U.S. patent application number 11/737752 was filed with the patent office on 2008-10-23 for poker game with dynamic payouts.
Invention is credited to Stacy Friedman, David Schugar.
Application Number | 20080258388 11/737752 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39871422 |
Filed Date | 2008-10-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080258388 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Schugar; David ; et
al. |
October 23, 2008 |
POKER GAME WITH DYNAMIC PAYOUTS
Abstract
A wagering game which reveals two separate hands. Upon revealing
a partial hand from each hand, payouts on which poker hand are
updated to reflect the current situation. The player then can
decide to make further bet(s) on which poker hand he or she thinks
will ultimately have the higher poker rank and the current updated
payout. When all of the cards are ultimately revealed in each hand,
all wagers are then resolved.
Inventors: |
Schugar; David; (Crown
Point, IN) ; Friedman; Stacy; (Beaverton,
OR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MUSKIN & CUSICK LLC
30 Vine Street, SUITE 6
Lansdale
PA
19446
US
|
Family ID: |
39871422 |
Appl. No.: |
11/737752 |
Filed: |
April 20, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
273/292 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/32 20130101;
G07F 17/3293 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
273/292 |
International
Class: |
A63F 1/00 20060101
A63F001/00 |
Claims
1. A method, comprising: revealing a first set of card(s) forming
part of a first hand; revealing at least one additional set(s) of
cards forming part of additional hand(s); determining a first
payout based on a probability that when all hands are completed the
first hand will be a winning hand over the additional hands, the
probability determined using the first set of cards and the
additional set(s) of cards; receiving a wager from a bettor that
the first hand when completed will be the winning hand; completing
the first hand and the additional hand(s); determining which hand
is the winning hand; and if the first hand is the winning hand, the
paying the wager based on the first payout.
2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the first set of
card(s) is one card and a complete first hand comprises five
cards.
3. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the payout reflects
the probability that the first hand will outrank other hands and
with a house advantage factored in.
4. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising,
determining a second payout based on a probability that when all
hands are completed an additional hand will outrank other hands,
the probability determined using the first set of cards and the
additional set(s) of cards.
5. The method as recited in claim 4, further comprising receiving a
second wager from a bettor that the additional hand when completed
will be a winning hand, and after the completing, if the additional
hand is the winning hand, then paying the second wager using the
second payout.
6. The method as recited in claim 4, further comprising,
determining whether it is possible for the additional hand to be
the winning hand, and if not, then preventing the bettor from
placing a wager on the additional hand.
7. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the revealing the
first set of cards and the revealing of the additional sets of
cards is performed with physical cards on a table.
8. The method as recited in claim 7, further comprising televising
the revealing the first set of cards and the revealing of the
additional sets of cards and the receiving a wager receives wagers
remotely from players not physically present at the revealing of
cards who are watching the televising on an output device.
9. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the completing the
first hand and the additional hand(s) includes allowing the first
hand and the additional hand(s) to each replace at least one card
in the respective hand.
10. The method as recited in claim 9, wherein the at least one card
in the respective hand to be replaced is determined by a house way
without any human decision involved.
11. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the method is
performed on an electronic gaming device.
12. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the additional set(s)
of card(s) include community card(s).
13. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the additional set(s)
of card(s) include card(s) dealt individually to each hand.
14. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the completing the
first hand and the additional hand(s) comprises: revealing further
card(s) forming part of the first hand and the additional hand(s),
but not yet completing the first hand and the additional hand(s);
determining a second payout based on a probability that when all
hands are completed the first hand will be a winning hand over the
additional hands, the probability determined using the first set of
cards and the additional set(s) of cards and the further card(s);
and receiving a second wager from the bettor that the first hand
when completed will be the winning hand.
15. The method as recited in claim 14, wherein, if the first hand
is the winning hand, the paying the second wager based on the
second payout.
16. An electronic gaming device to implement a method to play a
poker game, the electronic gaming device comprising: a processing
unit performing: revealing a first set of card(s) forming part of a
first hand; revealing at least one additional set(s) of cards
forming part of additional hand(s); determining a first payout
based on a probability that when all hands are completed the first
hand will be a winning hand over the additional hands, the
probability determined using the first set of cards and the
additional set(s) of cards; receiving a wager from a bettor that
the first hand when completed will be the winning hand; completing
the first hand and the additional hand(s); determining which hand
is the winning hand and if the if the first hand is the winning
hand, the paying the wager based on the first payout; and an output
device displaying results of the processing unit.
17. The electronic gaming device as recited in claim 1, wherein the
completing the first hand and the additional hand(s) comprises:
revealing further card(s) forming part of the first hand and the
additional hand(s), but not yet completing the first hand and the
additional hand(s); determining a second payout based on a
probability that when all hands are completed the first hand will
be a winning hand over the additional hands, the probability
determined using the first set of cards and the additional set(s)
of cards and the further card(s); and receiving a second wager from
the bettor that the first hand when completed will be the winning
hand.
18. The electronic gaming device as recited in claim 17, wherein,
if the first hand is the winning hand, the paying the second wager
based on the second payout.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present general inventive concept is directed to a
method, apparatus, and computer readable storage medium directed to
a wagering game with dynamic odds on poker hands.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Poker games are a very popular form of table games in a
casino. Texas Hold'em is a popular televised game. In addition to
displaying the players' cards (which are not visible to the other
players), some networks will also electronically display a
probability of each player winning based on his or her cards. This
way, viewers can have a good idea of which player has the advantage
and by what margin. For example, after each player's hole cards are
dealt, in a game with only two players, a first player with a
strong hand may be pictured with a probability of "80%" displayed
adjacent to the first player (and his cards), while a second player
with a weaker hand may have "20%" displayed adjacent to the second
player (and his cards).
[0005] It would be desirable if players watching such games could
also bet on such games.
[0006] In addition, what is also needed is a new variation of poker
game which players should find more exciting and which should
generate additional action for the casino.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] It is an aspect of the present invention to provide
flexibility and innovations in casino game play.
[0008] The above aspects can be obtained by a method that includes
(a) revealing a first set of card(s) forming part of a first hand;
(b) revealing at least one additional set(s) of cards forming part
of additional hand(s); (c) determining a first payout based on a
probability that when all hands are completed the first hand will
be a winning hand over the additional hands, the probability
determined using the first set of cards and the additional set(s)
of cards; (d) receiving a wager from a bettor that the first hand
when completed will be the winning hand; (e) completing the first
hand and the additional hand(s); (f) determining which hand is the
winning hand; and (g) if the first hand is the winning hand, the
paying the wager based on the first payout.
[0009] These together with other aspects and advantages which will
be subsequently apparent, reside in the details of construction and
operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed,
reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part
hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] Further features and advantages of the present invention, as
well as the structure and operation of various embodiments of the
present invention, will become apparent and more readily
appreciated from the following description of the preferred
embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of
which:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method of
playing a poker game with variable odds, according to an
embodiment;
[0012] FIG. 2A is a diagram of a first stage of an example game,
according to an embodiment;
[0013] FIG. 2B is a diagram of a second stage of the example game,
according to an embodiment;
[0014] FIG. 2C is a diagram of a third stage of the example game,
according to an embodiment;
[0015] FIG. 2D is a diagram of a fourth stage of the example game,
according to an embodiment;
[0016] FIG. 2E is a diagram of a fifth stage of the example game,
according to an embodiment;
[0017] FIG. 2F is a diagram of a final stage of the example game,
according to an embodiment;
[0018] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a table that can be
used to implement embodiments;
[0019] FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a game of Texas
hold'em, according to an embodiment;
[0020] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method of
implementing a dynamic odds betting game, according to an
embodiment;
[0021] FIG. 6A is a block diagram illustrating an example of
hardware used to implement an electronic gaming device, according
to an embodiment; and
[0022] FIG. 6B is a block diagram illustrating components of
betting on a poker game, according to an embodiment.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0023] Reference will now be made in detail to the presently
preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are
illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference
numerals refer to like elements throughout.
[0024] The present inventive concept relates to a method,
apparatus, and computer readable storage medium to implement a
poker game with variable odds. Two hands can be dealt, one card
revealed at a time, and each time card(s) are revealed, player(s)
can wager on which hand they think will ultimately have a higher
poker rank when all of the cards are revealed. Hands can be ranked
according to standard poker ranks as well known in the art (or
alternatively special ranking specific to the game). Examples of
standard poker rankings are as follows (from lowest to highest):
High card, pair, two pair, three of a kind, straight, flush, four
of a kind, straight flush, royal flush. The hands can be formed
from any number of cards, such as five.
[0025] FIG. 1 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method of
playing a poker game with variable odds, according to an
embodiment.
[0026] The method can start with operation 100, which receives an
initial wager from the player. An optional ante wager may be
required to play the game (depending on house rules). The player
may also bet on which hand (hand A or hand B, top or bottom, etc.),
is going to win. Since no cards have been revealed at this stage,
the odds for each hand should be equal. If there was no house
advantage, then each hand would pay even money. Alternatively,
cards can be revealed before bets are taken. Also, bets may be
required to be placed but not yet committed to which side (hand).
In other words, a player may be required to place a wager (or
identify how much the player intends to wager), but at a later
point in time (e.g., after cards are revealed), the player must
then identify which hand that wager is to be placed on. For every
wagering opportunity, a wager can be prohibited, required, or
optional.
[0027] Both hands can be dealt face down and cards revealed as they
are turned up, or cards can be dealt face up.
[0028] From operation 100, the method can proceed to operation 102,
which reveals the next card in the first hand and the next card in
the second hand.
[0029] From operation 102, the method can proceed to operation 104,
which determines whether both hands are completed. If all of the
cards in both hands have been revealed, then both hands have been
completed.
[0030] If both hands are not yet completed, the method can proceed
to operation 106, which displays updated odds/payouts. The updated
odds are dependent upon the cards in each hand that have been
revealed. If the first hand has a better chance of ultimately
winning (having the higher poker rank) than the second other hand,
then the odds of the second hand winning should pay more than the
first hand, and vice versa.
[0031] The payouts can be determined in a number of ways. For
example, they can be determined in real time using a monte carlo
simulation. They can also be predetermined (using monte carlo
simulations or other approach such as formulaic) and stored in a
table or other data structure. Typically, a digital computer would
be needed in order to determine the payouts. If a physical game is
being played, the cards revealed can be entered into the computer,
so the computer knows the contents of each hand and can compute the
probability and/or odds and/or payouts of each hand winning.
Typically, the payouts displayed should be related to each hand's
respective chances of winning, wherein a house edge may be factored
into the payout.
[0032] From operation 106, the method can proceed to operation 108,
which can receive additional wager(s) from the player(s) based on
the payouts determined and displayed in operation 106. Depending on
house rules, the players may be required to make a wager upon each
card revealed or wagers can be optional or not allowed.
[0033] For example, a player can bet $5 (or any amount) on the
first hand at a displayed payout. The wagers each player makes are
tracked (either electronically or physically), so that when all of
the cards are revealed all of the wagers made can be resolved
(winning bets paid and losing bets taken).
[0034] From operation 108, the method can return to operation 102,
which continues to reveal cards.
[0035] If the determination in operation 104 determines that both
hands are completed (all cards in each hand are revealed), then the
method can proceed to operation 110, which resolves all of the
wagers made. The winning hand is determined based on which hand has
the highest poker rank. Then all bets on the winning hand win the
payout that was in effect when the bet was made. Even though
payouts and probabilities change as additional cards are revealed,
the payout that was computed for a given situation is the payout
used to resolve any bet made during that situation.
[0036] Embodiments described herein can be played on an electronic
gaming machine (EGM), or as a table game in a casino using real
cards.
[0037] FIG. 2A is a diagram of a first stage of an example game,
according to an embodiment.
[0038] A first hand 200 and a second hand 202 are dealt, face down.
If the game is being played on an EGM, then virtual cards are
displayed. If the game is being played on a real table, then real
cards are used, a live dealer can be used, and physical chips can
be used. The game can also be played on a real table with video
images embedded therein (a "virtual card table.")
[0039] A payout display 204 displays payouts for the first hand to
win and the second hand to win. Since no cards have been revealed
yet, the payouts for each hand to win are even. If the game is
being played on an EGM, then the payout display 204 can be
displayed in a window on an output device on the EGM. If the game
is being played on a real table, then the payout display 204 can be
an electronic display on the table that all players can see.
[0040] A bet display 206 indicates all of the player's bets made
and their respective payouts when the bet was made. If the game is
being played on an EGM, then the bet display 206 can be displayed
in a window on the output device on the EGM. It the game is being
played on a real table, then the bet display 206 can be displayed
on an electronic display on the table. Alternatively, in a real
table version, the bet display 206 may not be necessary and players
can place chips in betting circles for each card revealed. The game
can note on a display what the payouts were at each point in the
game, so when the game is over the dealer knows the respective
payouts for each bet made so the dealer can resolve the wagers.
[0041] FIG. 2B is a diagram of a second stage of the example game,
according to an embodiment.
[0042] At the second stage of the game, a first card in the first
hand is revealed (either turned over or dealt face up) and a first
card in the second hand is revealed (either turned over or dealt
face up). Since the first card in the second hand is an ace, this
is higher than the first card in the first hand (a three), thus the
second hand has a higher probability of being the highest ranking
poker hand when all of the cards are revealed. The bet display
shows that the first (top) hand pays 1.25 to 1, while the second
(bottom) hand pays 83:1. in other words, if a player bets $1 on the
top hand, and the top hand wins, then the player wins $1.25 profit
(e.g., bets $1, receives $2.25 back). It is noted that any other
way to designate payouts can be used as well, such as betting lines
(for example +$125), or including the original bet with the payout
(for example 2.25:1). Note that the payouts used herein are just
examples but have not been computed mathematically.
[0043] After viewing the revealed cards, the player places a $1 bet
on the top (first hand). If the player is playing a live version,
the player can simply place a $1 chip in a betting circle for the
first hand. If the player is playing an EGM version, then the
player can indicate on the EGM (using buttons, a touch screen,
etc.) the amount of his wager and the hand the player wishes to
wager on.
[0044] FIG. 2C is a diagram of a third stage of the example game,
according to an embodiment.
[0045] A second card in the first hand is revealed (jack hearts) as
well as a second card in the second hand is revealed (ten
diamonds). The payout for the first hand winning has now gone up,
since the second hand qualifies to make a flush, as well as there
are now less chances for the first hand rank to beat the second
hand rank.
[0046] After viewing all four revealed cards, the player makes a $2
bet on the top hand. This bet is indicated in the bet display. The
player is of course betting on the underdog and hoping that the
first hand will reveal cards which will outrank the second
hand.
[0047] FIG. 2D is a diagram of a fourth stage of the example game,
according to an embodiment.
[0048] A third card in the first hand is revealed (three diamonds)
as well as a third card in the second hand is revealed (two clubs).
The first hand now has a rank of a pair (pair of threes). Note that
the payout on the first hand now has gone down to 0.625:1, while
the payout on the second hand has gone up to 2.5:1. The second hand
has two cards remaining to achieve a rank greater than a pair of
threes in order for the second hand to win.
[0049] The player, after viewing all six cards and the updated
payouts which reflect these six cards, now places a $1 bet on the
bottom hand.
[0050] FIG. 2E is a diagram of a fifth stage of the example game,
according to an embodiment.
[0051] A fourth card in the first hand is revealed (ace hearts),
and a fourth card in the second hand is revealed (ace spades). The
bottom hand now has a rank of a pair of aces, beating the top hand
rank of a pair of threes. In order for the top hand to win, the
last card in the top hand will have to be a three (and the last
card in the bottom hand must not be an ace). The payouts for the
top hand and bottom hand are updated to reflect the current
situation. The player declines to place a bet at this stage.
[0052] FIG. 2F is a diagram of a final stage of the example game,
according to an embodiment.
[0053] A fifth card of the first hand is revealed (queen diamonds),
while a fifth card of the second hand is revealed (nine clubs). The
poker rank of the top hand is a pair of threes, while the poker
rank for the bottom hand is a pair of aces. Thus the bottom hand
has the higher poker rank and the bottom hand wins.
[0054] All of the player's bets are now resolved. The player has
wagered a total of $4. The player has won one of these wagers, the
wager on the bottom hand. The player bet $1 on the bottom hand, and
won $2.50 profit on the bottom hand, for a total payout of $3.50.
Since the player had originally wagered a total of $4, the player
has lost a total of $0.50.
[0055] The game has now ended and a new game can begin. It is noted
that while two poker hands were illustrated in the prior example,
embodiments described herein can be applied to any number of
simultaneous poker hands to bet on (e.g., three or more), each hand
played similarly.
[0056] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a table that can be
used to implement embodiments.
[0057] A top hand 300 and a bottom hand 302 are dealt using cards.
Not shown is the deck of cards, an optional shuffling machine, the
dealer's chip rack, and any other known apparatus used by a
physical casino gaming table.
[0058] Betting circles are used by the player to place his or her
chips that he or she wishes to wager. A top 0 betting circle 304 is
used when the player wishes to bet on the top hand when 0 cards are
revealed. A bottom 0 betting circle 314 is used when the player
wishes to bet on the bottom hand when 0 cards are revealed. A top 1
betting circle 306 is used when the player wishes to bet on the top
hand when 1 card is revealed. A bottom 1 betting circle 316 is used
when the player wishes to bet on the bottom hand when 1 card is
revealed. A top 2 betting circle 308 is used when the player wishes
to bet on the top hand when 2 cards are revealed. A bottom 2
betting circle 318 is used when the player wishes to bet on the
bottom hand when 2 cards are revealed. A top 3 betting circle 310
is used when the player wishes to bet on the top hand when 3 cards
are revealed. A bottom 3 betting circle 320 is used when the player
wishes to bet on the bottom hand when 3 cards are revealed. A top 4
betting circle 312 is used when the player wishes to bet on the top
hand when 4 cards are revealed. A bottom 4 betting circle 322 is
used when the player wishes to bet on the bottom hand when 4 cards
are revealed. A payout sign (or display) 324 is visible to all
players and the dealer(s) and is used to show all the payouts at
various stages in the game, so when it is time for the dealer to
resolve all of the wagers the dealer knows how much to pay each
wager.
[0059] While the table illustrated in FIG. 3 only shows one player,
such a table can similarly accommodate any number of simultaneous
players (e.g., 2-8 or more).
[0060] It is noted that if one hand has no chance of beating
another hand, then a wager on the hand may not be allowed. For
example, in a five card hand game (although of course hands can be
formed of any number of cards), if after four cards are dealt, a
first hand has a rank of four of a kind, while the second hand has
a rank of a pair, then it is not possible for the second hand to
win, thus a bet on the second hand may not be allowed. It is also
noted that any number of hands can be used (not just two), for
example, 3 or more.
[0061] Texas holdem is typically played with a standard deck of 52
cards. The rules are well known. Respective players can ante, and
then each player is dealt two hole cards wherein each player can
only view their respective cards. A betting round ensues, and then
three community cards are revealed (the flop). Another betting
round ensues, and then a fourth community card is revealed (the
turn). Another betting round ensues, and then a fifth community
card is revealed (the river). A final betting round ensues, and
then cards are revealed. The player who makes the highest ranking
poker hand using any combination of his own hole cards and the
community cards wins the pot.
[0062] A Texas holdem style game can be used for wagering using
methods of the present invention. This can be played on an
electronic gaming machine, a real live table, or a computer
connected to the internet which can take wagers while a real Texas
holdem game is being televised. Any number of players can be
accommodated.
[0063] In televised poker, the viewers typically see the calculated
chance for each hand to win the pot based on the other hands. So
AhAc might be 91%, KhKc might be 6%, and 3d4d might be 3%. The
general theme in all these ideas is to wager on some form of this
chance to win, which can be called W%.
[0064] Typically, the payout for a 1-unit wager on a W% proposition
would be 1/W%-for-1 minus some vig (house advantage) for the house
edge. E.g. if W% is 18%, 1/18% is 5.56, so the wager may pay
5-for-1 (a.k.a. 4-to-1) for a 10% house edge. Note that the betting
action on these hands must be done separately from the actual play
of the live poker game, so as not to influence that game (i.e. use
closed-circuit betting, like televised horse races). Wagers may be
accepted on any available hand.
[0065] Also, since the W% figures for each hand change as each new
community card is dealt (or in the case of Stud, each board card),
other wagers may be made in addition to, or instead of, the wagers
on the first set of player cards. On the flop, a bettor can bet on
Jimmy's hand. Then on the turn, the player can bet on Mike's hand
and Fred's hand, and so forth. The payouts are not pari-mutuel
(although in another embodiment they can be), so they remain fixed
even as the odds change as more cards come out. In other words,
once the bet is booked, the payout and probability is known. The
fact that the probability changes over the course of the hand (e.g.
because the pair of 2s that was bet on flopped a set, or because a
player's KQ suited missed the straight) can add to the
excitement.
[0066] FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a game of Texas
hold'em, according to an embodiment.
[0067] A game mechanism 400 is used to hold the cards, which can
either be a physical table or a display of an electronic gaming
machine. A first player's hole cards 400, a second player's hole
cards 402, a third player's hole cards 404, and a fourth player's
hold cards 406 are illustrated. Flop cards 408, a turn card 409,
and a river card 410 are also illustrated. Not pictured but also
optional is a payout display, similar to the payout display 324
from FIG. 3. It is noted that the payout display should appear in a
remote location visible to only the players wagering on the
odds-based outcome of the game. The actual players of the hold'em
game should not see these payouts, as this would give the player's
additional information as to what the other players' hands are.
[0068] A first player payout indicator 401 displays player one's
probability of beating the other players given his hole cards and
whichever community cards (the flop cards 408, the turn card 409,
and the river card 410) have been revealed. The probability
indicated by the first payout indicator 401 can (or cannot,
depending on the embodiment) also take into consideration the other
players' hole cards as well in determining the probability of
winning. Thus, if the other players cards are taken into
consideration, then a player dealt a pair a kings, would ordinarily
have a high probability of winning, but if another player is dealt
a pair of aces, then the displayed probability of the former player
would be lower. A second player payout indicator 403, a third
player payout indicator 405, and a fourth player payout indicator
407 operate similarly to the first player payout indicator 401, but
for each respective player. Thus, at every step of the game,
bettors (not necessarily the players playing the Texas-holdem game)
can bet on which player will win. In an embodiment, no players
actually play each hand, all hands are dealt out for the purpose of
betting on which hand will win as described herein.
[0069] If bets are taken on a televised holdem game, it may be a
problem if a player folds. This is because it is not mathematically
possible to compute payout odds considering the subjectivity of a
player folding. In Texas holdem, a player would not fold until he
or she has seen his hole cards. One way this issue can be
addressed, is that even if a player folds, for purposes of
spectator betting, that folded player's hand can still be kept live
for purposes of the spectator betting. Furthermore, in the case
where all but one player folds before all community cards are
dealt, normally the hand is over immediately. For the purposes of
spectator betting, the remaining community cards should be dealt to
enable the evaluation of the player hands (whether folded or not).
To enable spectator betting in games such as 7-card stud, folded
player hands may receive the remaining cards face-down, and in
games such as 5-card draw, folded player hands may be played
according to a pre-determined "house way", while nevertheless
remaining out of the actual competition for the pot.
[0070] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method of
implementing a dynamic odds betting game, according to an
embodiment.
[0071] The method can start with operation 500, which receives any
initial wager(s). Each bettor can bet on which hand they think will
win (have the highest rank when all cards are revealed). Of course,
at this point no cards have been revealed, so the payouts on all
hands should typically be equal.
[0072] From operation 500, the method can proceed to operation 502,
which reveals two (or any other amount) hole cards to each player,
and payouts are displayed for each player based on that player's
chances of winning (having the highest rank when all cards are
revealed). Note the hole cards are all revealed to the bettors.
Note also that the hole cards may or may not be revealed to the
players. Players may be real or imaginary. In a live hold'em game,
each player would not know the contents of the others players' hole
cards (until possibly the end of the round when all live players
reveal their hands). However, bettors who are betting on which hand
will win will know the contents of all of the hole cards when they
are revealed.
[0073] From operation 502, the method can proceed to operation 504,
which can receive wager(s). Bettors can wager on which player will
win and will be paid based on the odds displayed in operation
502.
[0074] From operation 504, the method can proceed to operation 506,
which reveals the flop card and displays payouts for each player to
win using all revealed cards (hole cards and flop cards).
[0075] From operation 506, the method can proceed to operation 508,
which can receive wager(s). Bettors can wager on which player will
win and will be paid for this wager on the odds displayed in
operation 504.
[0076] From operation 508, the method can proceed to operation 510,
which reveals the turn card and displays payouts for each player
based on that player's chances of winning (having the highest rank
when all cards are revealed). The payouts take into consideration
all of the revealed cards.
[0077] From operation 510, the method can proceed to operation 512,
which can receive wager(s). Bettors can wager on which player will
win and will be paid for this wager on the odds displayed in
operation 510.
[0078] From operation 512, the method can proceed to operation 514,
which reveals the river card. At this point, all the cards have
been revealed.
[0079] From operation 514, the method can proceed to operation 516,
which resolves all wager(s) placed. The winning player is
determined based on the hand that has the highest ranking poker
hand. This can be performed according to standard Texas-holdem
rules. After the winning hand/player is determined, winning bet(s)
are paid at the payouts active when the bet(s) were made, while
losing bet(s) are taken by the house. In variations of the method,
wagers at the several wagering steps 500, 504, 508, 512 (and any
other wager) may be required, optional or disallowed.
[0080] The odds/payouts for embodiments described herein may be
computed by real time analysis. A game that predetermines one or
more of the starting sets of cards would alleviate some of this
analysis. For example, a table game as in FIG. 5 with the starting
cards AsQs, 9h9d, 7c2d yields W% of 44.54%, 44.72%, and 10.51%,
respectively, and these W% figures may be precalculated. A bettor
can then either bet on the AQ or 99 at 11-to-10 each (6% edge) or
the longshot 72 offsuit at 8-to-1 (5.4% edge).
[0081] FIG. 6A is a block diagram illustrating an example of
hardware used to implement an electronic gaming device, according
to an embodiment.
[0082] A processing unit 600 is connected to input device(s) 602
(which can be any combination of input devices, such as a keyboard,
button(s), touch screen, etc.) The processing unit 600 is also
connected to an output device 604, which can be any combination of
output devices, such as an LCD display, touch screen, etc. The
processing unit 600 is also connected to a network device 606,
which can be used to connect the EGD to any type of network, such
as a LAN and/or the Internet. The processing unit 600 can also be
connected to any other device 608 which is known in the art and can
be used to operate the EGD. The processing unit 600 is also
connected to RAM 610, which can be used by the processing unit 600
in order to execute software which can implement programs used to
play any embodiments described herein. The processing unit 600 is
also connected to a storage device 612, which can be any type of
storage device (e.g., ROM, CD-ROM, DVD, EPROM, etc.) which can
store programs needed for implementation. The processing unit 600
can also be connected to a financial device 614 which can be used
to process transactions, such as receiving payments (of cash or
other form of payment) and making payments (cash or other form of
payments).
[0083] FIG. 6B is a block diagram illustrating components of
betting on a poker game, according to an embodiment.
[0084] As described herein, a televised game can be wagered on
using methods described herein. A physical poker game 620 can be
played, photographed, and broadcast on a television 622. A player
(not pictured) can be watching the broadcast on the television, and
make a wager on a wagering apparatus 624. The wagering apparatus
624 can be an EGD, a dedicated terminal, a home computer, etc.,
which can accept the player's desired wager and transmit it using a
computer communications network 626 (which can be the Internet, a
LAN, or any other type of network) to a casino or sports book 628
which is the party that is accepting (booking) the wager.
[0085] Additional wagers can also be made at any point in the game,
such as high card wagers can be made on which of two cards to be
revealed will be higher in rank. Players may also wager, or be paid
on, rankings on a pay chart for 3 of a kind, 2 pairs, flushes,
straights, etc (on one or any of the hands). Players may also wager
on a pre-declared series such as a 2 card, 3 card, 4 card, or 5
card poker hand. The odds can change for each as an ace against a 4
would be stronger on a 3 card hand than a 4 card hand and so on.
Note that in addition to Texas Hold'em, any other poker based game
can be applied to methods described herein as well, such as 7-card
stud, Omaha, 5-card Draw, etc. In fact, spectator betting can be
applied to any game (poker, general casino, or otherwise), which
can involve multiple participants in the competition (live human or
digital) and involves a series of operations such that the
probability of each participant (or hand) winning the game, given
the game's state at a given point, can be determined.
Alternatively, payouts can be determined pari-mutuelly as well.
[0086] Further, a draw may be required at any point in time or can
be optional (or prohibited). A draw can be where one hand discards
one or more card(s) (or doesn't discard any card(s)) and receives
additional card(s) to form their poker hand. If a card(s) is to be
discarded, then a "house way" can be preset in order to determine
which card to discard. In this way, a spectator that is betting on
live players is merely betting on mathematical occurrences, not
subjective decisions by players. A house way can consist of, for
example, discarding a card in a five card hand that is not used to
form any hand (e.g., pair, three of a kind, etc.), and is the
lowest card in the hand. A draw and/or discard can occur at any
point in any of the methods described herein.
[0087] Methods described herein can also be applied to other games
such as Pai Gow, which is a combination of two poker hands. Each
hand can either be wagered on separately, or the overall winner can
be wagered on. Any embodiment described herein can be broken down
into separate hands (to be wagered on individually or as a group).
If hands are wagered on as a group, then some or all of the hands
in the group need to beat the other players' hands in order to
win.
[0088] The odds for displayed on a payout display can be determined
in a number of ways. For example, they can be determined in real
time using Monte-Carlo simulations. They can also all be
predetermined (using Monte-Carlo simulations or using a formulaic
approach) and stored in a table for all possible card combinations
for all possible card combinations so that when a particular game
situation arises, that situation can be indexed and retrieved in
the table to determine the respective payouts for each hand.
[0089] Any embodiments herein can be played with a standard 52 card
deck of cards, or multiple decks of cards (e.g., 2-10 or more).
Special decks can also be used, e.g., a Spanish deck, a deck which
includes wild card(s), or any other special deck.
[0090] It is also noted that any and/or all of the above
embodiments, configurations, variations of the present invention
described above can mixed and matched and used in any combination
with one another. This also includes any prior document
incorporated by reference, and any feature described herein can
also be applied to any such documents. Any claim herein can be
combined with any others (unless the results are nonsensical).
[0091] Moreover, any description of a component or embodiment
herein also includes hardware, software, and configurations which
already exist in the prior art and may be necessary to the
operation of such component(s) or embodiment(s).
[0092] Further, the operations described herein can be performed in
any sensible order. Any operations not required for proper
operation can be optional. Further, all methods described herein
can also be stored on a computer readable storage to control a
computer.
[0093] The many features and advantages of the invention are
apparent from the detailed specification and, thus, it is intended
by the appended claims to cover all such features and advantages of
the invention that fall within the true spirit and scope of the
invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will
readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to
limit the invention to the exact construction and operation
illustrated and described, and accordingly all suitable
modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within
the scope of the invention.
* * * * *