Abstract:
Card game and method using a standard deck, and is played by a dealer and at least one player. Each hand includes dealing face-down three cards to the dealer, dealing face-down two cards to each player, permitting each player to view only a first dealt card, and requiring each player to make a decision about selection of a playing card after viewing the first dealt card which could be to stay with the first card which would thus constitute the player&#39;s playing card or to pass the first card and view the second card which would then constitute the player&#39;s playing card. Thereafter, all of the dealer&#39;s cards are uncovered and one of the dealer&#39;s cards is selected as the dealer&#39;s playing card, the assigned card being the one having the best value to achieve an objective of the game and method. Each player&#39;s playing card is revealed and compared to the dealer&#39;s playing card. A winner of the hand is determined based on the comparison.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to a game and method involving cards and more specifically to a card game and method involving a player&#39;s selection of a single playing card to be used in a subsequent comparison to a playing card of a designated dealer, with a payout arising from the player&#39;s wager and the results of the comparison of the player&#39;s playing card to the dealer&#39;s playing card. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    There are numerous card games and methods involving selection of cards to be used in subsequent comparisons of values of the cards held by different players and/or a designated dealer with money being waged on whether the player has higher value cards, or patterns of card associated with higher strength, than other players and/or the dealer. Some such card games are played at casino, as board games, and at Internet and interactive websites. 
         [0003]    A drawback of some of these card games and methods when played at least at casino tables is the complexity of the rules. A casino card game with a complex set of rules is not easy to learn and dissuades people from approaching the table to learn and play the game. 
       OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved card game and method which can be played at casinos, and elsewhere, which is easy to learn and fun to play. 
         [0005]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved game and method requiring a player&#39;s selection of a single playing card to be used in a subsequent comparison to a playing card of a designated dealer, with a payout arising from the player&#39;s wager and the results of the comparison of the player&#39;s playing card to the dealer&#39;s playing card. 
         [0006]    In order to achieve these objects and others, a first embodiment of a card game and method in accordance with the invention uses a plurality of cards having different values on a face thereof, such as a standard 52 card deck, and is played by at least a first person designated a dealer and at least one additional person designated a player. The game can be played as a single hand or round or as a series of hands or rounds, or continuously (which might be appropriate in a casino setting). Each hand or round including dealing face-down three cards to the dealer, dealing face-down two cards to each player, permitting each player to view only the designated first one of the dealt cards, and requiring each player to make a decision about selection of a playing card after viewing the first dealt card which could be to stay with the viewed first card which would thus constitute the player&#39;s playing card or alternatively, to pass the first card and view the second dealt card which would then constitute the player&#39;s playing card. Thereafter, all of the dealer&#39;s dealt cards are uncovered and one of the dealer&#39;s dealt cards is assigned or selected as the dealer&#39;s playing card, the assigned card being the one having the best value to achieve an objective of the game and method. Thus, if the objective is to have the lowest card, as in a preferred embodiment, not only will the player&#39;s decision being affected by the value of the first card dealt to the player but also the dealer&#39;s playing card will be the card of the three dealt to the dealer which has the lowest value. Thereafter, each player&#39;s playing card is revealed and compared to the dealer&#39;s playing card. A winner of the hand or round is determined based on the comparison. 
         [0007]    Thus, in the preferred embodiment wherein the objective is to have the lowest card and each player places a bet or wager on the hand or round, if the player&#39;s playing card is less than the dealer&#39;s playing card, the player will win an amount based on their wager, e.g., even money-return of the wager and an equal amount, but if the player&#39;s playing card is higher than the dealer&#39;s playing card, the player will lose the wager. The wager is placed prior to dealing of any of the cards. 
         [0008]    In one embodiment of a multi-hand or round game, to expedite the hands or rounds, multiple decks are used. The decks are alternated between being used to play a hand or round and being shuffled, e.g., in an automatic shuffling device. 
         [0009]    Additional and optional wagering can be provided in the game and method in accordance with the invention, specifically, based on the presence of an Ace as the player&#39;s playing card. In this manner, placing this additional wager provides a payout to a player only when the player&#39;s playing card is an Ace such that when the player&#39;s playing card is not an Ace, the player loses this additional wager (but may still win on the standard wager whose winner is determined based on the comparison of playing cards). Moreover, if the dealer&#39;s playing card is also an Ace, then the payout of this additional wager can be increased. 
         [0010]    Particular features of the card game and method include placing the player&#39;s viewed first card in a designated spot when the player stays with the viewed first card or placing the player&#39;s second dealt card in the same designated spot when the player elects to pass the first dealt card such that the player&#39;s playing card (whether the first or second dealt card) is in the designated spot. Advantageously, the second dealt card of the player is removed when the player stays with the first dealt card and the first dealt card of the player is removed when the player passes the first dealt card. These steps avoid controversy for the subsequent comparison. 
         [0011]    Comparison of each player&#39;s playing card to the dealer&#39;s playing card can be tailored to the game operator&#39;s desires. In one preferred embodiment, the comparison involves determining which playing card is the lowest, with an Ace being the lowest value card, and the assigning of the dealer&#39;s playing card entails selecting the card of the dealer&#39;s dealt cards having the lowest value. As such, a payout on a wager is provided only when the player&#39;s playing card is less than the dealer&#39;s playing card such that when the player&#39;s playing card is higher than the dealer&#39;s playing card, the player loses the wager. The player&#39;s wager is returned when the player&#39;s playing card is equal to the dealer&#39;s playing card. As discussed above, a payout can also be provided on an additional wager based on the presence of an Ace as the player&#39;s playing card such that when the player&#39;s playing card is not an Ace, the player loses this additional wager. This additional payout is optionally increased in a situation where the dealer&#39;s playing card is also an Ace. 
         [0012]    A table for playing the card game and method in any of its variations described above includes individual designated areas for the cards dealt to the dealer and each player, for a card which the player stays with, for a card which the player passes and for one or more wagers. Indicia relating to the payouts on the wager(s) are also preferably provided on the table in a manner known to those skilled in the art. For games with multiple players and a single dealer, each player is provided with a player station, each station includes designated areas for the two cards dealt to the player, for the card which the player stays with, for a card which a player passes and for the wager(s) specific to the player. 
         [0013]    Other and further objects, advantages and features of the present invention will be understood by reference to the following specification in conjunction with the annexed drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    The invention, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals identify like elements. 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  is an overview of a player&#39;s station used when playing the card game and method in accordance with the invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is an overview of a dealer&#39;s station used when playing the card game and method in accordance with the invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a overview of a table for use at, for example, a casino, in order to play the card game and method in accordance with the invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a flowchart of a first embodiment of the card game and method in accordance with the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0019]    Referring to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numbers refer to the same or similar elements, one embodiment of a game in accordance with the invention will be described. This embodiment is not limiting and variations to the game are possible and envisioned and thus within the scope of the invention, Some variations are mentioned below. 
         [0020]    This embodiment of the game in accordance with the invention is played with a single, standard deck of 52 playing cards, from Ace to King in four suits, and for the purposes of the game, the Ace will be considered the lowest card in the deck. The game will be described as a game between a dealer and a player, it being understood that multiple players can play the game simultaneously against a single dealer. 
         [0021]    The game includes a substrate  10  having markings, each of which is discussed below, which substrate  10  may be a table top as shown in  FIG. 3 . With reference to  FIG. 4 , the initial step  40  in the game is for the player to place a bet or wager in a designated wager area  12 , see the area marked “Bet-1 to 1-Bet” in  FIG. 1 . The size of the wager the player is able to place is limited by any rules of the game imposed by, for example, the dealer, the casino in which the game is being played, and the individual controlling the website at which the game is being played. 
         [0022]    In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, each player is provided with an opportunity to place an additional bet or wager which relates to the holding of an Ace as the player&#39;s playing card. To this end, the substrate  10  includes an area  14  having the designation “Aces Pay Bonus Bet” or other language indicative of the additional wager (see  FIG. 1 ). This additional Ace-based wager is optional. The odds for this optional bonus wager can be marked on the substrate  10 . Also, the permitted range of the additional bonus wager, for example, $1-$100, can be marked on the substrate  10 , with other or alternative limitations based on for example, the casino or table minimum, also being marked. 
         [0023]    Once each player has placed their wager or wagers, the next step  42  in the game is for the dealer to deal cards from the deck face down to the player(s) and dealer, in any order, and specifically two cards to the player and three cards to himself. The wager or wagers cannot be changed once the cards are dealt. The substrate  10  can include designated areas  16 ,  18  for each of the dealt cards for the player (see  FIG. 1 ) and each of the dealt cards to the dealer  20 ,  22 ,  24  (see  FIGS. 2 and 3 ). Area  16  preferably has a designation “1 st  Dealt card” or other similar language indicating that it is the location into which the first card dealt to the player should be placed, to aid the player when playing the game and area  18  preferably has a designation “2 nd  Card ‘Hole Card’” or other similar language indicating that it is the location into which the second card dealt to the player should be placed and which also aid the player when playing the game. Areas  20 ,  22 ,  24  can simply be designated “Card 1”, “Card 2” and “Card 3” as shown alongside the phrase “Dealer plays best of three cards”, or each of areas  20 ,  22 ,  24  can included a similar notation indicative of the presence of the three cards dealt to the dealer (see  FIGS. 2 and 3 ). 
         [0024]    Thereafter, the player looks at only a first one of their dealt cards, i.e., the one in area  16 , (step  44 ) and in step  46 , makes a decision to stay or pass. The viewed card is maintained face down. The objective of a preferred embodiment of the game is to have the lowest value card and this obviously affects a player&#39;s decision to stay or pass. Thus, a player with a low value card such a deuce will likely stay while a player with a high value card such as a Queen will likely pass. If a player stays (step  48 ), then the first card is moved from designated area  16  to a designated stay area  26  (the area  26  possibly having a designation “Stay: Place 1 st  Dealt Card” to aid the player in playing of the game). If the player views an Ace as their first dealt card, they should, if not must, move it to the stay area  26  and keep it face down. 
         [0025]    If the player passes (step  50 ), then the first card is moved from designated area  16  to a designated pass area  28  (the area  28  possibly having a designation “Pass: Place 1 st  Dealt Card” to aid the player in playing of the game). 
         [0026]    As a result of the decision to stay or pass based on reviewing the first dealt card, the player has designated a playing card which is present in either the area  26  (if the player decided to stay after viewing the first dealt card) or in area  28  (if the player decided to pass after viewing the first dealt card). At this time, the dealer can take from the player the card not being used to play the hand, i.e., either the second dealt card if the player decides to stay with the first card and has moved it to the stay area  26  or the first dealt card if the player decides to pass on it and has moved it to the pass area  28 . In the latter case, the dealer also places the second dealt card into the designated stay area  26 . The player can now look at the second dealt card, the “hole card”, which was moved from the area  18  to the designated stay area  26 . 
         [0027]    The next step  52  in the game is for the dealer to determine her playing card to be compared against the player&#39;s playing card. To this end, the dealer uncovers all three of her cards, with the lowest being the dealer&#39;s playing card (for the preferred embodiment wherein the objective is to have the lowest value card). At this juncture, it is noted that although in the preferred embodiment of the invention, the objective of the game is to have the lowest value playing card, with an Ace being the lowest, other variations are envisioned and such variations may depend, for example, on the composition of the deck of cards being used to play the game. 
         [0028]    The player&#39;s playing card is then uncovered (step  54 ) and compared to the dealer&#39;s playing card (step  56 ). The comparison involves a determination as to whether the dealer or player has the lowest card. If the dealer&#39;s playing card is lower than the player&#39;s playing card, then the dealer wins, and the player loses their obligatory wager, i.e., the wager in designated area  12 . If the player&#39;s playing card is lower than the dealer&#39;s playing card, then the player wins the wager in area  12 . If the dealer&#39;s playing card and the player&#39;s playing card are the same, then the player pushes on the wager, i.e., receives the wager back. 
         [0029]    The wager may be twice the amount of money placed into the betting area  12 , i.e. the original wager and the same sum as winnings, or any other payout which may be designated on the substrate  10 . 
         [0030]    However, as noted above, an additional, optional wager is envisioned, and relates to the presence of an Ace as the player&#39;s playing card, with an optional enhancement if the dealer&#39;s playing card is also an Ace. To this end, the Ace-based wager is then considered in step  58 . If the player&#39;s playing card is an Ace and the player placed a bet or wager in the bonus bet area  14 , then the player receives a payout on this bonus bet which may be an enlarged multiple of the original wager, e.g., 10 times the original wager. An indication to this effect can be placed on the substrate  10 , i.e., it contains the phrase “any Ace pays 10 to 1” or similar language to this effect. This payout is made regardless of whether there is a payout on the obligatory wager. Moreover, if the dealer&#39;s playing card is also an Ace, then a “Super Bonus” is provided which may be a larger multiple of the wager in the area  14 , e.g., 40 times the original wager. An indication to this effect can be placed on the substrate  10 , i.e., it contains the phrase “if player and dealer pull an ace . . . super bonus . . . 40 to 1” or similar language to this effect 
         [0031]    This optional Ace-based wager is independent of the standard or obligatory wager in area  12  so that a player can receive a payout on each wager, the amount of the wager in area  12  if the player&#39;s playing card is less than the dealer&#39;s playing card and a multiple of the amount in wager area  14  if the player&#39;s playing card is an Ace. Alternatively, the player can receive a payout on the Ace-based wager but not on the obligatory wager, i.e., when both the player and dealer&#39;s playing cards are Aces (although the player pushes on the obligatory wager and thus does not lose from this bet). 
         [0032]    In step  60 , the cards are then gathered together, the deck is shuffled and another hand or round of the game can be started. 
         [0033]    When playing multiple and sequential hands or rounds of a single game (note though that each hand or round could constitute a game in and of itself), it is possible to use two or more decks wherein a first deck is used to play one round of the game and the second deck is placed in an automatic shuffler. Once the first round is concluded, the second deck is removed from the automatic shuffler and the first deck is placed into the automatic shuffler. The second round is played with the second deck. Use of two decks, or even more decks, quickens the pace of the game and in comparison to a multi-round game in which only a single deck is used, avoids any downtime between rounds which would be required to shuffle the deck. 
         [0034]    In one embodiment of the game, multiple players can play against a single dealer, or a player can receive multiple sets of two cards simultaneously in a single hand or round. Each player would be provided with two dealt cards and the players would simultaneously make a decision about staying or passing after viewing their respective, first dealt card. Since the players do not play against each other but rather play individually against the dealer, they may, if so desired, show their cards to other players. Ideally though, each player keeps their own playing cards to themselves and also above the substrate  10 . The dealer would treat each player separately, i.e., consider each player&#39;s wager or wager independent of the wager(s) of the other player(s). the maximum number of players is preferably 7, excluding the dealer. 
         [0035]    Although in accordance with the invention, a full deck of standard cards is used, it is possible to use other sets of cards, whether a portion of a single deck, multiple decks, portions of multiple decks, etc. 
         [0036]    Further, the game is described above involving two cards dealt to each player and three cards dealt to a dealer. In variations of the game, a different number of cards can be dealt to each player (other than two cards) and each dealer (other than three cards). For example, the dealer could be dealt only two cards. In one such embodiment where the dealer is dealt only two cards, the dealer can be required to turn over only one card and if the card is less than or equal to a value, e.g., six, the dealer must keep this card which will thus be the dealer&#39;s playing card, and the second dealt card will be removed. If the turned over card is higher than a six, then the dealer can discard the card and the second dealt card will be the dealer&#39;s playing card. 
         [0037]    The game described above involves the pursuit of a lowest card with the objective being to have a playing card having a lower value than the dealer&#39;s playing card, with an Ace being the lowest. Variations are possible, for example, wherein the objective is to have the highest playing card and the necessary modifications to the game with such an objective would be readily evident to one skilled in the art. 
         [0038]    The game can be played in various forms. It can be played as a table game at a casino or other gambling establishment. It can be configured and marketed as a board game to be played between two or more players, one of which will be designated the dealer. It can also be played as an interactive, possibly web-based, game wherein the dealer and player(s) can be situated in different locations and a computer coordinates the play of the game and wagering, e.g., deals the cards to the player(s), enables the manipulation and movement of the cards by the player and acts as the dealer if so desired. The game can also be configured as a handheld game or as a cartridge for a hand-held game, or as an electronic game in any suitable form. 
         [0039]    The actions based on the player and dealer having the same card can be changed so that the player loses if his or her card does not have a lower value than that of the dealer. 
         [0040]    Finally, wagering on each player&#39;s playing card does not have to be limited to wagers placed by the player but could also be placed by other parties. 
         [0041]    While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects, and, therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.