Abstract:
A gaming table system for error reduction and efficiency are disclosed. The gaming table system include a gaming table can have sensors for determining the values of the dealt cards. Additional table sensor can use used to determine the players bet and prospective payout. Intelligent markers can be integrated with the system, where the markers preferably include a mechanism for signaling the receiving bettor to acknowledge receipt of the marker, which acknowledgement may turn off the indicating mechanism. The method of indication could be visual, audible or otherwise which would signal a bettor to interact with the marker. The intelligent markers communicate with table sensors and a shoe to monitor the status of games, and to signal alerts when a mistake occurs.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention generally relates to playing card gaming tables, and more particular to an intelligent game table which can monitor players and dealers to reduce errors and increase efficiency. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    In casinos, gaming tables are utilized for playing card games. For example,  FIG. 1  shows a prior art Baccarat table  100 , which includes a chip case  105  and a shoe  110 . In the game of Baccarat, acrylic markers are used to designate the highest bettor for Player and Banker hands. The markers are of two different colors and reside in front of the appropriate bettor(s) to mark the correct spot that the cards should go to for each hand. Also, there is an outline or colored spot that represents the “home” spot for each marker on the table, typically directly in front of the dealer. This outline is where the markers reside at certain times, cards for each marker are typically placed in these spots (or immediately adjacent to these spots) at different times during the game. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the Banker marker  125  is visible in the Banker outlined spot  115 , and the Player marker  130  is visible in the Player outlined spot  120 . 
         [0003]    After bets are placed, but before cards are dealt, one or both of the markers should be passed to bettor(s) who bet the highest amount on Player and/or Banker. As can be seen in  FIG. 1 , each bettor sits at a portion of the table which is often labeled with both a “Player” area  135  and a “Banker” area  140 , as any bettor could be the Player or the Banker on any given hand. Depending on the pre-deal betting, the Banker marker  125  is moved to the Banker area  140  of the appropriate bettor, while the Player marker  130  is moved to the Player area  135  of the appropriate bettor. 
         [0004]    As the first 4 cards are dealt from the shoe  110 , they are placed alternately by the dealer at the Player and Banker spots  145 ,  150  on the table  100  until all of the four cards are drawn. After all of the four cards are dealt from the shoe  110 , one or both hands should be pushed to the bettors holding the respective markers  125 ,  130  for that hand. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    This invention relates generally to intelligent game tables which can monitor players and dealers to reduce errors and increase efficiency. In one embodiment, the invention includes intelligent markers which are effectively “player acknowledgement” indicators. The markers preferably include a mechanism for signaling the receiving bettor to acknowledge receipt of the marker, which acknowledgement may turn off the indicating mechanism. The method of indication could be visual, audible or otherwise which would signal a bettor to interact with the marker. For example, the bettor may have to press a button on the marker (or the marker itself) which preferably causes a visible or audible change in the marker that is perceptible to all at the table. For example, a light may go from “on” to “off’ or “off’ to “on,” or may switch from one color to another, or may vibrate until acknowledged by the bettor. 
         [0006]    The markers may each include a motion/location/vibration sensor, accelerometer, touch sensor, microphone, or combination of different sensing technologies for obtaining feedback from movement of or interaction with the marker during the game. The method of acknowledgement could therefore be a simple touch from the bettor, activating or pushing a button or touch screen, tapping, or any other method where physical contact with the device by the player or dealer is necessary. Verbal or gesture-based acknowledgement is also envisioned. Alternatively, acknowledgement may not come from the user, but may instead come simply from monitoring positional/location information relating to the marker, and determining that the marker has been placed in the correct location. Such acknowledgement may be recorded and saved by the markers and/or related equipment, such as overhead cameras, to prevent disputes. Any sensors in the markers preferably communicate with the system and/or shoe using wireless technology (such as RF). The player acknowledgement may be communicated back to the shoe, which would then be used to control the continuation of the game. For example, if the shoe doesn&#39;t receive the bettor&#39;s acknowledgement regarding correct marker distribution, it would prevent the game from continuing by triggering an alarm or an alert, or by engaging a blocking mechanism such as by closing a gate of the shoe. 
         [0007]    In another embodiment, the system may utilize different sensing technologies for tracking movement of the cards during the game. For example, the various spots on the table where the cards are to be placed during the game (e.g., Player and Banker sports  145 ,  150 ) can include embedded sensors or sensing pads. Such sensors may be utilized to track placement of cards, and may include optical cameras, proximity sensors, barcode readers, touch sensors or the like that are capable of determining or decoding the card value and/or detecting the cards presence when the cards are placed during the game. 
         [0008]    Further, rather than having fixed spots on the table for each hand, the spots can be variable by having an electronic display embedded into the table or the pad. In such an embodiment, the name of the hand to be displayed may be controlled by the position of markers on the table. The table sensors or the sensor pad will send feedback to the shoe through wired or wireless technologies. 
         [0009]    In one embodiment, a system for reducing card distribution errors comprises a shoe and an intelligent marker. The intelligent marker includes at least one position sensor for determining the position of the intelligent maker, and a communications unit for electronically communicating with the shoe. The intelligent marker also preferably includes an acknowledgement detector for detecting an acknowledgement from a bettor, an indicator, and a processor for receiving position data from the position sensor. The processor is preferably in communication with the shoe via the communications unit. Preferably, the indicator is enabled when the intelligent marker is to be given to a bettor, and is disabled upon detection of an acknowledgement from the bettor. 
         [0010]    In another embodiment, a method for reducing card distribution errors comprising several steps. In a first step, a dealer is allowed to distribute at least one marker to at least one bettor. In a second step, the indicator in the marker is enabled, and a gate of the associated shoe is closed. In a third step, the marker accepts an acknowledgement from a bettor. In a fourth step, the indicator in the marker is disabled, and the gate of the shoe is opened upon recognition of the acknowledgement from the bettor. 
         [0011]    Other and further objects of the invention, together with the features of novelty appurtenant thereto, will appear in the course of the following description. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    A more complete understanding of the present invention, and the attendant advantages and features thereof, will be more readily understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  illustrates an example prior art Baccarat table; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  illustrates a block diagram of an example system according to an embodiment; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an intelligent card shoe as connected to a game controller unit; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the shoe of  FIG. 3  focused on the card guide section thereof; 
           [0017]      FIG. 5A  is a perspective view of the intelligent card shoe dispensing portion of a shoe, having a friction pad; 
           [0018]      FIG. 5B  is a side cross-sectional view of an intelligent card shoe dispensing portion of a shoe, having a friction pad; 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  illustrates a block diagram of an example intelligent marker according to an embodiment; 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  illustrates a block diagram of an example table according to an embodiment; 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  illustrates a flow chart of a process for using markers to require acknowledgement from bettors, according to an embodiment; 
           [0022]      FIG. 9  illustrates a flow chart of an example process  600  during a game of Baccarat. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0023]    In the following detailed description of example embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific example embodiments in which the inventive subject matter may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the inventive subject matter, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that logical, mechanical, electrical and other changes may be made without departing from the scope of the inventive subject matter. 
         [0024]    Some portions of the detailed descriptions which follow are presented in terms of algorithms and symbolic representations of operations on data bits within a computer memory. These algorithmic descriptions and representations are the ways used by those skilled in the data processing arts to most effectively convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. An algorithm is here, and generally, conceived to be a self-consistent sequence of steps leading to a desired result. The steps are those requiring physical manipulations of physical quantities. Usually, though not necessarily, these quantities take the form of electrical or magnetic signals capable of being stored, transferred, combined, compared, and otherwise manipulated. It has proven convenient at times, principally for reasons of common usage, to refer to these signals as bits, values, elements, symbols, characters, terms, numbers, or the like. It should be borne in mind, however, that all of these and similar terms are to be associated with the appropriate physical quantities and are merely convenient labels applied to these quantities. Unless specifically stated otherwise as apparent from the following discussions, terms such as “processing” or “computing” or “calculating” or “determining” or “displaying” or the like, refer to the action and processes of a computer system, or similar computing device, that manipulates and transforms data represented as physical (e.g., electronic) quantities within the computer system&#39;s registers and memories into other data similarly represented as physical quantities within the computer system memories or registers or other such information storage, transmission or display devices. 
         [0025]    In the Figures, the same reference number is used throughout to refer to an identical component that appears in multiple Figures. Signals and connections may be referred to by the same reference number or label, and the actual meaning will be clear from its use in the context of the description. Also, please note that the first digit(s) of the reference number for a given item or part of the example embodiments should correspond to the Figure number in which the item or part is first identified. 
         [0026]    The description of the various embodiments is to be construed as exemplary only and does not describe every possible instance of the inventive subject matter. Numerous alternatives can be implemented, using combinations of current or future technologies, which would still fall within the scope of the claims. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the inventive subject matter is defined only by the appended claims. 
         [0027]      FIG. 2  illustrates a block diagram of an example system  200  according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown, an intelligent card shoe  202  is in communication with at least one marker  204 . Such communication is preferably wireless, as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. The intelligent card shoe  202  may also be in communication with table sensors  206 , when present, and such communication may be wired or wireless. In any case, some or all of the intelligent card shoe  202 , marker  204 , and table sensors  206  may also be in communication with a central processor  208 . Although such a central processor  208  is not necessary, as any of the individual components  202 ,  204 ,  206  may include sufficient processing power to accomplish the tasks hereof, many casinos utilize central processors  208  and servers and the like to monitor and/or process data from various tables. In this regard, the central processor  208  may be built into any of the above discussed components, or into the table itself, or may be included in a stand-alone computer system as would be understood. For the purposes hereof, it will be understood that substantive processing may be handled at a table, e.g., by the intelligent card shoe  202  or by a processor built into or associated with the table, such that the central processor  208  merely monitors actions at the table and/or is alerted to problems at the table. Alternatively, substantive processing may be offloaded to the central processor  208 , or there may be a combination of substantive processing in various locations. 
         [0028]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , the intelligent card shoe  202  can include a card cradle  212  and a card dispensing portion  214 . A cover is removeably positionable over the card cradle  212 , limiting access to the cards. An alarm can be connected to the cover, providing notification when the cover is removed. Additionally, the cover can include a locking mechanism, preventing unauthorized access to the cards. The intelligent card shoe  202  is connected to and in electrical communication with a game controller unit  216  via a cable  218 . The game controller unit  216  may include a display  220 . The cable may be a standard Ethernet cable, a USB cable, or any other cabling sufficient to allow communication between the intelligent card shoe  202  and the game controller unit  216 . The cable  218  allows the game controller unit  216  to be in data communication with the intelligent card shoe  202  such that electronic information can be passed between the intelligent card shoe  202  and game controller unit  216  via cable  218 . The game controller unit  216  may also be incorporated into the intelligent card shoe  202 . 
         [0029]    The intelligent card shoe  202  holds playing cards  220 , which include encryption which can be used to represent card rank and suit information. Normally, such information is invisible to the naked eye so as not to interfere with the standard aesthetics or functionality of the card, and so as not to be easily discerned by players. The encryption typically contains information regarding the rank and suit of the card, or other information. Current encryption techniques use bar codes on the edges of cards, ultra violet (“UV”) reaction codes, printed micro-dots, reactive ink, infrared taggants used with the playing card or ink, RFID chips, and other known methods. 
         [0030]    The intelligent card shoe  202  can include a card removal limiter  220  which can be used to prevent the removal of a playing card  220  from the card dispensing portion  214  of the intelligent card shoe  202 , or in the alternatively, provide a tactile indication to the dealer that a playing card  220  should not be removed from the card dispensing portion  214  of the intelligent card shoe  202 . The card removal limiter  222  can be controlled by the control  216  and an operated in accordance with the rule of a card game, or in response to an action by the dealer. 
         [0031]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , the card removal limiter  222  can be a card gate  224  which can be actuated between a closed (raised) and open (lowered) position. Chiefly, the card gate  224  prevents cards from being inadvertently pulled out of the intelligent card shoe  202  even after the game outcome is decided. Card overdraw, as this is called, is a common mistake at game tables and can unnecessarily disrupt the progress of the game at the table. The game controller unit  216  also reminds the dealer to collect commissions when the game played at the table is Commission Baccarat. 
         [0032]    In another embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 5A  and B, the card removal  222  limiter can take the form of the a card dispensing portion  226  with a card travel surface  228  having a card pull difficulty mechanism which makes removing a card  220  from the intelligent card shoe  202  more difficult, but which does not prevent the same. Such additional resistance may be created by increasing friction upon removal of the card  220  from the card dispensing portion  226 . Generally, the normal pull force required to remove a card is between about 120 to 180 grams. In a preferred embodiment, increasing the friction associated with a card pull results in a required pull force of between about 400 and 600 grams. 
         [0033]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , illustrates a block diagram of an example intelligent marker  204 . The intelligent marker  204  may include a processor  310 , which may be a central processing unit or merely a microcontroller, as would be understood. Processor  310  is preferably in electrical communication with a battery  320 , as well a sensor  330 . Sensor  330  may include various sensors, such as an accelerometer, a proximity sensor, a sensor for tracking the exact position of the marker  204 , an auditory sensor, etc. An acknowledgement detector  340  such as a push-button switch may also be in communication with the processor  310 . Acknowledgement detector  340  may be separate from sensor  330 , or sensor  330  could serve as an acknowledgement detector  340  as well. Marker  204  also includes a communications unit  350 , which is preferably a wireless communication unit capable of communication via WI-FI, Bluetooth, or the like. Communications unit  350  may also be a hardwired communications unit, although wireless communication is preferred, as discussed above. Marker  204  may also include indicators  360 , such as LEDs  365  and a speaker  370 , and/or other mechanisms for signaling an alert to players and the dealer such as via vibration. 
         [0034]    The above mentioned components may be interconnected via one or more circuit boards in marker  204 . In one example embodiment, the circuit board may include six LEDs  365 , with two visible from the top of the marker  204  and four visible from the bottom of the marker  204 . Marker  204  may have a frosted middle section which houses the circuit board and components, and thinned or transparent top and bottom sections which allow the LEDs to be visible. Various portions of the marker  204  may be composed of materials such as plastic, metal, porcelain, wood, composite materials, or any other desired material. The LEDs  365  can be programmed to blink or remain solid on activation, and can be programmed for different color options. LEDs  365  may also be programmed to indicate that the batteries  320  are low. 
         [0035]    In one non-limiting embodiment, the marker may include one or two push-button switches  340  and an accelerometer  330  which can all be used to enable and disable the LEDs  365 . For example, the push-button switches  340  may be used by the dealer before passing out the markers  204  to enable the LEDs  365  and cause them to signal for an acknowledgement from the appropriate bettor, and may disable the LEDs  365  when the bettor acknowledges the marker  204  by pressing it. Further, the marker  204  may be flipped upside down to indicate a winning hand, such that the accelerometer  330  enables the LEDs  365  upon flipping to celebrate the winning hand. In another non-limiting example, the accelerometer or other internal sensors  330  may detect movement of the marker  204  as the dealer pushes the marker  204  toward the bettor, and may enable the LEDs  365  to signal for an acknowledgement from the bettor. The indicator  360  may also be triggered externally. 
         [0036]      FIG. 7  illustrates a block diagram of an example table  400  which includes table sensors  206 . Table  400  includes a chip case  405 , as well as a shoe  410 . Preferably, the shoe  410  is in communication with various other components as shown in  FIG. 2  above. Rather than mere home locations  412 ,  414  for markers  204 , table  400  may include sensors  415 ,  420 , which may include one or more specialized sensor pads at the home locations for the markers  204 . Such sensors  415 ,  420  are preferably capable of determining when markers  204  have been placed on their respective home locations, and can cause the indicators  360  in the markers  204  to enable when the markers  204  should be located on their home locations but are not. Player area  435  and Banker area  440  may also include similar sensors and/or specialized pads  437 ,  442  to determine when the markers  204  have been moved from their home positions to a bettor&#39;s Player/Banker area  435 ,  440 , as appropriate. When a bettor&#39;s Player/Banker area  435 ,  440  detects one of the markers  204 , a display associated with that bettor may indicate that the bettor is the Player or Banker based on the marker  204  detected. 
         [0037]    Similarly, the Player and Banker card spots  445 ,  450 , and any other spots at which cards may be placed during a game, may also include such sensors and/or specialized pads  437 . These embedded sensors may determine when cards are present, but preferably are also capable of determining the rank and suit of the placed cards. As such, the sensors at these card spots  445 ,  450 , etc., may include optical cameras, proximity sensors, barcode readers, touch sensors and the like. 
         [0038]    Additionally, the specialized pads  437  may include bet pads on which a bettor places a bet during a game. The bet pad can include imbedded sensors which may determine when bets are present, but preferably are also capable of determining the amount of the bet. Such information is usable to determine the highest better, and calculate the appropriate payout in the event a bettor wins. As such, the sensors at these bet pads may include optical cameras, proximity sensors, barcode readers, touch sensors and the like. Each such sensor and/or specialized pad is considered a table sensor  206 , as discussed above in connection with  FIG. 2 . 
         [0039]    The chips used on the table  400  can include encryption which can be used to represent chip value and are readable by the table sensor  206 . Normally, such information is invisible to the naked eye so as not to interfere with the standard aesthetics or functionality of the chips, and so as not to be easily discerned by players. Current encryption techniques use bar codes on the edges of cards, ultra violet (“UV”) reaction codes, printed micro-dots, reactive ink, infrared taggants used within the chip or ink, RFID chips, and other known methods. 
         [0040]    The system  200 , markers  204 , and table  400  allow the game to progress without much additional work on the part of the dealer or bettors. During a game of Baccarat, after the bets have been placed, the dealer would give the respective markers  204  to the appropriate highest bettors. The dealer may actively trigger indicators  360 , such as LEDs  365  and/or speaker  370  embedded in the markers  204 . Alternatively, the dealer may trigger such indicators  360  simply by moving the markers  204  from their respective home positions  415 ,  120  to the appropriate bettor&#39;s positions  435 ,  440 , in which case sensors  330  embedded in the markers  204  and/or sensors  437 ,  442  in the table may sense movement and/or placement of the markers  204  and activate the indicators  360 . The indicators  360  then attract the bettor and/or dealer attention towards the hand to which the markers  204  belong. The recipient bettor of one or both markers  204  would then acknowledge receipt of the marker  204  to stop the indicators  360 . For example, the recipient bettor may physically press the marker  204 , such that the acknowledgement detector  340 , e.g., a push-button switch, recognizes the acknowledgement, and processor  310  ceases the LEDs  365  from blinking or the speakers  370  from emitting an audible noise. 
         [0041]    Such acknowledgement would allow the game to continue. If the bettors don&#39;t acknowledge the receipt of the correct marker  204 , the shoe  210  may prevent the dealer from drawing additional cards, or may otherwise alert the dealer to the lack of acknowledgement. Once the bettor confirms the receipt of correct marker, the marker(s) would transmit the acknowledgement confirmation, possibly with their respective locations, back to the shoe. Such a process is shown in  FIG. 8 . 
         [0042]      FIG. 8  illustrates a flow chart of an example process  500  for using markers  204  to require acknowledgement from bettors. At step  505 , before a game has begun, the markers  204  should be placed on their home positions  415 ,  420 . This should deactivate any indicators  360  which remain engaged. At step  510 , a check is done to determine whether the markers  204  have actually been placed on their home locations  415 ,  420 . This determination may be made via table sensors  230  capable of detecting whether the markers  204  have been properly placed, or via sensors  330  in the markers  204 , or via another tracking system such as overhead cameras or the like. If the markers  204  are still not properly placed, at step  515 , the marker  204  enables its indicators  360  to call the dealer&#39;s attention to the fact that the marker  204  is misplaced. The process then reverts to step  505 . However, at step  510 , if the markers  204  are properly placed on their home positions  415 ,  420 , the process continues. 
         [0043]    At step  520 , betting occurs. At step  525 , the dealer gives one or both of the markers  204  to the appropriate bettor or bettors, moving the markers  204  to positions  437 ,  442  with the appropriate bettor. At step  530 , sensors  230  detect whether the markers have been appropriately moved. As above, such sensors may be table sensors  230  or sensors  330  in the marker  204 . For example, sensor  330  in the marker  204  may include an accelerometer which detects the physical movement of the marker  204 . Alternatively, as noted above, table sensors  230  may include a specialized pad or other sensor which detect the presence of a marker  204  at positions  437 ,  442 . In any case, once it is detected that the markers  204  have been passed out, at step  535  the indicators  360  in the markers  204  are enabled to signal the need for acknowledgement from the appropriate bettors. As discussed above, preferably bettors may acknowledge the markers by pressing them, such that acknowledgement detector  340  in the marker  204  registers the acknowledgement via a push-button switch. However, other forms of acknowledgement are envisioned, such as verbal acknowledgement or another movement of the marker  204 , etc. If the bettors do not acknowledge the markers  204 , at step  545  the maker  220  communicates with shoe  210  and the shoe closes its gate to prevent cards from being withdrawn. The process then reverts to step  535  with the indicators remaining enabled. This should grab the attention of the dealer and/or bettors if a marker has been mistakenly passed out, so that the marker position can be corrected. Once the bettors acknowledge the markers  204 , the process proceeds to step  550  and the indicators  360  in the markers  204  are disabled. The markers  204  preferably also signal the shoe to unlock the gate, so that the game may proceed. 
         [0044]      FIG. 9  illustrates a flow chart of an example process  600  during a game of Baccarat, generally after the process  500  of  FIG. 5  has concluded and the markers  204  have been appropriately given to the correct bettors. At step  605 , the dealer deals four cards, with the first and third going to the Player and the second and fourth going to the Banker. At step  610 , the shoe reads the cards as they are drawn, and detects the cards&#39; ranks and suits, according to known methods. At step  615 , as the cards are placed on the Player and Banker card spots  415 ,  420 , the table sensors  230  detect the rank and suits of the cards placed. At step  620 , a determination is made as to whether the cards drawn match the cards as placed. Where the cards placed do not match the cards drawn (either in rank, suit, or order), at step  625  the indicators  360  are enabled to signal an alarm, and the gate of shoe  210  is closed. The process then allows the dealer to correct the mistake, and reverts back to step  615  to again check the cards as they are now placed on the Player and Banker card spots  415 ,  420 . Once the cards placed match the cards drawn, the process advances. 
         [0045]    At step  630 , the dealer pushes the cards to the Player and Banker, respectively. At step  635 , the indicators  360  on the markers  204  are enabled sequentially to guide the dealer to push the cards to the correct spots. At step  640 , table sensors  230  at the Player/Banker positions  437 ,  442  detect the rank and suits of the cards pushed by the dealer, and at step  645  a determination is made as to whether the cards were pushed to the correct spots. When the cards were pushed to incorrect spots, at step  650  the indicators  360  are enabled to signal an alarm, and the gate of shoe  210  is closed. The process then allows the dealer to correct the mistake, and reverts back to step  640  to again check the cards as they are now placed on the Player and Banker positions  437 ,  442 . Once the cards have been pushed to the correct locations, the process advances. 
         [0046]    At step  655 , the Player and Banker squeeze the cards revealing the cards&#39; ranks and suits, and return the cards to the dealer. At step  660 , the dealer places the cards back onto the Player and Banker card spots  415 ,  420 . As above, at step  665 , a determination is made as to whether the cards returned to the dealer and placed on the Player and Banker card spots  415 ,  420  match the cards as drawn. Where the cards placed do not match the cards drawn (either in rank, suit, or order), at step  670  the indicators  360  are enabled to signal an alarm, and the gate of shoe  210  is closed. The process then allows the dealer to correct the mistake, and reverts back to step  660  to again check the cards as they are now placed on the Player and Banker card spots  415 ,  420 . Once the cards placed match the cards drawn, the process advances. 
         [0047]    At step  675 , the system determines whether the Player and/or Banker need an additional card. Where additional cards are needed, the process reverts back to step  615  with the drawing and placing of one or two new cards. Once no additional cards are needed, the process advances to step  680  for a determination as to whether the Player wins. If so, at step  685 , the Player marker  204  enables its indicators. If not, at step  690  a determination is made as to whether the Banker wins. If so, at step  695  the Banker marker enables its indicators. If not, at  697  there has been a tie (or stand-off). 
         [0048]    The various system examples shown above illustrate a novel system and method. A user of the present invention may choose any of the above embodiments, or an equivalent thereof, depending upon the desired application. In this regard, it is recognized that various forms of the subject invention could be utilized without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
         [0049]    From the foregoing it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to attain all ends and objects hereinabove set forth together with the other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the structure. It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims. Since many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.