U.S. patent application number 11/715714 was filed with the patent office on 2008-09-11 for card game and method with available multi-wagering.
Invention is credited to Kymberly Church, Rosalba Colasante, Dawn Jones, Cynthia May, Maria Miliante, Jodi Somerstein, Barbara Williamson, Laurie Wilson.
Application Number | 20080217858 11/715714 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39740868 |
Filed Date | 2008-09-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080217858 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Somerstein; Jodi ; et
al. |
September 11, 2008 |
Card game and method with available multi-wagering
Abstract
Card game and method using a standard deck, and is played by a
dealer and at least one player. Each hand includes dealing
face-down three cards to the dealer, dealing face-down two cards to
each player, permitting each player to view only a first dealt
card, and requiring each player to make a decision about selection
of a playing card after viewing the first dealt card which could be
to stay with the first card which would thus constitute the
player's playing card or to pass the first card and view the second
card which would then constitute the player's playing card.
Thereafter, all of the dealer's cards are uncovered and one of the
dealer's cards is selected as the dealer's playing card, the
assigned card being the one having the best value to achieve an
objective of the game and method. Each player's playing card is
revealed and compared to the dealer's playing card. A winner of the
hand is determined based on the comparison.
Inventors: |
Somerstein; Jodi;
(Plainview, NY) ; Miliante; Maria; (Ozone Park,
NY) ; Williamson; Barbara; (Lynbrook, NY) ;
Church; Kymberly; (Lynbrook, NY) ; Colasante;
Rosalba; (Brewster, NY) ; Wilson; Laurie;
(Floral Park, NY) ; May; Cynthia; (Sayreville,
NJ) ; Jones; Dawn; (Parlin, NJ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BRIAN ROFFE, ESQ
11 SUNRISE PLAZA, SUITE 303
VALLEY STREAM
NY
11580-6111
US
|
Family ID: |
39740868 |
Appl. No.: |
11/715714 |
Filed: |
March 8, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
273/303 ;
273/292 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F 1/00 20130101; A63F
3/00157 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
273/303 ;
273/292 |
International
Class: |
A63F 1/00 20060101
A63F001/00 |
Claims
1. A card game and method using a plurality of cards having
different values on a face thereof and for at least a first person
designated a dealer and at least one additional person designated a
player, the card game and method including at least one hand or
round and each hand or round comprising: dealing face-down at least
two cards to the dealer; dealing face-down at least two cards to
each player; permitting each player to view only a first one of the
dealt cards; permitting each player to stay with the viewed first
card which would constitute the player's playing card or
alternatively, pass the first card and view the second dealt card
which would then constitute the player's playing card; uncovering
all of the dealer's dealt card; assigning one of the dealer's dealt
cards as the dealer's playing card, the assigned card being the one
having the best value to achieve an objective of the game and
method; revealing each player's playing card; and comparing each
player's playing card to the dealer's playing card and determining
a winner of the game based on the comparison.
2. The card game and method of claim 1, further comprising using a
single deck of standard playing cards as the plurality of
cards.
3. The card game and method of claim 1, further comprising: using a
plurality of decks of standard playing cards; and alternating use
of the decks for each sequential hand or round.
4. The card game and method of claim 1, further comprising allowing
each player to place a wager on the comparison of the player's
playing card to the dealer's playing card prior to viewing the
dealer's playing card.
5. The card game and method of claim 1, further comprising allowing
each player to place a wager on the comparison of the player's
playing card to the dealer's playing card prior to viewing the
player's first dealt card.
6. The card game and method of claim 1, further comprising:
allowing each player to place a wager on the presence of an Ace as
the player's playing card; and providing a payout on this wager
only when the player's playing card is an Ace such that when the
player's playing card is not an Ace, the player loses this
wager.
7. The card game and method of claim 6, further comprising varying
the payout of the wager based on the presence of an Ace as the
player's playing card dependent on whether the dealer's playing
card is also an Ace.
8. The card game and method of claim 7, wherein the step of varying
the payout of the wager comprises increasing the payout.
9. The card game and method of claim 1, further comprising placing
the viewed first card in a designated spot when each player stays
with the viewed first card or placing the second dealt card in the
same designated spot when the player elects to pass the first dealt
card such that the player's playing card is in the designated
spot.
10. The card game and method of claim 9, further comprising
removing the second dealt card of each player when the player stays
with the first dealt card and removing the first dealt card of each
player when the player passes the first dealt card.
11. The card game and method of claim 1, wherein the step of
dealing at least two cards to the dealer comprises dealing only
three cards to the dealer.
12. The card game and method of claim 1, wherein the step of
dealing at least two cards to the player comprises dealing only two
cards to the player.
13. The card game and method of claim 1, wherein the comparison of
each player's playing card to the dealer's playing card comprises
determining which playing card is the lowest, with an Ace being the
lowest value card, and the assigning of the dealer's playing card
entails selecting the card of the dealer's dealt cards having the
lowest value.
14. The card game and method of claim 13, further comprising:
allowing each player to place a wager on the comparison of the
player's playing card to the dealer's playing card prior to dealing
any cards; and providing a payout on each wager only when the
player's playing card is less than the dealer's playing card such
that when the player's playing card is higher than the dealer's
playing card, the player loses the wager.
15. The card game and method of claim 14, further comprising
returning the player's wager when the player's playing card is
equal to the dealer's playing card.
16. The card game and method of claim 13, further comprising:
allowing each player to place an additional wager on the presence
of an Ace as the player's playing card; and providing a payout on
this additional wager only when the player's playing card is an Ace
such that when the player's playing card is not an Ace, the player
loses this wager.
17. The card game and method of claim 16, further comprising
increasing the payout of the additional wager when the dealer's
playing card is also an Ace.
18. A table for playing the card game and method of claim 1, the
table including individual designated areas for the cards dealt to
the dealer and each player, for a card which the player stays with,
for a card which the player passes and for at least one wager.
19. The table of claim 18, further comprising indicia relating to
payouts on the at least one wager.
20. The table of claim 18, wherein a player's station is defined as
including designated areas for the at least two cards dealt to the
player, for the card which the player stays with, for a card which
a player passes and for at least one wager specific to the player,
the table including one station for each player.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to a game and method
involving cards and more specifically to a card game and method
involving a player's selection of a single playing card to be used
in a subsequent comparison to a playing card of a designated
dealer, with a payout arising from the player's wager and the
results of the comparison of the player's playing card to the
dealer's playing card.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] There are numerous card games and methods involving
selection of cards to be used in subsequent comparisons of values
of the cards held by different players and/or a designated dealer
with money being waged on whether the player has higher value
cards, or patterns of card associated with higher strength, than
other players and/or the dealer. Some such card games are played at
casino, as board games, and at Internet and interactive
websites.
[0003] A drawback of some of these card games and methods when
played at least at casino tables is the complexity of the rules. A
casino card game with a complex set of rules is not easy to learn
and dissuades people from approaching the table to learn and play
the game.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide a new
and improved card game and method which can be played at casinos,
and elsewhere, which is easy to learn and fun to play.
[0005] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
new and improved game and method requiring a player's selection of
a single playing card to be used in a subsequent comparison to a
playing card of a designated dealer, with a payout arising from the
player's wager and the results of the comparison of the player's
playing card to the dealer's playing card.
[0006] In order to achieve these objects and others, a first
embodiment of a card game and method in accordance with the
invention uses a plurality of cards having different values on a
face thereof, such as a standard 52 card deck, and is played by at
least a first person designated a dealer and at least one
additional person designated a player. The game can be played as a
single hand or round or as a series of hands or rounds, or
continuously (which might be appropriate in a casino setting). Each
hand or round including dealing face-down three cards to the
dealer, dealing face-down two cards to each player, permitting each
player to view only the designated first one of the dealt cards,
and requiring each player to make a decision about selection of a
playing card after viewing the first dealt card which could be to
stay with the viewed first card which would thus constitute the
player's playing card or alternatively, to pass the first card and
view the second dealt card which would then constitute the player's
playing card. Thereafter, all of the dealer's dealt cards are
uncovered and one of the dealer's dealt cards is assigned or
selected as the dealer's playing card, the assigned card being the
one having the best value to achieve an objective of the game and
method. Thus, if the objective is to have the lowest card, as in a
preferred embodiment, not only will the player's decision being
affected by the value of the first card dealt to the player but
also the dealer's playing card will be the card of the three dealt
to the dealer which has the lowest value. Thereafter, each player's
playing card is revealed and compared to the dealer's playing card.
A winner of the hand or round is determined based on the
comparison.
[0007] Thus, in the preferred embodiment wherein the objective is
to have the lowest card and each player places a bet or wager on
the hand or round, if the player's playing card is less than the
dealer's playing card, the player will win an amount based on their
wager, e.g., even money-return of the wager and an equal amount,
but if the player's playing card is higher than the dealer's
playing card, the player will lose the wager. The wager is placed
prior to dealing of any of the cards.
[0008] In one embodiment of a multi-hand or round game, to expedite
the hands or rounds, multiple decks are used. The decks are
alternated between being used to play a hand or round and being
shuffled, e.g., in an automatic shuffling device.
[0009] Additional and optional wagering can be provided in the game
and method in accordance with the invention, specifically, based on
the presence of an Ace as the player's playing card. In this
manner, placing this additional wager provides a payout to a player
only when the player's playing card is an Ace such that when the
player's playing card is not an Ace, the player loses this
additional wager (but may still win on the standard wager whose
winner is determined based on the comparison of playing cards).
Moreover, if the dealer's playing card is also an Ace, then the
payout of this additional wager can be increased.
[0010] Particular features of the card game and method include
placing the player's viewed first card in a designated spot when
the player stays with the viewed first card or placing the player's
second dealt card in the same designated spot when the player
elects to pass the first dealt card such that the player's playing
card (whether the first or second dealt card) is in the designated
spot. Advantageously, the second dealt card of the player is
removed when the player stays with the first dealt card and the
first dealt card of the player is removed when the player passes
the first dealt card. These steps avoid controversy for the
subsequent comparison.
[0011] Comparison of each player's playing card to the dealer's
playing card can be tailored to the game operator's desires. In one
preferred embodiment, the comparison involves determining which
playing card is the lowest, with an Ace being the lowest value
card, and the assigning of the dealer's playing card entails
selecting the card of the dealer's dealt cards having the lowest
value. As such, a payout on a wager is provided only when the
player's playing card is less than the dealer's playing card such
that when the player's playing card is higher than the dealer's
playing card, the player loses the wager. The player's wager is
returned when the player's playing card is equal to the dealer's
playing card. As discussed above, a payout can also be provided on
an additional wager based on the presence of an Ace as the player's
playing card such that when the player's playing card is not an
Ace, the player loses this additional wager. This additional payout
is optionally increased in a situation where the dealer's playing
card is also an Ace.
[0012] A table for playing the card game and method in any of its
variations described above includes individual designated areas for
the cards dealt to the dealer and each player, for a card which the
player stays with, for a card which the player passes and for one
or more wagers. Indicia relating to the payouts on the wager(s) are
also preferably provided on the table in a manner known to those
skilled in the art. For games with multiple players and a single
dealer, each player is provided with a player station, each station
includes designated areas for the two cards dealt to the player,
for the card which the player stays with, for a card which a player
passes and for the wager(s) specific to the player.
[0013] Other and further objects, advantages and features of the
present invention will be understood by reference to the following
specification in conjunction with the annexed drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] The invention, together with further objects and advantages
thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following
description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings
wherein like reference numerals identify like elements.
[0015] FIG. 1 is an overview of a player's station used when
playing the card game and method in accordance with the
invention.
[0016] FIG. 2 is an overview of a dealer's station used when
playing the card game and method in accordance with the
invention.
[0017] FIG. 3 is a overview of a table for use at, for example, a
casino, in order to play the card game and method in accordance
with the invention.
[0018] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a first embodiment of the card game
and method in accordance with the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0019] Referring to the accompanying drawings wherein like
reference numbers refer to the same or similar elements, one
embodiment of a game in accordance with the invention will be
described. This embodiment is not limiting and variations to the
game are possible and envisioned and thus within the scope of the
invention, Some variations are mentioned below.
[0020] This embodiment of the game in accordance with the invention
is played with a single, standard deck of 52 playing cards, from
Ace to King in four suits, and for the purposes of the game, the
Ace will be considered the lowest card in the deck. The game will
be described as a game between a dealer and a player, it being
understood that multiple players can play the game simultaneously
against a single dealer.
[0021] The game includes a substrate 10 having markings, each of
which is discussed below, which substrate 10 may be a table top as
shown in FIG. 3. With reference to FIG. 4, the initial step 40 in
the game is for the player to place a bet or wager in a designated
wager area 12, see the area marked "Bet-1 to 1-Bet" in FIG. 1. The
size of the wager the player is able to place is limited by any
rules of the game imposed by, for example, the dealer, the casino
in which the game is being played, and the individual controlling
the website at which the game is being played.
[0022] In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention,
each player is provided with an opportunity to place an additional
bet or wager which relates to the holding of an Ace as the player's
playing card. To this end, the substrate 10 includes an area 14
having the designation "Aces Pay Bonus Bet" or other language
indicative of the additional wager (see FIG. 1). This additional
Ace-based wager is optional. The odds for this optional bonus wager
can be marked on the substrate 10. Also, the permitted range of the
additional bonus wager, for example, $1-$100, can be marked on the
substrate 10, with other or alternative limitations based on for
example, the casino or table minimum, also being marked.
[0023] Once each player has placed their wager or wagers, the next
step 42 in the game is for the dealer to deal cards from the deck
face down to the player(s) and dealer, in any order, and
specifically two cards to the player and three cards to himself.
The wager or wagers cannot be changed once the cards are dealt. The
substrate 10 can include designated areas 16, 18 for each of the
dealt cards for the player (see FIG. 1) and each of the dealt cards
to the dealer 20, 22, 24 (see FIGS. 2 and 3). Area 16 preferably
has a designation "1.sup.st Dealt card" or other similar language
indicating that it is the location into which the first card dealt
to the player should be placed, to aid the player when playing the
game and area 18 preferably has a designation "2.sup.nd Card `Hole
Card`" or other similar language indicating that it is the location
into which the second card dealt to the player should be placed and
which also aid the player when playing the game. Areas 20, 22, 24
can simply be designated "Card 1", "Card 2" and "Card 3" as shown
alongside the phrase "Dealer plays best of three cards", or each of
areas 20, 22, 24 can included a similar notation indicative of the
presence of the three cards dealt to the dealer (see FIGS. 2 and
3).
[0024] Thereafter, the player looks at only a first one of their
dealt cards, i.e., the one in area 16, (step 44) and in step 46,
makes a decision to stay or pass. The viewed card is maintained
face down. The objective of a preferred embodiment of the game is
to have the lowest value card and this obviously affects a player's
decision to stay or pass. Thus, a player with a low value card such
a deuce will likely stay while a player with a high value card such
as a Queen will likely pass. If a player stays (step 48), then the
first card is moved from designated area 16 to a designated stay
area 26 (the area 26 possibly having a designation "Stay: Place
1.sup.st Dealt Card" to aid the player in playing of the game). If
the player views an Ace as their first dealt card, they should, if
not must, move it to the stay area 26 and keep it face down.
[0025] If the player passes (step 50), then the first card is moved
from designated area 16 to a designated pass area 28 (the area 28
possibly having a designation "Pass: Place 1.sup.st Dealt Card" to
aid the player in playing of the game).
[0026] As a result of the decision to stay or pass based on
reviewing the first dealt card, the player has designated a playing
card which is present in either the area 26 (if the player decided
to stay after viewing the first dealt card) or in area 28 (if the
player decided to pass after viewing the first dealt card). At this
time, the dealer can take from the player the card not being used
to play the hand, i.e., either the second dealt card if the player
decides to stay with the first card and has moved it to the stay
area 26 or the first dealt card if the player decides to pass on it
and has moved it to the pass area 28. In the latter case, the
dealer also places the second dealt card into the designated stay
area 26. The player can now look at the second dealt card, the
"hole card", which was moved from the area 18 to the designated
stay area 26.
[0027] The next step 52 in the game is for the dealer to determine
her playing card to be compared against the player's playing card.
To this end, the dealer uncovers all three of her cards, with the
lowest being the dealer's playing card (for the preferred
embodiment wherein the objective is to have the lowest value card).
At this juncture, it is noted that although in the preferred
embodiment of the invention, the objective of the game is to have
the lowest value playing card, with an Ace being the lowest, other
variations are envisioned and such variations may depend, for
example, on the composition of the deck of cards being used to play
the game.
[0028] The player's playing card is then uncovered (step 54) and
compared to the dealer's playing card (step 56). The comparison
involves a determination as to whether the dealer or player has the
lowest card. If the dealer's playing card is lower than the
player's playing card, then the dealer wins, and the player loses
their obligatory wager, i.e., the wager in designated area 12. If
the player's playing card is lower than the dealer's playing card,
then the player wins the wager in area 12. If the dealer's playing
card and the player's playing card are the same, then the player
pushes on the wager, i.e., receives the wager back.
[0029] The wager may be twice the amount of money placed into the
betting area 12, i.e. the original wager and the same sum as
winnings, or any other payout which may be designated on the
substrate 10.
[0030] However, as noted above, an additional, optional wager is
envisioned, and relates to the presence of an Ace as the player's
playing card, with an optional enhancement if the dealer's playing
card is also an Ace. To this end, the Ace-based wager is then
considered in step 58. If the player's playing card is an Ace and
the player placed a bet or wager in the bonus bet area 14, then the
player receives a payout on this bonus bet which may be an enlarged
multiple of the original wager, e.g., 10 times the original wager.
An indication to this effect can be placed on the substrate 10,
i.e., it contains the phrase "any Ace pays 10 to 1" or similar
language to this effect. This payout is made regardless of whether
there is a payout on the obligatory wager. Moreover, if the
dealer's playing card is also an Ace, then a "Super Bonus" is
provided which may be a larger multiple of the wager in the area
14, e.g., 40 times the original wager. An indication to this effect
can be placed on the substrate 10, i.e., it contains the phrase "if
player and dealer pull an ace . . . super bonus . . . 40 to 1" or
similar language to this effect
[0031] This optional Ace-based wager is independent of the standard
or obligatory wager in area 12 so that a player can receive a
payout on each wager, the amount of the wager in area 12 if the
player's playing card is less than the dealer's playing card and a
multiple of the amount in wager area 14 if the player's playing
card is an Ace. Alternatively, the player can receive a payout on
the Ace-based wager but not on the obligatory wager, i.e., when
both the player and dealer's playing cards are Aces (although the
player pushes on the obligatory wager and thus does not lose from
this bet).
[0032] In step 60, the cards are then gathered together, the deck
is shuffled and another hand or round of the game can be
started.
[0033] When playing multiple and sequential hands or rounds of a
single game (note though that each hand or round could constitute a
game in and of itself), it is possible to use two or more decks
wherein a first deck is used to play one round of the game and the
second deck is placed in an automatic shuffler. Once the first
round is concluded, the second deck is removed from the automatic
shuffler and the first deck is placed into the automatic shuffler.
The second round is played with the second deck. Use of two decks,
or even more decks, quickens the pace of the game and in comparison
to a multi-round game in which only a single deck is used, avoids
any downtime between rounds which would be required to shuffle the
deck.
[0034] In one embodiment of the game, multiple players can play
against a single dealer, or a player can receive multiple sets of
two cards simultaneously in a single hand or round. Each player
would be provided with two dealt cards and the players would
simultaneously make a decision about staying or passing after
viewing their respective, first dealt card. Since the players do
not play against each other but rather play individually against
the dealer, they may, if so desired, show their cards to other
players. Ideally though, each player keeps their own playing cards
to themselves and also above the substrate 10. The dealer would
treat each player separately, i.e., consider each player's wager or
wager independent of the wager(s) of the other player(s). the
maximum number of players is preferably 7, excluding the
dealer.
[0035] Although in accordance with the invention, a full deck of
standard cards is used, it is possible to use other sets of cards,
whether a portion of a single deck, multiple decks, portions of
multiple decks, etc.
[0036] Further, the game is described above involving two cards
dealt to each player and three cards dealt to a dealer. In
variations of the game, a different number of cards can be dealt to
each player (other than two cards) and each dealer (other than
three cards). For example, the dealer could be dealt only two
cards. In one such embodiment where the dealer is dealt only two
cards, the dealer can be required to turn over only one card and if
the card is less than or equal to a value, e.g., six, the dealer
must keep this card which will thus be the dealer's playing card,
and the second dealt card will be removed. If the turned over card
is higher than a six, then the dealer can discard the card and the
second dealt card will be the dealer's playing card.
[0037] The game described above involves the pursuit of a lowest
card with the objective being to have a playing card having a lower
value than the dealer's playing card, with an Ace being the lowest.
Variations are possible, for example, wherein the objective is to
have the highest playing card and the necessary modifications to
the game with such an objective would be readily evident to one
skilled in the art.
[0038] The game can be played in various forms. It can be played as
a table game at a casino or other gambling establishment. It can be
configured and marketed as a board game to be played between two or
more players, one of which will be designated the dealer. It can
also be played as an interactive, possibly web-based, game wherein
the dealer and player(s) can be situated in different locations and
a computer coordinates the play of the game and wagering, e.g.,
deals the cards to the player(s), enables the manipulation and
movement of the cards by the player and acts as the dealer if so
desired. The game can also be configured as a handheld game or as a
cartridge for a hand-held game, or as an electronic game in any
suitable form.
[0039] The actions based on the player and dealer having the same
card can be changed so that the player loses if his or her card
does not have a lower value than that of the dealer.
[0040] Finally, wagering on each player's playing card does not
have to be limited to wagers placed by the player but could also be
placed by other parties.
[0041] While particular embodiments of the invention have been
shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art
that changes and modifications may be made without departing from
the invention in its broader aspects, and, therefore, the aim in
the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications
as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *