System and method for playing a table and electronic card game Number:7,168,705 from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) owispatent The present invention is directed to a card game in which at least one card, and preferably six cards, are dealt to at least one player position, and preferably seven player positions. To initiate a round of play, a number of cards are dealt face down to each of the player positions. The player selects a card from amongst the dealt cards which is then assigned as the dealer's card. The player makes a wager to elect to play one or more of the remaining player positions. All the cards are turned face up and each player position card is individually compared to the dealer's assigned card. A winning status occurs for wagered position in which the player's upturned card has a higher ranking than the dealer's assigned card.<H electronic, playing, System, and, meth, 7168705.html, Patent, pto, 7168705

Title: System and method for playing a table and electronic card game

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a card game in which at least one card, and preferably six cards, are dealt to at least one player position, and preferably seven player positions. To initiate a round of play, a number of cards are dealt face down to each of the player positions. The player selects a card from amongst the dealt cards which is then assigned as the dealer's card. The player makes a wager to elect to play one or more of the remaining player positions. All the cards are turned face up and each player position card is individually compared to the dealer's assigned card. A winning status occurs for wagered position in which the player's upturned card has a higher ranking than the dealer's assigned card.

Patent Number: 7,168,705 Issued on 01/30/2007 to Schibetta

Inventors: Schibetta; Joseph (Jersey City, NJ)
Appl. No.: 10/458,485

Filed: June 9, 2003

Related U.S. Patent Documents


Application Number	Filing Date	Patent Number	Issue Date
09838897	Apr., 2001	6626433
09507657	Apr., 2001	6220597

Current U.S. Class: 273/292 ; 273/274; 273/309; 463/12; 463/13

Current International Class: A63F 1/00 (20060101)

Field of Search: 273/292,274,309 463/12-13

References Cited [Referenced By]

U.S. Patent Documents


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Primary Examiner: Kim; Eugene
Assistant Examiner: Collins; Dolores R.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Carter DeLuca Farrell & Schmidt LLP

Parent Case Text

PRIORITY

The present application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/838,897 filed on Apr. 20, 2001 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,626,433 which is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/507,657 filed on Feb. 22, 2000 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,220,597 on Apr. 24, 2001, the entire contents of the afore-mentioned U.S. patent application and U.S. patent are incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A method for playing a game wherein said game includes a plurality of game positions having at least one player position and a dealer position, the method comprising the steps of: identifying each of said at least one player position and said dealer position to at least one player, dealing a set of cards from at least one deck of cards to said at least on player; receiving a selection of said set of cards from said at least one player of one of said dealt cards to assign to the dealer position; providing an indication that said selected card corresponds to said dealer position and each of the unselected cards of said set of cards corresponds to a respective player position of said at least one player position; accepting a wager corresponding to at least one of said at least one player position from the at least one player, comparing an upturned card at said dealer position with an upturned card from among said at least one card corresponding to each of said wagered positions; and determining a winning or loss status for each of said wagered positions, wherein a winning status is determined for a wagered position when said upturned card corresponding to said wagered position has a higher ranking than said upturned card corresponding to said dealer position.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of awarding a predetermined amount of credit based on said wager when the winning status is determined for at least one of said wagered positions.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of allowing the at least one player to cancel at least one of said wagered positions prior to said dealing step.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of accepting a wager corresponding to at least one of said at least one player position comprises the step of receiving a selection via a touch screen indicating at least one player position to be wagered upon.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of comparing an upturned card at said dealer position with an upturned card from among said at least one card dealt to each of said wagered positions comprises the steps of: selecting by the at least one player one of the at least one card corresponding to each of said wagered positions; and selecting by the dealer one of the at least one card corresponding to said dealer position.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the step of comparing an upturned card at said dealer position with an upturned card from among said at least one card corresponding to each of said wagered positions further comprises the step of upturning at least one additional card when an upturned card is one of above, below and equal to a predetermined rank value.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of comparing an upturned card at said dealer position with an upturned card from among said at least one card corresponding to each of said wagered positions comprises the step of replacing byte at least one player a selected number of the set of cards with replacement cards.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of comparing an upturned card at said dealer position with an upturned card from among said at least one card corresponding to each of said wagered positions comprises the step of upturning a card from the group of said at least one card corresponding to each wagered position whose position in the group corresponds to the number of wagered positions.

9. The meted of claim 1, wherein the step of comparing an upturned card at said dealer position with an upturned card corresponding to each of said wagered positions comprises the step of comparing a ranking value of said upturned card corresponding to each of the wagered positions with a ranking value of said upturned card corresponding to said dealer position.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of determining the at least one player's winning or loss status further comprises the step of determining if said ranking value of the upturned card corresponding to each of the wagered positions is greater than or less than said ranking value, respectively, of said upturned card corresponding to said dealer position.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of executing said steps by providing a computing device having a display and a processor with stored data representing each card of the at least one deck of cards wherein the step of dealing said set of cards from the at least one deck of cards comprises the steps: randomly selecting cards by said processor from said stored data cards; and presenting a visual display of said randomly selected cards via said display.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of accepting another wager from the at least one player on whether at least one of a plurality of predetermined combinations will be formed with said at least one card dealt.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of accepting another wager is performed either prior to or alter said dealing step.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the at least one of a plurality of predetermined combinations is selected from the group consisting of poker hands.

15. A card game wherein a game participant selects one or more player positions from at least one displayed player position to compare a card dealt to each of said selected player positions with a card dealt to a dealer position, said card game comprising: means for identifying each of said plurality of player positions and said dealer position to the game participant; means for dealing a set of cards from at least one deck of cards to said plurality of players positions; means for providing at least one of said dealt cards from said plurality of player positions to said dealer position and assigning each of the remaining dealt cards of the set of cards to a respective player position of said plurality of player positions, wherein the dealt card from the set of cards provided to the dealer position is selected by the at least one player; means for accepting a wager made by the game participant on at least one of said identified player positions; means for displaying an upturned card from said at least one card corresponding to each of said wagered positions; means for comparing an upturned card from said at least one card corresponding to each of said wagered positions with an upturned card corresponding to said dealer position and determining a winning or loss status of said game participant; and means for determining whether the upturned cards, where each respectively corresponds to one of said wagered positions, provide a winning poker combination.

16. The card game of claim 15, further comprising means for awarding a game participant a predetermined amount of credit based on said wager when the means for comparing determines a winning status for said game participant.

17. A computer device comprising a processor for executing a set of programmable instructions capable of being executed by a processor for playing a card game, said card game including the steps of: identifying each of said at least one player position and said dealer position to at least one player; dealing a set of cards from at least one deck of cards to said at least one player; receiving a selection of said set of cards from said at least one player of one of said dealt cards to assign to the dealer position; providing an indication that said selected card corresponds to said dealer position and each of the unselected cards of said set of cards corresponds to a respective player position of said at least one player position; accepting a wager corresponding to at least one of said at least one player position from the at least one player; comparing an upturned card at said dealer position with an upturned card from among said at least one card corresponding to each of said wagered positions; and determining a winning or loss status for each of said wagered positions, wherein a winning status is determined for a wagered position when said upturned card corresponding to said wagered position has a higher ranking than said upturned card corresponding to said dealer position.

18. The computer device of claim 17, wherein the processor performs the step of awarding the at least one player a predetermined amount of credit based on at least said wager.

19. The computer device of claim 17, wherein the processor performs the step of displaying via at least one display said at least one card corresponding to each of said wagered positions and said at least one card corresponding to said dealer position from said at least one deck of cards.

20. The computer device of claim 19, wherein said set of instructions are stored within a computer readable medium configured for insertion within said computer device.

21. The computer device of claim 17, wherein the computer device is integrated with a casino-style housing configured and dimensioned for housing a casino-type game.

22. A computer readable medium storing a set of programmable instructions capable of being executed by a processor for playing a card game, said card game including the steps of: identifying each of said at least one player position and said dealer position to at least one player; dealing a set of cards from at least one deck of cards to said at least one player; receiving a selection of said set of cards from said at least one player of one of said dealt cards to assign to the dealer position; providing an indication that said selected card corresponds to said dealer position and each of the unselected cards of said set of cards corresponds to a respective player position of said at least one player position; accepting a wager corresponding to at least one of said at least one player position from the at least one player comparing an upturned card at said dealer position with an upturned card from among said at least one card corresponding to each of said wagered positions; and determining a winning or loss status for each of said wagered positions, wherein a winning status is determined for a wagered position when said upturned cud corresponding to said wagered position has a higher ranking than said upturned card corresponding to said dealer position.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to wagering games, and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to a card game.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Games of chance employing a deck of 52 cards are as old as the invention of cards themselves. The concept of using high cards in which to play and wager in card games is also old. Even so, the prior art discloses many novel patented card gaming tables and many novel patented card games to be played on them.

Card games generally employ one or more cards which, when dealt upon a horizontal surface, determine a score based upon indicia displayed by the upwardly facing sides or faces of the resting cards when the cards are turned face up.

Feola in U.S. Pat. No. 5,839,731 issued on Nov. 24, 1998, describes a novel casino game based on a selected card game in which a player wagers on one or more of a group of dealt hands, i.e. a random grouping or pot of cards and where the chances of winning are not enhanced by the skills of the player and no discretion in the selection is vested in either the player or dealer. A relatively complex card game, such as blackjack, baccarat, or stud poker is selected. A number of hands are dealt as lines or arrays on a playing surface and players wager as to which hand will win. The playing surface has a dealer position including a line or array for each hand dealt to the dealer. Player positions are located in a semicircle around the dealer position, each including a location at which wagers are placed. Winning wagers are paid a multiple of the wager. Optionally, the multiple is based on the odds of obtaining the particular winning combination.

Somma et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 5,690,337 issued on Nov. 25, 1997, disclose a relatively complex casino card game. Utilized is a single, 41-card deck of playing cards consisting of a standard, 4-suit playing card deck from which all "face" cards have been removed and a single "Joker" card has been added. Play of the game starts with a first player selecting a card value, termed the "dealer number". No bets can be placed on the dealer number. Players may then place their wager(s) on any of the remaining "live" numbers, and the dealer deals a first playing card, face up. If the identified "dealer number" card value is turned over, all players having placed a bet on any of the "live" numbers win, and are paid off even money. If the card has a value other than the "dealer number", the house wins all bets placed on the "value" number of the card that was turned over, and that value number is thereafter considered "dead". Play continues, with the players given an opportunity to place additional bets on the remaining, "live" card values prior to turning over the next card. If the "joker" card is dealt by the dealer at any time before the "dealer number" has been dealt, the house wins all remaining bets, and the game is over.

Boylan et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 5,607,162 issued on Mar. 4, 1997 disclose a method of playing another relatively complex matching wagering game between players and a dealer whose outcome is determined by randomly generated playing cards. After an ante bet is wagered, the dealer deals five cards to each player and deals seven cards to himself. A round of play is then commenced where the dealer plays a card from his hand to present the rank and suit thereof. Next, each player plays a "matching" card from his respective hand which is either the same suit or the same rank. In this manner, each player reduces the number of cards in his hand where a matching card is played during the round. The conducting of a round of play is then repeated until each card in the hand of the dealer has been played. Seven rounds are thus played each game, so that ultimately there are no cards left in the hand of the dealer. The ante bet of each respective player is consequently paid off as follows: (a) To each player if each player has no card remaining; or (b) to the dealer if each player has one or more cards remaining. Preferably, prior to the round of play, each player determines whether his respective hand has a winning hand or position and pays each player who selected the winning hand or position according to the odds and their wager or collects each player's wager who did not select the winning hand or position. Additionally, a jackpot wheel may be included to pennit an added possibility of winning a larger payout.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,395,120 was granted to Malek in March of 1995 for another relatively complex poker-like card game, in particular, a card game suitable for use in casinos, and for a specifically designed table for playing the game. Specifically, this invention relates to a method and apparatus for playing a casino game simultaneously against a dealer and against other players. More specifically, this invention relates to a method of and an apparatus for playing a mixture of draw poker and one off twenty-one and baccarat wherein a player can simultaneously play Draw Poker against a dealer and one of Twenty-one and Baccarat against other players.

Virtually all casinos, especially those in the gaming capitals of the world have board games that are played for gambling purposes. Due to the complexity involved in playing the popular wagering games employing cards such as poker, blackjack, and baccarat, for example, as exemplified by the brief summaries given above, there is a need for a simpler game of chance that will appease all strata of expertise in the art of card gambling, yet remain challenging and enjoyable.

As evinced above, the game of poker is an extremely popular game currently found in most Las Vegas casinos, the rules of which are widely published and have numerous variations. This game provides numerous betting options, but the game involves complicated increasing or decreasing odds depending on the number of decks of cards used. Winning hands may include two pairs, three of a kind, four of a kind, and straights.

Although there have been attempts to improve upon existing card games and to develop new games of chance, none of the prior art card games have been able to overcome the complexity disadvantages described herein. Thus, a need exists for a card game that is simple to learn and play and that results in simpler, more expedient wagering decisions per hour.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment of the present invention is directed to a card game to be played by at least one player and a dealer or croupier using at least one standard deck of 52 cards. Also used by the croupier is a shuffling machine for cards, a dealing machine for cards and a catch bin for discarded or played cards. The order of play and payoffs for each bet are set by the house or the croupier.

The card game of the present invention is played by a player first placing a bet, preferably in a betting spot using chips, for example. Next, the dealer deals a predetermined number of cards to each player face down onto an area on the table--called a pot--designated for that player and afterwards, deals the same number of cards to another area on the table, called a dealer's pot. One play in a series includes the dealer turning up a player's top card and turning up the dealer's top card: High wins at even odds of 1 to 1; equal cards are a draw or push and neither wins except if a player has a deuce in which case the player's deuce loses 1 to 1 odds; a player's ace wins at odds of 3 to 2. After one play, a player may place a new bet before cards are next turned over. As an example, in a typical round involving the dealer and a player playing one hand, assume the dealer turns over a eight of spades as his upturned card and that the player turns over a Queen of hearts as his upturned card. In this case, the player wins the round and is paid off at 1 to 1 odds. It is to be understood that the odds described above are merely exemplary and may be different depending upon the pay out rules associated with each gaming establishment in which the inventive game is played.

The inventive card game, while exhibiting many valuable gaming features, as explained below in more detail, also can be inexpensively manufactured and incurs minimal operational overhead expenses. While the present invention may, in one embodiment, includes a separate, approximately five-foot semi-circular table, the present playing surface may be formed as a thin overlay to be placed atop existing casino game table equipment such as blackjack tables. In addition, if there are an insufficient number of players to warrant operating a full table, the table may be split in half, with one half of the table unoccupied, and the other half utilized for playing the game. Advantageously, the operational expenses associated with the present game are low. To operate the present game, the casino need only employ one dealer.

While the method of the present invention has been described in connection with a live gaming table format using a live dealer to deal the cards and handle the wagering, the method of play may also be practiced in a non-wagering (amusement) format in which points, chips, artificial money, and so on are used instead of items of monetary value. The amusement format can be a live table game or a hand-held computer game similar to the electronic amusement game. Moreover, a personal computer or a small hand-held device can be programmed or to designed to play the game. It is also contemplated that the game can be played via a terminal connected to an on-line network, such as the Internet. In the on-line network form, it is possible that a plurality of players may participate in a single game. The game of the present invention can also be embodied in an electronic apparatus for use on an airplane for those airlines provide gambling opportunities when flying over international waters or nations that allow it.

The card game has a minimal number of rules, and the rules are readily apparent to the novice gambler after very little observation.

In an embodiment of the inventive card game, every wager is effective until some predetermined number of cards are compared. Therefore, in contrast to the prior art card games, such as blackjack, the present game produces simpler wagering decisions. Thus, the present invention represents a substantial improvement over casino games of the prior art because it simplifies play and encourages wagering which in turn leads to increased entertainment for the player.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a player is provided the option of playing the novel game against on a computer over the internet or using a gaming device including a video display and means for interacting with the video display in a casino-style game environment.

In accordance with one aspect of the above embodiment, the inventive card game is played as a secondary game in the gaming device wherein the gaming device includes a primary game and a secondary game where the secondary inventive card game is only invoked when a particular sequence or outcome is achieved in the primary game, as will be described below.

An advantage of the card game of the present invention over prior art card games is that it is substantially less complex thereby enabling the game to move quickly which decreases the associated operational overhead.

A further advantage of the card game of the present invention is its simplicity and accessibility to the ever-increasing numbers of novice gamblers. Therefore, despite the popularity of both craps and roulette, the inventive card game presents several advantages to the casinos and players alike.

A still further advantage of the card game of the present invention is the simplicity of betting wherein a winning bet is easily recognized. Players advantageously compete against the house with virtually even odds based on a variation of high card wins, like cards draw or push, and players' aces provide an advantage to the player. It is further noted that the pay out tables may vary in accordance with house rules as determined by each gaming establishment. Moreover, with respect to the slot machine version of the inventive game, the payouts will be more streamline from gaming establishment to gaming establishment, in that each gaming establishment is subject to certain payout guidelines as determined by an overseer gaming commission.

A gaming method disclosed is designed to quickly build excitement and anticipation by turning over a predetermined number of cards from a dealt hand per game, and as such is intended as a quick paced and an unusually exciting game to play and/or observe. Even more particularly, the instant invention is intended to give a novel and new look and feel to the currently popular card games yet have simplified rules and procedures designed both to encourage use by novice gamblers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a table or board layout of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a computer video machine embodying the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the computer video machine shown by FIG. 2;

FIGS. 4 8 illustrate views of a display screen of the computer video machine of FIG. 2 illustrating various aspects of playing the inventive game;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the computer video machine of FIG. 2 according to a another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the computer video machine of FIG. 2 which illustrates an exemplary round of play in which the secondary game is activated; and

FIGS. 11a 11g illustrate views of a display screen of an additional embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention will be described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings and the rules of the card game provided herein which illustrate an embodiment of the invention.

The table card game and method of playing the same of the present invention incorporates the following rules when playing the table version and for the electronic version of the game:

Exemplary Rules of the Table Card Game

1. The improved game is played on a casino-type card table. There are eight spaces for the pots to be placed on the table (see FIG. 1). A circular space isolated near each pot except to pot designated for the banker, dealer, croupier, or house. A pot is defined herein as a pile of cards initially placed face down. The circular space is adapted to receive bets or wagers via chips or tokens. In the inventive novel card game there are a maximum of eight pots inclusive of a pot for the banker or dealer of cards during the play of the game. The last pot shall always be assigned to the banker or dealer. 2. To play the game, all initial bets are made before the cards are dealt. All of the dealt cards are dealt face down into the eight pots after the initial bets or wagers are placed in the circular spaces. The cards or pots (piles of cards) are dealt only to those spots where bets have been put down on the table. However, the dealer always receives a pot. The dealer may be either a person or a mechanized card dealer operated by a croupier. 3. Next, the dealer or croupier shall count out six cards (or any number of cards) for each pot sequentially, first with six cards face down for the first pot, etc. If seven bets have been placed at each of the seven spots then eight piles of six cards each are dealt onto the table for each of the seven pots plus one for the dealer or banker. The only pots are those dealt to players. The pots are located in front of players who have placed wagers. 4. After the wagers are placed on the table by the players (the game is preferably limited to up to seven players and one dealer or banker) and the pots are in place on the table, the dealer turns over the top card from each pot or pile of cards. In the novel game, all deuces are nullities and players with deuces lose the respective round. 5. The dealer or banker pot card at the top is turned up last. All pot cards are turned up from the dealers left to the dealer's right. If a dealer's card matches a players upturned card these rules designate this event as a push or draw and neither the player nor the dealer wins or loses except if the players upturned card is either an ace or a deuce and the dealer's upturned card is also an ace or a deuce, respectively. The player's ace wins his wager at odds of 3 to 2; the player's deuce loses. Otherwise, when a player's upturned card matches a dealer's upturned card the player wins at even odds of 1 to 1. As an example, in a typical round involving the dealer and a player playing one hand, assume the dealer turns over a eight of spades as his upturned card and that the player turns over a Queen of hearts as his upturned card. In this case, the player wins the round and is paid at 1 to 1 odds. It is to be appreciated that the 1 to 1 odds are merely exemplary and may be different depending upon the pay out rules associated with each gaming establishment in which the inventive game is played. 6. The dealer or house shall be able to set limits on wagers at all times during the game and before a play. A play is defined the act of upturning the top card of each pot. After a play resulting in win or a lost a new wager can be placed by the player. 7. The cards shall only be handled and touched by the dealer. At the option of the dealer or house if a player touches a pot, that pot may be discarded. 8. At the option of a dealer announces "no more bets", new bets cannot be added to the table or removed from the table. The dealer shall announce end declare that wagering is closed before the first pot is dealt and for each player before a next card is upturned. 9. At the option of the dealer, a plurality of card decks may be used to play the game.

These rules define a game that is virtually a head to head play against the dealer or house with almost even odds. The house or dealer can change and/or set the minimum and maximum wagering limits at any time during play.

The inventive method specified by the above rules is best described by referring again to FIG. 1. There is shown a top of a table 10 with a specific and preferred layout on the surface 12. In the novel game, a combination card deck 14 and shuffling machine 16 is used to deal cards from the card deck 14 onto the surface 12 by a dealer or croupier 18. A receptacle means 19 or space is designated on the table 10 for receiving cards discarded during play of the game.

Shown in FIG. 1 are seven playing areas or pots 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, and 34. Also shown is an eighth pot 40, designated as a "dealer's pot". It should be appreciated that the number of playing areas is not restricted to seven, but can be a greater or lesser number depending upon the preference of the house conducting the game. Seven positions will be used to describe one embodiment for ease of explanation.

In front of each of the pots 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32 and 34 are betting spots 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52 and 54, respectively, where players (not shown) located about an edge 56 of the table 10 make bets either with money or chips, for example.

The seven playing areas or pots 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32 and 34 are visibly and distinguishably marked with a designation such as a different numeral proximate to each of same, i.e., Arabic numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 as shown in FIG. 1. The dealer's pot 40 is similarly distinguished and marked with an Arabic numeral 8 proximate thereto, for example. It should be appreciated that while seven player positions are shown, a single player could control one or more of the seven player positions in any round of play.

A third area wherein the dealer's pot 40, rectangular in configuration, for example, is shown is near a straight edge 58 of the table 10.

Any odds may be assigned or established by the house for payout of winning bets placed in any of the aforesaid seven separately delineated areas, playing areas or pots 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, and 34, for example. Payout ratios may be from 2 to 1 for the most likely to win a bet in integer increments up to 10 to 1, for example, for the least likely to win a bet and depend upon the number of decks used for example. The house may establish an initial order of play including which players are designated as first player, second player, and so on to a last player.

While the card game has been described, in accordance with one embodiment, as a table game to be played in a casino gaming environment, it should be appreciated that the card game can be played in a wide variety of formats including, for example, on a computer video machine game, on a large screen or television monitor, as a home television/computer video game, a video arcade game apparatus, a personal computer system (desktop or portable), a "network computer", a television including or connected to a microprocessor (e.g., a set top box) for Internet or other information access, incorporated into an Internet or intranet environment, or other apparatus.

The following is a description of a method of playing the inventive card game adapted for machine play on a video machine in a casino gaming environment. In this regard, the present invention also relates to apparatus for performing these operations. This apparatus may be specifically constructed for the required purpose or it may comprise a general purpose computer as selectively activated or reconfigured by a computer program stored in the computer. The procedures presented herein are not inherently related to a particular computer or other apparatus. Various general purpose machines may be used with programs written in accordance with the teachings herein, or it may prove more convenient to construct more specialized apparatus to perform the required method steps. The required structure for a variety of these machines will appear from the description given.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a video gaming machine 200 is illustrated. The gaming machine 200 includes a housing 120 of conventional design having a touch screen video display terminal 140 predominantly located on the front face 12a of the housing which displays the various presentations during the play of the game. The machine 200 includes means for enabling the player to make a wager. These means, where the game is played for purely enjoyment, may simply be means for the player to wager fictitious credits. Alternatively, as shown in the drawings, where the machine 200 is used in a gaming establishment, such as a casino, the machine 200 may include a coin slot 53 and a bill acceptor 55 so that credits to play the machine 200 can be purchased. Additionally, means may be provided for the player to wager from finds on a debit card or the like as known in the art. A dispensing slot 57 allows receipts to be dispensed from the housing 120. Credits accumulated in the machine 200 are printed on the receipts before they are dispensed so that a player may redeem purchased and/or accumulated credits for negotiable currency. Although not shown, the machine 200 also includes a sound board and outputs audio information in the form of "tunes", "bells" etc. during game play.

The machine 200 further includes a video display terminal 140 which illustrates a top view of an image of a game table having a number of player positions such as seven player positions shown as P1 through P7, and a banker position, shown as B. It is to be understood that the number of player positions is not restricted to seven. A lesser or greater number of positions 110 is within the scope of the invention. Further, it is to be understood that the game can be played with a different layout or without the use of a game layout and still be within the scope of the invention.

With continuing reference to FIG. 2 and also to FIG. 3, means are provided for the player to control the play of the game and make various selections as hereinafter described. These means may be preferably embodied by providing the described video display terminal 140 with touch screen capability, well known in the art, or, alternatively, by providing a plurality of push buttons or some combination thereof. With reference to the touch screen display implementation of the present invention, also displayed at the display 140 are a number of touch screen regions or "soft buttons" such as deal 20a, bet one 20b, bet max 20c, cash-out 20d, and pay-table 20e which are activated by touching the display 140 over the respective touch screen region. Display terminal 140 also includes a credit total window 160 and a credits wagered window 180. The credit total widow 160 shows credits accumulated in the machine 200 and the credits wagered window 180 shows the total number of credits wagered 180 for each round of play. As payouts are made, credits are added to the tally as shown in the credit window 160, in a known manner. Display terminal 140 also optionally includes a game logo, i.e., "Bankers Broker" 46. It is also possible to use other input devices for playing the game such as a button panel, keyboard, mouse, joystick, trackballs or other pointing and GUI devices and the like, and the machine 200 may include LED or LCD displays, which may be fixed in the housing, but these are not shown or described herein.

Within the housing 120 of the machine 200 is located a microprocessor-based circuit (not shown) which includes appropriate ROM, RAM, a video controller and a microprocessor together with other circuitry and components necessary to operate the machine 200. Circuits of this type are well known to those of skill in the machine art and therefore will not be discussed herein.

The microprocessor-based circuit performs a variety of functions necessary to control the operation of the machine 200. In particular, the microprocessor-based circuit monitors the money receptacles 53, 55 to determine the amount of money inserted into machine 200 to purchase credits and adjusts the credit total accordingly. A bin (not shown) is located below the money receptacles 53, 55 to collect money deposited in the housing 120. A printing and dispensing mechanism is in communication with the microprocessor-based circuit and prints the accumulated credits on a receipt and dispenses the receipt when the cash-out button 20d associated with terminating game play is pressed by a player. The machine 200 also includes a cash out button 20d to enable the player to prompt the processor to distribute to the player in a known fashion accumulated credits in the form of coins or tokens. The player has the option of cashing out the accumulated credit total and redeeming the credit total for negotiable currency. If this option is selected, the machine 200 prints the credit total on a receipt and dispenses the receipt through the slot 57. The microprocessor-based circuit then clears the credit total window 160 to zero. The microprocessor-based circuit also prints and dispenses a receipt and clears the credit total window 160 when the credit total exceeds a predetermined value

Rather than dispensing printed receipts in the event of a win, the machine 200 can include a coin bin (not shown) instead of receipt dispensing slot 57 and dispense coins in the event of a win. The machine can also incorporate both the coin bin and the dispensing slot 57 allowing a player to select the form in which accumulated credits in the machine are to be redeemed. If the cash-out button 20d is pushed by a player, the microprocessor-based circuit requests the player to confirm that it is the player's intent to terminate game play via information displayed on the display terminal 140 so that accidental use of the cash-out button 20d does not automatically result in the termination of the game. When game play is terminated and the receipt has been dispensed, the microprocessor-based circuit zeros the credit total window 60. As long as the credit total widow 160 in the machine 200 is above zero, a player can continue to play.

When a positive credit total is shown in the credit total window 160, the microprocessor-based circuit monitors the soft-touch buttons 20a to 20e and alters the screen display 140 depending on the soft-touch buttons pushed. After one game play, if the player does not enter new bets for the following game play, the microprocessor-based circuit uses the wager made during the previous game. The player can play until the credit total window 160 goes to zero in which case more money needs to be deposited into the machine 200 to continue play. When this occurs, the machine 200 notifies the player and gives the player a predetermined amount of time to deposit more money. If the player fails to deposit more money, the microprocessor-based circuit goes into an attract mode and conditions the screen output in accordance with preprogrammed information therein. In the attract mode the microprocessor-based circuit controls the output of the display screen 140 in accordance with pre-programmed information stored in the microprocessor-based circuit's memory. The output of the screen display simulates game play and in this mode is designed to attract players to the machine 200.

A bet one credit button 20b is provided to enable the player to wager credits from a minimum wager up to the maximum available for wagering at the machine 200. A max wager button 20c enables the player to make a maximum wager to play the game and simultaneously initiate play of the game. This is conventional with present day gaming machines.

The deal button 20a enables the player to prompt the processor to initiate play where a maximum wager is not made

The payoff amounts in the basic game are predetermined according to a pay table stored in system memory. The payoff amounts corresponding to the game played as a secondary game are also stored in system memory. Winning basic game outcomes are identifiable to the player by a pay table. In one embodiment, the pay table is affixed to the machine 10 and/or displayed by the video display 140 in response to a command by the player (e.g., by pressing the Pay Table button 20e.

The method of the present invention adapted for play on a gaming machine 200 in a casino style format will now be described with reference to FIGS. 3 8 which are screen displays utilized to play the inventive card game in a casino like environment.

A player indicates a desire to play a round by depositing money in the machine 200 via the coin slot 53 or bill acceptor 55, as illustrated in FIG. 2. Alternatively, if there is an existing credit line displayed in the credit total window 160, the player may make a wager from the existing credit line. In the case where the player elects to deposit money into the machine 200, via the coin slot 53 or bill acceptor 55, the microprocessor-based circuit detects this and increments the credit total window 160 to a value dependant on the total amount of money deposited into the gaming machine 200 plus any pre-existing credits.

Irrespective of whether a player deposits additional funds in the machine 200, or instead use the existing credit line, to initiate play, a player is required to press the deal button 20a causing the microprocessor-based circuit to display the next screen.

In response to the player pressing the deal button 20a, FIG. 4 illustrates an optional screen which may be displayed in accordance one embodiment of the present invention in which eight hands are dealt to eight player positions from which the player is required to choose the banker (i.e., B position). This embodiment is differentiated from a preferred embodiment in which the banker position is predetermined. In the present embodiment, recognizing that all dealt cards are face down at the point of making a banker selection, no advantage may be realized by the player. However, this embodiment affords an opportunity for the player to participate further in the processes of the game. The decision to incorporate this optional screen will be made at a manufacturing stage.

FIG. 5 illustrates a next screen shown to the player in two situations. First, FIG. 5 is displayed in response to the player pressing the deal button 20a at the screen displayed to the player in FIG. 2. Second, FIG. 5 is shown to the player as a next screen subsequent to the player selecting a banker position from among the eight displayed positions from the optional screen displayed in FIG. 4.

FIG. 5 illustrates a grouping of cards dealt face down to seven player positions and a banker position. Preferably, six cards are dealt face down to each of the eight positions. It is noted that a lesser or greater number of cards than six could be dealt to each position. Six cards constitute a preferred number of dealt cards in the case where a single deck of 52 cards is used whereby 48 of the 52 cards would be dealt in each round of play. It should be appreciated, however, that dealing more or less than six cards in a round will not affect the statistical outcome of the game.

Conventionally, the microprocessor-based circuit simulates the dealing of cards in a rotation to each player and to the banker until each player as well as the banker has been dealt six cards face down. Of course, if desired, the requisite number of cards could be consecutively dealt to each player and the banker.

FIG. 5 also includes a prompt 43 requesting that the player select one or more of the seven player positions, P1 P7 to be played (i.e., wagered on) in that round. The player may elect to wager on any combination of player positions, or a single player position, from among the seven eligible positions, P1 P7 in each round of play. For example, a player can choose to play positions P1 and P4, P2 through P7, P3 alone, or P1 P7. The selection is made via the touch-screen by touching the screen at the site of each desired player position. Upon touching a player position site, the site will be highlighted in some manner and the player can confirm or cancel the selection by pressing the confirm-selection 41a button or the cancel 41c button, respectively. Further, the player can elect to start-over and erase all previously made selections by pressing the start-over 41b button. Once the player is satisfied with all of his/her selections, the player would then press the finish 41d button to lock in the selections and advance to the next screen.

FIG. 6 illustrates a screen display of a player selection of two hands (i.e., P1 and P5) to be wagere