U.S. patent application number 14/296860 was filed with the patent office on 2014-12-11 for roulette-style game of chance.
The applicant listed for this patent is Mark H. Jones. Invention is credited to Mark H. Jones.
Application Number | 20140361484 14/296860 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52004807 |
Filed Date | 2014-12-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140361484 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Jones; Mark H. |
December 11, 2014 |
ROULETTE-STYLE GAME OF CHANCE
Abstract
A method of playing a game of chance including providing a game
layout surface having a plurality of discrete wagering areas each
configured for receiving a wager on the outcome of the game of
chance. A card shuffling device is disposed adjacent the game
layout surface and configured to rotate about a vertical axis. The
device includes thirty eight slots configured to receive an
individual card from among a defined set of cards. Each of the set
of cards includes indicia thereon relevant to the outcome of the
game of chance. One of the set of cards has indicia of a black
joker and one of the set of cards has indicia of a color joker.
After the cards are located in the slots and wagers are placed in
one or more of the plurality of wagering areas, the card shuffling
device is rotated. A card from among the set of cards is then
selected to determine the outcome of the game of chance. The one or
more wagers are then resolved based on the outcome according to the
payouts of a conventional roulette game.
Inventors: |
Jones; Mark H.;
(Gardnerville, NV) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Jones; Mark H. |
Gardnerville |
NV |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
52004807 |
Appl. No.: |
14/296860 |
Filed: |
June 5, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61831172 |
Jun 5, 2013 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
273/142F |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F 5/046 20130101;
A63F 1/04 20130101; A63F 5/00 20130101; A63F 1/12 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
273/142.F |
International
Class: |
A63F 5/00 20060101
A63F005/00 |
Claims
1. A method of playing a game of chance, comprising: providing a
game layout surface for a game of chance with a plurality of
discrete wagering areas relevant to outcomes of the game of chance,
each of the plurality of wagering areas configured for receiving a
wager on the outcome of the game of chance, the plurality of
discrete wagering areas including thirty eight separate card
indicia wagering areas; providing a card shuffling device adjacent
the game layout surface, the card shuffling device being configured
to rotate about a vertical axis and including thirty eight slots
each configured to receive an individual card therein; providing a
set of cards consisting of thirty eight individual cards, each of
the thirty eight cards having indicia thereon relevant to the
outcome of the game of chance, wherein one of the set of cards has
indicia of a black joker and one of the set of cards has indicia of
a color joker; locating each of the individual cards in a
respective slot in the card shuffling device; accepting one or more
wagers in one or more of the plurality of wagering areas; rotating
the card shuffling device; selecting a card from one of the slots
to determine the outcome of the game of chance; and resolving the
one or more wagers according to the payouts of a conventional
roulette game.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: a circular track
disposed around an outer periphery of the card shuffling device,
the circular track including a plurality of ball receiving recesses
corresponding to each card of the set of cards and wherein the
method further comprises: rotating a ball around the circular track
such that it can come to rest in one of the plurality of ball
receiving recesses to select the card from among the set of
cards.
3. The method of claim 1, further comprising: providing a flapper
mechanism adjacent the card shuffling device; engaging the flapper
mechanism with the card shuffling device during rotation thereof to
stop rotation of the card shuffling device and effectuate selecting
the card from the set of cards.
4. The method of claim 1, further comprising: orienting each of the
cards in its respective slots such that their indicia are hidden as
the card shuffling device is rotating.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the card indicia wagering areas
correspond to the following card indicia: A through 9 of spades; A
though 9 of diamonds; A through 10 of hearts; and A through 10 of
clubs;
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the game layout surface includes
the following discrete wagering areas: black joker wagering area;
color joker wagering area; row wagering areas; color red wagering
area; color black wagering area; odd number wagering area; and even
number wagering area.
7. A method of playing a game of chance, comprising: providing a
table having a game layout surface disposed thereon configured for
playing a game of chance, the game layout surface having a
plurality of wagering areas upon which players may place wagers on
an outcome of the game of chance; providing a card shuffling device
adjacent the game layout surface, the card shuffling device being
configured to rotate about a vertical axis and including thirty
eight slots each configured to receive an individual card therein;
providing a set of cards consisting of thirty eight cards, each of
the thirty eight cards having indicia thereon relevant to the
outcome of the game of chance, wherein one of the set of cards has
indicia of a black joker and one of the set of cards has indicia of
a color joker; providing thirty eight discrete card indicia
wagering areas on the game layout surface which correspond to the
indicia of each of the thirty eight cards in the set of cards;
providing an odd number wagering area; providing an even number
wagering area; providing a heart suit wagering area; providing a
club suit wagering area; providing a diamond suit wagering area;
providing a spade suit wagering area; locating one card of the set
of cards in each of the slots in the card shuffling device;
accepting one or more wagers in one or more of the plurality of
wagering areas; rotating the card shuffling device; selecting a
card from among the set of cards to determine the outcome of the
game of chance; and resolving the one or more wagers according to
the payouts of a conventional roulette game.
8. The method of claim 7, further comprising: a circular track
disposed around an outer periphery of the card shuffling device,
the circular track including a plurality of ball receiving recesses
corresponding to each card of the set of cards and wherein the
method further comprises: rotating a ball around the circular track
such that it can come to rest in one of the plurality of ball
receiving recesses to select the card from among the set of
cards.
9. The method of claim 7, further comprising: providing a flapper
mechanism adjacent the card shuffling device; engaging the flapper
mechanism with the card shuffling device during rotation thereof to
stop rotation of the card shuffling device and effectuate selecting
the card from the set of cards.
10. The method of claim 7, further comprising: orienting each of
the cards in its respective slots such that its indicia are hidden
as the card shuffling device is rotating.
11. The method of claim 7, wherein card indicia wagering areas
correspond to the following card indicia: A through 9 of spades; A
though 9 of diamonds; A through 10 of hearts; and A through 10 of
clubs.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 61/831,175, entitled "Roulette-Style
Game of Chance", and filed Jun. 5, 2013, the disclosure of which is
hereby incorporated by reference as though set forth fully
herein.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to a roulette-style
game of chance. More specifically, the present disclosure relates
to a roulette-style game of chance that utilizes a card shuffling
device to determine the outcome.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Games of chance are well known activities whose outcomes are
strongly influenced by randomizing devices and upon which
contestants may wager money as they forecast outcomes. Common
randomizing devices include dice, spinning tops, playing cards,
roulette wheels, prize wheels, and numbered balls drawn from
containers. Games of chance have been played throughout all of
human history, and are considered popular pastimes by many. Players
of games of chance are attracted to new and exciting methods of
game play as well as new and exciting randomizing devices. For this
reason, the gaming industry is continuously developing new games
and new randomizing devices to maintain player interest and attract
new players.
[0004] Games of chance that include money wagers are typically
regulated by governing authorities. These governing authorities
enforce laws and regulations that are enacted to curtail certain
kinds of games as well as certain kinds of randomizing devices. For
example, in some jurisdictions, the use of dice or roulette wheels
to resolve a game outcome, i.e., as the randomizing device, have
been curtailed. Instead, randomizing devices that use playing cards
have been utilized as they enjoy fewer restrictions.
[0005] Moreover, there is a desire within the gaming industry to
develop new and interesting methods of game play and randomizing
devices which utilize playing cards in unique and interesting ways,
suited to fast-paced, high-volume activity.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] It is therefore an aspect of the present disclosure to
provide a roulette-style game of chance that can improve the
efficiency of the casino dealers.
[0007] It is another aspect of the present disclosure to provide a
roulette-style game of chance that can reduce the labor costs
attributable to the operation of the game.
[0008] It is yet another aspect of the present disclosure to
provide a roulette-style game of chance that utilizes a card
shuffling device to determine the outcome.
[0009] It is a further aspect of the present disclosure to provide
a roulette-style game of chance that can provide increased player
entertainment and enjoyment.
[0010] In accordance with the above and the other aspects of the
present disclosure, a method of playing a game of chance is
provided. According to the method a game layout surface having a
plurality of discrete wagering areas is provided. Each of the
plurality of wagering areas is configured for receiving a wager on
the outcome of the game of chance. The plurality of discrete
wagering areas includes thirty eight separate card indicia wagering
areas. According to the method a card shuffling device is provided
adjacent the game layout surface. The card shuffling device is
configured to rotate about a vertical axis. The card shuffling
device includes thirty eight slots with each slot being configured
to receive an individual card therein. Pursuant to the method a set
of cards consisting of thirty eight cards is provided. Each of the
thirty eight cards includes indicia thereon relevant to the outcome
of the game of chance. One of the set of cards has indicia of a
black joker and one of the set of cards has indicia of a color
joker. One card is located in each of the slots in the card
shuffling device. According to the method, one or more wager may be
placed in the plurality of wagering areas. Next, the card shuffling
device can be rotated. Then, a card from among the set of cards can
be selected to determine the outcome of the game of chance. Once
the card has been selected, the one or more wagers can be resolved
according to the payouts of a conventional roulette game.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] Other aspects of the present disclosure will be readily
appreciated, as the same becomes better understood by reference to
the following detailed description when considered in connection
with the accompanying drawings wherein:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a top view of a card shuffling device for a
roulette-style game of chance in accordance with an aspect of the
disclosure;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a table layout for a
roulette-style game of chance in accordance with an aspect of the
disclosure; and
[0014] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a card shuffling device for
a roulette-style game of chance in accordance with another aspect
of the disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0015] The present disclosure relates to a casino game of chance
upon which players may place wagers upon the outcome. According to
an aspect, the casino game can include a random number generator
that randomly determines a number that is relevant to determining
an outcome of the game of chance. According to one aspect, a random
number generator employed in connection with the present disclosure
may be a card shuffling device, as discussed in more detail below.
However, it will be appreciated that other random number generators
may be employed such as a roulette wheel, dice, a spinning top or
any other suitable device for randomly selecting a number.
[0016] FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate an exemplary aspect of a table game
system according to the present disclosure. According to an aspect,
a roulette-style table game system 10 can include a random number
generator in the form of a card shuffling device 12. According to
an aspect, the card shuffling device 12 of the table game system 10
may be disposed adjacent a relatively flat table 16. According to
an aspect, the table 16 can include a game layout 14 disposed
thereon for allowing players to play the game of chance and to
place wagers on its outcome. According to another aspect, the game
layout 14 may be configured for the game of roulette. It will be
appreciated that the game layout 14 could be configured for other
games of chance, including craps or any other casino game where the
random selection of one or more numbers can decide the outcome of
the game of chance. Any other suitable game with predefined rules
may be played. The table 16 may have various player positions
disposed thereabout to allow easy access for players disposed about
the table to the game layout 14.
[0017] According to another aspect, the system 10 may also include
a computer or processor such that the game of chance may be
controlled electronically and played from player terminals located
adjacent to the table 16 or remote from the table 16. It will also
be appreciated that the system 10 may be played entirely on a
computer, including a processor and software for effectuating game
play together with various player terminals.
[0018] With reference to the FIG. 1, an exemplary card shuffling
device 12 in accordance with an aspect of the disclosure is shown.
According to an aspect, the card shuffling device 12 can include a
turntable 20 that is supported for rotation about a central
vertical axis A. The card shuffling device 12 may also include a
central shaft 22 about which the turntable 20 can rotate about axis
A. The card shuffling device 14 can also be mounted on a base
portion 24, which can be supported on the table 16. Alternatively,
the base portion 24 could be supported on a floor or other
supporting member.
[0019] According to an aspect, the turntable 20 can include a
predetermined number of trays 26 disposed therein, which are
configured to receive a respective card therein. The trays 26 may
be equally circumferentially spaced apart about the central
vertical axis A. The turntable 20 may also include a plurality of
dividers 28, which may be configured as upstanding pins located at
or adjacent an outer periphery 30 of the turntable 20. The
plurality of dividers 28 can be equal in number to the plurality of
trays 26 and can be spaced one from another in equal
circumferentially spaced increments about the central axis A. Each
tray 26 can be configured to retain a single card 32 therein.
According to another aspect, the depth of each tray 26 may be less
than the width of each card 32 such that each card 32 may extend at
least partially out of its respective tray 26 to allow for easy
removal thereof. The cards 32 may be configured as standard sized
cards formed of a relatively stiff material with a rectangular
configuration. However, the cards may take on different shapes and
sizes and may be formed of different materials.
[0020] According to an aspect, a set of cards 32 consisting of a
predetermined number is provided. The number of cards 32 in the set
may depend upon the game of chance being played. According to an
aspect, the number of trays 26 formed in the turntable 20 may be
equal to the number of cards 32 in the set. According to another
aspect, each card 32 in the set may bear indicia related to an
outcome of the game of chance. According to another aspect, the
cards 32 can be shuffled at the beginning of each game and randomly
placed in each of the trays 26 such that a single card 32 may be
disposed in each tray 26. By this step, the order of the cards 32
can vary with respect to each game outcome. According to an aspect,
the indicia of each card 32 will not be visible when the card 32 is
disposed in the tray 36. Thus, according to an aspect the outcome
will be unknown until the selected card 32 is pulled from its
respective tray and its indicia revealed. It will be appreciated
that the slots can take on a variety of different configurations.
For example, the cards may be oriented "face up" on the device.
[0021] According to a further aspect, the card shuffling device 12
can include a flapper mechanism (not shown) that is fixed relative
to the base portion 24. The flapper mechanism can apply a pulsating
resistance to the free rotation of the turntable 20 by contacting
each of the dividers 28 to progressively slow the rotation of the
turntable 20 to a stopped condition relative to the base portion
24. The flapper mechanism can also serve to identify the card 32
that has been selected so that the correct card is pulled from its
respective tray 26. The flapper mechanism can be manually moved by
a game operator or dealer into or out of interaction with the
dividers 28 after all wagers have been placed. An exemplary flapper
mechanism is disclosed in Applicant's co-pending application Ser.
No. 13/691,290, which is hereby incorporated by reference as though
set forth fully herein. The flapper mechanism may take on a variety
of different configurations. According to another aspect, the
flapper mechanism may be automatically moved into and out of
communication with the dividers 28 under computer control.
According to still a further aspect, the turntable 20 could be
randomly stopped under computer control without the need for any
detent or flapper mechanism. According to still another aspect, the
shuffling device 12 may take on a variety of different
configurations, including as a vertical wheel where the card
shuffling device rotates about a horizontal axis, such as is
disclosed in Applicant's U.S. Pat. No. 8,505,919 entitled "Rotary
Card Shuffling Machine", which disclosure is hereby incorporated by
reference as though set forth fully herein.
[0022] According to an aspect, cards from a standard deck may be
utilized in connection with the card shuffling device 12 to
determine the outcome of the game of chance. The utilization of a
non-custom deck is a benefit under the laws of many jurisdictions.
According to an aspect, the set of cards used with the preset
roulette style game may include 38 individual cards. According to
an aspect, indicia on the cards can consist of A through 8 of the
four standard suits, namely clubs, diamonds, hearts and spades. The
deck can also include the 9 of spades, the 9 of diamonds, the 10 of
clubs, and the 10 of hearts, as well as cards bearing indicia for
the two traditional jokers. It will be appreciated that the cards
could bear a variety of different indicia as well as a variety of
different numbers and suits. Also, more or less than 38 cards may
be included in the deck or set. However, in accordance with another
aspect, the cards 32 can include an equal number of suits as well
as an equal number of red cards and black cards. Additionally, the
cards may also include an equal amount of odd and even numbers.
[0023] According to another aspect, the game of chance being played
may be roulette and the turntable 20 can include 38 trays with each
tray 26 receiving a single card 32. FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary
game layout for a roulette-style game of chance in accordance with
the present disclosure. As shown, the game layout 14 can provide
many different wagering options based on the indicia of the cards
32 contained in the shuffling device 12.
[0024] According to an aspect, the game layout 14 may appear
similar to that of conventional roulette. As shown in FIG. 2, the
game layout 14 can include a middle portion 50 consisting of
individual card wagering locations 52 corresponding to the indicia
of each individual card. The individual card wagering locations 52
can allow players to place wagers on each of the cards in the deck
individually. The individual card wagering locations 52 may be
disposed in three rows 54. According to this example, the
individual card wagering locations 52 correspond to A through 10 of
clubs, A through 9 of diamonds, A through 10 of hearts, and A
through 9 of spades. It will be appreciated that the wagering
locations 52 could be disposed in a variety of different
arrangements. Also, the individual card indicia could vary as set
forth above. Each of the individual card wagers may pay out similar
to the conventional pay outs for the game of roulette. It will be
appreciated that the pay outs could obviously vary.
[0025] According to another example, one or more joker wagering
locations 56 for the color joker and the black and white joker may
also be included. The joker wagering locations 56 can allow players
to place wagers that either of the individual joker card indicia
will be selected. Each of the joker wagering locations 56 may pay
out similar to the numbers 0 and 00 in some conventional roulette
games. According to still another aspect, if one of the jokers is
drawn from the card shuffling device 12, all non-joker bets would
lose. According to a still further aspect, the set of cards and the
game layout 14 could include only a single joker, which could be
employed to reduce the house edge. More or less cards may also be
employed.
[0026] Additionally, three separate row wagering locations 58, 60,
62 may also be included. Each of the row wagering locations 58, 60,
62 allow players to place wagers that the card drawn from the
shuffling device 12 will be located in one of the three rows, i.e.,
top, middle, bottom. According to another aspect, these row
wagering locations 58, 60, 62 pay out at 2:1 odds. The game layout
14 can also include box wagering locations 64, 66, 68 that allow
wagers to be placed on the outcome of the indicia of the drawn card
being in the left third of the middle portion 50, the middle third
of the middle portion 50, and the bottom third of the middle
portion 50, respectively. According to this aspect, each of the box
waging locations 64, 66, 68 pay out at 2:1 odds. It will be
appreciated that the odds and pay outs can obviously vary.
[0027] According to another aspect, the game layout 14 may also
include a left half wagering location 70 and a right half wagering
location 72. These wagering locations allow a player to wager that
the card drawn will appear in either the left half or the right of
the middle portion 50. According to a further aspect, the game
layout 14 may include a red wagering location 74 and a black
wagering location 76 that allow players to wager that the card
drawn will be red or black. Also, the game layout 14 may also
include an odd wagering location 78 and an even wagering location
80 that allow players to wager that the card drawn from the
shuffling device 12 will be odd or even. The game layout 14 can
also include individual suit wagering locations 82, 84, 86, 88
which allow players to place wagers that the card drawn will
correspond to a particular one of the four suits. Because the
layout is similar to that employed with conventional roulette,
dealers who are familiar with the odds and pay out for roulette can
readily staff this game without having to learn new payouts.
[0028] In accordance with an aspect, the card shuffling device 12
may be rotated to randomly select at least one card, which once
determines the outcome of the game of chance. Once the card has
been identified or selected by the card shuffling device 12, the
card may be removed from the shuffling device 12 identified and
then utilized to determine the outcome of the game of chance. Based
on the outcome, any wagers made on the outcome, such as can be
placed on the game layout 14, can be resolved. According to an
aspect, the card can be removed from the card shuffling device 12
by a live dealer. Alternatively, the card can be removed
automatically by a mechanical arm. According to a still further
aspect, once the card is removed from the card shuffling device 12,
the live dealer could place the card on the table for display and
then resolve any wagers based on the indicia of the displayed card.
Alternatively, the indicia of the card could be read, such as by a
camera, an RFID reader, or a bar code scanner, such that it is
automatically input into the computer.
[0029] Instead of or in addition to the game layout 14, a plurality
of player terminals (not shown) could be included that allow
players to input their bets electronically and which will
automatically resolve any wagers, such as is disclosed in more
detail in Applicant's co-pending application Ser. No. 13/691,290
entitled "Turbo Card Table Game with RFID Card Identifier", and
filed on Nov. 30, 2012, which is hereby incorporated by reference
as though set forth fully herein. This automatic resolution of
wagers can help minimize the potential for any dealer errors.
According to an aspect, any wagers could also be resolved
automatically once the card indicia is entered into the computer
whether manually by a dealer or whether read in, such as by an RF
reader, bar code scanner, or camera.
[0030] According to another aspect, the cards in the card shuffling
device 12 may each include a readable mechanism associated
therewith, such as a bar code or an RFID tag that allows the cards
to be automatically read by a card reader (not shown) in order to
minimize dealer error that could result from manually inputting the
card into a computer. Such a feature is disclosed in more detail in
Applicant's co-pending application Ser. No. 13/691,290, referenced
above. Additionally, the entire process for playing the game could
be automated, which would eliminate the need for a dealer
altogether, such as is disclosed in Applicant's co-pending
application Ser. No. 61/749,725, entitled "Automated Multi-Game
Card Reading Apparatus" and filed on Jan. 7, 2013, which disclosure
is hereby incorporated by reference as though set forth fully
herein.
[0031] FIG. 3 illustrates another aspect of a card shuffling device
100 in accordance with the disclosure. As shown, the card shuffling
device 100 can include a turntable 102 that is supported for
rotation about a central vertical axis A. The card shuffling device
100 may include a central shaft 104 about which the turntable 102
can rotate. According to an aspect, the card shuffling device 100
may include an outer ball ring portion 106. The outer ball ring
portion 106 can be an integral part of the turntable 102. According
to another aspect, a circular track 108 may be fixedly disposed
around the turntable 102 such that the turntable 102 may rotate
with respect to the circular track 108.
[0032] According to an aspect, the turntable 102 can include a
predetermined number of trays 110 disposed therein. The trays 110
may be equally circumferentially spaced apart from the other trays
about the central vertical axis A. According to an aspect, each
tray 110 can be configured to retain a single card 112 therein.
According to another aspect, the depth of each tray 110 may be less
than the width of each card 112 such that each card 112 may extend
at least partially out of the its respective tray 110 to allow for
easy removal thereof. The cards 112 may be configured as standard
sized cards formed of a relatively stiff material with a
rectangular configuration. However, the cards may take on different
shapes and sizes and may be formed of different materials.
[0033] The ball ring portion 106 may include a plurality of
recesses 114 uniformly spaced thereabout. The plurality of recesses
114 can be equal in number to the plurality of trays 110 and can be
spaced one from another in equal circumferentially spaced
increments about the central axis A. According to an aspect, a ball
can be rotated around the circular track 108 in an opposite
direction from the rotation of the turntable 102. As the ball falls
from the circular track 108, it will contact the ball ring portion
106 and ultimately settle into one of the plurality of recesses
114. According to an aspect, the total number or recesses 114 is
the same as the number of trays 110 each recess 114 corresponds to
one of the plurality of trays 110. Thus, the recess 114 into which
the ball comes to rest designates the tray 110 from which the
selected card 112 is pulled. The ball thus can help determine the
outcome of the game of chance by helping to determine the card 112
that is selected. The cards 112 may be configured as discussed
above and can bear indicia, as discussed above. According to
another aspect, the cards 112 can be shuffled between each spin of
the turntable and randomly placed in the trays 110 such that the
order of the cards around the turntable 102 can vary for each game.
According to an aspect, both the ball and the turntable can be
rotated at the same time such as in opposite directions.
[0034] The foregoing invention has been described in accordance
with the relevant legal standards, thus the description is
exemplary rather than limiting in nature. Variations and
modifications to the disclosed embodiment may become apparent to
those skilled in the art and fall within the scope of the
invention. Accordingly the scope of legal protection afforded this
invention can only be determined by studying the following
claims.
* * * * *