WO2019023795A1

WO2019023795A1 - Combination card and dice game

Info

Publication number: WO2019023795A1
Application number: PCT/CA2018/050930
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ryan SILVER
Original assignee: Lucky Sevens Gaming Inc.
Priority date: 2017-07-31
Filing date: 2018-07-31
Publication date: 2019-02-07

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method of playing a wagering game using both cards and dice, comprising: accepting a main bet wager on one to seven hands of cards, dealing up to seven hands of cards, each hand having two cards shown face up, the hand value for each hand being the sum of the amount shown on the two cards, with Aces valued as 1 and ten-point cards valued as 10, and with a sum greater than 11 reduced by 10; rolling a pair of six-sided dice with faces valued from 1 to 6, generating a dice value from 2 to 11, with a roll of 12 treated as 2; paying off the main bet for each hand where the hand value of that is equal to the dice value.

Description

COMBINATION CARD AND DICE GAME

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present specification relates generally to casino games, and, in particular, to a casino game that permits wagering on a combination of both cards drawn and the result of a dice roll in the same round of wagering.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Games of chance using cards or dice have been known for hundreds of years. Similarly, the human tendency to wager on events has been known for equally long, if not longer. In the modern world, casinos have developed to provide opportunities for people for wager and play games of chance while generating a profit through control of the payout odds of the games (the house spread). Accordingly, many card games and dice games have been devised over time to attract players and continue casino operations.

[0003] However, valuable and profitable casino games require more than mere profitability. Games must be readily understood by the players, and enjoyable to play, even while having statistical odds which favor the casino over time. Further, games should also be easy to operate for a casino dealer, allowing for games to proceed smoothly and rapidly to maintain player engagement and for the dealer to enhance the player experience without devoting excessive focus to the operation of the game.

[0004] Additionally, the quality and attraction of popular casino games is often driven by the games ability to draw players in to both observe or participate. Historically, games such as Craps and Pai-Gow Poker have the ability to draw spectators despite being somewhat difficult to understand and play for a novice player. Additionally, games where players participate against a dealer or fixed odds demonstrate a stronger social component, increasing entertainment value, than games where players are competing against each other.

[0005] Therefore, it would be desirable to have a casino game incorporating multiple phases of both cards and dice, as well as a shared group element, to increase interest in wagering while maintaining familiar components of the game.

[0006] Accordingly, there remains a need for improvements in the art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] In accordance with an aspect of the invention, there is provided a casino game that permits wagering on a combination of both cards drawn and the result of a dice roll in the same round of wagering.

[0008] According to an embodiment of the invention, there is provided a method of playing a wagering game using both cards and dice, comprising: accepting a main bet wager on one to seven hands of cards, accepting, for each hand with a main bet wager, a lucky seven wager, the lucky seven wager being less than the amount of the main bet, and the lucky seven wager being placed at the discretion of the player; dealing up to seven hands of cards, each hand having two cards shown face up, the hand value for each hand being the sum of the amount shown on the two cards, with Aces valued as 1 and ten-point cards valued as 10, and with a sum greater than 11 reduced by 10; rolling a pair of six-sided dice with faces valued from 1 to 6, generating a dice value from 2 to 11 , with a roll of 12 treated as 2; paying off the main bet for each hand where the hand value of that is equal to the dice value; and where the dice value equals 7 and one or more hands has a value of 7, paying off the lucky seven wager for each hand where a lucky seven wager was played, regardless of the main bet, with the payoff being determined by the total number of hands with a hand value of 7.

[0009] According to a further embodiment of the invention, there is provided a method of playing a wagering game using both cards and dice, comprising: accepting a main bet wager on one to seven hands of cards, accepting, for each hand with a main bet wager, a lucky seven wager, the lucky seven wager being less than the amount of the main bet, and the lucky seven wager being placed at the discretion of the player; dealing up to seven hands of cards, each hand having two cards shown face up, the hand value for each hand being the sum of the amount shown on the two cards, with Aces valued as 1 and ten-point cards valued as 10, and with a sum greater than 11 reduced by 10; identifying hands with a value of 10 and assigning the identified hands to a showdown phase; rolling a pair of six-sided dice with faces valued from 1 to 6, generating a dice value from 2 to 11 , with a roll of 12 treated as 2; paying off the main bet for each hand where the hand value of that is equal to the dice value; where the dice value equals 7 and one or more hands has a value of 7, paying off the lucky seven wager for each hand where a lucky seven wager was played, regardless of the main bet, with the payoff being determined by the total number of hands with a hand value of 7; where at least one hand is identified for the showdown phase, playing the showdown phase, the showdown phase comprising: paying the value of the main bet to each hand in the showdown phase; providing the option to each player with a showdown phase hand to engage in a showdown wager, with the showdown wager being provided by the main bet; dealing one card face up; where the dealt card in not a 10-point card, deeming all showdown phase hands lost; where the dealt card is a 10-point card, providing each hand with a win amount based on the showdown wager; providing each player with a showdown phase hand the option to collect the showdown wager and win amount, thereby ending participation in the showdown phase or to play another showdown phase, with the win amount added to the showdown wager; and repeating the showdown phase until all showdown phase hands are lost or players have elected to end participation.

[0010] Other aspects and features according to the present application will become apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following description of embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which show, by way of example only, embodiments of the invention, and how they may be carried into effect, and in which: [0012] Figure 1 is a top view of a game table for playing the game according to an embodiment;

[0013] Figure 2 is a flowchart of the phases of the game according to an embodiment;

[0014] Figure 3 is a flowchart of the wagering phase of the game of Figure 2;

[0015] Figure 4 is a flowchart of the dealing phase of the game of Figure 2;

[0016] Figure 5 is a flowchart of the rolling and payout phase of the game of Figure 2; and

[0017] Figure 6 is a flowchart of the showdown phase of the game of Figure 2.

[0018] Like reference numerals indicated like or corresponding elements in the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0019] The present invention relates to casino games, and, in particular, to a casino game that permits wagering on a combination of both cards drawn and the result of a dice roll in the same round of wagering.

[0020] The following terms and definitions are provided herein for reference:

[0021] "Dealer" - the person or entity responsible for dealing the cards to the players in a given round of wagering.

[0022] "Lucky Sevens" - the shorthand name of the casino game according to the embodiments described herein. [0023] "Shooter" - player that rolls the dice in the current round of wagering.

[0024] "Ten-point card" - a card with a designated value of ten, including all Kings, Queens, Jacks, and Tens in a standard North American card deck.

[0025] According to an embodiment as shown in Figure 1 , Lucky Sevens is a casino table game 100 played with a shoe of eight combined standard 52-card playing decks (i.e. decks with Joker cards removed) and a pair of six-sided dice, with sides labelled in value from one to six (by spots, numbers, roman numerals, symbols, etc.). Operators may use ten-deck shoes or six-deck shoes, or other amounts, as desired, bearing in mind that the number of decks affects the odds of the game. Players of the game place wagers and compete against a fixed payout table from the game operator, not against the Dealer or any of the other players, if present.

[0026] Seven hands and from one to seven players may participate in a round of the game, and players may play more than one hand in a round, if desired and allowed by the game operator. Wagering for each hand assigned to a player includes a main bet 110 on the hand and a side bet 120 on all the hands played in the round. The main bet is a wager that the value of the cards in the hand on which the main bet is placed will be equal to the value of the dice roll, with exceptions as discussed below. The side bet (the "Lucky Seven wager") is a wager that the dice roll will equal seven and one or more of the hands in the round will have a card value of seven. Successful wagers on both the main bets 110 and side bets 120 are paid off according to preset pay tables 140, 150 as determined by the game operator. Other features may include the ability to place alternate side bets 130, and a marking location 160 for the number of 7-point hands shown.

[0027] Each hand initially consists of two cards dealt by the dealer. The card value of each hand is determined by adding up the cards according to their shown numerical value, with Aces valued as one, and the faces cards (e.g. Jacks, Queens and Kings in North America) valued as ten. If the combined value of the cards exceeds 11 , then 10 is subtracted from the total, giving each hand a value from 2 to 11 . However, where the initial total card value is 20 (i.e. two tens or face cards), the hand may instead be eligible for a post-deal Showdown phase, when available.

[0028] As shown in Figure 2, the game starts with the players placing their wagers for the main bet, and side bets, if desired. The hands are then dealt according to the number of main bets, with all seven hands dealt out regardless of the number of players if any Lucky Seven wager was made. Any player hands with a total of 20 are marked for the Showdown phase (when available), and the total number of hands with a value of 7 is announced (and marked on the table, per the game operator's requirements). The dice are then rolled, and losing bets collected and winning main bets (and side bets, if the roll is 7) are paid out. The Showdown phase then takes place, if any hands are eligible. Showdown wagers are paid and/or collected, and a new round may begin.

[0029] Following Figure 3, at the wagering phase 300, each player identifies themselves as participating in one or more hands by placing a main bet 310 for each hand. The minimum and maximum amount of the main bet is determined by the game operator. Additionally, those players who wish to partake in the Lucky Seven wager may place a side bet 320 on each hand in which they wish to participate. Again, the minimum and maximum value of the side bet is determined by the game operator and may be different than the values for the main bet, however, it is mandatory that the side bet be less than or equal to the main bet. Optionally, additional side bets 330 related to the predicted value of the cards or dice may be placed at this time, as discussed further below.

[0030] With all wagers placed and made final, typically by an announcement from the dealer, the dealing phase 400 begins as shown in Figure 4. Up to seven hands are dealt 410, according to the number of hands played with a main bet, with each hand receiving one card in order in a clockwise direction, and then a second card in the same order. If any Lucky Seven wager was place, then all seven hands are dealt regardless of the number of main wagers played. All cards are dealt face up, with their value visible to all players. After the second card is dealt to each hand, the dealer may announce the value 420 of the hand, calculated as described above, such that all players are aware of the value.

[0031] Once all the hands are dealt, and where a Showdown phase is available, each hand eligible is marked for participation, conventionally by the dealer taking the chips representing the main bet and placing them on top of the hand. Thus, all players and the dealer can readily identify which hands, if any, are eligible for the Showdown phase, and any tampering with the main bet is hindered.

[0032] Next, the number of hands with a value of 7 is announced 430 and may be marked on the playing surface with a marker for all players to see. If there are no hands with a value of 7, all Lucky Seven wagers are deemed lost at this phase and collected by the dealer as per standard operating practice.

[0033] Finally, at the operator's option, any player not in the showdown, and with a hand value other than 7, may have the option of doubling 440 their bet for a hand. If a player elects to double on a hand, they double the amount of their main bet and are dealt a third card face up to their hand by the dealer (by convention, the third card may be dealt sideways to indicate that no more cards may be dealt to that hand). The value of the hand is then recalculated based on all three cards (hands over 11 reduced by 10 and hands over 21 reduced by 20) and announced. The new value becomes the value of the hand. However, a hand which has a value of 7 after doubling does not count for the purpose of Lucky Seven wager. Also, if the new value is 20, the hand is treated as having a value of 10 and is not eligible for the Showdown phase.

[0034] With all hands dealt, including any doubling cards, the rolling phase 500 takes place as shown in Figure 5. A shooter is selected according to the terms of the game operator. For example, the shooter may be selected from one of the players at random, or by choice of the players, or by table position in turn. The shooter is then provided with a pair of six-sided dice. The shooter then rolls the dice 510 in the manner indicated by the dealer (as per the game operator), typically using a shaker or other device to prevent physical contact and tampering with the dice. The dice value 520 is the combined amount of the two topmost faces shown on the dice, in according with standard practice, however, a roll of 12 is treated as a roll of 2 for the purposes of the game. The dice value is then compared 530 against the value of each hand (except hands assigned to the Showdown phase, when played). Each hand with a card value matching the dice value is paid out according to the value of the main bet and the payout table odds as provided by the game operator. A sample payout table for the main bet is shown in Table 1 . Hand Total Payout Table A

Matching Dice

Roll

2/12 20 to 1

3 10 to 1

4 8 to 1

5 6 to 1

6 5 to 1

7 7 to 1

8 5 to 1

9 6 to 1

10 8 to 1

11 10 to 1

Table 1 - Main Bet Payout Table

[0035] If the dice value is 7, at least one hand has a value of 7, and the Lucky Seven wagers are in effect then, any side bets are paid out in accordance with the amount of the side bet and the payout table odds based on the number of hands with a value of 7 as previously identified. A sample payout table for the Lucky Seven wager is shown in Table 2.

Table 2 - Side Bet Payout Table

[0036] With all the main and side bets paid out or collected, the Showdown phase 600, when played and when hands are eligible, takes place as shown in Figure 6. Each Showdown-eligible hand has its main bet paid off 610 at 1 :1 for the player to keep, and the player may elect 620 to either collect their main bet, or play a Showdown hand wagering the main bet. Once a player collects, that hand is removed from the Showdown phase. If one or more players elects to play a Showdown hand, a single card is dealt 630 (i.e. one card applied to all eligible hands), and if that card is a 10-point card, all main bets are paid off at 2:1 (640) and the total amount, main pet plus paid amount, remains on the table to be potentially risked in another Showdown round. Otherwise, all bets are lost and collected, and the round ends.

[0037] On a winning deal, each hand (and its corresponding player) may elect either to stop and collect their winnings, or risk the total amount in another Showdown hand. Choosing to collect removes the hand from the Showdown phase as described above. If the player chooses to risk, the total amount (i.e. main bet plus any amount won to this point, but excluding the original 1 :1 payout) is bet. Again, as above, a single card is dealt and applied to all hands, with a 10-point card resulting in a win, paying 2:1 against the total amount, and otherwise all bets and hands are lost and the round ends. Thus, for a main bet of $100, a $100 payout is made, the $100 main bet remains to be wagered, and the first Showdown round would pay $200, leaving a total of $300 to risk in the second round. Then, in the second round, $600 would be paid, creating a total of $900 to risk or collect. The third round would pay $1 ,800, for a total amount of $2,700 to risk/collect, and so forth, escalating with each round the player is willing to risk and continue.

[0038] As long as they win, players may elect to play the Showdown phase until they lose, or otherwise hit a preset limit set by the game operator (e.g. number of rounds or total amount won). While the initial amount risked remains effectively the same, the odds of winning steadily decrease as cards are dealt from the deck.

[0039] With the Showdown phase completed, the game is over. A new round of wagers may then be placed to start the game over again.

[0040] As mentioned above, further optional side bets may be placed in addition to the main and side bets for the game. The availability and payout odds for these bets are set by the game operator. For example, an operator may offer a side bet on "matched pair" where a player is dealt two cards of the same appearance and value (e.g. two queens would win, but a ten and a king would not), and such a bet may pay 5:1 . Other possible side bets may include blackjack (10-point card and Ace), low hand (2 and 3), or other combinations based on other card games or promotional concepts. Similarly, side bets may be placed on the results of the dice roll, or a combination of cards and dice, at the operator's discretion.

[0041] The main bet payout table shown in Table 1 was analyzed using combinatorial mathematics, and the side bet payout table was analyzed via computer simulation of approximately 420,000,000 deals. Assuming an eight-deck card shoe, the House Edge for the main bet is 4.288% and for the side bet is 5.714%. Alternative payout tables may produce different amounts for the House Edge, enabling game operators to modified payout tables to balance profitability with player success (or appearance thereof) and enjoyment.

[0042] Some examples of modified pay table are shown below. Table 3 is a modified main bet table with a more balanced distribution of odds, resulting is a House Edge of 2.343%. Table 4 is a modified side bet table, with odds based on the theme of 7, reducing the payout on more common hands and dramatically increasing the payout on rarer hands. The House Edge on Table 4 is 3.520%.

Hand Total Payout Table A

Matching Dice

Roll

2/12 15 to 1

3 12 to 1

4 10 to 1

5 6 to 1

6 5 to 1

7 7 to 1

8 5 to 1

9 6 to 1

10 10 to 1

11 12 to 1

Table 3 - Modified Main Bet Payout Table

# of 7 value Payout Table A

hands with

dice roll 7

1 push

2 7 to 1

3 77 to 1

4 777 to 1

5 7777 to 1

6 77777 to 1

7 777777 to 1

Table 4 - Modified Side Bet Payout Table

[0043] While the presented embodiment is based on real world players and dealers, playing with physical cards and dice, the inventive casino game described herein may also be played electronically and/or virtually. For example, participants may join in a virtual gaming room, each from their own client device, with the game operated by a dealer operating their own application or by a computer generated or controlled dealer.

[0044] As another alternative, the game may be replicated as a single player ticket, either as a draw based lottery or as a scratch ticket.

[0045] While the presented embodiment uses a dice roll value of 7 ("lucky seven"), at the operator's discretion, any dice roll value may be selected for use. However, changing the dice value would changes the odds of the game and the payout tables should be adjusted according for the operator to maintain a profitable House Edge.

[0046] The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. Certain adaptations and modifications of the invention will be obvious to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the presently discussed embodiments are considered to be illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1 . A method of playing a wagering game using both cards and dice, comprising: accepting a main bet wager on one to seven hands of cards,

accepting, for each hand with a main bet wager, a lucky seven wager, the lucky seven wager being less than the amount of the main bet, and the lucky seven wager being placed at the discretion of the player;

dealing up to seven hands of cards, each hand having two cards shown face up, the hand value for each hand being the sum of the amount shown on the two cards, with Aces valued as 1 and ten-point cards valued as 10, and with a sum greater than 11 reduced by 10;

rolling a pair of six-sided dice with faces valued from 1 to 6, generating a dice value from 2 to 11 , with a roll of 12 treated as 2;

paying off the main bet for each hand where the hand value of that is equal to the dice value; and

where the dice value equals 7 and one or more hands has a value of 7, paying off the lucky seven wager for each hand where a lucky seven wager was played, regardless of the main bet, with the payoff being determined by the total number of hands with a hand value of 7.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

prior to rolling, identifying hands with a value of 10 and assigning the identified hands to a showdown phase;

after paying off the main bets and lucky seven wagers, as necessary, playing the showdown phase, the showdown phase comprising:

paying the value of the main bet to each hand in the showdown phase; providing the option to each player with a showdown phase hand to engage in a showdown wager, with the showdown wager being provided by the main bet;

dealing one card face up;

where the dealt card in not a 10-point card, deeming all showdown phase hands lost;

where the dealt card is a 10-point card, providing each hand with a win amount based on the showdown wager;

providing each player with a showdown phase hand the option to collect the showdown wager and win amount, thereby ending participation in the showdown phase or to play another showdown phase, with the win amount added to the showdown wager; and

repeating the showdown phase until all showdown phase hands are lost or players have elected to end participation.

3. The method of claim 1 , further including a doubling phase, the doubling phase taking place after dealing and prior to rolling, the doubling phase comprising: providing to each hand with a main bet wager, in turn, the option to double their main bet wager and be dealt a third card face up, with the third card resulting in a new hand value being the sum of all three cards, calculated as for two cards, with values greater than 21 reduced by 20;

wherein hands which have exercised the option are removed from the determination of the number of hands with a value of 7.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein players are further provided the option to place additional side bets, with the additional side bets based on predicting specific combinations of cards in the hand and/or rolls of the dice.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein, if at least one lucky seven wager is made, seven hands are dealt regardless of the number of hands with a main bet.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein a single player is allowed to place a main bet on more than one hand.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the rolling of the dice is performed by one of the players who placed a main bet.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the payoff for the main bet varies with the dice value.

9. The method of claim 2, wherein the win amount is double the amount of the showdown wager.

10. A method of playing a wagering game using both cards and dice, comprising: accepting a main bet wager on one to seven hands of cards, accepting, for each hand with a main bet wager, a lucky seven wager, the lucky seven wager being less than the amount of the main bet, and the lucky seven wager being placed at the discretion of the player;

identifying hands with a value of 10 and assigning the identified hands to a showdown phase;

paying off the main bet for each hand where the hand value of that is equal to the dice value;

where the dice value equals 7 and one or more hands has a value of 7, paying off the lucky seven wager for each hand where a lucky seven wager was played, regardless of the main bet, with the payoff being determined by the total number of hands with a hand value of 7;

where at least one hand is identified for the showdown phase, playing the showdown phase, the showdown phase comprising:

paying the value of the main bet to each hand in the showdown phase;

providing the option to each player with a showdown phase hand to engage in a showdown wager, with the showdown wager being provided by the main bet; dealing one card face up;

1 1 . The method of claim 10, further including a doubling phase, the doubling phase taking place after dealing and prior to rolling, the doublling phase comprising: providing to each hand with a main bet wager, in turn, the option to double their main bet wager and be dealt a third card face up, with the third card resulting in a new hand value being the sum of all three cards, calculated as for two cards, with values greater than 21 reduced by 20;

wherein hands which have exercised the option are removed from the determination of the number of hands with a value of 7 and from participation in the showdown phase.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein players are further provided the option to place additional side bets, with the additional side bets based on predicting specific combinations of cards in the hand and/or rolls of the dice.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein, if at least one lucky seven wager is made, seven hands are dealt regardless of the number of hands with a main bet.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein a single player is allowed to place a main bet on more than one hand.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein the rolling of the dice is performed by one of the players who placed a main bet.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein the payoff for the main bet varies with the dice value.

17. The method of claim 10, wherein the win amount is double the amount of the showdown wager.

18. A method of playing a wagering game using both cards and dice, comprising: accepting a main bet wager on one to seven hands of cards,

dealing up to seven hands of cards, each hand having two cards shown face up, the hand value for each hand being the sum of the amount shown on the two cards, with Aces valued as 1 and ten-point cards valued as 10, and with a sum greater than 11 reduced by 10; rolling a pair of six-sided dice with faces valued from 1 to 6, generating a dice value from 2 to 11 , with a roll of 12 treated as 2; and

paying off the main bet for each hand where the hand value of that is equal to the dice value.

19. The method of claim 18, further including:

accepting, for each hand with a main bet wager, a side dice roll wager, the dice roll wager being less than the amount of the main bet, and the dice roll wager being placed at the discretion of the player, and the dice roll wager being on a specific dice value appearing;

where the dice value equals the value assigned to the dice roll wager and one or more hands has a hand value equal to the dice value, paying off the dice roll wager for each hand where a dice roll wager was played, regardless of the main bet, with the payoff being determined by the total number of hands with a hand value equal to the dice roll value.