U.S. patent application number 11/726348 was filed with the patent office on 2008-09-25 for three-card baccarat casino game.
This patent application is currently assigned to Shuffle Master, Inc.. Invention is credited to Roger M. Snow.
Application Number | 20080230995 11/726348 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39773903 |
Filed Date | 2008-09-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080230995 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Snow; Roger M. |
September 25, 2008 |
Three-card baccarat casino game
Abstract
A method of playing a wagering game using at least one deck of
playing cards is disclosed. The game includes the step of each
player making a play wager to participate in a three card baccarat
game against a dealer hand. Each player optionally makes a bonus
side bet wager on the occurrence of at least one predetermined
winning three card bonus baccarat hand, the winning baccarat hand
having a rank of at least one of an 8, 9 or three face cards. Each
player and the dealer receive at least three cards to form a three
card baccarat hand. The relative ranking of the hands is determined
using modified baccarat rules. Players who placed an optional bonus
side bet and received a predetermined winning three card bonus
baccarat hand are paid a bonus payout.
Inventors: |
Snow; Roger M.; (Las Vegas,
NV) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Mark A> Litman and Associates, P.A.;York Business Center
3209 w. 76th Street, Suite 205
Edina
MN
55435
US
|
Assignee: |
Shuffle Master, Inc.
|
Family ID: |
39773903 |
Appl. No.: |
11/726348 |
Filed: |
March 20, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
273/303 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/3293 20130101;
A63F 2001/001 20130101; G07F 17/322 20130101; G07F 17/32 20130101;
G07F 17/3272 20130101; A63F 3/00157 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
273/303 |
International
Class: |
A63F 1/02 20060101
A63F001/02 |
Claims
1. A method of playing a wagering game using at least one deck of
playing cards, the game comprising: each player making a Play wager
to participate in a three card baccarat game against a dealer hand;
each player optionally making a bonus side bet wager on the
occurrence of at least one predetermined winning three card bonus
baccarat hand, the winning baccarat hand having a rank of at least
one of an 8, 9 or three face cards; each player and a dealer
receiving at least three cards to form a three card hand;
determining a higher numerical ranking hand as between each player
and the dealer using modified baccarat rules; and paying players a
payout who placed an optional bonus side bet wager and received a
predetermined winning three card bonus baccarat hand.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the modified baccarat rules
include breaking ties by designating hands with a greatest number
of predetermined tie breaking cards a winning hand.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the modified baccarat rules
include providing that three face cards outranks a 9.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the modified baccarat rules
include providing that three Kings outranks three face cards.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein payouts on the optional bonus
side bet wager are paid according to the following payout schedule:
TABLE-US-00005 Hand Payout Odds Three Kings 50:1 Three Face Cards
25:1 Any 9 3:1 Any 8 2:1
6. The method of claim 2, wherein the predetermined tie breaking
cards are face cards.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein between 1 and 8 decks of cards
are used in the game.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein each deck is selected from the
group consisting of conventional decks, decks including at least
one joker, promotional cards, cards bearing no rank value, cards
bearing no suit value and cards bearing no rank and suit value
9. A method of playing a wagering game using at least one deck of
playing cards, the game comprising: each player at least making a
Play wager to participate in a three card game against a dealer
hand; each player and a dealer receiving exactly three cards to
form a three card hand; determining a higher ranking hand as
between each player and the dealer using modified baccarat rules,
wherein three face cards outranks a 9 and three kings outranks
three face cards.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein three suited kings outranks
three kings.
11. The method of claim 9, wherein the player pays a commission on
all winning play wagers.
12. The method of claim 9, and further comprising a player placing
at least one optional bonus wager selected from the group
consisting of a bonus wager on the occurrence of at least one
predetermined high ranking bonus hand and a tie wager on the
occurrence of at least one predetermined winning tie hand.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein the predetermined high ranking
bonus hands and corresponding payout odds are: TABLE-US-00006 Hand
Payout Odds Three Kings 50:1 Three Face Cards 25:1 Any 9 3:1 Any 8
2:1
14. The method of claim 12, wherein payouts on the tie wager are
made according to the following pay table: TABLE-US-00007 Hand
Payout Odds 3 Card Copy 50:1 Point + Face Tie 10:1 Point Tie
7:1
15. A bonus side bet on a three card wagering game, comprising: A
player making a bonus side bet in addition to or instead of a play
bet in a three card wagering game against a dealer three card hand;
A dealer dealing at least three cards to at least one player and at
least three cards to the dealer; The dealer and players forming a
hand of exactly three cards; When the player has placed a play bet,
resolving the play bet by comparing the player three card hand to
the dealer three card hand and resolving the hands according to the
rules of play of the base wagering game; and Paying a bonus payout
to the player when the player hand contains one of a plurality of
predetermined winning baccarat hands, the predetermined winning
hands including at least an 8 point total, a 9 point total and
three face cards.
16. The side bet of claim 15, and further comprising a
predetermined winning hand of three Kings.
17. The side bet of claim 16, wherein a hand of three kings
outranks all other hands of three face cards.
18. The side bet of claim 15, wherein all hands of three face cards
except for three kings have an equal rank.
19. The side bet of claim 15, wherein the predetermined winning
hands and payout odds are as follows: TABLE-US-00008 Hand Payout
Odds Three Kings 50:1 Three Face Cards 25:1 Any 9 3:1 Any 8 2:1
20. The side bet of claim 15, wherein the three card wagering game
against the dealer is selected from the group consisting of: three
card baccarat and three card poker.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to the field of gaming,
particularly card gaming, and more particularly to card gaming
variants of the game of Baccarat and rules for play and wagering on
such a game.
[0003] 2. Background of the Art
[0004] With the expansion of gaming and the increase in
competition, it has become desirable in the gaming industry to
offer players a wide range of games and to add excitement to older,
well established games. Growth in slot machine popularity and the
increase in the number of specialty games have resulted in the
overall reduction in play of conventional games, especially more
well-known casino games such as baccarat
[0005] The game of Baccarat is appealing to players because it is
based on simple concepts and procedures that are readily
understood. Casinos like the game because it is in the public
domain and is free, is in demand and it requires relatively low
overhead to facilitate and monitor each game. Casino operators are
reluctant to replace a free-of-charge, income-generating Baccarat
game table with a totally new and unproven game.
[0006] In conventional Baccarat or mini-baccarat, the rules for
when a player and the banker must take a hit are well defined.
Under the rules of the game, the player and banker hand takes or
does not take a hit card. Each final hand is either a two or three
card hand, which is dictated by the hitting rules of the game and
the point count of the first two cards in each hand. The only
decisions to be made by the player are whether to bet on the player
hand, the banker hand or on a tie hand and the amount of the
wager.
[0007] There are a number of variations of the basic game of
baccarat. The game is sometimes referred to in its various forms as
Baccarat-Chemin-de-Fer, Baccarat a deux tableaux, Mini-Baccarat,
and the like. The rules may vary slightly, and rules may vary from
casino to casino, but the underlying game is the same. The
underlying game is a competition between the hands of two players,
usually referred to as the banker hand and the player hand. All
players at the table can place wagers, but only one player
participates in the game by receiving a hand of cards. Both hands
are dealt to designated "Banker" and "Player" positions on a
central part of the layout. Initially, two cards are dealt to each
of the participating player and the banker. Each initial or partial
two-card hand is reviewed by the banker and the player. The results
of the competition are determined by how close the point total
(explained in detail later) is to a value of nine. Two card hands
with a point total of 8 or 9 are naturals. Point totals are based
on the added face value of the cards, with the values of the cards
being Ace=1, 2=2, 3=3, 4=4, 5=5, 6=6, 7=7, 8=8, 9=9, 10=0, Jack=0,
Queen=0, and King=0. Only the last digit of the sum of the point
values of the cards is operative in the play of the game. For
example, a total value of the cards (both with the original hand or
partial hand) would be read as 10=0, 11=1, 12=2, 13=3, 14=4, 15=5,
16=6, 17=7, 18=8, 19=9, 20=0, etc. A player places a wager on the
player's hand winning, the banker's hand winning or a tie. This is
accomplished by placing the wager in a designated space for a wager
on the banker's hand, the player's hand or a tie hand. A commission
is usually extracted from the winning bets on the banker's hand
(e.g., 5% of the winning bet on the banker's hand), because the
banker usually wins more often than the player. No commissions are
paid to the house when the player bets on the player hand.
Depending on the odds provided by the house on a tie (usually from
8:1, 9:1 or 10:1), the house advantage is between 4.5% and 15%.
[0008] A typical standard prior art baccarat-type wagering game
table layout 2 is shown in FIG. 1. The game table layout 2 has 14
player positions 4 numbered 1-3, 5-8, 9-12, 15-16 and 18. There is
a distinct area 6 labeled P-L-A-Y-E-R-S for placement of wagers on
the player hand and there is another distinct area 10 labeled
B-A-N-K for placement of wagers on the banker hand. Area 14 is
provided for placing tie wagers. Each player area 4 has its own
individual play wager area 8, a bonus wager area 10, and a tie
wager area 14. The layout 2 also includes a commission area 16, one
bearing the number of each play position that can be used by the
banker to drop markers, indicating a commission is due to the
house. The layout also includes an area 18 designated for a chip
tray. The layout 2 can also include other information such as
casino logos, pay tables, table betting limits and the like (not
shown).
[0009] Play is usually begun by having the dealer pass a shoe (not
shown) containing multiple decks of shuffled cards to a player
(e.g., beginning with the player in seat number 1). The player in
the dealing position must make at least a wager of the minimum
table requirement. The bet must be directed to the player's hand or
the banker's hand. Since the banker's hand has a higher likelihood
of winning, the first player will usually wager on the banker's
hand. The shoe is passed to the next player when the first dealer
loses a hand or relinquishes the deal.
[0010] In traditional baccarat, only two hands are played. One hand
is referred to as the banker's hand and the other hand is referred
to as the player's hand. The first and third cards are dealt to the
caller (a casino operator who calls the cards) and the second and
fourth cards are dealt to the banker. All cards are dealt face
down. The caller may slide the banker cards to a player (usually
the player with the highest wager), although security concerns have
limited this courtesy in card play. Both the player's hand and the
banker's hand are then passed to the caller. He positions the hands
in the appropriate positions 18, 20 on the layout and views the
hands. If one hand is a natural (an original two card point count
of 8 or 9) and the other hand is not, the hand that is a natural is
a winning hand and the bets are paid off at odds of 1:1.
[0011] A standard set of draw card rules are summarized in U.S.
Pat. No. 6,299,171, beginning in Column 1, line 46 and ending in
column 2, line 7 and are reproduced below for the convenience of
the reader.
[0012] "Elaborate rules exist called "third card draw" rules,
wherein the banker's hand, the player hand, or both, are required
to draw a third card based on the values of the two card hands.
Typically, the baccarat third card draw rules are mandatory, and
are as follows. If the initial two card player hand has a point
total of 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, the player hand must draw a third
card. If the initial two card player hand has a point total of 6-9,
the player hand stands and does not receive a third card. If the
player hand stands and does not draw a third card, then the bank
hand follows the draw rule above. If the player hand draws a third
card, then the bank hand must draw or stand as follows. If the bank
hand two card point total is 0-2, the bank must always draw. If the
bank hand two card point total is 3, then the bank hand must draw
when the player hand's third card is 0-7 or 9, and the bank must
stand if the player hand third card is 8. If the bank hand two card
point total is 4, then the bank hand must draw when the player
hand's third card is 2-7, and the bank must stand if the player
hand's third card is 0, 1, 8 or 9. If the bank hand two card point
total is 5, then the bank hand must draw when the player hand's
third card is 4-7, and the bank must stand if the player hand's
third card is 0-3, 8 or 9. If the bank hand two card point total is
6, then the bank hand must draw when the player hand's third card
is 6 or 7, and the bank must stand if the player hand's third card
is 0-5, 8 or 9. If the bank hand two card point total is 7-9, then
the bank always stands."
[0013] Some players may be hesitant to play Baccarat because it
appears to be such a simple game and that there is little
excitement and no chance for a significant payout on a hand without
a large wager being placed.
[0014] Numerous variants of Baccarat are known in the art. A few of
the variants disclosed in the art are briefly described below.
[0015] Three Card Baccarat is a public domain game recently
observed at the Wynn Casino in Macao. Each player and the dealer
receive exactly three cards. Baccarat rules are used to compare
hands, except that the rules are modified. Modifications include:
1. The draw rules of traditional baccarat are eliminated and three
cards are initially dealt. 2. Three face cards outranks a 9. 3.
Face cards break ties, with two face cards having a higher ranking
than one face card. 4. All players receive their own hand. 5.
Players may only wager on the player hand. 6. Commissions are paid
on winning player hands. 7. All face card combinations are of equal
rank.
[0016] U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,837,494 and 6,588,758 (Lee) describes a
table and method of playing a combined poker and baccarat-type card
game. The method of playing comprises dealing three cards each to
both a banker hand and a player hand, with the winning baccarat
hand having a higher hand value based on the traditional baccarat
scoring system. According to the method, the complex baccarat rules
for determining if and when a third card is to be dealt are
eliminated. Included is a side bet in which the player has an
option to wager on the occurrence that the player hand of three
cards or the banker hand of three cards or both the player hand and
the banker hand will provide a bonus poker hand of one pair, a
three-card flush, a three-card straight, three of a kind, a
three-card straight flush and a three-card royal flush comprising
an Ace and a King and a Queen of any one suit.
[0017] U.S. Pat. No. 6,299,171 (Mello) describes a method of
playing a baccarat-type card game wherein each player is dealt his
or her own hand of cards, and each player wagers on either a
banker's hand to win, or on the player's own hand to win, or on a
tie between the player's own hand and the banker's hand. Unlike
standard Baccarat, a 10 value hand beats an 8 or 9. The card game
includes the standard baccarat rules of assigning a predetermined
value to each card within a standard deck of cards, with an ace
through "9" of each suit having values of one through nine
respectively and all "10"s and face cards of each suit having a
value of zero, and truncating the tens digit to obtain a zero
through nine value sum for the player's scores and the banker's
score. Unlike conventional baccarat, in the card game a score of
ten is awarded to the player's hand or the banker's hand if either
contains a combination of any three face cards.
[0018] U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,032,902; 6,637,748 and 6,371,484 (Yuan)
describe a game in which players place a base wager on either a
first hand or a second hand. Proposition wagers for pushes, ties,
and bonus holdings may be placed. Three cards are dealt to a first
and a second hand. Either hand may automatically win if it includes
a predetermined three-card combination. If neither hand
automatically wins, the hands are divided into two-card and
single-card component hands. The component hands are compared. A
tie occurs if the cards of each component hand are equal in rank. A
push occurs if each hand has one component hand that outranks the
corresponding component hand. Otherwise, a hand wins when both
component hands outrank or tie the corresponding component hands of
the other hand. Players wagering on the winning hand are
rewarded.
[0019] U.S. Pat. No. 6,345,824 (Selitzky) discloses a bonus method
for a casino card game, such as Blackjack or Baccarat, that begins
with the player making an ante wager and a first and second bonus
wager. The player and dealer are each dealt a hand of cards. The
player plays the player's hand to completion and is rewarded based
on the player's first bonus wager if the player's hand includes a
predetermined bonus combination. The values of the cards are then
summed according to the rules of the base game and the player's
ante wager is resolved by comparing a player's hand value with the
hand value of the dealer and determining which hand is closest to a
target value. Finally, the player's second bonus wager is resolved
by rewarding the player if the player has won both the base game
and the first bonus wager. If the player loses the base game or
does not have a bonus combination, the player's second bonus wager
is collected.
[0020] U.S. Pat. No. 6,733,012 (Bui et al.) describes a method of
playing a three card mini-Baccarat type game. Three cards are dealt
to each of a plurality of players and the dealer. The method
includes multiple wager options, including the step of placement of
a bet that the cumulative value of the three cards of one or more
of the plurality of players will exceed the cumulative value of the
three cards of the dealer.
[0021] U.S. Pat. No. 6,328,306 (Webb) describes a Baccarat
derivation with multiple betting options. A table layout includes
betting areas for a competition wager that one side or the other
will win the game as well as proposition wager areas that one side
or the other will win the game by a particular amount or that the
sides will tie with a particular amount. As with conventional
Baccarat, the players can wager on either hand. The methodology is
suited for any game where a result is determined according to
numerical values such as Baccarat, Blackjack, War or Dice.
[0022] U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,366,228; 5,496,038 and 5,496,038
(Kangsanaraks) describe a card game for the simultaneous wagering
on both the occurrence of a numerically superior hand, as well as
the occurrence of a flush or three of a kind during the play of the
hand. At least one standard deck of cards is used, with the ace
through nine of each suit respectively being valued at one through
nine points, and the ten through king of each suit having no value.
The object of the game is to arrive at a total point count of nine
in the hand of two or three cards, with the player or dealer coming
closest to nine, winning the hand; the tens digit is dropped if the
cumulative card value exceeds ten. Two cards are initially dealt to
the players and dealer, with the dealer's first card being dealt
face up. The dealer is limited to inflexible rules governing the
drawing of a third card, but the players may draw a third card
freely as desired. Wagers may be placed upon the occurrence of a
two or three card flush, or three of a kind assuming a player or
players draw(s) a third card, in addition to wagering on the
outcome of a numerically superior hand i.e., closest to nine. The
occurrence of a flush or three of a kind in the dealer's hand
effects a payoff of flush or three of a kind hands for the
player(s), with the player(s) being required to have exactly nine
points under such conditions.
[0023] It would be desirable to design and provide additional
games, especially baccarat games, which provide good profits for
the house and more betting opportunities, while providing players
with more exciting play, more variety in play, and an opportunity
to obtain greater payouts.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0024] A method of playing a wagering game using at least one deck
of playing cards is disclosed. The game includes the following
steps. Each player makes an initial Play wager to participate in a
three card baccarat game against a dealer hand. Each player and a
dealer receive at least three cards, and preferably exactly three
cards to form a three card hand. Winning hands are identified by
determining a higher numerical ranking hand as between each player
and the dealer using modified baccarat rules. One preferred rule
change is to provide both hands with three cards, eliminating the
hitting rules in conventional baccarat. A second modification of
baccarat rules is to provide a mechanism to eliminate all or a
portion of ties from the game. One preferred manner of eliminating
ties is to designate one or more cards in each deck a tie breaker
card, and to use the tie breaker cards to declare a banker or
player win when the numerical count of the two hands is equal.
[0025] According to the game of the present invention, the
numerical values of each card are summed, and the ten digit is
ignored to arrive at a total numerical score between zero and 9.
When the player and dealer hands numerically tie, ties may be
broken by declaring the hand with the greatest number of
predetermined tie breaking cards the winner. If neither the player
nor dealer holds a tie breaking card, the tie is a push as with
conventional baccarat.
[0026] According to a preferred form of the invention, the
predetermined tie breaking cards are face cards. The tie breaking
cards can also be used for other purposes, such as providing
premium hands that outrank a 8 or 9 point value hand. According to
the invention, three face cards outrank a natural 9 and three Kings
outranks all other face cards in the baccarat game.
[0027] The remaining rankings are conventional, except that a tie
hand with a face card outranks a hand of equal numerical rank
without a face card. Similarly, a tie hand with two face cards
outranks a tie hand with one face card.
[0028] According to an example of the invention, one or more
conventional decks of cards are used to play the game. Preferably,
between 1 and 8 randomized conventional 52 card decks of cards are
delivered to a shoe and are used in the game. Typically 6-8 decks
of cards are used. In alternate forms of the invention, the deck
may be modified, for example, to adjust the house advantage. The
invention contemplates the use of one or more jokers per deck,
promotional cards, special purpose cards, no rank cards, no suit
cards and no rank or suit cards in addition to the conventional
cards or to replace certain cards in the deck. For example, it is
contemplated that all face cards (Jacks, Queens and Kings) be
removed and replaced with special cards (i.e. cards bearing a
casino logo in two colors) having no suit value and at least two
separate ranks to replace the set of Queen-Jack face cards (a first
rank) and King face cards (a second and higher rank). The special
cards added to replace the face cards may be referred to as a
separate or 5.sup.th suit of cards.
[0029] The present invention is a method of playing a wagering game
using at least one deck of playing cards, the game comprising the
step of each player at least making a Play wager to participate in
a three card modified baccarat type game against a dealer hand.
Each player and a dealer receive at least three cards, and
typically just three cards to form a three card hand. In other
forms of the invention, the dealer deals a greater number of cards
and the player uses the best three cards in the hand. In other
embodiments, players may use one or more common cards to form the
player hand. "Common cards" for purposes of this disclosure are
cards dealt to a central position on the layout that are available
for use by all players as part of the player hand. The higher
ranking hand is determined as between each player and the dealer
using conventional baccarat rules, except that at least two
predetermined card combinations are designated to outrank a natural
9. The highest ranking hand is three kings, followed by three face
cards (that are not three kings). In addition, certain cards are
designated as tie breaking cards. When the player and dealer hands
have an equal point value, the presence of tie breaking cards
determines the winning hand. In one embodiment, the predetermined
card combination is three face value cards. There are two
predetermined card combinations that outrank a natural 9, being
three face cards, and the highest ranking hand of three kings.
[0030] When a higher payout is desirable, the predetermined card
combination may instead be three suited kings, three kings of the
same color, three one eyed Jacks and other less frequently
occurring combinations. It is contemplated to remove one or more
face cards from the deck to decrease the likelihood of occurrence
of a particular three card hand, i.e. three Kings, and to
correspondingly increase the payout odds on that particular
combination.
[0031] In one form of the invention, the player may only wager on
his or her own hand and must pay a commission on all winning play
wagers. In other forms of the invention, the odds are adjusted to
favor the house using different mechanisms, such as altering payout
odds, dealing one or more extra cards to the dealer to make a best
3 card baccarat hand and adding or subtracting certain cards from
each deck.
[0032] One or more optional side bet wagers may be made. Examples
of optional wagers include a bonus wager on the occurrence of at
least one predetermined high ranking hand and a side bet on certain
tie hands. The ranking system is preferably a modified baccarat
ranking system. In one exemplary form of the invention, two top
ranking bonus hands exceed the rank of 9. They are three face
cards, and three kings, which is the highest hand in the game.
[0033] The present invention may also be characterized as a side
bet on a base game involving at least one three card player hand
playing against a three card dealer hand. The base game may be
based on poker, rummy, 21, another baccarat variant or any other
game with scoring rules than differ from the rules used to compare
baccarat hands. In addition to the player participating in a three
card game against a dealer, the player makes an optional side bet
of the present invention. Before, during or after the three card
bet on the base game is resolved, the side bet wager is considered.
A bonus payout is made when the player hand composition includes at
least three face cards or a high ranking baccarat hand. According
to an embodiment of the bonus game, a hand of three kings outranks
a hand of three face cards, and a hand of three face cards outranks
a 9, which outranks an 8. All four hands are winning hands
according to the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0034] The present invention is a variant of the game of baccarat.
The game may be played on a table layout 20 as shown in FIG. 2. The
layout includes multiple player positions 24. Typical player
positions are numbered 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15, 16
and 18. Each player position 24 has an area 26 for playing a player
Play wager, bonus wager 30 area and a tie side bet area 32. The
layout 20 typically includes an area for a chip tray 28, one
numbered area for each player position (collectively shown as 34)
for tracking the payment of a commission, and a banker card area
36. In a preferred form of the game, each player receives his or
her own hand in his or her own player area 24.
[0035] In contrast to a standard baccarat layout as shown in FIG.
1, the areas used to make wagers on the banker hand are removed,
because the player is permitted to only play his or her own hand.
The player is also permitted to make a number of optional side bets
described in more detail below. Wagering area 30 is provided for
making a bonus side bet wager, and area 32 is provided for making a
side bet on the occurrence of certain predetermined tie hands.
[0036] Certain features of the preferred game may be combined with
other games and are themselves inventive. For example, the three
card tie side bet or the three card bonus side bet may be combined
with other three card games where one or more player hands compete
against a dealer hand. One such game is a well known casino game
marketed under the name Three Card Poker.RTM. and is disclosed in
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,685,774, 6,056,641, 6,237,916, 6,345,823 and
6,698,759. The entire content of each of the above-identified
patents is incorporated by reference.
[0037] According to the method, at least one deck of cards is used
to play the game. In a first form of the invention, multiple
standard 52-card decks are combined and dealt out of a shoe.
Typically 8 decks of cards are grouped together and are used to
fill a shoe. Most casinos use between 6 and 8 decks of cards in one
shoe. The game could also be dealt from a single deck of cards. In
other forms of the invention, special decks are used, with cards
added, certain cards removed, or both cards added or cards removed.
For example, it is contemplated that all of the face value cards
are removed, and a 5.sup.th suit of replacement cards are added,
the 5.sup.th suit being of two types of cards. The first type to
replaces the King cards 1 for 1, and a second type replaces the
Queen and Jack cards, 1 for 1. Such a replacement would not change
the statistical advantage of the game, as the number of cards, the
purpose of the cards and the frequency of occurrence of the cards
remains unchanged. One suitable replacement would be to remove 4
King cards per deck and replace them with 4 cards of a first color,
with no rank or suit but with a casino logo, and to removed 4
Queens and 4 Jacks and replace with 8 cards of a second color with
no rank or suit but a casino logo. Other suitable decks include at
least one joker, multiple jokers, promotional cards, cards bearing
no rank value, cards bearing no suit value and cards bearing no
rank and suit value
[0038] According to the method, each player makes a Play wager to
participate in a three card game against a dealer hand. The dealer
may deliver hands to the player in the form of individual player
hands, a common player hand or a combination of common cards and
individual player cards. In one form of the invention, exactly
three cards are delivered to each player. In other forms, more
cards are delivered to the hands and a best three-card hand is
formed. The extra card or cards dealt to the dealer and player hand
or hands may be equal or unequal.
[0039] A novel ranking system is employed to determine whether the
dealer or player hands are higher ranking. A preferred relative
ranking system is a modified version of the ranking system of
baccarat. In baccarat, the player who obtains a hand closest to 9
wins the game. Each card is assigned a point value, and the sum of
the points, disregarding the ten's digit is the final hand
value.
[0040] The winner of the hand in one form of the invention is
determined using modified baccarat rules. When the player and
dealer hands numerically tie, a set of tie breaking rules
determines whether the tie can be broken. According to the
invention, a number of cards in each deck are designated for use as
tie breaking cards. Hands that are tied numerically but with a
greater number of tie breaking cards wins the hand. In one form of
the invention, all face cards (i.e. King, Queen and Jack cards) are
used to break ties.
[0041] When baccarat rules are used to determine the relative
ranking of hands in the base game, it is desirable to designate
certain hands with no point value (three face cards) as premium
hands. According to a preferred format of the invention, three face
cards outranks a natural 9, and three Kings outranks three face
cards. Note that in this embodiment, three 10's, or any no point
value hand holding a 10 outranks a natural 9.
[0042] The present invention is a method of playing a wagering game
using at least one deck of playing cards, the game comprising the
steps of: a) each player at least making a Play wager to
participate in a three card game against a dealer hand; b) Each
player and a dealer receiving at least three cards to form a three
card hand; and c) determining a higher numerical ranking hand as
between each player and the dealer using modified baccarat rules,
wherein at least one predetermined card combination is designated
to outrank a point value of 9. In one form of the intention, the
predetermined card combination is three face value cards. In one
preferred form of the invention, a predetermined card combination
is three kings, which outranks three face cards that are not
kings.
[0043] When the three card game is baccarat, another important
variation in the conventional rules of play is that the
complicating hit rules are eliminated so that all players and the
dealer initially receive three cards each, regardless of rank.
Another variation in conventional rules of baccarat is that each
player receives his or her own hand. Yet another rule modification
is that the player must wager his play wager on his own hand and
not the banker hand or on a tie.
[0044] When the three card game is a baccarat variant, it is
preferable that the player pays a commission on all winning play
wagers. The game may be enhanced by offering one or more side bets.
The side bets add to the enjoyment of the game and put more bets in
action. One optional wager is a bonus wager is made on the
occurrence of at least one premium predetermined high ranking hand
and another optional bonus wager is made on the occurrence of
certain predetermined tie hands.
[0045] One example of a suitable bonus wager pay table is shown
below.
TABLE-US-00001 Hand Payout Odds Three Kings 50:1 Three Face Cards
25:1 Any 9 3:1 Any 8 2:1
In this pay table, three Kings is a premium hand and pays a maximum
payout. When higher payout odds are desired, other predetermined
card combinations that occur less often may be used such as three
suited kings, three kings of one color, or two one eyed jacks, for
example.
[0046] An example of a suitable pay table for the tie side bet
wager is shown below.
TABLE-US-00002 Hand Payout Odds 3 Card Copy 50:1 Point + Face Tie
10:1 Point Tie 7:1
A "3 Card Copy" for purposes of this invention is two separate
hands of three cards of the same rank, with suit disregarded. In
another form of the invention, the suit and rank of each card in
the player vs. dealer hands must be identical to declare a 3 Card
Copy. A "Point" is a card with a numerical value. For example, an
Ace has a numerical value of 1 and a 9 has a numerical value of 9.
A "Face Tie" for purposes of this disclosure is two hands with an
equal number of face cards. Lastly, a "point tie" is a hand that
has the same numerical value. A point tie is two hands with equal
numerical value. All tie hands pay according to this example of the
present invention. In other examples, only a portion of all
possible tie hands pay a payout.
[0047] The present invention may also be characterized as a side
bet on a three card wagering game. The game comprises the step of a
player making a side bet in addition to a play bet in a three card
wagering game against a dealer three card hand. The player three
card hand against the dealer three card hand is resolved according
to the rules of play of the base wagering game. The base wagering
game may follow the rules of poker, baccarat, blackjack, rummy,
cribbage or any other known card game, and the players and dealer
must play with three cards, head to head. The side bet is
preferably resolved using a modified baccarat scoring system. That
is, the cumulative numerical value of the three-card hands is
compared, the ten's are ignored, and the high hand wins. The
modifications include the addition of predetermined hand
compositions that are unrelated to winning public domain baccarat
hands (an 8 or 9 value hand) that exceed a maximum rank of the
highest ranking baccarat hands, and the presence of tie breaking
cards to break ties on some hands that have equal point values.
[0048] A payout is paid to the player on the bonus bet when the
player hand is one of the predetermined winning baccarat hand
compositions. In a preferred form of the invention, the winning
hand compositions in the bonus game are high ranking baccarat hands
and hands containing three face cards. In one form of the
invention, the base game is also a modified version of baccarat,
and a hand of three face cards outranks a highest ranking hand in
the three card wagering game against the dealer. In a preferred
form of the invention, the predetermined winning bonus hand
compositions include either a 8 or 9 natural, any three face cards
and three kings. Three kings is the highest hand, with a second
highest ranking hand being any three face cards (except three
kings), followed by a 9, then an 8. In this example, the 9 and 8
value hands have the same rank and odds payouts regardless of the
presence or absence of face cards within the 8 or 9 point value
hand. In other embodiments, the presence of one or more face cards
with the same numerical value of 8 or 9 provides different payout
odds than hands that lack one or more face cards.
[0049] In an example of the invention, the dealer deals each player
and the dealer exactly 3 playing cards. The dealer may also deal a
banker hand instead of a dealer hand, and a player may bank the
game.
[0050] Exemplary high ranking predetermined hands are three kings
(the highest rank hand in the game) and any other three face cards
(the second highest ranking hand). All of the predetermined hands
in one example of the invention have a ranking exceeding that of a
natural 8 or 9. In other examples of the invention, at least one
predetermined winning hand has a ranking that is lower than an 8 or
a 9 point hand.
[0051] In one example of the invention, a tie side wager is
provided. It is most preferred that in the base game, the player
wagers a Play wager only on his hand, and not on the Banker/Dealer
hand or a tie hand. Thus the tie side wager is the only "tie" wager
in the game. However, some ties according to a preferred example of
the invention are resolved in favor of either the player or the
dealer/banker. Other ties push.
[0052] According to one embodiment, the tie hand having the same
three identical cards as the dealer hand (in rank but not suit) is
the highest ranking tie hand. Payouts may also be awarded for other
tie hands. For example, a point tie, plus two face card hands in
the game will earn a payout in some embodiments. Tie hands with the
same number of face cards pays higher odds than a point tie without
an equal number of face cards.
[0053] In one embodiment, the bonus side bet and tie side bets are
optional. In other embodiments, one or more of the bonus and tie
side bets are mandatory. In yet other forms of the invention,
players may make one or more side bets without placing a wager in
the base game.
[0054] In a preferred form of the invention, the underlying game
wager, or the "play" wager, must be made on the Player's hand. In
another embodiment, the play wager may be made on the Banker hand
or on a tie hand. When the Play wager is made on the player hand,
it is preferred that a commission be paid to the house. An
exemplary commission is 5% and is paid by the Play when the player
wins Play wager.
[0055] According to one form of the invention, at least one player
places a mandatory Play Wager. A dealer provides a hand of exactly
three cards to each at least one player and the dealer (also
referred to as banker), or to a dealer hand position and a common
player hand position.
[0056] In one example of the invention, the presence of one or more
face cards has an impact on the ranking of the base game baccarat
hand. Within each possible point total (i.e. 5), a hand with two
face cards outranks a hand of one face card, which outranks a hand
of no face cards. The face card function within the base game adds
additional rankings to the hands, and provides for fewer ties. The
only ties possible in one preferred form of the game are when the
player and dealer hands tie in point value and no face cards are
drawn.
[0057] The bonus bet can pay an even money payout, or can pay an
odds payout, or a progressive payout, or combinations thereof
depending on hand composition. In one preferred form of the
invention, the highest ranking bonus hand is three kings, and pays
an odds only payout. This rank is the same premium hand that is the
highest ranking hand in the base game.
[0058] The tie bet may also pay an even money payout, an odds
payout, a progressive payout or combinations thereof depending on
hand composition. The 3-card copy may be declared regardless of
suit, may be suited or may require certain special cards such as
one or more one-eyed Jacks. A more preferred copy hand ignores
suit. However, since suited copies occur much less frequently, the
combination could be used to award a progressive jackpot payout.
This type of payout scheme would lend itself to a game in which
multiple decks of cards are used, for example, a shoe of 6-8 decks
of cards, as is the case with most games of Baccarat.
[0059] A lower ranking tie hand may occur when the player and
banker hands have an identical point total, and in addition both
hands include the same face card, such as a Queen, for example. Or
the hands may include the same number of face cards rather than a
specific face card.
[0060] Although the bonus and tie wagers are intended to be played
in connection with the base game described above, embodiments of
the invention contemplate allowing a player to make only one or
both side bets without making a wager on the base game. If the game
rules require the dealer to deal each player his own three card
hand, the player of the side bet game would still receive a hand of
cards, but the cards would only be used to resolve the side
wagers.
[0061] The rules of play and wagering options may be varied to
provide additional or alternative effects on the game. Among the
more novel and effective rules changes are included a rule that the
Play Wager may be placed only on the Player hand. This can simplify
the underlying wagering structure.
EXAMPLE 1
[0062] The base game in the first example is a variant of baccarat.
Each player and the dealer receive exactly 3 cards. Players make a
mandatory Play wager against the dealer. The scoring system is
similar to that of baccarat, except the presence of one or more
face cards in a hand is used to break ties. Players 1 and 2 make a
$10.00 play wager. Player 1 receives a hand of an Ace of Spades, a
Jack of diamonds and a 3 of clubs (point value=4). Player 2
receives a hand of a Queen of Hearts, a 2 of hearts and a 4 of
spades (point value=6). The dealer holds a King of hearts, a King
of spades and 6 of hearts (point value=6). The dealer point value
beats the point value of Player 1 so player 1 loses. Player 2 has a
point value of 6, with one face card. The dealer hand point value
is a 6, with two face cards so Player 2 also loses to the
dealer.
EXAMPLE 2
[0063] The base game in this example is also a variant of baccarat.
In the base game, three face cards beats a 9 and three Kings beats
three face cards. Face cards also break ties. Each player and the
dealer receive exactly 3 cards. Players 1 and 2 make a $10.00 play
wager against the dealer, and a $1.00 bonus side bet. The side bet
is resolved according to the following pay table:
TABLE-US-00003 Hand Composition Payout Odds Three Kings 50:1 Three
face cards 25:1 Any 9 3:1 Any 8 2:1
[0064] Player 1 receives a King of clubs, a Queen of hearts and a
Jack of diamonds (point value=0). Player 2 receives a 10 of hearts,
a 10 of clubs and a 7 of spades (point value=7). The dealer
receives a 2 of hearts, a 4 of diamonds and 3 of spades (point
value=9).
[0065] Player 1 holds a three face card hand that outranks the
dealer's 9 point hand. Player 1 is paid 1:1 on the Play wager. In
addition, Player 1 receives 25:1 on the bonus side bet. Player 2
holds a point count of 7, which loses to the dealer's 9. In
addition, the player does not hold a winning bonus hand
composition. Player 2 loses both bets.
EXAMPLE 3
[0066] Players 1 and 2 make a base game bet of $10.00 on a baccarat
variant game in which three face cards outranks a highest ranking
baccarat hand. In the base game, three face cards outranks a 9 and
three Kings outranks three face cards. Player 1 makes the optional
tie bet wager in the amount of $5.00. Player 2 does not make the
optional tie bet wager. The tie bets are resolved according to the
following pay table:
TABLE-US-00004 Hand Payout Odds Three Card Copy 50:1 Point and Face
Card Tie 10:1 Point tie 7:1
[0067] Player 1 is dealt a King of Hearts, a King of Spades and a 3
of diamonds (point count=3). Player 2 is dealt a Queen of Hearts,
Jack of Spades and 4 of clubs (point count=4). The dealer is dealt
a King of Hearts, a King of spades and a 3 of diamonds (point
count=3). Player 1 has a hand with a point total of three, as does
the Dealer. Both hands have an equal number of face cards so the
play wager pushes. Player 1, having made the tie wager, has a three
card copy. Player 1 is paid 50:1 on the $5 tie wager.
EXAMPLE 4
[0068] Players 1 and 2 make a base game bet of $20.00 on a base
game of three card blackjack variant. According to the rules of
play of the base game, the player and dealer receive two cards.
Both players and the dealer must take a third card if the first two
cards do not make a blackjack. Three face cards outranks a
blackjack or a three card 21. Three Kings outranks three face
cards. A point total in excess of 21 busts and the high hand wins.
Both players make an optional bonus side bet on the occurrence of a
premium baccarat-type hand, an all-face hand, or a high ranking
baccarat hand with face cards.
[0069] Player 1 is dealt a hand of 3 of clubs, and a 4 of aces. He
is required to take a hit card, which is a 10, for a total
blackjack hand equal to 17. Player 2 is dealt a hand of a 7 of
clubs, and a 7 of hearts. Since his initial hand is not blackjack,
he must take a third card, which is a 7 of spades, for a blackjack
hand of 21. The dealer receives three Kings. Player 1 loses the
blackjack hand to the dealer. Player 2 loses the blackjack hand
against the dealer because three Kings outranks a blackjack.
[0070] Player 1 loses the bonus bet because his hand is not an 8,
9, three face cards or three Kings. Player 2 loses the bonus bet
for the same reason.
EXAMPLE 5
[0071] In this example, the base game is a modified version of
Three Card Poker. Known three card rankings are used to score the
game, except that three face cards outranks a royal flush
(Ace-King-Queen). Players 1 and 2 each wager $10.00 on the Play
wager and $5.00 on the bonus bet and are dealt three cards each.
The dealer receives three cards. Player 1 is dealt a hand of a 3 of
hearts, 6 of diamonds and 10 of spades. Player 2 receives an Ace of
Hearts, a 7 of clubs and a 7 of spades. The dealer receives three
Kings. Player 1 holds a 10 high. The dealer's three of a kind beats
the player hand and the player loses the play wager. Player two
holds a pair. The dealer's three of a kind beats the pair and
Player 2 loses his play wager. Player 1 holds a 9 point baccarat
hand with no face cards. The bonus wager pays 3:1 or $15.00. Player
2 holds a baccarat hand of 5. This point count does not pay a
bonus.
EXAMPLE 6
[0072] In this example, the base game is a modified version of
baccarat, and the bonus game has a progressive payout component. A
progressive payout is made when the player receives 3 suited Kings.
Players 1 and 2 make a Play wager of $10.00. Player 1 does not make
a bonus side bet. Player 2 makes a $1.00 progressive bonus side
bet. Player 1 receives an 8 of hearts, a 10 of clubs and a 10 of
spades. Player 2 receives three Kings of Hearts. The Dealer
receives a Queen of diamonds, a Queen of clubs and a jack.
[0073] Player 1 holds a point count of 8 with no face cards. The
dealer holds three face cards and beats Player 1. Player 2 holds
three Kings of Hearts. This hand beats the dealer hand of three
face cards. Player 2 wins odds of 1:1 on the Play wager. Player 2
also wins 100% of the progressive jackpot for holding three suited
Kings.
EXAMPLE 7
[0074] In this example, the base game is a modified version of
baccarat and the tie side bet game has a progressive component. A
progressive payout is made when the suits of the three card copy
match. Players 1 and 2 make $10.00 wagers on the base game. Player
1 makes a $1.00 side bet. Player 2 does not make a side wager.
Player 1 receives a hand of Ace of spades, Jack of clubs and 8 of
diamonds. Player 2 receives an 8 of hearts, a 10 of diamonds and a
10 of clubs. The dealer receives a hand of the Ace of spades, jack
of clubs and 8 of diamonds. Player 1 has a point total of 9, with
one face card. The dealer holds a hand of cards with a point total
of 9, and one face card. The play wager is a push. The player wins
a 100% progressive payout because the player and dealer hands are a
suited 3 card copy. That is, each suit and rank of each card is a
complete match.
[0075] Player 2 has a point total of 8, which loses to the dealer.
Player 2 did not make a tie wager and the game is concluded.
[0076] The amount of any Progressive Jackpot is increased by at
least a portion of the side bet wager, as is understood in the art
and decremented by awards, as is also understood in the art. Some
alternative betting arrangements and progressive incrementing and
decrementing is discussed in co-pending U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 11/598,924, filed on Nov. 13, 2006, titled: "GAME OF
CHANCE WITH AT LEAST THREE BASE WAGERS AND OPTIONAL BONUS WAGER,"
which is incorporated herein by reference.
[0077] Although specific examples are provided in the description
of play for the game technology, these examples are representative
of generic concepts and the examples are not to be interpreted as
limiting the generic scope of the technology. The game may, for
example, be played as a live casino table card game, a hybrid
casino table card game (with at least one of wagers, playing cards,
but not both, being performed in electronic context), a video
electronic format, a multiplayer platform electronic format (as
described in Published US Patents Applications 2005024506;
20050164762; and 20050164759, which are incorporated herein in
their entirety by reference.
[0078] One example of a suitable multiple player gaming platform is
Shuffle Master, Inc.'s Table Master.TM. gaming platform. This
platform is a video gaming machine with multiple player stations
and at least one processor for administering the game. Players play
on credit, and a virtual dealer may be provided to create the
illusion that the game is attended by a dealer. A central processor
administers the game. Each player station has player controls and a
display allowing the player to view the virtual player hand,
credits wagered, credit available and other conventional
information. A common display allows each player to view the dealer
hand, amounts wagered and other information needed to convey the
progress of the game to the player. Optionally, an upright video
display is provided which displays a virtual dealer that creates
the illusion of administering the game.
[0079] The present game may be executed on a multi-player platform
or single player video gaming machine such as a conventional video
poker machine. Other media may be used to offer the game, including
on-line gaming, internet gaming, practice play gaming on known
computerized gaming platforms such as X-Box, Nintendo, practice
play on a personal computer, on board games, parlor games and the
like. What is meant by "practice play" is that no actual monetary
wagers are made. The player is awarded a certain number of credits
and may play as long as credits are available. When the credit is
depleted, the player simply replenishes the credit supply and
continues to play.
[0080] The above description is meant to provide only examples of
preferred embodiments and is not intended to limit the sprit and
scope of the invention.
* * * * *