U.S. patent application number 13/426512 was filed with the patent office on 2012-09-27 for poker-based wagering game for multiple players.
Invention is credited to Gary Willis.
Application Number | 20120244924 13/426512 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46877785 |
Filed Date | 2012-09-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120244924 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Willis; Gary |
September 27, 2012 |
POKER-BASED WAGERING GAME FOR MULTIPLE PLAYERS
Abstract
Systems, methods and apparatus for providing, operating, hosting
and conducting wagering games for at least two participating
players including distributing randomly generated playing cards to
form a partial hand of at least four playing cards for each of the
participating players, providing a community group of at least
three playing cards, conducting one or more wagering events until
the values of at least three of the playing cards in the community
group are known to the participating players, determining the
winner of the game as one of either the participating player
remaining if no other players continue as participating players in
the game or the participating player achieving a final hand of the
highest poker rank when compared with the final hands of the
participating players, transferring a portion of the wagers
received to a game host, and transferring the remaining portion of
the wagers received to the determined winner.
Inventors: |
Willis; Gary; (Brookeland,
TX) |
Family ID: |
46877785 |
Appl. No.: |
13/426512 |
Filed: |
March 21, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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61454912 |
Mar 21, 2011 |
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61473113 |
Apr 7, 2011 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
463/12 ;
273/292 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F 1/00 20130101; A63F
3/00157 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/12 ;
273/292 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24; A63F 1/00 20060101 A63F001/00 |
Claims
1. A method of hosting a wagering game for at least two
participating players at a gaming table, the method comprising the
steps of: providing a set of randomly-ordered physical playing
cards; receiving an ante wager from each of the participating
players; distributing cards from the set of randomly-ordered
physical playing cards to form a partial hand of at least four
playing cards for each of the participating players, wherein the
cards are distributed face down so that each participating player
is unable to view the partial hands distributed to any other
participating players; providing a community group of at least
three playing cards from the set of randomly-ordered physical
playing cards, wherein the cards in the community group are
provided face down so that the values of the playing cards remain
unknown to the participating players; conducting one or more
wagering events until the values of at least three of the playing
cards in the community group are known to the participating
players, the wagering events including revealing the value of a
playing card from the community group, and providing an opportunity
for each participating player to enter an optional wager, wherein
upon receiving the optional wager from any of the participating
players, the wager becomes mandatory requiring receiving matching
wagers from all participating players thereafter to continue as
participating player in the game and to prevent forfeiting all of
the player's respective prior wagers; determining the winner of the
game as one of either the participating player remaining if no
other players continue as participating players in the game or the
participating player achieving a final hand of the highest poker
rank when compared with the final hands of the participating
players, wherein each of the participating player's final hands are
formed from the cards in the participating player's partial hand
and the at least three known community cards; transferring a
portion of the wagers received to a game host; and transferring the
remaining portion of the wagers received to the determined winner
of the game.
2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the step of distributing
cards from the set of randomly-ordered physical playing cards to
form a partial hand of at least four playing cards for each of the
participating players further comprises distributing cards from the
set of randomly-ordered physical playing cards to form a partial
hand of five playing cards for each of the participating
players.
3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the step of providing a
community group of at least three playing cards from the set of
randomly-ordered physical playing cards further comprises providing
a community group of five playing cards from the set of
randomly-ordered physical playing cards.
4. A method according to claim 3, further comprising the step of
discarding two cards.
5. A method according to claim 1, wherein the step of conducting
one or more wagering events until the values of at least three of
the playing cards in the community group are known to the
participating players further comprises conducting three wagering
events until the values of three of the playing cards in the
community group are known to the participating players.
6. A method according to claim 1, wherein each of the wagering
events include revealing the value of a single playing card from
the community group.
7. A method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of
conducting an initial wagering event subsequent to the step of
distributing cards from the set of randomly-ordered physical
playing cards to form a partial hand of at least four playing cards
for each of the participating players and prior to revealing the
value of a playing card from the community group.
8. A computer-facilitated method of operating a wagering game for
at least two participating players, the method comprising the steps
of: receiving an ante wager from each of the participating players
using a player interface; randomly generating virtual playing cards
to form a partial hand of at least four playing cards for each of
the participating players, wherein the cards in each of the partial
hands are viewable only at the respective player interfaces of the
participating players associated with the partial hands; providing
a randomly generated community group of at least three virtual
playing cards, wherein the values of the playing cards in the
community group are not displayed to the participating players;
conducting one or more wagering events until the values of at least
three of the playing cards in the community group are displayed to
the participating players, the wagering events including displaying
the value of a playing card from the community group, and providing
an opportunity for each participating player to enter an optional
wager, wherein upon receiving the optional wager from any of the
participating players, the wager becomes mandatory requiring
receiving matching wagers from all participating players thereafter
to continue as participating player in the game and to prevent
forfeiting all of the player's respective prior wagers; determining
the winner of the game as one of either the participating player
remaining if no other players continue as participating players in
the game or the participating player achieving a final hand of the
highest poker rank when compared with the final hands of the
participating players, wherein each of the participating player's
final hands are formed from the cards in the participating player's
partial hand and the at least three known community cards;
transferring a portion of the wagers received to a game host; and
transferring the remaining portion of the wagers received to the
determined winner of the game.
9. A computer-facilitated method according to claim 8, wherein the
partial hand includes five playing cards for each of the
participating players.
10. A computer-facilitated method according to claim 8, wherein the
community group includes three virtual playing cards.
11. A computer-facilitated method according to claim 8, wherein
each of the wagering events include displaying the value of a
single playing card from the community group.
12. A system for providing a wagering game associated with the
underlying game of Blackjack, comprising: a) means for randomly
generating playing cards to form partial hands of at least four
cards for each participating player and a community group of at
least three playing cards; b) a processor configured for: (i)
conducting one or more wagering events until the values of at least
three of the playing cards in the community group are revealed to
the participating players, the wagering events including revealing
the value of a playing card from the community group, and providing
an opportunity for each participating player to enter an optional
wager, wherein upon receiving the optional wager from any of the
participating players, the wager becomes mandatory requiring
receiving matching wagers from all participating players thereafter
to continue as participating player in the game and to prevent
forfeiting all of the player's respective prior wagers; (ii)
determining the winner of the game as one of either the
participating player remaining if no other players continue as
participating players in the game or the participating player
achieving a final hand of the highest poker rank when compared with
the final hands of the participating players, wherein each of the
participating player's final hands are formed from the cards in the
participating player's partial hand and the at least three known
community cards; c) a communication device configured for: (i)
transmitting the values of playing cards revealed in the game to
participating players; and (ii) facilitating the transfer of a
portion of the wagers received to the determined winner of the
game.
13. A system as recited in claim 12, wherein means for randomly
generating a random initial hand of playing cards in the underlying
game comprises a random number generator.
14. A system as recited in claim 12, wherein means for generating a
random initial hand of playing cards in the underlying game is at
least one deck of randomly ordered playing cards.
15. A system as recited in claim 12, further comprising a display
device in communication with the communication device and
configured for displaying the values of playing cards revealed in
the game.
16. A system according to claim 15, wherein the processor is
remotely located from the display device.
17. A system as recited in claim 12, wherein the communication
device and processor are mounted in a unitary housing.
18. A system according to claim 12, wherein the processor is
remotely located from the communication device.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 61/454,912 which was filed Mar. 21, 2011,
and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/473,113 which was
filed Apr. 7, 2011, the disclosures of which are incorporated
herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The invention relates to systems and methods of providing,
hosting, conducting and modifying wagering games, and in
particular, the invention relates to a modified poker game, played
with one or more conventional decks of 52 playing cards.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Poker has enjoyed an increase in popularity in recent years,
and a variety of modified poker games have arisen to provide
players with desired levels of action, complexity, and ease of
play.
[0006] Texas Hold'em is a very popular variety of community card
poker. In Texas Hold'em, each player receives two pocket cards. A
round of betting occurs after the pocket cards are dealt, followed
by the display of three community cards, called the "flop." A
second round of betting occurs, followed by the display of a fourth
community card, called the "turn," or "fourth street." A third
round of betting then occurs, followed by the display of a fifth
community card, called the "river" or "fifth street." A final round
of betting occurs, after which the players determine the winner, in
a process called the "showdown." The winner is the player among the
players remaining in the game who has the highest ranked hand
formed from any of the player's pocket cards and the community
cards. The winner receives all the accumulated bets in the pot.
Since there are two pocket cards available to each player, and only
five community cards, it is likely that the highest ranked hand
will utilize pocket cards, and the chances for a tie hand are
relatively less than in a game with fewer pocket cards and more
community cards. Additionally, since a full hand of five cards is
available after the first round of betting, players will be likely
to fold if they fail to make a ranked hand when the first three
community cards are dealt.
[0007] Poker games involving players competing against one another,
such as Texas Hold'em, are often played in casinos in designated
"poker rooms." The casino typically allows players to play without
charge, and often makes money by taking a cut of the pot, called
the "rake." The rake can be taken on a timed basis, but is often
taken as a percentage of the pot at the end of each hand.
[0008] Some poker-based games have been modified to be "casino
games" in which players do not compete against one another but
rather compete against the house, that is, a dealer hand or
otherwise place wagers on whether an outcome will be achieved based
on the cards that the dealer deals to form the player's respective
hand.
[0009] Players seek new and interesting wagering games to play,
whether online or at a casino, while casino operators, both
physical and virtual, wish to attract players to their
establishments or websites by providing players with opportunities
to play new and interesting wagering games. Accordingly, there is
continual interest in new and interesting wagering games.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The invention is generally directed to systems, methods and
apparatus for providing, operating, hosting and conducting wagering
games for at least two participating players including distributing
randomly generated playing cards to form a partial hand of at least
four playing cards for each of the participating players, providing
a community group of at least three playing cards, conducting one
or more wagering events until the values of at least three of the
playing cards in the community group are known to the participating
players, determining the winner of the game as one of either the
participating player remaining if no other players continue as
participating players in the game or the participating player
achieving a final hand of the highest poker rank when compared with
the final hands of the participating players, transferring a
portion of the wagers received to a game host, and transferring the
remaining portion of the wagers received to the determined
winner.
[0011] Some embodiments of the invention are directed to a method
of hosting a wagering game for at least two participating players
at a gaming table, comprising the steps of: providing a set of
randomly-ordered physical playing cards; receiving an ante wager
from each of the participating players; distributing cards from the
set of randomly-ordered physical playing cards to form a partial
hand of at least four playing cards for each of the participating
players, wherein the cards are distributed face down so that each
participating player is unable to view the partial hands
distributed to any other participating players; providing a
community group of at least three playing cards from the set of
randomly-ordered physical playing cards, wherein the cards in the
community group are provided face down so that the values of the
playing cards remain unknown to the participating players;
conducting one or more wagering events until the values of at least
three of the playing cards in the community group are known to the
participating players, the wagering events including revealing the
value of a playing card from the community group, and providing an
opportunity for each participating player to enter an optional
wager, wherein upon receiving the optional wager from any of the
participating players, the wager becomes mandatory requiring
receiving matching wagers from all participating players thereafter
to continue as participating player in the game and to prevent
forfeiting all of the player's respective prior wagers; determining
the winner of the game as one of either the participating player
remaining if no other players continue as participating players in
the game or the participating player achieving a final hand of the
highest poker rank when compared with the final hands of the
participating players, wherein each of the participating player's
final hands are formed from the cards in the participating player's
partial hand and the at least three known community cards;
transferring a portion of the wagers received for a game host; and
transferring the remaining portion of the wagers received to the
determined winner of the game.
[0012] In some embodiments, the aforementioned method further
comprises distributing cards from the set of randomly-ordered
physical playing cards to form a partial hand of five playing cards
for each of the participating players.
[0013] In some embodiments, the aforementioned method further
comprises providing a community group of five playing cards from
the set of randomly-ordered physical playing cards.
[0014] In some embodiments, the aforementioned method further
comprises the step of discarding two cards.
[0015] In some embodiments, the aforementioned method further
comprises conducting three wagering events until the values of
three of the playing cards in the community group are known to the
participating players.
[0016] In some embodiments, each of the wagering events include
revealing the value of a single playing card from the community
group.
[0017] In some embodiments, the aforementioned method further
comprises the step of conducting an initial wagering event
subsequent to the step of distributing cards from the set of
randomly-ordered physical playing cards to form a partial hand of
at least four playing cards for each of the participating players
and prior to revealing the value of a playing card from the
community group.
[0018] Some embodiments of the invention are directed to a
computer-facilitated method of operating a wagering game for at
least two participating players, comprising the steps of: receiving
an ante wager from each of the participating players using a player
interface; randomly generating virtual playing cards to form a
partial hand of at least four playing cards for each of the
participating players, wherein the cards in each of the partial
hands are viewable only at the respective player interfaces of the
participating players associated with the partial hands; providing
a randomly generated community group of at least three virtual
playing cards, wherein the values of the playing cards in the
community group are not displayed to the participating players;
conducting one or more wagering events until the values of at least
three of the playing cards in the community group are displayed to
the participating players, the wagering events including displaying
the value of a playing card from the community group, and providing
an opportunity for each participating player to enter an optional
wager, wherein upon receiving the optional wager from any of the
participating players, the wager becomes mandatory requiring
receiving matching wagers from all participating players thereafter
to continue as participating player in the game and to prevent
forfeiting all of the player's respective prior wagers; determining
the winner of the game as one of either the participating player
remaining if no other players continue as participating players in
the game or the participating player achieving a final hand of the
highest poker rank when compared with the final hands of the
participating players, wherein each of the participating player's
final hands are formed from the cards in the participating player's
partial hand and the at least three known community cards;
transferring a portion of the wagers received to a game host; and
transferring the remaining portion of the wagers received to the
determined winner of the game.
[0019] In some embodiments of the aforementioned
computer-facilitated method, the partial hand includes five playing
cards for each of the participating players.
[0020] In some embodiments of the aforementioned
computer-facilitated method, the community group includes three
virtual playing cards.
[0021] In some embodiments of the aforementioned
computer-facilitated method, each of the wagering events include
displaying the value of a single playing card from the community
group.
[0022] Some embodiments of the invention are directed to a system
for providing a wagering game associated with the underlying game
of Blackjack, comprising: means for randomly generating playing
cards to form partial hands of at least four cards for each
participating player and a community group of at least three
playing cards; a processor configured for (i) conducting one or
more wagering events until the values of at least three of the
playing cards in the community group are revealed to the
participating players, the wagering events including revealing the
value of a playing card from the community group, and providing an
opportunity for each participating player to enter an optional
wager, wherein upon receiving the optional wager from any of the
participating players, the wager becomes mandatory requiring
receiving matching wagers from all participating players thereafter
to continue as participating player in the game and to prevent
forfeiting all of the player's respective prior wagers; (ii)
determining the winner of the game as one of either the
participating player remaining if no other players continue as
participating players in the game or the participating player
achieving a final hand of the highest poker rank when compared with
the final hands of the participating players, wherein each of the
participating player's final hands are formed from the cards in the
participating player's partial hand and the at least three known
community cards; and a communication device configured for: (i)
transmitting the values of playing cards revealed in the game to
participating players; and (ii) facilitating the transfer of a
portion of the wagers received to the determined winner of the
game.
[0023] Depending on the embodiment of the invention, for randomly
generating playing cards to form partial hands of at least four
cards for each participating player and a community group of at
least three playing cards may be a processor, random number
generator, software, physical playing cards, a shuffling device, or
involve combinations thereof.
[0024] In some embodiments, the communication device may be a data
input and/or data output device or a remote computer terminal, such
as a home computer or mobile device with access to local or global
network. The system and communication device may be configured for
providing the associated wagering game to players via an online
system or the Internet. The processor may also be remotely located
from the communication device.
[0025] In some embodiments, the system further includes a display
device in communication with the communication device and
configured for displaying the values of playing cards revealed in
the game. The communication device, processor and display device
may be mounted within a unitary housing, and the aforementioned
system may be an electronic gaming machine or electronic platform
including multiple data input devices providing player
positions.
[0026] Some embodiments of the invention are also directed to a
machine readable media for providing a wagering game that includes
code and/or data segments as necessary to provide and enable any of
the methods described herein on hardware or any one or more gaming
machines.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0027] FIG. 1 is a process flow chart depicting an exemplary
embodiment of the invention; and
[0028] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of exemplary system components
configured for use with methods according to some embodiments of
the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0029] The exemplary embodiments herein relate to wagering games.
It should be understood that each of the methods and individual
steps recited herein may be partially or wholly carried out in a
variety of ways and/or systems, which may include, but are not
limited to, a live dealer physically dealing playing cards in a
casino, an electronic gaming machine (EGM) or kiosk for one or more
players in which a live dealer deals randomly ordered cards or
random virtual cards are provided through a program which may
include a random number generator, standalone multiplayer platforms
which may include a player interface such as a touchscreen display
and a physical or virtual playing cards, through a home computer or
portable computing device, such as a tablet computer or mobile
phone capable of communicating with a network or over the Internet,
global telecommunication network or world wide web.
[0030] FIG. 1 provides an embodiment of a method of providing,
operating, hosting and/or conducting a wagering game generally
referred to by the reference numeral 10.
[0031] In step 12, an ante wager is received from each
participating player relating to the wagering game of this
embodiment. In this embodiment, the ante wager is mandatory.
However, in other embodiments, the ante wager placed in step 12 may
be optional or an ante wager may only be required of some
participating players, such as the "big blind" and "small blind"
ante wagers often used in Texas Hold'em.
[0032] In step 14, randomly generated playing cards are distributed
to form partial hands for each participating player. As mentioned
above, the playing cards may be randomly generated via dealing from
one or more randomly ordered decks of playing cards, via a
shuffling device or virtually by cards randomly generated via a
random number generator, depending on the embodiment of the
invention. The initial hand may include at least three cards, with
either all, none or some of the cards being viewable to all
players. In this embodiment the initial hand for each participating
player is composed of five cards which are dealt face down so that
the cards are only viewable to the respective participating player
associated with the partial hand.
[0033] In step 16, randomly generated playing cards are provided to
form a community group of cards of unknown value. The community
group of cards may include at least two cards, the values of which
are not immediately made viewable to the participating players. In
this embodiment, the community group of cards is five cards, with
two cards being discarded, leaving three cards to be revealed. It
should be readily apparent that the provision of cards for the
community group may be completed simultaneously or staggered so
that each card forming the community group is provided successively
as needed, while still ultimately providing the same amount of
cards for the community group.
[0034] As shown by step 18, a plurality of wagering events are
conducted until at least three cards in the community group are
revealed. Each wagering event may include revealing the value of
one or more playing cards from the community group and then
providing an opportunity for each participating player to enter an
optional wager. In this embodiment a single card is revealed during
each wagering event. If an optional wager is received by a
participating player, then that optional wager becomes a mandatory
wager, and at least a matching wager must be received from any of
the remaining participating players. If in addition to matching the
wager, a participating player submits a raise, it will be
considered in the same manner as the optional wager described
herein, in that the raise or optional wager becomes a mandatory
wager to all other participating players. If a mandatory wager is
not received from a participating player, that participating player
will no longer be a participating player in the game and forfeit
any wagers placed during a wagering event and the ante wager
received in step 12. The wagering events of step 18 therefore allow
each participating player to place a check (i.e., place no wager),
wager, call (i.e., match a prior wager), raise (i.e., match a prior
wager and then place another wager) or forfeit.
[0035] In step 20, the winner of the game is determined as one of
either the participating player remaining, if no other players
continue as participating players in the game, or the participating
player achieving a final hand of the highest poker rank when
compared with the final hands of the participating players. In this
embodiment, each of the participating player's final hands are
formed from all of the cards in the participating player's partial
hand and the at least three known community cards.
[0036] In other embodiments, the final hands may constitute a
portion of the cards in the partial hand and a portion of the cards
in the community group as selected by the player to form the
highest ranked poker hand possible. Alternatively, the final hands
may constitute all of the cards in the partial hand and a portion
of the cards in the community group as selected by the player to
form the highest ranked poker hand possible, or the final hands may
constitute a portion of the cards in the partial hand and all of
the cards in the community group as selected by the player to form
the highest ranked poker hand possible.
[0037] In step 22, a portion of the wagers received are transferred
to a game host. The portion transferred may be a preset amount
provided by the participating players or taken from all of the
wagers received in the game, including the ante wager and any
wagers placed during wagering events. Alternatively, the portion
transferred may be a set percentage of all of the wagers
received.
[0038] In step 24, the remaining portion of all of the wagers
received is transferred to the participating player determined to
be the winner of the game.
[0039] An exemplary embodiment based on the method 10 and
configured in accordance with the invention includes the steps of
providing a "pre-flop" event consisting of receiving an ante wager
and dealing five face-down hole cards for each participating
player; a "flop" event consisting of dealing one face up card as a
community card; a "turn" event consisting of dealing one face up
card as a community card; a "river" event consisting of dealing one
face up card as a community card; wherein each of the flop, turn
and river events further involve an opportunity for each player to
wager, call, raise or forfeit the game; determining the winner of
the game, wherein the winner is either the player with the highest
poker rank achieved from the player's hole cards and the three
community cards or the player that has not forfeited the game
during a wagering round; and transferring at least a portion of the
wagers received to the determined winner.
[0040] In another embodiment, the invention is directed to a casino
game version in which the player competes against a house or dealer
hand. In this embodiment, the player must place a first or ante
wager in order to participate in the game. Randomly generated cards
are dealt to form partial hands for each participating player and
the dealer. The player views the partial hand and may optionally
place a second wager which is received by the house.
[0041] In some embodiments, the second wager is required, in that
the player forfeits the game if the second wager is not placed. In
other embodiments, the player may stay in the game but not place
the second wager. In some embodiments, the second wager may be
equal or a multiple of the first wager.
[0042] Randomly generated cards are then provided to form a group
of community cards, which may differ or be equal in number to the
amount of cards in the partial hand. Each player's final hand is
formed from their respective partial hand and the group of
community cards. Thus, the rank of each player's final hand is the
highest poker rank possible from the cards in their respective
partial hand and the group of community cards. Likewise, the
dealer's final hand is formed from the dealer's partial hand and
the group of community cards, and the highest rank possible from
those cards is compared with the player's final hand. When the
dealer's final hand outranks the player's final hand, the player
loses any wagers placed. When the player's final hand outranks the
dealer's final hand, the player wins the game. In some embodiments,
winning players are awarded an amount equal to the first and the
second wager combined.
[0043] In some embodiments of the casino game version, the dealer
must qualify with a particular final hand rank in order for the
game to continue. For example, in one embodiment, when the dealer's
final hand rank is less than a preset hand rank, the player will
lose all or a portion of the first and/or second wagers. In other
embodiments, when the dealer's final hand rank is less than a
preset rank, the player and dealer push, that is, the player
receives their first and/or second wager back without a loss or
award.
[0044] In some embodiments of the casino game version, the partial
hand and group of community cards equal a preset number of total
cards, such as eight cards. For example, the partial hand may be
four cards and the community cards may be four cards, or the
partial hand may be five cards and the group of community cards
consists of three cards.
[0045] In some embodiments of the casino game version, the partial
hand and group of community cards equal a preset total amount of
cards, with the partial hand and group of community cards having
the same number of cards each, but a portion of the group of
community cards are discarded to equal the preset total amount of
cards. For example, if the preset total amount of cards is eight,
and the partial hand size is five cards, then five cards will be
dealt to form the group of community cards but two of those cards
will be discarded or burned. In some embodiments, the two cards are
used in connection with a side wager. In some embodiments, the
cards are discarded randomly, while in other embodiments, the first
cards dealt are discarded or the cards are discarded based on their
rank or number.
[0046] In some embodiments of the casino game version, the group of
community cards are not revealed all at once. In some embodiments a
first portion of the group of community cards is revealed and
players may then place the second wager. Additional or the
remaining portion of cards may then be revealed and more wagers
placed or the game outcome determined.
[0047] In some embodiments of the casino game version, players may
place a side wager that their final hand will achieve at least a
preset ranking. The award for the side wager if won may be set
forth in an odds-based paytable listing ranks and corresponding
payout amounts, which may be expressed as a multiple of the side
wager, or through a standard progressive meter which accumulates
through an increment from each side wager. In some embodiments,
players may place a side wager that their partial hand, the
dealer's hand or the group of community cards, either all or only
the non-discarded community cards, will achieve at least a preset
ranking. In such embodiments, the award for the side wager if won
may also be set forth in an odds-based paytable listing poker ranks
and corresponding payout amounts, which may be expressed as a
multiple of the side wager, or through a progressive meter. In some
embodiments, placing a side wager is mandatory.
[0048] In some embodiments of the casino game version, the
invention is directed to a method of conducting a poker-based game
comprising the steps of: receiving a first wager from each player;
dealing each participating player and the dealer a partial hand;
dealing a group of community cards; discarding a portion of the
group of community cards; revealing a portion less than all of the
remaining community cards to the players; receiving a second wager
from the players, wherein any player not placing the second wager
forfeits the game; revealing the remaining community cards to the
players; determining each player's final hand rank based on the
cards in the player's partial hand and community cards; determining
the dealer's final hand rank based on the dealer's partial hand and
community cards; and paying the player an award if the player's
final hand outranks the dealer's final hand.
[0049] In some embodiments of the casino game version, the
invention is directed to a method of conducting a poker-based game
comprising the steps of: receiving a first wager from each player;
dealing each participating player and the dealer a partial hand of
five cards; receiving a second wager from the players, wherein any
player not placing the second wager forfeits the game; dealing a
group of five community cards; discarding two cards of the group of
five community cards; revealing one or more, or all of the
remaining community cards to the players; receiving a third wager
from the players, wherein placing the third wager is optional;
revealing the remaining community cards if any to the players;
determining each player's final hand rank based on the cards in the
player's partial hand and community cards; determining the dealer's
final hand rank based on the dealer's partial hand and community
cards; and paying the player an award if the player's final hand
outranks the dealer's final hand.
[0050] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary system 50 constructed in
accordance with some embodiments of the invention. System 50
includes processing device 68 in communication with a database or
memory device 70, communication or data input/output device 72 and
a display device 74. In some embodiments, display device 74 is a
touch-enabled device and includes a data input device component.
Display device 74 may also display virtual representations of
cards, chips, a felt gaming table and/or dealers and players.
Memory device 70 may include data relating to embodiments of the
invention as described herein. A player position 76 is displayed on
display device 74 along with virtual representation of a layout and
wagering area 78 for transmitting wagers in accordance with any of
the embodiments herein, such as method 10. Game outcomes are
displayed and wagers are tracked using display device 74 and
processing device 68. Processing device 68 compares the hands and
determined the winner. Game information and wagers transferred via
device 72, or indicated on display device 74, or both. System 50
may be incorporated in a gaming machine housing or in a multiple
player platform.
[0051] Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the
methods described herein may be incorporated in a system in
accordance with the invention using virtual representations of
Blackjack table layouts. The system of the invention may include
various computer and network related software and hardware, such as
programs, operating systems, memory storage devices, data
input/output devices, data processors, servers with links to data
communication systems, wireless or otherwise, and data transceiving
terminals, and may be a standalone device or incorporated in
another platform, such as a mobile device. The system of the
invention may be provided on electronic platforms with multiple
player positions. In addition, the system of the invention may be
provided at least in part on a personal computing device, such as
home computer, laptop or mobile computing device through an online
communication connection or connection with the Internet. Those
skilled in the art will further appreciate that the precise types
of software and hardware used are not vital to the full
implementation of the methods of the invention so long as players
and operators thereof are provided with useful access thereto or
the opportunity to play the game as described herein.
[0052] While exemplary systems and methods, and applications of
methods of the invention, have been described herein, it should
also be understood that the foregoing is only illustrative of a few
particular embodiments with exemplary and/or preferred features, as
well as principles of the invention, and that various modifications
can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the
scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore, the described
embodiments should not be considered as limiting of the scope of
the invention in any way. Accordingly, the invention embraces
alternatives, modifications and variations which fall within the
spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the claims and
equivalents thereto.
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