Abstract:
Disclosed is a card protector for concealing playing cards during a card game and associated methods of use. The card protector functions to prevent common cheating techniques used during a card game, including card marking. The invention described herein also prevents having a poker hand erroneously “killed” by a card dealer or disqualified by an uncouth opponent.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    This disclosure relates to a card protector for protecting playing cards from view during a card game, thereby minimizing various forms of cheating or incompliance with predetermined rules of play. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Poker is a card game where each player is dealt two cards face down. Each player is responsible for their own cards. If an opponent knows what the two face down cards are, the player holding the cards is at a significant disadvantage. Therefore, if the backs of certain cards are marked with subtle and/or distinguishable marks (either to the naked eye or via specialized lenses) a cheating player may be able to ascertain what his or her opponents cards are and use it to exploit the game. In addition, without protection, a players cards may be accidentally taken away by a dealer or “killed” if another players&#39; cards inadvertently touch them. 
         [0003]    Poker gained popularity at the beginning of the twentieth century, and has gone from being primarily a recreational activity confined to small groups of mostly male enthusiasts, to a widely popular spectator activity with international audiences and multi-million dollar tournament prizes. Poker games vary in the number of cards dealt, the number of shared or “community” cards and the number of cards that remain hidden. For example, Texas hold &#39;em (also known as hold &#39;em or holdem) is a variation of the standard card game of poker. Texas hold &#39;em consists of two cards being dealt face down to each player and then five community cards being placed face-up by the dealer. When a player is dealt cards, the cards are typically kept, or “held,” in front of the player on the poker table until the player folds or shows the cards in an attempt to win the pot. 
         [0004]    The five community cards are dealt in a series of three cards (“the flop”) then two additional single cards (“the turn” and “the river” respectively), with players having the option to check, bet, raise or fold after each deal (i.e., betting may occur prior to the flop, “on the flop”, “on the turn”, and “on the river”). A game played with a no-limit betting structure allows each player to raise the bet by any amount up to and including his entire remaining stake at any time (subject to the table stakes rules and any other rules about raising). No-Limit is Texas hold&#39;em played with a no-limit betting structure. 
         [0005]    The most common sizes for playing cards are poker size (2.5×3.5 inches (64×89 mm), or B8 size according to ISO 216) and bridge size (2.25×3.5 inches (57×89 mm)), the latter being narrower, and thus more suitable for games such as bridge in which a large number of cards must be held concealed in a player&#39;s hand. In most casino poker games, the bridge-sized card is used. The use of less material means that a bridge deck is slightly cheaper to make, and a casino may use many thousands of decks per day so the minute per-deck savings add up. 
         [0006]    Unfortunately, another aspect of the game of poker is cheating by players, either individually or in concert. Cheating can be done many ways, including collusion, sleight-of-hand (such as bottom dealing or stacking the deck), or the use of physical objects such as marked cards or holdout devices. Cheating occurs in both friendly games and casinos. The following is a list of terms used to categorize specific card cheats:
       Card Mechanic: A card cheat who specializes in sleight-of-hand and manipulation of cards, a card sharp.   Base Dealer: Also called a bottom dealer, or a second dealer, this relies on two related methods that manipulate the dealing of cards.   Paper Player: A card cheat that exploits the use of marked cards.   Hand-mucker: A card cheat that specializes in switching cards.   Machine Player: A card cheat that uses mechanical holdouts.   Double Deal: dealing a player two or more cards during one round of a deal.       
 
         [0013]    In a controlled casino environment, a number of these cheating methods are simply impractical or impossible to accomplish, and therefore they are not issues that the current invention is designed to prevent. For example, a casino or card room typically has a staff of dealers that have been cleared (through the use of background checks and other methods) to deal at the establishment and, for the purposes of this invention, can be assumed to be neutral third parties that are uninterested in the outcome of the result of the card game. 
         [0014]    The threat of a card mechanic, base dealer or double dealer is not present because the casino or card room employs the dealer. Similarly, virtually every card room and casino has controls in place to eliminate the threat of a hand-mucker or machine player. Many establishments use automatic card shufflers that count the number of cards after each shuffle, ensuring that 52 cards are always in the deck at all times. If an automatic card shuffler is not used, at the start of a dealers rotation or ‘down’ at a table each dealer is typically required to count the number of cards in each deck to ensure the correct number of cards are in play. The typical down for a dealer lasts between 30-60 minutes, so the number of cards in play is checked regularly. In addition, at the start of each dealer rotation or ‘down,’ a dealer will check the cards in the deck to make sure that they are all accounted for (13 cards in each of the 4 suits). Therefore, the threat of a hand-mucker or machine player being successful at one of these types of establishments is extremely unlikely. 
         [0015]    However, the one type of cheat that a casino or card room has difficulty in stopping with its current security measures is a paper player or card marker. 
         [0016]    Card marking is the process of altering playing cards in a method only apparent to marker or conspirator. Marked cards are printed or altered so that the cheater can know the value of specific cards while only looking at the back. Ways of marking are too numerous to mention, but there are several broad types. For example, a common way of marking cards involves marks on a round design on the card so as to be read like a clock (i.e. an ace is marked at one o&#39;clock, and so on until the king, which is not marked). Shading a card by putting it in the sun or scratching the surface with a razor are ways to mark an already printed deck. Juice and “daub” are two kinds of substances that can be used to mark cards in a subtle way so as to avoid detection, when done properly. While a “juice” deck is pre-marked and introduced into play by the cheater, “daub” is applied during play to any deck, and could be used by a player at a casino or card room. 
         [0017]    Once trained, cheaters can read the cards from across the table. Decks can also be marked while playing using fingernails, poker chips or by bending or crimping the cards in a position that the cheat can read from across the table. There are numerous companies that exist who sell card marking equipment for substantial sums of money. Some of these marking techniques require special lenses to see the markings on the cards, as the markings are invisible to the naked eye and these companies sell special glasses and contact lenses that a cheat can use to spot the markings. 
         [0018]    To overcome hand-mucking, players often use a card protector, several of which are known in the art. Card protectors are typically non-gaming tokens that can be placed on a poker players hole cards during play to protect them. They are primarily used to (1) identify a players cards in the event that another players cards touch them (without a protector the cards would become invalid in play because there would not be any way to distinguish between them); and (2) to prevent a dealer from prematurely killing a hand and putting it in the muck. There have also been instances of poker players purposely mucking their cards into a winning poker players unprotected cards to ruin the hand being played to avoid losing the hand. 
         [0019]    Non-gaming tokens are also used to prevent players from acting out of turn. In No-Limit Texas hold&#39;em, the first round of betting begins with one of the players making some form of a forced bet (the blind and/or ante). The action then proceeds clockwise around the table and each player in turn must either match the maximum previous bet or fold. A player who matches a bet may also “raise,” or increase the bet. The betting round ends when all players have either matched the last bet or folded. 
         [0020]    According to the rules of the game, players are supposed to act in turn. However, players often act ‘out of turn’ by folding their hands too early, or by calling/raising an opponent&#39;s bet because they do not see that another person before them still holds cards. This happens frequently in larger tournaments, where some players accumulate a large amount of chips, as the players cards can often be hidden out of sight from some of the other players in the hand. This problem can also occur when a player attempts to conceal the back of his or her cards with their own hand, if the player suspects that another player is cheating by marking the cards. 
         [0021]    There are a number of different types of card protectors of many shapes and sizes that are known in the art. A card protector can be any foreign object, and does not have to be something that has specially been designed to function as a card protector. For example, coins, paperweights and even rocks or fossils have all been used in the past to function as a card protector. However, a poker chip that is ‘in play’ cannot be used to serve as a card protector. 
         [0022]    All of the card protectors on the market at this time are designed only to ‘protect’ a hand if it comes in contact with another players cards or to prevent the dealer from accidentally discarding the hand. They do not cover a large portion of the back of the card and/or render a marked card unreadable by a cheater. Thus, a need exists in the art for a device that enables card players to discretely view the value of their cards while still protecting their cards from cheaters, preventing their cards from being erroneously removed from play, and avoiding problems associated with players acting out of turn. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0023]    This disclosure provides for a device, system, and method for protecting playing cards during a card game. 
         [0024]    The disclosed invention has several important advantages. For example, the card protector disclosed herein is designed to shield a poker player&#39;s hand to prevent the reading of marked cards by a cheater. 
         [0025]    Another advantage of the present invention includes providing a device that keeps a small amount of the top of the card visible, so that the cards remain ‘in view’ at all times to the rest of the table and the dealer to prevent various forms of cheating. 
         [0026]    Another advantage of the present invention is providing a card protector for covering playing cards that still enables a card player to discretely view their own cards. 
         [0027]    Yet another advantage of the present invention includes providing protection from having a poker hand unintentionally killed by either a dealer or another player. 
         [0028]    Still yet another advantage of the present invention includes providing a way for card players to clearly identify the hands in play to reduce the instances of players playing out of turn. 
         [0029]    Another advantage of the present invention is to prevent monetary loss by a player or a casino resulting from nonconformance with the rules of a card game. 
         [0030]    Yet another advantage of the present invention includes providing protection to card players against cheating through the use of marked cards while still permitting a player to easily read his or her own cards via a cut-off corner. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0031]    For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure and its advantages, reference is now made to the following descriptions, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0032]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the outer surface of card protector of the present disclosure and associated playing cards. 
           [0033]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the inner surface of the card protector of the present disclosure. 
           [0034]      FIG. 3  is a top plan view of the card protector of the present disclosure. 
           [0035]      FIG. 4  is a bottom plan view of the card protector of the present disclosure. 
           [0036]      FIG. 5  is a side plan view of the card protector of the present disclosure. 
           [0037]      FIG. 6  is another side plan view of the card protector of the present disclosure. 
           [0038]      FIG. 7  is a top plan view of the card protector of the present disclosure. 
           [0039]      FIG. 8  is a bottom plan view of the card protector of the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
       [0040]    Similar reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0041]    The present invention relates to a card protector for covering and protecting playing cards during a card game, such as poker. The card protector is designed to shield a poker player&#39;s cards, thereby preventing the reading of marked cards by a cheater while still keeping the cards visible to the table and readable by the player. The card protector of the present disclosure also provides protection from having the hand unintentionally “killed” or discarded by either a dealer or another player, while still permitting the rapid identification of players with cards still in play in order to reduce the instances of other players acting out of turn. The various components of the present invention, and the manner in which they interrelate, are described in greater detail hereinafter. 
         [0042]    The card protector is designed for use in casinos and card rooms in place of the traditional card protectors, although use in a private game to thwart the efforts of a card marker is within the scope of the present disclosure. 
         [0043]    The invention disclosed herein has several important features and functions. As described above, the invention provides protection from cheaters during a card game. The whole premise of marking cards by a card marker is to be able to see or identify what the card is by looking at the back of the card. The invention disclosed herein covers the majority of the back of the card surface, thereby making any form of card marking almost impossible. The invention is designed to keep a small amount of the top of the card visible, however, so that the cards remain in view at all times to the rest of the table and the dealer. The invention also contains a “cut-off” corner that still allows the player who is dealt the hand to view the cards that are protected by the invention by bending the corner of the card protruding through the cut-off portion upwards. 
         [0044]    The cut-off corner also provides a second form of protection against cheating, because it concentrates the contact that a player has on the cards to the top corner of each card. As a casino or card room always provides their own decks of cards, the only type of cheating that a player is likely to attempt is to “daub” certain cards if the invention is used. However, the card protector described herein concentrates nearly all of the contact each player has with the cards to the top corner of the cards. Thus, the “daub” is likely to wear off relatively quickly because of repeated player contact with the “daubed” portion of the playing card (thereby making it ineffective). Also, other players at the table will likely get the “daub” on their hands and contaminate the other cards in the deck in the same spot, making all of the cards look alike (and again frustrating the efforts of the cheater). 
         [0045]    Another feature and function of the present invention includes card protection. The invention disclosed herein is intended to protect a player&#39;s hand if it comes in contact with another players cards and to prevent the dealer from accidentally discarding the hand. 
         [0046]    The invention disclosed herein also assists in ensuring that card players play in turn and in accordance with pre-established rules of a card game. As a player&#39;s cards are the responsibility of the player, the use of the invention would allow players that do not currently use a card protector to keep their cards in front of their chip stack without the fear that it could accidently be mucked. Likewise, it would prevent players from hiding their cards (either unintentionally due to having a large chip stack or intentionally from the fear that another player is reading marked cards) and would significantly reduce the instances of players acting out of turn. 
         [0047]    The invention also provides for the opportunity to advertise. The visible areas of the device are an ideal place to advertise designs and logos and other non-visible areas of the invention can be used to display other informational materials like the schedule of upcoming events in a poker tour. 
         [0048]    It is envisioned that at least two different sizes of the invention are within the scope of the present disclosure, each size configured to accommodate either bridge size (i.e. about 2.25×3.5 inches (57×89 mm)) or poker size (i.e. about 2.5×3.5 inches (64×89 mm), or B8 size according to ISO 216) cards. 
         [0049]    Initially with reference to  FIGS. 1-8 , the card protector  10  for covering playing cards  12  during a card game comprises a body  13  having an upper extent  14 , a lower extent  16 , and an intermediate extent  18  therebetween. Ideally, the card protector is formed from a rigid opaque plastic material, however other materials and degrees of opacity are considered to be within the scope of the claimed invention. The upper extent  16  is open, allowing the ends of the playing cards  12  to protrude from beneath the invention when covered by it. The intermediate extent  18  further includes first  20  and second  22  sides, the first side  20  having a first length and the second side  22  having a second length, the first length being greater than the second length; and a ridge  24  formed along each of the first side  20 , the second side  22 , and the lower extent  16 , the ridge  24  creating a space  25  for accommodating the playing cards  12 . In one embodiment of the invention, the ridge is continuously formed along the first side  20 , the second side  22 , and the lower extent  16 , thereby preventing an opposing player from viewing the playing cards through the sides ( 20 ,  22 ) or the lower extent  16 . Thus, the lower extent  16  and the first and second sides ( 20 ,  22 ) are generally enclosed. Further, the card protector is slightly raised about ⅛ inch (or about 3 mm) as a result of the ridge resting on a surface, thereby permitting the card protector to accommodate the use of up to about five cards. 
         [0050]    With continued reference to  FIGS. 1-8 , an embodiment of the invention comprises a cut-out  26  to allow a player to easily read their cards by exposing to the player a corner of the playing card  12  without exposing the cards to the other players on the table or revealing the backs of the cards to anyone that may have marked the cards. The cut-out corner  26  is strategically placed, so that it lines up with the markings contained on playing cards that reveal what the card is (i.e. the card&#39;s value). 
         [0051]    In one embodiment of the present invention, the ridge  24  formed along the lower extent  16  further comprises a notch  28  or series of openings for exposing a portion of the playing card  12 . This helps to assure a dealer and other players that a player is not hiding cards under the device. It is also envisioned that the first  20  and second  22  sides of the card protector are approximately parallel, thereby enabling greatest coverage over the playing card  12 . However, other shapes and configurations are considered to be within the scope of the invention. 
         [0052]    In one embodiment of the invention, the first length is about 3.5 inches or less, which is sufficient to cover nearly the entire length of a playing card. Shorter lengths, however, may be desirable to allow a dealer or other players to verify the presence of cards still in play in a game or to make bending the corner of a playing card easier. 
         [0053]    It is also envisioned that in one embodiment, the distance between the first and second sides is about 2.25 inches, which is sufficient to accommodate bridge-sized playing cards. In another embodiment of the invention, the distance between the first and second sides is about 2.5 inches, which is sufficient to accommodate poker-sized playing cards. 
         [0054]    Considered within the scope of the present invention is a method for using the card protector described herein to reduce cheating and assure conformance with pre-determined rules by players in a card game. One embodiment of the associated method comprises (1) requiring the players to use a card protector, the card protector comprising a body having an upper extent, a lower extent, and an intermediate extent therebetween, the intermediate extent having first and second sides, the first side having a first length and the second side having a second length, the first length being greater than the second length; (2) dealing playing cards; (3) placing the playing cards under the card protector; (4) placing the card protector and the associated playing cards in view of other players and a dealer; and (5) pointing the lower extent of the card protector directly outwards from the players. 
         [0055]    Another embodiment of an associated method includes the card protector further comprising a ridge formed along each of the first side, the second side, and the lower extent, the ridge creating a space for receiving at least one playing card therein, wherein the placing the playing cards under the card protector further comprises placing the playing cards within the space formed by the ridge, and wherein the ridge is in contact with a surface. 
         [0056]    Yet another embodiment of a method for using the card protector described herein includes: (A) requiring all players to use the card protector; (B) placing each dealt card under the card protector; (C) whenever a player has cards underneath the card protector, placing the card protector and associated cards in front of the players chip stack so that all other players and the dealer can see the card protector and the cards underneath it; (D) whenever a player has cards underneath the card protector, pointing the card protector and associated cards directly outwards from the player, so that the player can read the cards from the cut-off corner; and (E) whenever a player has folded his or her cards, removing the card protector from being directly in front of the players chip stack, so that the other players are not confused as to whether or not a player has cards under the card protector. 
         [0057]    Although this disclosure has been described in terms of certain embodiments and generally associated methods, alterations and permutations of these embodiments and methods will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the above description of example embodiments does not constrain this disclosure. Other changes, substitutions, and alterations are also possible without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure.