US20080207297A1

US20080207297A1 - Computer-based poker card game

Info

Publication number: US20080207297A1
Application number: US11/712,730
Authority: US
Inventors: Gregory Zilba
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-02-28
Filing date: 2007-02-28
Publication date: 2008-08-28

Abstract

The subject invention comprises a computer generated format means for a computer-based Poker game such as a poker game referred to a Texas Hold or other similar card game involving a single player from any of various dispersed locations participating in a card game, along with a plurality of virtual players, or with the simultaneous real time participation of other actual players, in which standard gaming formats is set forth with an instant play having be automatically generated minimal betting formats, such games being available on the Internet or at specifically located game unit consoles, or otherwise based for access to play.

Description

BACKGROUND AND DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART

As a matter of background, in circumstances where an individual desires to play an on-line gambling card game or a game setting at a localized game station, such as Poker, it is important to understand the dynamics of betting with the game of Poker or other such card games. It is to be understood that on-line interstate gambling is not yet fully sanctioned and that gambling on-line is in its embryonic stage for a much larger sanctioned participation under certain conditions.
With this background, there are known and established methods for playing a card game on the Internet or at game stations, independent of the Internet, involving betting modes. In these formats, there is a portrayal on a computer generated display screen of a gaming table and he playing cards, face up or face down depending on the type of card game played. Such formats and game methodology can be applied to almost any type of card game including poker or other card games.
As a focus and perspective herein, the game of Poker combines principles of card games well-known for centuries and presently there are many forms of the card game Poker. Poker is a popular game throughout the world and as stated it incorporates. A myriad of formats for game play purposes, specifically poker, combine principles of card games played for many centuries in Europe and other parts of the world, but in its prestly prevailing forms it is mainly of American origination. There are several forms of Poker and the main types are: Draw Poker, in which all of a participant's cards are not known to his opponents, Stud Poker, in which some of the player's cards are dealt face up with others dealt face down, among other forms. Within the above two basic categories a multitude of variations exist, and “Holdem” or “Texas Holdem” is a popular type. In “Texas Holdem” each player makes an initial ante wager to play the game and is dealt two cards face down. After a second betting interval then three community cards are dealt face up. Then another betting interval follows based on the players take on the community cards vis-a-vis his own cards and the dealer then deals up one more community card face. Yet another betting round occurs after then the dealer deals the final community card face up and the participant with the highest Poker ranked hand arrayed from his or her own cards and the five community cards becomes the game winner. In modern casinos Poker takes one of three forms, namely live or cardroom Poker where players compete against one another but the games are controlled and supervised by a house dealer who removes a house levy either in the form of a participation fee or as a percentage of winning hands; electronic video machines offering various forms of Poker; and Poker played as a “bankers game” either where the game involves players in contest with the dealer's hand or where the object is for the players to obtain a hand based on hierarchical Poker rankings, among other games. In both types of banker games, the house has an advantage based on a payout schedule that is structured in such a way that the pay-offs are not based on the true mathematical odds, or rules of play so structured that the house has a favorable edge. Notwithstanding among the categories of poker games is a game referred to as “Texas Holdem”, infrequently referred to under different names and discussed below.
Within the above two broad categories numerous variations exist with “Holdem” or “Texas Holdem” being a popular example. In “Holdem” each player makes an ante wager and is dealt two cards face down. After a betting interval three communal cards are dealt face up. A second betting interval follows and the dealer then turns up one more communal card. Another betting round follows after which the dealer turns up the final communal card and the player with the highest Poker ranked hand assembled from their own cards and the five communal cards wins the pot.
Further, in “Texas Holdem”, the individual players usually make an initial wagering ante to participate in the game and each player is dealt two cards generally both face down. Upon the receipt of the first two cards which are, as stated, dealt face down so that only the individual player can ascertain what the front face of his card portrays. Then, at this point additional bets are advanced by the respective players based on the two cards they draw in conjunction with the three community cards dealt face up by the dealer. At this latter point another bet is placed by the participants based on the three community cards that are dealt face up. Thus bearing in mind that in Texas Holdem each player is allowed to use any three community cards in conjunction with his or her two cards to achieve a five card poker hand so that subsequent betting is based on community cards and the players' respective cards. After this latter betting interval, in the most basic format, the dealer then turns up an additional community card for a total of four community cards. After this fourth community card is revealed, yet another betting round follows, after which the dealer then deals a final and fifth community card, face-up. Again, after the last and fifth card is dealt for a total of five community cards, another bet is placed and the winning participant will be the one with the highest ranked Poker hand of five cards selected from the participant's cards and the five communal cards, conditional on the participant remaining in the betting scheme to the final setting.
Additionally, it is well-known that in present internet on-line settings, Poker is played where participants compete against one another in a group, however, where such games are conducted through computer generated formats by a virtual house dealer, or in practice the web-site owner. This mode of participation is by use of electronically computerized formats or at isolated gaming stations or in an internet on-line basis.
In a general context, Poker games where players play to obtain a hand based on steps of Poker rankings, the house may be at a pay-out advantage since the pay-out schedule is such that any pay-outs are not compatible with true probability factors. In this context, it is desirable and ethical, to reveal in certain play modes probability factors or odds of obtaining a winning hand or certain types of hands in a given poker game or other card games. No such games are known to be structured in game play or in Internet or other virtual means to set forth the same, and there is need for such presentation and promulgation of the probability factors. In fact, it is foreseeable that governmental bodies may soon require such probability data to be made available in game formats as a condition of governmental sanction at all levels of government.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

The following are objects of the subject invention:
It is an object of the subject system to provide means to facilitate a fair and equitable method of producing card games on the Internet or at localized game stations for competitive play.
It is also an object of the subject invention to provide an improved means to maximize the equities in the play of poker games in an on-line Internet setting.
A further object of the subject invention is to provide an improved method to provide on-line card games, including Poker games and other card games.
Yet, another aspect of the subject invention is to provide an improved system for competitive card game play using existing computer-based on-line means with pre-formatted on-line Poker games or other card games.
Moreover, it is an object of this invention to provide a means that can be used on the Internet to provide on-line competitive card playing.
It is an object of the subject invention to provide an improved on-line system for a competitive Poker game or other similar card games utilizing a computer generated game format at a game station.
Another object of the subject invention is to provide an improved method for providing an on-line or game station based Poker game in the format of a poker game referred to as “Texas Holdem”, which includes a computerized database of all documents that have been previously available or used for existing clients in order to facilitate their ability to play such games at a given time.
Still another object is to provide computer based methodology combined with the Internet to process a Poker game between the house, the Internet game provider and the individual player or players.
Yet another object of the subject invention is to provide a computer generated poker game format that is equitable to the individual player and provides some means to apprise the player of the approximate probability factors involved at any given stage for obtaining a prevailing hand or any type of hand.
Other and further objects of the subject invention will become apparent from reading the description taken in conjunction with the claims.
It also is a general object of the present invention to provide a rapid and high odds casino type wagering card game where reasonably low ranked hands can be accompanied with reasonable pay-out odds.

DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a computer screen view of the play action in the subject invention at stage one.

FIG. 2 is a computer screen view of the play action in the subject invention at stage two.

FIG. 3 is a computer screen view of the play action in the subject invention at stage three.

FIG. 4 is a computer screen view of the play action in the subject invention at stage four.

FIG. 5 is a computer screen view of the play action in the subject invention at stage five.

FIG. 6 is a computer screen view of the play action in the subject invention at stage six.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing all of the processes which are utilized to generate the subject game in the overall system.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The subject invention comprises a computer generated format means for a computer-based Poker game such as a poker game referred to a Texas Hold or other similar card game involving a single player from any of various dispersed locations participating in a card game, along with a plurality of virtual players, or with the simultaneous real time participation of other actual players, in which standard gaming formats is set forth with an instant play having be automatically generated minimal betting formats, such games being available on the Internet or at specifically located game unit consoles, or otherwise based for access to play.
The subject invention is generally based on a casino game comprising one or more decks of standard playing cards and a layout which designates a first area for placing of community cards and a second area composed of a plurality of betting areas, which can be formatted and processed using a computer program and usually represented at its various stages on a computer display screen. The object of the game is to achieve a potentially winning poker hand comprised of a five card array as being comprised of the player's individual cards, in conjunction with any three of the community cards. The game equipment is based on a single deck of fifty-two conventional playing cards and a layout spread that highlights the betting zones and card displays on a video screen. It is to be noted that the inventive concepts herein are not limited to a deck of fifty-two cards, but may comprise any number of cards, and the poker hand need not be limited to five cards, as the hands may be more or less than five cards.
In the subject game, based on a specific format, the card game known as Texas Holdem, as an example of one of many card games that can be used in the subject invention. Individual players can play in competition against either the house or with each other, or as a sole player, with the opportunity to increase the wager at various key intervals in the game play using the following steps:
1. Initially the participating players or player pays an ante to play the game, that is to start the game.
2. As the next step, a deck of cards comprised of the standard fifty-two card deck, with thirteen cards for each of the four suits, namely hearts, diamonds, clubs, and spades is made available in the computer program for the subject game, and from this deck of fifty-two cards the virtual cards are randomly arrayed in the computer program as if they had been properly interspersed for a random distribution of the cards, as if they were shuffled as an actual deck of cards, and thus placed randomly virtually in the available deck in the computer program as consummated in the Central Processing Unit of the base computer.
3. As the next step in the program sequence, cards are dealt in a programmatic manner from the random array of the cards as randomly arrayed in such virtual setting in the computer program. In the usual sequential order the deal is first made as one card to each of the players, including the sole individual player and additional fictitious or virtual players, and thence another card is dealt to the players separately as before, with a total of two cards being dealt to the individual players, and in sequence is compliant with the usual practice that the players' cards are dealt, either virtually or actually. This sequence may not be followed precisely as stated above, so long as the cards that are dealt in a random order from a random array of the actual or virtual cards. More particularly, as stated above, the computer program uses a random number generator to stack the cards in a random assemblage. For this purpose each of the numbered cards such as two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, or ten are assigned their face equivalent numbers from the random number generator with the Jack having an eleven designation, the Queen a twelve designation, the King a thirteen designation, and the Ace a fourteen designation. Each card suit is given a prefix number to further this purpose, such as a prefix of two for hearts, three for spades, four for diamonds, and five for clubs. Thus, as an example, the Jack of clubs would be assigned a designated number 511 in the random number generator format. This particular assignation of numbers is only relevant to the process of generating a random array of cards and is not used for any other purpose. In this process the players, including the fictitious or virtual players are assured of an unbiased dealing process. Further in this initial draw, two cards dealt to each virtual player, as opposed to the actual player, are dealt and displayed face-down as represented on the display screen so that the actual player is unaware of the cards dealt or assigned to the virtual players, while the actual player's cards are dealt face-up for immediate and constant viewability on the display screen during game play.
4. Once the actual player can see his two cards and thus knowing their potential values from a poker perspective, a betting interval arises, and the actual player can bet solely on the force of his two cards, not knowing what the community cards are or what the other players have in their hands. In other forms of the game, the betting does not commence until the initial array of the community cards is dealt and displayed.
5. The next step in the process is for the computer program to deal or assign the initial array of community cards namely three cards. The first step is the revelation of three community cards as shown on the display screen, as arbitrarily placed on such screen. In this position on the screen, the three community cards initially revealed are commonly referred to in poker genre as the flop.
6. Once the initial deal is made of the three community cards as outlined in the above steps, the actual player, when viewing the screen, can now assess his own two cards, as shown on the screen, and concurrently the actual player can observe the three community cards displayed. In overviewing the two cards in the actual player's hand in conjunction with the three community cards, the player can assess the strength of a five card poker hand using a combination of his two cards and the three community cards. At this point the program will generate a standard or automatic bet amount shown on a visual indicator on the screen as the “current bet”, the minimum additional bet to stay in the game. The actual player can increase the minimum bet up to any predetermined or limited or yet unlimited amount, depending on the game format. However, the minimum bet amount must be tendered in order to remain in the game. Alternately, the player can elect to fold and leave the game at this juncture of the game.
7. If the player remains in the game, the next sequential step generated by the master software program is to deal, in a virtual sense, an additional or fourth community card and thus reveal on the screen such additional community card as displayed in the community card position on the screen, generally aligned next to the three initial community cards. As indicated, this additional card provides a fourth card for the community card array, all openly displayed. At this point the actual player, upon seeing this fourth card, can further determine the additional viability, if any, of his hand for a five card array using any three of the four displayed community cards along with his two cards. Again at this point, the player can fold by pressing the fold indicator and the game terminates. Once the fold indicator has been activated the game is terminated in the computer programming sequence. If the player elects to stay in the game and at least comply with the minimum betting requirements, he will press the bet indicator at the new minimum bet amount which is automatically increased through the computer program to a new level. Additionally at this point, the player can opt to increase the bet by pressing a bet increase indicator.
8. If the actual player stays in the game by complying with the above mentioned betting requirements then the game progresses to the next level, and at final community card, commonly referred to as the river, is dealt and displayed at the community card display position for a total of five community cards.
9. At this latter juncture with five community cards now displayed, the actual player can elect to exit the game based on an assessment of his or her two cards in conjunction with any three of the five community cards displayed, but not knowing up to this point what two cards are dealt to each of the other virtual players, who are passively involved in the game format. With the new minimum bet amount set, as stated, an automatic amount generated through the computer program, the player can elect to fold, and the game is stopped. If the player elects to stay, he can upon seeing the fifth community card elect to play at the minimum bet or increase the bet, as based on what the actual player perceives as his chances as a winning poker hand versus the unknown hands of the fictitious players, again using his two displayed cards in conjunction with any three of the community cards.
10. At this point, if the player elects to stay in the game after the fifth community card has been dealt, the computer program will reveal on the display screen the face sides of the two cards of each of the virtual or fictitious players to allow the actual player to see the other players' competitive cards vis-a-vis the community cards.
11. The ensuing step in the program sequence in the Central Processing Unit, is to compare the value of the respective hands of the four fictitious players or whatever number of fictitious players verses the actual player using a valuation process that compares the hierarchy of hands. If a hand of a fictitious player has a higher value than that of the actual player, the actual player loses the game. On the other hand, if the actual player's hand is of a higher value than those of the hands of the virtual players, the actual player wins and collects the bet. In some game formats a system of lesser or reduced winnings could be implemented if the actual player's hand places second or third or whatever place deemed feasible under the circumstances.
12. As a final step the actual player may cash out his winnings on the game or elect to retain a credit for further game play.
Stated alternatively, the game play format in a Texas Holdem poker game, using a computer-generated format for a means to play such game, can include the following steps more simply stated as follows:

- a) Game display screen shows a plurality of virtual players and an actual player with two cards on the screen, face-down for each virtual player, and the cards face-up for the actual player, although more or less cards can be dealt to the virtual and actual players.
- b) The actual game player has two cards dealt face-up on the screen.
- c) The total initial bet can be any predetermined amount to start the game play.
- d) The actual player starts the game with a stated credit ante, which is mandatory to start the game play.
- e) The actual player can fold or bet to see the three card flop, or as stated otherwise the three initial community cards.
- f) The actual player has the option to fold or bet at least the minimum amount to observe the turn card dealt, that is the fourth community card.
- g) The actual player can elect to fold or bet further to see the river card dealt, that is the fifth community card.
- h) All cards of each of the virtual players are revealed at the time of a fold or after the community cards are dealt.
- i) Once the actual player folds and all the players' cards are revealed, if the actual player's cards show that he would have won the hand, the actual player could be credited back his credits played.
- j) Awards are based on a Poker Pay Table or the recognized schedule, and a Royal flush hand could pay a Maximum of 4,000 credits, more or less, as desired, and downwardly for other potential poker hands.

In this version of Texas Holdem Poker the game is formatted on a video screen so it may represent approximately a game board on which cards are laid as dealt, as is commonly used in casinos, with the game board layout being marked out with an area constituted by at least two or more areas, in the form of one or more geometric shapes, situated directly in front of the dealer, such demarcated areas being so structured and optimally located for placing the community cards. The other areas of the virtual board layout on the display screen comprise predetermined areas to lay the cards for the fictitious players face-down and the cards of the actual player face-up, in addition to signaling indicators for betting, for folding, or commencement of play, among other signaling indicators.
The subject invention may also include a menu and format for other similar card games involving a single player or a plurality of players from various dispersed locations all participating in a single card game, in which standard gaming formats are set forth on a menu, such menu providing the user a series of potential card games for instant play which can be used as a base guide for the player, with such menu having accompanying descriptive means on how to participate in a given game in real time between actual players participating separately from different sites, or playing such card games as the only actual player against the house, with or without competing virtual or actual players.
In the main or specifically directed game format and for other game formats herein, it is noted that the following characteristics could optionally apply:
1. It can be menu-driven in that the participant can make a choice from a menu of various card games displayed on the screen, with the menu setting forth instructions to enable the participant to select a particular game mode, utilizing the screen instructions.
2. The program menu could optionally incorporate an ongoing variable, which is the program may be designated as R (for a file number on a particular client, subject, etc.) which remains in the program memory until another variable is entered or the processing program is exited or erased for that participant. The persistence of this variable R permits an individual participant to continue play of one or more games and be provided quick eligibility or credit, in some circumstances, to gain access to an on-line game, once so previously registered, with a preplayed game preference ready at hand at the participant's discretion. This variable serves as a base for all future Internet or game site gameplay for such new client, including for such new client all documented information ready at hand in the software program with the headings and designation of the client's history and game preferences, as well as betting preference. In some instances certain incentives may optionally be made available to a previous player for his or her total history of participation, or maintained for overall comparison of winning percentages compared to other participants, as seen in video game play in some circumstances.
3. The program could also optionally incorporate a database for a multiple number of card game categories which can instantly be displayed to give the player an overview of games that are available in the system, along with the probability factors involved with each game.
4. At the inception of a game entry, the program creates additional files in addition to the database, to generate at the participants request the rules and instruction for any type of game play, so that a player who may elect to play different games, will be able to peruse a display for any given game all the applicable rules, procedures, and odds for a given game play. It is anticipated in this latter regard that eventually governmental regulations will require the display of rules, procedures, and betting odds as to all Internet and game station play. The software program could automatically display such data for a minimum time period and the participant will mark or enter a symbol indicating he or she has read the instructions. Until so, there could be an option to forestall game play until such instructions and probability schedules for a given game are read and indicated so in the programming format.
5. A given game program could optionally track the participants play, and may be equipped to provide probability data at any given stage of the game as to chance or chances of drawing certain cards, and other relevant probability data to determine his or her chances of prevailing hand or continued play, however, such probability factors would not be based on cards dealt to other players or actual or real.
6. Since all gaming actions are automatically saved by the appending process, the player does not need to record copies of his gaming wins or losses.
This new method of equalizing in dealer-player advantages is, to the inventor's knowledge, somewhat original. In all games that are fair, there are reciprocal opportunities, or advantages, for both a player and an opponent. However, this invention is novel in that the player is given a unique advantage early in the game to understand the rules and risks, and this advantage gives the player an intelligent perspective on the game play. Then later in the game, the player is also granted a unique advantage which gives the player the ongoing odds or probability of prevailing as each additional card is dealt. As will be shown, this method provides the basis for a plurality of embodiments of a new and useful card game providing the player the knowledge and insight to the games variables and courses.
Future Game Options should be build in so any one or all of the 4 players can push all, which would give another dimension to the game making the live player make a decision to stay with their hand or fold.
As an overview of the game features, the following advantages and considerations are important to state and understand.

1. Texas Holdem (TM) will pay back approximately 88-94% to the player.
2. Prizes are awarded based on the result of the Bingo Game being played.
3 Players have the option to play 1 to 4 credits.
4. The ball draw contains 75 numbers.
5. Pay Cards a representation of the result of each bingo card result.
6. Players must achieve or cover at least one different preset bingo pattern to win an interim prize.
7. Game Warrior (TM) is a multi-denominational playform allowing the player to choose bets in increments of 1¢, 2¢, 5¢, 10¢, 25¢, 50¢, $1, $5, $10 or $20, depending upon availability settings specified by the casino.
8. Maximum bet per pay Card if 4 credits/Card.
9. Players can only win an interim prize if they bingo on the first 31 balls drawn.
10. If only one player has entered in for the game. The system will wait 7 seconds for additional players.
11. If no additional players join the wager is returned back to the player.
12. The ball draw continues which can draw up to 75 balls, will continue to be drawn until the End of Game Pattern (EGP) is achieved.
13. This will close the current game.
14. If a player achieves the EGP with the first 3 balls drawn a award of 1000 credits will be given, otherwise the eGP pattern awards a 1¢, one cent, “MUST GO”
15. If the player Folds at any time and had the winning bingo card they receive an even amount back

How to Play

Bill acceptor accepts $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100 dollar bills.
Player inserts bills.
Player picks the amount he/she wishes to bet per credit (5¢, 10¢, 25¢ or $1.00)

Description of Specific Embodiments of the Subject Invention

In describing a specific embodiment, herein, as stated in the discussion of the general embodiment and summary of the invention, the application of the procedures herein is substantially focused on a card game played in the context of an Internet-based operation of a card game or at an isolated game station, or other areas directly or indirectly related to legal activities such as court proceedings leading to generation of many card games. Thus, as indicated previously herein, the initial and basic focus on specific embodiments of the subject invention is not to be construed as limiting the scope of the subject invention as set forth in the claims.
The subject invention comprises a computer generated format means for a computer-based Poker game such as a poker game referred to a Texas Hold or other similar card game involving a single player from any of various dispersed locations participating in a card game, along with a plurality of virtual players, or with the simultaneous real time participation of other actual players, in which standard gaming formats is set forth with an instant play having be automatically generated minimal betting formats, such games being available on the Internet or at specifically located game unit consoles, or otherwise based for access to play.
The subject invention is generally based on a casino game comprising one or more decks of standard playing cards and a layout which designates a first area for placing of community cards and a second area composed of a plurality of betting areas, which can be formatted and processed using a computer program and usually represented at its various stages on a computer display screen. The object of the game is to achieve a potentially winning poker hand comprised of a five card array as being comprised of the player's individual cards, in conjunction with any three of the community cards. The game equipment is based on a single deck of fifty-two conventional playing cards and a layout spread that highlights the betting zones and card displays on a video screen. It is to be noted that the inventive concepts herein are not limited to a deck of fifty-two cards, but may comprise any number of cards, and the poker hand need not be limited to five cards, as the hands may be more or less than five cards.
In the subject game, based on a specific format, the card game known as Texas Holdem, as an example of one of many card games that can be used in the subject invention. Individual players can play in competition against either the house or with each other, or as a sole player, with the opportunity to increase the wager at various key intervals in the game play using the following steps:
1. Initially the participating players or player pays an ante to play the game, that is to start the game.
2. As the next step, a deck of cards comprised of the standard fifty-two card deck, with thirteen cards for each of the four suits, namely hearts, diamonds, clubs, and spades is made available in the computer program for the subject game, and from this deck of fifty-two cards the virtual cards are randomly arrayed in the computer program as if they had been properly interspersed for a random distribution of the cards, as if they were shuffled as an actual deck of cards, and thus placed randomly virtually in the available deck in the computer program as consummated in the Central Processing Unit of the base computer.
3. As the next step in the program sequence, cards are dealt in a programmatic manner from the random array of the cards as randomly arrayed in such virtual setting in the computer program. In the usual sequential order the deal is first made as one card to each of the players, including the sole individual player and additional fictitious or virtual players, and thence another card is dealt to the players separately as before, with a total of two cards being dealt to the individual players, and in sequence is compliant with the usual practice that the players' cards are dealt, either virtually or actually. This sequence may not be followed precisely as stated above, so long as the cards that are dealt in a random order from a random array of the actual or virtual cards. More particularly, as stated above, the computer program uses a random number generator to stack the cards in a random assemblage. For this purpose each of the numbered cards such as two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, or ten are assigned their face equivalent numbers from the random number generator with the Jack having an eleven designation, the Queen a twelve designation, the King a thirteen designation, and the Ace a fourteen designation. Each card suit is given a prefix number to further this purpose, such as a prefix of two for hearts, three for spades, four for diamonds, and five for clubs. Thus, as an example, the Jack of clubs would be assigned a designated number 511 in the random number generator format. This particular assignation of numbers is only relevant to the process of generating a random array of cards and is not used for any other purpose. In this process the players, including the fictitious or virtual players are assured of an unbiased dealing process. Further in this initial draw, two cards dealt to each virtual player, as opposed to the actual player, are dealt and displayed face-down as represented on the display screen so that the actual player is unaware of the cards dealt or assigned to the virtual players, while the actual player's cards are dealt face-up for immediate and constant viewability on the display screen during game play.
4. Once the actual player can see his two cards and thus knowing their potential values from a poker perspective, a betting interval arises, and the actual player can bet solely on the force of his two cards, not knowing what the community cards are or what the other players have in their hands. In other forms of the game, the betting does not commence until the initial array of the community cards is dealt and displayed.
5. The next step in the process is for the computer program to deal or assign the initial array of community cards namely three cards. The first step is the revelation of three community cards as shown on the display screen, as arbitrarily placed on such screen. In this position on the screen, the three community cards initially revealed are commonly referred to in poker genre as the flop.
6. Once the initial deal is made of the three community cards as outlined in the above steps, the actual player, when viewing the screen, can now assess his own two cards, as shown on the screen, and concurrently the actual player can observe the three community cards displayed. In overviewing the two cards in the actual player's hand in conjunction with the three community cards, the player can assess the strength of a five card poker hand using a combination of his two cards and the three community cards. At this point the program will generate a standard or automatic bet amount shown on a visual indicator on the screen as the “current bet”, the minimum additional bet to stay in the game. The actual player can increase the minimum bet up to any predetermined or limited or yet unlimited amount, depending on the game format. However, the minimum bet amount must be tendered in order to remain in the game. Alternately, the player can elect to fold and leave the game at this juncture of the game.
7. If the player remains in the game, the next sequential step generated by the master software program is to deal, in a virtual sense, an additional or fourth community card and thus reveal on the screen such additional community card as displayed in the community card position on the screen, generally aligned next to the three initial community cards. As indicated, this additional card provides a fourth card for the community card array, all openly displayed. At this point the actual player, upon seeing this fourth card, can further determine the additional viability, if any, of his hand for a five card array using any three of the four displayed community cards along with his two cards. Again at this point, the player can fold by pressing the fold indicator and the game terminates. Once the fold indicator has been activated the game is terminated in the computer programming sequence. If the player elects to stay in the game and at least comply with the minimum betting requirements, he will press the bet indicator at the new minimum bet amount which is automatically increased through the computer program to a new level. Additionally at this point, the player can opt to increase the bet by pressing a bet increase indicator.
8. If the actual player stays in the game by complying with the above mentioned betting requirements then the game progresses to the next level, and at final community card, commonly referred to as the river, is dealt and displayed at the community card display position for a total of five community cards.
9. At this latter juncture with five community cards now displayed, the actual player can elect to exit the game based on an assessment of his or her two cards in conjunction with any three of the five community cards displayed, but not knowing up to this point what two cards are dealt to each of the other virtual players, who are passively involved in the game format. With the new minimum bet amount set, as stated, an automatic amount generated through the computer program, the player can elect to fold, and the game is stopped. If the player elects to stay, he can upon seeing the fifth community card elect to play at the minimum bet or increase the bet, as based on what the actual player perceives as his chances as a winning poker hand versus the unknown hands of the fictitious players, again using his two displayed cards in conjunction with any three of the community cards.
10. At this point, if the player elects to stay in the game after the fifth community card has been dealt, the computer program will reveal on the display screen the face sides of the two cards of each of the virtual or fictitious players to allow the actual player to see the other players' competitive cards vis-a-vis the community cards.
11. The ensuing step in the program sequence in the Central Processing Unit, is to compare the value of the respective hands of the four fictitious players or whatever number of fictitious players verses the actual player using a valuation process that compares the hierarchy of hands. If a hand of a fictitious player has a higher value than that of the actual player, the actual player loses the game. On the other hand, if the actual player's hand is of a higher value than those of the hands of the virtual players, the actual player wins and collects the bet. In some game formats a system of lesser or reduced winnings could be implemented if the actual player's hand places second or third or whatever place deemed feasible under the circumstances.
12. As a final step the actual player may cash out his winnings on the game or elect to retain a credit for further game play.
Stated alternatively, the game play format in a Texas Holdem poker game, using a computer-generated format for a means to play such game, can include the following steps more simply stated as follows:

1. Texas Holdem (TM) will pay back approximately 88-94% to the player.
2. Prizes are awarded based on the result of the Bingo Game being played.
3. Players have the option to play 1 to 4 credits.
4. The ball draw contains 75 numbers.
5. Pay Cards a representation of the result of each bingo card result.
6. Players must achieve or cover at least one different preset bingo pattern to win an interim prize.
7. Game Warrior (TM) is a multi-denominational playform allowing the player to choose bets in increments of 1¢, 2¢, 5¢, 10¢, 25¢, 50¢, $1, $5, $10 or $20, depending upon availability settings specified by the casino.
8. Maximum bet per pay Card if 4 credits/Card.
9. Players can only win an interim prize if they bingo on the first 31 balls drawn.
10. If only one player has entered in for the game. The system will wait 7 seconds for additional players.
11. If no additional players join the wager is returned back to the player.
12. The ball draw continues which can draw up to 75 balls, will continue to be drawn until the End of Game Pattern (EGP) is achieved.
13. This will close the current game.
14. If a player achieves the EGP with the first 3 balls drawn a award of 1000 credits will be given, otherwise the eGP pattern awards a 1¢, one cent, “MUST GO”
15. If the player Folds at any time and had the winning bingo card they receive an even amount back

How to Play

Alternatively and more specifically delineated, the subject invention comprises a means for an on-line Poker game or other similar card game involving a plurality of players from various dispersed locations all participating in a single card game, in which standard gaming formats are set forth on a menu, such menu providing the user a series of potential card games for instant play which can be used as a base guide for the player, with such menu having accompanying descriptive means on how to participate in a given game.
In this system the general format in one specific embodiment provides the following general steps which steps can vary from that set forth to include some or less than all the steps set forth or more than all the steps set forth;
1. Initially the participating players or player pays an ante to play the game, that is to start the game.
2. As the next step, a deck of cards comprised of the standard fifty-two card deck, with thirteen cards for each of the four suits, namely hearts, diamonds, clubs, and spades is made available in the computer program for the subject game, and from this deck of fifty-two cards the virtual cards are randomly arrayed in the computer program as if properly interspersed for a random distribution of the cards, and as if they were shuffled as an actual deck of cards and thus placed randomly in the available deck, all as consummated in the Central Processing Unit.
3. As the next step in the program sequence whether played on the Internet or a game station, cards are dealt in a programmatic manner from the random array of the cards from the computer unit 10 using the display screen 20. In the usual sequential order the deal is one card to each of the players, including the sole individual player and additional fictitious or virtual players, shown as 120, 130, 140, and 150 in the drawings, and thence another card is dealt to the players separately as before, with a total of two cards being dealt to the individual players, and in this sequence it is usual practical manner that the players' cards are dealt, either virtually or actually. This sequence may not be followed precisely as stated above so long as the cards that are dealt in a random order from a random array of the actual or virtual cards 30. More particularly, the computer program uses a random number generator 40 to stack the cards in a random assemblage. For this purpose each of the numbered cards such as two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, or ten are assigned equivalent numbers from the random number generator with the Jack being eleven designation, the Queen a twelve designation, the King a thirteen designation, and the Ace a fourteen designation. Each card suit is given a prefix number to further this purpose, such as a prefix of two for hearts, three for spades, four for diamonds, and five for clubs, as an example, so that the Jack of clubs would be assigned a number 511 in the random number generator format 66. This assignation of numbers is only relevant to the process of generating a random array of cards. In this process the players, including the actual player 100 and fictitious or virtual players 110, 120, 130, and 140 are assured of an unbiased dealing process. Further in this initial draw, two cards are dealt to each virtual player 110, 120, 130, and 140 are dealt and displayed face-down as represented on the display screen so that the actual player 100 is unaware of the cards dealt or assigned to the virtual players, while the actual player's cards are dealt face-up for immediate and constant viewability during game play.
4. Once the actual player 100 can see his two cards, a betting interval arises, and the actual player can bet solely on the force of his two cards, not knowing what the community cards 160 are or what the other players have in their hands. In other forms of the game, the betting does not commence until the initial array of the community cards 160 is displayed.
5. The next step in the process is for the computer program to deal or assign the initial array of community cards namely three cards. The first step is the revelation of three of the community cards 70 as shown on the display screen, 20, as arbitrarily placed on such screen at positions 200, 210, 220, 230, and 250 at overall community card position 260. In the position 260 on the screen 20, the initial three community cards revealed are commonly referred to in poker genre as the flop.
6. Once the initial deal is made of the three community cards as outlined in the above steps, the actual player 100, when viewing the screen, can now assess his own two cards, as shown on the screen at position 80, and concurrently the actual player 100 can observe the three community cards displayed at screen position 260. In overviewing the two player cards in conjunction with the three community cards, the player 100 can assess the strength of a five card poker hand for the player using a combination of his or her two cards and the three community cards. At this point the program will generate a standard or automatic bet amount shown on a visual indicator 300 on the screen denoted as the “current bet”, the minimum additional bet to stay in the game. Shown in the drawings at FIG. 2, the display screen has a minimum bet indicator of 310, which represents a minimum bet of a predetermined amount. The actual player 100 can increase the minimum bet up to any predetermined or limited or yet unlimited amount, depending on the game format. However, the minimum bet amount must be tendered in order to remain in the game at any given point. Alternately, the player can elect to fold and leave the game by activating the “fold” or game termination button 325.
7. If the player remains in the game, the next sequential step generated by the master software program is to “deal” in a virtual sense an additional community card at position 230 and thus reveal on the screen 60 such additional community card as displayed in the community card position on the screen, generally aligned next to the three initial community cards. This additional card will provide a fourth card for the community card array, all openly displayed. At this point the actual player, upon seeing this fourth card, can further determine the additional viability, if any, of his hand for a five card array using any three of the four displayed community cards along with his two cards at position 210, 220, 230, 240. Again at this point, the player can fold by pressing the fold indicator signaling button 325. Once the fold indicator button 325 has been activated the game is terminated as seen by step 435 in FIG. 1 in the computer programming sequence. If the player elects to stay in the game and at least comply with the minimum betting requirements, he will press the bet indicator 310 at the new minimum bet amount which is automatically increased through the computer program to a new level. Additionally at this point, the player can opt to increase the bet by pressing a bet increase indicator button 355.
8. If the player 100 stays in the game by complying with the above mentioned betting requirements then the game progresses to the next level, and at final community card, commonly referred to as the “river”, is “dealt” at location 250 and displayed at the community card display position 260 for a total of five community cards.
9. At this latter juncture with five community cards now displayed, the actual player 100 can elect to exit the game based on an assessment of his or her two cards in conjunction with any three of the five community cards displayed, but not knowing up to this point what two cards are dealt to each of the other virtual players 110, 120, 130, and 140. With the new minimum bet amount set, as stated, to an automatic amount generated through the computer program as step 410 as seen in FIG. 1, the player can elect to fold, and the game is stopped as seen in step 420 in FIG. 1. If the actual player 100 elects to stay, he or she can upon seeing the fifth community card elect to play at the minimum bet or increase the bet, as based on what the play perceives as his chances as a winning poker hand versus the unknown hands of the fictitious players 110, 120, 130, and 140, again using his two displayed cards in conjunction with any three of the community cards.
10. At this point, if the actual player 100 elects to stay in the game after the fifth community card has been dealt, the computer program will reveal on the display screen the face sides of the two cards of each of the virtual or fictitious players 110, 120, 130, 140 to allow the actual player 100 to see the other players' competitive cards, vis-a-vis the community cards at screen positions 210, 220, 230, 240, and 250.
11. The ensuing step in the program sequence 440 in the Central Processing Unit, is to compare the value of the respective hands of the four fictitious players or whatever number of fictitious players verses the actual player using a valuation process that compares the hierarchy of hands. If a hand of a fictitious player 110, 120, 130, 140 has a higher value than that of the actual player 100, the actual player loses. On the other hand, if the actual player's hand is of a higher value than those of the hands of the virtual players, the actual player wins and collects the total accrued pot.
12. As a final step the actual player may cash out his winnings on the game or elect to retain a credit for further game play, as seen in step 460 in the program sequence shown in FIG. 1.
Set forth below are software and hardware aspects for implementation of the subject invention:
1. It is menu-driven in that the participant can make a choice from a menu of various card games displayed on the display screen 20, with the menu 60 setting forth instructions to enable the participant to select a particular game mode, utilizing the keyboard.
2. The program menu 600 incorporates an ongoing variable, the program designated as R (for a file number on a particular client, subject, etc.) which remains in the program memory until another variable is entered or the processing program is exited. The persistence of this variable R permits an individual participant to be automatically or quickly eligible to gain access to an on-line game, once so previously registered, with the preplay game at the participant's discretion. This variable serves as a base for all future Internet gameplay for such a new client, including for such new client having all such documents ready at hand in the software program with the headings and designation of the client's history and game preferences.
3. The program 15 incorporates a database for a multiple number of card game categories which can instantly be displayed.
4. At the inception of a game entry, computer program step 400, the program creates additional files in addition to the database, to generate at the participants request the rules and instruction bor any type of game play, so that the user who may elect to play different games will be able to peruse a display for any given game all the applicable rules, procedures, and odds for a given game play. It is anticipated in this latter regard that eventually governmental regulations will require the display of rules, procedures, and odds as all Internet gaming. The software program will automatically display such data for a minimum time period and the participant will mark or enter a symbol indicating he or she has read the instructions. Until so, there will be no game play.
5. A given game program will or can track the participants on game total wins and losses, and may optionally provide probability data at any given stage of the game as to chance of drawing certain cards, the probability of certain cards in the opponents hands and other relevant probability data.
6. Since all gaming actions are automatically saved by the appending process, the player does not need to retain copies of his gaming wins or losses. Moreover, some of the following aspects could optionally be used in game play:
(a) cards can be dealt in succession reducing the time involved in dealing the cards;
(b) fewer community cards can be used instead of five, reducing the number of cards in play to expedite game play, or more cards than five can be used to increase in some instances the odds for a player;
(c) no antes are required that reduce a player's chances when low value hands are dealt in the process;
(d) all poker hands dealt remain live and in action at the most optimal pay-out odds the present invention has to offer, unless players choose to draw to improve their hands in multiple player games;
(e) a premium high odds side bet for low ranked hands can be an alternative in the present invention allowing players a chance to recover their loss wagers;
(f) players could be allowed to improve dealt hands by playing a draw bet equal to their initial bet.
To implement the program base in this invention, set forth below is a computer program step format, among other possible formats:

A. Action to activate game in window (Step 400 in the computer program shown in FIG. 1).
B. Activate screen (Step 405).
C. Create a game draw by a random number generator (Step 410).
D. Register initial ante (Step 420).
E. Deal initial two cards face-down to each virtual player and face-up to actual player (Step 425).
F. Deal three random cards for community cards (Step 430).
G. Register new bet (Step 440).
H. Close game if no new bet or fold (Step 445).
I. If minimum bet met, deal fourth community card (Step 450).
J. Register new bet (Step 455).
K. If minimum bet met or increase bet anted, deal fifth and final community card (Step 460).
L. If minimum bet met, game stays open, step 463. If not or fold, close game (Step 465).
M. If minimum bet met, reveal face cards on screen of four virtual players (Step 470).
N. Compare hand values through comparator (Step 475).
O. Select winning hand among actual or virtual players, step 480.

Some of the choices from the menu lead to sub-menus and some of them initiate other subsidiary processes. This menu 600, as are all of the sub-menus 610A, 610B, 610C in a computer software system and other menu choices are macros, which operate when the user presses the alphabetic key corresponding to the menu choice. In all of the sub-menus 610A, 610B, 610C except the Main Menu, selecting the choice for a game will run this giving the user the same screen as is displayed by typing Control-M. Most of the final game choices (in the final sub-menus) will result in the program performing a merger function, usually merging or substituting a new game.
The choices elaborated just above perform the following tasks which are followed with the numbers in parentheses which correspond to the numbers set forth in the computer software as seen in the flow chart at FIG. 1, as more fully stated below.
A. Runs a macro operation which calls up a menu called MenuAction. This menu permits the player to perform a variety of tasks.
B. Runs a macro operation called GameChoice.
C. A method of betting, whether arithmetic or geometric or automatic, at which time the menus disappear and a dialogue box appears requesting the player to enter a game choice betting method, which becomes a persistent variable XY. This macro operation pauses for the user to enter the data for that specific case, and afterwards saves that data file as XYN; and also creates a file called Player Preference, which can utilize a better code for ease of entry into the game. The XYN is a mere data file, and the other files created for this stated purpose.
D. The system can operate yet another macro operation referred to as a probability generator which calculates a probability factor for having a prevailing hand based on the cards given to the players and on the three community cards initially dealt. After three community cards are dealt and the next community card is dealt, the probability for a prevailing hand will then be calculated and displayed based on the cards of player 100 and the five community cards, but not those of the virtual players 110, 120, 130, 140.
In another embodiment of the subject invention, the general procedure could focus on a method of playing a poker-type card game as disclosed, comprising, in combination the steps of dealing an initial arrayed number of cards, identifying a first subgroup of the initial predetermined number of cards having a relatively high poker value as compared to a remaining number of the initial arrayed number of cards not in the first group, assigning the first group having a greater poker rank to a dealer as a dealer hand of the dealer dealing or providing the remaining number of the initial arrayed number of cards not provided in the first group to at least one actual player as an initial player hand, dealing a set number of cards to the dealer to consummate the dealer's hand, dealing a set number of cards to the at least one or more player to complete each of such others hands, and granting a set poker advantage to the arrayed number of cards so dealt to the at least one player to complete each the at least one player hand relative to the set number of cards dealt to the dealer to complete the dealer hand, wherein the poker hierarchy will be at a minimum one of a greater number of cards, cards having a higher poker hierarchy, and the at least one player having a selection choice of the cards, and thence comparing the completed poker hand value of the final dealer hand with the final poker hands ranking each the final player hands of each other player, and determining as a winning hand between the dealer hand and each the other player's hand that has the best poker value.
In yet another embodiment of the subject invention, the system includes a method of playing a poker-type card game as disclosed, comprising, in combination the steps of dealing an initial set number of cards, identifying an initial group of the set number of cards having a high poker ranking as compared to the other number of the set number of cards not in the initial group, assigning the initial group having a poker ranking to one player as a first player hand, assigning the remaining number of the set number of cards not the in the first group to a dealer as a base dealer hand, and providing a set number of cards to the dealer to consummate the dealer's hand, and providing a calculated poker advantage to the number of cards to the dealer, conveying a calculated poker advantage to the set number of cards dealt to the dealer to complete the dealer's hand relative to the set number of cards dealt to the at least one or more players to complete each of the at least one player hand, wherein the poker ranking odds being set for all players' cards.
In still another embodiment of the present invention, a poker-type card game table, in real or virtual representation, comprising, in combination a table surface having a community card designation to receive at least one community card and at least one playing card for a player, and a plurality of individual betting locations located proximate an outer perimeter of the game table representation, each of the individual betting locations having: an ante wagering area designated signal for wagering a first amount, a bet wagering area designated for wagering a second amount or increased bet that an ambient or completed player hand is demonstrated, and a raise wagering area designated for wagering a third amount that a completed player hand will have a higher poker value than a completed dealer hand.
In still another object and embodiment of this invention is to provide a new game format that overcomes the inherent disadvantages of existing house-banked poker games. This object is fulfilled by providing an on-going display at each step of the game on a subpart of the display screen 20 which displays the potential odds at any given point of drawing a given type of poker hand based on the status of revealed cards only. Thus for example, the computer program would generate a probability percentage or odds of drawing a poker hand of a pair or two pairs, three of a kind, etc so that the player 100 would understand the odds at any given point of the game. This aspect is anticipated to be government directed in the future where the computer program would generate a summary of the game rules and procedures for playing a game, all displayed on the screen at the beginning of play.
With this latter embodiment and the approach therein, an actual player can improve his chances of winning and minimize his losses when such information has been made known. Specifically, the expert strategy win frequency for the basic bet in “Double Down Stud” is 33%, “Caribbean Stud” is 37% and “Let It Ride” is 24%. The win frequency for the “Three Card Poker” Pair Plus wager is 26% and the Ante/Play wager is 45%. These rates can be improved upon using the information of this system, about game rules as well as the ongoing probability factors.
Since a player's decision whether to place the optional second or additional wagers requires a degree of skill. This skill requirement will be enhanced by such information and will attract players who enjoy games containing player decisions. These players normally wager on blackjack, table poker or sporting events, and require the player's judgmentally-based decisions that such wagers require, and the player can use such information to improve strategic decisions. Novice players can particularly use such information. The decisional strategy for this approach, such as draw poker, is necessary for such house-banked poker games such as “Double Down Stud”, “Let It Ride”, “Caribbean Stud” and “Three Card Poker” have relatively simple decisional strategies, however players are not apprised of the odds or probability factors in such games. Consequently, the probability data of this new game will attract another new group of players to such games on the web or on gaming machines and will help enhance the learning process for future playing such game with knowledgeable decision making.
In this latter respect, in a poker format, the mathematical probability of a five-card Royal Flush is, on average, one in 649,740 hands. Other poker hands have a higher win probability. However, these are subgroups of probability factors that lead to a final game result, such subgroup probability including chances of drawing a certain card or suit in a given draw or deal are examples of probability aspects for substeps in a poker game.
In another embodiment, each player is required to make an initial wager prior to the start of each hand of the poker-type game of the present invention. Preferably, this initial wager is split into two equal amounts know as “Ante” and “Bet” (See FIG. 1). Also preferably, each player is permitted, at the player's discretion, to make a second wager before or after the assignment of the initial cards into a dealer hand and player hand. This second wager, know as the “Raise” is preferably limited to one-half the amount of the first wager (or equal to the “Ante” or “Bet” portions), although it should be clearly understood that substantial benefit could be derived from an alternative embodiment of the poker-type card game of the present invention in which there is only a first wager and no second wager, or in which the second wager is not equal to one-half of the first wager, or in which additional wagers are allowed at various predetermined points in the game, or in which there is no wagering at all.
In embodiments of this invention, the poker value of the initial cards is determined by standard poker rules. If there are two initial player cards grouped into inclined players, then each hand is evaluated, preferably, by standard poker rules. For example, 1) any hand having a pair has a higher hand value than any hand having unmatched cards; 2) any hand having three of a kind has a higher hand value than any hand having a pair; 3) a hand having a pair of higher poker value (e.g., a pair of Queens) has a higher poker value than a hand having a pair of lower poker rank (e.g., a pair of 10's); 4) a hand having a higher three of a kind (e.g., three 9's) has a higher poker value than a hand having a lower three of a kind (e.g., three 5's); 5) when two hands have pairs of equal value then the hand having a higher third card is the hand with the higher poker rank; 6) two hands with three unmatched cards then the hand with the highest card has a higher poker rank: 7) a hand has three unmatched cards and the highest card of each hand is the same then the hand with the highest second card has a higher poker rank; and 8) if any hands have three unmatched cards and the two highest cards of each hand is the same then the hand with the highest third card has a higher poker rank.
In still another embodiment, after the dealer's hand has been completed, each player is then dealt a predetermined number of cards are dealt to complete the player's hand. In the preferred embodiment, the initial cards dealt are community cards to be used by all players whereas additional cards dealt to complete each player's hand are dealt individually to each player, although it should be clearly understood that substantial benefit could be derived from an alternative embodiment of the poker-type card game of the present invention in which both the initial cards and the completion cards for community cards to be used by all players, or in which both the initial cards and the completion cards are dealt individually to each player, or in which the initial cards are dealt individually to each player and the completion cards are community cards.
In another specific embodiment, each player is also allowed optionally to make a bonus bet in order to be eligible to receive a pre-determined bonus payout if the completed player hand (or the completed dealer hand) has a pre-determined poker value. As discussed above, a player could wager that his or her completed hand will be a Royal Flush, Straight Flush, Four of a Kind, etc.
Referring to FIG. 3, each of the individual betting locations on the display could have an “Ante” wagering area 700 designated for wagering on a player hand and a “Bet” wagering area 720 also designated for wagering on the player hand. A first wager can be split into two equal portions, one portion placed in the “Ante” wagering area 20 and the second portion placed in the “Bet” wagering area 722, although it should be clearly understood that substantial benefit could be derived from placing unequal amounts in the “Ante” wagering area 724 and the “Bet” wagering area 730. Each of the individual betting locations 740 further comprises a “Raise” betting area 748 designated for making a second wager amount on a player hand. Preferably, the “Raise” betting area 746 is limited to the amount placed in the either the “Ante” wagering area 746 or the “Bet wagering area 722 (i.e. preferably one-half of the total first wager amount). In the preferred embodiment, each of the individual betting locations 718 further comprises a “Plus” wagering area 758 designated for wagering that one of the player hand and the dealer hand will achieve a poker hand having a pre-determined poker value. Preferably, the poker-type card game table display utilizes a single deck of playing cards.
Although the descriptions above contain many details, these details should not be interpreted to limit the scope of the invention. Examples of broader applications of this invention include, but are not limited to, other styles of playing indicia, other types of gaming instruments such as dice, applications of the embodiments to video poker machines, video lottery terminals, commercial poker parlors, scratch off games, reel-type slot machines, internet gambling, bingo parlors and/or keno lounges, and casino blackjack-style tables using electronic displays of cards rather than actual playing cards.
While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
In a live table game or format otherwise as an alternative embodiment, the player makes an initial “ante” wager. The virtual dealer deals cards to the players and a community hand to be shared by all players to make the best five card Poker hand. The dealing may be according to any one of the following formats of Table 1:

TABLE 1

Format	Player's Cards	Community Cards

1	3 cards, face down	At least 3 cards face down
2	3 cards, face down	At least 3 cards, at least one
		face up
3	3 cards, some face-up,	At least 3 cards, at least one
	some face-down	face-up or all face-down

In this embodiment, at the start of each game all players can place bets of equal value in their respective Ante positions and also place bets of a equal value in a position. The Ante bets are against the house and pot bets are against other players, if other players play virtually or actually. Players can be dealt three cards and the dealer receives three cards (all three of which are face down). The three dealer's or house cards are community cards, referred to as the “flop” and complete each player's hand. At this stage the players at least know the identity of their respective three cards and have the option of continuing against the house and making a “Flop” bet based on the community cards in front of the dealer.
If a player decides not to make a “Flop” bet, he quits the game against the house surrendering his Ante bet, but continues the game against the other players based on his original “Pot” bet. If all players decide to not make “Flop” bets, they will each surrender thier respective Ante bets, but continue against the other players for the combined Pot bets. At this point the dealer will reveal the three “flop” community cards and each player has the ability to use two of the three community cards to make the best five card hand. The player with the best five card hand wins all combined original pot bets. In the event of players holding identical hands the combined “Pot” bets can be shared by the winning players.
If a player decides to make a flop bet, he places his flop bet in the community card position. This player is now playing against both the house and the other players. Against the house the player is placing both his “ante” bet and his “flop” bet, and the other players this player is placing his “pot” bet. At this point the dealer will reveal the three “flop” community cards and each player reveals his cards. Each player has the ability to use two of the three community cards to make the best possible five card hand. No matter how many cards constitute community cards or how many cards are dealt to each player, the players select five cards to make up their hands. Each player who continued against the house by placing a “flop” bet, will have his best five card hand compared to the house table winning schedule corresponding pay-offs schedule and probability factors. Each player having a losing hand against the house will forfeit his ante and flop bets. Each player having a winning hand against the house will receive pay table house odds for that player's flop bet. Once all wagers have been settled for each player, the Dealer can find the highest value five card poker hand among all players and award that player all combined original pot bets. In the event of players holding identical hands the combined Pot bets can be shared by the winning players.
Detailed descriptions of one or more preferred embodiments are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in any appropriate system, structure or manner.

Claims

1. A process of playing a poker-type card game comprising, in combination, the steps of:

a) Initially the participating players or player pays an ante to play the game, that is to start the game.

b) As the next step, a deck of cards comprised of the standard fifty-two card deck, with thirteen cards for each of the four suits, namely hearts, diamonds, clubs, and spades is made available in the computer program for the subject game, and from this deck of fifty-two cards the virtual cards are randomly arrayed in the computer program as if they had been properly interspersed for a random distribution of the cards, as if they were shuffled as an actual deck of cards, and thus placed randomly virtually in the available deck in the computer program as consummated in the Central Processing Unit of the base computer.

c) As the next step in the program sequence, cards are dealt in a programmatic manner from the random array of the cards as randomly arrayed in such virtual setting in the computer program. In the usual sequential order the deal is first made as one card to each of the players, including the sole individual player and additional fictitious or virtual players, and thence another card is dealt to the players separately as before, with a total of two cards being dealt to the individual players, and in sequence is compliant with the usual practice that the players' cards are dealt, either virtually or actually. This sequence may not be followed precisely as stated above, so long as the cards that are dealt in a random order from a random array of the actual or virtual cards. More particularly, as stated above, the computer program uses a random number generator to stack the cards in a random assemblage. For this purpose each of the numbered cards such as two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, or ten are assigned their face equivalent numbers from the random number generator with the Jack having an eleven designation, the Queen a twelve designation, the King a thirteen designation, and the Ace a fourteen designation. Each card suit is given a prefix number to further this purpose, such as a prefix of two for hearts, three for spades, four for diamonds, and five for clubs. Thus, as an example, the Jack of clubs would be assigned a designated number 511 in the random number generator format. This particular assignation of numbers is only relevant to the process of generating a random array of cards and is not used for any other purpose. In this process the players, including the fictitious or virtual players are assured of an unbiased dealing process. Further in this initial draw, two cards dealt to each virtual player, as opposed to the actual player, are dealt and displayed face-down as represented on the display screen so that the actual player is unaware of the cards dealt or assigned to the virtual players, while the actual player's cards are dealt face-up for immediate and constant viewability on the display screen during game play.

d) Once the actual player can see his two cards and thus knowing their potential values from a poker perspective, a betting interval arises, and the actual player can bet solely on the force of his two cards, not knowing what the community cards are or what the other players have in their hands. In other forms of the game, the betting does not commence until the initial array of the community cards is dealt and displayed.

e) The next step in the process is for the computer program to deal or assign the initial array of community cards namely three cards. The first step is the revelation of three community cards as shown on the display screen, as arbitrarily placed on such screen. In this position on the screen, the three community cards initially revealed are commonly referred to in poker genre as the flop.

f) Once the initial deal is made of the three community cards as outlined in the above steps, the actual player, when viewing the screen, can now assess his own two cards, as shown on the screen, and concurrently the actual player can observe the three community cards displayed. In overviewing the two cards in the actual player's hand in conjunction with the three community cards, the player can assess the strength of a five card poker hand using a combination of his two cards and the three community cards. At this point the program will generate a standard or automatic bet amount shown on a visual indicator on the screen as the “current bet”, the minimum additional bet to stay in the game. The actual player can increase the minimum bet up to any predetermined or limited or yet unlimited amount, depending on the game format. However, the minimum bet amount must be tendered in order to remain in the game. Alternately, the player can elect to fold and leave the game at this juncture of the game.

g) If the player remains in the game, the next sequential step generated by the master software program is to deal, in a virtual sense, an additional or fourth community card and thus reveal on the screen such additional community card as displayed in the community card position on the screen, generally aligned next to the three initial community cards. As indicated, this additional card provides a fourth card for the community card array, all openly displayed. At this point the actual player, upon seeing this fourth card, can further determine the additional viability, if any, of his hand for a five card array using any three of the four displayed community cards along with his two cards. Again at this point, the player can fold by pressing the fold indicator and the game terminates. Once the fold indicator has been activated the game is terminated in the computer programming sequence. If the player elects to stay in the game and at least comply with the minimum betting requirements, he will press the bet indicator at the new minimum bet amount which is automatically increased through the computer program to a new level. Additionally at this point, the player can opt to increase the bet by pressing a bet increase indicator.

h) If the actual player stays in the game by complying with the above mentioned betting requirements then the game progresses to the next level, and at final community card, commonly referred to as the river, is dealt and displayed at the community card display position for a total of five community cards.

i) At this latter juncture with five community cards now displayed, the actual player can elect to exit the game based on an assessment of his or her two cards in conjunction with any three of the five community cards displayed, but not knowing up to this point what two cards are dealt to each of the other virtual players, who are passively involved in the game format. With the new minimum bet amount set, as stated, an automatic amount generated through the computer program, the player can elect to fold, and the game is stopped. If the player elects to stay, he can upon seeing the fifth community card elect to play at the minimum bet or increase the bet, as based on what the actual player perceives as his chances as a winning poker hand versus the unknown hands of the fictitious players, again using his two displayed cards in conjunction with any three of the community cards.

j) At this point, if the player elects to stay in the game after the fifth community card has been dealt, the computer program will reveal on the display screen the face sides of the two cards of each of the virtual or fictitious players to allow the actual player to see the other players' competitive cards vis-a-vis the community cards.

k) The ensuing step in the program sequence in the Central Processing Unit, is to compare the value of the respective hands of the four fictitious players or whatever number of fictitious players verses the actual player using a valuation process that compares the hierarchy of hands. If a hand of a fictitious player has a higher value than that of the actual player, the actual player loses the game. On the other hand, if the actual player's hand is of a higher value than those of the hands of the virtual players, the actual player wins and collects the bet. In some game formats a system of lesser or reduced winnings could be implemented if the actual player's hand places second or third or whatever place deemed feasible under the circumstances.

l) As a final step the actual player may cash out his winnings on the game or elect to retain a credit for further game play.

2. The process of claim 1 comprising the step of having a first wager from said at least one actual player that a virtual player hand will have a higher poker value than a completed dealer hand.

3. The method of claim 2 comprising the step of receiving a second wager from said at least one actual player that a virtual player hand will have a higher poker value than an actual player.

4. The method of claim 2 further providing the step of collecting from each said at least one player at least one of said first wager amount and subsequent wager amounts when said completed community card hand is completed.

5. The process described in claim 2 further comprising the process of providing on a computer display screen the probability factors of drawing certain cards on an anticipated deal of an additional card to the community card array.

6. The method described in claim 1 further providing the probability factors of drawing specified hands at a given point in the game.

7. The method as described of claim 1 comprises the step of providing betting pay-outs for a hand less in poker ranking than the winning hand, but greater in poker ranking than the other poker hands in the game.

8. The method described in claim 1 comprising the step allowing a player to be eligible to earn a set bonus pay-out based on the results of a succession of multiple plays of such game by a player

9. The method described in claim 1 comprising the step of granting a bonus to a player who achieves a predetermined score based on the results of a given number of series of play of said game.

10. A process of playing a poker-type card game comprising, in combination, the steps of:

m) Providing at each of the foregoing stated steps of play a listing of the ongoing mathematical probability factors that a particular type of card will be dealt at a given step of the game.