U.S. patent application number 13/631821 was filed with the patent office on 2013-01-31 for four card poker game with variable wager.
The applicant listed for this patent is Roger M. Snow. Invention is credited to Roger M. Snow.
Application Number | 20130029738 13/631821 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47597633 |
Filed Date | 2013-01-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130029738 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Snow; Roger M. |
January 31, 2013 |
Four Card Poker game with Variable Wager
Abstract
A casino game utilizes at least one deck of playing cards, the
game comprising: each player placing at least one wager to
participate in the casino game; dealing a first number of cards to
a dealer, the first number of cards being greater than the number
of cards to be used in determination of a poker rank hand for the
dealer; dealing a second number of cards to each player, the second
number of cards being greater than the number of cards to be used
in determination of a poker rank hand for each player; the dealer
discarding at least one card to form a resulting single dealer
hand; each player discarding at least one card to form a resulting
player's hand for each player, wherein the number of cards in
resulting player's hands and the resulting dealer's hand are equal;
and resolving each player hand against the dealer's hand according
to predetermined game rules. The initial player's wagers must be at
least matched with a Game Bet (or play bet) to remain in the game
after players have received their cards. The Game Bet may be
multiples of the initial player's wagers, for example, 1.times. to
5.times. the initial wager, or more.
Inventors: |
Snow; Roger M.; (Las Vegas,
NV) |
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Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Snow; Roger M. |
Las Vegas |
NV |
US |
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|
Family ID: |
47597633 |
Appl. No.: |
13/631821 |
Filed: |
September 28, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11499864 |
Aug 4, 2006 |
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13631821 |
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10152325 |
May 20, 2002 |
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11499864 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
463/13 ;
273/292 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/3293 20130101;
A63F 3/00157 20130101; G07F 17/3276 20130101; A63F 2001/005
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/13 ;
273/292 |
International
Class: |
A63F 1/00 20060101
A63F001/00; A63F 9/24 20060101 A63F009/24 |
Claims
1. A method of playing a four-card wagering game, comprising the
steps of: receiving, by a processor from a user device, an ante
wager and a bonus wager associable with a player, wherein the ante
and bonus wager are equal amounts; dealing, by the processor, five
cards to form a dealer's hand and five cards associable with the
player to form a player hand; providing, by the processor, the
player hand to the user device; determining a player hand rank
based on the best four-card poker hand that can be achieved from
the player hand; receiving, by the processor from the user device,
a variable play wager associable with the player from the user
device, wherein the variable play wager is an integer multiple of
the ante wager or a fold associable with the player, wherein the
variable play wager is 1.times. the ante wager or may be 3.times.
the ante wager when the player hand rank exceeds a triple down
threshold ranking; determining a dealer hand rank based on the best
four-card poker hand that can be achieved from the dealer hand;
determining whether the player hand wins, ties, or loses based on a
comparison of the player hand rank to the dealer hand rank; and
when the player hand wins, paying ante and play wager; if the
player hand rank is higher than a bonus threshold, paying the bonus
wager according to a bonus pay table.
2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the ante
wager is only paid if the dealer hand rank dealer meets a
qualification threshold.
3. The computer-implemented method of claim 2, wherein the
qualification threshold is a king-high or better.
4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the triple
down threshold ranking is a pair of aces.
5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the bonus
threshold is a straight.
6. A method of playing a four-card wagering game, comprising the
steps of: receiving, by a processor from a user device, an ante
wager and a bonus wager associable with a player, wherein the ante
and bonus wager are equal amounts; receiving, by the processor from
a card sensor, five cards to form a dealer's hand and five cards
associable with the player to form a player hand; providing, by the
processor, the player hand to the user device; determining a player
hand rank based on the best four-card poker hand that can be
achieved from the player hand; receiving, by the processor from the
user device, a variable play wager associable with the player from
the user device, wherein the variable play wager is an integer
multiple of the ante wager or a fold associable with the player,
wherein the variable play wager is 1.times. the ante wager or may
be 3.times. the ante wager when the player hand rank exceeds a
triple down threshold ranking; determining a dealer hand rank based
on the best four-card poker hand that can be achieved from the
dealer hand; determining whether the player hand wins, ties, or
loses based on a comparison of the player hand rank to the dealer
hand rank; and when the player hand wins, paying ante and play
wager; if the player hand rank is higher than a bonus threshold,
paying the bonus wager according to a bonus pay table.
7. The computer-implemented method of claim 6, wherein the ante
wager is only paid if the dealer hand rank dealer meets a
qualification threshold.
8. The computer-implemented method of claim 7, wherein the
qualification threshold is a king-high or better.
9. The computer-implemented method of claim 6, wherein the triple
down threshold ranking is a pair of aces.
10. The computer-implemented method of claim 6, wherein the bonus
threshold is a straight.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/499,864, filed Aug. 4, 2006, which is a
continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/152,325 filed
May 20, 2002, the disclosure of each of which is incorporated
herein by reference.
FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to the field of games, card
games, wagering card games and especially poker-type casino
wagering games.
BACKGROUND
[0003] The present invention generally relates to a card game that
can be played in a casino or in a card room. More particularly, it
relates to a modified version of a stud poker game.
[0004] Many different wagering games presently exist for use in
both home and casino environments. Such games should necessarily be
exciting, uncomplicated and easy to learn so as to avoid
frustrating the players. Designing new games that meet these
criteria and are sufficiently different from old games to entice
players to play the new game is a particularly challenge.
SUMMARY
[0005] A casino table poker game is played with poker hands of
players competing against a poker hand of a dealer. A player enters
the game by placing one or both of a Bonus Bet (also referred to as
an Aces-Up wager) for competition against a pay table and an Ante
for direct competition against the dealer. The player is dealt more
cards than needed to form a poker hand. The dealer is also provided
with more than the required number of cards, from which a number of
cards are selected for the dealer's hand to play. The player is
provided with bonus payouts (e.g., multiple returns) on the Aces-Up
bet for ranked hands or a pair of Aces or better. The players'
hands also compete directly against the rank of the dealer's hand
if an additional play bet is placed to supplement the ante. The
additional play bet may be varied by the player to be 1.times.,
2.times., 3.times., 4.times., or 5.times. the amount of the ante.
Bonuses may also be paid on the Aces-Up or ante wager with
unusually high ranking player's hands (such as a straight flush or
four of a kind), whether or not the rank of the player's hand
exceeds the rank of the dealer's hand.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0006] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a gaming table layout suitable for
play of the game of according to an embodiment.
[0007] FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a gaming system for
implementing wagering games according to an embodiment.
[0008] FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of a gaming system that
offers wagering games according to one embodiment.
[0009] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a gaming system providing for
live dealer play for a user at a remote user device according to
one embodiment.
[0010] FIG. 5 is a high-level block diagram of a computer for
acting as a gaming system according to one embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0011] The terms "gaming," "gambling," or the like, refer to
activities, games, sessions, rounds, hands, rolls, operations, and
other events related to wagering games such as web games, casino
games, card games, dice games, and other games of chance for which
wagers may be placed by a player. In addition, the word "wager,"
"bet," "bid" or the like, refer to any type of wagers, bets or
gaming ventures that are placed on random events, whether of
monetary or non-monetary value. Points, credits, and other items of
value may be purchased, earned, or otherwise issued prior to
beginning the wagering game. In some embodiments, purchased points,
credits, or other items of value may have an exchange rate that is
not one-to-one to the currency used by the user. For example, a
wager may include money, points, credits, symbols, or other items
that may have some value related to a wagering game. Wagers may be
placed in wagering games using real currency, virtual credits, or
other countable elements.
[0012] A casino table card game is played on a table by at least
one player and a dealer. The dealer usually represents the house or
the casino in the play of the game. As shown in FIG. 1, wagering
areas 10 are provided for each player, and card receiving areas 12
are available for each of the players and the dealer. The wagering
area may include three distinct wagering zones for each player
comprising a Bonus wager area 14 (e.g., an Aces-Up wager), an Ante
area 16, and a Bet area 18. To initiate play of the game, at least
one (and usually only one) deck of standard or variant playing
cards is provided. In other forms of the game, multiple intermixed
decks of cards, decks with wild cards or special decks (i.e. decks
with certain cards removed) are used. Each player who wishes to
enter the play of the game makes at least one wager selected from
the Bonus Bet (or Aces-Up bet) and the Ante. One or both of these
wagers may be made. The player may also play the hand blind (also
referred to as the "House Way") by placing both an Ante and an
additional Game Bet (referred to in FIG. 1 as the "Play Bet").
After placement of the at least one wager, each player who has made
an at least one wager is provided with five cards, in this
embodiment, from which to select a best four-card poker hand. The
cards may be dealt as a complete set of five cards or in portions
of one or more cards. At about the same time, the dealer is dealt a
number of cards exceeding four. In one embodiment, six cards are
dealt to the dealer. One or more additional cards can be dealt to
the player, the dealer or both.
[0013] Although in one example the dealer receives one more card
than each player, the number of cards dealt can be equal. In
particular, enough cards are dealt so that at least one discard can
be made.
[0014] In an embodiment, a four card poker hand is played. The
player reviews the five cards received at that player position and
determines what best four-card poker hand can be made from the five
cards. If the player believes that the cards cannot form a
four-card poker rank of sufficiently high rank to warrant
competition against the dealer's hand (even without that hand or
any portion of that hand having been displayed), the player may
fold the hand, refusing to place an additional wager. At this time
or usually a later time, the Ante would be collected by the dealer.
In one example, if the player made the Aces-Up bet and the Ante bet
and decides to fold, the Aces-Up bet is swept along with the Ante.
In another embodiment, if the player remains in the game by making
the Play Bet and the player's hand does not contain a hand ranking
of a pair of Aces or higher, and a bet was made on the Ace-Up
wager, that wager may be now or later collected by the dealer. If
the player determines that the rank of the best four-card poker
hand that can be made from the five cards dealt to the player is
sufficiently high as to warrant competition against the dealer (or
if the player wants to `bluff` against the dealer, particularly if
the dealer must qualify), the player makes an additional wager,
referred to as a play bet or game bet. That additional wager may be
multiples of the Ante, such as 1.times., 2.times., 3.times.,
4.times. or 5.times. the amount of the original Ante, at the option
of the player. In some embodiments, the game bet is 1.times. the
ante unless the player has a qualifying hand such as a pair of
kings or better for example. If the player's hand qualifies he has
the option of increasing his bet. Fractional amounts or larger
amounts may be allowed, but they can complicate the payout or alter
the hold for the house, so those changes are in the discretion of
the casino. After discarding excess cards and placing the Game Bet,
or placing the fifth card face down, or merely leaving the fifth
card in the hand so that the hand may be arranged and ranked by the
dealer or player when exposed, the player's hand is placed on the
table for display. The dealer's hand is then revealed after each
and every player has determined whether or not the Game Bet is to
be made. The dealer compares the value or rank of his hand against
the value or rank of each player's hand, usually in succession
around the table, and each series of wagers (the Aces-Up wager, the
Ante and the Game Bet) is resolved. Ties on the rank of player's
hands and dealers hands may be either paid to the player, called a
push, or collected by the dealer, depending upon the desired house
advantage the casino wants to build into the game. The dealer may
either always qualify to play, or a level of qualification may be
built into the game (such as at least Queen high, at least King
high, at least Queen-Jack, At least King-Jack, at least Ace-King,
or at least one pair).
[0015] Resolution on the wagers may be based upon pay tables for
the Aces-Up wager, pay tables on the Ante, and/or the Game Bet. One
embodiment of play of the game provides pay tables for one or more
of the Aces-Up wager, the Ante and an automatic bonus payout on the
ante. The Game Bet pays one-to-one with a player win. Because the
player can see the strength of the player hand when making the game
bet, the player would be at an extreme advantage in placing a
5.times. Game Bet, assuring a very high multiple payout, with
essentially no risk or little risk involved in the placement of the
5.times. Game Bet wager. The payout of wagers may be tailored by
the casino by selecting pay tables designed for greater player
payouts or greater casino earnings.
[0016] Although a four card poker game is one embodiment, the game
could also be played with three, five or seven cards, with
necessary adjustments to the pay tables.
[0017] For example, in a four card game, the hierarchy of hands is
as follows: [0018] Four of a Kind [0019] Straight Flush [0020]
Three of a Kind [0021] Flush [0022] Straight [0023] Two Pair [0024]
Pair [0025] High Card.
[0026] A three or five card game may require a different hierarchy
of hand rankings
[0027] There are many variations of the game that may be played.
The following variations on the format described above illustrate
the expanded scope of play available under various methods.
[0028] Version I--Each player receives 5 cards, and the dealer
receives 6 cards. The players and the dealer identify their best
four card poker hands, the players may rely upon the house for
assistance, if needed. The dealer always qualifies, that is the
dealer's hand and any players' hands are always in play if the ante
bet is made. Players have the choice of placing one or both of the
Ante Bet and a Bonus Bet (e.g., the Aces-Up wager). House rules may
require the player to make the Ante Bet, the Bonus Bet, or both the
Ante and Bonus Bet. The Ante wager is a wager directly against the
rank of the dealer's hand, and the Aces Up Bonus Bet is a bet
against a pay table. If after viewing his/her hand, a player
chooses to stay in the game against the dealer (keeping the Ante
wager in play), the player must make an additional Game Bet to stay
in the game. This Game Bet may be, for example, between 1 and 5 (or
between 1 and 4, or between 1 and 3) times the amount of the
initial Ante wager at the opinion of the player. In other forms of
the game, the player's Game Bet must be 1.times. the ante unless
the player holds a qualifying hand of a pair of Aces or better. If
the player has a qualifying hand, he can bet up to 3.times. the
Ante. The player must hold a pair of aces or better to win on the
Bonus Bet (hence the name `Aces-Up`) in this embodiment. The Bonus
Bet pays a maximum return of 50:1 in one embodiment, but payouts
may theoretically be as high as 500:1 for certain hands, such as
for four Aces. The Bonus Bet side bet game may or may not be
present in the rules of the game. In this example, the game pays an
automatic bonus for certain high ranking hands according to a
payout schedule. This bonus is paid on the Ante wager, and does not
require the player to make a separate bet to qualify for this
payout. For example, automatic bonuses are paid on three of a kind,
straight flushes and four of a kind.
[0029] Version II--Each player and the dealer gets five cards to
make the best four-card poker hand. If the dealer's hand does not
equal or exceed a certain rank (e.g., a pair of 2's or better), he
discards all cards and draws a new five card hand, and then makes a
four-card poker hand from the five cards. The player must make the
Ante wager to be in the game against the dealer. The dealer always
qualifies to play against the player. It is possible to allow the
player or require the player to make the Ante wager 1) before the
deal of cards, 2) after the deal of cards but before any cards are
revealed, 3) after the deal of cards and after the players has
reviewed his cards but before the dealer has exposed cards, 4)
after the deal of cards and a partial or complete revelation of the
dealer's five cards (but before review of the player's cards), or
5) after the deal of cards and a review of the players' cards and a
partial revelation or complete revelation of the dealer's five
cards, which play might be restricted to where the dealer has not
qualified (but not after revelation of any sixth card). The
player's hand may be required to exceed a minimum rank to bet more
than 1.times. the Ante. For example, if the player has a qualifying
hand of a pair of Kings or better, the player can make a Game Bet
of 1.times., 2.times. or 3.times. the Ante. As with Version I, the
rules can provide that the Bonus Bet (side bet) is mandatory or
both initial bets (the Ante and the Bonus Bet) are mandatory. The
automatic bonus against a pay table on the Ante bet may or may not
be present in the rules of the game. The Bonus Bet game may or may
not be present, also in the rules of the game. In this example, a
pair of aces or better qualifies the player for an Aces-Up payout
of 1:1. The automatic bonus pays even if the player's hand is lower
in rank than the dealer's hand.
[0030] Version III--The players and dealer each receive five cards
to make their best four-card poker hand. The betting/wagering rules
and procedures are the same as in the previous versions, except for
those listed below. Either the Ante is mandatory, the Ante or the
Bonus Bet is mandatory, or both initial wagers are mandatory. The
dealer must qualify to play (for example, with a hand of Ace high
or better, King-Queen or higher, Ace-King or higher, pair of deuces
or higher, etc.). The automatic bonus side bet game against a pay
table is present in the rules of this example of the game.
[0031] If the player stays in the game, the player can bet 1.times.
to 3.times. the Ante if the player has a qualifying hand of a pair
of Kings or better. Otherwise, the maximum Game Bet is 1.times. the
Ante. The lowest ranking hand that qualifies for the bonus payout
is a pair of Aces or better.
[0032] Version IV--Four Card Poker with Super Bonus--The dealer and
each player are dealt five cards each. The cards are used to make
the best four card poker hand by the players and the dealer. The
hands are ranked according to the following four card poker ranking
schedule: [0033] Four of a Kind [0034] Straight Flush [0035] Three
of a Kind [0036] Flush [0037] Straight [0038] Two Pair [0039] Pair
[0040] High Card.
[0041] Players can make a bet against the dealer (Ante), a bet
against the pay table (Aces-Up Bonus Bet) or both. House rules may
require one or both bets to be mandatory. In addition, the players
are required to make a Super Bonus bet in an amount equal to the
Ante in this version.
[0042] Players place equal bets on the Ante and/or Super Bonus
and/or Bonus spots on the layout. After viewing the cards, the
player must fold or place an additional Bet (play wager). If the
player's hand does not qualify with a pair of Kings or better, he
must bet 1.times. the ante to stay in the game. With a qualifying
hand of a pair of Kings or better, he can bet an amount equal to or
multiples of the Ante, such as 1.times., 2.times. or 3.times. the
Ante.
[0043] If the player has a higher ranking hand than the dealer's
hand, the player is paid 1:1 on the ante and the play bet. If the
dealer's hand outranks the player's hand, the player loses the ante
and the play bet.
[0044] The player has the option (or may be required) at the
beginning of the game to place an Aces-Up bonus bet. In this
example, the player wins a bonus payout for a pair of Aces or
better. If the player makes the Ante and Play bets and beats the
dealer, but does not have a pair of Aces or better, the player
pushes on the bonus bet. The player is always paid on the Aces-Up
bonus bet, regardless of whether or not the player's hand beats the
dealer's hand.
[0045] In addition, this example includes a mandatory Super Bonus
bet that is made in an amount equal to the ante. The player wins a
payout for certain high ranking hands such as a straight flush or
four of a kind A pay table is provided on the layout to identify
winning hands and payout amounts.
[0046] A failure to obtain a "Super Bonus" hand does not result in
an automatic loss of the bet.
[0047] For example, when the player's hand against the dealer does
not qualify with a pair of kings or a straight flush or better, but
the hand still beats the dealer, the Super Bonus bet pushes. But,
if the player folds on the ante or lose the ante and play bets
against the dealer, the Super Bonus bet is also lost.
[0048] The Super Bonus bet is desirable in some instances where it
is desired to provide the house with more of an advantage. In this
example of the game, removing the mandatory Super Bonus bet causes
the game to favor the player. However, other rule changes such as
requiring the dealer to qualify, or raising the minimum
qualification hand ranking when making the play bet are other means
to shift the odds to favor the house.
[0049] There are a number of advantages of the games as described
herein. The fold rate for a player using good strategy on this game
is approximately 21%, which is lower than the fold rate in some
other games. This feature is believed to attract and retain
players, making the game more appealing to casinos.
[0050] Players win this game approximately 48% of the time, which
exceeds the expectation of many players, and increases player
appeal.
[0051] In some situations, e.g., when the player has a qualifying
hand, additional betting opportunities are available, such as
tripling down on the Ante, increasing player appeal.
[0052] By varying the number of cards made available to the dealer
and/or players, in forming the hands, by requiring the dealer's
hand to qualify or by eliminating dealer qualification, by
modifying the payouts and winning hand combinations possible on the
bonus bet, by adding the Super Bonus bet etc., the payouts can be
made to pay as high as 500:1, e.g., for four of a kind hands. This
feature is believed to attract and retain more poker players.
[0053] The play of the game may be completed manually on a
non-electronic game table, with the dealer using a physical deck(s)
of cards, visually identifying the amounts and positions of wagers,
manually collecting and paying out wagers, etc. It is possible to
incorporate some degree or nearly an entire electronic system into
the game table or into the play of the game. Such partial or
complete electronic systems may perform such tasks as identifying
the existence of a wager (e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,229,534;
5,337,973; and 5,377,994), or may provide virtual cards from an
electronically stored deck of cards (e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos.
5,255,915; and 5,897,436). The entire disclosure of each of these
patents is hereby incorporated by reference. The capabilities of
technology are constantly expanding, and the improvements in
technology should not be considered to avoid the underlying
invention of the play of this game. For example, player monitoring
systems, security systems, integrated systems where shufflers
identify the number of cards and/or identify the specific cards and
their positions in the play of the game are contemplated in the
practice of the present invention.
[0054] For the purposes of this disclosure, it will be understood
that when a game and any actions associated with the game are
described, that game and its rules and actions are also useable in
an electronic version of the game (an electronic or on-line version
of the game or games using the same set of rules and/or game
play).
[0055] Gaming actions and rules such as accepting wagers, making
payouts, dealing cards, selecting cards, and other actions
associated with a player or a dealer include physical and
electronic embodiments. Thus, when a description is given of a
player or dealer taking a game related action, it is intended that
the embodiments include action on a live gaming table, a virtual
table or display, and the generation, transmission, and reception
of such an action in an electronic form where player and dealer
choices, selections, or other actions are received at an electronic
interface. This further includes the results of a virtual dealer
and virtual players, where the actions described are actually
generated by a computer (typically associated with an on-line
game). As an example, if dealing of a card is described herein, the
description includes providing a card to be associated (associable)
with the applicable position in the game, such as a player, dealer,
or a community. Such dealing includes (but is not limited to): the
dealing of a card by a dealer from a deck, shuffler, or other card
source and the reception or placement of the card at a table
location associable with a player, or reception directly by a
player; or, the generation and transmission of an electronic
indication of a card from a game play source or server to an
electronic receiver, where the receiver may be at a table (virtual
cards) including players and/or virtual players and/or a dealer or
virtual dealer, at a public display in a casino, at a remote
location (on-line or internet game play), or other locations, and
also including the representation of a card on a display or
displays, and, if applicable to the action described, an electronic
reception of an indication that the card has been received,
selected, or otherwise interacted with at a location associable
with a player, or, associated with a virtual player.
[0056] FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a gaming system 200
for implementing wagering games according to an embodiment. The
gaming system 200 enables end users to access wagering game
content. Such game content may include, without limitation, various
types of wagering games such as card games, dice games, big wheel
games, roulette, scratch off games, and any other wagering game
with a randomized element in determining wagering outcomes. Such
games in may be played against the gaming system or against other
end users. In particular, the gaming system 200 allows users to
play variants of the wagering games described above.
[0057] The wagering games supported by the gaming system 200 may be
operated with real currency or with virtual credits. For example,
the real currency option may include traditional casino and
lottery-type wagering games in which money or other items of value
are wagered and may be cashed out at the end of a game session. The
virtual credits option may include wagering games in which credits
(or other symbols) may be issued to a player to be used for the
wagers. For example, credits may be purchased by a player or issued
through other methods. Although credits may be won or lost, the
ability of the player to cash out the credits may be prevented. In
other words, while the credits may be purchased, the credits in a
play for fun option may be limited to non-monetary credits in terms
of the ability of the player to extract cash or goods or services
of monetary value out of the wagering game. Systems that operate
play for fun games may include issuance of free credits. In some
embodiments, a limited number free credits may be issued in order
to entice players to play the games. Credits may be won or lost,
but credit balances may not be cashed out. In exchange for
identifying friends who may want to play, the system may issue
additional credits. Often, additional credits may be issued after a
period of time has elapsed to encourage the player to resume
playing the game. The system may enable players to buy funds or
additional game credits to allow the player to resume play. Objects
of value may be awarded to play for fun players, which may or may
not be in a direct exchange for credits. For example, the client
may award a prize for a highest scoring play for fun player during
a defined time interval.
[0058] The gaming system 200 includes a gaming platform that
establishes a portal for an end user to access a wagering game
hosted by a game server 206 through a user interaction server 202.
The user device 220 communicates with a user interaction server 202
of the gaming system 200 using a network 230. The user interaction
server 202 communicates with the game server 206 and provides game
information to the user. In some embodiments, a single user device
communicates with a game provided by the game server 206, while
other embodiments may include a plurality of user devices 220
configured to communicate and provide end users with access to the
same game provided by game server 206. In addition, a plurality of
end users may access a single user interaction server 202 or a
plurality of user interaction servers 202 to access game server
206.
[0059] The user interaction server 202 communicates with the user
device 220 to enable access to the gaming system 200. The user
interaction server 202 allows a user to create and access a user
account and interact with gaming server 206. The user interaction
server 202 allows users to initiate new games, join existing games,
and interface with games being played by the user.
[0060] The user interaction server 202 may also provide a client
222 for execution on the user device for accessing the gaming
system 200. The client 222 provided by the gaming system 200 for
execution on the user device 220 can comprise a variety of
implementations according to the user device and method of
communication with the gaming system 200. In one embodiment, the
user device 220 connects to the gaming system 200 using a web
browser and the client 222 executes within a browser window or
frame of the web browser. In another embodiment, the client 222 is
a stand-alone executable on the user device 220.
[0061] For example, the client 222 may comprise a relatively small
amount of script (e.g., JavaScript), also referred to as a "script
driver," including scripting language that controls an interface of
the client 222. The script driver may include simple function calls
requesting information from the gaming system 200. In other words,
the script driver stored in the client 222 may merely include calls
to functions that are externally defined by, and executed by, the
gaming system 200. As a result, the client 222 may be characterized
as a "thin client." As that term is used herein, the client 222 may
be little more than a script player. The client 222 may simply send
requests to the gaming system 200 rather than performing logic
itself. The client 222 receives player inputs and the player inputs
are passed to gaming system 200 for processing and executing the
wagering game. In other embodiments, the client 222 comprises an
executable rather than a script. As a result, the bulk of the
processing of the game play is performed in the gaming system 200.
The client 222 may receive intermediate data and final game outcome
information from the gaming system 200 for displaying on the end
user's computer after such is determined by the game server
206.
[0062] In another embodiment, the client 222 implements further
logic and game control methodology beyond the thin client described
above. For example, the client 222 may parse and define player
interactions prior to passing the player interactions to the gaming
system 200. Likewise, when the client 222 receives a gaming
interaction from the gaming system 200, the client 222 may be
configured to determine how to modify the display as a result of
the gaming interaction. The client 222 may also allow the player to
change a perspective or otherwise interact with elements of the
display which do not change aspects of the game.
[0063] The gaming system 200 also includes an asset server 204
which hosts various media assets (e.g., audio, video, and image
files) that may be sent to the client 222 for presenting the
various wagering games to the end user. In other words, in this
embodiment the assets presented to the end user are stored
separately from the client 222, and the client 222 requests the
assets appropriate for the game played by the user. For example,
the client 222 may call a function defined at the user interaction
server 202 or asset server 204 which determines what assets are to
be delivered to the client 222 as well as how the assets are to be
presented by the client 222 to the end user. Different assets may
correspond to the various clients that may have access to the game
server 206 or to different games to be played.
[0064] The game server 206 is configured to perform game play
methods and determine game play outcomes that are provided to the
user interaction server 202 to be transmitted to user device 220
for display on the end user's computer. For example, the game
server 206 may include game rules for one or more wagering games,
such that the game 206 controls the game flow for a selected
wagering game, as well as the determining game outcomes, pay
tables, and other game logic. The game server 206 also performs
random number generation for determining random game elements of
the wagering game. The game server 206 is typically separated from
the user interaction server 202 by a firewall or other method of
preventing unauthorized access to the game server 206 from the
general members of the network 230.
[0065] The user device 220 presents a gaming interface to the
player and communicates the user interaction to the gaming system
200. The user device 220 may be any electronic system capable of
displaying gaming information, receiving user input and
communicating the user input to the gaming system 200. As such, the
user device 220 can be a desktop computer, a laptop, tablet
computer, set-top box, mobile device, kiosk, terminal, or other
computing device. The user device 220 operates the client 222 for
connecting to the interactive gaming system 200 as described above.
The client 222 may be a specialized application or may be executed
within a generalized application capable of interpreting
instructions from the interactive gaming system 200, such as a web
browser.
[0066] The client 222 may interface with an end user through a web
page, an application (e.g., a smartphone or tablet application), or
other computer program in order to access the gaming system 200.
The client 222 may be illustrated within a casino webpage (or other
interface) indicating that the client 222 is embedded into a
webpage, which is supported by a web browser executing on the
client device 220.
[0067] The gaming system 200 may be operated by different entities
in one embodiment. The user device 220 may be operated by a third
party, such as a casino, that links to the gaming system 200.
Therefore, in some embodiments, the user device 220 and client 222
is operated by a different administrator than the operator of the
game server 206. In other words, the user device 220 may be part of
a third-party system that does not administer the game server 206.
In another embodiment, the user interaction server 202 and asset
server 204 are provided by a third-party system. For example, a
gaming entity (e.g., a casino) may operate the user interaction
server 202 or user device 220 to provide its customers access to
game content managed by a different entity. In some embodiments,
these functions are operated by the same administrator. For
example, a gaming entity (e.g., a casino) may elect to perform each
of these functions in-house, such as providing both the access to
the user device 220 and the actual game content and providing
administration of the gaming system 200.
[0068] The gaming system 200 also communicates with external
account servers 210, optionally through another firewall. For
example, the gaming system itself may not take wagers or issue
payouts. In other words, the gaming system 200 may facilitate
online casino gaming, but may not be part of a self-contained
online casino itself. Instead, the gaming system 200 may facilitate
the play of proprietary card game content owned and controlled by a
company offering games and gaming products and services, such as
Shuffle Master, Inc. Another entity (e.g., a casino) may operate
and maintain its external account servers 210 to take bets and make
payout distributions. The gaming system 200 may communicate with
the account servers 210 to verify the existence of funds for
wagering, and instructs the account servers 210 to execute debits
and credits.
[0069] In some embodiments, the gaming system 200 may take bets and
make payout distributions, such as in the case where administrator
of the gaming system 200 operates as a casino. As discussed above,
the gaming system 200 may be integrated within the operations of a
casino rather than separating out functionality (e.g., game
content, game play, credits, debits, etc.) among different
entities. In addition, for "play for fun" wagering games, the
gaming system 200 may issue credits, take bets, manage the balance
of the credits according to the game outcomes, but may not permit
payout distributions or be linked to play for fun account servers
210 that permit payout distributions. Such credits may be issued
for free, through purchase, or for other reasons, without the
ability for the player to cash out. Such play for fun wagering
games may be played on platforms that do not permit traditional
gambling, such as to comply with jurisdictions that do not permit
online gambling.
[0070] The gaming system 200 may be configured using a distributed
server architecture. For example, the game server 206 may be
include a plurality of servers (e.g., game rules server, deck
server, game routing server, account server, asset server, etc.)
that are logically separated to perform different functions for the
wagering game. Additional features may be supported by the game
server 206, such as hacking and cheating detection, data storage
and archival, metrics generation, messages generation, output
formatting for different end user devices, as well as other
features and operations. For example, the gaming system 200 may
include additional features and configurations as described in U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 13/609,031, filed Sep. 10, 2012, and
entitled "Network Gaming Architecture, Gaming Systems, and Related
Methods," the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by
this reference.
[0071] The network 230 enables communications between the user
device 220 and the gaming system 200. A network may also connect
gaming system 200 and account server 210 (not shown). In one
embodiment, the network 230 uses standard communications
technologies and/or protocols. Thus, the network 230 can include
links using technologies such as Ethernet, 802.11, worldwide
interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX), 3G, digital
subscriber line (DSL), asynchronous transfer mode (ATM),
InfiniBand, PCI Express Advanced Switching, etc. Similarly, the
networking protocols used on the network 230 can include
multiprotocol label switching (MPLS), the transmission control
protocol/Internet protocol (TCP/IP), the User Datagram Protocol
(UDP), the hypertext transport protocol (HTTP), the simple mail
transfer protocol (SMTP), the file transfer protocol (FTP), etc.
The data exchanged over the network 230 can be represented using
technologies and/or formats including the hypertext markup language
(HTML), the extensible markup language (XML), etc. In addition, all
or some of links can be encrypted using conventional encryption
technologies such as secure sockets layer (SSL), transport layer
security (TLS), virtual private networks (VPNs), Internet Protocol
security (IPsec), etc. In another embodiment, the entities can use
custom and/or dedicated data communications technologies instead
of, or in addition to, the ones described above. Depending upon the
embodiment, the network 230 can also include links to other
networks such as the Internet.
[0072] FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of a gaming system 300
that offers wagering games according to one embodiment. The gaming
system 300 provides gaming services to a plurality of user devices
220 in a similar manner to the gaming system 200 described above
with respect to FIG. 2. Accordingly, common components between
gaming system 300 and gaming system 200 may include an asset server
204, gaming engine 206, and a communication with an account server
210. The user interaction server 302 provides similar functionality
to user devices 220 as provided by user interaction server 202.
User interaction server 302 includes additional functionality using
a virtual table module 304 for providing a virtual table to the
user devices 220.
[0073] The virtual table module 304 creates and manages virtual
tables for use by the user devices 220. A virtual table is a
simulation of a table as may be used on a casino floor. As such,
the virtual table allows a specific number of players to join a
game hosted by the gaming system 300. The game may be operated by
the game server 206. A lobby may be provided to the player of the
user device 220, allowing the user to browse various tables that
may be joined by the player. Once a player joins a virtual table,
the virtual table module 304 provides a virtual table interface to
the user device.
[0074] The virtual table interface provided by the virtual table
module 304 displays appropriate play areas to the user according to
the game being played by the user. For example, a user choosing to
play a game as described above, and shown with respect to FIG. 1
may be shown play areas for multiple players in the game. To take
particular actions relative to the action in the game, the player
takes action in gameplay areas associated with the particular
player. In addition, when the dealer takes actions, the dealer's
actions are relayed to each of the other players. In certain games,
a player may take actions in the game simultaneously and in others
the player must wait for the game's action to be on the player
before the player may act. The virtual table interface provides the
user the ability to view virtual actions taken by other players in
addition to actions taken by the player himself. Using the virtual
table module 304, the gaming system 300 provides a virtual
experience to the user similar to play on a casino floor.
[0075] In addition to actions taken responsive to the gameplay,
players may also view other information provided by the other
players. For example, like sitting at a table in person, the
players at the virtual table may chat with one another, for example
via a chat interface, and optionally communicate with an audio
connection if a microphone and speakers are available at the user
devices 220. In addition, for games where a player is provided a
card or cards face-down, the player may also choose to reveal the
player's card(s) to the other players at the table. Thus, the
virtual table enables the players to engage in interactions with
others players at the table as though the players were actually in
person together at a table at the casino floor.
[0076] In one embodiment, the virtual table module 304 provides the
players with an image of a virtual dealer. The virtual dealer
provides interaction with the various players of the game,
indicating, for example, when it is a player's turn to take an
action. The user interface for each player may be customized for
each player's perspective at the virtual table. For example, the
player at the first seat at the table is provided a view different
from the second seat, the third seat, etc. As such each player may
have a different view of the table, as well as a perspective on the
virtual dealer. Thus, when the virtual dealer is indicating that
the second seat must act in the game, to the player in the second
seat the perspective indicates the virtual dealer is gesturing to
that player, while a player in the first seat is provided a
different perspective of the virtual dealer indicating to the
second seat.
[0077] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a gaming system providing for
live dealer play for a user at a remote user device according to
one embodiment. In this embodiment, the wagering games described
herein are provided to a player on a user device (not shown) by a
live dealer 420 at a table 410. In this embodiment, the live dealer
420 and table 410 provide the game engine functionality to the
gaming system 400 by executing game mechanics and providing game
action and results to the gaming system 400. The live dealer 420
receives cards from a shuffler 430 and distributes the cards to
players according to the gameplay rules. When players join and
leave the game, players join a seat 440 at the table 410. The table
410 includes the number of seats 440 according to the number of
seats 440 allotted to the particular game being played.
[0078] In this embodiment, each seat at the table 410 includes a
card sensor 442, a video camera 444, and a player action display
446. The player at a seat 440 is provided a view of the table from
video camera 444. The video camera 444 provides a video feed to the
user device operated by the player showing the player action on the
table 410 and provides the player a view of the dealer 420 and the
shuffler 430. Thus, the player receives a live view of activities
at the table 410 while the user plays the game.
[0079] The card sensor 442 includes positions for the dealer 420 to
place cards as the cards are dealt to the dealer. The card sensor
442 may be in view of the video camera 444, or the card sensor 442
may not be in view of the video camera 444. When the card sensor
442 is in view of the video camera 444, the dealer 420 may deal the
cards to the positions face-up so the video camera 444 may view the
cards dealt to the player. When the card sensor 442 is not viewable
by the player, the card sensor 442 may be placed underneath the
camera and provide the illusion that the dealer 420 is providing
cards to the player, as the cards are dealt underneath the video
camera 444 and leave the video camera's 444 view. The cards dealt
to the player are transmitted to the gaming system 400 and
subsequently the user device and displayed to the player. The
particular cards dealt to the player may be determined in various
ways. In one embodiment, the shuffler 430 includes a card reader
that identifies particular rank and suit (and any other relevant
characteristics) of a card as the card leaves the shuffler. The
shuffler may also know the seat that the card will be dealt to. As
such, the shuffler 430 may provide the card information to the
gaming system 400. When the card is dealt to the seat 440, the card
sensor 442 detects the presence of the card (e.g. by blocking light
to a sensor at the card position). The card sensor 442 indicates
the presence of the card to the shuffler 430 and the shuffler 430
indicates the card provided to the seat 440 to the gaming system
400.
[0080] Alternatively, the card sensor 442 may detect the rank and
suit of the card. The card sensor 442 identifies the cards by a
variety of means. In one embodiment, the card sensor 442 comprises
a translucent panel placed over a scanner. When a card is played
over the card sensor 442, the scanner reads the card through the
translucent panel and provides the card information to the gaming
system 400. In another embodiment, the card sensor 442 includes a
radio-frequency identification (RFID) reader (or interrogator). In
this embodiment, each card includes a RFID tag responsive to the
RFID reader, the tag indicating the card's rank and suit when
interrogated by the RFID reader. When the dealer places the card on
the position of the card for the seat 440, the RFID reader
interrogates the RFID tag in the card and obtains the card's
characteristics. The card's characteristics are provided to the
gaming system 400 for communication with the user device of the
player at the seat 440. Other card identification methods may be
used by the card sensor 442 to identify the card placed at seat
440.
[0081] The seat 440 also includes a player action display 446. As
players place wagers, and execute game actions on the respective
user devices, the players' activities are transmitted to the player
action display 446. The player action display 446 is a visual
display for the dealer 420 of the player's action. For example, the
action display may indicate when a user has placed a bet, folded,
or interacted with the game according to actions permitted by the
game rules. In one embodiment, the player action display 446 also
provides a video feed to the dealer 420 of a camera at the user
device. The camera may be used to show, for example, the user as
the user plays the game, thus enabling a face-to-face view of the
player to the dealer though the player is not at the table 410. In
one embodiment, the player action display 446 shows the amount of
time since a user has taken an action. The amount of time the user
has taken an action is used by the dealer to determine whether to
wait for the player or whether to continue with play when the
player has been idle. The player actions may also be shown to each
user device to indicate the actions taken by other players during
the game.
[0082] The shuffler 430 is an automatic card shuffler that shuffles
cards for the game being played. The shuffler 430 includes, in one
embodiment, a card reader that indicates individual cards or groups
of cards as the cards are dealt by the shuffler 430. The shuffler
430 may also be programmed for the rules of the game being dealt
and may be able to determine, for example, the particular cards to
be dealt to individual players. The shuffler 430 provides the card
information to the gaming system 400. Thus, the gaming system 400
using the table 410 allows a user to be remotely located at a user
device while maintaining a live casino feel by viewing action at
the table 410. Since actual cards are shuffled by shuffler 430 and
a dealer 420 deals the cards, the user is able to enjoy a live game
playing format. The dealt cards are provided to the user device
operated by the user and the user's actions are provided to the
table 410 by the player action display 446. The dealer 420 uses the
player action display 446 to determine what actions to take to
complete the game. Because the player has a view of the dealer 420,
the dealer 420 can also interact directly with players and respond
to particular players. For example, the dealer may gesture to a
particular player that it is that player's turn to perform an
action in the game. In addition, the user may communicate with the
dealer 420, either by speaking to the dealer using a microphone, or
the player may provide a message to the dealer through the player
action display 446. For example, a player who does not know how to
play the game may type a query into the user device, and query may
appear in the player action display 446, and the dealer 420 may
explain the game rules to the video camera 444 of the seat 440 for
the player requesting the information. Thus, players can play the
wagering games of this description in an environment simulating
live play.
[0083] FIG. 5 is a high-level block diagram of a computer 500 for
acting as a gaming system 200, 300, or 400 according to one
embodiment. Illustrated are at least one processor 502 coupled to a
chipset 504. Also coupled to the chipset 504 are a memory 506, a
storage device 508, a keyboard 510, a graphics adapter 512, a
pointing device 514, and a network adapter 516. A display 518 is
coupled to the graphics adapter 512. In one embodiment, the
functionality of the chipset 504 is provided by a memory controller
hub 520 and an I/O controller hub 522. In another embodiment, the
memory 506 is coupled directly to the processor 502 instead of the
chipset 504.
[0084] The storage device 508 is any non-transitory
computer-readable storage medium, such as a hard drive, compact
disk read-only memory (CD-ROM), DVD, or a solid-state memory
device. The memory 506 holds instructions and data used by the
processor 502. The pointing device 514 may be a mouse, track ball,
or other type of pointing device, and is used in combination with
the keyboard 510 to input data into the computer system 500. The
graphics adapter 512 displays images and other information on the
display 518. The network adapter 516 couples the computer system
500 to a local or wide area network.
[0085] A computer 500 can have different and/or other components
than those shown in FIG. 5. In addition, the computer 500 can lack
certain illustrated components. In one embodiment, a computer 500
acting as a gaming system lacks a keyboard 510, pointing device
514, graphics adapter 512, and/or display 518. Moreover, the
storage device 508 can be local and/or remote from the computer 500
(such as embodied within a storage area network (SAN)).
[0086] A gaming system may comprise several such computers 500. The
gaming system may include load balancers, firewalls, and various
other components for assisting the gaming system to provide
services to a variety of user devices.
[0087] The computer 500 is adapted to execute computer program
modules for providing functionality described herein. As used
herein, the term "module" refers to computer program logic utilized
to provide the specified functionality. Thus, a module can be
implemented in hardware, firmware, and/or software. In one
embodiment, program modules are stored on the storage device 508,
loaded into the memory 506, and executed by the processor 502.
[0088] Embodiments of the entities described herein can include
other and/or different modules than the ones described here. In
addition, the functionality attributed to the modules can be
performed by other or different modules in other embodiments.
Moreover, this description occasionally omits the term "module" for
purposes of clarity and convenience.
[0089] Some portions of the detailed description are presented in
terms of algorithms and symbolic representations of operations on
data bits within a computer memory. These algorithmic descriptions
and representations are the means used by those skilled in the data
processing arts to most effectively convey the substance of their
work to others skilled in the art. An algorithm is here, and
generally, conceived to be a self-consistent sequence of steps
(instructions) leading to a desired result. The steps are those
requiring physical manipulations of physical quantities. Usually,
though not necessarily, these quantities take the form of
electrical, magnetic or optical signals capable of being stored,
transferred, combined, compared and otherwise manipulated. It is
convenient at times, principally for reasons of common usage, to
refer to these signals as bits, values, elements, symbols,
characters, terms, numbers, or the like. Furthermore, it is also
convenient at times, to refer to certain arrangements of steps
requiring physical manipulations or transformation of physical
quantities or representations of physical quantities as modules or
code devices, without loss of generality.
[0090] However, all of these and similar terms are to be associated
with the appropriate physical quantities and are merely convenient
labels applied to these quantities. Unless specifically stated
otherwise as apparent from the following discussion, it is
appreciated that throughout the description, discussions utilizing
terms such as "processing" or "computing" or "calculating" or
"determining" or "displaying" or "determining" or the like, refer
to the action and processes of a computer system, or similar
electronic computing device (such as a specific computing machine),
that manipulates and transforms data represented as physical
(electronic) quantities within the computer system memories or
registers or other such information storage, transmission or
display devices.
[0091] Certain aspects of the embodiments include process steps and
instructions described herein in the form of an algorithm. It
should be noted that the process steps and instructions of the
embodiments can be embodied in software, firmware or hardware, and
when embodied in software, could be downloaded to reside on and be
operated from different platforms used by a variety of operating
systems. The embodiments can also be in a computer program product
which can be executed on a computing system.
[0092] The embodiments also relates to an apparatus for performing
the operations herein. This apparatus may be specially constructed
for the purposes, e.g., a specific computer, or it may comprise a
general-purpose computer selectively activated or reconfigured by a
computer program stored in the computer. Such a computer program
may be stored in a computer readable storage medium, such as, but
is not limited to, any type of disk including floppy disks, optical
disks, CD-ROMs, magnetic-optical disks, read-only memories (ROMs),
random access memories (RAMs), EPROMs, EEPROMs, magnetic or optical
cards, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), or any
type of media suitable for storing electronic instructions, and
each coupled to a computer system bus. Memory can include any of
the above and/or other devices that can store
information/data/programs and can be transient or non-transient
medium, where a non-transient or non-transitory medium can include
memory/storage that stores information for more than a minimal
duration. Furthermore, the computers referred to in the
specification may include a single processor or may be
architectures employing multiple processor designs for increased
computing capability.
[0093] The algorithms and displays presented herein are not
inherently related to any particular computer or other apparatus.
Various general-purpose systems may also be used with programs in
accordance with the teachings herein, or it may prove convenient to
construct more specialized apparatus to perform the method steps.
The structure for a variety of these systems will appear from the
description herein. In addition, the embodiments are not described
with reference to any particular programming language. It will be
appreciated that a variety of programming languages may be used to
implement the teachings of the embodiments as described herein, and
any references herein to specific languages are provided for
disclosure of enablement and best mode.
[0094] In addition, the language used in the specification has been
principally selected for readability and instructional purposes,
and may not have been selected to delineate or circumscribe the
inventive subject matter. Accordingly, the disclosure of the
embodiments is intended to be illustrative, but not limiting, of
the scope of the embodiments, which is set forth in the claims.
[0095] While particular embodiments and applications have been
illustrated and described herein, it is to be understood that the
embodiments are not limited to the precise construction and
components disclosed herein and that various modifications,
changes, and variations may be made in the arrangement, operation,
and details of the methods and apparatuses of the embodiments
without departing from the spirit and scope of the embodiments as
defined in the appended claims.
* * * * *