Abstract:
A multi-action poker game played via a networked system such a server-based system or global computer network (e.g., the Internet). The poker game generally involves players playing two or more independent poker hands substantially simultaneously at the same virtual poker table. The multiple poker hands are distinguished using distinctive playing cards (and/or card placements) and/or poker chip counts or by multiple representations of the same virtual poker table. Alternatively, a single chip count may be used for each of the at least than two hands.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The embodiments of the present invention relate to a poker game during which players may play at least two independent poker hands from different decks of cards substantially simultaneously at a same virtual poker table. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The popularity of poker has exploded over the last ten years based on, among other things, the Internet. The Internet allows remote players to quickly and easily participate in poker games. The electronic nature of the poker game also allows unique features to be implemented. For example, players may play individual poker games at multiple poker tables simultaneously by moving from table-to-table to make wagers and make game decisions. 
         [0003]    Thus, it would be beneficial to develop a new poker game playable via a networked system and designed to provide players of virtual poker the ability to play multiple, independent poker games at the same virtual poker table without having to move from the single virtual poker table. Advantageously, the new poker game playable via a networked system should increase operator revenue as well. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    The embodiments of the present invention are directed to a multi-action poker game played via a networked system such a server-based system or global computer network (e.g., the Internet). One embodiment generally involves players playing two or more independent poker games substantially simultaneously at the same virtual poker table. The multiple poker games are distinguished using distinctive playing cards (or card placements) and/or poker chip counts or by multiple representations of the same virtual poker table. In an alternative embodiment, a single chip count may be used for each of the at least two poker hands. 
         [0005]    Thus, according to the embodiments of the present invention, players of virtual poker have the ability to play multiple, independent poker games at the same virtual poker table without having to move from the single virtual poker table. Consequently, the same virtual poker table supports multiple layers of poker games such that when the player joins a virtual poker table, the player is involved in each poker game underway and when the player leaves the virtual poker table, the player leaves each poker game being played simultaneously at the virtual poker table. 
         [0006]    Other variations, embodiments and features of the present invention will become evident from the following detailed description, drawings and claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  illustrates a standalone gaming device of the type which may be networked to other gaming devices to form a networked system capable of conducting a poker game according to the embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  illustrates a network of gaming devices forming a networked system for conducting a poker game according to the embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  illustrates a block diagram of a networked online system accessible by mobile devices for conducting a poker game according to the embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  illustrates a screen shot showing a virtual poker table and distinguished cards of the type which may facilitate the play of a poker game according to the embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  illustrates a screen shot showing a virtual poker table depicting a single chip count for use with multiple poker games according to the embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  illustrates a screen shot showing different card placement areas which may facilitate the play of a poker game according to the embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 7  illustrates a flow chart detailing alternative methods of conducting a poker game according to the embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 8  illustrates a flow chart detailing alternative methods of conducting a poker game according to the embodiments of the present invention 
           [0015]      FIGS. 9   a  and  9   b  illustrate a first and second representations of a virtual poker table according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0016]    For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications of the inventive feature illustrated herein, and any additional applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated herein, which would normally occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the invention claimed. 
         [0017]    The embodiments of the present invention utilize simulated, conventional decks of  52  cards comprising suits of spades, hearts, diamonds and clubs with each suit having thirteen ranked cards comprising ranks  2  through  10 , Jacks, Queens, Kings and Aces. Jokers may also be used as additional cards. It is conceivable that other card types and combinations may be used as well. 
         [0018]      FIG. 1  shows an electronic gaming device of the type useable to develop a networked system which may facilitate conducting the poker game according to the embodiments of the present invention. A block diagram of the electronic gaming device  100  is shown in  FIG. 1 . The exemplary electronic gaming device  100  may include a central processing unit (CPU) also deemed a processor  105  which controls the electronic gaming device  100  based on instructions stored in program read-only memory (ROM)  110  and pay table ROM  115 . Program ROM  110  stores executable instructions related to the operation of the gaming device and which are generally permanent. CPU  105  may be connected to a video controller  120  which provides output to one or more video displays  125 . Similarly, an audio controller  130  provides audio output as dictated by the CPU  105  through speakers  135 . The aforementioned components, and others, may be attached to a circuit board forming a motherboard. In another embodiment, the electronic gaming device may linked to a central game server which allows players to select from a number of games via the electronic gaming device  100 . In such an embodiment, one or more processors integrated into the central server control the gaming device  100  based on instructions stored in program read-only memory. 
         [0019]    A user interface  140  may respond to buttons on button panel or display incorporating touch screen technology or any other devices providing means for users to communicate with, and instruct, the electronic gaming device  100 . Wager memory  145  stores an amount of money/credits deposited into the electronic gaming device  100  by a player and specific wager information related to each play of the electronic gaming device  100 . Payout system  150  includes a coupon printer or similar device for receiving money/coupon from the electronic gaming device  100 . 
         [0020]    Those skilled in the art will recognize that the configuration and features of the electronic gaming device  100  disclosed herein are exemplary and may be altered in any number of ways without impacting the embodiments of the present invention.  FIG. 2  shows a network of gaming devices  100 - 1  through  100 -N forming a networked system  200  for conducting a poker game according to the embodiments of the present invention. 
         [0021]      FIG. 3  shows a block diagram of a wireless system  300  which may be used to facilitate remote play of the blackjack game according to the embodiments of the present invention. The wireless system  300  comprises a game server  305 , including one or more processors  310  running game software, and remote devices  315 - 1  through  315 -N (e.g., smart phones) configured to access said game server  305  facilitating game play on the remote devices  315 . The remote devices  315 - 1  through  315 -N download poker software and/or applications to facilitate the play of poker on the remote devices  15 - 1  through  315 -N via said game server  305 . 
         [0022]      FIG. 4  shows a screen shot  400  of a virtual poker table  410 , virtual players  415 - 1  through  415 - 10 , two independent sets of common cards  420 - 1 ,  420 - 2 , two independent sets of player hole cards  430 - 1 ,  430 - 2 , two independent chip counts  435 - 1 ,  435 - 2  and two pots  440 - 1 ,  440 - 2 . As shown, the backs of hole cards  420 - 1  depict a checkered pattern while the backs of the hole cards  420 - 2  depict a line pattern. The backs of the common cards  420 - 1 ,  420 - 2  remind players which hole cards  430 - 1 ,  430 - 2  belong to which set of common cards  420 - 1 ,  420 - 2 . 
         [0023]    To further assist players in maintaining an accurate understanding of which hole cards  430 - 1 ,  430 - 2  belong to which common cards  420 - 1 ,  420 - 2  and which chip counts  435 - 1 ,  435 - 2  and pots  440 - 1 ,  440 - 2  belong to which poker game, hole card game identifiers  431 , common card game/pot identifiers  432  and chip count identifiers  433  identify to which game (i.e., Game  1  or Game  2 ) said hole cards  430 - 1 ,  430 - 2 , common cards  420 - 1 ,  420 - 2 , pots  440 - 1 ,  440 - 2  and chip counts  435 - 1 ,  435 - 2  belong. 
         [0024]    x In a first embodiment, the system automatically deducts wager amounts and credits winning amounts to the correct chip count  435 - 1 ,  435 - 2 . Thus, when a player places a wager in Game  1 , the system automatically deducts the wager amount from chip count  435 - 1 . Similarly, when a player wins the pot  440 - 1  in Game  1 , the system automatically credits the winning amount to chip count  435 - 1 . Alternatively, a player may be responsible for selecting which chip count  435 - 1 ,  435 - 2  from which to place the wager. In such an embodiment, the system provides an alert to the player responsive to the player selecting the incorrect chip count  435 - 1 ,  435 - 1  from which to make the wager. 
         [0025]    In another embodiment, as shown in screen shot  401  of  FIG. 5 , a single chip count  436  may be used by a player to fund wagers in each of said two or more poker games removing any necessary selection process. 
         [0026]      FIG. 6  shows screen shot  402  depicting a separate card placement area  475  for the player to easily determine which hole cards  430 - 1 ,  430 - 2  belong to which set of common cards  420 - 1 ,  420 - 2 . Those skilled in the art will recognize that the hole cards  430 - 1 ,  430 - 2  and common cards  420 - 1 ,  420 - 2  may be positioned anywhere to assist players with determining which hole cards  430 - 1 ,  430 - 2  belong to which set of common cards  420 - 1 ,  420 - 2 . 
         [0027]    As detailed above, the system facilitates the play of two or more poker hands from two or more poker games simultaneously. The play of multiple poker games simultaneously eliminates the need for players to move to a second, independent poker table to play a second poker game. 
         [0028]      FIG. 7  shows a flow chart  600  detailing a method of conducting an online poker game according to the embodiments of the present invention played with two poker games simultaneously wherein each poker hand of each poker game begins and no new poker hands begin until both poker hands conclude. At  605 , a player buys in to play the poker game by entering an amount of money to be placed into each of two chip counts. When buying in at a virtual poker table, the players are automatically entered into each of the two poker games being played and when they leave the virtual poker table they automatically leave all poker games. At  610 , the system displays two chip counts proximate the player. At  615 , the system pairs each chip count with the appropriate poker game. At  620 , the blinds for each game are placed based on the position of the respective dealer buttons. Each game may have a unique dealer button. For example, a first dealer button may depict “Game  1 ” thereon while a second dealer button may depict “Game  2 ” thereon. Alternatively, a single dealer button may be used for both games. At  625 , the system conducts the two poker games simultaneously using two independent decks of simulated cards. In one embodiment, the system automatically uses funds from the appropriate chip count to fund the appropriate wagers in the appropriate pot based on the player making a wager. At  630 , a pot is paid responsive to a poker hand by crediting the amount of the winning pot into the appropriate chip count of the player(s) winning the hand. At  635 , once it is determined that both hands have concluded and the pots have both been paid, the two games begin with new hands being dealt. 
         [0029]      FIG. 8  shows a flow chart  700  detailing a method of conducting an online poker game according to the embodiments of the present invention played with two poker games simultaneously wherein each poker hand begins independent of the other. At  705 , a player buys in to play the poker game by entering an amount of money to be placed into each of two chip counts. When buying in at a virtual poker table, the players are automatically entered into each of the two poker games being played and when they leave the virtual poker table they automatically leave all poker games. At  710 , the system displays two chip counts proximate the player. At  715 , the system pairs each chip count with the appropriate poker game. At  720 , the blinds for each game are placed based on the position of the respective dealer buttons. At  725 , the system conducts the two poker games simultaneously using two independent decks of simulated cards. In one embodiment, the system automatically uses funds from the appropriate chip count to fund the appropriate wagers in the appropriate pot based on the player making a wager. At  730 , a pot is paid responsive to poker hand of poker game  1  by crediting the amount of the winning pot into the chip count of game  1  of the player(s) winning the hand. At  735 , a next hand of poker game  1  begins. At  740 , a pot is paid responsive to poker hand of poker game  2  by crediting the amount of the winning pot into the chip count of poker game  2  of the player(s) winning the hand. At  745 , a next hand of poker game  2  begins. 
         [0030]      FIGS. 9   a  and  9   b  show screen shots  800  and  801  of multiple poker games individually depicted on multiple layers  802  and  803  of the same virtual poker table  805 . In this embodiment, the players move between the different layers at the same virtual poker table  805  whereby the cards of each game are depicted on a different layer  802 ,  803 .  FIG. 9   a  shows a first layer  802  attributable to a first poker game and a second layer  803  attributable to a second poker game. Both layers  802 ,  803  are virtual representations of the same virtual poker table  805 . The player may toggle between the layers  802 ,  803  using a toggle icon  806 . With this layered approach, the two or more games need not necessarily use distinctive looking cards since each poker game is depicted on a different layer  802 ,  803 . However, the cards may continue to be distinguished. To keep players informed, the games may continue to be identified by Game  1  and Game  2  designations. 
         [0031]    The simultaneous poker games may be directed to cash games or tournaments. Indeed, the simultaneous poker games may lend themselves to interesting tournament scenarios which incorporate success of players in each of the multiple poker hands. Any number of poker games including Texas Hold&#39;em, Omaha and Seven Card Stud, may be played simultaneously according to the embodiments of the present invention. 
         [0032]    Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to several embodiments, additional variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of the invention as described and defined in the following claims.