U.S. patent application number 11/788220 was filed with the patent office on 2008-03-20 for bonus award for video poker-type game.
Invention is credited to Kenneth Brunelle, Danny R. Piper.
Application Number | 20080070660 11/788220 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39189291 |
Filed Date | 2008-03-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080070660 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Brunelle; Kenneth ; et
al. |
March 20, 2008 |
Bonus award for video poker-type game
Abstract
The present invention provides a game for play by a player using
first and second sets of symbols, with each of the symbols having a
rank associated therewith. The game includes a player hand
including at least four symbols selected from the first set of
symbols. If the player hand includes four symbols having the same
rank, a bonus symbol is selected from the second set of symbols. A
bonus is awarded to the player if the rank of the bonus symbol
matches the rank of the four symbols having the same rank. Each
symbol may further include an additional indicator, with an
enhanced bonus award being awarded when both the rank and the
additional indicator of the bonus symbol match the rank and the
additional indicator of the first player symbol in the player
hand.
Inventors: |
Brunelle; Kenneth; (Las
Vegas, NV) ; Piper; Danny R.; (Las Vegas,
NV) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Susan E. Money
8285 Golden Flowers St.
Las Vegas
NV
89139
US
|
Family ID: |
39189291 |
Appl. No.: |
11/788220 |
Filed: |
April 19, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/13 ;
273/292 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/32 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/013 ;
273/292 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Claims
1. A game for play by a player using first and second sets of
symbols, with each of said symbols having a rank associated
therewith, said game comprising: a player hand selected from among
said first set of symbols, said player hand including at least four
symbols; a bonus symbol selected from among said second set of
symbols, said bonus symbol being selected when said player hand
includes four symbols having the same rank; and a bonus award
awarded to said player if the rank of said bonus symbol matches the
rank of said four symbols having the same rank.
2. The game of claim 1, wherein each symbol further includes an
additional indicator and said player hand includes a first player
symbol, wherein said bonus award is an enhanced bonus award when
both the rank and the additional indicator of said bonus symbol
match the rank and the additional indicator of said first player
symbol.
3. The game of claim 2, wherein said enhanced bonus award is a
progressive bonus.
4. The game of claim 2, wherein said additional indicator is one of
clubs, diamonds, hearts and spades.
5. The game of claim 2, wherein said first player symbol is the
leftmost symbol of said player hand when said player hand is
arranged horizontally.
6. The game of claim 1, wherein said first set of symbols and said
second set of symbols include an equal number of symbols
therein.
7. The game of claim 1, wherein said first set of symbols is a
first deck of playing cards, and wherein said second set of symbols
is a second deck of playing cards.
8. The game of claim 1, further including an air-driven jumbled
ball device, wherein said bonus symbol is distributed via said
device.
9. The game of claim 8, wherein said device includes a plurality of
balls, with each of said balls representing one of said second set
of symbols.
10. A method of playing a wagering game using a group of symbols,
with each symbol of said group of symbols having a rank associated
therewith, said method comprising: distributing a player hand to
said player, said player hand including at least four symbols
selected from said group of symbols; distributing a bonus symbol to
said player if said player hand includes four symbols having the
same rank; and awarding a bonus award to said player if the rank of
said bonus symbol matches the rank of said four symbols having the
same rank.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein each symbol further includes an
additional indicator and wherein said player hand includes a first
player symbol, with said bonus award being an enhanced bonus award
when said bonus symbol matches both the rank and the additional
indicator of said first player symbol.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein the additional indicator is one
of clubs, diamonds, hearts and spades.
13. The method of claim 11, wherein said enhanced bonus award is a
progressive bonus.
14. The method of claim 11, wherein said first player symbol is the
leftmost symbol of said player hand when said player hand is
arranged horizontally.
15. The method of claim 10, wherein said bonus symbol is
distributed via an air-driven jumbled ball device.
16. The method of claim 10, wherein said symbols are playing
cards.
17. A game for play by a player using a standard deck of cards such
that each of said cards has a rank and a suit associated therewith,
said game comprising: a player hand selected from said deck of
cards, said player hand including at least four cards; an
air-driven jumbled ball device including fifty-two balls, wherein
each of said balls represents one card of a second standard deck of
cards such that each of said balls has a rank and a suit associated
therewith, said device being activated to distribute a bonus ball
from among said balls when said player hand includes four cards
having the same rank; and a bonus award awarded to said player if
the rank of said bonus ball matches the rank of said four cards
having the same rank.
18. The game of claim 17, wherein said player hand includes a first
player card, and wherein said bonus award is an enhanced bonus
award when both the rank and the suit of said bonus ball match the
rank and the suit of said first player card.
19. The game of claim 17, wherein said game is played using at
least partially tangibly.
20. The game of claim 17, wherein said game is played at least
partially electronically, such that at least one of said cards and
said balls are electronic depictions.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to games of chance, and more
specifically to a card game played with cards having a plurality of
ranks, wherein a player is awarded a bonus card for any
four-of-a-kind and awarded a bonus if the rank of the bonus card
matches the rank of the four-of-the-kind.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Video poker games have become exceedingly popular. In a
typical video poker game, a player is dealt a certain number of
cards, usually five, and has a one-time option to replace between
none and all of the cards. The player is awarded a payout based on
various paytables for achieving a hand having a given poker rank.
Given the popularity of video poker, numerous variations to this
basic structure have arisen.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present invention provides a game for play by a player
using first and second sets of symbols, with each of said symbols
having a rank associated therewith. Preferably the first and second
sets of symbols have an equal number of symbols therein. For
example, the first set of symbols may be a standard deck of
fifty-two playing cards, with the second set of symbols being one
of a second standard deck of fifty-two playing cards, or fifty-two
balls, with each ball representing one card of a standard deck of
playing cards. The game includes a wager placed by the player and a
player hand selected from among the first set of symbols. The
player hand includes at least four symbols. The game further
includes a bonus symbol selected from among the second set of
symbols when the player hand includes four symbols having the same
rank. The game also includes a bonus award awarded to the player if
the rank of the bonus symbol matches the rank of the four symbols
having the same rank.
[0004] In one aspect of the game, each symbol further includes an
additional indicator, while the player hand includes a first player
symbol. In this aspect of the present invention, the bonus award
may be an enhanced bonus, such as a progressive bonus, if both the
rank and the additional indicator of the bonus symbol match the
rank and the additional indicator of the first player symbol. The
additional indicator may be one of clubs, diamonds, hearts and
spades. The first player symbol may be the leftmost symbol of the
player hand when the player hand is arranged horizontally.
[0005] The game may further include an air-driven jumbled ball
device, with the bonus symbol being distributed via the device. The
device may include a plurality of balls, with each of the balls
depicting one of the second set of symbols. The game may be played
using tangible representations of the first and second sets of
symbols, or the game may be played at least partially
electronically.
[0006] The present invention further provides a method of playing a
wagering game using a group of symbols. Each symbol of the group of
symbols has a rank associated therewith. A player wagers a wager
prior to receiving a player hand. The player hand includes at least
four of the symbols selected from the group of symbols. If the
player hand includes four symbols having the same rank, a bonus
symbol is then distributed to the player. If the rank of the bonus
symbol matches the rank of the four symbols having the same rank in
the player hand, a bonus award is awarded.
[0007] In one aspect of the method, each symbol further includes an
additional indicator, while the player hand includes a first player
symbol. In this aspect of the invention, the bonus award is an
enhanced bonus award when the bonus symbol matches both the rank
and the additional indicator of the first player symbol. The
symbols may be playing cards, with the additional indicator being
one of clubs, diamonds, hearts and spades. The enhanced bonus award
may be a progressive bonus. The first player symbol may be any of
the symbols in the player hand, but may be the leftmost symbol of
the player hand when the player hand is arranged horizontally. The
bonus symbol may be distributed via an air-driven jumbled ball
device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0008] The above features and advantages and other features and
advantages of the present invention are readily apparent from the
following detailed description of the best modes for carrying out
the invention when taken in connection with the accompanying
drawing, wherein:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a schematic of a game table incorporating a game
according to the present invention;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a schematic of the preferred embodiment of the
game according to the present invention; and
[0011] FIG. 3 is a flowchart presenting a method of playing a game
according to the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0012] Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 presents a schematic of a
game table 10 incorporating a game according to the present
invention. The game is played using a first and second sets of
symbols 12, 14, with each of the symbols having a rank associated
therewith. The first and second sets of symbols 12, 14 depicted in
FIG. 1 are both standard decks of fifty-two cards, with the rank
associated with each card being the poker rank traditionally
associated therewith; i.e., "queen" or "six". However, it should be
appreciated that the sets of symbols 12, 14 may be other symbolic
representations without changing the inventive concept. Preferably,
the sets of symbols 12, 14 include an equal number of symbols. A
player 16 receives a player hand 18 selected, preferably randomly,
from among the first set of symbols 12, with the player hand 18
including at least four symbols. As the game contemplated by the
present invention is intended for use within casinos and other
for-profit game operators, it is anticipated that the player 16
will be required to place a wager prior to receiving the player
hand 18. However, there need be no wager to practice the present
invention. As with traditional video poker games, the player hand
18 preferably includes five cards. However, the player hand 18 need
only include four cards, or four symbols of any kind, to practice
the present invention. If the player hand 18 includes four symbols
having the same rank, i.e., if the player hand 18 includes a
four-of-a-kind, a bonus symbol 20 is selected from among the second
set of symbols 14. A bonus award is awarded to the player 16 if the
rank of the bonus symbol 20 matches the rank of the four-of-a-kind
in the player hand 18.
[0013] In one embodiment of the present invention, the player hand
18 includes a first player symbol 22. The first player symbol 22
may be the leftmost card when the player hand is arranged
horizontally, as shown in FIG. 1, or may be any other symbol from
the player hand 18. Additionally, each symbol may further include
an additional indicator other than the rank. When cards are used as
symbols, the additional indicator is the suit; i.e., clubs,
diamonds, hearts or spades. However, any additional indicator may
be used within the scope of the present invention, such as
different colors or different pictures. In this embodiment, the
bonus award is an enhanced bonus award when both the rank and the
additional indicator of the bonus symbol 20 match the rank and the
additional indicator of the first player symbol 22. The enhanced
bonus award may be a progressive-type bonus, with a plurality of
games according to the present invention cross-linked in some
manner. A common jackpot would thus be established, with the player
16 being awarded the jackpot as the enhanced bonus when the rank
and the additional indicator of the bonus symbol 20 match the rank
and the additional indicator of the first player symbol 22.
[0014] To illustrate the present invention as described herein,
consider a game using a first standard deck of cards as the first
set of symbols 12, and a second standard deck of cards as the
second set of symbols 14. The player 16 is dealt a player hand 18
from the first deck 12. Assume the player hand 18 includes four
jacks, dealt in the following order: the jack of clubs, the jack of
diamonds, the jack of hearts and the jack of spades, such that the
first player card 22 is the jack of clubs. Since the player hand 18
includes four cards having the same rank, i.e., "jack", a bonus
card 20 is distributed from the second deck 14. If the bonus card
20 is any jack, the bonus award is awarded since the rank of the
bonus card 20 matches the rank of the four-of-a-kind in the player
hand 18. If the bonus card 20 is the jack of spades, the enhanced
bonus award is awarded, since both the rank and the additional
indicator, i.e., "clubs", of the bonus card 20 match the rank and
the additional indicator of the first player card 22.
[0015] Turning now to FIG. 2, a schematic of a machine used to play
a second embodiment of the present invention is shown generally at
24. In this embodiment, the first set of symbols is a standard deck
of fifty-two cards (not shown) which are electronically generated,
while the second set of symbols is fifty-two balls 14' which are
physically contained within the machine 24. Each of the balls 14'
represents one card of a standard deck of cards such that each of
the balls 14' has a rank and a suit associated therewith. The rank
and suit of each ball may be displayed directly on the ball itself,
i.e., "jack, clubs", or the balls may be numbered from one through
fifty-two, with each number corresponding to a different card from
a standard deck of cards. In this embodiment, a player hand 18'
including five cards is shown, with the player hand 18' being
selected from the first set of symbols electronically by a
controller within the machine 24. The player hand 18' includes all
four threes from the deck of cards as well as the Ace of clubs. The
first three, the three of hearts, is shown as a first player card
22'. Since the player hand 18' includes a four-of-a-kind, namely
four threes, a player (not shown) will receive a bonus symbol 20'.
In this embodiment, the machine 24 includes an air-driven jumbled
ball device 26. The device 26 contains the balls 14'. When
activated, i.e., when a player hits a four-of-a-kind, the device 26
mixes the balls 14' for randomization, eventually selecting one of
the balls 14' as a bonus ball 20'. The device 26 preferably forces
the bonus ball 20' through a slot 28 where it may be viewed by the
player. As with the previous embodiment, if the rank of the bonus
ball 20' matches the rank of the four-of-a-kind in the player hand
18', i.e., if the bonus ball 20' represents a "three", the player
will be awarded a bonus award. If the suit of the bonus ball 20'
matches the suit of the first player card 22', i.e., if the bonus
ball 20' represents the three of hearts, the player will be awarded
an enhanced bonus award, which may be a progressive jackpot. It
should be noted that the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 uses tangible
cards for both sets of symbols 12, 14, while the embodiment shown
in FIG. 2 uses a video display to show the first set of symbols and
tangible balls for the second set of symbols 14'. It should thus be
appreciated that the game may be played wholly using tangible
objects, wholly electronically, or partially tangibly and partially
electronically within the scope of the present invention.
[0016] Since a standard deck of playing cards includes only four
cards of the same rank (e.g., four queens, four nines, etc.), it is
important that the second set of symbols be independent from the
first set of symbols when using a standard deck of cards as the
first set of symbols. Otherwise, a player would never be eligible
for the bonus award, since all cards of the same rank would be
utilized in making the four-of-a-kind, and thus would never arise
as the bonus symbol. However, it should be noted that the game
could be adjusted for play using first and second sets of symbols
that overlap in some manner. For instance, the first and second
sets of symbols could be grouped into one large set of symbols.
While it may be easier to hit a four-of-a-kind in this situation,
thereby triggering distribution of the bonus symbol, it may be more
difficult to match the rank and/or the additional indicator of the
four-of-a-kind and/or the first player symbol. In any event, the
preferred embodiment uses a first standard deck of cards, or
representations thereof, as the first set of symbols, and a second
standard deck of cards, or representations thereof, as the second
set of symbols.
[0017] Turning now to FIG. 3, the present invention further
includes a method of playing a game according to the present
invention. First, a player hand is distributed in box 100. The
player hand includes at least four symbols. Next, box 102 asks if
the player hand includes a four-of-a-kind, i.e, if the player hand
includes four symbols of matching rank. If the answer is no, box
104 requires that no bonus be awarded. If the answer is yes, a
bonus symbol is distributed in box 106. Next, box 108 asks if the
rank of the bonus symbol matches the rank of the four-of-a-kind. If
the answer is no, box 110 requires that no bonus be awarded. If the
answer is yes, the bonus award is awarded in box 112. Finally, the
method asks if the additional indicator of the bonus symbol matches
the additional indicator of the first player symbol in box 114. If
the answer is no, box 116 requires that no enhanced bonus award be
awarded, although the player has already received the bonus award
in box 112. If the answer is yes, the player is awarded the
enhanced bonus award in box 118.
[0018] It should be noted that while no bonus is awarded in the
method according to the present invention in a number of situation,
a player may still be eligible for a payout based on the rules of
the main poker game being played. For instance, if the player hand
includes three-of-a-kind, while no bonus will be awarded according
to the present invention, the player may still receive a payout for
having three-of-a-kind. It should also be noted that traditional
video poker-type games allow a player to substitute between one and
all of the cards initially dealt for new cards from the deck. That
is, the player hand may be adjusted following the initial dealing
thereof. The present invention is intended for use with such games,
with the ultimate player hand, following substitution, being the
player hand used to initiate distribution of the bonus symbol. It
matters only that a player ultimately have a four-of-a-kind to
practice the present invention.
[0019] While the best modes for carrying out the invention have
been described in detail, it is to be understood that the
terminology used is intended to be in the nature of words and
description rather than of limitation. Those familiar with the art
to which this invention relates will recognize that many
modifications of the present invention are possible in light of the
above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the
scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced in a
substantially equivalent way other than as specifically described
herein.
* * * * *