US20110278795A1

US20110278795A1 - Poker game with side bet and method for playing

Info

Publication number: US20110278795A1
Application number: US12/800,336
Authority: US
Inventors: Ryan Denke
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-05-13
Filing date: 2010-05-13
Publication date: 2011-11-17

Abstract

A poker side bet and the method of playing the same can be added to 7 card casino games such as Texas Hold'Em and other poker-style games as a way of allowing the casino to increase betting and participate in the outcomes of each player's poker hand. The side bet can be applied to live poker play as well as interne poker play with multiple players or individual machine poker play. In the side bet method each player is allowed to place a side bet at the beginning of each poker hand. The side bet is separate from the poker pot for the given hand that is wagered between and among the individual players. The side bet is a bet with the casino/house. The side bet is a wager that the player's optimum hand, formed from the player's personal cards and community cards, will merit a payout based on a published payout schedule. The casino sets the payout schedule, and the casino can do so in a manner so as to entice side betting by, for example, granting large payouts for those hands that are difficult to achieve. The side bet is evaluated at the conclusion of the hand and in this way a player who has folded during the hand can still participate in the side bet. This increases a player's entertainment and interest while also increasing betting for the casino.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to gaming. More particularly the present invention relates to a system and method of placing wagers or betting with respect to poker-style casino games. Still more specifically, the present invention relates to wagers or betting with respect to a poker-style casino game, including wagers in which the house participates in the wager.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Casino gambling is a popular pass time. Among the popular casino games is poker. In particular the seven card poker games, especially the game called Texas Hold'Em, is a widely popular casino card game. As currently played in the casino environment, the casino hosts poker games although the betting occurs among and between the players themselves. The casino may charge a fee to each player in order to play poker; however, the casino does not participate insofar as the chance aspect of the game is concerned. The casino's winnings do not increase or decrease depending on what hand a player or players receives, for example.
Casinos generally prefer to promote games in which the “house”, i.e., the casino itself, benefits from a statistical advantage in the possible outcomes of the games. Indeed, the casino's profit generally derives—insofar as just the gambling component of the business is concerned—from the mathematical probability that more outcomes will favor the house. (Of course a casino can also generate profits from non-gambling business lines such as the hotel, retail, restaurant, and liquor sales.) This is true for many conventional casino games in which the house participates in the wager, including games such as roulette, craps, blackjack, and slot machines.
Poker-style games thus differ from many of the traditional casino games in that the house does not participate in the wager. In a poker game a group of participants bet amongst each other. The risk of any particular outcome is distributed amongst the participants without participation by the house. The casino generally charges a fee in order to facilitate the poker game and profits in that manner. Thus, it would generally be desired to devise a method by which the casino might participate in the poker wager itself, in order to profit from the inherent probabilities that might be constructed to favor the house.
Further, there is an ongoing need in the gaming industry to continue to improve and refine games. The public's interest in a given game can sometimes increase or decrease in popularity. Some games fall out of popularity, potentially lessening business for the casino. Thus there is an ongoing need to continue to improve games in order to continue their popularity. There is an ongoing need to refine and improve the poker-style game in order to maintain its popularity.
Further, the gaming public is generally attracted to high payouts. Even though the odds of winning may be very small, the betting public will be attracted to a game with a potential for a very high payout. For example, many members of the public, who never typically play the lottery, will participate in a state lottery once the jackpot reaches a very large amount. There is a certain degree of attractiveness to the potential for a very large payout that is demonstrated by the lottery phenomenon that the number of players increases when the jackpot size increases. It would thus be desired to add a high payout element to the game of poker in order to attract increased betting on the game.
Hence there has been identified a need to provide an improved method and means for betting with respect to poker-style casino games. It would be desired to provide a method of wagering in such a game in which the casino participates directly in a wager that is affected by the outcome of the game. It would further be desired to refine and improve the poker-style game in order to maximize its attractiveness. Moreover, it would be desired that any modification to the poker game retain the game's underlying structure and traditional appeal. The present invention addresses one or more of these needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, and by way of example only, there is provided a method of betting in poker-style casino games, particularly Texas Hold'Em. In the preferred embodiment a bet, also called a side bet or bonus bet, is placed by each participant in the poker game before a hand is dealt. The poker game then proceeds as usual. With respect to Texas Hold'Em, each player is dealt two personal cards, and then five community cards are dealt face up. Standard poker bets can proceed, as is done in the prior art, while the poker hand is resolved. Then, once the primary game is complete, the side bet is evaluated. In the side bet, an individual's seven card hand is evaluated in one of several ways. In one embodiment, the player with the best seven card hand is determined the winner.
Other independent features and advantages of the embodiments of the poker side bet wagering method will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a chart showing the rank order of hands created from seven cards, according to a first embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is chart showing steps in a method for implementing the poker side bet, according to a further embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The following detailed description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the invention or the application and uses of the invention. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any theory presented in the preceding background of the invention or the following detailed description of the invention. Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, common reference numbers are used throughout the multiple figures.
A typical poker game that is based on or comprising seven (7) cards from which to construct a final hand consists of the play of a series of poker hands. In each poker hand a player receives seven cards from which to constitute a five card poker hand. Two cards are dealt individually to the player, and the remaining five cards are group/community cards which all players use commonly. The poker side bet is placed before any cards are dealt for the primary poker hand. The poker side bet or bonus bet can be indicated by placing betting coins in a specified location on the betting table that is reserved for that player's side bet. Thus, the presence of chips indicates a bet in that amount. The absence of any chip indicates no bet for that hand. The time for side betting is then concluded, and the dealer proceeds to deal cards for the poker hand. Alternatively, once the first down card has been dealt, no poker side bets will be accepted. The play of the hand then proceeds. The poker hand is then resolved as per the existing poker game with individual players betting against other players.
At the conclusion of the poker hand, the poker side bet is then resolved. The side bet is resolved per a payout schedule.
An advantage of the payout schedule as described in the preferred embodiment of the invention is that it allows the casino to increase or maximize its earnings from gaming. The casino can adjust payouts in order to induce unsophisticated bettors to place side bets. For example, the casino can award very high payouts for those hands which are least likely to occur. This may attract unsophisticated bettors when, again for example, it may appear that a very large winning will occur for a relatively low bet, perhaps a minimum bet of one dollar for example. In reality, given the probability of a certain hand occurring, the casino will win many of the side bets while rarely paying off for the high award hands. The payouts will be set such that according to statistical probability the casinos earnings from the side bet will more than offset its expenses from payouts. Examples of a hand which might be awarded a very high payout include the 7 card straights: 7 card straight, 7 card flush, 7 card straight flush, and 7 card royal flush. Nevertheless, as an inducement to bettors, the winnings for these unlikely hands can be set high.
In one embodiment the casino can require a minimum amount side bet. Alternatively, the side bet can be any amount. The payout schedule can be a set amount for a given bet, or alternatively, the payout can be calculated as a percentage or multiple of the player's bet.
In one embodiment, the casino will recognize the following hands as potential payouts:

- Pair
- 2 pair
- 3 pairs
- 3 of a kind
- 3 of a kind+pair (full house)
- 3 of a kind+2 pairs
- Double 3 of a kind (two sets of 3 of a kind)
- 4 of a kind
- 4 of a kind+pair
- 4 of a kind+3 of a kind
- 5 card straight
- 5 card flush
- 5 card straight flush
- 5 card royal flush
- 6 card straight
- 6 card flush
- 6 card straight flush
- 6 card royal flush
- 7 card straight
- 7 card flush
- 7 card straight flush
- 7 card royal flush

In the application of this payout schedule, the casino states how much, if anything, will be awarded for each such hand. Thus, for example, the casino may pay nothing for hands lower than a full house. Above a full house in the ranking, the casino may make progressively larger payouts. And, as noted before, the casino may award enticingly large payouts for those hands that are more difficult to achieve. In total effect, the payout schedule encourages side betting while also setting the payout such that the casino statistically profits from any bet.
It is noted that the side bet is placed before any card is dealt. Thus, from a statistical standpoint, a player's chance of forming a given hand has not yet been determined. No cards have been dealt. In this way the house can be assured that the statistical model it has applied to the payout schedule will be in effect. Thus, the casino is also assured that any bet is a profitable bet from the casino's perspective. It is further noted that allowing the side bet to take place, after the two personal cards have been distributed, will alter the odds table. After receiving two down cards the player can make a more informed decision as to whether the odds favor a side bet or not. Thus, it is to the advantage of the casino to require side betting before any cards are distributed.
The payout schedule is thus dependant on what the odds or probability is for forming each hand in the payout schedule. For a 52 card standard card deck, the rank order of hands, from the least likely to the most likely, of such hands described above are as follows:

- Seven card Royal flush
- Seven card straight flush
- Six card Royal flush
- Four of a kind with three of a kind
- Six card straight flush
- Five card Royal flush
- Seven card flush
- Four of a kind and one pair
- Five card straight flush
- Two sets of three of a kind
- Three of a kind and two pairs
- Seven card straight
- Four of a kind
- Six card flush
- Six card straight
- Three pairs
- Full house
- Five card flush
- Five card straight
- Three of a kind
- Two pairs
- One pair
  This rank ordering of hands is also shown in FIG. 1. The rank ordering of these hands means that those hands at the top of the list, such as the 7 card royal flush, are least likely to occur. Those hands moving toward the bottom, such as one pair, are the most likely to occur. Thus, the payout table will generally award little or no return for the high probability hands while generally awarding significantly more for the low probability hands. In a preferred embodiment, the casino/house publishes and displays a pay out schedule for each of these hands.

The casino constructs the payout table having in mind break even probabilities. The house/casino will set the betting rewards in a manner that favors the house. As suggested before, it may be desirable for the casino to inflate the rewards for those hands which have a more remote chance of being created. Similarly, the casino may skew the rewards toward the casino for those hands which are more likely to be formed.
In a further embodiment, the betting pool that constitutes the side bet is progressive. That is to say the prize pool builds until a winning event occurs.
In a further embodiment, observers of the primary poker game, that is to say bettors who are not players or participants in the poker game, may themselves place a side bet on a given player's hand. Thus, for example in high stakes tournament play, once the number of tournament participants has been winnowed down to a desired number, say a dozen tables or so, the hosting casino may wish to open the side bet opportunities to observers. This could be a way of enhancing interest and entertainment value towards the end of the poker tournament. It may further be a way for the casino to continue to profit from play from an extended number of bettors even though the number of actual participants in the poker hand continues to decrease as the tournament progresses. It is noted that both non-players as well as individual players can place side bets on a given player's hand (if house rules allow).
In the preferred embodiment, the outcome of the primary poker game has no bearing on the payout of the side bet. Even if a player folds or loses the primary game, the side bet is still alive and is resolved after resolution of the hand. If a hand is not played out fully, the casino may develop house rules that a) the remaining community cards will be dealt/shown, or b) the bet will be returned to the player
Having described the invention from a structural format, a method of applying or utilizing the invention will now be described. In a first example, and referring generally to FIG. 2, there are five players and a dealer positioned at a poker table, and the game proceeds as follows. At a time between hands, the table is opened to the players to place a side bet on the upcoming hand. The dealer may announce this or it may be allowed by custom. In order to make a side bet each player positions chips in the desired amount on a spot proximate to the player that is reserved to indicate a side bet. The side bet is optional. If a Texas Hold'Em game is being played, the players may also make an ante bet which applies to the poker game. Once each player has placed his side bet (if any) and ante bet (if any) the dealer proceeds to deal the poker hand. After two down cards or personal cards have been dealt to each of the players, betting proceeds with respect to those cards. Player one folds at this point. Players two, three, four, and five continue playing. Note that at this point while player one now has no chance of winning the poker pot for that hand, his side bet remains alive. The dealer then deals three community cards or up cards, and the next round of betting proceeds. At this point player two folds. At this point, player two has no chance of winning the poker pot, but player two's side bet also remains alive. The dealer deals a fourth community card and betting proceeds. At this point, player three folds. Player three cannot win the poker pot, but his side bet remains alive. The dealer then deals a fifth and final up card. Betting now proceeds between the remaining active players, players four and five. Player five wins the poker hand and takes the poker pot. At this point, the traditional poker hand has been completed. Now, the dealer proceeds to resolve the side bets for all five of the players. Each of the players now makes his best possible hand with his two personal cards as well as the five community cards. The player shows his personal cards to the dealer so that the dealer can confirm the player's hand. The best possible hand is then compared with the payout table. Whatever payout is posted for the player's hand determines the player's payout. The dealer resolves each side bet, cards are returned to the dead pile, and the hand or round of play has been concluded. The dealer can now open up betting for the next round of play.
In the above example it will be noted that it is necessary for a player to reveal his down cards in order to participate in and resolve the side bet at the conclusion of the poker hand. This is different from many poker games (without the side bet) in which a player is allowed to turn in his down cards without revealing what they were. Thus in a live play poker game with the side bet option, a player must decide at the beginning of his hand whether or not he will place the side bet. This may affect a player's bluffing strategy in live play as he knows that he must show the down cards to resolve the bet. However in internet or electronic play, this can be resolved differently. In electronic play a player who has folded can have his side bet evaluated by the computer at the end of play in a manner that does not reveal the personal cards to the other players. Alternatively, the program can be set so that all down cards are revealed at the end of the hand. However, in order to more closely mimic live play, it is preferred that in the electronic game the down cards of a player who has folded are not shown to the opposing players.
In a second example, an electronic poker game proceeds among five remotely positioned players. At some point between hands, the computer prompts each player to place a side bet. The player can accept or deny the side bet request. Play does not proceed for a given player until the player responds to the side bet prompt. In one embodiment, if the player has failed to respond to the side bet prompt for a given period of time, the computer program cashes out the player from the game. After each of the five players has responded to the side bet prompt, the poker game proceeds as is normally done. Ante bets, if required, are placed. Each player receives two personal cards. A round of betting proceeds. Three community cards are then dealt/displayed. A round of betting proceeds. The fourth community card is dealt/displayed, and a round of betting proceeds. Finally, the fifth community cared is dealt/displayed, and the final round of betting proceeds. The poker hand is resolved. After the poker hand has been resolved, the computer program then resolves each individual player's side bet. In the electronic embodiment, if a player has placed a side bet at the beginning of play, the computer automatically creates the best hand for that player from the player's two personal cards and the five community cards. The computer then compares that best hand to the payout schedule for that game. The computer debits or credits the player according to the payout schedule. However, the program/computer does so in such a manner that the down cards are not revealed to other players for those individual players who folded prior to the conclusion of the poker hand. The program does so in that the down cards from a folded hand are not shown/displayed to the other players
In a third example, illustrating a further embodiment of the invention, a single player plays a hand of poker by interacting with an individual poker machine. In this style of play the human player can select various options such as the number of players. However, as an option for one or more style of play, the machine is programmed to offer the side bet to the player. As illustrated before, the player makes the side bet wager prior to commencement of the poker hand. The side bet is evaluated at the conclusion of the poker hand by the computer/machine. Since there is only one human player, there is no need to conceal the player's down cards when evaluating his poker hand.
It should be noted that the side bet is evaluated with regard to each player regardless of how the player fared in the poker hand itself. For example, a player who was bluffed into folding, and has a higher hand than the hand which won the poker hand, will still receive the payout that his hand merits. Presumably this would be a higher side bet payout than what the winning hand (from the poker hand) receives from its own side bet. Also, there is no need to resolve ties as is done in the poker hand by reference to kicker cards. Players with equal hands receive equal payouts from their side bet.
Throughout the above description, the card game has often been described as a poker game of game of Texas Hold'Em. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is applicable to any card game in which a player forms a best hand using 7 cards which are a combination of personal cards and community cards. Thus, the side bet invention is applicable to any 7 card poker game. The side bet is placed before an individual poker hand proceeds or is dealt. Other games involving 7 cards (or more) can also make use of the side bet.
While the invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment or embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to a particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method of betting on a hand in a seven card game comprising the steps of:

a player placing a side bet with the house with respect to the hand;

playing the hand of the card game to its conclusion; and

resolving the player's side bet with the house.

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein the step of a player placing a side bet further comprises a player placing a side bet at the beginning of the hand.

3. The method according to claim 1 further comprising the steps of:

the player forming his optimum hand from seven cards and

comparing the optimum hand to a payout schedule.

4. The method according to claim 1 wherein the step of a player placing a side bet further includes the player placing markers on a table location in order to indicate the side bet.

5. The method according to claim 1 wherein the step of a player placing a side bet further includes the player responding to a computer prompt in order to indicate the side bet.

6. The method according to claim 3 wherein the payout schedule follows the following rank order of hands, highest to lowest:

Seven card Royal flush

Seven card straight flush

Six card Royal flush

Four of a kind with three of a kind

Six card straight flush

Five card Royal flush

Seven card flush

Four of a kind and one pair

Five card straight flush

Two sets of three of a kind

Three of a kind and two pairs

Seven card straight

Four of a kind

Six card flush

Six card straight

Three pairs

Full house

Five card flush

Five card straight

Three of a kind

Two pairs

One pair

7. The method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of a non-player placing a side bet wager.

8. A method of wagering in a seven card poker-style card game comprising the steps of:

first a player placing a side bet with the house prior to any cards being dealt;

dealing the cards of the hand;

placing player-to-player wagers as desired by the players;

resolving the winner of the hand;

resolving the side bet between the individual player and the house.

9. The method of wagering according to claim 8 further comprising the step of resolving the side bet with respect to a published payout table.

10. The method according to claim 9 wherein the payout table follows the following rank order of hands, highest to lowest:

Seven card Royal flush

Seven card straight flush

Six card Royal flush

Four of a kind with three of a kind

Six card straight flush

Five card Royal flush

Seven card flush

Four of a kind and one pair

Five card straight flush

Two sets of three of a kind

Three of a kind and two pairs

Seven card straight

Four of a kind

Six card flush

Six card straight

Three pairs

Full house

Five card flush

Five card straight

Three of a kind

Two pairs

One pair

11. The method of wagering according to claim 8 wherein the step of placing a side bet is done by placing a marker on a playing table.

12. The method of wagering according to claim 8 further comprising the step of resolving the side bet between the individual player and the house regardless of whether the individual player has won the hand of play.

13. The method of wagering according to claim 8 further comprising the step of an individual player preparing his optimal hand for resolving the side bet.

14. The method of wagering according to claim 8 wherein the house comprises a casino.

15. The method of wagering according to claim 8 wherein the method of play is conducted via the interne.

16. The method of wagering according to claim 8 wherein the method of play is conducted via a single-player computer.

17. The method of wagering according to claim 8 wherein the method of play is conducted via a multiple-player computer.

18. The method of wagering according to claim 8 further comprising the step of increasing the side bet payout to the individual based on the complexity of the hand prepared by the individual player.

19. A casino game involving the play of a poker-style card game in which the house participates in the wagering of the game, the game comprising the following steps:

an individual player first places a side bet with the house;

the cards are dealt;

a player forms his optimal hand regardless whether the player wins the hand;

the winner of the hand is determined;

an individual's side bet with the house is resolved based on the player's optimal hand.

20. The casino game according to claim 19 further comprising the step of increasing the side bet payout to the individual player based on the complexity of the hand prepared by the individual player.