maximum of 21 than
the Dealer or to hope that the Dealer busts. However, these other
attempts have not been successful because they do not provide a
multitude of very exciting betting options combined with a large
jackpot type of payout. U.S. Pat. No. 5,454,570 to Karal discloses
a Blackjack card game method therein a Blackjack player has
extended wagering opportunities after the Blackjack player's hand
has reached a desired card count value. Specifically, the Blackjack
player can bet on whether the Dealer will achieve a card count that
would be higher (but not greater than 21) than the Blackjack
player's hand. This supplemental bet or wager by the Blackjack
player is prior to the Dealer revealing the Dealer's face down
card. Predetermined odds on the different possible Dealer hand
combinations are selected by the Blackjack player by the selection
of the point card value of the Dealer's hand. Also, the Blackjack
player can wager on the point card value of the Dealer's only face
down card. Furthermore, the Blackjack player can bet on the point
card value of the third Dealer card, etc. The odds presented in
this U.S. patent range from 10 to 1 (on an Ace being the Dealer
down card or the next card to be drawn by the Dealer). Picture
cards including 10's have a 2 to 1 betting ratio.
[0057] U.S. Pat. No. 5,275,416 to Schorr et al. also discloses a
Blackjack card game method wherein a Blackjack player can bet on
the Dealer's hand, the Blackjack player's hand or for a tie in the
point count between the Dealer and the Blackjack player. The bet
for the tie pays 9 to 1, the bet for the Blackjack player's hand is
even money (1 for 1), and the bet on the Dealer's hand is 5 for 6
(five chips can be won on a 6 chip bet).
[0058] U.S. Pat. No. 5,174,579 to Griffiths discloses a Blackjack
card game method wherein a separate bet can be made on whether the
dealer obtains exactly 21 or busts. Disclosed therein is a
discussion of Royal Match 21 involving a separate bet by the
Blackjack player to have their 2 initial cards be of the same suit
(i.e. clubs, diamonds, hearts and spades). A higher payout is made
when the Ace and King is received by the Blackjack player in the
same suit for the 2 initial cards, but there is no separate bet for
the receipt of these two cards (only a payout if they happen to be
received when a bet is made for the receipt of 2 initial cards of
the same suit). Also disclosed therein is a reference to the U.S.
Pat. No. 4,861,041 to Jones et al. wherein a separate bet on a
blackjack game is made to be eligible for certain specific jackpot
hands (i.e., four 5's and an Ace or Ace, Two, Three, Four, Five and
Six). Simply stated, prior attempts at providing more than one
betting option to the Blackjack player did not give the Blackjack
player an opportunity to bet and win a very large bonus (i.e. more
than a thousand chips for each chip bet) as well as to bet on many
different possible combinations that would pay more than a one chip
payback for each one chip bet, but yet still provide the Blackjack
player with, if desired, a straight bet to beat the dealer.
[0059] U.S. Pat. No. 5,816,575 describes a variant of Blackjack
(21) game, in which a table and method is disclosed wherein a
number of betting options are provided for the Blackjack player. In
addition to the standard betting option against the dealer, a
dealer Bust option, a jackpot option where the Blackjack player can
obtain over 1,000 to 1 return payout and several other betting
options are provided to bet on various possible cards such as
receiving a 3 or a 6, a 4 or 5, a 10, Jack Queen, King or Ace for
one or both of the initial two cards. The method of playing
Blackjack against a dealer comprises the steps of providing a
Blackjack player with a jackpot betting option to make a bet and
have a possibility of winning more than one thousand times the bet
made by the Blackjack player; and providing the Blackjack player
with additional separate betting options to make a bet on receiving
at least one card from an initial two cards received by the
Blackjack player equal to one of a 4 and 5, one of a 3 and 6 and a
selected one of a 10, a Jack, a Queen, a King and an Ace.
[0060] U.S. Pat. No. 5,839,730 describes a method for a wagering
game including providing a side bet opportunity during the play of
a Twenty-One game. The player is given the opportunity to place
this side bet with the hope of receiving winnings when certain
predetermined card configurations are received. Upon receipt of
these defined card configurations, the player is immediately paid
winnings during the process of the Twenty-One game. These
additional winnings are based on sequences of cards and are
independent and separate from wagers in the Twenty-One game.
Additionally, all of the predetermined card configurations are
preferably chosen such that they will not interfere with the
underlying Twenty-One game. As a basis for paying out winnings, it
is required that the player consecutively receive these certain
card configurations during the play of the Twenty-One game after
having made a bet in expectation of those card configurations
appearing. Also, the final configuration of the Twenty-One hand is
irrelevant to the side bet game as the players win immediately when
the predetermined configurations are received, long before
completion of the hand. In particular, the player's receiving of
identical value cards in sequence is awarded bonus amounts when a
side wager is placed.
[0061] U.S. Pat. No. 6,012,719 describes a card game that combines
the play of Blackjack ("21") with a 3-card Poker wager or side bet
("21+3"). Each player places a basic Blackjack wager and an
optional 3-card Poker wager before the cards are dealt. Each player
is then dealt a card with the dealer receiving a face-up card. Each
player is dealt a second card. At this point, the outcome of each
3-card Poker hand is determined, where a player's 3-card Poker hand
consists of the 2-card hand dealt to that player and the dealer's
face-up card. After settling the Poker wagers, the game of
Blackjack continues in a typical fashion. The invention
advantageously retains all the features and advantages of Blackjack
as well as provides the dynamics of 3-card Poker, without
interfering with the card sequence, for enhanced player
anticipation and enjoyment.
[0062] D.E.Q. Casinos, Ltd. markets a game known as "Luck Jacks
& Queens.TM." which is played in conjunction with a side bet in
a standard blackjack game. Regular blackjack rules apply, and an
optional side bet for the side game is made. Combinations of a Jack
and a Queen on the first two cards wins a randomly selected prize
amount. Suited Queen and Jack combinations on the first two cards
can win multiples of the randomly selected prize amounts. The
random amount is selected and displayed on a meter attached to the
table. There is no pay table.
[0063] It is desirable to design and provide additional games,
especially baccarat games, that provide good profits for the house
and more betting opportunities, while providing players with more
exciting play, more variety in play, and an opportunity to obtain
greater payouts, especially payouts in excess of 5:1.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0064] A multi-player automated casino table card game platform
enables play of casino table blackjack-type games according to
rules effected through a processor. An underlying game of Blackjack
or a variant of Blackjack is played with an initial wager by a
player on the underlying game and an optional wager that can be
made on a side game. The side wager is made before any cards are
displayed. The side wager is made on whether a specific rank of
card will be shown in either of the two player's cards (the player
who has made the wager) or in the dealer's exposed card. The
probabilities of a specific rank of a card (as opposed to value of
card, which would render 10's, Jacks, Queens and Kings equivalent)
is the same, whichever card is selected, but a preferred game from
an advertising standpoint, marketing standpoint or the like is the
use of Jacks, with the game titled Jack Magic.TM. blackjack or. The
player places a side wager on an identified wager area, and after
the player's cards and the dealer's cards have been dealt, the side
wager is resolved according to the rules of the game. In one
embodiment, all cards of a specific rank, i.e., Jacks, are winning
side bet hands. The regular play of the Blackjack game is then
continued, with no change in the underlying strategy of the game.
The Jack Magic.TM. blackjack game may be played with certain
tolerable variations. For example, when a player splits a hand
(with or without any Jacks displayed in the player's hand or the
dealer's hand), the house rules may control whether the play of
Jack Magic.TM. blackjack continues, or whether the side bet is
cancelled with only the first two cards displayed. The Jack
Magic.TM. blackjack game may also be played where only the first
card dealt with a split may be active in the side bet game. These
variations significantly affect the payouts, the hold, and the odds
in the game, so with each variation in the rules, different odds
and different payout tables would have to be provided. The
preferred method of play would be for the Jack Magic.TM. game being
played on only the first two exposed cards dealt to the player and
the dealer's single exposed card.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0065] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a prior art format for an
automated gaming system.
[0066] FIG. 2 shows an overhead view of a prior art format for an
automated gaming system.
[0067] FIG. 3 shows a side view of a prior art format for an
automated gaming system.
[0068] FIG. 4 shows a block schematic of the electronic
configuration of a prior art animated gaming system.
[0069] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a format for an automated
gaming system according to the present invention.
[0070] FIG. 6 shows a frontal view of a gaming engine useful in the
practice of the present invention.
[0071] FIG. 7 shows a schematic of a player station useful in the
practice of the present invention.
[0072] FIG. 8 shows a schematic of a preferred embodiment of a game
display useful in the practice of the present invention.
[0073] FIG. 9 shows a top plan view of a game of the present
invention played on an interactive multiple player video gaming
platform.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0074] The games of the present invention may be implemented as
live table games, television or cable game show games, video poker
gaming machine platforms, hand-held games for play, multiple player
interactive wagering platform games (with kiosk formats, single
player screens, community screens, and/or banks of seats for
players with a common dealer screen), cell phone games, games
downloadable from the internet, parlor games, games executed on
personal computers, palm pilots, play stations and the like. Each
of the above game applications is contemplated by the present
invention.
[0075] Apparatus is disclosed for playing the wagering game
according to the method outlined below. A typical gaming table,
with a playing surface, is modified to include specific areas that
provide locations for placing the wagers and for displaying player
and dealer cards. A card shuffling machine such as that disclosed
in U.S. Pat. No. 4,807,884 or other shuffling machines manufactured
by Shuffle Master Gaming, Inc. of Las Vegas, Nevada may be used for
facilitating and speeding the play of the live version of the
wagering game. A display device may be associated with the
apparatus for displaying game information, shuffle status, or other
information relevant to the dealer, the players or the house.
[0076] Still another aspect of the present invention is to provide
a wagering game that is easy to learn, yet demands skill of players
in making strategic decisions about whether to take additional hot
cards, whether to split cards, double down, make insurance wagers
and place a side bet. It is an advantage of the game of the present
invention that wagering decisions are inherent in the game. The
game enhances players' sense of participation and takes advantage
of players' inclination to keep wagers at risk once placed. The
interdependency of at least two bets further encourages players to
let bets remain at risk.
[0077] A gaming system that can be used to practice the method of
the present invention comprises a table and a dealer "virtual"
video display system positioned for view by players seated at the
table. The table may seat at least two players up to the amount of
players that can be configured about the table and have a view of
the dealer video display system. Typically each gaming system will
have at least four player available positions, with space
determinations considered as to whether there would be 4, 5, 6 or 7
player positions. It is possible to have a completely circular
dealer display (e.g., holographic display in a cylindrical
centerpiece) and have players distributed around the entire
periphery, but this is too dissimilar to standard play arrangements
and could slow the game down, as play should approximate that of a
live game, with players sitting together and playing in sequence. A
surface of the table will include a generally continuous display
screen on the surface for showing all player hands, community
cards, dealer hands and any other cards used to play the game for
any purpose, and, touch screen player controls or move conventional
push-button controls. A majority of the table surface comprises a
video monitor in one example of the invention. Where there are no
touch screen controls, the table surface may include player control
panels at each player station near the continuous display screen.
The use of a continuous display screen offers some significant
advantages in simulating or recreating a standard card table
surface. Cards may be readily viewed by other players at a table,
which is standard in table games and adds to player enjoyment.
Individual monitors, especially where slanted towards the
individual players make such table-wide card reading difficult. The
use of the full screen (continuous) display also allows for better
animation to be provided, such as displaying virtual images of
cards moving to the player and "virtual" chips being placed on the
table when wagers are indicated. For purposes of this disclosure,
the term "virtual" means a graphical video representation of a real
object or person, such as a dealer, cards and chips, for
example.
[0078] The individual player positions preferably have a separate
intelligence at each player position that accepts player input and
communicates directly with a game engine (main game computer or
processor). The intelligence is preferably an intelligent board
that can process information. For purposes of this disclosure the
term "intelligent" refers to the ability to execute code, either
provided in the form of software or hardware circuits. Such
processing may at least comprise some of signal converting (e.g.,
signals from player card readers, credit deposit, currency readers,
coin readers, touch screen signals, control panel signals) into a
signal that can be included in an information packet and
interpreted by the main game computer when the signal is sent.
Communication between the intelligence at each player position is
direct to the main game computer and may be by self-initiated
signal sending, sequenced polling by the main game computer (e.g.,
each position communicates directly to the main game computer in
turn), timed communication, or any other order of communication
that is direct between the intelligence and the main game
computer.
[0079] One preferred form of communication between the main game
computer and player station computers is by means of self-initiated
signal sending. There is essentially a single main game computer
that contains video display controls and programs for both the
dealer display and the table top display, audio controls and
programs, game rules (including storage of multiple games if
intended to be available on the machine), random number generator,
graphic images, game sequence controls, security systems, wager
accounting programs, external signaling and audit functions, and
the like. In other forms of the invention, the above functions are
divided between a main processor and one or more additional
processors. The intelligence at each player position speeds up the
performance of all aspects of the game by being able to communicate
directly with the main game computer and being able to process
information at the player position rather than merely forwarding
the information in raw form to the main game computer. Processing
player information at player positions frees up resources for use
by the main processor or processors.
[0080] A card game system may also include a suitable data and
control processing subsystem that is largely contained within a
main control module supported beneath the tabletop. The control and
data processing subsystem includes a suitable power supply for
converting alternating current from the power main as controlled by
a main power switch. The power supply transforms the alternating
line current to a suitable voltage and to a direct current supply.
Power is supplied to a power distribution and sensor/activity
electronics control circuit. Commercially available power switching
and control circuits may be provided in the form of a circuit board
which is detachable, and plugs into a board receptacle of a
computer mother board or an expansion slot board receptacle. A main
game controller motherboard may include a central microprocessor
and related components well-known in the industry as computers
using Intel brand Pentium.RTM. microprocessors and related memory
or intelligence from any other manufacturing source. A variety of
different configurations and types of memory devices can be
connected to the motherboard as is well known in the art. Of
particular interest is the inclusion of two flat panel display
control boards connected in expansion slots of the motherboard.
Display control boards are each capable of controlling the images
displayed for the dealer video display and for each of the player
position display areas on the continuous display screen on the
table and other operational parameters of the video displays used
in the gaming system. More specifically, the display control boards
are connected to player bet interfaces circuits for the player
stations. This arrangement also allows the display control boards
to provide necessary image display data to the display electronic
drive circuits associated with the dealing event program displays
and the dealer display.
[0081] The motherboard and/or the individual player intelligent
boards also includes a serial port that allows stored data to be
downloaded from the motherboard to a central casino computer or
other additional storage device. In one example, each player board
communicates directly with the casino computer system. This allows
card game action data to be analyzed in various ways using added
detail, or by providing integration with data from multiple tables
so that cheating schemes can be identified and eliminated, and
player tracking can be maintained. Player performance and/or skill
can be tracked at one table or as a compilation from gaming at
multiple tables, as by using Bloodhound.TM. security software
marketed by Shuffle Master, Inc., which may be incorporated into
this automated gaming system. Additionally, player hand analysis
can be performed. The motherboard and/or individual player
intelligent boards may also have a keyboard connection port that
can be used to connect a larger format keyboard to the system to
facilitate programming and servicing of the system.
[0082] Although the preferred system shown does not require
features illustrated for receiving automated player identification
information, such features can alternatively be provided. Card
readers such as used with credit cards, or other identification
code reading devices can be added in the system to allow or require
player identification in connection with play of the card game and
associated recording of game action by one of the processors. Such
a user identification interface, for example a card reader located
at each player station, can be implemented in the form of a variety
of magnetic card readers commercially available for reading
user-specific identification information. The user-specific
information can be provided on specially constructed magnetic cards
issued by a casino, or magnetically coded credit cards or debit
cards frequently used with national credit organizations such as
VISA, MASTERCARD, AMERICAN EXPRESS, casino player card registry,
banks and other institutions. The information could also be
provided on other writable media, such as an RFID chip with
writable memory, or bar coding, as just a few examples.
[0083] Alternatively, it is possible to use so-called smart cards
to provide added processing or data storage functions in addition
to mere identification data. For example, the user identification
could include coding for available credit amounts purchased from a
casino. As further example, the identification card or other
user-specific instrument may include specially coded data
indicating security information such as would allow accessing or
identifying stored security information which must be confirmed by
the user after scanning the user identification card through a card
reader. Such security information might include such things as file
access numbers which allow the central processor to access a stored
security clearance code which the user must indicate using input
options provided on displays using touch screen displays. A still
further possibility is to have participant identification using a
fingerprint image, eye blood vessel image reader, or other suitable
biological information to confirm identity of the user that can be
built into the table. Still further it is possible to provide such
participant identification information by having the pit personnel
manually code in the information in response to the player
indicating his or her code name or real name. Such additional
identification could also be used to confirm credit use of a smart
card or transponder. All or part of the functions dedicated to a
particular player station are controlled by the player station
intelligence in one form of the invention. Additionally, each
player station intelligence may be in communication with a casino
accounting system.
[0084] It should also be understood that the continuous screen can
alternatively be provided with suitable display cowlings or covers
that can be used to shield display of card images from viewing by
anyone other than the player in games where that is desirable. This
shielding can also be effected by having light-orientation elements
in the panel, and some of these light-orientation elements are
electronically controllable. In this manner, the processor can
allow general viewing of cards in games where that is desirable or
tolerated, and then alter the screen where desired. These types of
features can be provided by nanometer, micrometer or other small
particulate or flake elements within a panel on the viewing area
that are reoriented by signals from the processor. Alternatively,
liquid crystal or photo chromatic displays can be used to create a
screening effect that would allow only viewers at specific angles
of view from the screen area to view the images of cards. Such an
alternative construction may be desired in systems designed for
card games different from blackjack, where some or all of the
player or dealer cards are not presented for viewing by other
participants or onlookers. Such display covers or cowlings can be
in various shapes and configurations as needed to prevent viewing
access. It may alternatively be acceptable to use a
player-controlled switch that allows the display to be momentarily
viewed and then turned off. The display can be shielded using a
cover or merely by using the player's hands. Still further it is
possible to use a touch screen display that would be controlled by
touch to turn on and turn off. Similar shielding can be used to
prevent others from viewing the display.
[0085] A review of the figures will assist in a further
understanding of the invention.
[0086] FIG. 1 shows a fully automated gaming table 1 of the prior
art, as disclosed in U.S. Patent Application 2003/0199316. The
system 1 comprises a vertical upright display cabinet 2 and a
player bank or station cluster arrangement 3. The vertical display
cabinet 2 has a viewing screen 7 on which images of the virtual
dealer are displayed. The top 8 of the player bank arrangement 3
has individual monitor screens 10 for each player position, as well
and tabletop inserted coin acceptors 11, and player controls 12 and
13. There is a separate and larger dealer's hand screen 9 on which
dealer cards are displayed in a format large enough for all players
to view. Speakers 16a and 16b are provided for sound transmission
and decorative lights 14 are provided.
[0087] FIG. 2 shows an overhead view of the same prior art
automated gaming system 1 with the viewing screen 7 shown more
clearly as a CRT monitor. It can also be seen that each player
position has to form an arc cut into the semicircular player
seating area 18. FIG. 3 shows a side view of the same prior art
automated gaming system of FIGS. 1 and 2 where the orientation of
the three different types of CRT monitors 7, 9 and 10 are
shown.
[0088] FIG. 4 shows the schematic circuitry of a prior art
automated system as disclosed in U.S. Patent Application No.
2003/0199316. FIG. 4 is a block diagram of processing circuitry in
the game device of FIG. 1. The game device housing comprises a CPU
block 20 for controlling the whole device, a picture block 21 for
controlling the game screen display, a sound block for producing
effect sounds and the like, and a subsystem for reading out
CD-ROM.
[0089] The CPU block 20 comprises an SCU (System Control Unit) 200,
a main CPU 201, RAM 202, RAM 203, a sub-CPU 204, and a CPU bus 205.
The main CPU 201 contains a math function similar to a DSP (Digital
Signal Processing) so that application software can be executed
rapidly.
[0090] The RAM 202 is used as the work area for the main CPU 201.
The RAM 203 stores the initialization program used for the
initialization process. The SCU 200 controls the busses 205, 206
and 207 so that data can be exchanged smoothly among the VEPs 220
and 230, the DSP 241, and other components.
[0091] The SCU 200 contains a DMA controller, allowing data
(polygon data) for character(s) in the game to be transferred to
the VRAM in the picture block 21. This allows the game machine or
other application software to be executed rapidly. The sub-CPU 204
is termed an SMPC (System Manager & Peripheral Control). Its
functions include collecting sound recognition signals from the
sound recognition circuit 15 or image recognition signals from the
image recognition circuit 16 in response to requests from the main
CPU 201. On the basis of sound recognition signals or image
recognition signals provided by the sub-CPU 204, the main CPU 201
controls changes in the expression of the character(s) appearing on
the game screen, or performs image control pertaining to game
development, for example. The picture block 21 comprises a first
VDP (Video Display Processor) 220 for rendering TV game polygon
data characters and polygon screens overlaid on the background
image, and a second VDP 230 for rendering scrolling background
screens, performing image synthesis of polygon image data and
scrolling image data based on priority (image priority order),
performing clipping, and the like. The first VDP 220 houses a
system register 220a, and is connected to the VRAM (DRAM) 221 and
to two frame buffers 222 and 223. Data for rendering the polygons
used to represent TV game characters and the like is sent to the
first VDP 220 through the main CPU 220, and the rendering data
written to the VRAM 221 is rendered in the form of 16- or 8-bit
pixels to the rendering frame buffer 222 (or 223). The data in the
rendered frame buffer 222 (or 223) is sent to the second VDP 230
during display mode. In this way, buffers 222 and 223 are used as
frame buffers, providing a double buffer design for switching
between rendering and display for each individual frame. Regarding
information for controlling rendering, the first VDP 220 controls
rendering and display in accordance with the instructions
established in the system register 220a of the first VDP 220 by the
main CPU 201 via the SCU 200.
[0092] The second VDP 230 houses a register 230a and color RAM
230b, and is connected to the VRAM 231. The second VDP 230 is
connected via the bus 207 to the first VDP 220 and the SCU 200, and
is connected to picture output terminals Voa through Vog through
memories 232a through 232g and encoders 260a through 260g. The
picture output terminals Voa through Vog are connected through
cables to the display 7 and the satellite displays 10.
[0093] Scrolling screen data for the second VDP 230 is defined in
the VRAM 231 and the color RAM 230b by the CPU 201 through the SCU
200. Information for-controlling image display is similarly defined
in the second VDP 230. Data defined in the VRAM 231 is read out in
accordance with the contents established in the register 230a by
the second VDP 230, and serves as image data for the scrolling
screens that portray the background for the character(s). Image
data for each scrolling screen and image data of texture-mapped
polygon data sent from the first VDP 220 is assigned display
priority (priority) in accordance with the settings in the register
230a, and the final image screen data is synthesized.
[0094] Where the display image data is in palette format, the
second VDP 230 reads out the color data defined in the color RAM
230b in accordance with the values thereof, and produces the
display color data. Color data is produced for each display 7 and 9
and for each satellite display 10. Where display image data is in
RGB format, the display image data is used as-is as display color
data. The display color data is temporarily stored in memories
232a-232f and is then output to the encoders 260a-260f. The
encoders 260a-260 f produce picture signals by adding synchronizing
signals to the image data, which is then sent via the picture
output terminals Voa through Vog to the display 7 and the satellite
displays 10. In this way, the images required to conduct an
interactive game are displayed on the screens of the display 7 and
the satellite displays 10.
[0095] The sound block 22 comprises a DSP 240 for performing sound
synthesis using PCM format or FM format, and a CPU 241 for
controlling the DSP 240. Sound data generated by the DSP 240 is
converted into 2-channel sound signals by a D/A converter 270 and
is then presented to audio output terminals Ao via interface 271.
These audio output terminals Ao are connected to the input
terminals of an audio amplification circuit. Thus, the sound
signals presented to the audio output terminals Ao are input to the
audio amplification circuit (not shown). Sound signals amplified by
the audio amplification circuit drive the speakers 16a and 16b. The
subsystem 23 comprises a CD-ROM drive 19b, a CD-I/F 280, and CPU
281, an MPEG-AUDIO section 282, and an MPEG-PICTURE section 283.
The subsystem 23 has the function of reading application software
provided in the form of a CD-ROM and reproducing the animation. The
CD-ROM drive 19b reads out data from CD-ROM. The CPU 281 controls
the CD-ROM drive 19b and performs error correction on the data read
out by it. Data read from the CD-ROM is sent via the CD-I/F 280,
bus 206, and SCU 200 to the main CPU 201 that uses it as the
application software. The MPEG-AUDIO section 282 and the
MPEG-PICTURE section 283 are used to expand data that has been
compressed in MPEG (Motion Picture Expert Group) format. By using
the MPEG-AUDIO section 282 and the MPEG-PICTURE section 283 to
expand data that has been compressed in MPEG format, it is possible
to reproduce motion picture. It should be noted herein that there
are distinct processor for the CPU block, video block, sound block,
CD-ROM drive and Memory with their independent PCU's. This requires
significant computing power and still has dumb (no intelligence)
player input components.
[0096] FIG. 5 shows an example of an automated table system 101
useful to practice the game play methods of the present invention.
The system 101 has an upright dealer display cabinet 102 with a top
104 and the dealer viewing screen 107 which may be any form of
display screen such as a CRT, plasma screen, liquid crystal screen,
LED screen or the like. The player bank arrangement 103 has a
continuous display screen 109 on which images of cards being dealt
105, dealer's cards 108, bets wagered 111 and touch screen player
input functions 110 are displayed. Other player input functions may
be provided on a panel 106 which might accept currency, coins,
tokens, identification cards, player tracking cards, ticket
in/ticket out acceptance, and the like.
[0097] FIG. 6 shows an electronic/processor schematic for a
MultiPlayer Platform (MPP) gaming system according to the presently
described system. The MPP Game engine (dealer) comprises a Heber
Pluto 5 casino game board 200 (Motorola 68340 board) operating off
the PC Platform Pentium.RTM. 4 MPP Game Display processor 202. The
game display processor operates on a Windows XP platform. The
respective subcomponents on the Pentium 4 processor are labeled to
show the apportionment of activity on the motherboard and the
component parts added to the board. As is shown, the game engine
has an Uninterruptible Power Supply 204. The game display processor
directs activity on the Speakers, directs activities onto the MPP
Game Service panel, and the Plasma Monitor Card Table display. It
is important to note that all communications are direct from the
game display processor, freeing up resources available to the game
engine processor.
[0098] FIG. 7 shows the electronic/processing schematics of the MPP
Player Station Intelligence board (Heber Pluto 5 Casino, Motorola
68340), each of which player stations (one for each player
position) is in direct connection to the MPP Game Engine (Dealer),
which is in turn directly connected to the PC Platform. (not shown
in this Figure). Each Intelligence board receives information for
all player input systems specific to that player station, such as
the shown Coin Acceptor, Coin Hopper, Bill validator, Ticket
Printer, Touch Screen and/or Display Button Panel, Dual Wire
Ticket-in-Ticket-Out Printing and SAS System (SAS is one exemplary
standard communications protocol used by a number of casinos
central computer systems.) A significant benefit resides in the use
of the independent Intelligence boards at each player position
being in direct communication with the MPP Game Engine 300, as
opposed to each individual player position button panel being dead
or inactive until authorized by the main game processor, as
previous automated gaming systems were constructed.
[0099] The above-described architecture is also an improvement in
providing a system with not only the intelligence at each player
position, but also in redistributing processing capability for
functions among various processing components within the gaming
system. In one architectural format, all functions of the gaming
engine, except for the player localized intelligence functions, are
consolidated into a single PC (e.g., the Pentium 4 shown in the
Figures). This would include all game functions, player video
functions, dealer video functions, dealer audio functions,
security, central reporting (to a casino's central computer, for
example), currency and debit functions, alarm functions, lighting
functions, and all other peripherals on the system, except for the
localized player functions. Alternatively, all functions requiring
communication with the casino's main computer system are located on
the player station intelligent boards. In this system, the main
game processor would talk directly with the player intelligent
boards, preferably in the same novel communication format described
below.
[0100] An alternative system is shown in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, where
there is a dealer engine processor intermediate the main game PC
and the Player intelligent boards. Both systems are a distinct
improvement over the prior art, but with the higher power available
for PC's, and with the ease of programming a PC as opposed to an
embedded system, the consolidation of the game functions and the
ability of the main game engine to communicate with each of the
player positions is enabled. As shown in FIG. 8, the Game display
processor 300 is preferably a Pentium.RTM. 4 PC and is separate
from the main processor. With the player intelligent boards, the
main game PC can receive packets of information from each player
station as events occur rather than having to poll each player
position on a regular basis 100 times to gain the specific
information for each player input that may be made.
[0101] A description of the Heber Board, (an exemplary board that
can be used as a player station processor and/or game engine
processor 16) a commercially available intelligent processing board
is as follows. The Heber Board is known for its reliability and
flexibility, especially for the Pluto 5 family of gaming products.
The Pluto 5 is the controller of choice for the global gaming
industry. Flexibility comes from a set of features built into the
Pluto 5 (Casino) controller, and from the choice of optional add-on
boards that can be used to adapt the Pluto family to best suit
individual applications. In the area of interfacing, there are
three distinct boards, each of which serves a particular function
in helping the Pluto 5 to connect with the world outside:
RS485 Board
[0102] RS485 is an industrial-grade board for linking multiple
systems in unforgiving circumstances for centralized information
gathering. The Heber RS485 board is fully opto-isolated to provide
complete circuit safety when used within `electrically noisy`
environments. The RS485 board uses a single RS232 connection to the
Pluto 5 board and all necessary power is also derived through this
link. Two header connectors may be provided for the RS485 channel
to allow daisy chain connections between multiple systems.
HII/ccTalk Board
[0103] This board specializes in communicating with industry
standard note/coin acceptors and payout hoppers. Equipped with dual
communication channels, each port is configurable to use either the
HII format to connect with Mars.RTM. coin/note acceptors or the
ccTalk format for Money Controls.RTM. hoppers. Both channels are
controlled via a single RS232 connection to the Pluto 5 board and
all necessary power is also derived through this link. The Heber
FastTrack.TM. package contains modular library functions for
passing information via these channels.
Four Channel Relay Board
[0104] The relay board allows control of medium- to high-level
loads such as solenoids, without risk of damage or interference to
the Pluto 5 circuitry. Four power-switching channels are available
with absolute isolation from the Pluto 5 control signals. Each
relay is capable of switching direct or alternating currents of up
to 7 A at a maximum voltage of 250V.
[0105] Like the Pluto 5 board itself, its modular options have been
used extensively so that their designs are fully developed and
entirely stable. The options that are specified are consistently
provided in mass quantities. As with all Pluto products,
programming for the modular options is straightforward. This is
enhanced with the use of the Pluto 5 Enhanced Development Kit and
also the FastTrack.TM. package. Between them, these kits contain
all of the low level and high level programming tools and library
functions needed for gaming applications. These systems can be
provided through a Pluto 5 Enhanced Development Kit datasheet
80-15353-7 (Heber Limited, Belvedere Mill, Chalford, Stroud,
Gloucestershire, GL6 8NT, UK Tel: +44 (0) 1453 886000 Fax: +44 (0)
1453 885013 www.heber.co.uk. Specifications for the various boards
are identified below.
RS485 Interface
Host Interface
[0106] RS232 connection to Pluto 5/Pluto 5 Casino [0107] All power
provided via RS232 link from host system Communication Port [0108]
Dual four-way Molex 0.1'' KK headers for daisy chaining purposes
Dimensions [0109] 80.times.61 mm (3.14.times.2.4'') Part Number
[0110] Opto-isolated RS485 board 01-14536-2 HII/ccTalk Interface
Host Interface [0111] RS232 connection to Pluto 5/Pluto 5 Casino
[0112] All power provided via RS232 link from host system
Communication Port [0113] Single or dual 10 way header connectors
Dimensions [0114] 101.6.times.69.85 mm (4.times.2.8'') Part Number
[0115] Dual channel HII/ccTalk board 01-16171-2 Four Channel Relay
Board Host Interface [0116] Connection to Pluto 5/Pluto 5 Casino
via ribbon cable using four standard output lines [0117] All power
provided via ribbon cable link from host system Switching
Capabilities [0118] Up to 250V AC or DC @7 A maximum per channel
Dimensions [0119] 80.times.61 mm (3.14.times.2.4'') Part Number
[0120] Four channel relay board 01-15275-1 80-16949-1
[0121] One proposed hardware configuration uses a "satellite"
intelligent processor at each player position. The player station
satellite processor is substantially the same as the primary game
engine processor, a Heber Pluto 5 Casino board. The satellite
processors receive instruction from the primary game engine but
then handle the communications with player station peripherals
independently. Each satellite processor communicates with only the
peripherals at the same player station. Thus each player station
has a dedicated satellite processor communicating with only the
peripherals at the same player station and with the casino's
central computer system. The peripherals are, but not limited to:
Slot accounting Systems, Bill Validator, Ticket Printer, Coin
Acceptor, Coin Hopper, Meters, Button panel or LCD touch screen and
various doors and keys.
[0122] The satellite processors run proprietary software to enable
functionality. The player station software is comprised of two
modules, the first being an OS similar to the game engine Operating
System and the second being station software that handles
peripheral communications. The software may be installed on EPROMs
for each satellite processor. The primary method of communication
between the satellite processors and the primary game engine is via
serial connectivity and the previously described protocol. In one
example, information packets are prepared by the satellite
processors and are sent to the game engine processor on the
happening of an event.
[0123] The proposed game engine provides communication to the
player stations to set the game state, activate buttons and receive
button and meter information for each player station. Communication
is via a serial connection to each of the stations. The new
protocol for communication between the game engine, game display
and player stations is an event driven packet-for-packet
bi-directional protocol with Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC)
verification. This is distinguished from the Sega system that used
continuous polling. This communication method frees up resources in
the same engine processor because the processor no longer needs to
poll the satellites continuously or periodically.
[0124] The new protocol uses embedded acknowledgement and sequence
checking. The packet-for-packet protocol uses a Command Packet,
Response Packet and a Synchronization Packet as illustrated below.
The protocol uses standard ASCII characters to send data and a
proprietary verification method. TABLE-US-00002 Format of Command
Packet STX SEQ DATA LENGTH DATA CRC-16 ETX 1 1 3 3-999 5 1
[0125] TABLE-US-00003 Format of Response Packet STX SEQ DSP PRV ETX
1 1 1 1 1
[0126] TABLE-US-00004 Format of Synchronization Response Packet STX
MTS MRS ETX 1 1 1 1
[0127] TABLE-US-00005 Legend For Figures STX Start of Packet
Character SEQ Sequence # (Cycles from `0` thru `9`) LEN Length of
Data Area (`003` thru `999`) DATA ASCII Data Fields Separated with
`|` Character CRC CRC-16 Value (`0000` thru `65535`) Cyclic
Redundancy Check ETX End of Packet Character DSP Disposition Code
(`A` ACK, `N` NAK, or `I` Invalid Sequence) PRV Sequence Number of
Last ACK'ed Packet (0 thru 9) MTS Main's Current Transmit Sequence
Number MRS Main's Current Receive Sequence Number
[0128] The Command Packet and Response Packet are used during
primary game communications. The protocol uses redundant
acknowledgement. For example: The packet is initially acknowledged
when first received by the recipient. The same recipient will
resend anther acknowledgement in the next communication. This
second acknowledgement is the `PRV` data in the response
packet.
[0129] The communications between the Game Engine and the Player
Station intelligence is preferably a transaction-based protocol.
Either device can start a transaction, which is why it is essential
that there be an intelligent board at each player position. All
packets of information may be sent in any acceptable format, with
ASCII format preferred as a matter of designer choice. All command
packets usually contain a sequence number that is incremented after
each successful packet exchange. The Game Engine and the Player
Station intelligence use sequence numbers that are independent of
each other. The sequence number keeps the communications in
synchronization. This synchronization method is described
later.
[0130] The command packet is used to send various commands such as
Inputs, Lamps, Doors, Errors, Chirp, Game Results, player input,
coin acceptance, player identification, credit acceptance, wagers,
etc. . . . The command packet format may be, by ay of a
non-limiting example: [0131] <STX><Sequence
number><Data
Length><Data><CRC-16><ETX>
[0132] The data format with in the command packet may be: [0133]
<Address><Command><Field 1>|<Field
2>|<Field n>|
[0134] The response packet format may be: [0135]
<STX><Sequence number><Disposition><Previous
ACK><ETX>
[0136] The sync request packet format may be: [0137]
<SYN>
[0138] The sync response packet format may be: [0139]
<STX><Mains Current Transmission Sequence><Mains
Current Receive Sequence><ETX>
[0140] A major strength of the protocol is its resilience of the
Game Protocol and its ability to free up resources within the game
engine. Those resources can in turn be used to provide more
intricate games, and multi-media affects.
Synchronization Method:
[0141] The satellite and host must become synchronized in order to
provide for reliable communications using packet numbers. To
facilitate this, a novel protocol synchronization method that is
used. Upon applying power to the satellite, or after a
communications failure, the satellite automatically enters into
synchronization mode. In the synchronization mode the satellite
sends out the ASCII SYN (0x16) character about every second. It is
expecting a special response packet containing transmit and receive
packet sequence numbers to be used from that point on. After
receiving the special response packet, the sequence numbers are
used as-is, and not incremented until a successful packet exchange
is completed. After communications is synchronized, the sequence
numbers are incremented after each packet is successfully sent or
received.
[0142] As was noted before, the main game processor may contain
information, data, programming and other necessary functions to
enable the play of multiple games off the same machine. The system
may be controlled so that different games may be played at
different times on command of the casino or players.
[0143] An underlying game of Blackjack or a variant of Blackjack is
preferably played on an interactive gaming platform described
above. As shown in FIG. 9, the player places an initial wager on
the underlying game and an optional wager on a side game using key
pad controls 12a-e and 14a-e. The side wager is made before any
cards are displayed. The side wager is made on whether a specific
rank of card will be shown in either of the two player's card areas
18a-e (the player who has made the wager) or in the dealer's
exposed card 16. The probabilities of a specific rank of a card (as
opposed to value of card, which would render 10's, Jacks, Queens
and Kings equivalent) is the same, whichever card is selected, but
a preferred game from an advertising standpoint, marketing
standpoint or the like is the use of Jacks, with the game titled
Jack Magic.TM. blackjack or Jacks Magic.TM. blackjack. The player
places a side wager on an identified wager area 20a-e by depressing
bet buttons 14a-e, and after the player's cards and the dealer's
cards have been dealt, the side wager is resolved according to the
rules of the game. A pay table 22a-e may display payout odds. The
regular play of the Blackjack game is then continued, with no
change in the underlying strategy of the game. The Jack Magic.TM.
blackjack game may be played with certain tolerable variations. For
example, when a player splits a hand (with or without any Jacks
displayed in the player's hand or the dealer's hand), by depressing
buttons 24a-e the house rules may control whether the play of Jack
Magic.TM. blackjack continues, or whether the side bet is cancelled
with only the first two cards displayed. The Jack Magic.TM.
blackjack game may also be played where only the first card dealt
with a split may be active in the side bet game. Insurance wagers
may also be placed in areas 24a-e by depressing insurance wager
buttons 26a-e. These variations significantly affect the payouts,
the hold, and the odds in the game, so with each variation in the
rules, different odds and different payout tables would have to be
provided. The preferred method of play would be for the Jack
Magic.TM. game being played on only the first two exposed cards
dealt to the player in card areas 18a-e and the dealer's single
exposed card in area 16.
[0144] A general description of the play of the game of the
invention can be provided as a method of playing a wagering card
game comprising an underlying card game and an auxiliary card game
comprising: placing at least one wager on the underlying card game;
optionally placing a wager on the auxiliary card game; dealing a
first number of cards to a player; dealing a second number of cards
to the dealer; displaying at least one of the player's cards;
displaying at least one of the dealer's cards; wherein if at least
one of the displayed player's cards or at least one of the
displayed dealer's cards is a card of a specific predetermined
rank, paying a player who has placed the optional wager for the
occurrence of the at least one card of a specific predetermined
rank being displayed in either the exposed card(s) of the dealer's
hand and/or the player's hand; and then continuing deal of cards
according to the rules of the underlying game and continuing play
of the underlying game. The method is preferred where the
underlying game comprises blackjack. The first two cards dealt to
the player are usually displayed face-up.
[0145] Usually only one card dealt to the dealer is displayed
face-up and the first card displayed by the dealer is used in
ascertaining awards in the game. The method is preferred wherein
paying a player who has placed the optional wager is based on a pay
table based on the appearance of cards of specific rank on only
displayed player's cards and a first displayed dealer's card.
[0146] Examples of pay tables that can be used for this method of
play in the Jack Magic.TM. blackjack game are shown below. Note
that the game can be played with varying numbers of decks (6 or 8
being preferred) and with special decks. TABLE-US-00006 (Four
Decks) 1 2 3 4 3 one-eyed Jacks 500 to 1 500 to 1 500 to 1 500 to 1
3 Jacks 100 to 1 100 to 1 100 to 1 100 to 1 2 one-eyed Jacks 50 to
1 50 to 1 50 to 1 40 to 1 2 Jacks 9 to 1 8 to 1 7 to 1 7 to 1 1
one-eyed Jack 3 to 1 3 to 1 3 to 1 3 to 1 1 Jack 1 to 1 1 to 1 1 to
1 1 to 1
[0147] TABLE-US-00007 (Five Decks) 1 2 3 4 3 one-eyed Jacks 500 to
1 500 to 1 500 to 1 500 to 1 3 Jacks 100 to 1 100 to 1 100 to 1 100
to 1 2 one-eyed Jacks 50 to 1 50 to 1 40 to 1 40 to 1 2 Jacks 9 to
1 8 to 1 9 to 1 8 to 1 1 one-eyed Jack 3 to 1 3 to 1 3 to 1 3 to 1
1 Jack 1 to 1 1 to 1 1 to 1 1 to 1
[0148] TABLE-US-00008 (Six Decks) 1 2 3 3 one-eyed Jacks 500 to 1
500 to 1 500 to 1 3 Jacks 100 to 1 100 to 1 100 to 1 2 one-eyed
Jacks 50 to 1 40 to 1 30 to 1 2 Jacks 7 to 1 7 to 1 8 to 1 1
one-eyed Jack 3 to 1 3 to 1 3 to 1 1 Jack 1 to 1 1 to 1 1 to 1
[0149] The payout odds should be lower (because of a higher
probability of occurrence of the appearance of Jacks) and the house
odds would be lower with the two described variations where all hit
cards during a split would be active in the game. In both of these
variations, the probability of hit frequency would be higher.
Similarly with a Spanish 21.TM. deck, with fewer ranks of cards in
the deck (the cards numbered 10 have been removed, but face or
court cards remain in the deck), the hit frequency of jacks
increases and the house may wish to lower the payouts to compensate
for the difference in probabilities. It is possible to keep the
payout rate the same in the pay tables, but that would reduce the
house edge. It is also possible to provide one pay table for hands
where cards are not split and a separate pay table that applies
where cards are split for that player.
[0150] In allowing these potential variations, the house may adjust
the probabilities in its favor by excluding the splitting of
player's cards where the first two cards are Aces or cards with
counts of 10 (i.e., 10's, Jacks, Queens and Kings). This would
still possibly benefit the player, but by allowing the player to
split cards that would strategically not be split (e.g., splitting
4's and splitting fives), the probability of losing the underlying
game might increase. This is a less preferred embodiment because
the strategy of the underlying play of the game might be altered in
certain hands, and this is considered undesirable, although it is
allowable. The undesirability comes less from the player using
these modified rules, but from other players at the table who may
feel that the "flow of cards" is being altered by changing
strategies.
[0151] Among the features that are present in the play of the
preferred version of Jack Magic.TM. blackjack include at least the
following elements: [0152] 1) The underlying game is blackjack or
blackjack variations (e.g., Spanish 21.TM.). [0153] 2) A side bet
is placed with the underlying game to engage in a separately paying
wagering game, e.g., Jack Magic.TM. blackjack. [0154] 3) The
separately paying game may not interfere with any underlying
strategy in the play of the underlying game or the payout on the
underlying game. [0155] 4) After placement of the ordinary
blackjack wager and the optional side bet wager, two cards are
provided to the player (face up) and two cards are provided to the
dealer, one of which is face up. [0156] 5) The player is paid on
the side bet when any one or more of the three exposed cards (the
two player cards of a player making the side bet and the dealer's
one exposed card) is a specific rank of card according to the rules
of the game, e.g., a Jack. [0157] 6) There may be different levels
of payout amounts depending upon how many Jacks are shown in the
three relevant cards, with increased payments for two jacks and
then again for three jacks. Additional bonus awards may be made for
one-eyed jacks, or multiples of one-eyed jacks (e.g., the highest
bonus being for three one-eyed jacks). [0158] 7) The payout for the
side bet game is preferably paid before the underlying game is
continued. The game is played with larger numbers of deck supplies,
with 4, 5, 6 or 8 decks to be typically used. The payout is
preferably done before play of the underlying game because if the
player busts, that player's cards are usually collected before
other hands are resolved or played.
[0159] The following description will assist in illustrating one
method of playing the game of the invention. There are a dealer and
two players at a gaming table, Player 1 and Player 2. The dealer
deals from a randomly shuffled set of four decks of cards. Player 1
places a wager in the underlying game of $10 and a side bet wager
on Jack Magic.TM. blackjack game of $2, and Player 2 places a wager
of $5 on the underlying Blackjack game, but places no wager on the
side bet Jack Magic.TM. blackjack game. The dealer deals initial
two-card hands of blackjack in sequence, one card at-a-time as a
first card to Player 1 (face up), a first card (face up) to Player
two, a first card (face down) to the dealer, a second card (face
up) to Player 1, a second card (face up) to Player 2, and a second
card (face up) to the dealer. The hands dealt are as follows in a
series of game plays: TABLE-US-00009 Game 1 Player 1 Hand 10 and 7
Player 2 Hand Jack and 6 Dealer hand Ten exposed
[0160] In the play of this hand, there would be no payout to any
player on the Jack Magic.TM. blackjack game. Only the first player
placed the side bet wager on that game, and neither that player's
hand (Player 1) nor the dealer's exposed card showed a Jack. The
exposed Jack in Player 2's hand is of no consequence to the play of
Jack Magic.TM. blackjack by Player 1. It is possible to envisage a
game where the exposure of a Jack in any hand (or other designated
card) could provide a payout of a much lower amount, but that is
not a rule in the play of this variant of Jack Magic.TM. blackjack
game. After determining that there would be no award for the play
of Jack Magic.TM. blackjack in this hand, the underlying game of
Blackjack would continue in a normal manner. TABLE-US-00010 Game 2
Player 1 Hand Jack and 3 Player 2 Hand Jack and Ace Dealer Hand
Queen (face up) and 9
[0161] In the play of this hand, Player 1 would receive a bonus
payout based on his side bet wager because that player's hand
(Player 1) contains a Jack in the first two exposed cards. Again,
the exposed Jack in Player 2's hand is of no consequence to the
play of the Jack Magic.TM. blackjack game, because Player 2 did not
make the side bet. After paying off the award amount to Player 1,
the game of Blackjack would continue in a normal fashion.
TABLE-US-00011 Game 3 Player 1 Hand Ace and 10 Player 2 Hand 3 and
6 Dealer Hand Jack (face down) and 8
[0162] In the play of this hand, there would be no Jack Magic.TM.
blackjack award. The position of the dealer's Jack as a face down
card precludes that Jack from any effect on the awards in the Jack
Magic.TM. blackjack game. After determining that there would be no
award for the play of Jack Magic.TM. blackjack in this hand, the
underlying game of Blackjack would continue in a normal manner.
TABLE-US-00012 Game 4 Player 1 Hand 6 and 9 Player 2 Hand Ace and 2
Dealer Hand Jack (face up) and Ace
[0163] In the play of this hand, there would be an immediate payout
to Player 1 for the Jack Magic.TM. blackjack game because the
dealer's hand has an exposed jack on the first two cards. The fact
that the dealer has a blackjack does not affect the Player's
ability to win the Jack Magic.TM. blackjack side bet. Player 2 has
not placed the side bet and therefore does not collect on the
dealer's Jack. After paying off the Jack Magic.TM. blackjack wager,
all underlying wagers from Player 1 and Player 2 are collected by
the house. TABLE-US-00013 Game 5 Player 1 Hand Jack and 4 Player 2
Hand King and 5 Dealer Hand Jack (face up) and 7
[0164] In the play of this hand, Player 1 will receive a larger
award for the play of Jack Magic.TM. blackjack because two Jacks
are engaged in the play of the game, one in the hand of Player 1
and one as the exposed card in the dealer's hand. If Player 2 had a
Jack as one of the first two cards, that would not have affected
the play of Jack Magic.TM. blackjack, unless the rules specifically
allowed for that. Player 2 in this example did not make the side
bet. After paying off the award amount to Player 1, the game of
Blackjack would continue in a normal fashion.
[0165] As noted above, there would be larger bonuses or different
bonuses if there were three Jacks exposed in the hand of Player 1
and the dealer's hand (combined), or if the rules paid for one-eyed
Jacks (Jack of Hearts and Jack of Spades), if there were two
one-eyed Jacks exposed, or if there were three one-eyed jacks were
exposed in the deal of the hand of Player 1 and the dealer's
exposed card.
[0166] In the above description, variations within the generic
concept of the invention have been alluded to or described. One of
ordinary skill in the art can develop other alternatives or
additions within the scope of the invention. For example, special
wagering features such as coin accepting slots, proximity
detectors, or other wager indicators (particularly for the side bet
wager) can be provided on the gaming table for the play of Jack
Magic.TM. blackjack. Progressive bonuses may be designed for use
with the appearance of special hands (e.g., three Jacks, three
one-eyed Jacks, two one-eyed Jacks, or the like). Such a
progressive bonus may be indicated on a special meter. Other
options and components may be added to the play of the game without
avoiding the underlying generic concepts disclosed in this
description and the claims of the invention.
[0167] For example, the underlying game could be another
casino-style card game such as baccarat, pai gow poker, or a
specialty poker game such as Let it Ride.RTM. Stud Poker, for
example. In the case of Let it Ride, players each receive 3 cards,
face down after placing three equal bets. The dealer receives two
cards, face down, that serve as common cards for all players. The
players are given a chance to view their cards, and are given the
option of taking back one of the bets. The dealer turns over the
first community card, and the players are then given the
opportunity to take back a second one of the bets. The third bet
must remain up. The dealer then reveals his second community card,
and each player's hand of three cards plus the two community cards
is resolved against a pay table. The pay table shows payout odds
for each of a predetermined group of winning hands. A side bet of
the present invention could be made available for the appearance of
one, two, three or four cards of the same cards, i.e.--Jacks,
either from the player hand, the dealer common cards or a
combination thereof. It is preferred that the layout be modified so
that the player's three cards appear on a given area of the layout,
and that the order in which the cards are dealt cannot be
modified.
[0168] In another example, the underlying game is Pai Gow poker.
Each player and the dealer receive 7 cards. The players and the
dealer "set" their hands, forming a five card hand and a two card
hand. A side bet on the occurrence of a designated card, such as a
King in the player's two card hand and/or the dealer's 2 card hand
could be offered. Or, the designated card may be in the five card
hands, or combinations of the five and two card hands. Other casino
games such as Baccarat could be played in a manner similar to the
blackjack game described in detail above.
[0169] Although specific components, materials, sequences and rules
have been provided in these descriptions to enable practice, it is
clear to one skilled in the art that alternatives, variations,
equivalents and the like may be used within the enabled scope of
practice.
* * * * *
References