U.S. patent application number 12/315354 was filed with the patent office on 2009-03-26 for 6-5-4 casino table poker game.
This patent application is currently assigned to Shuffle Master, Inc.. Invention is credited to Carol Ellen Barrett, Roger M. Snow.
Application Number | 20090079134 12/315354 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34116611 |
Filed Date | 2009-03-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090079134 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Snow; Roger M. ; et
al. |
March 26, 2009 |
6-5-4 Casino table poker game
Abstract
A casino table poker game comprises a player makes an Ante wager
to play in the poker game, and a first number of cards being dealt
to the player. A second number of cards is dealt to a dealer. The
second number of cards dealt to the dealer is greater then the
first number of cards dealt to players. The dealer displays at
least a first card from the second number of cards dealt to the
dealer. The at least first card analyzed by an automatic game rule
of play to determine whether the card must be discarded. If the
rule operates to require the at least first card be discarded
according to the automatic game rule, the dealer must play the
dealer hand with fewer then the second number of cards dealt to the
dealer. After a final number of cards has been decided in the
dealer's hand, the poker game is played to conclusion according to
the game rules.
Inventors: |
Snow; Roger M.; (Las Vegas,
NV) ; Barrett; Carol Ellen; (Las Vegas, NV) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Mark A. Litman & Associates, P.A.;York Business Center
Suite 205, 3209 West 76th St.
Edina
MN
55435
US
|
Assignee: |
Shuffle Master, Inc.
|
Family ID: |
34116611 |
Appl. No.: |
12/315354 |
Filed: |
December 2, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10637379 |
Aug 7, 2003 |
7458582 |
|
|
12315354 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
273/303 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F 3/00157
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
273/303 |
International
Class: |
A63F 1/00 20060101
A63F001/00 |
Claims
1. A method of playing a poker game comprising: a player makes an
Ante wager to play in the poker game, a first number of cards is
dealt to the player, a second number of cards is dealt to a dealer,
the second number of cards dealt to the dealer being greater then
the first number, displaying at least a first card from the second
number of cards dealt to the dealer, discarding the at least first
card according to an automatic decision game rule, allowing the
dealer to play the dealer hand with fewer then the second number of
cards dealt to the dealer, and playing the poker game to conclusion
according to the game rules.
2. A method of playing an X-card poker game comprising a player
making an Ante wager to play in the poker game, dealing a first
number of X cards to a player and dealing a second number of at
least X+1 cards to a dealer, displaying at least a first card from
the second number of X+1 cards, discarding the at least first card
according to automatically played game rules, when the
automatically played game rules require a discard from the dealer's
hand of at least X+1 cards, turning over another card from the
dealer's hand so that one card is face-up, and playing the poker
game to conclusion according to the game rules.
3. The method of claim 2 wherein the at least X+1 cards comprises
X+2 cards.
4. The method of claim 3 wherein X+2 is six.
5. The method of claim 3 wherein after turning over another card,
determining by automatic game rules whether or not to discard the
another card and acting on that automatic rule to discard or not
discard the another card.
6. The method of claim 4 wherein after turning over another card,
determining by automatic game rules whether or not to discard the
another card and acting on that automatic rule to discard or not
discard the another card.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein after a final number of cards in
the dealer's hand has been determined, requiring the player to
either a) fold and forfeit the Ante wager or b) make a play wager
to stay in the poker game.
8. The method of claim 2 wherein after a final number of cards in
the dealer's hand has been determined, requiring the player to
either a) fold and forfeit the Ante wager or b) make a play wager
to stay in the poker game.
9. The method of claim 3 wherein after a final number of cards in
the dealer's hand has been determined, requiring the player to
either a) fold and forfeit the Ante wager or b) make a play wager
to stay in the poker game.
10. The method of claim 4 wherein after a final number of cards in
the dealer's hand has been determined, requiring the player to
either a) fold and forfeit the Ante wager or b) make a play wager
to stay in the poker game.
11. The method of claim 5 wherein after a final number of cards in
the dealer's hand has been determined, requiring the player to
either a) fold and forfeit the Ante wager or b) make a play wager
to stay in the poker game.
12. The method of claim 6 wherein after a final number of cards in
the dealer's hand has been determined, requiring the player to
either a) fold and forfeit the Ante wager or b) make a play wager
to stay in the poker game.
13. The method of claim 3 wherein X is four and the play wager must
be between 1 times and 2 times the Ante wager, inclusively.
14. The method of claim 2 wherein the automatic rules require that
a first dealer's up card be discarded if its rank equals or exceeds
a first predetermined minimum rank.
15. The method of claim 13 wherein the automatic rules require that
the another up card be discarded if its rank equals or exceeds a
second predetermined minimum rank.
16. The method of claim 14 wherein the first predetermined rank and
the second predetermined rank are the same rank.
17. The method of claim 13 wherein the first predetermined rank and
the second predetermined rank are different ranks.
18. The method of claim 2 wherein a side bet wager may be placed on
a player attaining at least a predetermined rank to win payoffs
that may exceed the amount of the side bet.
19. The method of claim 8 wherein a side bet wager may be placed on
a player attaining at least a predetermined rank to win payoffs
that may exceed the amount of the side bet.
20. The method of claim 9 wherein a side bet wager may be placed on
a player attaining at least a predetermined rank to win payoffs
that may exceed the amount of the side bet.
21. The method of claim 10 wherein a side bet wager may be placed
on a player attaining at least a predetermined rank to win payoffs
that may exceed the amount of the side bet.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to poker variants and casino
table poker games in which a player competes against a dealer for
payouts on wagers. In particular, the present invention relates to
casino table poker games that provide a player with an enhanced
perception of game outcome insight in play of a card game against a
dealer hand.
[0003] 2. Background of the Art
[0004] Numerous card games systems have been developed for gaming
and entertainment purposes. Many of these card games systems have
been adapted for use in casino wagering card games, such as
blackjack and poker, to name a few. The development of successful
casino card games must address several distinct criteria.
[0005] As with all successful games, a successful casino card game
must be entertaining for the players and offer an apparent chance
for success at the game. To be sufficiently entertaining, a card
game must balance often-competing factors. These factors include
complexity and challenge of game play, the pace of game play, the
element of chance, the level of player skill and strategy, the
amount of player interaction, the number of wagers at stake and the
apparent chance of success and strategic decision making by the
player.
[0006] Aside from the effect on the entertainment value of the
game, the complexity of game play is of practical importance to
casino type wagering games. Overly complex rules of game play will
prevent the attraction of new players to a casino game and might
even frustrate players familiar with the game. Simple rules allow
the game to be easily accessible to all. However, overly simplistic
game play often results in an unchallenging and unentertaining
game.
[0007] The pace of game play is also of unique importance for a
successful casino game. The rapid turnover, or cycle time, in the
wagering rounds is preferred by the house in a casino game to
maximize the wagering cycles of the game. This must also be
balanced against how the pace of the game play affects the
entertainment offered by the game. In other words, at some point,
increasing the speed of the game past a certain point will reduce
the entertainment value of the game. Some players feel pressured if
the game moves too fast.
[0008] Regarding the element of chance, it is fundamental to casino
type games that the element of chance plays a substantial role in
the game. The player preferably would like to feel that some
control can be exercised by players to enhance their chance of
winning. At the same time, a game based solely on skill in making
strategic decisions may tend to intimidate new players in a casino
game environment. Additionally, if skill could be exercised that
would actually shift statistical advantage in favor of the player,
casinos would not offer the game. However, in most casino card
games, winning is based on a combination of skill and the element
of chance, where a player's increased skill will increase his
likelihood of winning for short periods during repeated play.
Consequently, the element of chance and the level of player skill
and strategy necessary are both of importance in player perception
and the casinos ability to offer the game.
[0009] Many different variations in the play of casino table poker
games have been offered to provide a wide range of game play and
maintain player interest in table games.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 6,170,827 B1 (Lombardo et al.) describes a
casino table card game in which a greater number of cards are
provided to a dealer than to a player. The player provides a first
stake and designating a portion of his lesser number of cards to
correspond to that first stake. The cards dealt to a player (e.g.,
4 initial cards) are split into two hands, each of which has a
separate stake, and each of which plays against two hand segments
established by the dealer. The player may also rearrange cards in
the first segment, if the player's hand ties the dealer's hand.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 4,836,553 (Suttle et al.) describes the basic
play of Caribbean Stud.RTM. poker. A five card hand is dealt to
each player and to a dealer after an ante bet is made. One card
from the dealer's hand is exposed. The player may place a wager
that is a multiple (usually 2.times. the ante) to stay in the game
after viewing the dealer's partially disclosed hand (e.g., the
single up card). Bonus bets are paid in this game, only when the
player attains a ranked hand and beats the dealer's hand.
[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 4,861,041 (Jones et al.) describes the
optional side bet made on bonus play in table games, specifically
in Caribbean Stud.RTM. poker. With placement of the side bet, bonus
hands are rewarded, even if the dealer beats the ranked hand of a
player or does not qualify with a minimum hand ranking.
[0013] U.S. Pat. No. 5,685,774 (Webb) describes a casino table
poker game in which separate bets may be placed by a player that a
player's hand will either exceed a predetermined rank or beat the
dealer's hand. At least one, but not necessarily both bets may be
placed. A third optional bet is available that backs up the wager
as to whether the player's hand will exceed the rank of the
dealer's hand. Wild cards are available, and an initial hand of
four cards may be dealt to the player.
[0014] U.S. Pat. No. 6,012,719 (Webb) describes the basic game of
three-card poker, which combines the play of Blackjack, a
three-card poker game, and a side bet. A dealer's card is combined
into the player's first two cards for the three-card poker
play.
[0015] U.S. Pat. No. 5,851,011 (Lott) describes a: poker-type game
with multiple wagers, jackpots and insurance options. Multiple
players wager on a single five-card player hand which competes
against a single seven card dealer hand from which five dealer
cards are selected to form a dealer's hand. Players win or lose as
a group.
[0016] U.S. Pat. No. 6,027,119 (De Lisle) describes a method of
playing a card game (non-poker type) wherein players' and dealer's
hands are valued by determining the suit (in each hand) where the
player's and dealers `points` are highest. There are optional call
bets at various points of hand disclosures.
[0017] U.S. Pat. No. 5,897,436 describes a modified poker game in
which a player builds a hand, being dealt two cards at a time and
discarding one card at a time, until a hand is built of a
predetermined number of cards.
[0018] U.S. Pat. No. 6,206,373 B1 describes a method of playing a
card game with a dealer's hand that has a permanent displayed card
(e.g., the Ace of Spades). From the remainder of the deck, each
player is dealt two face-down cards, and each player may act on
their cards, being given an option to continue or fold and receive
a portion of the wager back. Then five common cards are dealt face
up, with the common cards being common to both the dealer's and the
players' hands. Players may receive awards for bonus hands.
[0019] U.S. Pat. No. 6,234,485 (Perkins) allows a player to
purchase a bonus card in the play of a casino table poker game, the
card being delivered when the first five cards is a losing
hand.
[0020] U.S. Pat. No. 5,845,906 teaches the potential for the option
of using a sixth card in a dealer-vs.-player casino table five card
poker game.
[0021] U.S. Pat. No. 5,255,915 describes an electronic six card
poker hand, with an option of drawing cards available, and an
optional sequence of wagers.
[0022] Shuffle Master Inc.'s U.S. patent application Ser. No.
10/277,508 describes a game in which a Player may get additional
cards when the player's hand has a low value. This activity does
not require a side wager.
[0023] In spite of the availability of many casino table card games
in the literature, only a few games have been widely successful in
the casino gaming market. It is therefore desirable to provide a
greater variety of games from which more successful table games can
be found.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0024] A method of playing a poker game comprises a player making
an Ante wager to participate in a poker game. A first number of
cards is dealt to each player making a wager and a second number of
cards is dealt to a dealer. The second number dealt to the dealer
is greater than the first number. The dealer displays at least a
first card from the second number of cards. The game rules may
require that the dealer discard the displayed first card from the
dealer hand, particularly if there is a player perception
(according to rules) that the displayed card is a card of high rank
or value. The game rules are automatic and do not allow the dealer
to exercise judgment in discarding of the first displayed card. The
dealer and the player then proceed to play the poker game to
conclusion according to the game rules.
[0025] Another example of the game of the present invention is a
method of playing an X-card poker game comprising a player making
an Ante wager to play in the poker game, and dealing a first number
of X cards to a player. A second number of at least X+1 or X+2 or X
plus more cards is dealt to a dealer. The dealer then displays at
least a first card from the second number of cards. The displayed
first card is considered with respect to automatically played game
rules. One possible effect of the automatic game rules is to
require the dealer to discard the displayed dealer's first card,
especially if the card exceeds a particular rank (e.g., at least a
10, at least a Jack, at least a Queen, at least a King or an Ace).
The dealer then displays another card to the table. Where X+2 cards
are provided, the dealer may be required to determine by automatic
game rules whether or not to discard another card by following the
game rule that the dealer discards or does not discard another card
based on rank, suit or rank and suit. The poker game is then played
to conclusion according to the game rules. Additional side bets are
available in addition to the play of the underlying game.
DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0026] FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a playing surface for playing a
casino card game of the present invention.
GAME DESCRIPTION
[0027] An exemplary game according to the present invention is a
variant of poker, particularly a variant of stud poker,
particularly 3-card, 4-card, 5-card, 6-card and 7-card stud poker,
although wild card variants of the game may also be played. An
underlying concept in the play of the present poker game is that
the player competes against a dealer for the best hand ranking. The
dealer is provided a first number of cards, and then the dealer is
required to display at least a first card. When the dealer's first
displayed card is at least a predetermined at least a minimum rank
(according to game rules) that might be considered favorable to the
dealer or disadvantageous to the player, that card must be
discarded. This procedure may be repeated more than once, depending
upon the initial number of cards provided to the dealer and the
minimum number of cards that the dealer must retain to play in the
game. The players are then dealt a hand of cards, typically one or
two cards fewer than the dealer's initial hand. After the final
number of cards have been determined for the dealer (and the
players), the game proceeds to its resolution according to the game
rules.
[0028] The game of the invention is preferably played with a
standard single 52-card playing deck of cards, although wild cards
or special cards may be provided and the underlying concept of the
invention practiced. Multiple decks or special decks may also be
used. In addition to the underlying dealer versus player poker
game, side wagers or side bets may be made on special games or
bonuses that are played without interruption or change in strategy
in the underlying game. These side bets may be for attaining hands
of predetermined ranks, special cards in the deck, jackpot hands,
strings of like card ranks, play in progressive jackpot games,
random awards, games played with discards or residual cards, match
card games, and the like.
[0029] The game of the present invention will be described in
greater detail below, with a representative game of 4-Card poker
played between the dealer and the player. The dealer is dealt six
(6) initial cards and the player is dealt five (5) initial. The
game is played with the potential for the dealer to be compelled to
discard up to two (2) cards so that the dealer will play the 4-Card
poker game by selected from a dealer card hand of either 6 cards, 5
cards or 4 cards. This game will be referred to as 6-5-4 Stud
Poker.TM. game or 6-5-4 Poker.TM. game. The players will be dealt
five cards and will discard one card to make their best four card
hand.
[0030] A preferred version of the 6-5-4 Poker.TM. game can be
generally described as follows: [0031] A) A single standard 52-card
playing card deck is used to play the game and each player makes an
Ante wager to enter the game; [0032] B) Players who have made the
Ante wager are dealt five cards (four cards may also be dealt to
players) each to make their best 4-card poker hand. The dealer is
initially dealt either six cards but could be dealt five cards.
Depending on rules and events in the play of the game, the dealer
gets either 6-cards, 5-cards or 4-cards to play the round of the
game, depending upon how high the rank of individually exposed
cards are at various stages of play. [0033] C) The basic game is
played by steps C)-F) where the dealer originally is (by way of
example) dealt six cards, with five cards face down and one card
face-up. [0034] D) If the dealer's first face-up card is a rank of
10 or higher (this is a particularly effective rank, but it is
possible to change the predetermined rank to 9 or higher, Jack or
higher, Queen or higher, King or higher or Ace, or if a wild card
is present, a wild card which would be included in "higher" for any
other predetermined rank), that card is discarded from the dealer's
hand, leaving a working hand of five cards face down. A second card
is then turned face-up from the dealer's remaining five cards. The
player has not had to make any strategy decisions at this time.
[0035] E) If the second face-up card has a rank of 10 or higher,
that second face-up card is discarded, leaving the dealer with a
4-card hand, with four cards facing down. If the card is a 9 or
lower, the card remains in the hand. [0036] F) When the dealer has
a 4 card hand, one dealer card of the four may optionally be turned
up for the players to observe. [0037] G) The first game wager
(Ante) was placed by each player in the game before step B). [0038]
H) A second "Queens Up" bonus bet may be optionally made by each
player before step B), wagering in the bonus bet that the player's
resulting 4-card poker hand will have a poker rank of a Queen high
or better. [0039] I) Each player must decide whether to continue
play of the game (by placing a second game bet or play bet) or fold
after the dealer has determined by the rules of the game in steps
C)-F) how many cards will be present in the dealer's hand, and by
any information provided by dealer up cards.
[0040] J) The Play Wager is equal to the Ante in a preferred form
of the invention. In other forms of the invention, the play bet is
more or less than the Ante.
[0041] K) The Play in the underlying game on the Ante and the Play
Wager is Player vs. Dealer. The highest hand wins. In one form of
the invention, each player makes his best four card hand from the
five available cards. If the Player wins, the Ante and Play Wager
are paid, the Ante being paid at least one-to-one. Typically the
Ante and Bet are paid 1:1 but other pay structures such as 2:1 or
3:1, etc. are contemplated by the present invention. If the Dealer
wins, the Dealer collects both the Ante and Play Wager. If the
Dealer's hand and Player's hand tie, the Ante and the Play Wager
bets are a push. [0042] L) There is an Ante Bonus that is paid for
high-ranking hands, independent of the Queens Up bonus event. This
payout is based solely on the Ante and does not require an
independent wager. One exemplary Ante Bonus may be paid for
attaining at least a Straight Flush. A typical pay table is shown
below.
TABLE-US-00001 [0042] Ante Bonus Payouts Hand Payout Four Aces
100:1 Four of a Kind 20:1 Straight Flush 10:1
[0043] M) Winning Hand Ranking on the 4-card poker Ante bonus is
(High to Low): 4 Aces, Four-of-a-Kind, and Straight Flush. [0044]
N) The Queens Up bet is a side bet against a pay table. The pay
table is a compilation of winning arrangements of cards and
corresponding payout odds. Typically the pay table lists winning
hand arrangements in descending order. A typical Queens Up Pay
table is shown below:
TABLE-US-00002 [0044] Queens Up Side Bet Payouts Hand Payout 4 of a
Kind 50:1 Straight Flush 40:1 3 of a Kind 8:1 Flush 4:1 Straight
3:1 Two Pair 2:1 Pair of Queens or Better 1:1
[0045] Payouts on the Queens Up side bet are independent of the
relative rank between a Player's hand and the Dealer's hand. When
the Player has made the Queens Up bet and is dealt a hand with a
rank of a Pair of Queens or higher, the Player is paid odds on the
amount of the Queens Up wager. The amount of the Queens Up wager
may be placed independently up to the Table Limit. [0046] O) Table
hand ranking on the Queens Up side bet is identical to play of the
underlying 4-card poker game. The side bet on Queens Up also pays
for Three-of-a-Kind, Flush, Straight, 2 Pair and Pairs of Queens or
higher, in descending order.
[0047] Other variations in the game are possible based on the
above-described play of a preferred version of the game of the
invention exemplified by the 6-5-4 Poker.TM. game. For example,
after step D), the player may be allowed to surrender a portion of
the player's wager, for example half the wager rather than fold.
Variations in the amount of the play wager (e.g., from 1.times. to
1.5.times., 2.times., 2.5.times., 3.times. and more) may be
allowed, either as a fixed wager required or at the option of the
player.
[0048] Within the scope of the invention that has been defined,
there are a number of features that can be identified as unique to
the practice of the present invention. Among these features are at
least believed to be: [0049] 1) The use of automatic rules in a
Casino Table Poker game that require a dealer to discard at least
one card, independent or dependent on rank, and/or suit. [0050] 2)
Potentially requiring a dealer to discard more than one card from a
hand with a fixed number of cards. [0051] 3) Potentially discarding
a variable number of cards from the dealer's hand only. [0052] 4)
Allowing a player to alter an initial wager after a dealer has been
compelled to discard cards of rank that were potentially
advantageous to the dealer.
[0053] The following example will describe a complete round of play
of the exemplary 6-5-4 Poker.TM. game of the present invention. For
simplicity, the table will be described with four players present
in positions 12, 14, 16 and 18 and a dealer, when additional
players (typically 7) could be at a table. A standard 52-card deck
without wild cards or jokers is used.
[0054] A table 10 similar to a standard blackjack table is provided
as shown in FIG. 1. There are seven player positions, 12, 14, 16,
18, 20, 22 and 24 and one dealer position. At each player position
there is an area for receiving cards 26a-g, an area 28a-g for
placing an Ante Wager, an area 30a-g for placing a Play wager, and
an area 32a-g for placing a side bet bonus wager on the above
described Queens Up bonus wager. The first two players (in areas 12
and 14) place $5.00 Ante Wagers and $5.00 Queens Up side bets. The
second two players (in areas 16 and 18) place $5.00 Ante Wagers and
no Queens Up wagers. No players are present in areas 20, 22 and
24.
[0055] The dealer is dealt six (6) cards face down in area 34 in
front of chip tray 36 and each of the players is dealt five (5)
cards face down into areas 26a-g. The cards are dealt in batches of
five cards to each player and six cards to the dealer after all
initial wagers are placed (the Ante and the Queens Up side bet).
The players can examine their cards at this time. It does not
actually matter (as far as individual players are concerned)
whether player cards are exposed or not, but to limit player
knowledge of potential cards in the dealer's hand, the player cards
remain face down and unexposed to other players.
[0056] The dealer then turns up one of the initial six (6) cards
dealt to the dealer, typically the last card dealt. If the card is
a rank of 10 or higher (e.g., 10, Jack, Queen, King or Ace), the
dealer must discard that first card that was turned face up.
Players may be required to place their Play Wager at this time,
even before a second card is turned face up, but that is a game
variant not present in this example. If the first card turned up
was a rank of nine (9) or lower, that card would be retained as the
up card for the dealer, and the players are then required to make a
decision on whether to fold (discard their hand and give their Ante
Wager to the casino) or place the Play Wager.
[0057] In this example, the first card the dealer turns up is the
Jack of hearts (the suit is immaterial in this example) and
therefore must discard the Jack of hearts because the rank exceeds
10 or higher. The players are not required to make a Play Wager at
this time, but may wait until the dealer turns up and exposes a
second card from the remaining 5-Card working hand. Again, if the
second turned up card is a predetermined minimum rank (it will be
assumed that the predetermined rank is the same for the second card
as it is for the first turned up dealer's card, but that is not
essential), that card must be discarded. Another variant would be
to discard if a predetermined maximum rank was not met. After the
automatic rule has been exercised as to whether the second turned
up card must be discarded or retained, the players must decide
whether to fold their hand or make the Play Wager.
[0058] It is assumed in this example that the second card was a
King of diamonds because the rule in the example of the invention
is to discard a second card that is 10 or higher in rank. The
dealer must discard the King of diamonds. The dealer then exposes a
third card, (of four available cards) which remains turned up and
remains in play. The first two discards from the dealer's hand (the
Jack of hearts and the King of diamonds) have been placed in a
discard rack and are no longer in play. The dealer now turns-up the
eight of spades as the third exposed card.
[0059] The players now have five cards from which to build a best
4-card poker hand, while the dealer must play the four cards that
remain in the dealer's position. This possibility gives a
significant appearance and perception of potential player advantage
and constitutes one of the attractive player features of the 6-5-4
Poker game.
[0060] The first player in position 12 examines his five card hand,
finds there are two pairs (e.g., six of Hearts and six of clubs,
nine of diamonds and nine of spades) in that players hand, decides
to remain in play of the game, and places a $5.00 Play Wager on the
table.
[0061] The second player in position 14 examines his five card
hand, finds there is a pair of threes (e.g., three of clubs and
three of diamonds) in that player's hand, decides to remain in play
of the game, and places a $5.00 Play Wager on the table.
[0062] The third player in position 16 examines his five card hand,
finds there are three-of-a-kind (e.g., Queen of Hearts, Queen of
clubs, and Queen of diamonds) in that players hand, decides to
remain in play of the game, and places a $5.00 Play Wager on the
table.
[0063] The fourth player in position 18 examines his five card
hand, finds there are no pairs or any hands of winning rank,
decides to withdraw from play of the game, and places no Play Wager
on the table. The fourth player loses his Ante and Queens Up bonus
bet, if made.
[0064] The dealer then confirms that all player decisions have been
made and then turns the dealer's hand over to expose all cards to
the table, revealing the three cards that have been face down until
this point. The dealer's hand is found to have a pair of sixes
(e.g., six of clubs and six of hearts). The dealer arranges the
dealer's hand on the table so that all player's can view the cards
and then proceeds to arrange player hands one at a time to evaluate
their highest rank from among the five cards and arrange the
highest ranking player hand at each position for ease of view. The
first player hand with two pair is displayed, the player paid 1:1
on the Ante Wager, 1:1 on the Play wager, and is paid 2:1 on the
Queens Up bet for two pair. The player hand at the first position
12 is then removed and placed into a discard pile or rack. The
dealer then moves to the second player hand.
[0065] The second player hand of a pair of three's at position 14
loses all of the Ante Wager, the Play Wager and the Queens Up side
bet. The second player hand is removed from the table and the
wagers and side bet are removed by the casino. The third player
hand is 3 Queens, wins the Ante Wager and the Play Wager because
the hand beat the pair of 6's, but no Queens Up wager was made. If
there are special Ante Wager bonuses for hands of particularly high
ranks, the three-of-a-kind might be paid a bonus. However, in a
preferred form of play, the player hand must be a straight flush or
better to win an Ante bonus. Otherwise, the wager is resolved on
the Ante Wager and Play Wager, the player being paid 1:1 or both
the Ante and Play wagers, and the third player hand is removed from
the table.
[0066] The fourth player hand had already been removed, so it is
not in play.
[0067] The dealer then shuffles the cards and another round of play
is engaged.
[0068] Although specific examples and features have been described,
alternative embodiments are within the skill of the artisan for use
with the underlying game of the invention. The game may be played
with players receiving exactly the number of cards needed to form
the competing hand or may receive more than enough cards to form
the competing hand and they select from the available cards to form
the best competing hand. Wild cards may be added, and additional
side bets may be made on the game, such as wagering how many dealer
cards will be discarded on a hand.
* * * * *