WO2019155107A1

WO2019155107A1 - System for managing poker matches

Info

Publication number: WO2019155107A1
Application number: PCT/ES2019/070067
Authority: WO
Inventors: Raul GUTIERREZ TALAVERA
Original assignee: Gutierrez Talavera Raul
Priority date: 2018-02-08
Filing date: 2019-02-07
Publication date: 2019-08-15
Also published as: ES2722210A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a system for managing a poker match, which comprises at least: a poker table (11) with one screen per player (1 to 10), a screen for the croupier (13), a microphone (14), a processor, a memory, and one or more programs; wherein the program or programs are stored in the memory and configured to be executed by the one or more processors; and wherein the programs include instructions for: (a) sending data to a central computer (100) and receiving data from said central computer (100), (b) communicating with at least one second poker table (11), (c) calculating the bets, and (d) synthesising the voice commands received via the microphone (14) and sending them to the screens (1 to 10, 13).

Description

DESCRIPTION

POKER GAME MANAGEMENT SYSTEM Technical field

The present invention relates to a poker game management system comprising a game table that includes a plurality of screens with a tactile, vocal interface, keypads and specific software that allows both its autonomous management and a remote control from a or more computers The present invention can be incorporated into casino gaming tables to improve the amount of information and communication between dealer, players, casino staff and gaming tables.

Prior art

Currently, the poker game in casinos is developed manually, organized, distributed and controlled by a dealer at each table, a room manager, an area with staff for organization and coordination and, if necessary, additional assistants. This causes a series of problems and inconveniences that can be summarized in:

Few hands played per hour due to the lack of information during the game by the players and the following questions to the dealer, interruptions, disputes and disagreements about the amounts bet. In addition, there is a constant need for counting chips and calculating Rake - casino commission - by the dealer with slowing down of the game and frequent errors that result in disputes and consultations with the head of the room. ii. A proportion too high between necessary employees and number of players, which significantly decreases the benefits. This generates slowness and errors in the coordination between tables, both in games with money -cash- and in tournaments. This generates, finally, great inefficiency and slow distribution of the players at the different tables.

It is unknown, by the inventors, skilled in the art, of any system or device similar to that described by the present invention. In the state of the art they are known Pagers used to notify players who are on the waiting list, so they know when they have to sit at the table.

Explanation of the invention.

An object of the present invention is a management system and a poker game table comprising a plurality of screens with touch interface, vocal interface, keypads and a specific program that allows both autonomous management and remote control from one or more Computers This gaming table can be incorporated into casinos to improve the amount of information and communication between the different agents involved - players, dealer and casino staff - to improve table performance, game speed and economic benefits.

On the game table, the number of screens is equal to the number of table games, that is, the number of possible players plus a dealer. Communication can be wired or wireless and the touch interface or with buttons. It also has a voice control, especially for the dealer, which can be carried out through a microphone, which can also be wired on the table or portable and wireless. It is an object of the invention to improve the management of gaming tables in casinos and cover a need that, currently, is not covered by any other existing product. The invention is designed to improve the game of poker in all its modalities and allows to greatly improve all the processes that are now carried out manually. It is also an object of the invention to create new options in the organization and monitoring of game tables, as well as a continuous flow of data and its centralized management. Thanks to the present invention considerably increases the speed in the game at the tables, improving the experience for the players, facilitating the work of the dealer and allowing an increase in casino income. All this thanks to the automation of the processes that are now manual and adding new options.

When starting each hand, the dealer needs to move the physical indicator that determines the position of the dealer. Interruptions are frequent to determine what position you should have. The screens on the table would automatically indicate that position. Subsequently, the dealer must verify that the players have placed the mandatory bets (in poker, those known as blind and previous). In the casinos, time is wasted explaining to the players the amount of such bets, as well as remembering their obligation. Thanks to the screens, this information would appear clearly and instantly.

The dealer gives the cards and indicates who is the first to speak, which is also shown on the screen of each player. As the game unfolds, the dealer must repeat aloud the actions of the players so that the next ones in action know how their hand reaches them. In this situation of the game, doubts and questions to the dealer are frequent. With this system, a microphone collects the dealer's vocal information and a voice synthesizer transforms this information into text that is displayed on each of the screens, solving this problem.

In the actual practice of the game there are discrepancies between the number of chips that the player places on the table and his real bet, due to the lack of chips of the correct size that usually exist. There are also frequent questions from distracted players who did not pay attention to the development of the game until they have to talk. This creates confusion and questions on the part of the players who must participate. In the invention, this problem is solved with the fact that the correct amount bet would appear on the screens thanks to a croupier's vocal command, so that such doubts are eliminated. On the other hand, when the players speak more than once in each bet turn doubts are created about the total amounts of the bet, of what has to be put back into play to complete it and, if possible, make a New raise of the bet. Thanks to the present invention, the screens give all that information without resorting to the dealer. In addition, the screens indicate at all times who has the turn.

In the games in «PotLimit» mode there are limits on the amounts that can be wagered. It is the dealer who should indicate them, but that requires constant calculations that can become complex and many mistakes are made. The system of the invention performs these calculations automatically and in real time, so that players would know how much they can bet. In the event that there are bets - "pots" - divided or multiple, they are the main causes of confusion and wasted time at the tables. With the system of the invention everything would always be calculated and visible on the screens, so that players always know the correct amounts and the dealer's work is limited to the distribution of the chips once the hand is finished. Finally, at the end of the hand, the dealer must now count the size of the pot to know how much "rake" corresponds to the Casino and be able to set it aside before handing the chips to the winner. With the system of the invention, this calculation is performed automatically and in real time. In general, the system avoids any error in calculating the dealer.

Thanks to the present invention, the system provides the following practical advantages: (i) reduction of the number of employees in the casino, since the system is managed centrally through the central screen of the dealer; (ii) increase in the number of hands played, reducing the duration of tournaments and, therefore, requiring fewer staff shifts; additionally, hands develop faster, and a greater number of hands per hour implies a greater benefit to the casino; and (iii) with the introduction - optional - of a mobile application, all previous tournament organization could be carried out directly with the player. You could sign up and pay with the mobile device, notices about start, delays and breaks and even the exact location with a map of the room included, your table and where you should sit. The long registration queues, the queues for the signing of the transfer of image rights documents and the usual disorganization are eliminated.

In addition to solving existing problems and improving current game processes, the system of the invention also provides novel elements such as: (a) a real-time income control system, since it is the tables themselves that decide and communicate the « rakes »exactly as it regenerates; There are no more errors on the part of the dealer and it is no longer necessary to control their work through the cameras to avoid possible thefts because it is known in advance how much there has to be in commissions during their turn; (b) a better monitoring of the profitability of each table and the number of hands played in each dealer's turn can be carried out and thus know its actual performance; and (c) with the use of a mobile app -app- the casino could also send event calendars, advertising and promotions to players periodically to encourage their return to the game tables and, even, the betting system could be added casino sports.

Throughout the description and the claims, the word "comprises" and its variants are not intended to exclude other technical characteristics, additives, components or steps. For those skilled in the art, other objects, advantages and features of the invention will be derived partly from the invention and partly from the practice of the invention. The following examples and drawings are provided by way of illustration and are not intended to restrict the present invention In addition, the invention covers all possible combinations of particular and preferred embodiments indicated herein.

Brief description of the drawings

Next, a series of drawings that help to better understand the invention and that expressly relate to an embodiment of said invention, which is illustrated as a non-limiting example thereof, is described very briefly. FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a table according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a representation of a system operation scheme according to the present invention.

Explanation of a detailed embodiment of the invention and examples

As can be seen in the attached figures, the present invention comprises a poker game table (11) comprising a plurality of screens (1 to 10, 13) at least one screen per game post (1 to 10) and at least one screen for the dealer (13).

The game post screen (1 to 10) contains less information than the dealer's (13) and is configured to provide information related to the game associated with its specific position. On the contrary, the dealer's screen (13) contains information that the player's screens (1 to 10) and is the one that receives the orders of the dealer who can give them through a physical interface - through physical or virtual buttons on a touch screen - or by voice commands through a microphone (14).

In a particular embodiment, the game table (11) comprises a central screen (15) arranged in the central part of the table (11) and visible from all positions as visual support.

Figure 2 shows an operation scheme of a particular embodiment of the system of the invention that incorporates a specific program for the management of all possible operations with the system, comprising a central computer (100) configured to organize a plurality of tables (11) as illustrated in FIG. 1. This central computer (100) is configured to receive and send data to the tables (11) and, therefore, make real-time modifications to the game program. However, each of the tables (11) comprises its own processing means and a memory connected to said processor, wherein the memory comprises instructions that when executed by the processor cause the table (11) to communicate with each other to function properly in case of failure of the host computer (100). Thus, the screens (1 to 10, 13) of each table (11) may have the ability to be self-sufficient when operating if the casino requires it, to prevent problems in the computer system to stop the development of the game.

The computer sends information to players about where to sit, when, breaks or changes during the game. It also allows registration and remote payments, as well as sending advertising and promotions. Therefore, the application for mobile devices is configured for communication between the central computer (100) and each screen of each player (1 to 10) in real time. Thus, the information about the waiting times for your turn of sitting at the table (11), the exact location of the table (11) and your position with a map of the room indicating it is transmitted.

The mobile application - optionally - is configured for the registration and payment of tournaments, calendar communications and schedules with reminders, acceptance of the transfer of rights of usual image in tournaments. On the other hand, the central computer (100) is configured to send the information of the tables (11) to external screens (101) so that the public can follow the development of the game, as exact information of the bets and size of the boats , as well as send the information for televised retransmissions.

Claims

1.- A poker game management system characterized in that it comprises at least one poker game table (11) with one screen per game post (1 to 10); a screen for the dealer (13); a microphone (14); a processor; a memory; and one or more programs in which the program or programs are stored in memory and configured to run by means of the processor (s); and where the programs include instructions for: (a) sending data to a central computer (100) and receiving data from said central computer (100); (b) communicate with at least a second poker game table (11); (c) calculate bets; and (d) synthesize the voice commands received through the microphone (14) and send them to the screens (1 to 10, 13).

2. The system according to claim 1 wherein the central computer (100) comprises at least one processor, one memory and one or more programs, in which the program or programs are stored in the memory and configured to run through the processor (s) and where the programs include instructions to: (a) receive and send data to and from at least one poker game table (11); (b) calculate bets; and (c) make real-time modifications to the game program.

3. The system according to claim 2 wherein the central computer (100) comprises a program that includes instructions for: (a) communicating with at least one portable electronic device of at least one user; and (b) transmit to the portable electronic device the information about the waiting times for its turn to sit at the table (11), the exact location of the table (11) and its game post on a map.

The system according to claim 2 wherein the central computer (100) comprises a program that includes instructions for: (a) sending the information of the tables (11) to external screens (101).

5. The system according to claim 3 wherein the mobile application is configured for the registration and payment of tournaments, calendar communications and schedules with reminders, acceptance of the assignment of rights of usual image in tournaments.

6. The system according to claim 1 wherein the table (11) comprises a central screen (15).