U.S. patent application number 11/273236 was filed with the patent office on 2009-12-24 for multiple round pokers.
Invention is credited to Larry Emmanuel Kekempanos, James Thomas Kenny.
Application Number | 20090315261 11/273236 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36460220 |
Filed Date | 2009-12-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090315261 |
Kind Code |
A9 |
Kekempanos; Larry Emmanuel ;
et al. |
December 24, 2009 |
Multiple round pokers
Abstract
A method of playing a casino wagering card game, featuring
multiple rounds of dealing poker hands, out of the same deck(s),
and before a new shuffle, and or a new deck(s) of cards being used.
Joker(s) are not used in the preferred way of playing the game, but
may be used in a different version. The method will use at least a
52 standard poker deck (s) of cards, and allow the players to wager
against an Ante against the dealer, and or wager against a
predetermined payout schedule, and or wager on a bonus event.
Additional options of wagers may be made available. Multiple Round
Poker will offer the method of playing a poker wagering game,
wherein the number of rounds dealt to the players and the dealer
before a shuffle is two or more.
Inventors: |
Kekempanos; Larry Emmanuel;
(Oak Lawn, IL) ; Kenny; James Thomas; (Shorewood,
IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BANNER & WITCOFF, LTD.
1100 13th STREET, N.W.
SUITE 1200
WASHINGTON
DC
20005-4051
US
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Prior
Publication: |
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Document Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20060108740 A1 |
May 25, 2006 |
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Family ID: |
36460220 |
Appl. No.: |
11/273236 |
Filed: |
January 30, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10779908 |
Feb 17, 2004 |
7118112 |
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11273236 |
Jan 30, 2006 |
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60627537 |
Nov 12, 2004 |
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60448669 |
Feb 19, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
273/292 ;
273/274; 273/303 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F 3/00157 20130101;
A63F 2001/005 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
273/292 ;
273/303; 273/274 |
International
Class: |
A63F 3/08 20060101
A63F003/08; A63F 1/00 20060101 A63F001/00 |
Claims
1. A method of playing a wagering game including a dealer and at
least one player comprising the steps of: (a). providing at least
one standard deck of 52 playing cards; (b). providing a published
ranking of winning hands ranked from highest to lowest; (c).
providing a predetermined pay scale for winning hands; (d).
providing a dealer and at least one player; (e). commencing the
game by having at least one player make certain initial wagers
selected from the following; (1) a first wager against the dealer,
and (2) a separate voluntary wager against a predetermined pay
scale; (f). commencing the dealing of at least one cards to each
player, immediately after a shuffle; (g). commencing the dealing of
at least one cards to the dealer, immediately after a shuffle; (h).
said player proceeding to play the game by placing a third support
wager in support of its first wager against the dealer; (i).
comparing the players best one card hand against the dealer's best
one card hand and excluding all extra cards dealt to determine the
relative ranking therebetween; (j). paying the players first wager
against the dealer and player's third support wager if the player's
hand outranks the dealer's hand; (k). paying the player's separate
voluntary wager against the predetermined pay scale if the player's
hand has achieved a rank at least as high as the first ranking from
said published ranking; (l). taking the player's separate voluntary
wager against the predetermined pay scale if the player fails to
achieve at least the minimum ranking from said published ranking;
(m). taking the player's first wager against the dealer and third
support wager if the dealer's hand outranks the player's hand; and
(n). returning the player's first wager against the dealer and
third support wager if said player has the same ranking hand as the
dealer; (o). Continuing with the method of playing a wagering game
including a dealer and at least one player and comprising with the
continued below steps before a shuffle: (p). providing the
remainder of at least one standard deck of 52 playing cards; (q).
providing a published ranking of winning hands ranked from highest
to lowest; (r). providing a predetermined pay scale for winning
hands; (s). providing a dealer and at least one player; (t).
continuing with the game by dealing at least one more round of
cards before a shuffle to at least one player that has made a
certain wager selected from the following; (1) a first wager
against the dealer, and (2) a separate voluntary wager against a
predetermined pay scale; (u). continuing with the dealing of at
least one cards to each player, immediately after the first round
of a shuffle; (v). continuing with the dealing at least one cards
to the dealer, immediately after the first round of a shuffle; (w).
said player proceeding to play the game by placing a third support
wager in support of its first wager against the dealer; (x).
comparing the players best one card hand against the dealer's best
one card hand and excluding all extra cards dealt to determine the
relative ranking therebetween; (y). paying the players first wager
against the dealer and player's third support wager if the player's
hand outranks the dealer's hand; (z). paying the player's separate
voluntary wager against the predetermined pay scale if the player's
hand has achieved a rank at least as high as the first ranking from
said published ranking; (z1). taking the player's separate
voluntary wager against the predetermined pay scale if the player
fails to achieve at least the minimum ranking from said published
ranking; (z2). taking the player's first wager against the dealer
and third support wager if the dealer's hand outranks the player's
hand; and (z3). returning the player's first wager against the
dealer and third support wager if said player has the same ranking
hand as the dealer;
2. A method of playing a wagering game including a dealer and at
least one player comprising the steps of: (a). providing at least
one standard deck of 52 playing cards; (b). providing a published
ranking of winning hands ranked from highest to lowest; (c).
providing a predetermined pay scale for winning hands; (d).
providing a dealer and at least one player; (e). commencing the
game by having at least one player make certain initial wagers
selected from the following; (1) a first wager against the dealer,
and (2) a separate voluntary wager against a predetermined pay
scale; (f). commencing the dealing of at least two cards to each
player, immediately after a shuffle; (g). commencing the dealing of
at least two cards to the dealer, immediately after a shuffle; (h).
said player proceeding to play the game by placing a third support
wager in support of its first wager against the dealer; (i).
comparing the players best two card hand against the dealer's best
two card hand and excluding all extra cards dealt to determine the
relative ranking therebetween; (j). paying the players first wager
against the dealer and player's third support wager if the player's
hand outranks the dealer's hand; (k). paying the player's separate
voluntary wager against the predetermined pay scale if the player's
hand has achieved a rank at least as high as the first ranking from
said published ranking; (l). taking the player's separate voluntary
wager against the predetermined pay scale if the player fails to
achieve at least the minimum ranking from said published ranking;
(m). taking the player's first wager against the dealer and third
support wager if the dealer's hand outranks the player's hand; and
(n). returning the player's first wager against the dealer and
third support wager if said player has the same ranking hand as the
dealer; (o). Continuing with the method of playing a wagering game
including a dealer and at least one player and comprising with the
continued below steps before a shuffle: (p). providing the
remainder of at least one standard deck of 52 playing cards; (q).
providing a published ranking of winning hands ranked from highest
to lowest; (r). providing a predetermined pay scale for winning
hands; (s). providing a dealer and at least one player; (t).
continuing with the game by dealing at least one more round of
cards before a shuffle to at least one player that has made a
certain wager selected from the following; (1) a first wager
against the dealer, and (2) a separate voluntary wager against a
predetermined pay scale; (u). continuing with the dealing of at
least two cards to each player, immediately after the first round
of a shuffle; (v). continuing with the dealing at least two cards
to the dealer, immediately after the first round of a shuffle; (w).
said player proceeding to play the game by placing a third support
wager in support of its first wager against the dealer; (x).
comparing the players best two card hand against the dealer's best
one card hand and excluding all extra cards dealt to determine the
relative ranking therebetween; (y). paying the players first wager
against the dealer and player's third support wager if the player's
hand outranks the dealer's hand; (z). paying the player's separate
voluntary wager against the predetermined pay scale if the player's
hand has achieved a rank at least as high as the first ranking from
said published ranking; (z1). taking the player's separate
voluntary wager against the predetermined pay scale if the player
fails to achieve at least the minimum ranking from said published
ranking; (z2). taking the player's first wager against the dealer
and third support wager if the dealer's hand outranks the player's
hand; and (z3). returning the player's first wager against the
dealer and third support wager if said player has the same ranking
hand as the dealer;
3. A method of playing a wagering game including a dealer and at
least one player comprising the steps of: (a). providing at least
one standard deck of 52 playing cards; (b). providing a published
ranking of winning hands ranked from highest to lowest; (c).
providing a predetermined pay scale for winning hands; (d).
providing a dealer and at least one player; (e). commencing the
game by having at least one player make certain initial wagers
selected from the following; (1) a first wager against the dealer,
and (2) a separate voluntary wager against a predetermined pay
scale; (f). commencing the dealing of at least three cards to each
player, immediately after a shuffle; (g). commencing the dealing of
at least three cards to the dealer, immediately after a shuffle;
(h). said player proceeding to play the game by placing a third
support wager in support of its first wager against the dealer;
(i). comparing the players best three card hand against the
dealer's best three card hand and excluding all extra cards dealt
to determine the relative ranking therebetween; (j). paying the
players first wager against the dealer and player's third support
wager if the player's hand outranks the dealer's hand; (k). paying
the player's separate voluntary wager against the predetermined pay
scale if the player's hand has achieved a rank at least as high as
the first ranking from said published ranking; (l). taking the
player's separate voluntary wager against the predetermined pay
scale if the player fails to achieve at least the minimum ranking
from said published ranking; (m). taking the player's first wager
against the dealer and third support wager if the dealer's hand
outranks the player's hand; and (n). returning the player's first
wager against the dealer and third support wager if said player has
the same ranking hand as the dealer; (o). Continuing with the
method of playing a wagering game including a dealer and at least
one player and comprising with the continued below steps before a
shuffle: (p). providing the remainder of at least one standard deck
of 52 playing cards; (q). providing a published ranking of winning
hands ranked from highest to lowest; (r). providing a predetermined
pay scale for winning hands; (s). providing a dealer and at least
one player; (t). continuing with the game by dealing at least one
more round of cards before a shuffle to at least one player that
has made a certain wager selected from the following; (1) a first
wager against the dealer, and (2) a separate voluntary wager
against a predetermined pay scale; (u). continuing with the dealing
of at least three cards to each player, immediately after the first
round of a shuffle; (v). continuing with the dealing at least three
cards to the dealer, immediately after the first round of a
shuffle; (w). said player proceeding to play the game by placing a
third support wager in support of its first wager against the
dealer; (x). comparing the players best three card hand against the
dealer's best three card hand and excluding all extra cards dealt
to determine the relative ranking therebetween; (y). paying the
players first wager against the dealer and player's third support
wager if the player's hand outranks the dealer's hand; (z). paying
the player's separate voluntary wager against the predetermined pay
scale if the player's hand has achieved a rank at least as high as
the first ranking from said published ranking; (z1). taking the
player's separate voluntary wager against the predetermined pay
scale if the player fails to achieve at least the minimum ranking
from said published ranking; (z2). taking the player's first wager
against the dealer and third support wager if the dealer's hand
outranks the player's hand; and (z3). returning the player's first
wager against the dealer and third support wager if said player has
the same ranking hand as the dealer;
4. A method of playing a wagering game including a dealer and at
least one player comprising the steps of: (a). providing at least
one standard deck of 52 playing cards; (b). providing a published
ranking of winning hands ranked from highest to lowest; (c).
providing a predetermined pay scale for winning hands; (d).
providing a dealer and at least one player; (e). commencing the
game by having at least one player make certain initial wagers
selected from the following; (1) a first wager against the dealer,
and (2) a separate voluntary wager against a predetermined pay
scale; (f). commencing the dealing of at least four cards to each
player, immediately after a shuffle; (g). commencing the dealing of
at least four cards to the dealer, immediately after a shuffle;
(h). said player proceeding to play the game by placing a third
support wager in support of its first wager against the dealer;
(i). comparing the players best four card hand against the dealer's
best four card hand and excluding all extra cards dealt to
determine the relative ranking therebetween; (j). paying the
players first wager against the dealer and player's third support
wager if the player's hand outranks the dealer's hand; (k). paying
the player's separate voluntary wager against the predetermined pay
scale if the player's hand has achieved a rank at least as high as
the first ranking from said published ranking; (l). taking the
player's separate voluntary wager against the predetermined pay
scale if the player fails to achieve at least the minimum ranking
from said published ranking; (m). taking the player's first wager
against the dealer and third support wager if the dealer's hand
outranks the player's hand; and (n). returning the player's first
wager against the dealer and third support wager if said player has
the same ranking hand as the dealer; (o). Continuing with the
method of playing a wagering game including a dealer and at least
one player and comprising with the continued below steps before a
shuffle: (p). providing the remainder of at least one standard deck
of 52 playing cards; (q). providing a published ranking of winning
hands ranked from highest to lowest; (r). providing a predetermined
pay scale for winning hands; (s). providing a dealer and at least
one player; (t). continuing with the game by dealing at least one
more round of cards before a shuffle to at least one player that
has made a certain wager selected from the following; (1) a first
wager against the dealer, and (2) a separate voluntary wager
against a predetermined pay scale; (u). continuing with the dealing
of at least four cards to each player, immediately after the first
round of a shuffle; (v). continuing with the dealing at least four
cards to the dealer, immediately after the first round of a
shuffle; (w). said player proceeding to play the game by placing a
third support wager in support of its first wager against the
dealer; (x). comparing the players best four card hand against the
dealer's best one card hand and excluding all extra cards dealt to
determine the relative ranking therebetween; (y). paying the
players first wager against the dealer and player's third support
wager if the player's hand outranks the dealer's hand; (z). paying
the player's separate voluntary wager against the predetermined pay
scale if the player's hand has achieved a rank at least as high as
the first ranking from said published ranking; (z1). taking the
player's separate voluntary wager against the predetermined pay
scale if the player fails to achieve at least the minimum ranking
from said published ranking; (z2). taking the player's first wager
against the dealer and third support wager if the dealer's hand
outranks the player's hand; and (z3). returning the player's first
wager against the dealer and third support wager if said player has
the same ranking hand as the dealer;
5. A method of playing a wagering game including a dealer and at
least one player comprising the steps of: (a). providing at least
one standard deck of 52 playing cards; (b). providing a published
ranking of winning hands ranked from highest to lowest; (c).
providing a predetermined pay scale for winning hands; (d).
providing a dealer and at least one player; (e). commencing the
game by having at least one player make certain initial wagers
selected from the following; (1) a first wager against the dealer,
and (2) a separate voluntary wager against a predetermined pay
scale; (f). commencing the dealing of at least five cards to each
player, immediately after a shuffle; (g). commencing the dealing of
at least five cards to the dealer, immediately after a shuffle;
(h). said player proceeding to play the game by placing a third
support wager in support of its first wager against the dealer;
(i). comparing the players best one card hand against the dealer's
best one card hand and excluding all extra cards dealt to determine
the relative ranking therebetween; (j). paying the players first
wager against the dealer and player's third support wager if the
player's hand outranks the dealer's hand; (k). paying the player's
separate voluntary wager against the predetermined pay scale if the
player's hand has achieved a rank at least as high as the first
ranking from said published ranking; (l). taking the player's
separate voluntary wager against the predetermined pay scale if the
player fails to achieve at least the minimum ranking from said
published ranking; (m). taking the player's first wager against the
dealer and third support wager if the dealer's hand outranks the
player's hand; and (n). returning the player's first wager against
the dealer and third support wager if said player has the same
ranking hand as the dealer; (o). Continuing with the method of
playing a wagering game including a dealer and at least one player
and comprising with the continued below steps before a shuffle:
(p). providing the remainder of at least one standard deck of 52
playing cards; (q). providing a published ranking of winning hands
ranked from highest to lowest; (r). providing a predetermined pay
scale for winning hands; (s). providing a dealer and at least one
player; (t). continuing with the game by dealing at least one more
round of cards before a shuffle to at least one player that has
made a certain wager selected from the following; (1) a first wager
against the dealer, and (2) a separate voluntary wager against a
predetermined pay scale; (u). continuing with the dealing of at
least five cards to each player, immediately after the first round
of a shuffle; (v). continuing with the dealing at least five cards
to the dealer, immediately after the first round of a shuffle; (w).
said player proceeding to play the game by placing a third support
wager in support of its first wager against the dealer; (x).
comparing the players best five card hand against the dealer's best
five card hand and excluding all extra cards dealt to determine the
relative ranking therebetween; (y). paying the players first wager
against the dealer and player's third support wager if the player's
hand outranks the dealer's hand; (z). paying the player's separate
voluntary wager against the predetermined pay scale if the player's
hand has achieved a rank at least as high as the first ranking from
said published ranking; (z1). taking the player's separate
voluntary wager against the predetermined pay scale if the player
fails to achieve at least the minimum ranking from said published
ranking; (z2). taking the player's first wager against the dealer
and third support wager if the dealer's hand outranks the player's
hand; and (z3). returning the player's first wager against the
dealer and third support wager if said player has the same ranking
hand as the dealer;
6. The method of playing a wagering game as set-forth in claim 1
above, wherein the dealer and each player is dealt an integer of
1-7 cards, and each the dealer and the player can continue play
with the best hand achievable by any lesser of at least one of the
original amount of cards dealt and exclude all extra cards dealt,
and determining a winning hand by comparing the one, two, three,
four, five, six or seven card combination of each player's hand
against the dealers hand and against any pre-determined pay scale
in the event of optional bets placed by the player by such
pre-determined pay scales.
7. The method of playing a wagering game as set forth in claim 1
above, which provides for players to place additional side bets,
wherein the game further includes steps of: providing each player
with an additional optional progressive wager for a one, two,
three, four, five, six or seven card progression, providing a
pre-determined published ranking of winning card progressive hands,
providing a predetermined pay scale for each of said pre-determined
ranking of winning 1-7 card progressive hands, allowing the
wagering game to continue with the best of 1-7 cards, and paying
the players progressive optional wager if the player's 1-7 card
hand matches any one of the pre-determined published ranking of
winning 1-7 card progressive hands.
8. The method of playing a wagering game as set forth in claim 1
above, wherein the dealer mush achieve a qualifying hand of at
least (2) two high to continue playing and the failure to achieve
said qualifying hand results in the dealer losing and paying each
player the initial ante wager by each player against the
dealer.
9. The method of playing a wagering game as set forth in claim 8
above, wherein the necessary qualifying hand required by the dealer
in order to continue to play may be pre-determined in accordance
with any desired ranking.
10. A method of playing a wagering game including a dealer and at
least one player comprising the steps of: (a). providing at least
one standard deck of 52 playing cards; (b). providing a published
ranking of winning hands ranked from highest to lowest; (c).
providing a predetermined pay scale for winning hands; (d).
providing a set pre-determined minimum hand ranking for a dealer to
achieve as a qualifying hand without which a dealer will lose after
all cards are dealt; (e). providing a dealer and at least one
player; (f). commencing the game by having at least one player make
certain initial wagers selected from the following; (1) a first
wager against the dealer, and (2) a separate voluntary wager
against a predetermined pay scale; (g). dealing at least four cards
to each player (h). dealing at least four cards to the dealer; (i).
ending the game if the dealer fails to achieve a qualifying hand in
accordance with said pre-determined hand ranking and the dealer
paying the player's wager if the player placed a first wager
against the dealer and paying the players second wager if the
player waged said separate wager against said pre-determined pay
scale and achieved a ranking hand pursuant to said published
ranking; (j). proceeding with the game if the dealer has achieved
said qualifying hand; (k). said player proceeding to play the game
by placing a third support wager in support of its first wager
against the dealer; (l). comparing the players best 1-7 card hand
against the dealer's best 1-7 card hand and excluding all extra
cards dealt to determine the relative ranking therebetween; (m).
paying the players first wager against the dealer and player's
third support wager if the player's hand outranks the dealer's
hand; (n). paying the player's separate voluntary wager against the
predetermined pay scale if the player's hand has achieved a rank at
least as high as the first ranking from said published ranking;
(o). taking the player's separate voluntary wager against the
predetermined pay scale if the player fails to achieve at least the
minimum ranking from said published ranking; (p). taking the
player's first wager against the dealer and third support wager if
the dealer's hand outranks the player's hand; and (q). returning
the player's first wager against the dealer and third support wager
if said player has the same ranking hand as the dealer.
8. A method of playing a wagering game including a dealer and at
least one player comprising the steps of: (a). providing at least
one standard deck of 52 playing cards; (b). providing a published
ranking of winning hands ranked from highest to lowest; (c).
providing a predetermined pay scale for winning hands; (d).
providing a set predetermined minimum hand ranking for a player to
achieve as a qualifying hand without which a player win lose after
all cards are dealt; (e). providing a dealer and at least one
player; (f). commencing the game by having at least one player make
certain initial wagers selected from the following; (1) a first
wager against the dealer, and (2) a separate voluntary wager
against a predetermined pay scale; (g). dealing at least 1-7 cards
to each player (h). dealing at least 1-7 cards to the dealer; (i).
ending the game if the player fails to achieve a qualifying hand in
accordance with said pre-determined hand ranking and the dealer
taking the player's first wager; (j). proceeding with the game if
the player has achieved said qualifying hand; (k). said player
proceeding to play the game by placing a third support wager in
support of its first wager against the dealer; (l). comparing the
players best 1-7 card hand against the dealer's best 1-7 card hand
and excluding all extra cards dealt to determine the relative
ranking therebetween; (m). paying the players first wager against
the dealer and player's third support wager if the player's hand
outranks the dealer's hand; (n). paying the player's separate
voluntary wager against the predetermined pay scale if the player's
hand has achieved a rank at least as high as the first ranking from
said published ranking; (o). taking the player's separate voluntary
wager against the predetermined pay scale if the player fails to
achieve at least the minimum ranking from said published
ranking;
9. The method of playing a wagering game as set forth in claim 1
above, wherein a player is provided with an opportunity to place an
additional bad beat wager including the further steps of: providing
a pre-determined published ranking of winning bad beat hands,
permitting the player to place an additional wager against said
pre-determined published ranking of winning bad beat hands,
providing that the player may win said additional wager even in the
event the player's hand is outranked by the dealer's hand so long
as the player's hand appears on the pre-determined published
ranking of winning bad beat hands.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is filed in connection with and claiming
the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/627,537 filed on
Nov. 12, 2004 identifying Larry E. Kekempanos and James Thomas
Kenny as co-inventors.
BACKGRUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to gaming and to card games.
More particularly, the present invention pertains to a method of
playing a new type of poker game especially adapted for casino
gaming, both in live table and electronic video formats, wherein
the number of rounds dealt to the players and or dealer before the
shuffle is two or more.
[0003] Gaming establishments continually require new games to offer
their players. Casinos are also in need of games which are easy to
play and easy to deal. Such games are generally required to enable
each player to play against a banker (who usually also acts as a
dealer) provided by a casino, rather than against other players.
This type of Casino Poker can provide more revenue to the casino
that traditional poker because Casino Poker is invariably
structured to give the casino an advantage. Exemplary of Casino
Poker are the casino games of "Let It Ride", "Caribbean Stud Poker"
and "Three Card Poker. These type games require less space than the
traditionally larger tables found in poker rooms and are dealt much
faster.
[0004] In games like Let It Ride and Caribbean Stud Poker, the
poker hands that the player must make to get a payoff are hard to
get thus the payoffs are infrequent. The player is frustrated
because many times they notice that they did not receive a good
hand, and neither did any of the other players. In a three-card
game like Three Card Poker, the hands are sometimes made easier but
with only one round dealt out of a single deck, the player(s) is
still frustrated since the number of payoffs is still rather low.
Numerous times, the remainder of cards in the deck that is
unexploited, in many Casino Poker games, is where most of the
winning combinations are to be found. Therefore, there is a need
for a game, which would bridge the gap in ease of making a hand
with more frequent payouts to the player(s), and feature two or
more rounds of dealing from the same deck(s), and before a shuffle.
This new game feature of multiple rounds in poker shall be
incorporated into the players and or the dealer receiving a
predetermined number of cards, consisting of at least 1-7 cards,
and more particularly a finalized hand comparison against the
dealer and or against a predetermined pay scale, for either a 1
card poker hand, 2 card poker hands, 3 card poker hands, 4 card
poker hands, 5 card poker hands, 6 card poker hand and or any other
predetermined amount of card and combination of hands, being
compared before a new shuffle, independently and or in combination
of hands with the dealer and player(s).
[0005] In addition, as will be more apparent from the following
specification, and as was more fully delineated in our provisional
application filed Nov. 12, 2004, it has been determined that the
player interest is increased when the odds of the player being able
to achieve a winning hand are increased. This of course, must be
balanced against the player/dealer/casino having good odds in
winning as well. It is clear that with single round card poker
games, the odds of achieving a good hand are more difficult that in
a multiple round poker card game. As has been indicated above, in a
single round poker game, the ability to achieve a good hand is less
and therefore the payoffs are less. The present invention seeks to
provide a card game, which now focus's on a multiple round poker
game and as will be demonstrated hereinafter, improves the odds for
the player to win, while still maintaining good odds for the casino
as well. It will also be appreciated that the over all odds for a
player winning in a multiple round poker card game with two or more
rounds before a shuffle, are easier than the odds for a player to
win any single round card poker game with only one round.
[0006] Insofar as the prior art is concerned, the art is
particularly void of any disclosures or showings of a multiple
rounds poker game, out of a single deck(s) and before a shuffle or
a new deck of cards are introduced. Similar games are disclosed,
but they relate to dealing only one round of poker from the same
deck, in a three card game or a five card game. Furthermore, the
games disclosed in the prior art are played with one round of cards
dealt before a shuffle and hence, have a different basis for play
and a different statistical odds for the player being able to
achieve a winning hand. For example, the patent to Webb, U.S. Pat.
No. 5,685,774 discloses a poker style casino card game which may be
played in either a three card variation, or a five card variation.
Webb discloses in the prior art, a player wagering against a
predetermined payout schedule, a dealer's hand, or both. The dealer
must determine whether his hand exceeds a predetermined rank, and
if it does not, the bank paying each player an amount based on the
bet and returning the other bet to the player, or if the dealer's
hand exceeds the predetermined rank, comparing the dealer's hand in
turn with that of each player who placed both bets, and if the
player's hand is higher, the banker paying the player and amount
based on both bets, and if the player's hand is lower, the player
forfeiting both bets, and the banker paying the fixed payout bet in
accordance with a predetermined scale to any player who placed the
first bet and whose hand exceeds the first predetermined rank. Webb
fails to reveal any capability to deal more than one round from the
same deck(s), and before a shuffle.
[0007] Another prior art U.S. Pat. No. 5,997,002 to Goldman,
discloses a poker style casino card game which uses a 52 card
standard playing deck plus an additional five jokers for a total of
57 cards. Play consists of dealing 5 cards to each player, and in
the preferred embodiment, is dealt face down. The game is played by
the dealer revealing a first card, and a player revealing a first
card, then deciding on additional wagers. The sequence of the game
terminates when all five cards are displayed, assuming each player
has stayed in the game, comparing the best five card hand of the
dealer against each player five cards. Goldman also reveals that
jokers which are part of the deck are never wild and hence, a
player receiving a joker ends up in a poor position since on of the
five cards cannot count toward the making of a poker hand. Again,
Goldman fails to reveal any capability to make or deal more than
two rounds from the same deck(s), and before a shuffle.
[0008] The patent to Breeding U.S. Pat. No. 5,288,081 describes
still another variation of a poker game which is played by the
player placing a three part bet. Cards are dealt by the dealer, two
face down to the dealer and three face down to each player. Players
inspect or sweat their cards and the dealer gives each player the
choice of withdrawing or leaving a first part of the bet. Each
player decides and the dealer then turns over one of the cards and
again gives each player the choice of withdrawing or leaving the
second part of the bet. The players decide, their cards are shown,
and all remaining bets, which were not withdrawn, are resolved.
Once again, Breeding fails to disclose or appreciate to two or more
rounds before a shuffle, from the same deck(s).
OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
[0009] It is an object of the present invention to provide an
enjoyable new card game.
[0010] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
game that is easy to learn and deal.
[0011] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
game that makes it easier and more often for a player to make a
hand than in any other poker card game, and hence enhances the odds
of the player being able to win in a multiple round(s) versus only
a single round.
[0012] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
game that has more frequent payoffs than in a single round poker
game since the odds and probability are harder in a single round
poker game than they are in a multiple round(s) poker game, but
nevertheless still maintains the player interest due to the
enhanced ability to obtain a winning hand versus a poker game that
deals only one round of cards from a deck(s).
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] The present invention discloses a poker game variation in
which one or more players play against the casino. Broadly, the
invention is directed to a poker game variant in which a player has
a choice between several wagers among the following; an initial
stake ante wager against the dealer, and a separate voluntary
middle stake wager against a predetermined payout schedule.
[0014] In one preferred embodiment of the invention, one or more
players initially place a wager(s) and then X cards are dealt to
the players. Players would inspect their hands, and if their hand
has achieved a pre-determined rank, the player would win that wager
accordingly. The remainder of cards in the deck(s) is now used to
deal the second round of cards before a shuffle. Now, the players
that had made the next wager, would be dealt X cards, from the
remaining deck(s), inspect their hands, and if their hand has
achieved a pre-determined rank, the player would win that wager
accordingly. This version would include a standard deck of at least
52 playing cards, with or without at least one joker. This version
may also include a non-standard deck of at least 52 playing cards,
with or without at least one joker.
[0015] In a second preferred embodiment of the invention, one or
more players initially place a wager(s) against the dealer and a
separate voluntary wager against a predetermined pay scale and then
X cards are dealt to the players. Y amount of cards are dealt to
the dealer. Players would inspect their hands, and if their hand
has achieved a pre-determined rank, the player would win that wager
accordingly. Then, comparing the players best X poker hand against
the dealer's best Y poker hand and excluding all extra cards dealt
to determine the relative ranking there between. The remainder of
cards in the deck(s) is now used to deal the second round of cards
before a shuffle. Now, the players that have made the next wager(s)
against the dealer and a separate voluntary wager against a
predetermined pay scale and then X cards are dealt to the players.
Y amount of cards are dealt to the dealer. Players would inspect
their hands, and if their hand has achieved a pre-determined rank,
the player would win that wager accordingly. Then, comparing the
players best X poker hand against the dealer's best Y poker hand
and excluding all extra cards dealt to determine the relative
ranking there between. This version would include at least a
standard deck of at least 52 playing cards. This version may also
include a non-standard at least 52 card deck.
[0016] In a third preferred embodiment of the invention, one or
more players initially place a wager(s) against the dealer and a
separate voluntary wager against a predetermined pay scale and then
X cards are dealt to the players. Y amount of cards are dealt to
the dealer. Players would inspect their hands, and if their hand
has achieved a pre-determined rank, the player would win that wager
accordingly. Then, comparing the players best X poker hand against
the dealer's best Y poker hand and excluding all extra cards dealt
to determine the relative ranking there between. The remainder of
cards in the deck(s) is now used to deal the second round of cards
before a shuffle. Now, the players that have made the next wager(s)
against the dealer and a separate voluntary wager against a
predetermined pay scale and then X cards are dealt to the players.
Y amount of cards are dealt to the dealer. Players would inspect
their hands, and if their hand has achieved a pre-determined rank,
the player would win that wager accordingly. Then, comparing the
players best X poker hand against the dealer's best Y poker hand
and excluding all extra cards dealt to determine the relative
ranking there between. This version would include at least a
standard deck of at least 52 playing cards and at least one
joker.
[0017] In a fourth preferred embodiment of the invention, one or
more players initially place a wager(s) against the dealer and a
separate voluntary wager against a predetermined pay scale and then
X cards are dealt to the players. Y amount of cards are dealt to
the dealer. Players would inspect their hands, and if their hand
has achieved a pre-determined rank, the player would win that wager
accordingly. Then, comparing the players best X poker hand against
the dealer's best Y poker hand and excluding all extra cards dealt
to determine the relative ranking there between. The remainder of
cards in the deck(s) is now used to deal the second round of cards
before a shuffle. Now, the players that have made the next wager(s)
against the dealer and a separate voluntary wager against a
predetermined pay scale and then X cards are dealt to the players.
Y amount of cards are dealt to the dealer. Players would inspect
their hands, and if their hand has achieved a pre-determined rank,
the player would win that wager accordingly. Then, comparing the
players best X poker hand against the dealer's best Y poker hand
and excluding all extra cards dealt to determine the relative
ranking there between. This version would include at least a
non-standard deck of cards, with or without jokers.
[0018] It is contemplated that in the game of the present
invention, for the game to begin, the casino may either require the
dealer or the player to achieve a qualifying hand. If the dealer
must qualify and he does not, then the initial wager made by the
player against the dealer would be paid. If the player was required
to qualify and did not, then the player would forfeit their initial
wager against the dealer. The game may be played without requiring
any of the participants to have a qualifying hand in order to
continue with the game.
[0019] A novel gaming layout for use in the casino version of the
game is also disclosed.
[0020] There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more
important features of the invention in order that the detailed
description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in
order that the present contribution to the art may be better
appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the
invention that will be described hereafter and which will form the
subject matter of the claims appended hereto. In this respect,
before explaining at least one embodiment of the present invention
in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited
in its application to the details of construction or to the
arrangements of the components set forth in the following
description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is
capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out
in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology
and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description
and should not be regarded as limiting. As such, those skilled in
the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this
disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the
designing of other structures, methods, and systems for carrying
out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important,
therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent
construction insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and
scope of the present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] FIG. 1 shows a playing surface for use in playing a card
game of one embodiment of the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 2 is a chart indicating winning poker hands and their
payouts in one example of a wager against a predetermined pay scale
of the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 3 is a chart indicating winning poker hands and their
payouts in one example of a wager against a predetermined pay scale
of the present invention;
[0024] FIG. 4 is a chart indicating winning poker hands and their
payouts in one example of a wager against a predetermined pay scale
of the present invention;
[0025] FIG. 5 is a chart indicating winning poker hands and their
payouts in one example of a wager against a predetermined pay scale
of the present invention;
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0026] According to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention, players play against a casino. However, in jurisdictions
where such games are not legal, such as in California, one player
may be designated "Player-Dealer" and all the other players would
play against the Player-Dealer. The option to act as Player-Dealer
would be offered to each player in their turn. In this
specification, the term "Dealer" is intended to refer to either a
casino dealer, or a Player-Dealer, whichever is appropriate for the
circumstances under which the game of the present invention is
played.
[0027] FIG. 1 shows a playing surface or table layout 25 on which
one embodiment of the present invention is played. The layout 25
may be marked or placed on any suitable surface such as a gaming
table. For example, the layout may be in the form of a layout cloth
supported on a supporting surface. The layout provides a playing
area 30 for a plurality of players, for example seven players, and
a separate area 35 for a banker who also preferably acts as the
dealer. Each playing area 30 has a number of marked sections or
zones 12, 14, 16 for the placing of various wagers by a player as
will be described hereafter.
[0028] Each player takes a place at one of the playing areas 30.
The game is played and initially commenced with multiple rounds of
poker being dealt from the same deck(s) before a shuffle, as will
be described. In each round, each player has the option of playing
against the dealer, and or wagering on the rank of his/her hand
against a predetermined pay scale or a combination of the two. The
player(s) will further have the option of continuing with the game
for at least another round of cards before a shuffle, immediately
after the first round is dealt and before the remaining cards are
shuffled. In other variations of the game, the player may be
offered more options. The preferred embodiment of the present
invention is played with at least a standard deck of 52 playing
cards plus two jokers. The two jokers together form the highest
hand or combined with another card, form a pair.
[0029] At the beginning of the game each player decides whether to
play that particular round by wagering against the dealer, i.e. an
"INITIAL ANTE" wager, by wagering on the hand value only, i.e.
"PREDETERMINED PAYOUT SCHEDULE AGAINST A PAYSCALE" wager, or both.
The player must now also make his/her wages for the second round.
To play against the dealer a player makes an INITIAL ANTE wager by
placing an appropriate wager, such as a token or chip, or where
permitted, cash, on the section 14 of his/her/playing area 30. The
gaming chip may be of any conventional kind and available in a
number of denominations such as are well known within the art. The
casino will post the house betting limits. If a player wishes to
wager based on the value of his/her hand, the player would place an
appropriate token, chip, or cash on the "PREDETERMINED PAYOUT
SCHEDULE AGAINST A PAYSCALE" wager in section 12 of his/her playing
area 30. In the present example, the rules of the game provide that
payouts will be made according to a displayed payout schedule with
"Pair or More" payouts starting at a pair or better. In one
embodiment of the present invention, hands are ranked according to
the following hierarchy, though other rankings may be used: [0030]
Highest: [0031] Joker version rankings; [0032] 1 2 Jokers Mini
Royal Ace/King of one suit Straight Flush: Two of one suit in
sequence K, Q highest ranking straight flush 2, A lowest ranking
straight flush Straight: Two in sequence A, K highest ranking K, Q
second highest ranking and so on until A, 2 lowest ranking straight
1 Pair: Two of one rank A, A highest K, K next highest ranking
pair, and so on until 2, 2 lowest ranking pair Flush: Two of one
suit A, Q highest ranking flush K, J next highest ranking, and so
on, until 4, 2 lowest ranking flush High Card: (A hand comprising
none of the above) A, Q highest A, J next highest ranking card, and
so on, until 4, 2 lowest ranking high card [0033] Ace is high, but
can be low in Straight A, 2 and Straight Flush A, 2 [0034] This is
but one of many different ways to rank the cards.
[0035] The payout schedule may be varied in accordance with the
rules of the game and/or the casino. For example, another version
of the game may eliminate the jokers and have the following
rankings: [0036] Non-joker version: [0037] Straight Flush [0038]
One Pair [0039] Straight [0040] Flush [0041] High Card
[0042] One of the wagering options in one embodiment of the present
invention is a wager against a payscale. The bet is called "Pair or
More" and has the following payscale as one example: [0043] 2 2
Jokers 50 to 1 Mini-Royal 20 to 1 Straight Flush 8 to 1 Straight 2
to 1 Pair 1 to 1
[0044] Another of the options in a second embodiment of the present
invention would be to have a game that did not use any jokers and
an example of a possible payscale for the "Pair or More" bet would
be: [0045] 3 Pair of Aces 16 to 1 Straight Flush 6 to 1 One Pair 4
to 1 Straight 2 to 1
[0046] The payout schedules are preferably displayed in a
convenient manner and location. At times the pay scales for
different wagers and any extra ante bonus payouts will be displayed
on the playing layout itself and at other times the payouts will be
on mobile display material.
[0047] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention
the initial two wagering options of an INITIAL ANTE bet against a
dealer or a "PREDETERMINED PAYOUT SCHEDULE AGAINST A PAYSCALE"
wager against a pay scale may be of unequal amounts.
[0048] When the above wagers are in place, the dealer preferably
shuffles the cards (manually or by shuffler) and then deals a
two-card hand to each player and themselves.
The cards may either be dealt face up or face down depending upon
casino policy.
[0049] When the cards have been dealt, any player who has placed an
INITIAL ANTE wager inspects his/her hand and determines whether to
fold and forfeit their bet or to stay in by placing a support wager
in the PLAY area. The Play wager is possibly the same as the ANTE
wager, but can also be a supporting wager in one, two, tree, four,
or five times the original bet on the Ante. The PLAY wager is made
by placing an appropriate chip on the section 16 marked "PLAY" on
the player's playing area 30. When the player has made the wager
then he/she places the cards in the Play area below the Play wager
section 30.
[0050] If a player forfeits his/her ANTE wager, the dealer takes
the wager and the players cards are discarded before the game
proceeds.
[0051] "PREDETERMINED PAYOUT SCHEDULE AGAINST A PAYSCALE" wagers
are not affected to this point. However, a player playing the
"PREDETERMINED PAYOUT SCHEDULE AGAINST A PAYSCALE" wager only,
places his/her cards in the playing area if they wish to continue
the hand. If the player wishes to forfeit or fold their hand they
would indicate this by tossing their hand forward towards the
dealer. If the player is also playing against the dealer with an
ANTE wager, he/she must make a PLAY wager if he/she has a winning
"PREDETERMINED PAYOUT SCHEDULE AGAINST A PAYSCALE" wager.
[0052] The dealer reveals his/her cards and shows their best two
card poker hand. The dealer then in turn reveals each other
player's cards (if they have not already been revealed), compares
the players best two card poker hand to that of the dealer's, and
resolves each players wager(s).
[0053] All the players with an ANTE and a PLAY wagers are
automatically winners if the dealer does not qualify with a
predetermined high hand or better. This rank may be varied in
accordance with the rules of the game or the casino. Players are
preferably paid even money on the INITIAL ANTE wager and their PLAY
wager is a push.
[0054] If the dealer does qualify with a PREDETERMINED minimum high
hand or better, each player's hand is compared with that of the
dealer. If the player's hand is higher ranked, then the player is
paid even money on the INITIAL ANTE and supporting PLAY wagers. If
the player's hand is of a lower rank then that of the dealer's, the
player loses both the ANTE and PLAY wagers. If the dealer and the
player have exactly the same hand, then the hand is a push and the
player may withdraw his/her/wager, leave it, or adjust it for the
next round.
[0055] The present game may also provide for an additional payout
to be made by the dealer, to the player who has made an ANTE wager
and a PLAY wager, if the player achieves a predetermined hand
ranking. The extra payout would be called the BUILT IN ANTE KICKER
and would be paid regardless of the player beating the dealers hand
or not. One preferred payout schedule would be: [0056] BUILT IN
ANTE KICKER [0057] 4 2 Jokers 5 to 1 Straight Flush 2 to 1
[0058] Players who have wagered on the value of the hand (I.E.
PREDETERMINED PAYOUT SCHEDULE AGAINST A PAYSCALE ) win if the hand
is at least a MINIMUM RANKING OF A PREDERMINED AMOUNT and are paid
by the dealer according to the posted pay scale. These payouts are
independent of the results of the game against the dealer.
This procedure completes one-half of the hands of the game.
[0059] Players who are now wagering on a second set of cards would
now be dealt new cards, from the remaining cards in the deck, and
new cards would be dealt to the dealer. Play would continue once
again as shown above.
[0060] This procedure would continue until the cards are shuffled
for a new multiple round of poker. Play then continues in another
round, with players commencing to make wagers on the Initial Ante
and/or the PREDETERMINED PAYOUT SCHEDULE AGAINST A PAYSCALE
bets.
[0061] This novel method of playing a game may be utilized with
playing cards or as an electrical or electromechanical device such
as a slot machine. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that
suitable controls can be provided for receiving the necessary input
and therefore is within the scope of the present invention to
provide a multi-unit video format wherein a plurality of players
may play against each other and/or against a dealer.
[0062] From the present description, those skilled in the art will
appreciate that various modifications may be made without departure
from the scope of the present invention. For example, the naming of
the different wagers, the naming and/or ranking of any hand, the
changing of the necessity of qualifying hands for both the dealer
and/or the player, the payout schedule, and predetermined winning
or losing ranks may be varied in accordance with the rules of the
game or the requirements of the casino.
[0063] The table game layout may be varied from that which is
described and shown. The rules may be varied, or additional rules
imposed, within the scope of the invention. Additional optional or
mandatory wagers may be incorporated into the game with a view
toward enhancing the players interest and ability to win additional
wagers.
[0064] One such bet is a "Bad Beat Wager". If allowed the player
may place a "Bad Beat Wager" before the cards are dealt out. The
player would be wagering that they would achieve a hand of at least
a certain published rank and that this hand would be beaten by the
dealer's hand of a higher rank. The player would lose this optional
bet if the hand did not achieve the posted minimum ranking and did
not get beaten by the dealer's hand.
[0065] It will be appreciated that additional marked zones may be
provided to accommodate any additional optional side bets. The
marking of the betting zones would be noted accordingly so that the
player would know where to place their wager.
[0066] The precise wagering requirements may vary depending upon
the casino rules but the nature of the game will stay the same,
that is, a two card poker game dealt with multiple rounds from at
least one deck. The precise wagering system can be varied in that
any number of additional and/or optional bets may be incorporated
into the game, or additional mandatory bets may be incorporated by
different house rules. These changes are not deemed to be a
critical part of the present invention rather the criticality is in
the playing of a two card poker game with multiple rounds of
hands.
[0067] It is to be understood that the present invention is not
limited to the sole embodiment described above, but encompasses any
and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.
* * * * *