GB2109692A - Simulated "fruit machine" game - Google Patents

Abstract

A card game comprises a playing surface representative of the face of a fruit machine, and including areas (1,2,3) representative of the windows of the machine and lists or tables (4,5) indicating prize-winning symbol combinations and values of the prizes, and three packs of playing cards, each pack being associated with a different one of the areas (1,2,3). The face sides of the cards in each pack carry representations of the various fruit machine symbols, such as cherries, bells, bars, etc. Instead of separate packs, a single or common pack may be used-alternatively, other symbol- bearing elements such as dice or spinners may be employed. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in games The present invention relates to a game, and in particular, to a card game which is intended to simulate play on amusement, gaming or chance apparatus.

Known apparatus of this type may take the form of equipment described as a gaming machine, an A.W.P. (amusement-with-prize) machine, or "fruit" machine, having a front face provided with a glass or like panel on which are displayed certain or all predetermined prize-winning combinations of a variety of different symbols (such as fruits, bells, bars and/or stars), and related prizes, such as payments. The apparatus includes a row of rotatable reels (for example between 2 and 8 in number) which carry corresponding symbols around their rims. When rotation of the reels is stopped, certain of the symbols are aligned with and appear through windows in the panel. A player wins when the symbols, and sequence of symbols, appearing in the "payline" or row in the windows match those of one of the predetermined prize-winning combinations indicated on the panel.The relative numbers, and sequence, of the various symbols disposed around the rim of each reel are pre-set in that they cannot be changed from one game to the next, except that, with the use of a "when lit" feature, 1 or more symbols may have a value that they would not otherwise have. In certain cases, however, it is possible to transpose the reels on a one-off basis. Although the apparatus incorporates a mechanism which stops the rotating reels at random, the odds against the winning combinations occurring, and therefore the average percentage pay-out, is pre-set in dependence upon the numbers and sequences of the different symbols carried by the various reels, and upon the positional sequence of the reels. The apparatus may include additional features such as "hold", "nudge", "gamble on win" or "gamble on a number" features.The apparatus may be activated by the insertion of a coin or token, and this may itself serve to set the reels in motion (or set in motion those reels which are not "held"), although this may be achieved by pressing a start button or pulling an arm or handle.

In broad terms, the invention is concerned with simulating play on a coin-or token-operated machine of the amusement, gaming or chance type in which prizes are awarded in dependence upon the combinations of a variety of symbols which, when the machine is operated, are caused to appear in different, usually adjacent, zones of the face of the machine. The face of the machine also displays those combinations which, if obtained, result in the award of prizes, together with the values of the prizes. Such a gaming machine will hereinafter be referred to as "an apparatus of the type specified".

According to the present invention, there is provided a card game comprising a playing surface representative of the face of an apparatus of the type specified, including areas representative of said zones of the apparatus, and including indications of prize-winning symbol combinations and values of the prizes, the card game further including a number of distinct packs of playing cards or equivalent, each pack, in play, being associated with a different one of said areas, and the face sides of the cards in each pack carrying representations of said various symbols.

In playing the game, each pack of cards is separately shuffled and placed face down to obscure the symbols thereon, one pack adjacent or on its associated area. A player pays a stake or multiples thereof, for example a coin or token, to a banker, or places it on a space provided constituting a bank or pool. The top card from each pack is then dealt, i.e. turned over, and placed face up on or adjacent its associated area. If the symbols on the exposed faces of the row of dealt cards make up one of the winning combinations, the player(s) is (are) awarded the indicated prize, for example in multiples of the stake or bet placed. This is equivalent to the conclusion of one game on, for example, a fruit machine.

The same or the next player then repeats the procedure, i.e. pays a stake, and turns over the next cards from the top of the packs.

The cards in each pack are rendered visually distinguishable from the cards in the other pack or packs, for example by providing the backs of the cards in each pack with distinctive colouring and/or patterning.

Each pack may, for example, contain twenty cards, and the ratio of the numbers of cards bearing each of the different symbols may vary from pack to pack in order to achieve the required percentage pay out and odds, the odds differing for different combinations, in dependence upon the values of the prizes. This may require that each pack be designated to a particular one of the areas on the playing surface, and in this event, this may conveniently be achieved by colouring and/or patterning each area to correspond to the colouring and/or patterning of its associated pack.

In order that the invention may be more readily understood, one embodiment thereof will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a typical playing surface; and Figure 2 illustrates the face or playing sides of the different cards in each set of pack.

Referring to Figure 1 the card game includes a playing surface, which may be formed as or on a mat or board, for example a mat or vinyl or other flexible synthetic plastics sheet material, which is configured and coloured to represent the face of a fruit machine. The playing surface includes a row of three spaces or areas 1, 2, 3 representing the windows or zones of the fruit machine through which are displayed the symbols on the rims of the associated rotatable reels of the fruit machine. These areas 1, 2, 3 are dimensioned to receive playing cards, and are coloured, for example green, yellow and red, respectively. On each side of the row of areas 1, 2, 3 are tables or lists 4, 5 setting out the various winning combinations of symbols, and the respective prizes or pay outs in terms of multiples of the coins, tokens, etc. staked.As will be apparent, in this embodiment, the symbols employed are those of a conventional fruit machine, i.e. cherries, oranges, plums, bells, pears, melons and bars. The jackpot, i.e. 3 bars, is indicated below the areas 1, 2, 3.

The game also includes three packs of playing cards, each consisting of 20 cards. The reverse side or backs of the cards in the three packs are coloured green, yellow and red respectively. This clearly differentiates between the cards of the three packs, and associates the packs with the correspondingly coloured areas 1, 2, 3 respectively of the playing surface. Each of the cards in the three packs carries one of the previously mentioned symbols on its face or playing side, and examples of the face sides of the various cards are shown in Figure 2.The number of cards provided with each symbol in each pack, by way of one specific example, is shown in the following table:-

ri 1 Area Pack I Cherry Orange P/um Bell Pear Melon Bar 1 Green 2 7 3 2 2 3 1 2 Yellow 6 2 3 5 2 1 1 3 Red I 1 6 5 2 2 2 2 The different numbers of different symbols in the three packs are computed in relation to the winning combinations so as to obtain the required overall or average pay out (for example a pay out of 87.5%), and to obtain the required odds for the specific winning combinations (i.e. usually the higher the pay out, the higher the odds against winning).

Instructions 1. Any number of players may play. Coins, tokens, counters, matchsticks, etc may be used as stakes.

2. The playing surface is laid out facing towards the players.

3. Selecting and changing a banker: (a) If frequent changes of banker are required at predetermined intervals, such changes may be made after every 20 plays (i.e. each time that all of the packs have been used up), or multiples of 20 plays.

(b) If an indeterminate period of bank is required, select a combination (such as 3 melons). Each time this combination occurs, the bank passes, or is awarded, to the player with the highest stakes. Should two or more players be equally staked, then the contenders shall bid to take the bank, the proceeds going to the losing bidder (or being divided between the losing bidders).

(c) Alternativeiy, a permanent banker may be selected.

4. Preparation The banker shuffles each pack of cards separately, ensuring that each pack contains the correct number of cards, and that the packs, i.e. the colours, are not mixed. The packs are placed, face down, above or adjacent their respective areas 1, 2, 3 on the playing surface.

The players are invited to bet a set or unit stake (but stakes may vary from player to player and from game to game). However, it is recommended that a maximum limit be set on the stake, remembering that the highest win (3-bar jackpot) indicated on the playing surface in Figure 1 is 200 times the stake. To increase the banker's advantage, and reduce the overall percentage pay out, the higher (50, 100, 200) wins may be reduced to a lower maximum amount.

A player may alternatively bet multiples of the set or unit stake, and then be entitled to a corresponding number of consecutive plays, the pay out being based on the unit stake, not the multiples thereof.

5. The game After the stake or bet has been placed, the banker deals out by turning over one card from the top of the first (green) pack onto the area 1 , then one card from the top of the second (yellow) pack onto the area 2, and finally one card from the third (red) pack onto the area 3. The dealt cards are thus face (symbol side) up on the areas on the playing surface.

If the combination and sequence of symbols in the row of latter cards corresponds to a winning combination identified from the lists on the playing surface, or the jackpot, the banker pays out the appropriate amount. The banker, however, retains the original stake which is the fee for the players participation in the game. It remains at the space provided for identification purposes only until completion of that game, when the banker gathers in all such fees. (This should not be confused with money staked, for example on a dog or horse, which is returned to the punter in the event of a win).

The procedure may then be repeated for the next player, the banker dealing a further top card from each pack onto the previously dealt cards on the respective areas 1, 2, 3.

The game thus proceeds until all 20 cards in all the packs have been dealt, whereafter the cards are again shuffled in their separate packs, and the sequence repeated.

The game described is a basic game, and may be modified to simulate more complex fruit machines or to incorporate features which are not known to be utilized on apparatus of the type specified.

For example, one or more further packs of cards may be provided, and dealt at the same time and in the same manner as the previously mentioned basic packs, into associated areas on the playing surface. Cards dealt from such further pack or packs may indicate whether or not a player, may "hold" one or more of the previously dealt and exposed cards, and/or whether or not the player may "nudge" one or more of the basic packs up or down i.e. deal one or more further cards from, or recall one or more previously dealt cards back onto, the basic packs.

The playing surface and cards may be of any required shape or size, although the cards may have the shape and size of conventional playing cards, or could be somewhat smaller overall. In one specific embodiment, the playing surface may be generally rectangular, approximately 23.5" wide by 16.5" high, and the playing cards may be approximately 2.3125" wide by 3.5" high.

It will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, whilst certain "fruit" symbols have been utilised in the illustrated embodiment, it will be readily apparent that other types of symbols, and/or other winning combinations, may be employed, and other prizes or values of prizes may be awarded.

The playing surface may include an area serving as a "pool" into which the players pay their stakes, and from which the players draw the awarded prizes.

The playing surface may also include additional areas, for example corresponding to and positioned above the areas 1, 2, 3, for receiving the face down packs of cards, and from which the cards are dealt face up onto the areas 1, 2, 3.

The number of cards in the various packs may be changed, as may be the colours, patterns or other means of identification on the backs of the cards and/or the cards-receiving areas on the playing surface. The ratio of the numbers of the cards in each pack carrying the various symbols may be changed from that set out in the previous table, to vary the percentage pay out and/or odds.

Instead of using separate packs of cards associated with respective playing areas, a single or common pack may be used, from which symbol-bearing cards may be dealt into the various areas on the playing surface.

Alternatively, instead of the various packs of cards, or common pack, other symbol-bearing elements may be employed for example dice or cube or other form carrying the required symbols on their various faces, or symbol-bearing spinners.

Claims (Filed on 22-1 1-82) 1. A card game comprising a playing surface representative of the face of an apparatus of the type specified, including areas representative of said zones of the apparatus, and including indications of prize-winning symbol combinations and values of the prizes, the card game further including a number of distinct packs of playing cards or equivalent, each pack, in play, being associated with a different one of said areas, and the face sides of the cards in each pack carrying representations of said various symbols.

2. A card game as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least three distinct packs of playing cards are provided, the cards in each pack being rendered visually distinguishable from the cards in the other packs by providing the backs of the cards in each pack with distinctive colouring and/or patterning.

3. A game as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein each pack contains twenty cards.

4. A game as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the ratio of the numbers of cards bearing each of the different symbols differs from pack to pack in order to achieve the required odds in respect of prizewinning symbol combinations, the odds differing for different prize-winning combinations in dependence upon the intended values of the prizes.

5. A game as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each pack is designated to a particular one of the areas on the playing surface, by colouring and/or patterning each area to correspond to colouring and/or patterning on the backs of the cards in its associated pack.

6. A card game as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the playing surface is representative of the face of a fruit machine, and the cards carry representations of conventional fruit machine symbols such as cherries, oranges, plums, bells, pears, melons and/or bars.

7. A card game substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (7)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. completion of that game, when the banker gathers in all such fees. (This should not be confused with money staked, for example on a dog or horse, which is returned to the punter in the event of a win). The procedure may then be repeated for the next player, the banker dealing a further top card from each pack onto the previously dealt cards on the respective areas 1, 2, 3. The game thus proceeds until all 20 cards in all the packs have been dealt, whereafter the cards are again shuffled in their separate packs, and the sequence repeated. The game described is a basic game, and may be modified to simulate more complex fruit machines or to incorporate features which are not known to be utilized on apparatus of the type specified. For example, one or more further packs of cards may be provided, and dealt at the same time and in the same manner as the previously mentioned basic packs, into associated areas on the playing surface. Cards dealt from such further pack or packs may indicate whether or not a player, may "hold" one or more of the previously dealt and exposed cards, and/or whether or not the player may "nudge" one or more of the basic packs up or down i.e. deal one or more further cards from, or recall one or more previously dealt cards back onto, the basic packs. The playing surface and cards may be of any required shape or size, although the cards may have the shape and size of conventional playing cards, or could be somewhat smaller overall. In one specific embodiment, the playing surface may be generally rectangular, approximately 23.5" wide by 16.5" high, and the playing cards may be approximately 2.3125" wide by 3.5" high. It will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, whilst certain "fruit" symbols have been utilised in the illustrated embodiment, it will be readily apparent that other types of symbols, and/or other winning combinations, may be employed, and other prizes or values of prizes may be awarded. The playing surface may include an area serving as a "pool" into which the players pay their stakes, and from which the players draw the awarded prizes. The playing surface may also include additional areas, for example corresponding to and positioned above the areas 1, 2, 3, for receiving the face down packs of cards, and from which the cards are dealt face up onto the areas 1, 2, 3. The number of cards in the various packs may be changed, as may be the colours, patterns or other means of identification on the backs of the cards and/or the cards-receiving areas on the playing surface. The ratio of the numbers of the cards in each pack carrying the various symbols may be changed from that set out in the previous table, to vary the percentage pay out and/or odds. Instead of using separate packs of cards associated with respective playing areas, a single or common pack may be used, from which symbol-bearing cards may be dealt into the various areas on the playing surface. Alternatively, instead of the various packs of cards, or common pack, other symbol-bearing elements may be employed for example dice or cube or other form carrying the required symbols on their various faces, or symbol-bearing spinners. Claims (Filed on 22-1 1-82)

1. A card game comprising a playing surface representative of the face of an apparatus of the type specified, including areas representative of said zones of the apparatus, and including indications of prize-winning symbol combinations and values of the prizes, the card game further including a number of distinct packs of playing cards or equivalent, each pack, in play, being associated with a different one of said areas, and the face sides of the cards in each pack carrying representations of said various symbols.

2. A card game as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least three distinct packs of playing cards are provided, the cards in each pack being rendered visually distinguishable from the cards in the other packs by providing the backs of the cards in each pack with distinctive colouring and/or patterning.

3. A game as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein each pack contains twenty cards.

4. A game as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the ratio of the numbers of cards bearing each of the different symbols differs from pack to pack in order to achieve the required odds in respect of prizewinning symbol combinations, the odds differing for different prize-winning combinations in dependence upon the intended values of the prizes.

5. A game as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each pack is designated to a particular one of the areas on the playing surface, by colouring and/or patterning each area to correspond to colouring and/or patterning on the backs of the cards in its associated pack.

6. A card game as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the playing surface is representative of the face of a fruit machine, and the cards carry representations of conventional fruit machine symbols such as cherries, oranges, plums, bells, pears, melons and/or bars.

7. A card game substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.