CA2417078A1 - Methods of playing card games - Google Patents
Methods of playing card games Download PDFInfo
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- CA2417078A1 CA2417078A1 CA002417078A CA2417078A CA2417078A1 CA 2417078 A1 CA2417078 A1 CA 2417078A1 CA 002417078 A CA002417078 A CA 002417078A CA 2417078 A CA2417078 A CA 2417078A CA 2417078 A1 CA2417078 A1 CA 2417078A1
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- Prior art keywords
- player
- hand
- dealer
- cards
- low
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Classifications
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- A63F3/00—Board games; Raffle games
- A63F3/00003—Types of board games
- A63F3/00157—Casino or betting games
Abstract
Methods of playing card games include the steps of (a) affording each player an opportunity to place an ANTE wager to participate in the game, (b) affording each player an opportunity to make an optional EXTRA BET wager; (c) dealing seven cards to each player and to a dealer; (d) affording each player an opportunity to view their cards and to divide their cards into a two-card High Hand and a five-card Low Hand according to predetermined rules for dividing cards; (e) affording each player an opportunity to either fold and forfeit their ANTE
wager, or call by making a BET wager exactly twice the amount of the ANTE
wager; (f) dividing tho dealer's hand into a two-card High Hand and a five-card Low Hand according to the predetermined rules for dividing cards; (g) evaluating whether the dealer's High Hand qualifies by achieving a predetermined poker rank of a pair of 6s or better;
and (h) settling wagers by (1) if the dealer's High Hand does not qualify, refunding the ANTE
and BET wagers to each remaining player and paying each remaining player who opted to make the EXTRA
BET wager an amount determined by a predetermined pay table based on a point value of the player's Low Hand; (2) if the dealer's High Hand does qualify, comparing each remaining player's High Hand with the dealer's High Hand using poker rank as the criterion for comparison and comparing each remaining player's Low Hand with the dealer's Low Hand using point value as the criterion for comparison, and settling the ANTE, BET, and EXTRA BET
wagers based upon the results of the comparisons of the player's hands and the dealer's hands and predetermined pay tables based on the point value of khe prayer's Low Hand.
wager, or call by making a BET wager exactly twice the amount of the ANTE
wager; (f) dividing tho dealer's hand into a two-card High Hand and a five-card Low Hand according to the predetermined rules for dividing cards; (g) evaluating whether the dealer's High Hand qualifies by achieving a predetermined poker rank of a pair of 6s or better;
and (h) settling wagers by (1) if the dealer's High Hand does not qualify, refunding the ANTE
and BET wagers to each remaining player and paying each remaining player who opted to make the EXTRA
BET wager an amount determined by a predetermined pay table based on a point value of the player's Low Hand; (2) if the dealer's High Hand does qualify, comparing each remaining player's High Hand with the dealer's High Hand using poker rank as the criterion for comparison and comparing each remaining player's Low Hand with the dealer's Low Hand using point value as the criterion for comparison, and settling the ANTE, BET, and EXTRA BET
wagers based upon the results of the comparisons of the player's hands and the dealer's hands and predetermined pay tables based on the point value of khe prayer's Low Hand.
Description
N,IETHODS OF PRAYING CARD GA1V1~S
~1CKGROUN OF THE INVENT)iON
1. Fietd of he Invention The present invention relates to methods of playing card games, aad more particularly pertains to variations of a conventional card gams known as Pai (3ow Poker.
~1CKGROUN OF THE INVENT)iON
1. Fietd of he Invention The present invention relates to methods of playing card games, aad more particularly pertains to variations of a conventional card gams known as Pai (3ow Poker.
2. Desc~~pJ;ion of the Related Technoloøv The conventional game of Pai Gow Poker is played in many casinos. Tile game is played with a single standard deck of 52 playiag cards plus a Joker. The game is typically started by tech player placing an ante or bet and then a dealer doaling seven cards to himself and to each of up to six players. Usually, the dealer is a casino employee. As explained hereinafter, the players compete against tho casino via the dealer. A player forms two hands from his seven-card holding. One hand, called a Low Hand, consists of two of the player's seven cards. The other hand, callod a High Hand, consists of the remaining fve cards of the player's original seven cards. In a similar manner, the dealer forms a High Hand arid a Low Hand from his seven cards.
The only requirement in fom~ing the hands is that the Low Hand miiust be of a lower rank than the High Hand. The ranking of a hand is the same as in traditional poker with the exception that tht Joker can he used to represent an Ace or to represent one card of either a straight ox a flush.
Because of the Joker, five Aces is the hand with the highest possible rank_ When the player forms his Low Hand and his High Hand so that they are respxtively higher in rank than the Low Hand and the High Haad of the dealer, the player is a winner and the dealer is a loser.
Coxwcrsely, when the player forms his Low Hand and his High Hand so that they era respectively lower in rank than aglow Hand and a High Hand of the dealer, the player is a loser and the dealer is a winner. In cases where one of the player's hands is of the sauce rank as a r CA 02417078 2003-O1-23 corresponding one of the dealer's hands, the dealer's hand is deemed to be of higher rank than the player's hand. 'When the playor's Low Hand is of a higher rank than the dealer's low Hand and the player's High Hand is of lower rank than the dealer's High Hand, what is known as a push exists. Similarly, the push exists when the player's Lvw Hand is of a lower rank than the dealers Low Hand and the player's High bleed is of higher teak than the dcalelrs High Hand.
When the push exists, thore is no winner. A determination of a winner coneapondingly determines the outcome of the bet between the player and the dealer. Hence, the wager is neither won nor lost when the push exists, but is rather refunded to the player.
A variety ofmethods of playing card games, includung methods of playing variations of Par Gow Poker, are zetlcctcd in the following U.S. Patents:
U.S. Patent No. tnvantor a to 5,275,x11 Breeding January 4,1994 Pai Grow Poker Machine 5,584,486 Fzanlclin December 17,1996 Jackpot Pai Gow Poker 5,607,161 Skratulia March 4, 1997 Method ofplaying an improved 1 S version of the game of Par Gow Poker 5,863,041 Boylan January 26,1999 Par gow poker with auxiliary gatrte 5,93I,472 Ko August 3,1999 Par Gow gams 6,007,424 Evers December 28, 1999Pai Gow poker game method, device and system for pushes 6,027,119 De Lisle February 22, Method for playing 2000 a card game game 6,062,565 Chadband May i6, 2000 Method of bet placement and wager distribution in double.
hand games 6,070,8'76 Ko June 6, 2000 Pai gow game 6,270,0 l8 Leone August 7, 2001 Method ofplaying an improved version of the game of Pai Gow Poker 6,113,103 Mostashari Septanber 5, 2000 Dragon poker 6,135,453 Srichayaporn October 24, 2000 Method and apparatus for playing a high/Iow poker game The entire disclosure of each of the foregoing patents is hereby incorporated herein by this reference.
Y
Methods of playing live and electronic versions of card games according to exempla preferred embodiments of the invention include the steps of (a} affording each player an opportunity to place an ANTE wager to participate in the game, (b) affordizsg each player an 1 S oppoxtunity to make an optional EXTRA BET wager; (c) dealing seven cards to each player and to s dealer, (d) affording each player an opportunity to view their cards and to divide their cards into a two-card High Hand and a five-card )=,ow Hand according to predetermined rules for dividing cards; (c) affording each player as opportunity to either fold and forfeit their ANTE
wager, or call by making a BET wager exactly twice the amount of the ANTE
wager; (fj dividing the dealer's hand into a two-card High Hand and a five-card Low Hand according to the predetcrnnined rules for dividing cards; (g) evaluating whether the dealer's High Haad quali~es by achieving a predeteemined poker rank of a pair of 6s or bettor;
and (h) settling wagers by { 1) if the dealer's High Hand does not qualify, refunding the ANTE
and BET wagers to each remaining player and paying each remaining playa who opted to make the EXTRA
The only requirement in fom~ing the hands is that the Low Hand miiust be of a lower rank than the High Hand. The ranking of a hand is the same as in traditional poker with the exception that tht Joker can he used to represent an Ace or to represent one card of either a straight ox a flush.
Because of the Joker, five Aces is the hand with the highest possible rank_ When the player forms his Low Hand and his High Hand so that they are respxtively higher in rank than the Low Hand and the High Haad of the dealer, the player is a winner and the dealer is a loser.
Coxwcrsely, when the player forms his Low Hand and his High Hand so that they era respectively lower in rank than aglow Hand and a High Hand of the dealer, the player is a loser and the dealer is a winner. In cases where one of the player's hands is of the sauce rank as a r CA 02417078 2003-O1-23 corresponding one of the dealer's hands, the dealer's hand is deemed to be of higher rank than the player's hand. 'When the playor's Low Hand is of a higher rank than the dealer's low Hand and the player's High Hand is of lower rank than the dealer's High Hand, what is known as a push exists. Similarly, the push exists when the player's Lvw Hand is of a lower rank than the dealers Low Hand and the player's High bleed is of higher teak than the dcalelrs High Hand.
When the push exists, thore is no winner. A determination of a winner coneapondingly determines the outcome of the bet between the player and the dealer. Hence, the wager is neither won nor lost when the push exists, but is rather refunded to the player.
A variety ofmethods of playing card games, includung methods of playing variations of Par Gow Poker, are zetlcctcd in the following U.S. Patents:
U.S. Patent No. tnvantor a to 5,275,x11 Breeding January 4,1994 Pai Grow Poker Machine 5,584,486 Fzanlclin December 17,1996 Jackpot Pai Gow Poker 5,607,161 Skratulia March 4, 1997 Method ofplaying an improved 1 S version of the game of Par Gow Poker 5,863,041 Boylan January 26,1999 Par gow poker with auxiliary gatrte 5,93I,472 Ko August 3,1999 Par Gow gams 6,007,424 Evers December 28, 1999Pai Gow poker game method, device and system for pushes 6,027,119 De Lisle February 22, Method for playing 2000 a card game game 6,062,565 Chadband May i6, 2000 Method of bet placement and wager distribution in double.
hand games 6,070,8'76 Ko June 6, 2000 Pai gow game 6,270,0 l8 Leone August 7, 2001 Method ofplaying an improved version of the game of Pai Gow Poker 6,113,103 Mostashari Septanber 5, 2000 Dragon poker 6,135,453 Srichayaporn October 24, 2000 Method and apparatus for playing a high/Iow poker game The entire disclosure of each of the foregoing patents is hereby incorporated herein by this reference.
Y
Methods of playing live and electronic versions of card games according to exempla preferred embodiments of the invention include the steps of (a} affording each player an opportunity to place an ANTE wager to participate in the game, (b) affordizsg each player an 1 S oppoxtunity to make an optional EXTRA BET wager; (c) dealing seven cards to each player and to s dealer, (d) affording each player an opportunity to view their cards and to divide their cards into a two-card High Hand and a five-card )=,ow Hand according to predetermined rules for dividing cards; (c) affording each player as opportunity to either fold and forfeit their ANTE
wager, or call by making a BET wager exactly twice the amount of the ANTE
wager; (fj dividing the dealer's hand into a two-card High Hand and a five-card Low Hand according to the predetcrnnined rules for dividing cards; (g) evaluating whether the dealer's High Haad quali~es by achieving a predeteemined poker rank of a pair of 6s or bettor;
and (h) settling wagers by { 1) if the dealer's High Hand does not qualify, refunding the ANTE
and BET wagers to each remaining player and paying each remaining playa who opted to make the EXTRA
BET wager an aatount deten~nined by a predetermined pay table based on a point value of the player's Low Hand; (2) if the dealer's High Hand does qualify, comparing each =emainimg player's High Hand with the dealer's High Hand using poker xank as the criterion for comp orison and comparing each rcmaimingplaycr's Low Hand with the dealer's Low Hand using point value as the criterion for comparison, (1] wherein if the dealer wins both of the High and Low Hands, the house wins the ANTE and BET wagers and pays to each remaining player who opted to make the EXTRA BET wager an amount determined by a predetermined pay table based on the point value of the player's Low Hand; (ll) wherein if the dealer wins one of the High and Low Hands, the house refunds the .ANTE and BET wagers to each remaining playeK and pays to each remaining player who opted to make the EXTRA BET wager an amount determined by a predeterr4sirted pay table based an the point value of the player's Low Hand;
and (Iln wherein if a player wins both of the Higk~ and Low Hands, the player wims the ANTE
wager and is paid on the BET wager an amount according to a predetermined pay table based on the point value of the player's Low Hand and the house pays to each remaining player who opted to make the EXTRA $ET wager an amount determined by a predetern4ined pay table based on tha point value oFthe player's Low Hand.
Thcsc and various other advantages and features of novelty that characterize the invantio~n are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forming a part hereof. However, for a better understanding of the invention, its advantages, and the objects obtaiuned by its use, reference should be made to the drawings which form a Rather part hereof, and to the accompanying descriptive matter, in which there is illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of the invention.
H~ftIEF DESCRrPTiO~f~~' THE bRAW11~1G~
Figure I is a flow chart illustrating a method of playing a card game according to one embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a continuation of the flaw chart shown in Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a plan view illustrating an example gaming table layout ~or use in playing a live casino version of a card game according to one embodiment of a method of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ]' PREh'1~.'RRED EM~~OD1M1;NT, fSl Rtfcrring now to the drawings, and refernng in particular to Figure 3, one embodiment of a method of playing a card game according to the prescni invention may be implcmeuted on a conventional type of casino gaming table layout 10 of the type used in casinos to play Twenty One or Black Jack. Preferably, the table layout 10 includes a dealer position 20 adjacent a chip rack 30, and six player positions 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, and 100 spaced around a curved perimeter of the layout 10, in a conventional manner.
IS As an alternative, the card game methods disclosed by the present invention may be implemented on an elec4ronic gaming device of the type employed by casinos for playing electronic card game simulations, for example of draw poker, stud poker, Caribbean Stud T~
Poker, etc. Other alternative ways ofplaying card games according to the mothods ofthe present invention include software implementations on personal computers, either in stand alone modes, over local networks, or over the Internet. A still further implementation contemplates printizig card representations on lottery cards and scratching away covering portions of the lottery card to reveal card hands. Accordingly, in conjunction with the instant application, the tenors "cards; ' "dealing," "hand" and the like should be understood as encompassing both live card games with a human dealer and one or more players, as well as electronic games with electronic rcpresentationa of cards displayed on a video screen. Similarly, the terms 'wager," "bet," and "extra bet" should be understood as encompassing the use of currency, coins, chips, tokens, or electronic representations of value, in both live and electronic versions of implementation.
The game begins with one or more players placing an ANTE wager as a ttquirement to playing the game. 1n connectibn with a live version of the game, this can ba accomplished, for example, by a player placing a conventional token or chip in an ANTE region designated on the felt surface 40 of the layout 10 of a conventional casino gaming table, as shown in connection with the player position 50, depicted in Figure 3. rn connection with an electronic version, a player may press an ANTE or WAGER button on an electronic gaming device, or may touch designated regions of a touch sensitive video screen.
As a preferred optional feature, all players that alert to play by placing the ANTE wagtr arc afforded an additional option to plane an EXTRA BET wager prior to the deal of cards and most preferably before any player views any dealt cards. The sequence of placing the ANTE
wager and the EXTRA BET wager is preferably irrelevant. In a live casino version of the game, the EXTRA BET wager may be placed by a player positioning a token in a region disposed on a surface 40 of the layout 10 designated for the purpoee, as shown adjacent player position 50 in Figure 3. 7n an electronic version of the game, the EXTRA BET wager may be accomplished by touching regions of a touch sensitive type of screen, or by pushing appropriate buttons on the electronic gaming device.
With reference to the flow chart shown in Figures 1 and 2, altar each of the players has placed the ANTE wager and decided whether to place an EXTRA BET WAGER, ouch player and the dealer are dealt seven cards from a preferably shuffled, standard 52-card deck of conventional playing cards. The use of a stapdard 52-card deck allows sevtn card hands to be dealt to each of six players and to one dealer. In connection with an electronic version of the game, the dealing involves displaying electronic regresentation of seven cards on a video screen, actuated, for example, by a player pressing a bEAL button on a video gaming device.
players are then afforded an opportunity to view their seven cards, and to divide the seven cards into two separate and distinct hands: a so-called High Hand consisting of two cards, and a so-called Low Hand consisting of five cards. Preferably, players must divide their seven cards into the High and Low Hands according to predot~nined rules, which regulate, at least to some extent, the manner in which the cards can be allocated betwoar the High and Low Hands. According to ono embodiment of the invention, the pradetcrrninad rules require that the High Hand must use the best two available cards ~rom the total of saver cards so as to make the highest ranked High Hand possible. In this regard, the High Hands are ranked fast according to the highest pair, and next according to the highest cards. For example, Ace-Ace beats King-King, etc. according to the conventional poker ranking of conventional playing cards, and Ace-five boats king-Queen, and Ace-Ten beats Ace-five, ere. Thus, the High Hand must contain the highest pair from the original seven cards dealt, and, if the original seven cards dealt do not contain any pairs, than the two highest ranking cards must be allocated to the High Hand. In the case ofthe live casino version of the game, players accomplish the division or allocation of cards to the High and Low Hands by placing the cards in regions 4f the gsmdng table layout surface 40 (Figure 3) specially designated for the purpose. For example, the table layout 10 may include indicia designating two squares for the reception of two standard playing cards, in coajunctioa with the indicia "High Hand" and may also include additional indicia designating ~tve cards for the reception of five standard playing cards, in conjunction with the indioia "Low Hand."
Preferably, such indicia for the reception of the High and Low Hands is provided at each of the six player positions 50, G0, 70, 80, 90, and 100, as wall as at the dealer position 20, as shown in Figure 3. ~ connection with an electronic version of the game, card designation may be accomplished by touching regions of a kouch sensitive type of screen, or by pushing appropriate buttons on the electronic gaming device, or alternatively, a microprocessor may be programmed to arrange the cards into the High Hand and the Low ~Iand automatically.
ARer each player has been afforded an opportunity to view their cards, and to allocate their cards belwoan High and Low Hands, but before the dealer has boon permitted an opportunity to inspect the dealer's cards, each player is preferably afforded an option to either 1;OLD and surrender their ANTE wager, or to continue play by placing a HET
wager. In one ambodimesxt of the invention, the BET wager must be exactly twice the amount of the ANTE
wager. In connection with the live version of the game, a player may make the BET wager by placing en appropriate token or other indicator in a region of the gaming table layout Z O (Figure 3) designated for the purpose, as shown adj scent the player position 50. In an electronic version of the game, a player may make a SET wager by pressing an associated button on an electronic gaming devise, or by touching an appropriate region of a touch sensitive video screen.
The timing of the BET option being made prior to inspection of the dealer's cards prevents the dealer from either intentionally or inadvertently communicating information regarding the dealer's hand to the players.
After each player has been afforded the option to either FOLD or place a BZrT
wager, the dealer views the dealer's seven cards, and divides or allocates the seven cards into a two card High Hand and a five card Low Hand. Preferably, the dealer's seven cards must be allocated between the High and Low Hands according to the same predetermined rules descn'bed above with respect to allocation of the players' cards. 1n connection with the live version of the game, such allocation may ba accomplished by placement of the dealer's cards into appropriately designated regions on the surface of the gaming table layout 10, for exempla designated by the indieia LO W HAND and HIGH HAND as shown in Figure 3. In connoction with the eloctronic version of the game, such designation may be performed by a microprocessor operating under control of software or firmware and operative to roveal electronic card representations from a face down to a face up orientation, and to move such card representations to designated regions on a video screen for viewing by a game player. , Following allocation of the dealer's cards between a High Hand and a Low Hand according to predetermined rules, one or both of the dealer's hands era evaluated according to predeterminod criteria to ascertain wlretlier one or both of the dealer's hands have "qualified."
According to one preferred embodiment, the dealer's High Hand must qualify by achieving a poker rank of a pair of 6s, or higher. Othor alternativo criteria for qualification may be employed within the scope of the unvention, For example, qualification may be based upon the dealer's High Hand achieving a poker rank other thaw a pair of 6s. Alternatively, qualification may be based upon the dealer's Low Hand achieving a point value above or below a particular value.
As a still further alternative, qualification may be based upon both of the dealer's hands. For I 5 example, the dealtr may qualify by either achieving a High Hand of at least a certain poker rank, or by achieving a Low Hand having a point value of more or less than a particular value, As anothor example, the qualification criteria may require that both the dealer's High Hand and the dealer's Low Hand meet particular requirements. For purposes of illustration, the methods of playing card games according to the present invention era deaeribod below in connectiaua with an example embodiment wherein the qualification criteria consist of the dealer's High Hand achieving a poker rank of a pair of 6s or better.
If the dealer's High Hand does not achieve a poker rank of a pair of 6s or highex, than the dealer or house must refund both the ANTE and BET wagers of each remaining player (each player that did not elect to FOLD). However, each remaining player that elected to place the EXTRA BET wager is preferably paid a payout on the IyXTRA BET wager according to a predetermined Extra Bet Payout Tablo. A preferred exaruple Extra Bet Payout Table appears as TABL$ 2 below. Note that the pre~en~od Extra Bet Payout Table provides that only certain point values win a payout on the EXTRA BET, with the non-listed player hand values resulting in the EXTRA B$T wager being won by the house.
If the dealer's High Hand does qualify by achieving a poker rank of a pair of 6s or better, each remaining player's High Hand is compared with the dealer's High Hand using poker rank as the criterion for comparison. Also, each remaining player's Law Hand is compared with the dealer's Low Hand using point value as the cziterion for comparison. If the dealer wins both of the High and Low Hands, the house wins the ANTE and BET wagers aad pays to each remaining player who opted to make the EXTRA, BET wager an amount determined by a predetermined pay table based on the point value of the player's Low Hard. An exampto preferred Extra Bet Payout Table appears as TABLE 2 below. If the dealer wins only one of the High and Low Hands, the house refunds the ANTE and BLT wagers to each remaining player and pays to each remaining player who opted to make the EXTRA, BET wager an amount determined by a predetermined pay table based on the point value of the player's Low Hand. In evaluating whether one of the dealer's hands beats one of the player's heads, tie hands ale preferably awarded to the dealer. If a player wins both of the High and Low Hands, the player wins the ANTE wager and is paid on the $ET wager an amount according to a predetermined pay table based on the point value of the player's Low Hand and the house pays to each remaining player who opted to make the EXTRA BBT wager an amount determined by a predetermined pay table based on the point value of the player's Low Hand. An example preferred Bet 1'syout Table appears as TABLir 1 below.
It should be understood that other payout tables or schedules for both the BET
aad EXTRA )3ET wagers may be employed. Within the scope of the present invention, the tcrnainotvgy "predetermined payout table" should be understood as encompassing both fixed, randomly generated, and progressive payout amounts, as well as combinations of fixed, randomly generated, and pmgrcssive payout amounts. In addition to, in combination with, or as an alternative, the payouts may include electronic credits, gift vouchers, free or reduced entry into other contests, merchandise, services, etc.
1n totaling or ranking the Low Hands of players and the dealer, the following point values are preferably assigned:
Ice. ow l~uad Card ~'~int Va ues Card Point Yalue Acc 1 King 10 Queen 10 Jack 10 Any Pair, Triple, or 0 Four of a Kind Suited Rwn 0 In connection will, the instant specification and the appended claims, the tez~m "AnyPair"
is used in the conventional sense, such that a 9 of diamonds and a 9 of spades contained with the same Low Hand would total 0 points. The term "Suited Run" means any two or morn consecutively ranked cards of the same suit (hearts, diamonds, clubs or spades). For example, Ace, 2, 3 suited; or King, Queen suited, etc. For purposes of a run an Ace can be eombimed only with a 2, and not with a King; in other words, for purposes of a run as Ace is given only its low rank.
The following examples serve to further illustrate the preferred predetermined rules for allocation of cards into the High and Low hands, as well as the manner of evaluatizrg the rank of High Hands aad the point value of Low Hands. ' Example No. 1:
Original 7 Cards: Ace (spades), rCing (clubs), Queen (clubs), Ace (hearts), 8 (spades), 10 (spades), 7 (spades) High Hand: Ace (spades), Ace (hearts) Low Hand: King (clubs), Queen (clubs), 10 (spades), 8 (spades), 7 (spades) Total Point Yalue of Low Hand: 10, because suited, consecutive King (clubs) sad Queen (clubs) count as 0 points; I O (spades) counts 10 points; and suited, consecutive 8 (spades) and 7 (spades) count as 0 points.
Exampk No. 2:
Original 7 Cards: King (diamonds), 9 (clubs),10 (spades), 9 (diamonds), 8 (diamonds) Queen (hearts), Ace (clubs) . CA 02417078 2003-O1-23 High Hand: 9 (clubs), 9 (diamonds) Low Hand: Ace (clubs), King (diamonds), Queen (hearts),10 (spades), 8 (diamvonds) Total Point Value ofLow Hand: 1+10+10+10+8 ~ 39 points. Note that the Low Hand does not contain any pairs nor any suited, consecutive cards.
TABLE 1 below reflects the payout ratio associated with particular point values of a player's Low Hand for the BET wager. p'or example, if a player's Low Hand had a point value of 6 and the player wagered $2 for the BET wager, the player would be paid $6 (3:1 payout ratio) if the player met the conditions for winning the BET wager.
TABL,JE 1- Bet Pny~ut Low Hand Point Value 16+ 1 I-15 6-10 2-S 0 Ace 48 or 49 Payout Ratio 1:1 2:1 3:1 4:1 S:1 11:1 0 TABLE 2 below xoflects the payout ratio associated with particular point values of a player's Low Hand for tho EXTRA BET wager. For example, if a player's Low Hand had a point value of 5 and the player wagered $1 for the EXTRA BET wager, the player would be paid 1 S $7 (7:1 payout ratio) if khe player met the conditions for winning the EXTRA BET wager.
TA,B>L,~ ~ 2 - Extra Bet PaX,zut Low Hand Point Value 16-20 11-15 6-10 2-5 0 Ace 48 or 49 Payout Ratio push I :1 2:1 7:I 15:1 15:I 100:1 TABLE 3 below reports statistical payback calculations based upon a computer simulation and the BBT and EXTRA BET payout ratios indieatecL
TABLE 3 -. >Pa~ bac Statistics Low Hand Point Value 16-20 11-15 6-10 2-5 0 Ace 48 or 49 Paybaek Bet Payout Ratio 1:1 2:1 3:1 4:1 S:1 11:1 0 96.30%
Extra Bet Payout Ratio push 1:1 2:1 7:1 15:I 15:1 100:1 96.75%
Alternate Extra Bet 0 3:1 4:1 8:1 15:1 15:1 100.1 9G.b7%
Payout Ratio The above tables illustrate particular calculated statistical paybacks obtained in connection with particular preferred payout tables for the HET and EXTRA BET
wagers, Other S alternative payout tables may be employed within the scope of the invention.
The EXTRA BET
wager may be paid independently of whether the dealer qualifies, and independently of whether the player's hands beat the dealer's hands. Alternatively, cenain preconditions may be required for a player to win the EXTRA SET wager. For example, the method of playing the game may require that the dealer qualify to make a player eligible to win the EXTRA BET
wager. Or the I O method of playing the game may require that one or both of the player's hands beat one or both of the dealer's hands in order to make a player eligible to win the EXTRA BET
wager.
As an alternative to dividing the seven player and dealer cards into a two-card High Hand and a five-card Low Hand, the High Hand may consist of two cards dealt as the High Hand and the Low Hand may consist of five cards draft as the Low Hand. Also, a greater or lesser number 15 of cards than seven may be employed. For example, each hand may consist of eight cards divided into a three-card High Hand and a five-card Low Hand. Also, the game may be played with the player having an option to place either the ANTE wager or the EXTRA
BET wager or both and may be played with tha player required to place both wagers.
It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and 20 advantages of the present invention have bear set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.
and (Iln wherein if a player wins both of the Higk~ and Low Hands, the player wims the ANTE
wager and is paid on the BET wager an amount according to a predetermined pay table based on the point value of the player's Low Hand and the house pays to each remaining player who opted to make the EXTRA $ET wager an amount determined by a predetern4ined pay table based on tha point value oFthe player's Low Hand.
Thcsc and various other advantages and features of novelty that characterize the invantio~n are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forming a part hereof. However, for a better understanding of the invention, its advantages, and the objects obtaiuned by its use, reference should be made to the drawings which form a Rather part hereof, and to the accompanying descriptive matter, in which there is illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of the invention.
H~ftIEF DESCRrPTiO~f~~' THE bRAW11~1G~
Figure I is a flow chart illustrating a method of playing a card game according to one embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a continuation of the flaw chart shown in Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a plan view illustrating an example gaming table layout ~or use in playing a live casino version of a card game according to one embodiment of a method of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ]' PREh'1~.'RRED EM~~OD1M1;NT, fSl Rtfcrring now to the drawings, and refernng in particular to Figure 3, one embodiment of a method of playing a card game according to the prescni invention may be implcmeuted on a conventional type of casino gaming table layout 10 of the type used in casinos to play Twenty One or Black Jack. Preferably, the table layout 10 includes a dealer position 20 adjacent a chip rack 30, and six player positions 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, and 100 spaced around a curved perimeter of the layout 10, in a conventional manner.
IS As an alternative, the card game methods disclosed by the present invention may be implemented on an elec4ronic gaming device of the type employed by casinos for playing electronic card game simulations, for example of draw poker, stud poker, Caribbean Stud T~
Poker, etc. Other alternative ways ofplaying card games according to the mothods ofthe present invention include software implementations on personal computers, either in stand alone modes, over local networks, or over the Internet. A still further implementation contemplates printizig card representations on lottery cards and scratching away covering portions of the lottery card to reveal card hands. Accordingly, in conjunction with the instant application, the tenors "cards; ' "dealing," "hand" and the like should be understood as encompassing both live card games with a human dealer and one or more players, as well as electronic games with electronic rcpresentationa of cards displayed on a video screen. Similarly, the terms 'wager," "bet," and "extra bet" should be understood as encompassing the use of currency, coins, chips, tokens, or electronic representations of value, in both live and electronic versions of implementation.
The game begins with one or more players placing an ANTE wager as a ttquirement to playing the game. 1n connectibn with a live version of the game, this can ba accomplished, for example, by a player placing a conventional token or chip in an ANTE region designated on the felt surface 40 of the layout 10 of a conventional casino gaming table, as shown in connection with the player position 50, depicted in Figure 3. rn connection with an electronic version, a player may press an ANTE or WAGER button on an electronic gaming device, or may touch designated regions of a touch sensitive video screen.
As a preferred optional feature, all players that alert to play by placing the ANTE wagtr arc afforded an additional option to plane an EXTRA BET wager prior to the deal of cards and most preferably before any player views any dealt cards. The sequence of placing the ANTE
wager and the EXTRA BET wager is preferably irrelevant. In a live casino version of the game, the EXTRA BET wager may be placed by a player positioning a token in a region disposed on a surface 40 of the layout 10 designated for the purpoee, as shown adjacent player position 50 in Figure 3. 7n an electronic version of the game, the EXTRA BET wager may be accomplished by touching regions of a touch sensitive type of screen, or by pushing appropriate buttons on the electronic gaming device.
With reference to the flow chart shown in Figures 1 and 2, altar each of the players has placed the ANTE wager and decided whether to place an EXTRA BET WAGER, ouch player and the dealer are dealt seven cards from a preferably shuffled, standard 52-card deck of conventional playing cards. The use of a stapdard 52-card deck allows sevtn card hands to be dealt to each of six players and to one dealer. In connection with an electronic version of the game, the dealing involves displaying electronic regresentation of seven cards on a video screen, actuated, for example, by a player pressing a bEAL button on a video gaming device.
players are then afforded an opportunity to view their seven cards, and to divide the seven cards into two separate and distinct hands: a so-called High Hand consisting of two cards, and a so-called Low Hand consisting of five cards. Preferably, players must divide their seven cards into the High and Low Hands according to predot~nined rules, which regulate, at least to some extent, the manner in which the cards can be allocated betwoar the High and Low Hands. According to ono embodiment of the invention, the pradetcrrninad rules require that the High Hand must use the best two available cards ~rom the total of saver cards so as to make the highest ranked High Hand possible. In this regard, the High Hands are ranked fast according to the highest pair, and next according to the highest cards. For example, Ace-Ace beats King-King, etc. according to the conventional poker ranking of conventional playing cards, and Ace-five boats king-Queen, and Ace-Ten beats Ace-five, ere. Thus, the High Hand must contain the highest pair from the original seven cards dealt, and, if the original seven cards dealt do not contain any pairs, than the two highest ranking cards must be allocated to the High Hand. In the case ofthe live casino version of the game, players accomplish the division or allocation of cards to the High and Low Hands by placing the cards in regions 4f the gsmdng table layout surface 40 (Figure 3) specially designated for the purpose. For example, the table layout 10 may include indicia designating two squares for the reception of two standard playing cards, in coajunctioa with the indicia "High Hand" and may also include additional indicia designating ~tve cards for the reception of five standard playing cards, in conjunction with the indioia "Low Hand."
Preferably, such indicia for the reception of the High and Low Hands is provided at each of the six player positions 50, G0, 70, 80, 90, and 100, as wall as at the dealer position 20, as shown in Figure 3. ~ connection with an electronic version of the game, card designation may be accomplished by touching regions of a kouch sensitive type of screen, or by pushing appropriate buttons on the electronic gaming device, or alternatively, a microprocessor may be programmed to arrange the cards into the High Hand and the Low ~Iand automatically.
ARer each player has been afforded an opportunity to view their cards, and to allocate their cards belwoan High and Low Hands, but before the dealer has boon permitted an opportunity to inspect the dealer's cards, each player is preferably afforded an option to either 1;OLD and surrender their ANTE wager, or to continue play by placing a HET
wager. In one ambodimesxt of the invention, the BET wager must be exactly twice the amount of the ANTE
wager. In connection with the live version of the game, a player may make the BET wager by placing en appropriate token or other indicator in a region of the gaming table layout Z O (Figure 3) designated for the purpose, as shown adj scent the player position 50. In an electronic version of the game, a player may make a SET wager by pressing an associated button on an electronic gaming devise, or by touching an appropriate region of a touch sensitive video screen.
The timing of the BET option being made prior to inspection of the dealer's cards prevents the dealer from either intentionally or inadvertently communicating information regarding the dealer's hand to the players.
After each player has been afforded the option to either FOLD or place a BZrT
wager, the dealer views the dealer's seven cards, and divides or allocates the seven cards into a two card High Hand and a five card Low Hand. Preferably, the dealer's seven cards must be allocated between the High and Low Hands according to the same predetermined rules descn'bed above with respect to allocation of the players' cards. 1n connection with the live version of the game, such allocation may ba accomplished by placement of the dealer's cards into appropriately designated regions on the surface of the gaming table layout 10, for exempla designated by the indieia LO W HAND and HIGH HAND as shown in Figure 3. In connoction with the eloctronic version of the game, such designation may be performed by a microprocessor operating under control of software or firmware and operative to roveal electronic card representations from a face down to a face up orientation, and to move such card representations to designated regions on a video screen for viewing by a game player. , Following allocation of the dealer's cards between a High Hand and a Low Hand according to predetermined rules, one or both of the dealer's hands era evaluated according to predeterminod criteria to ascertain wlretlier one or both of the dealer's hands have "qualified."
According to one preferred embodiment, the dealer's High Hand must qualify by achieving a poker rank of a pair of 6s, or higher. Othor alternativo criteria for qualification may be employed within the scope of the unvention, For example, qualification may be based upon the dealer's High Hand achieving a poker rank other thaw a pair of 6s. Alternatively, qualification may be based upon the dealer's Low Hand achieving a point value above or below a particular value.
As a still further alternative, qualification may be based upon both of the dealer's hands. For I 5 example, the dealtr may qualify by either achieving a High Hand of at least a certain poker rank, or by achieving a Low Hand having a point value of more or less than a particular value, As anothor example, the qualification criteria may require that both the dealer's High Hand and the dealer's Low Hand meet particular requirements. For purposes of illustration, the methods of playing card games according to the present invention era deaeribod below in connectiaua with an example embodiment wherein the qualification criteria consist of the dealer's High Hand achieving a poker rank of a pair of 6s or better.
If the dealer's High Hand does not achieve a poker rank of a pair of 6s or highex, than the dealer or house must refund both the ANTE and BET wagers of each remaining player (each player that did not elect to FOLD). However, each remaining player that elected to place the EXTRA BET wager is preferably paid a payout on the IyXTRA BET wager according to a predetermined Extra Bet Payout Tablo. A preferred exaruple Extra Bet Payout Table appears as TABL$ 2 below. Note that the pre~en~od Extra Bet Payout Table provides that only certain point values win a payout on the EXTRA BET, with the non-listed player hand values resulting in the EXTRA B$T wager being won by the house.
If the dealer's High Hand does qualify by achieving a poker rank of a pair of 6s or better, each remaining player's High Hand is compared with the dealer's High Hand using poker rank as the criterion for comparison. Also, each remaining player's Law Hand is compared with the dealer's Low Hand using point value as the cziterion for comparison. If the dealer wins both of the High and Low Hands, the house wins the ANTE and BET wagers aad pays to each remaining player who opted to make the EXTRA, BET wager an amount determined by a predetermined pay table based on the point value of the player's Low Hard. An exampto preferred Extra Bet Payout Table appears as TABLE 2 below. If the dealer wins only one of the High and Low Hands, the house refunds the ANTE and BLT wagers to each remaining player and pays to each remaining player who opted to make the EXTRA, BET wager an amount determined by a predetermined pay table based on the point value of the player's Low Hand. In evaluating whether one of the dealer's hands beats one of the player's heads, tie hands ale preferably awarded to the dealer. If a player wins both of the High and Low Hands, the player wins the ANTE wager and is paid on the $ET wager an amount according to a predetermined pay table based on the point value of the player's Low Hand and the house pays to each remaining player who opted to make the EXTRA BBT wager an amount determined by a predetermined pay table based on the point value of the player's Low Hand. An example preferred Bet 1'syout Table appears as TABLir 1 below.
It should be understood that other payout tables or schedules for both the BET
aad EXTRA )3ET wagers may be employed. Within the scope of the present invention, the tcrnainotvgy "predetermined payout table" should be understood as encompassing both fixed, randomly generated, and progressive payout amounts, as well as combinations of fixed, randomly generated, and pmgrcssive payout amounts. In addition to, in combination with, or as an alternative, the payouts may include electronic credits, gift vouchers, free or reduced entry into other contests, merchandise, services, etc.
1n totaling or ranking the Low Hands of players and the dealer, the following point values are preferably assigned:
Ice. ow l~uad Card ~'~int Va ues Card Point Yalue Acc 1 King 10 Queen 10 Jack 10 Any Pair, Triple, or 0 Four of a Kind Suited Rwn 0 In connection will, the instant specification and the appended claims, the tez~m "AnyPair"
is used in the conventional sense, such that a 9 of diamonds and a 9 of spades contained with the same Low Hand would total 0 points. The term "Suited Run" means any two or morn consecutively ranked cards of the same suit (hearts, diamonds, clubs or spades). For example, Ace, 2, 3 suited; or King, Queen suited, etc. For purposes of a run an Ace can be eombimed only with a 2, and not with a King; in other words, for purposes of a run as Ace is given only its low rank.
The following examples serve to further illustrate the preferred predetermined rules for allocation of cards into the High and Low hands, as well as the manner of evaluatizrg the rank of High Hands aad the point value of Low Hands. ' Example No. 1:
Original 7 Cards: Ace (spades), rCing (clubs), Queen (clubs), Ace (hearts), 8 (spades), 10 (spades), 7 (spades) High Hand: Ace (spades), Ace (hearts) Low Hand: King (clubs), Queen (clubs), 10 (spades), 8 (spades), 7 (spades) Total Point Yalue of Low Hand: 10, because suited, consecutive King (clubs) sad Queen (clubs) count as 0 points; I O (spades) counts 10 points; and suited, consecutive 8 (spades) and 7 (spades) count as 0 points.
Exampk No. 2:
Original 7 Cards: King (diamonds), 9 (clubs),10 (spades), 9 (diamonds), 8 (diamonds) Queen (hearts), Ace (clubs) . CA 02417078 2003-O1-23 High Hand: 9 (clubs), 9 (diamonds) Low Hand: Ace (clubs), King (diamonds), Queen (hearts),10 (spades), 8 (diamvonds) Total Point Value ofLow Hand: 1+10+10+10+8 ~ 39 points. Note that the Low Hand does not contain any pairs nor any suited, consecutive cards.
TABLE 1 below reflects the payout ratio associated with particular point values of a player's Low Hand for the BET wager. p'or example, if a player's Low Hand had a point value of 6 and the player wagered $2 for the BET wager, the player would be paid $6 (3:1 payout ratio) if the player met the conditions for winning the BET wager.
TABL,JE 1- Bet Pny~ut Low Hand Point Value 16+ 1 I-15 6-10 2-S 0 Ace 48 or 49 Payout Ratio 1:1 2:1 3:1 4:1 S:1 11:1 0 TABLE 2 below xoflects the payout ratio associated with particular point values of a player's Low Hand for tho EXTRA BET wager. For example, if a player's Low Hand had a point value of 5 and the player wagered $1 for the EXTRA BET wager, the player would be paid 1 S $7 (7:1 payout ratio) if khe player met the conditions for winning the EXTRA BET wager.
TA,B>L,~ ~ 2 - Extra Bet PaX,zut Low Hand Point Value 16-20 11-15 6-10 2-5 0 Ace 48 or 49 Payout Ratio push I :1 2:1 7:I 15:1 15:I 100:1 TABLE 3 below reports statistical payback calculations based upon a computer simulation and the BBT and EXTRA BET payout ratios indieatecL
TABLE 3 -. >Pa~ bac Statistics Low Hand Point Value 16-20 11-15 6-10 2-5 0 Ace 48 or 49 Paybaek Bet Payout Ratio 1:1 2:1 3:1 4:1 S:1 11:1 0 96.30%
Extra Bet Payout Ratio push 1:1 2:1 7:1 15:I 15:1 100:1 96.75%
Alternate Extra Bet 0 3:1 4:1 8:1 15:1 15:1 100.1 9G.b7%
Payout Ratio The above tables illustrate particular calculated statistical paybacks obtained in connection with particular preferred payout tables for the HET and EXTRA BET
wagers, Other S alternative payout tables may be employed within the scope of the invention.
The EXTRA BET
wager may be paid independently of whether the dealer qualifies, and independently of whether the player's hands beat the dealer's hands. Alternatively, cenain preconditions may be required for a player to win the EXTRA SET wager. For example, the method of playing the game may require that the dealer qualify to make a player eligible to win the EXTRA BET
wager. Or the I O method of playing the game may require that one or both of the player's hands beat one or both of the dealer's hands in order to make a player eligible to win the EXTRA BET
wager.
As an alternative to dividing the seven player and dealer cards into a two-card High Hand and a five-card Low Hand, the High Hand may consist of two cards dealt as the High Hand and the Low Hand may consist of five cards draft as the Low Hand. Also, a greater or lesser number 15 of cards than seven may be employed. For example, each hand may consist of eight cards divided into a three-card High Hand and a five-card Low Hand. Also, the game may be played with the player having an option to place either the ANTE wager or the EXTRA
BET wager or both and may be played with tha player required to place both wagers.
It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and 20 advantages of the present invention have bear set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.
Claims (23)
1. A method of playing a card game wherein at least one player competes against a dealer, comprising the steps of:
(a) affording each player an opportunity to place an ante wager to participate in the game;
(b) dealing seven cards to each player and to a dealer;
(c) affording each player an opportunity to view their cards and to divide their cards into a two-card high hand and a five-card low hand according to predetermined rules for dividing cards;
(d) affording each player an opportunity to either fold and forfeit their ante wager, or call by making a bet wager;
(e) dividing said dealer's hand into a two-card high hand and a five-card low hand according to said predetermined rules for dividing cards;
(f) evaluating whether at least one of said dealer's high and low hands qualifies according to predetermined qualifying criteria;
(g) comparing at least one of said player high and low bends against at least one of said dealer high and low hands; and (h) settling at least one of said ante and bet wagers according to at least one predetermined payout table.
(a) affording each player an opportunity to place an ante wager to participate in the game;
(b) dealing seven cards to each player and to a dealer;
(c) affording each player an opportunity to view their cards and to divide their cards into a two-card high hand and a five-card low hand according to predetermined rules for dividing cards;
(d) affording each player an opportunity to either fold and forfeit their ante wager, or call by making a bet wager;
(e) dividing said dealer's hand into a two-card high hand and a five-card low hand according to said predetermined rules for dividing cards;
(f) evaluating whether at least one of said dealer's high and low hands qualifies according to predetermined qualifying criteria;
(g) comparing at least one of said player high and low bends against at least one of said dealer high and low hands; and (h) settling at least one of said ante and bet wagers according to at least one predetermined payout table.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of affording each player an opportunity to place an optional extra bet wager.
3. The method of claim 1, further comprising prior to step(b), the step of affording each player an opportunity to place an optional extra bet wager.
4. The method of claim 2, wherein said bet wager is settled according to a first payout table and said extra bet wager is settled according to a second, different payout table.
5. The method of claim 3, wherein said bet wager is settled according to a first payout table and said extra bet wager is settled according to a second, different payout table.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein step (g) is performed only if at least one of said dealer high and low hands qualifies according to predetermined qualification criteria.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein stop (g) is performed only if said dealer high hand qualifies according to predetermined qualification criteria
8. The method of Claim 7, wherein said predetermined qualification criteria includes said dealer high hand comprising a pair of 6s or better.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein said dealer high hand is compared to said player high hand using poker rank as the criterion for comparison.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein said dealer low hand is compared to said player low hand using point value as the criterion for comparison.
11, The method of claim 10, wherein said dealer high hand is compared to said player high hand using poker rank as the criterion for comparison.
12. The method of claim 1, wherein said bet wagers are settled substantially according to the following payout table based upon a point value of said player's low hand:
Low Hand Point Value 16+ 11-15 6-10 2-5 0 Ace 48 or 49 Payout Ratio 1:1 2:1 3:1 4:1 5:1 11:1 0
Low Hand Point Value 16+ 11-15 6-10 2-5 0 Ace 48 or 49 Payout Ratio 1:1 2:1 3:1 4:1 5:1 11:1 0
13. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of affording each player an opportunity to place an optional extra bet wager, and wherein said extra bet wagers are settled substantially according to the following payout table based upon a point value of said player's low hand:
Low Hand Point Value 16-20 11-15 6-10 2.5 0 Ace 48 or 49 Payout Ratio push 1:1 2:1 7:1 15.1 15:1 100:1
Low Hand Point Value 16-20 11-15 6-10 2.5 0 Ace 48 or 49 Payout Ratio push 1:1 2:1 7:1 15.1 15:1 100:1
14. The method of claim 1, wherein said game is played on a live casino gaming table with a human dealer.
15. The method of claim 1, wherein said game is played on an electronic gaming device.
16. In a method of playing a card game, the steps of:
(a) dealing seven cards to at least one player;
(b) affording said player an opportunity to divide their cards into a two-card high hand and a five-card low hand according to predetermined rules for dividing cards, wherein said predetermined rules for dividing cards require that the bast two of the seven cards be allocated to said high hand so as to make the highest possible poker ranking of said high hand.
(a) dealing seven cards to at least one player;
(b) affording said player an opportunity to divide their cards into a two-card high hand and a five-card low hand according to predetermined rules for dividing cards, wherein said predetermined rules for dividing cards require that the bast two of the seven cards be allocated to said high hand so as to make the highest possible poker ranking of said high hand.
17 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising the steps of dealing seven cards to a dealer and dividing the dealer's cards into a two-card high hand and a five-card low hand according to said predetermined rules for dividing cards, and comparing at least one of said dealer's hands with at least one of said player's hands.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein the dealer's high hand is compared with the player's high hand.
19. The method of claim 17, wherein the dealer's low hand is compared with the player's low hand.
20. The method of claim 16, further comprising the steps of dealing seven cards to a dealer and dividing the dealer's cards into a two-card high hand and a five-card low hand according to said predetermined rules for dividing cards, and, if at least one of said dealer's hands qualifies according to predetermined qualification criteria, comparing at least one of said dealer's hands with at least one of said player's hands.
21. The method of claim 20, wherein said predetermined qualification criteria includes said dealer's high hand comprising a predetermined poker rank.
22. The method of claim 20, wherein said predetermined qualification criteria includes said dealer's high hand comprising s predetermined poker rank of at least a pair of 6s.
23. A method of playing a card game, comprising the steps of:
(a) affording each player an opportunity to place an ante wager to participate in the game;
(b) affording each player an opportunity to make an optional extra bet wager;
(c) dealing seven cards to each player and to a dealer;
(d) affording each player an opportunity to view their cards and to divide their cards into a two-card high hand and a five-card low hand according to predetermined rules for dividing cards;
(e) affording each player an opportunity to either fold and forfeit their ante wager, or call by making a bet wager exactly twice the amount of the auto wager;
(f) dividing the dealer's hand into a two-card high hand and a five-card low hand according to said predetermined rules for dividing cards;
(g) evaluating whether the dealer's high hand qualifies by achieving a predetermined poker rank of a pair of 6s or better; and (h) settling wagers by:
(1) if the dealer's high hand does not qualify, refunding the auto and bet wagers to each remaining player and paying each remaining player who opted to make the extra bet wager an amount determined by a predetermined pay table based on a point value of the player's low hand;
(2) if the dealer's high hand does qualify, comparing each remaining player's high hand with the dealer's high hand using poker rank as the criterion for comparison and comparing each remaining player's low hand with the dealer's low hand using point value as the criterion for comparison, (I) wherein if the dealer wins both of the high and low hands, the house wins the ante and bet wagers and pays to each remaining player who opted to make the extra bet wager an amount determined by a predetermined pay table based on the point value of the player's low hand;
(II) wherein if the dealer wins one of the high and low hands, the house refunds the ante and bet wagers to each remaining player and pays to each remaining player who opted to make the extra bet wager an amount determined by a predetermined pay table based on the point value of the player's low hand;
and (III) wherein if a player wins both of the high and low hands, the player wins the ante wager and is paid on the bet wager an amount according to a predetermined pay table based on the point value of the player's low hand and the house pays to each remaining player who opted to make the extra bet wager an amount determined by a predetermined pay table based on the point value of the player's low hand.
(a) affording each player an opportunity to place an ante wager to participate in the game;
(b) affording each player an opportunity to make an optional extra bet wager;
(c) dealing seven cards to each player and to a dealer;
(d) affording each player an opportunity to view their cards and to divide their cards into a two-card high hand and a five-card low hand according to predetermined rules for dividing cards;
(e) affording each player an opportunity to either fold and forfeit their ante wager, or call by making a bet wager exactly twice the amount of the auto wager;
(f) dividing the dealer's hand into a two-card high hand and a five-card low hand according to said predetermined rules for dividing cards;
(g) evaluating whether the dealer's high hand qualifies by achieving a predetermined poker rank of a pair of 6s or better; and (h) settling wagers by:
(1) if the dealer's high hand does not qualify, refunding the auto and bet wagers to each remaining player and paying each remaining player who opted to make the extra bet wager an amount determined by a predetermined pay table based on a point value of the player's low hand;
(2) if the dealer's high hand does qualify, comparing each remaining player's high hand with the dealer's high hand using poker rank as the criterion for comparison and comparing each remaining player's low hand with the dealer's low hand using point value as the criterion for comparison, (I) wherein if the dealer wins both of the high and low hands, the house wins the ante and bet wagers and pays to each remaining player who opted to make the extra bet wager an amount determined by a predetermined pay table based on the point value of the player's low hand;
(II) wherein if the dealer wins one of the high and low hands, the house refunds the ante and bet wagers to each remaining player and pays to each remaining player who opted to make the extra bet wager an amount determined by a predetermined pay table based on the point value of the player's low hand;
and (III) wherein if a player wins both of the high and low hands, the player wins the ante wager and is paid on the bet wager an amount according to a predetermined pay table based on the point value of the player's low hand and the house pays to each remaining player who opted to make the extra bet wager an amount determined by a predetermined pay table based on the point value of the player's low hand.
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|---|---|---|---|
| US10/059,847 US20030155713A1 (en) | 2002-01-29 | 2002-01-29 | Method of playing card games |
| US10/059,847 | 2002-01-29 |
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|---|---|
| CA2417078A1 true CA2417078A1 (en) | 2003-07-29 |
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| US20040075216A1 (en) * | 2002-10-21 | 2004-04-22 | Moody Ernest W. | Poker game |
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| US7905770B2 (en) * | 2004-02-02 | 2011-03-15 | Shuffle Master, Inc. | Special multiplier bonus game in Pai Gow Poker variant |
| US7562876B2 (en) * | 2003-10-15 | 2009-07-21 | Sklansky Games, Llc | System and method for playing community hand poker games utilizing mathematical dealer qualifying criteria |
| US7044468B2 (en) * | 2003-10-15 | 2006-05-16 | Sklansky Games, Llc | System and method for playing community hand poker games utilizing dealer qualifying criteria |
| US7195244B1 (en) * | 2004-07-13 | 2007-03-27 | New Vision Gaming & Development, Inc. | Method of playing a pai-gow-type game |
| US7188838B2 (en) * | 2005-01-14 | 2007-03-13 | Jones Lorraine W | Card game |
| US20060175751A1 (en) * | 2005-02-10 | 2006-08-10 | Franklin Daines | Casino poker game rewarding low hands |
| US8747220B2 (en) | 2012-09-12 | 2014-06-10 | Shfl Entertainment, Inc. | Methods, systems, and apparatuses for wagering games including player-banked side bets |
| US8651490B2 (en) * | 2008-08-01 | 2014-02-18 | Lubin-Jones, LLC | Modified poker game system and method |
| US20100244381A1 (en) * | 2009-03-31 | 2010-09-30 | Kevin Chan | Method of Playing Pai Gow Poker |
| US8505920B1 (en) * | 2009-06-02 | 2013-08-13 | Michael Slifker | Count down game |
| US9761080B2 (en) | 2009-11-13 | 2017-09-12 | Bally Gaming, Inc. | Commissionless pai gow with dealer qualification |
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| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5294128A (en) * | 1993-04-07 | 1994-03-15 | Marquez Ruben L | Method of playing hi-hi-lo poker |
| US5863042A (en) * | 1996-05-02 | 1999-01-26 | Lo; Henry T. | Card game |
| US5865437A (en) * | 1996-06-27 | 1999-02-02 | Gulf Coast Gaming Corporation | Card game |
| US5810663A (en) * | 1997-04-12 | 1998-09-22 | Mambo Gaming Company, Llc | Method of playing a high/low card game |
| US6098984A (en) * | 1997-04-25 | 2000-08-08 | Moore, Jr.; Naif | Method of playing a card game |
| US5863041A (en) * | 1997-12-11 | 1999-01-26 | Bet Technology, Inc. | Pai gow poker with auxiliary game |
| US20020017757A1 (en) * | 1998-10-08 | 2002-02-14 | Nick Marchesani | Low/max card game method and apparatus |
| US6491302B1 (en) * | 2001-07-09 | 2002-12-10 | Bet Technology, Inc. | Pai gow poker with tiebreaker cards |
| US6631906B1 (en) * | 2001-09-04 | 2003-10-14 | Mike Timpano | Supplemental wager for Pai Gow poker |
-
2002
- 2002-01-29 US US10/059,847 patent/US20030155713A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
2003
- 2003-01-23 CA CA002417078A patent/CA2417078A1/en not_active Abandoned
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| US20030155713A1 (en) | 2003-08-21 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Discontinued |