Abstract:
A dual-sided card deck allows for the contemporaneous play of two separate card games. The deck is comprised of a plurality of cards having a first set of values on a first side and a second set of values on a second side. A first card game is played using values assigned to symbols provided on the first side of each of the plurality of cards to determine the outcome of the first game. The outcome of a second card game is determined using the same hand of cards used to play the first game, but using values assigned to symbols provided on the second side of each of the plurality of cards held during the first game. To deter card counting, the symbols appearing on the first side of the plurality of cards can be pseudo-randomly generated and linked to the symbols appearing on the second side of the plurality of cards.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     This invention is generally related to games of skill and chance, and in particular to a method, apparatus and article for playing a card game.  
         [0003]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0004]     Card games are a well-known form of recreation and entertainment. Card games, especially wagering card games played in modern-day casinos, are more exciting and offer more entertainment value to the player when the games are quickly played for rapid wage resolution and the player is involved in decisions affecting the outcome of the game. The games are also more exciting to the player when there is more than one wagering opportunity during the course of the game, when there are multiple opportunities to win and/or when a substantial bonus or jackpot is involved, such as a progressive jackpots.  
         [0005]     Wagering games which provide quick succession of play, more than one wagering opportunity, and more than one opportunity to win are all known. For example, for quick play, U.S. Pat. No. 5,154,429 to LeVasseur discloses a game where the dealer plays multiple hands against a single hand and thereby increases the number of hands that can be played in the same amount of time. For more than one wagering opportunity, U.S. Pat. No. 4,861,041 to Jones et al. discloses a method of wagering where the player makes an additional wager at the beginning of a hand. These additional wagers are accumulated as a progressive jackpot, which a player making the additional wager may win if the cards received match a predetermined arrangement of cards.  
         [0006]     While the above-mentioned methods and devices are directed toward wagering games designed to engage the player and provide entertainment value, the entertainment industry has a continued need for new and exciting games which can be played out quickly, and provide more than one wagering opportunity and/or more than one opportunity to win.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     In one aspect, a set of playing cards comprises a plurality of playing cards for wagering, each of the playing cards in the plurality of playing cards comprising: a first side; and a second side opposed to the first side; the first side bearing at least a first primary symbol, the first primary symbol selected from a first set of primary symbols, each of the first primary symbols in the first set of primary symbols indicative of a playing card identity according to a first set of game rules, the first set of game rules defining values of various combinations of the playing card identities; and the second side bearing at least a first secondary symbol, the first secondary symbol selected from a first set of secondary symbols, each of the first secondary symbols in the first set of secondary symbols indicative of a playing card identity according to a second set of game rules, the second set of game rules defining values of various combinations of the playing card identities.  
         [0008]     In another aspect, a set of playing cards for wagering comprises, each of the playing cards: a first side bearing at least a first primary symbol and a second primary symbol, the first primary symbol selected from a standard set of playing card rank symbols comprising 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, J, Q, K, and A, and the second primary symbol selected from a standard set of playing card suit symbols ♥,          , ♦, and          ; and a second side bearing at least a first secondary symbol, the first secondary symbol on the second side selected from a first set of secondary symbols, each of the first secondary symbols in the first set of secondary symbols indicative of a playing card identity according to a set of game rules.  
         [0009]     In another aspect, a method of producing playing cards having a face and a back, comprises: forming at least a first primary symbol on the face of the playing card, the first primary symbol from a first set of primary symbols and indicative of an identity of a playing card according to a first set of game rules, the first set of game rules defining values of various combinations of the playing card identities; pseudo-randomly generating at least a first secondary symbol from a first set of secondary symbols, each of the secondary symbols in the first set of secondary symbols indicative of a playing card identity according to a second set of game rules, the second set of game rules defining values of playing card identities; and forming the first secondary symbol on the back of the playing card.  
         [0010]     In yet another aspect, a device for producing playing cards comprises: a housing; a media path extending through the housing along which playing card stock passes; at least a one printhead coupled to receive print data, the at least one printhead proximate the media path and operable to print on the playing card stock passing the printhead along the media path; and at least one processor configured to pseudo-randomly generate at least a number of first secondary identifiers, each of the first secondary identifiers corresponding to a respective first secondary symbol, the first secondary symbols being from a first set of secondary symbols, where the at least one processor is coupled to provide print data representing the first secondary symbols and representing at least a number of first primary symbols, the first primary symbols from a first set of primary symbols, the at least one processor configured to cause the printhead to print the first secondary symbol on a back of the playing card stock and to print the first primary symbol on a face of the playing card stock, where each of the primary symbols in the first set of primary symbols indicative of a playing card identity according to a first set of game rules, the first set of game rules defining values of various combinations of the playing card identities and each of the secondary symbols in the first set of secondary symbols indicative of a playing card identity according to a second set of game rules.  
         [0011]     In still another aspect, a method of producing playing cards having a face and a back, the face bearing a first primary symbol from a first set of primary symbols and a second primary symbol from a second set of primary symbols, the first and the second primary symbols pre-printed on the face of the playing card and indicative of an identity of a playing card according to a first set of game rules, the first set of game rules defining values of various combinations of the playing card identities comprises pseudo-randomly generating at least a first secondary symbol from a first set of secondary symbols, each of the secondary symbols in the first set of secondary symbols indicative of a playing card identity according to a second set of game rules, the second set of game rules defining values of playing card identities; and forming the first secondary symbol on the back of the playing card.  
         [0012]     In yet still another aspect, a device for producing playing cards from preprinted playing card stock, the preprinted playing card stock bearing a first and a second symbol selected from a standard set of playing card rank symbols and a standard set of playing card suit symbols, respectively, comprises: a housing; a media path extending through the housing along which the playing card stock passes; at least a one printhead coupled to receive print data, the at least one printhead proximate the media path and operable to print on the playing card stock passing the printhead along the media path; and at least one processor configured to pseudo-randomly generate at least a number of first secondary identifiers, each of the first secondary identifiers corresponding to a respective first secondary symbol, the first secondary symbols from a first set of secondary symbols, where the at least one processor is coupled to provide the print data representing the first secondary symbols to cause the printhead to print the first secondary symbols on a back of the playing card stock.  
         [0013]     In a further aspect, a method of contemporaneously playing two card games with a dual-sided card deck comprises: dealing a number of playing cards to at least a first player, each playing card having at least a first primary symbol on a first side and at least a first secondary symbol on a second side, the first primary symbols from a first set of primary symbols and the first secondary symbols from a first set of secondary symbols; determining an outcome of a first game according to a first set of game rules based at least in part on the first primary symbol on the first side of at least one of the number of playing cards; and determining an outcome of a second game according to a second set of game rules based at least in part on the first secondary symbol on the second side of at least one of the number of playing cards.  
         [0014]     In yet a further aspect, a method of playing a wagering game comprises: dealing a number of hands of playing cards to each of a number of players, each playing card having at least a first primary symbol on a first side and at least a first secondary symbol on a second side, the first primary symbols from a first set of primary symbols and the first secondary symbols from a first set of secondary symbols; determining an outcome of a first game according to a first set of game rules based at least in part on the first primary symbol on the first side of at least one of the number of playing cards of each hand; and for each of a number of winning hands determined based at least in part on the first primary symbol on the first side of at least one of the number of playing cards of each hand, determining an outcome of a second game according to a second set of game rules based at least in part on the first secondary symbol on the second side of at least one of the number of playing cards.  
         [0015]     In still a further aspect, a method of playing a wagering game comprises: dealing a number of hands of playing cards to each of a number of players, each playing card having at least a first primary symbol on a first side and at least a first secondary symbol on a second side, the first primary symbols from a first set of primary symbols and the first secondary symbols from a first set of secondary symbols; determining an outcome of a first game according to a first set of game rules based at least in part on the first primary symbol on the first side of at least one of the number of playing cards of each hand; and for each of a number of losing hands, determining an outcome of a second game according to a second set of game rules based at least in part on the first secondary symbol on the second side of at least one of the number of playing cards.  
         [0016]     In yet still a further aspect, a method of playing a card game comprises: for each of a number of players, determining if the player placed a primary wager; dealing a number of hands of playing cards to each of a number of players who placed a respective one of the primary wagers, each playing card having at least a first primary symbol on a first side and at least a first secondary symbol on a second side, the first primary symbols from a first set of primary symbols and the first secondary symbols from a first set of secondary symbols; determining an outcome of a first game according to a first set of game rules based at least in part on the first primary symbol on the first side of at least one of the number of playing cards of each hand; determining an outcome of a second game according to a second set of game rules based at least in part on the first secondary symbol on the second side of at least one of the number of playing cards; and for each of a number of winning hands, if any, determined based at least in part on the first secondary symbol on the second side of at least one of the number of playing cards of each hand, providing the player an award.  
         [0017]     In even a further aspect, a method of playing a card game comprises: for each of a first number of players, determining if the player placed a primary wager; dealing a number of hands of playing cards to each of the players who placed a respective one of the primary wagers, each playing card having at least a first primary symbol on a first side and at least a first secondary symbol on a second side, the first primary symbols from a first set of primary symbols and the first secondary symbols from a first set of secondary symbols; determining an outcome of a first game according to a first set of game rules based at least in part on the first primary symbol on the first side of at least one of the number of playing cards of each hand; for each of a second number of players, determining if the player placed a secondary wager; and for each of the players who placed a secondary wager, determining an outcome of a second game according to a second set of game rules based at least in part on the first secondary symbol on the second side of at least one of the number of playing cards in the respective hand of playing cards.  
         [0018]     In still even a further aspect, a device for producing playing cards comprises: means for pseudo-randomly generating at least a number of first secondary identifiers; means for associating the number of first secondary identifiers with respective ones of a number of first secondary symbol, the first secondary symbols from a first set of secondary symbols, each of the secondary symbols in the first set of secondary symbols indicative of a playing card identity according to one set of game rules; and means for printing the first secondary symbols on a back of a playing card stock where a face of the playing card stock bears a first and a second primary symbols, the first and the second primary symbols from a standard set of playing card ranks and a standard set of playing card suits, respectively. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0019]     In the drawings, identical reference numbers identify similar elements or acts. The sizes and relative positions of elements in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the shapes of various elements and angles are not drawn to scale, and some of these elements are arbitrarily enlarged and positioned to improve drawing legibility. Further, the particular shapes of the elements as drawn, are not intended to convey any information regarding the actual shape of the particular elements, and have been solely selected for ease of recognition in the drawings.  
         [0020]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a wagering environment such as a casino showing a gaming table for playing one or more card games.  
         [0021]      FIG. 2  shows a number of playing cards bearing primary symbols for a first card game on a first side, and secondary symbols for a second card game on a second side.  
         [0022]      FIG. 3  is a chart illustrating various symbols for use as primary and secondary symbols on the playing cards of  FIG. 2 .  
         [0023]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  are a diagrammatic illustration of a plurality of playing cards employing standard rank and suit markings on both the face and the back of the playing cards.  
         [0024]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  are a diagrammatic illustration of a set of playing cards employing standard rank and suit markings on the face of the playing cards and graphical symbols such as standard slot machine symbols on the back of each of the playing cards.  
         [0025]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  are a diagrammatic illustration of a plurality of playing cards employing standard rank and suit marking on the face of the playing cards and numerical symbols on the back of the playing cards.  
         [0026]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  are a diagrammatic illustration of a plurality of playing cards employing numeric symbols on the face of each playing card and graphical symbols on the back of each playing card.  
         [0027]      FIG. 8  is a diagrammatic illustration of the back of three playing cards each bearing a graphical symbol, the graphical symbols forming a rebus.  
         [0028]      FIG. 9  is a schematic diagram of a printer operable to print symbols on one side of the playing cards.  
         [0029]      FIG. 10  is a schematic diagram of a printer operable to print primary and secondary symbols on both the face and the back of the playing card in a single pass.  
         [0030]      FIG. 11  is a flow diagram of a method of forming playing cards including pseudo-randomly generating values corresponding to the secondary symbols to be formed on the back of the playing card.  
         [0031]      FIG. 12  is a flow diagram of a method of forming playing cards including pseudo-randomly generating values corresponding to the primary symbols on the face of the playing and pseudo-randomly generating values corresponding to the secondary symbols on the back of the playing card.  
         [0032]      FIG. 13  is a flow diagram of a method of forming playing cards including pseudo-randomly generating a value corresponding to a secondary symbol to be formed on the back of the playing card carrying preprinted primary symbols on the face.  
         [0033]      FIG. 14  is a flow diagram of a method of forming playing cards including pseudo-randomly generating values corresponding to the secondary symbols for the back of the playing cards based on values associated with primary symbols preprinted on the face of the playing cards.  
         [0034]      FIG. 15  is a flow diagram of a method of playing a wagering game, including determining an outcome of a first game based on primary symbols carried on the face of the playing card and for each losing hand determining an outcome of a second game based on secondary symbols on the back of the playing card.  
         [0035]      FIG. 16  is a flow diagram of a method of playing a wagering game including determining an outcome of a first game based on primary symbols carried on the face of the playing card and for each winning hand determining an outcome of a second game based on secondary symbols carried on the back of the playing card.  
         [0036]      FIG. 17  is a flow diagram of a method of playing a card game, including determining an outcome of a first game based on primary symbols carried on the face of the playing card, and for players who place a secondary wager determining an outcome of a second game based on secondary symbols carried on the back of the playing card.  
         [0037]      FIG. 18  is a flow diagram of a method of playing a wagering game, including determining an outcome of a first game based on primary symbols carried on the face of a playing card and for players with winning hands who have also placed secondary wagers, determining an outcome of a second game based on secondary symbols carried on the back of the playing card.  
         [0038]      FIG. 19  is a flow diagram of a method of playing a wagering game, including determining an outcome of a first game based on primary symbols carried on a face of the playing card and for players with winning hands who also placed secondary wagers, determining an outcome of a second game based on secondary symbols carried on the back of the playing card. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0039]     In the following description, certain specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various embodiments of the invention. However, one skilled in the art will understand that the invention may be practiced without these details. In other instances, well-known structures associated with playing cards, printers, processors, and gaming or wagering apparatus have not been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring descriptions of the embodiments of the invention.  
         [0040]     Unless the context requires otherwise, throughout the specification and claims which follow, the word “comprise” and variations thereof, such as, “comprises” and “comprising” are to be construed in an open, inclusive sense, that is as “including, but not limited to.” 
         [0041]     The headings provided herein are for convenience only and do not interpret the scope or meaning of the claimed invention.  
         [0000]     Gaming Environment  
         [0042]      FIG. 1  shows a card game, such as blackjack, being played at a gaming table  10  by a game operator or dealer  12  employed by a gaming house or casino and customers or players  14 ,  16 . While blackjack is used as an example, the teachings herein a generally applicable to a variety of card games, such as baccarat or poker, to name only a few.  
         [0043]     During a game, the dealer  12  removes playing cards  18  from a card shoe  20 . The dealer  12  can individually draw the playing cards  18  from the card shoe  20 , or can remove a number of the playing cards  18  from the card shoe  20  to deal by hand. Many players  14 ,  16  appreciate the experience of a game where the playing cards  18  are dealt from a handheld deck of playing cards  18 , rather than being individually drawn or produced from the card shoe  20 .  
         [0044]     The players  14 ,  16  place their respective wagers by placing a number of chips  22  in wager circles  24  demarcated on a playing surface  26  of the gaming table  10 . The chips  22  typically come in a variety of denominations, as is explained in detail below. Players  14 ,  16  are issued chips in exchange for currency or credit by the casino&#39;s tellers. Casinos typically require the use of chips  22  for wagering, rather than actual currency. In some games, a player  14  may chose to play multiple hands by placing more than one wager, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The players  14 ,  16  will often have a reserve of chips  28  from which to place wagers. In some aspects, secondary wager circles  29  may be demarcated on the playing surface  26 , for playing secondary or bonus wagers  31 . The secondary wager  31  would be in addition to the primary wager  22  played in wager circles  24 , and may correspond to a wager on a second game, progressive jackpot or other type of bonus wager, as described in detail below.  
         [0045]     In blackjack, after the players  14 ,  16  have placed an initial wager of chips  22  in their respective wager circles  24 ,  29 , the dealer  12  deals each player two cards  30  face down and deals themselves one card  32  face down (“hold card”) and one card  34  face up (“show card”) from the deck  18 . In some casinos, the playing cards  30  dealt to the players  14 ,  16  are also dealt face up. The players  14 ,  16  can accept additional cards (“hits”) from the deck  18  as they attempt to reach a total card value of 21 without going over, where face cards count as 10 points, and Aces can count as either one or 11 points, at the card holder&#39;s option. The dealer  12  also attempts to reach 21 without going over, although the rules typically require the dealer to take a hit when holding a soft 17. The players  14 ,  16  can vary their wagers (i.e., chips  22  and/or  31 ) after the initial cards  30 ,  34  are dealt based on their knowledge of their own hand and the dealer&#39;s face up card  34 . For example, the players  14 ,  16  can “hit” or “stand” and may “double down” or “buy insurance.” 
         [0046]     At the end of a hand or game, the dealer  12  collects the wager chips  22  from losing players and pays out winnings in chips to the winning players. The winnings are calculated as a multiple of a set of odds for the game and the amount of the wager chips  22 . The losses are typically the amount of the wager chips  22 ,  31 . The dealer  12  places the collected wager chips  22  or “take” from the losing hands into a gaming table bank that takes the form of a chip tray  36 . The dealer  12  pays out the winning hands using the required number of chips  38  from the chip tray  36 . The chip tray  36  generally consists of a number of wells, sized to receive the chips  38  with different wells generally used to contain different value chips. Changes to the contents of the chip tray  36  represent the winnings and losses of the casino (“house”) at the gaming table  10 . Many casinos permit the dealer  12  to exchange chips for items  40  of value, such as currency or other items at the gaming table  10 . The dealer  12  deposits the item of value  40  into a drop box  42  at or near the gaming table  10 . Periodically, for example at the end of a dealer&#39;s shift, the contents of the drop box  42  must be reconciled with the contents of the chip tray  36 , to ascertain that the correct number and value of chips were distributed.  
         [0000]     Dual Sided Playing Cards  
         [0047]      FIG. 2  shows a set of playing cards  18  including an individual playing card  44  having a first side or face  44   a  and a second side or face  44   b.  As used herein, first side or face  44   a  refers to a surface of the playing card  44  carrying primary symbols used in a primary or first game, while second side or back refers to a surface of the playing card  44  carrying secondary symbols used in a secondary or second game.  
         [0048]     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the face  44   a  of the playing card  44  carries a first primary symbol (i.e., K)  46  and a second primary symbol (i.e., ♥)  48 . In this embodiment, the first primary symbol  46  is selected from a first set of primary symbols constituting standard playing card rank symbols (i.e., 2-10, J, Q, K, A). Also in this embodiment, the second primary symbol  48  is selected from a second set of primary symbols consisting of standard playing card suit symbols (i.e., ♥, ♦,          ,          ).  
         [0049]     Also as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the back  44   b  of the playing card  44  includes at least a first secondary symbol  50 . In this embodiment, the first secondary symbol  50  is selected from a first set of secondary symbols, for example, a set comprising all or a portion of standard slot machine symbols (e.g., cherry, bar, bell, star, lemon).  
         [0000]     Various Suitable Symbols  
         [0050]      FIG. 3  shows some examples of suitable symbols for use on the face  44   a  and/or back  44   b  of each of the playing cards  44  of the playing card set  18 . The first and second, primary and secondary symbols may take the form of standard playing card rank symbols, such as illustrated in row  52  and/or standard playing card suit symbols such as illustrated in row  54 . The first and second primary and secondary symbols may take the form of pictorial or graphic symbols such as illustrated in row  56 , numerical symbols such as illustrated in row  58 , and/or text symbols such as illustrated in row  60 . The graphic and/or text symbols may indicate a particular good, service or other prize to be awarded, and/or may form a portion of a puzzle to be solved. For example, the graphic or text symbols may form a rebus or a riddle to be solved, the answer to the rebus or riddle identifying the prize to be won. The first and second primary and secondary symbols may take the form of color symbols such as illustrated in row  62  and/or amount symbols such as illustrated in row  64 . The amount symbols may indicate an amount to be awarded, or an amount by which some other winning amount will be multiplied or enhanced. In some aspects, these symbols may be employed in matching games, for example games require the identical matching of two or more symbols, or the combination of various symbols to achieve a desired result, as is explained in detail below.  
         [0051]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  show a set of playing cards  18  according to one illustrated embodiment, in this illustration consisting of  52  playing cards. Other embodiment may use a greater or less number of playing cards  44  in the set of playing cards  18 . The playing cards  18  are organized into rows of like suit and columns of like rank for ease of presentation. The individual playing cards  44  in  FIG. 4B  are arranged in the same order as in  FIG. 4A . Thus,  FIGS. 4A and 4B  illustrate a mapping between the face  44   a  and the backs  44   b  of the playing cards  44  forming the set of playing cards  18 .  
         [0052]     In particular,  FIG. 4A  shows the face  44   a  of each playing card  44  in the set of playing cards  18 . The face  44   a  of each playing card  44  bears a first primary symbol  46  and a second primary symbol  48 . The first primary symbols  46  are selected from a first set of primary symbols, such as a set of standard playing card rank symbols. The second primary symbols  48  are selected from a second set of primary symbols such as a set of standard playing card suit symbols. Thus, the set of playing cards  18  form a standard deck of playing cards based on the primary symbols  46 ,  48 .  
         [0053]      FIG. 4B  shows the backs  44   b  of each playing card  44  in the set of playing cards  18 . The back  44   b  of each playing card  44  bears a first and second secondary symbol,  50 ,  66 . The first and the second secondary symbols  50 ,  66  also take the form of standard playing card rank and suit symbols, respectively, to form a standard deck of playing cards based on primary symbols  46 ,  48 .  
         [0054]     The mapping illustrated in  FIGS. 4A and 4B  is not absolute. As will become apparent, it is advantageous to vary the relationship between the primary symbol(s)  46 ,  48  appearing on the faces  44   a  and secondary symbol(s)  50 ,  66  appearing on the backs  44   b  such that the secondary symbol(s)  50 ,  66  are not discernible to the players  14 ,  16  from a knowledge of the primary symbol(s)  46 ,  48 . Thus, while a player  14 ,  16  may know the value or identity of the playing card  44  as defined by the primary symbol(s)  46 ,  48  on the face  44   a  of the playing card  44 , the player  14 ,  16  does not know and cannot discern the value or identity of the playing card  44  as defined by the secondary symbol(s)  50 ,  66  on the back  44   b  of the playing card  44 .  
         [0055]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  show a set of playing cards  18  according to a second illustrated embodiment, in this illustration consisting of  52  playing cards. Again, the playing cards  18  are organized into rows of like suit and columns of like rank for ease of presentation, and the individual playing cards  44  in  FIG. 5B  are arranged in the same order as in  FIG. 5A . Thus,  FIGS. 5A and 5B  illustrate a mapping between the face  44   a  and the backs  44   b  of the playing cards  44  forming the set of playing cards  18 .  
         [0056]     In particular,  FIG. 5A  shows the face  44   a  of each playing card  44  in the set of playing cards  18 . The face  44   a  of each playing card  44  bears a first primary symbol  46  and a second primary symbol  48 . The first primary symbols  46  are select from a first set of primary symbols, such as a set of standard playing card rank symbols. The second primary symbols  48  are selected from a second set of primary symbols such as a set of standard playing card suit symbols. Thus, the set of playing cards  18  form a standard deck of playing cards based on the primary symbols  46 ,  48 .  
         [0057]      FIG. 5B  shows the backs  44   b  of each of the playing cards  44  in the set of playing cards  18 . The back  44   b  of each playing card  44  bears a first secondary symbol  50 . The first secondary symbol  50  takes the form of a graphic symbol selected from a first set of secondary symbols set such as all or some of a set of standard slot machine symbols (e.g., cherry, bell, star, lemon, bar, double bar). In this embodiment, a winning hand of playing cards may be formed by matching a number of the secondary symbols  50  in a similar fashion as employed in slot machine games.  
         [0058]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  show a set of playing cards  19  according to another illustrated embodiment. Again, the playing cards  18  are organized into rows of like suit and columns of like rank for ease of presentation, and the individual playing cards  44  in  FIG. 6B  are arranged in the same order as in  FIG. 5A . Thus,  FIGS. 6A and 6B  illustrate a mapping between the face  44   a  and the backs  44   b  of the playing cards  44  forming the set of playing cards  18 .  
         [0059]     In particular,  FIG. 6A  shows the face  44   a  of each playing card  44  in the set of playing cards  18 . The face  44   a  bears a first primary symbol  46  and a second primary symbol  48 . The first primary symbols  46  are select from a first set of primary symbols, such as a set of standard playing card rank symbols. The second primary symbols  48  are selected from a second set of primary symbols such as a set of standard playing card suit symbols. Thus, the set of playing cards  18  form a standard deck of playing cards based on the primary symbols  46 ,  48 .  
         [0060]      FIG. 6B  shows the backs  44   b  of each of the playing cards in the set of playing cards  18 . The back  44   b  of each playing card  44  bears a first secondary symbol  50 . The first secondary symbol  50  is selected from a first set of secondary symbols, for example a set of numeric symbols such as integers (e.g., 5, 10, 20). As discussed further below, these numeric secondary symbols may be employed in games that require matching of the numeric symbols, the summing of the numeric symbols, an amount by which an award amount is multiplied or may otherwise indicate an award.  
         [0061]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  a set of playing cards  18  according to a second illustrated embodiment, in this illustration consisting of  52  playing cards. Again, the individual playing cards  44  in  FIG. 5B  are arranged in the same order as in  FIG. 5A . Thus,  FIGS. 5A and 5B  illustrate a mapping between the face  44   a  and the backs  44   b  of the playing cards  44  forming the set of playing cards  18 .  
         [0062]     In particular,  FIG. 7A  shows the face  44   a  of each playing card in the set of playing cards  18 . The face  44   a  of each playing card  44  bears a first primary symbol  46 . The first primary symbol  46  is selected from a first set of primary symbols, for example, a set of numeric symbols such as integers (e.g., 5, 10, 20). These numeric secondary symbols may be employed in games that require matching of the numeric symbols, the summing of the numeric symbols, a amount by which an award amount is multiplied or may otherwise indicate an award.  
         [0063]      FIG. 7B  shows the backs  44   b  of each of the playing cards  44  in the set of playing cards  18 . The back  44   b  of each playing card  44  bears a first secondary symbol  50 . The first secondary symbol  50  is selected from a first set of secondary symbols, for example a set of graphic symbols, text symbols, color symbols, and/or amount symbols. As discussed herein, these secondary symbols may be employed in games that require matching of the symbols, the collection of symbols to match a defined combination, the summing of the symbols to achieve a defined total, and/or the solution of a rebus or puzzle. These secondary symbols may additionally, or alternatively indicate an award, an amount of an award, an amount by which an award amount is multiplied or may otherwise indicate an award or prize.  
         [0064]      FIG. 8  shows the backs  44   b  of three playing cards  44 , each of the playing cards  44  bearing a first secondary symbol  50  in the form of a graphical symbol. The graphical symbols form a rebus (i.e., representation of words in the form pictures or symbols) for solution by the player  14 ,  16 . As illustrated, the first secondary symbols  50  represent an eye, a heart and a ewe, which the player may solve as the phrase “I love you.” The player cards  44  may employ other symbols to form additional or alternative rebus, and may employ text symbols to form riddles or other puzzles.  
         [0065]     Thus, the above described embodiments permit a player to play a first card game, for example blackjack, while a second card game is simultaneously occurring. The illustrated embodiments are intended to be representative, and one skilled in the art will recognize that various aspects from the different embodiments can be combined or replaced by various aspects of other embodiments. Further, playing cards  44  may employ symbols other than those illustrated.  
         [0066]     Typically, the player  14 ,  16  will make decision (e.g., hit or stay) based on the primary symbols  46 ,  48  to achieve a winning outcome (e.g., hand with a total value close to twenty-one without going over) in a first game (e.g., blackjack) played according to a first set of rules. The player  14 ,  16  may make the decision in the first game independently of the secondary symbols or the rules of a second game. Alternatively, the player  14 ,  16  may at the same time, base the decision in the first game on a desired outcome in the second game. For example, the player  14 ,  16  may hold a hand having primary symbols totaling a value  17 . While the player  14 ,  16  holding such a hand would strongly consider not accepting further playing cards, the probability of improving a hand formed by the secondary symbols may cause the player  14 ,  16  to take an additional playing card. For example, where the secondary symbols are standard slot machine symbols, an additional playing card may significantly increase the odds of forming a hand having two or more matching secondary symbols, and/or may increase the odds of winning an enhanced or bonus prize or award.  
         [0000]     Devices For Forming Dual Sided Playing Cards  
         [0067]      FIG. 9  shows a device  70  for forming the playing cards  44  of the set of playing cards according to one embodiment. The device  70  may be located at a playing card manufacturing facility remote from the casino, or remote from the gaming floor of the casino. Alternatively, the device  70  may be located at the casino, either in an area closed to patrons or on the gaming floor, such as positioned on the gaming table  10  ( FIG. 1 ) in the form of the card shoe  20 . Where located on the gaming table  10 , the device  70  may dispense playing cards  44  in real time, which are dealt to the players  14 ,  16  by the dealer  12  The device  70  comprising a housing  72 , a media path  74  defined through at least a portion of the housing  72  along which media such as playing cards or playing card stock  76  passes. As illustrated in  FIG. 9 , the playing card stock  76  may take the form of a plurality of individual playing card blanks. The device  70  includes a controller, such as a microprocessor  78 , coupled to control a printhead  80 , for example via a print controller  82 , to print on the playing card stock  76 . The microprocessor  78  is also coupled to control a motor  84 , such as a stepper motor, for example via a motor controller  86 . The motor  84  is coupled to drive a platen  88  for advancing the playing card stock  76  along the media path  74 .  
         [0068]     The microprocessor  78  may receive instructions and/or data from one or more memories such as random access memory (RAM)  90  and/or read-only memory (ROM)  92 . One or both of the memories  90 ,  92  may store print data corresponding instructions for controlling the printhead  80  to print primary and/or secondary symbols. The printhead  80  can take any of a variety of forms including thermal printhead, inkjet printhead, impact printhead, or laser printhead.  
         [0069]     The microprocessor  78  is programmed to generate at least one secondary identifier for each playing card  44 , where the secondary identifier identifies at least one of a set of secondary symbols.  
         [0070]     The pseudorandom generation of secondary identifiers and hence the pseudorandom generation of the secondary symbol(s)  50 ,  66  may be independent of the primary symbol(s)  46 ,  48  to be printed on or previously printed on the face  44   a  of the card stock  76 . For example, the microprocessor  78  may employ a seed value that is unrelated to the primary symbol(s)  46 ,  48  in a standard pseudo-random number generation algorithm.  
         [0071]     Alternatively, the pseudo-random generation of secondary identifiers and hence the pseudorandom generation of the secondary symbol(s)  50 ,  66  may be dependent on the primary symbol(s)  46 ,  48  to be printed on or previously printed on the face  44   a  of the card stock  76 . For example, the microprocessor  78  may employ a seed value that is related to the primary identifier and/or primary symbol(s)  46 ,  48  in a standard pseudo-random number generation algorithm.  
         [0072]     Additionally, or alternatively, the pseudo-random number generation algorithm may be weighted based on the seed value. The weighting may increase the likelihood of pseudo-randomly selecting a “high” value secondary symbol  50 ,  66  (e.g., cherry or high value ranks such as 10, J, Q, K, A) where the primary symbol has a “low” value (e.g., low value ranks such as 2-6). Likewise, the weighting may decrease the likelihood of pseudo-randomly selecting a “high” value secondary symbol  50 ,  66  (e.g., cherry or high value ranks such as 10, J, Q, K, A) where the primary symbol has a “high” value (e.g., high value ranks such as 10, J, Q, K, A). The weighting may be obtained by varying the probability or size of the set for particular seed values. For example, the pseudo-random number generation algorithm may define a 1 in 100 chance of generating a secondary identifier corresponding to a cherry for seed values associated with high value primary identifiers, and a 1 in 20 chance of generating a secondary identifier corresponding to a cherry for seed values associated with low value primary identifiers. The pseudo-random number generation algorithm may be defined to produce pairings of primary and secondary identifiers based on a combined probability of a player winning one game, the other game or both games.  
         [0073]     Thus, the microprocessor  78  may pseudo-randomly generate an secondary identifier corresponding to one of the standard playing card rank and/or suit symbols, graphical symbols, numerical symbols, text symbols, color symbols and/or amount symbols previously discussed.  
         [0074]     The device  70  may optionally include a sensor  94  for automatically reading markings identifying the primary symbol(s)  46 ,  48 . The sensor may be an optical or magnetic sensor. For example, the sensor  94  may be an optical scanner or imager. The sensor  94  may sense the primary symbols  46 ,  48 , or may sense some other symbol that indicative of the primary symbols  46 ,  48 . For example, the sensor  94  may take the form of a barcode reader to read barcode carried by each card. The barcodes may encode the identity of the playing card  44  and/or primary symbols  46 ,  48 , or may encode an identifier such as a unique serial number from which the identity of the playing card  44  may be determined, for example via a lookup table or algorithm.  
         [0075]     The device  10  of  FIG. 9  is particularly suitable where the playing cards  18  include one or more primary symbols  46 ,  48  preprinted on the face  44   a,  or where the playing cards pass through the device  70  twice, once face up and the other time face down.  
         [0076]      FIG. 10  shows an alternative embodiment of the device  70 . This alternative embodiment, and those alternative embodiments and other alternatives described herein, are substantially similar to previously described embodiments, and common acts and structures are identified by the same reference numbers. Only significant differences in the operation and structure are described below.  
         [0077]     The device  70  of  FIG. 10  includes at least a second printhead  96  positioned across the media path  74  with respect to the first printhead  80 , for printing on a face  44   a  of the playing card stock  76  in a single pass. The microprocessor  78 , or an alternative or additional microprocessor (not shown) controls the second printhead  96  via a second print controller  98  to print one or more primary symbols  46 ,  48  on the face  44   a  of the playing card stock  76 . As illustrated in  FIG. 10 , the playing card stock  76  may be provided in the form of a roll. A platen  99 , which may be driven or undriven, is opposed from the second printhead  96  to provide a substantially smooth flat surface for printing.  
         [0078]     While discussed in terms of a printhead and printing, the device  70  may take any form of device suitable for forming visual images on the playing card stock  76 , including but not limited to devices employing GYRICON™ technology developed by Xerox PARC of Palo Alto, Calif. and/or leucodye thermochromic inks.  
         [0000]     Methods of Producing Dual Sided Playing Cards  
         [0079]      FIG. 11  shows a method  100  of operating the device  70  of  FIG. 10  according to a one illustrated embodiment. In step  102 , the microprocessor  78  pseudo-randomly generates at least one secondary identifier per playing card  44 .  
         [0080]     As used herein the “identifier” is a value, typically a numeric value, that identifies the playing card. Employing a numeric identifier is particular useful where the identifiers a computer or microprocessor  78  will pseudo-randomly generate the identifier via standard pseudo-random number generation algorithms. Random number generation on computers is well known in the computing arts. Mathematicians do not generally consider computer generated random numbers to be truly random, and thus commonly refer to such numbers as being pseudo-random. However such numbers are sufficiently random for most practical purposes, such as distributing playing cards to players. Hence, while we denominate the computer generated identifiers as being pseudo-random, such term as used herein and in the claims should include any identifiers having a suitable random distribution, whether truly mathematically random or not.  
         [0081]     The identifier is mapped to one or more symbols which are recognized by humans. For example, the identifier may be one of fifty-two numbers (e.g., 0-51) and may be mapped to the fifty-two combinations of rank and suit symbols of a standard set of playing cards. Thus, the microprocessor  78  may, for example, generate a single identifier that maps to more than one symbols (e.g., the numeric identifier  1  indicates the two of diamonds), or may generate identifiers that map to individual symbols (e.g., the numeric identifier  1  indicates a rank of two and the numeric identifier  52  indicates the suit of diamonds).  
         [0082]     In step  104 , the microprocessor  78  associates the secondary identifier(s) to print data stored in memories  90 ,  92  representing corresponding secondary symbol(s)  50 ,  66 . In step  106 , the microprocessor  78  provides print data representing secondary symbol(s)  50 ,  66  and primary symbol(s)  46 ,  48  to the printheads  80 ,  96 , respectively. In step  108 , the printhead  80  prints at least one secondary symbol  50 ,  66  on the back  44   b  of the playing card stock  76 . In step  110 , the printhead  96  prints at least one primary symbol  46 ,  48  on the face  44   a  of the playing card stock  76 . Thus, the primary and secondary symbols  46 ,  48 ,  50 ,  66  are formed on the respective playing cards  44  in a single pass.  
         [0083]      FIG. 12  shows a method  120  of operating the device  70  of  FIG. 10  according to another illustrated embodiment. In step  122 , the microprocessor  78  pseudo-randomly generates at least one primary identifier for each playing card  44 . In step  124 , the microprocessor  78  associates the primary identifier(s) to print data stored in memories  90 ,  92  representing corresponding primary symbol(s)  46 ,  48 . In step  126 , the microprocessor  78  pseudo-randomly generates at least one secondary identifier for each playing card  44  based at least in part on the primary identifier(s). In step  128 , the microprocessor  78  associates the secondary identifier(s) to print data stored in memories  90 ,  92  representing corresponding secondary symbol(s)  50 ,  66 . In step  130 , the microprocessor  78  provides print data for the secondary and primary symbols  50 ,  66 ,  46 ,  48  to the printheads  80 ,  94 , respectively. In step  132 , the second printhead  96  prints at least one primary symbol  46 ,  48  on the face  44   a  of each playing card  44 . In step  134 , the first printhead  80  prints at least one secondary symbol  50 ,  66  on the back  44   b  of each playing card  44 . Thus, the primary and secondary symbols  46 ,  48 ,  50 ,  66  are formed on the respective playing cards  44  in a single pass, and the secondary symbol(s)  50 ,  66  are dependent on the primary symbol(s)  46 ,  48 .  
         [0084]      FIG. 13  shows a method  150  of operating the device  70  of  FIG. 9  according to one illustrated embodiment. In step  152 , the device  70  receives playing cards  44  with one or more primary symbols  46 ,  48  preprinted on the face  44   a  of each playing card  44 . In step  154 , the microprocessor  78  pseudo-randomly generates at least one secondary identifier per playing card  44 . In step  156 , the microprocessor  78  associates the secondary identifier(s) to print data stored in memories  90 ,  92  representing corresponding secondary symbol(s)  50 ,  66 . In step  158 , the microprocessor  78  provides print data to the printhead  80  via the print controller  82 . In step  160 , the printhead  80  prints at least one secondary symbol  50 ,  66  on the back  44   b  of each playing card  44 . Thus, the device  70  forms secondary symbols  50 ,  66  on playing cards  44  in a single pass independently of the primary symbol(s)  46 ,  48 .  
         [0085]     In an alternative method, the device  70  of  FIG. 9  may employ blank playing card stock  76  or playing card stock without any previous formed primary symbols  46 ,  48 . In such an alternative, the device  70  may form one or more primary symbol(s)  46 ,  48  on the face  44   a  of the playing cards  44  in an additional pass, either before or after forming the secondary symbol(s)  50 ,  66 .  
         [0086]      FIG. 14  shows a method  170  of operating the device  70  of  FIG. 9  according to another illustrated embodiment. In step  172 , the device  70  receives playing card stock  76  with one or more primary symbol(s)  46 ,  48  preprinted on the face of each playing card. In step  174 , the microprocessor  78  determines primary identifier(s) associated with the primary symbol(s)  46 ,  48 . In step  176 , the microprocessor  78  pseudo-randomly generates at least one secondary identifier per playing card  44  based at least in part on the determined primary identifier(s). In step  178 , the microprocessor  78  associates the secondary identifier(s) to print data stored in memories  90 ,  92  representing corresponding secondary symbol(s)  50 ,  66 . In step  180 , the microprocessor  78  provides the print data to the printhead  80  via the print controller  82 . In step  182 , the printhead  80  prints at least one secondary symbol  50 ,  56  on the back  44   b  of each playing card  44 .  
         [0000]     Game Playing Employing Dual Sided Playing Cards  
         [0087]      FIG. 15  shows a method  200  of playing a wagering game according to one illustrated embodiment. In step  202 , the dealer  12  determines the players  14 ,  16  who have placed a primary wager  22 . In step  204 , the dealer  12  deals cards to the players  14 ,  16  who place primary wagers  22  and optionally to the dealer&#39;s own self. In step  206 , the dealer  12  determines the outcome of a first game based on one or more of the primary symbol(s)  46 ,  48  according to a first set of game rules. In step  208 , the dealer  12  pays off winning hands of the first game.  
         [0088]     In step  210 , for each losing hand, the dealer  12  determines an outcome of the second game based on one or more of the secondary symbol(s)  50 ,  66  according to a second set of game rules. The rules of the second game may be the same as the rules of the first game, for example, where both games are blackjack and the set of cards are similar to that shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B . Alternatively, the rules of the second game may be the different from the rules of the first game, for example, where one game is blackjack, the second game is a matching game, and the set of cards are similar to that shown in  FIGS. 5A, 5B ,  6 A,  6 B,  7 A, and  7 B.  
         [0089]     In step  212 , the dealer  12  pays off winning hands of the second game.  
         [0090]      FIG. 16  shows a method  220  of playing a wagering game according to another illustrated embodiment. In step  222 , the dealer  12  determines the players  14 ,  16  who have placed primary wagers  22 . In step  224 , the dealer  12  deals cards to the players  14 ,  16  who have placed primary wagers  22  and optionally to the dealer&#39;s own self. In step  226 , the dealer determines an outcome of a first game based on the primary symbol(s)  46 ,  48 .  
         [0091]     In step  228 , for each winning hand, the dealer  12  determines an outcome of a second game based on secondary symbol(s)  50 ,  66 . In step  230 , the dealer  12  pays off the hands which won only the first game at a base payout, and pays off the hands which won both the first and the second games at an enhanced payout. The enhanced payout may, for example, be some multiple of the base payout, or may be some defined bonus or an amount based on an aggregation based on progressive wagering system.  
         [0092]      FIG. 17  shows a method  250  of playing a wagering game according to yet another illustrated embodiment. In step  252 , the dealer  12  determines the players  14 ,  16  who have placed primary wagers  22 . In step  254 , the dealer  12  deals cards to players  14 ,  16  who have placed the primary wager  22 , and optionally to the dealer&#39;s own self. In step  256 , the dealer  12  determines an outcome of a first game based on the primary symbol(s)  46 ,  48 .  
         [0093]     In step  258 , the dealer  12  determines the players  14 ,  16  who have placed a secondary wager  31 . In step  260 , for each player  14 ,  16  who placed secondary wagers  31 , the dealer  12  determines an outcome of a second game based on secondary symbol(s)  50 ,  66 . In step  262 , the dealer  12  pays off winning wagers. The pay off of winning wagers may include paying of winning wagers on each of the first and second games independently, or paying off the wagers based on a combination of the outcomes of the games for any given hand. For example, hands that win both the first and second games may receive an enhanced payout as discussed above.  
         [0094]      FIG. 18  shows a method  270  of playing a wagering game according to yet another illustrated embodiment. In step  272 , the dealer  12  determines the players  14 ,  16  who have placed primary wagers  22 . In step  274 , the dealer  12  deals cards to the players  14 ,  16  who have placed the primary wagers  22  and optionally to the dealer&#39;s own self. In step  276 , the dealer  12  determines the outcome of a first game based on the primary symbol(s)  46 ,  48 .  
         [0095]     In step  278 , the dealer  12  determines the players  14 ,  16  who have placed secondary wagers  31 . In step  280 , for players with winning hands in the first game who have also placed secondary wagers, the dealer  12  determines an outcome of the second game based on the secondary symbol(s)  50 ,  66 . In step  282 , the dealer  12  pays off winning wagers, as discussed above.  
         [0096]      FIG. 19  shows a method  290  of playing a wagering game according to still a further illustrated embodiment. The method  290  is similar in many respects to the method of  280 , and thus common acts are identified by the same reference numbers. The method  290  replaces step  280  of method  270  with step  292 . In step  292 , for players with losing hands who also placed secondary wagers, the dealer  12  determines an outcome of a second game based on the secondary symbol(s)  50 ,  66 . Thus, the method  290  allows players  14 ,  16  who have lost a first game to have a chance at winning a second game.  
         [0097]     Although specific embodiments of and examples for the dual-sided card game method, apparatus and article are described herein for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as will be recognized by those skilled in the relevant art. The teachings provided herein of the invention can be applied to other card games, not necessarily the exemplary blackjack card game generally described above. The teachings can be applied to devices for forming symbols on playing cards other than printers. The device may employ any of a variety of algorithms for pseudo-randomly generating symbols. The pseudo-randomly generation of the secondary symbols may be either independent of, or dependent on the primary symbols as suits the particular application.  
         [0098]     The various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. All of the U.S. patents, U.S. patent application publications, U.S. patent applications, foreign patents, foreign patent applications and non-patent publications referred to in this specification and/or listed in the Application Data Sheet, including but not limited to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/296,866, filed Jun. 8, 2001, and entitled “METHOD, APPARATUS AND ARTICLE FOR RANDOM SEQUENCE GENERATION AND PLAYING CARD DISTRIBUTION”; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/017,276, filed Dec. 13, 2001, and entitled “METHOD, APPARATUS AND ARTICLE FOR RANDOM SEQUENCE GENERATION AND PLAYING CARD DISTRIBUTION”; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,638,161, issued Oct. 28, 2003, and entitled “METHOD, APPARATUS AND ARTICLE FOR VERIFYING CARD GAMES, SUCH AS PLAYING CARD DISTRIBUTION”, are incorporated herein by reference, in their entirety. Aspects of the invention can be modified, if necessary, to employ systems, circuits and concepts of the various patents, applications and publications to provide yet further embodiments of the invention.  
         [0099]     These and other changes can be made to the invention in light of the above-detailed description. In general, in the following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limit the invention to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should be construed to include all playing cards; cards games, and/or devices for forming or dispensing dual-sided playing cards that operated in accordance with the claims. Accordingly, the invention is not limited by the disclosure, but instead its scope is to be determined entirely by the following claims.