Abstract:
A computer-implemented method is adapted for playing a series of card games in sequence. Each of the card games is associated with a respective set of card rules, and requires a player and a virtual opponent to have a set of simulated cards. The simulated cards in each of the card games increase in number with the progression of the card games in the sequence. In the method, a gaming apparatus includes a user input unit and a display unit, and the player is allowed to place a bet via the user input unit. The card games are played in sequence such that the cards in a previous card game are combined with new cards to result in the cards of a succeeding card game. A computer program product for a gaming apparatus that includes a user input unit, a display unit and a processor unit is also disclosed.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
         [0001]    This application claims priority of R.O.C. Patent Application No. 090131640, filed on Dec. 20, 2001.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    The invention relates to a gaming apparatus, more particularly to a computer-implemented method and gaming apparatus for playing a series of card games in sequence.  
           [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art  
           [0005]    Conventional gaming apparatus allow players to play only one kind of card game. In order to maintain the interest of customers and keep them from getting bored, business establishments must provide different gaming apparatus and replace them with new types periodically. This not only entails huge operating costs, but also arises in personnel training and apparatus maintenance problems.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0006]    Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a computer-implemented method and gaming apparatus for playing a series of card games in sequence so as to overcome the aforesaid drawbacks of the conventional gaming apparatus.  
           [0007]    According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a computer-implemented method for playing a series of card games in sequence. Each of the card games is associated with a respective set of card rules, and requires a player to have a set of simulated cards. The simulated cards in each of the card games increase in number with the progression of the card games in the sequence. The computer-implemented method comprises:  
           [0008]    (a) providing a gaming apparatus that includes a user input unit and a display unit;  
           [0009]    (b) allowing the player to place a bet via the user input unit;  
           [0010]    (c) playing one of the card games in the sequence, including the steps of dealing a number of the simulated cards to each of the player and a virtual opponent for playing said one of the card games, showing the simulated cards that were dealt on the display unit, determining the winner in said one of the card games in accordance with the respective set of card rules that are associated with said one of the card games, and adjusting a credit total for the player according to the result of said one of the card games and with reference to the bet placed by the player;  
           [0011]    (d) playing a succeeding one of the card games in the sequence, including the steps of dealing another number of the simulated cards to each of the player and the virtual opponent, said another number of the simulated cards being respectively combined with the simulated cards of the player and the virtual opponent in the previous one of the card games to result in the simulated cards of the player and the virtual opponent for playing the succeeding one of the card games, showing the simulated cards of the player and the virtual opponent on the display unit, determining the winner in the succeeding one of the card games in accordance with the respective set of card rules that are associated with the succeeding one of the card games, and adjusting the credit total for the player according to the result of the succeeding one of the card games and with reference to the bet placed by the player; and  
           [0012]    (e) repeating step (d) until all of the card games in the sequence have been completed.  
           [0013]    According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a computer program product for a gaming apparatus that includes a user input unit,,a display unit and a processor unit coupled to the user input unit and the display unit. The computer program product adapts the gaming apparatus for playing a series of card games in sequence. Each of the card games is associated with a respective set of card rules, and requires a player to have a set of simulated cards. The simulated cards in each of the card games increase in number with the progression of the card games in the sequence. The computer program product comprises:  
           [0014]    a computer readable storage medium comprising:  
           [0015]    a first code that directs the processor unit to allow the player to place a bet via the user input unit;  
           [0016]    a second code that directs the processor unit to control playing of one of the card games in the sequence, including a code that directs the processor unit to deal a number of the simulated cards to each of the player and a virtual opponent for playing said one of the card games, a code that directs the processor unit so as to show the simulated cards that were dealt on the display unit, a code that directs the processor unit to determine the winner in said one of the card games in accordance with the respective set of card rules that are associated with said one of the card games, and a code that directs the processor unit to adjust a credit total for the player according to the result of said one of the card games and with reference to the bet placed by the player; and  
           [0017]    a third code that directs the processor unit to control playing of a succeeding one of the card games in the sequence, including a code that directs the processor unit to deal another number of the simulated cards to each of the player and the virtual opponent, said another number of the simulated cards being respectively combined with the simulated cards of the player and the virtual opponent in the previous one of the card games to result in the simulated cards of the player and the virtual opponent for playing the succeeding one of the card games, a code that directs the processor unit so as to show the simulated cards of the player and the virtual opponent on the display unit, a code that directs the processor unit to determine the winner in the succeeding one of the card games in accordance with the respective set of card rules that are associated with the succeeding one of the card games, and a code that directs the processor unit to adjust the credit total for the player according to the result of the succeeding one of the card games and with reference to the bet placed by the player.  
           [0018]    According to yet another aspect of the invention, a gaming apparatus is adapted for playing a series of card games in sequence, each of the card games being associated with a respective set of card rules and requiring a player to have a set of simulated cards, the simulated cards in each of the card games increasing in number with the progression of the card games in the sequence. The gaming apparatus comprises:  
           [0019]    a user input unit;  
           [0020]    a display unit;  
           [0021]    means for allowing the player to place a bet via the user input unit;  
           [0022]    means for playing one of the card games in the sequence including means for dealing a number of the simulated cards to each of the player and a virtual opponent for playing said one of the card games, means for showing the simulated cards that were dealt on the display unit, means for determining the winner in said one of the card games in accordance with the respective set of card rules that are associated with said one of the card games, and means for adjusting a credit total for the player according to the result of said one of the card games and with reference to the bet placed by the player; and  
           [0023]    means for playing a succeeding one of the card games in the sequence, including means for dealing another number of the simulated cards to each of the player and the virtual opponent, said another number of the simulated cards being respectively combined with the simulated cards of the player and the virtual opponent in the previous one of the card games to result in the simulated cards of the player and the virtual opponent for playing the succeeding one of the card games, means for showing the simulated cards of the player and the virtual opponent on the display unit, means for determining the winner in the succeeding one of the card games in accordance with the respective set of card rules that are associated with the succeeding one of the card games, and means for adjusting the credit total for the player according to the result of the succeeding one of the card games and with reference to the bet placed by the player.  
           [0024]    According to a further aspect of the invention, a gaming apparatus comprises a user input unit, a display unit, a processor unit coupled to the user input unit and the display unit, and a computer program product for adapting the gaming apparatus for playing a series of card games in sequence. Each of the card games is associated with a respective set of card rules, and requires a player to have a set of simulated cards. The simulated cards in each of the card games increase in number with the progression of the card games in the sequence. The computer program product comprises a computer readable storage medium that includes:  
           [0025]    a first code that directs the processor unit to allow the player to place a bet via the user input unit;  
           [0026]    a second code that directs the processor unit to control playing of one of the card games in the sequence, including a code that directs the processor unit to deal a number of the simulated cards to each of the player and a virtual opponent for playing said one of the card games, a code that directs the processor unit so as to show the simulated cards that were dealt on the display unit, a code that directs the processor unit to determine the winner in said one of the card games in accordance with the respective set of card rules that are associated with said one of the card games, and a code that directs the processor unit to adjust a credit total for the player according to the result of said one of the card games and with reference to the bet placed by the player; and  
           [0027]    a third code that directs the processor unit to control playing of a succeeding one of the card games in the sequence, including a code that directs the processor unit to deal another number of the simulated cards to each of the player and the virtual opponent, said another number of the simulated cards being respectively combined with the simulated cards of the player and the virtual opponent in the previous one of the card games to result in the simulated cards of the player and the virtual opponent for playing the succeeding one of the card games, a code that directs the processor unit so as to show the simulated cards of the player and the virtual opponent on the display unit, a code that directs the processor unit to determine the winner in the succeeding one of the card games in accordance with the respective set of card rules that are associated with the succeeding one of the card games, and a code that directs the processor unit to adjust the credit total for the player according to the result of the succeeding one of the card games and with reference to the bet placed by the player.  
           [0028]    Because different card games are played in sequence in a single game round, the player&#39;s desire for variety can be satisfied, and the costs and overhead in allocating and maintaining automated gaming apparatus in business establishments can be reduced.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0029]    Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 1 is a schematic circuit block diagram of the preferred embodiment of a gaming apparatus according to the present invention;  
         [0031]    [0031]FIGS. 2 and 3 are flowcharts to illustrate the preferred embodiment of a computer-implemented method for playing a series of card games in sequence according to the present invention; and  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 4 illustrates how simulated cards are dealt when playing consecutive card games according to the embodiment of FIGS. 2 and 3. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0033]    Referring to FIG. 1, the preferred embodiment of a gaming apparatus  1  according to the present invention is adapted for playing a series of card games in sequence. The gaming apparatus  1  comprises a user input unit  11 , a processor unit  12 , a display unit  13 , a sound generating unit  14 , and a power supply unit  15  coupled to the user input unit  11 , the processor unit  12 , the display unit  13  and the sound generating unit  14 . The user input unit  11  is operable so as to receive an input from the user. The display unit  13  is operable so as to show game images thereon. The sound generating unit  14  is operable so as to provide audible instructions and information to the user. The processor unit  12  is coupled to and controls the operations of the user input unit  11 , the display unit  13  and the sound generating unit  14  in accordance with pre-programmed instructions. Preferably, the processor unit  12  is in the form of a circuit board that is mounted removably in the gaming apparatus  1  and that includes: a computer readable storage medium  121 , such as a read-only memory device, recorded with program codes for performing the computer-implemented method of this invention; a central processing unit (CPU)  122  for executing the program codes; an image processor  123 ; and a random access memory (RAM)  124 . However, it should be apparent to one skilled in the art that the processor unit  12  can also be implemented with a storage medium in the form of a floppy disk, a compact disk, a game cartridge, etc.  
         [0034]    The program codes in the storage medium  121  control game progress as follows:  
         [0035]    Game-initiating processing: When the gaming apparatus  1  is activated, the CPU  122  retrieves image data from the storage medium  121  and sends the same to the image processor  123  for processing. The output of the image processor  123  is sent to the display unit  13  to serve as a visual interface with the user. At the same time, audio data will be sent to the sound generating unit  14  for audio effects. As such, prior to starting a game, the display unit  13  is able to show a series of demonstration images until a player enters a game-playing command via the user input unit  11 .  
         [0036]    Card-dealing processing: As shown in FIG. 2 and  4 , a first card game proceeds in step A. At the onset of the first card game, the processor unit  12  controls the display unit  13  for prompting the player to place a bet via the user input unit  11  (sub-step a). Then, credit totals for the player and a virtual opponent will be stored by the processor unit  12  in the RAM  124 . Subsequently, the processor unit  12  deals simulated cards  20 ,  21  to the player and the virtual opponent, respectively (sub-step b) The simulated cards  20 ,  21  are shown on the display unit  13 .  
         [0037]    Winner-determining processing: In the first card game, the face values of the simulated cards  20 ,  21  are evaluated according to a first set of card rules, e.g. high or low, to determine the winner (sub-step c). The credit totals of the player and the virtual opponent are adjusted accordingly with reference to the bet placed by the player (sub-step d). The updated credit totals are recorded in the RAM  124 . Preferably, when neither the player nor the virtual opponent won, the bet will be accumulated to serve as the winning prize for next card game.  
         [0038]    When the first card game ends, the aforesaid card-dealing and winner-determining processing will be repeated to proceed with the second card game (step B) Preferably, before dealing simulated cards for the second card game, the processor unit  12  controls the display unit  13  for prompting the player to optionally raise the bet. The player can then raise or maintain the bet via the user input unit  11 . Then, the processor unit  12  deals simulated cards  30 ,  31  to the player and the virtual opponent, respectively (sub-step e). The simulated cards  30 ,  31  are respectively combined with the simulated cards  20 ,  21  in the first card game to result in the simulated cards for the second card game. The simulated cards  20 ,  21 ,  30 ,  31  are all shown on the display unit  13 . Finally, the face values of the simulated cards for the player and the virtual opponent are evaluated according to a second set of card rules, e.g. baccarat, to determine the winner, and the credit totals of the player and the virtual opponent are adjusted accordingly in a manner similar to that in the first card game (sub-step f).  
         [0039]    When the second card game ends, the aforesaid card-dealing and winner-determining processing will be repeated to proceed with the third card game (step C). Preferably, before dealing simulated cards for the third card game, the processor unit  12  controls the display unit  13  for prompting the player to optionally raise the bet (sub-step g). The player can then raise or maintain the bet via the user input unit  11 . Then, the processor unit  12  deals simulated cards  40 ,  41  to the player and the virtual opponent, respectively (sub-step h). The simulated cards  40 ,  41  are respectively combined with the simulated cards  20 ,  21 ,  30 ,  31  in the second card game to result in the simulated cards for the third card game. The simulated cards  20 ,  21 ,  30 ,  31 ,  40 ,  41  are all shown on the display unit  13 . Finally, the face values of the simulated cards for the player and the virtual opponent are evaluated according to a third set of card rules, e.g. blackjack, to determine the winner, and the credit totals of the player and the virtual opponent are adjusted accordingly in a manner similar to that in the first card game (sub-step i).  
         [0040]    When the third card game ends, the aforesaid card-dealing and winner-determining processing will be repeated to proceed with the fourth card game (step D). Preferably, before dealing simulated cards for the fourth card game, the processor unit  12  controls the display unit  13  for prompting the player to optionally raise the bet (sub-step j). The player can then raise or maintain the bet via the user input unit  11 . Then, the processor unit  12  deals simulated cards  50 ,  51 ,  52 ,  53  to the player and the virtual opponent, respectively (sub-step k). The simulated cards  50 ,  51 ,  52 ,  53  are respectively combined with the simulated cards  20 ,  21 ,  30 ,  31 ,  40 ,  41  in the third card game to result in the simulated cards for the fourth card game. The simulated cards  20 ,  21 ,  30 ,  31 ,  40 ,  41 ,  50 ,  51 ,  52 ,  53  are all shown on the display unit  13 . Finally, the face values of the simulated cards for the player and the virtual opponent are evaluated according to a fourth set of card rules, e.g. five-card poker, to determine the winner, and the credit totals of the player and the virtual opponent are adjusted accordingly in a manner similar to that in the first card game (sub-step l).  
         [0041]    With further reference to FIG. 3, when the fourth card game ends, the aforesaid card-dealing and winner-determining processing will be repeated to proceed with the fifth card game (step E). Preferably, before dealing simulated cards for the fifth card game, the processor unit  12  controls the display unit  13  for prompting the player to optionally raise the bet (sub-step m). The player can then raise or maintain the bet via the user input unit  11 . Then, the processor unit  12  deals simulated cards  60 ,  61 ,  62 ,  63  to the player and the virtual opponent, respectively (sub-step n). The simulated cards  60 ,  61 ,  62 ,  63  are respectively combined with the simulated cards  20 ,  21 ,  30 ,  31 ,  40 ,  41 ,  50 ,  51 ,  52 ,  53  in the fourth card game to result in the simulated cards for the fifth card game. The simulated cards  20 ,  21 ,  30 ,  31 ,  41 ,  50 ,  51 ,  52 ,  53 ,  60 ,  61 ,  62 ,  63  are all shown on the display unit  13 . Finally, the face values of the simulated cards for the player and the virtual opponent are evaluated according to a fifth set of card rules, e.g. seven-hand Chinese card game, to determine the winner, and the credit totals of the player and the virtual opponent are adjusted accordingly in a manner similar to that in the first card game (sub-step o).  
         [0042]    When the fifth card game ends, the aforesaid card-dealing and winner-determining processing will be repeated to proceed with the sixth card game (step F) Preferably, before dealing simulated cards for the sixth card game, the processor unit  12  controls the display unit  13  for prompting the player to optionally raise the bet (sub-step p). The player can then raise or maintain the bet via the user input unit  11 . Then, the processor unit  12  deals simulated cards  70 ,  71 ,  72 ,  73 ,  74 ,  75 ,  80 ,  81 ,  82 ,  83 ,  84 ,  85  to the player and the virtual opponent, respectively (sub-step q). The simulated cards  70 ,  71 ,  72 ,  73 ,  74 ,  75 ,  80 ,  81 ,  82 ,  83 ,  84 ,  85  are respectively combined with the simulated cards  20 ,  21 ,  30 ,  31 ,  40 ,  41 ,  50 ,  51 ,  52 ,  53 ,  60 ,  61 ,  62 ,  63  in the fifth card game to result in the simulated cards for the sixth card game. The simulated cards  20 ,  21 ,  30 ,  31 ,  41 ,  50 ,  51 ,  52 ,  53 ,  60 ,  61 ,  62 ,  63 ,  70 ,  71 ,  72 ,  73 ,  74 ,  75 ,  80 ,  81 ,  82 ,  83 ,  84 ,  85  are all shown on the display unit  13 . Finally, the face values of the simulated cards for the player and the virtual opponent are evaluated according to a sixth set of card rules, e.g. thirteen-card poker, to determine the winner, and the credit totals of the player and the virtual opponent are adjusted accordingly in a manner similar to that in the first card game (sub-step r).  
         [0043]    Subsequently, it is determined whether the player can be awarded with bonus credit (Step G). Particularly, upon determining that the player won in each of the card games in the sequence (sub-steps), the gaming apparatus  1  will award the player with bonus credit, and the display unit  13  and the sound generating unit  14  will be enabled to render animated announcement. Thereafter, the player may start a new game through the user input unit  11  (sub-step t).  
         [0044]    It has thus been shown that the computer-implemented method and gaming apparatus of this invention enable players to play different card games in sequence in a single game round so as to satisfy their desire for variety without increasing the operating costs of business establishments.  
         [0045]    While the present invention has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiment but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements.