U.S. patent application number 11/594337 was filed with the patent office on 2008-05-08 for poker game incorporating "bad beat" feature.
This patent application is currently assigned to Shuffle Master, Inc.. Invention is credited to Roger M. Snow, Mark L. Yoseloff.
Application Number | 20080108412 11/594337 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39360336 |
Filed Date | 2008-05-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080108412 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Snow; Roger M. ; et
al. |
May 8, 2008 |
Poker game incorporating "bad beat" feature
Abstract
A variant game of Texas Hold' Em poker allows for players to be
rewarded for high ranking hands, even when the dealer has a premium
hand. The method comprises: a player placing an ante wager that the
player hand will beat the dealer hand, and a blind wager. The
players and dealer receive hole cards and community cards are
dealt. Players are provided with multiple opportunities to check or
make play wagers. With full knowledge of the player hand, the
player can either make a final Ante or fold. Folding is only
permitted if the player did not previously place a play wager. The
dealer reviews his cards and the hands are resolved. The dealer
must qualify, otherwise the Ante is a push. Even if the dealer does
not qualify, if the player hand beats the dealer hand, the player
wins on all play wagers. The player wins the blind wager if he
beats the dealer hand and his hand is at least a certain
predetermined rank. Players with certain high ranking hands win a
"bad beat" payoff when the dealer hand beats the player hand.
Inventors: |
Snow; Roger M.; (Las Vegas,
NV) ; Yoseloff; Mark L.; (Henderson, NV) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Mark A. Litman & Associates, P.A.
York Business Center, Suite 205, 3209 West 76th Street
Edina
MN
55435
US
|
Assignee: |
Shuffle Master, Inc.
|
Family ID: |
39360336 |
Appl. No.: |
11/594337 |
Filed: |
November 8, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/20 ; 273/292;
463/13 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F 1/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/20 ; 273/292;
463/13 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24; A63F 1/00 20060101 A63F001/00 |
Claims
1. A method of playing a wagering game, comprising: a player
placing an ante wager that the player hand will beat the dealer
hand;the player also placing a blind wager; dealing at least one
card to each player and to the dealer; after viewing at least one
additional card, the player making a first play wager or checking,
but not folding; viewing at least a second additional card, the
player making a second play wager or checking, but not folding,
regardless of whether the player made the first play wager; viewing
a final hand, and placing a final play wager or folding; comparing
the final player hand to the final dealer hand; paying the player
on the ante wager when the final player hand outranks the final
dealer hand; paying the player on the blind wager when the player
hand outranks the player hand and when the player hand is at least
a predetermined minimum poker ranking; and paying the player a "bad
beat" payout when the dealer hand outranks the player hand and the
player hand has at least a predetermined winning "bad beat"
ranking.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the ante and blind wagers are
equal.
3. The method of claim 1, further comprising: prior to the step of
dealing, the player optionally making a wager on the occurrence of
at least one predetermined winning hand.
4. The method of claim 1, and further comprising the dealer dealing
a plurality of common cards, face down.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein five common cards are dealt.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein the players and the dealer each
receive two cards, and the first play wager is made after the first
two player cards are viewed by the player.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein the dealer reveals the first
three common cards, and the player makes the second play wager
prior to the dealer revealing the first three common cards.
8. The method of claim 7, and further comprising the player making
an additional play wager after the three common cards are
revealed.
9. The method of claim 7, and further comprising the dealer
revealing at least one additional common card.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein the dealer hand and player hands
consists of five cards.
11. The method of claim 9, wherein five common cards are revealed,
and the player and dealer makes a best five card poker hand from
the two player or dealer cards and the five community cards.
12. The method of claim 1, wherein the player may fold only if the
player previously failed to make any play wagers.
13. The method of claim 1, wherein five card poker rankings are
used to compare player and dealer hands.
14. The method of claim 1, wherein the predetermined minimum poker
ranking is four-of-a-kind.
15. The method of claim 1, wherein the player wins a "bad beat"
payoff when the player hand ranking is at least a
four-of-a-kind.
16. A method of administering a wagering game, comprising: a
plurality of players each placing at least a mandatory ante wager
and a mandatory blind wager to participate in the wagering game; a
dealer dealing at least one hole card to each player and at least
one hole card to the dealer, each at least one card forming a
partial hand, and also dealing a plurality of community cards;
wherein after each player views the at least one hole card, each
player either checks or makes a first play wager, at the option of
the player; the dealer revealing a portion of the community cards;
wherein after each player views the revealed portion of the
community cards, each player either checks or makes a second play
wager, at the option of the player; the dealer revealing the
remainder of the community cards; wherein after each player views
all of the revealed community cards, each player either checks,
folds or makes a final play wager, at the option of the player;
revealing all dealer hole cards; comparing each player hand to the
dealer hand; paying the players on the ante and all play wagers
when the player hand outranks the dealer hand according to
predetermined poker rankings; paying the players on the blind bet
when the player hand outranks the dealer hand and the player hand
is at least a first minimum qualifying rank; and paying the players
whose hands do not outrank the dealer hand, but are at least a
second minimum qualifying "bad beat" ranking.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein the second qualifying "bad
beat" ranking is at least a four-of-a-kind.
18. The method of claim 16, wherein the first minimum qualifying
rank for the blind bet is a straight or better.
19. The method of claim 17, wherein the pay table for the "bad
beat" is: TABLE-US-00008 Hand Odds Royal Flush N/A Straight Flush
500:1 Four-of-a-kind 50:1
20. The method of claim 18, wherein the pay table for the blind bet
is: TABLE-US-00009 Hand Odds Royal Flush 500:1 Straight Flush 50:1
Four-of-a-kind 10:1 Full House 3:1 Flush 3:2 Straight 1:1
21. The method of claim 3, wherein the predetermined winning hands
and corresponding payout odds are: TABLE-US-00010 Hand Odds Royal
Flush 50:1 Straight Flush 40:1 Four-of-a-kind 30:1 Full house 9:1
Flush 7:1 Straight 4:1 Three-of-a-kind 3:1
22. An interactive video gaming platform for multiple players,
comprising: multiple player stations, each having a player-only
video display area that displays game play including cards and
wagers, and having controls and platform programmable to execute a
game; a common video display area displaying a video representation
of a dealer; wherein the game rules include the steps of: each
player placing a mandatory ante wager and blind wager required to
participate in the game; each player and the dealer receiving at
least one hole card; after viewing their hole card(s), each player
having an option to place a first play wager; revealing a portion
of the community cards; after viewing their hole card(s) in
combination with the revealed community cards, each player having
an option to place a second play wager; revealing a remainder of
the community cards; after viewing their hole card(s) in
combination with the revealed community cards, each player having
an option to fold or place a final play wager; turning over all
cards and reconciling the players' hands with the dealer's hand;
paying the players whose hands outrank the dealer hand according to
predetermined betting criteria; and paying the players whose hands
do not outrank the dealer hand but do meet or exceed a
predetermined "bad beat" criteria.
23. The video gaming platform of claim 22, wherein a total of two
player and dealer cards are dealt and a total of five community
cards are dealt.
24. The video gaming platform of claim 22, wherein a player may
only fold if the player has checked on all opportunities to make a
play wager.
25. The video gaming platform of claim 22, wherein players have an
opportunity to place an optional side bet on the occurrence of
predetermined outcomes based on a player's final hand.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to wagering games, casino
table wagering games, casino table playing card wagering games, and
variants of casino table wagering games that use poker rankings in
determining outcomes.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Many different wagering games presently exist for use in
both home and casino environments. Such games should necessarily be
exciting, not excessively complicated, and relatively easy to learn
so as to avoid frustrating the players. Poker games in particular
have gained widespread popularity because of their well-known rules
and long-established ranking of hands.
[0003] Furthermore, the games usually involve numerous wagering
opportunities for the players, thus increasing player participation
and excitement. Lastly, the games move fairly quickly, which
enhances player interest. All of these factors have created games
that are widely accepted and widely known. Consequently, further
variations of wagering games are desired.
[0004] Poker games in general reward players for poker hands that
beat the dealer's hand. However, accumulating even a great poker
hand is still no guarantee that a player will be rewarded. In fact,
there is a term for when a player with an outstanding hand is
beaten by the dealer. That term is "bad beat".
[0005] An example of a "bad beat" would be if a player has a
straight flush and the dealer has a royal flush. Under most
circumstances, a straight flush is a great hand, unusual and
requiring skill and luck to assemble, thus a player should be
rewarded accordingly. Unfortunately, a royal flush is even better.
With most poker formats, if a player's hand has been beaten by the
dealer's hand, a player's straight flush will not entitle the
player to a payout. Therefore it is desirable to create a poker
format that rewards players that otherwise play well, but still
fall victim to a "bad beat" scenario.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention is a method of playing a wagering
game. The game comprises in its broadest sense, the following
rules. A player places an Ante wager that the player hand will beat
the dealer hand. The player must also place a Blind wager to
participate in the game. The dealer then proceeds to deal at least
one card to each player and at least one card to the dealer. After
the player views his or her at least one card, the player is given
the opportunity to make a first Play wager. The player may also
check, but cannot fold. At least one additional card is revealed to
the player. After viewing this at least one card, the player is
given an opportunity to make a second Play wager, or check. Once
again, the player cannot fold. After all of the player cards are
revealed, the player has a final opportunity to make a play wager,
check or fold. Folding is only permitted if the player checked on
all previous wagering opportunities. The dealer then reviews his
cards, and the hands are resolved. If the dealer fails to have a
qualifying hand, the Ante wager is returned to the player. All Play
wagers and the Blind wager remain in play. The player hand must
beat the dealer hand to win the play wagers and the blind wager.
Additionally, in order to win the Blind wager, the player must hold
a predetermined winning hand. If the dealer hand beats the player
hand, the Ante, Blind and Play wagers lose. If the player holds a
predetermined high ranking hand, but the dealer holds a premium
hand of higher rank, the player is entitled to a "bad beat"
payout.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of
the gaming system of the present invention;
[0008] FIG. 2 is an exemplary layout used within the embodiment of
FIG. 1;
[0009] FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the sequencing of the wagering that
occurs within the present invention;
[0010] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the reconciliation process used
within the present invention;
[0011] FIG. 5 is an overhead view of an electronic embodiment of
the gaming system of FIGS. 1-4;
[0012] FIG. 6 is a side view of the automated gaming system of FIG.
5;
[0013] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIGS. 5
and 6; and
[0014] FIGS. 8-10 are schematic details of various portions of
electronic implementations of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0015] Before explaining the disclosed embodiment of the present
invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is
not limited in its application to the details of the particular
arrangement shown, since the invention is capable of other
embodiments. Also, the terminology used herein is for the purpose
of description and not of limitation.
[0016] The games of the present invention may be employed in a
number of different formats, such as live action casino table
gaming format with a live dealer and real playing cards and chips,
or with various automated formats with partial (e.g., wagers only)
or complete (wagers, cards, dealer, etc.) automation of the format.
Such formats include traditional video gaming apparatus and modern
multi-player platforms.
[0017] For example, 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
practice 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.
[0018] Although it is preferred that the dealer and players each
receive the same number of cards (i.e., 2 player/dealer cards each
and 5 community cards), the invention contemplates dealing unequal
numbers of cards to the dealer and players, and differing numbers
of cards to the dealer and player (i.e., 5 cards total, 4 cards
total, 3 dealer/player cards and 2, 3, or 4 community cards), which
will alter the house advantage. For example, giving the dealer
three cards instead of two cards and allowing the dealer to discard
one card would provide a greater advantage to the house.
[0019] The present invention does not pit the players against each
other. Instead, all play occurs against the dealer or the house.
The present game encourages players to wager larger amounts and/or
bet more aggressively early in the game.
[0020] To that end, the present invention gives players better odds
in the event they finish the round with a premium hand that is
still "beaten" by the dealer, i.e., "bad beat". Also, the game
offers players the chance to place wagers at various stages as the
five community cards are being revealed.
[0021] In its broadest sense, the present invention is a method of
playing a wagering game. The method comprises a number of steps,
including: a player placing an ante wager that the player hand will
beat the dealer hand and the player also placing a blind wager. The
dealer deals at least one card to each player and to the dealer.
After viewing at least one additional card, the player makes a
first play wager or checks, but cannot fold. The dealer reveals at
least one additional card, and after the player views this
additional card, the player makes a second play wager or checks,
but may not fold. The dealer reveals all cards, and the player has
a final opportunity to check, make an Ante wager or fold. Folding
is only permitted if the player only checked on all previous
betting rounds. The dealer hand is then compared to the player hand
and the wagers are resolved. Players are paid on the Ante wager
when the player hand outranks the dealer hand and the dealer hand
qualifies. Players are paid on the Play wagers when the player hand
outranks the dealer hand regardless of whether the dealer hand
qualifies. Blind wagers are paid to the player when the player hand
beats the dealer hand and the player hand meets or exceeds a
predetermined minimum hand ranking. When the player holds a
particularly high ranking hand, but the dealer holds a premium hand
that outranks the player hand, the player is entitled to a "bad
beat" payout.
[0022] In an example of the invention, the ante and blind wagers
are equal. In other examples, the two wagers may be unequal.
Optionally, the rules of the game may allow a separate side bet on
the occurrence of one or more predetermined winning hands. In one
example of the game, all 5-card poker rankings that are of a rank
of at least three of a kind or better pay an odds payout on this
bet. This bet may be referred to as a "trips side bet" when the
minimum rank of a winning hand is three of a kind. Although this
wager is offered as optional, house rules may require that the
wager be mandatory.
[0023] According to one form of the game, the players and dealer
receive one or more individual cards, referred to in "Hold 'Em"
games as "hole cards", and multiple community cards. In one form of
the invention, players and dealer receive 2 hole cards and five
community cards. The dealer and players make their best five card
hand from the seven available cards. In one embodiment, there are
no restrictions on the cards used to make the final hand. In other
embodiments, the use of the cards is restricted. For example,
players may be required to use all hole cards, or at least one hole
card. Other variations are contemplated.
[0024] The common cards are typically dealt face down. For example,
when five cards are dealt, all are dealt face down. The dealer then
reveals the community cards in a number of steps, preferably at
least two steps, to allow additional betting rounds to take
place.
[0025] When the number of hole cards is 2, the players are given
the opportunity to place a first Play wager, or check (meaning, not
wagering, but staying in the game), after viewing the cards. In
other embodiments, the number of hole cards is 1, 3, or 4, for
example.
[0026] After the hole cards are viewed by the player, and after the
first round of wagering, the dealer begins to reveal the community
cards. In one example of the invention, the first set of cards to
be revealed is called the "flop" and typically consists of three
cards. The flop in other examples of the invention includes 1, 2,
4, 5 or 6 cards. After the flop is revealed, the players are
permitted to make another Play wager, or check, but not fold.
[0027] Additional cards are revealed, either as a group, or
individually until all of the cards that can be used to form the
player hand are eventually revealed to the player. With full
knowledge of the player hand composition, the player is required to
fold, check or make one last Play wager. In an example, the dealer
reveals a fourth card, called the "fourth street" card, and then
the players can either make a Play wager or check. The fifth and
final community card is then revealed. The last two community cards
may be revealed in individual steps with associated betting rounds,
or as a group.
[0028] In one example of the invention, the rules only allow the
player to fold after the last card is revealed when the player only
checked in all previous betting rounds. This rule helps the house
to maintain its advantage in the game.
[0029] When the total number of cards available to the player is
seven, it is preferred that the player make a best five card poker
hand from the seven cards. When the game is a seven card game, a
preferred number of hole cards is twoand a preferred number of
community cards is five.
[0030] The rules of a preferred game of the present invention
utilize five card poker rankings as the criteria for resolving
player hands. When the game utilizes a different number of cards,
it is well known in the art that the relative ranking of certain
hands changes because the frequency of occurrence of those hands
change.
[0031] One important feature of the present invention is that "bad
beat" hands are rewarded. For example, if the player holds a four
of a kind or better, in one example of the invention, the player
wins an odds payout, even when the dealer holds a higher ranking
hand. For example, the dealer may hold a Royal Flush against the
player's Straight Flush. The player receives 500:1 on the Straight
Flush, because the game provides "bad beat" payouts. Interestingly,
in one example of the invention, this is the top odds payout in the
game.
[0032] The present invention is also a method of administering a
wagering game, comprising the following steps. A plurality of
players each place at least a mandatory ante wager and a mandatory
blind wager to participate in the wagering game. The dealer deals
at least one hole card to each player and at least one hole card to
the dealer, each at least one card forming a partial hand, and also
dealing a plurality of community cards, face down. After each
player views the at least one (player) hole card, each player
either checks or makes a first play wager, at the option of the
player. The dealer then reveals a portion of the community cards.
After each player views the revealed portion of the community
cards, each player either checks or makes a second play wager, at
the option of the player. The dealer reveals the remainder of the
community cards. After each player views all of the revealed
community cards, each player either checks, folds or makes a final
play wager, at the option of the player. The dealer reveals his
hole cards. The dealer hand is compared to each player hand.
Players are paid on the Ante when the dealer hand qualifies (i.e.,
with a pair or better, or with another predetermined hand),
otherwise the Ante bet is a push. All players are paid on all Play
wagers when the player hand out-ranks the dealer hand according to
predetermined poker rankings. Players are paid on the blind bet
when the player hand outranks the dealer hand and the player hand
is at least a first minimum qualifying rank. Preferably, the Ante
and Blind wagers are equal, and all play bets are 1.times. the
Ante. In other forms of the invention, the Play bets may be
unrelated to-the amount of the Ante or multiples of the Ante.
According to the invention, the method also includes paying the
players for hands that do not out-rank the dealer hand, but are at
least a second minimum qualifying "bad beat" ranking.
[0033] According to one aspect of the invention, and when the game
is based on 5-card poker rankings, the second minimum qualifying
"bad beat" ranking is at least a four-of-a-kind. Further, the
minimum qualifying rank for winning the blind bet in a 5-card game
is a straight or better.
[0034] When the game is based on 5-card poker rankings, a suitable
"bad beat" pay table is as follows:
TABLE-US-00001 Hand Odds Royal Flush N/A Straight Flush 500:1
Four-of-a-kind 50:1
[0035] An exemplary pay table for the blind bet in a 5-card game
is:
TABLE-US-00002 Hand Odds Royal Flush 500:1 Straight Flush 50:1
Four-of-a-kind 10:1 Full House 3:1 Flush 3:2 Straight 1:1
It is well within the skill of persons in the art to add or remove
winning hands and to modify the payout odds in order to alter the
house edge.
[0036] Although one form of the present invention is a live casino
card game, the game may be executed on an automated interactive
multiple player game platform, or on a single player video gaming
machine. When the gaming machine is of the multiple player type,
the invention includes multiple player stations, each having a
player-only video display area that displays game play including
cards and wagers, and having controls and platform programmable to
execute a game. The platform may have a common video display area
displaying a video representation of a dealer. The rules of the
game may include: each player placing a mandatory ante wager and
blind wager required to participate in the game; each player and
the dealer receiving at least one hole card; after viewing their
hole card(s), each player having an option to place a first play
wager; revealing a portion of the community cards; after viewing
their hole card(s) in combination with the revealed community
cards, each player having an option to place a second play wager;
revealing a remainder of the community cards; after viewing their
hole card(s) in combination with the revealed community cards, each
player having an option to fold or place a final play wager;
turning over all cards and reconciling the players' hands with the
dealer's hand; paying the players whose hands out-rank the dealer
hand according to predetermined betting criteria; and paying the
players whose hands do not out-rank the dealer hand but do meet or
exceed a predetermined "bad beat" criteria.
[0037] The video gaming platform of the present invention may
display a total of two player and dealer hole cards, and a total of
5 community cards. Prior to the last community card being revealed,
according to one example of the invention, the player may only fold
if the player has checked on all opportunities to make a play
wager. In one example of the invention, each player has an
opportunity to place an optional side bet on the occurrence of
predetermined outcomes based on a player's final hand.
Example "Bad Beat" Texas Hold 'Em
[0038] An embodiment of the present invention is directed to a
specific poker game known as "bad beat" Texas Hold'Em.TM.. The
objective of the "bad beat" Texas Hold'Em game of the present
invention is to a) beat the dealer hand, b) win an odds payout
against a pay table, or c) develop a high ranking "bad beat" poker
hand, even if the dealer's hand ranking is higher.
[0039] FIG. 1 shows a sample of a felt table layout 110, with a
number of betting circles located at each wagering position 210.
The layout has a dealer hole card area 112, a common card area 114,
and includes the dealer qualification rule 116 printed on the
layout. In this example of the invention, the dealer qualifies to
play if he holds a pair or better. FIG. 2 shows more detail of each
wagering position 210.
[0040] The exemplary game is illustrated in the form of a flow
chart as shown in FIG. 3. To start, each player places two
mandatory wagers 304 of equal value on the Ante wager 212 and the
Blind wager 214 areas. Both wagers qualify as "blind" wagers, which
is a term in the art meaning that the wagers are placed on the
betting circles prior to the disclosure of any card
information.
[0041] Optionally, players place a Trips wager 308 on area 216. The
Trips wager must beat the dealer hand, and be of a predetermined
minimum ranking to win. The minimum winning hand in this example of
the invention is three of a kind.
[0042] In this example of the game 100 of the present invention,
the dealer gives each player two hole cards, face down 312. The
dealer also receives two hole cards (face down) 312. These dealer
hole cards may be dealt at the same approximate time as the player
hands, but may also be dealt nearer the end of the game when all
wagers have been placed and the player has seen all other available
cards.
[0043] After the players have placed their Ante, Blind, and
optional Trips wagers, and the hole cards are dispensed, the dealer
dispenses five community cards, face down, adjacent to one another,
and positioned between the players and the dealer. After the player
views his or her hole cards, players can make a pre-flop wager 316,
or check. The player cannot fold. Next, the dealer reveals three of
the community cards, or the "flop". After the player has knowledge
of his hole cards and the flop, the player is given the opportunity
to make a flop wager 324, or check. The player may not fold.
[0044] The dealer then reveals the 4.sup.th Street and River cards
328, and the player then with full knowledge of his or her hand,
has the opportunity to fold, check or make an additional Play
(river) wager 336. If the player made any earlier play wagers, he
is not eligible to fold. If the player did make an earlier Play
wager, he may check or make a Play wager. In this embodiment, all
Play wagers are equal to the Ante.
[0045] The dealer then turns over his hole cards 340 and the hands
are compared. In order for the player to win the Ante wager, the
dealer must qualify 352 with a pair or better. If the dealer does
not qualify, the Ante pushes 356 and is returned to the player.
[0046] Regardless of whether the dealer qualifies, the Trips, Blind
and Play bets remain in play. The hands are then reconciled
400.
[0047] Referring to FIG. 4, the dealer next arranges the player and
dealer hands into best five out of seven card hands 404. If the
player hand beats the dealer hand 408 and the dealer qualifies, the
player wins even money on the Ante, and all Play bets. If the
dealer hand beats the player hand, the Ante and all Play bets lose
416. The player wins the Blind bet when he beats the dealer hand
and has a predetermined winning hand ranking of at least a
straight. The player wins the Trips 424 bet with a three of a kind
or better.
[0048] If the dealer hand beats the player hand, all bets except
for the Trips bet are lost to the house. If the player obtains a
high ranking "bad beat" hand of 4 of a kind or better 420, but
loses to the dealer, he still wins a payout 428.
[0049] An exemplary pay table for this example of the game is as
follows:
TABLE-US-00003 Blind Payouts Hand Odds "Bad Beat" Royal Flush 500:1
N/A Straight Flush 50:1 500:1 4-of-a-Kind 10:1 50:1 Full House 3:1
Flush 3:2 Straight 1:1 Trips Payouts Hand Odds Royal Flush 50:1
Straight Flush 40:1 4-of-a-Kind 30:1 Full House 9:1 Flush 7:1
Straight 4:1 3-of-a-Kind 3:1
[0050] In this example of the invention, at least the following
features are included: [0051] players are given several
opportunities to place wagers or check after card information has
been disclosed; [0052] players are rewarded for placing wagers
early in the game, and therefore are motivated to wager more
aggressively; and [0053] players are rewarded with the same top
payout, if they hold a strong hand, yet are beat by a dealer
holding a premium hand.
[0054] The rules of the game could also allow for play wagers
either all at the same 1.times. Ante amounts, or perhaps allow
subsequent wagers but only at fractions of the Ante. It is an
important feature of the game to not shift odds too much in favor
of a player clearly working toward a superior poker hand. This
coincides with the earlier-stated feature of rewarding players who
wager early, such as for example prior to the community cards being
revealed.
[0055] FIG. 5 shows an overhead view of an automated gaming system
1 with the viewing screen 7 shown as a CRT monitor which can be
used to implement the present invention. It can also be seen that
each player position has to form an arc cut into the semicircular
player seating area 18. Meanwhile, FIG. 6 shows a side view of the
automated gaming system of FIG. 5, where the orientation of the
three different types of CRT monitors 7, 9 and 10 are shown.
[0056] As shown in FIG. 5, the gaming system 1 that can be used to
practice the method of the present invention comprises a table 1
and a dealer "virtual" video display system positioned for view by
players seated at the table. The table may seat one or more
players, up to the amount of player stations available proximate to
the dealer video display system. Typically, each gaming system will
have at least four player available positions, and typically five,
at the option of the customer. The player stations may be attached
to the common display 9 and upright display 707 (shown in FIG. 7)
or may be detached. 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 playing in sequence.
[0057] FIG. 7 shows an example of an automated table system 701
useful to practice the game play methods of the present invention.
The system 701 has an upright dealer display cabinet 702 with a top
704 and the dealer viewing screen 707, typically displaying a
virtual dealer 708 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 703 has a common display screen
709 on which images of cards 709a being dealt, dealer's cards, bets
wagered, and touch screen player input functions are displayed.
Other player input functions may be provided on a panel 706 which
might accept currency, coins, tokens, identification cards, player
tracking cards, ticket in/ticket out acceptance, and the like. The
player stations are equipped with touch screen displays 710 for
viewing cards and inputting information into the game.
[0058] FIG. 8 shows an electronic/processor schematic for a
MultiPlayer Platform (MPP) gaming system according to the present
invention. 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 802. 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 804. 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.
[0059] FIG. 9 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 904 at each player position
being in direct communication with the MPP Game Engine 906, 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.
[0060] The above-described architecture is 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 Intelligence boards 904. In this system, the
main game processor 906 would talk directly with the player
Intelligence boards 904, preferably in the same novel communication
format described below.
[0061] An alternative means of implementing the present invention
is shown in FIG. 10, where there is a dealer engine processor 1004
intermediate the main game PC 1002 and the Player intelligence
boards. 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. 10, the Game display processor 1002 is
preferably a Pentium.RTM. 4 PC and is separate from the main game
processor 1004. With the player intelligence 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 (i.e., 100 times or more) to gain the specific
information for each player input that may be made.
[0062] The Heber Board described herein is known for its
reliability and flexibility, especially for the Pluto 5 family of
gaming products. 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:
[0063] 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.
[0064] The HII/ccTalk 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.
[0065] A four channel relay board can allow 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.
[0066] 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.
[0067] One proposed hardware configuration of the present invention
implements a "satellite" intelligent processor at each player
position, as shown in FIG. 9. The player station satellite
processor 904 is substantially the same as the primary game engine
processor. The satellite processors receive instruction from the
primary game engine 906 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.
[0068] 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.
[0069] 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 communication method frees up resources in the
same engine processor because the processor no longer needs to poll
the satellites continuously or periodically.
[0070] 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.
Format of Command Packet
TABLE-US-00004 [0071] STX SEQ DATA LENGTH DATA CRC-16 ETX 1 1 3
3-999 5 1
Format of Response Packet
TABLE-US-00005 [0072] STX SEQ DSP PRV ETX 1 1 1 1 1
Format of Synchronization Response Packet
TABLE-US-00006 [0073] STX MTS MRS ETX 1 1 1 1
Legend For Figures
TABLE-US-00007 [0074] 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
[0075] 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 another acknowledgement in the next communication. This
second acknowledgement is the `PRV` data in the response
packet.
[0076] The communications between the Game Engine and the Player
Station intelligence is preferably a transaction-based protocol.
Either device can start a transaction. 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.
[0077] 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 any of a non-limiting
example: [0078] <STX><Sequence number><Data
Length><Data><CRC-16><ETX>
[0079] The data format with in the command packet may be: [0080]
<Address><Command><Field 1>|<Field
2>|<Field n>|
[0081] The response packet format may be: [0082]
<STX><Sequence number><Disposition><Previous
ACK><ETX>
[0083] The sync request packet format may be: [0084]
<SYN>
[0085] The sync response packet format may be: [0086]
<STX><Mains Current Transmission Sequence><Mains
Current Receive Sequence><ETX>
[0087] 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.
[0088] 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 (0.times.16) 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.
[0089] 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. For
example, the main game engine may have rules and commands that will
enable play of high and low games of the present invention and
other card games. The system may be controlled so that different
games may be played at different times on command of the casino or
players.
[0090] Although the systems shown herein do not explicitly 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.
[0091] 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.
[0092] It is anticipated that various changes may be made in the
arrangement and operation of the system of the present invention
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as
defined by the following claims.
* * * * *