Abstract:
The present disclosure includes an apparatus and a card game named “The 2101 Game”, which employs two modified standard decks of cards and a specialized playing mat and table, and the method that includes the process of playing the 2101 Game, which is played using 101 playing cards, consisting of two modified decks of 52 cards, played with two to ten players, each of whom typically uses chips to make bets during the round. 
     The 2101 Game comes as a kit with the cards and mats that are marked and assist the players to keep their cards in place during play. A convenient table-top construction is also disclosed.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present disclosure relates to the apparatus and method of playing a game involving strategy, chance and betting opportunities. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    At least as far back as the 1800s, Americans have played a variety of card games involving betting and rounds of play in which the winner is determined by particular card combinations. These games include many varieties of rules, and include hidden cards, wild cards that can take any desired rank or suit, and community cards that are shared by multiple players. 
         [0003]    Likewise, the betting process can vary dramatically. In some games, minimum or maximum bets are used, pot splits, one or more antes is required of particular players in relation to the dealer, and pots can be split between those who tie, or in some cases, between those players who hold both the highest ranking and the lowest ranking hands. 
         [0004]    It is assumed in this application that the examiner and all of those in the applicable art understands the common terms used to generally describe poker play, including, but not limited to the following terms: rank, suit, deal, ante, raise, fold, turn, flip, hit. 
         [0005]    In almost all poker games, players who can calculate the odds of winning the hand will perform better over time than those who rely strictly on chance. Most poker games are also styled with rules that create a compounding effect, in that the odds of a hand decreases or increases along a trend line most often, so a skilled player who starts off with a strong hand does not typically end the round with a weak hand. 
         [0006]    The effect of such stratification is that weaker players can lose enthusiasm for the game, as they do not recognize the slight variations between hands intuitively. 
         [0007]    What is needed is a more exciting card game that has elements of poker, and thus is easily learned, uses cards that are familiar, but still interestingly different, and has rules that can wildly change the standings of the players. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The present disclosure includes an apparatus and a card game named “The 2101 Game”, which employs two modified standard decks of cards and a specialized playing mat and table, and a method that includes the process of playing the 2101 Game. 
         [0009]    The 2101 Game is played using 101 playing cards, consisting of two standard decks of 52 cards, removing a two of diamonds, a ten of clubs, and an ace of spades. 
         [0010]    The 2101 Game can be played with two to ten players, each of whom typically uses chips to make bets during the round. 
         [0011]    The 2101 Game comes as a kit with the cards and mats that are marked and assist the players to keep their cards in place during play. A convenient table-top construction is also disclosed. 
         [0012]    Novel and inobvious aspects of the invention comprise a new approach to maintaining a level of enjoyable play between players of different skill. Other features and advantages of the present disclosure will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reference to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    For a better understanding of the disclosure, and to show by way of example how the same may be carried into effect, reference is now made to the detailed description along with the accompanying figures in which corresponding numerals in the different figures refer to corresponding parts. 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  shows the face of a player placemat in one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  shows a table-top construction used with a dealer and seven players using one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  shows a table-top construction used with a dealer and ten players using one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  discloses the card faces of the deck used in playing the game disclosed. 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  discloses an instruction card used in playing the game disclosed. 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  shows an optional Center Pile Pad  15  used in the center of a player game area. 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  shows an optional chip face indicating the Face Down betting phase of the game. 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  shows an optional chip face indicating the Face Up betting phase of the game. 
           [0022]      FIG. 9  is a flow chart showing game play by step. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0023]    In its current embodiment, the game is best played by two to ten players. One of those players may serve also as the dealer, or the function of dealer may circulate among the players. 
         [0024]    As explained in Step  5  of  FIG. 9 , the players ante an amount to which the players agree before each round, referred to as the “Table Bet”. 
         [0025]    As explained in the  FIG. 5 , Quick Instructions  13 , and Step  10  of  FIG. 9 , the dealer deals nine cards to all players by starting to his left and dealing one card at a time to each player until each player has nine players. 
         [0026]    As shown as Step  20  of  FIG. 9 , players use the first three cards they receive as their “Pocket” cards, which players keep secret from other players. 
         [0027]    As shown as Step  30  of  FIG. 9 , the next set of three cards dealt to each player is placed on the table face up. These cards are referenced as the “Face Up” cards. 
         [0028]    As shown as Step  40  of  FIG. 9 , the next set of three cards dealt to each player is placed on the table face down. These cards are referenced as the “Face Down” cards. 
         [0029]    Though not necessary, the Player Pad  11  shows a convenient card placement for ease of consistent play. 
         [0030]    After the players have all received their cards, the players should have the cards arranged as shown in the Player Pad  11  on  FIG. 1 , also shown in the table top markings disclosed in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . The remaining cards that have not been dealt to the players are not used and can be set aside for the remainder of the round. 
         [0031]    As shown as Step  50  of  FIG. 9 , if a player&#39;s Face Up cards is dealt a two of diamonds, a ten of clubs, and an ace of spades (irrespective of order), this is referred to as a “Natural  2101 ”. The player wins the round automatically, and also receives 21 times the current table bet from each player. 
         [0032]    As shown as Step  60  of  FIG. 9 , if a player is dealt a combination of a two, ten and ace as Face Up cards (irrespective of order or suit), that player wins the round automatically, along with seven times the table bet from each player. 
         [0033]    As shown as Step  70  of  FIG. 9 , the player identified with the highest ranking hand of Face Up cards begins a round of betting, known as the “Pocket Bet”. 
         [0034]    To determine the best (or highest ranking) hand of Face Up Cards, players examine the three Face Up cards of each player; the player with the most Face Up “2101 cards” has the best set. The 2101 cards are the twos, tens and aces. If more than one player has the same number of face-up 2101 cards, then the player with the higher 2101 card has the best set. The tens are the highest of the three 2101 cards (the card with the numeral ten, and not all face cards), followed by the aces, and then the twos, which are least of the 2101 cards. If more than one player has the same set of face-up 2101 cards, then the player with the highest non-2101 card (also referred to as “kicker”) has the best set. If more than one player has identical face-up 2101 and non-2101 cards, then the player closest to the left of the dealer will initiate the pocket bet. 
         [0035]    As shown as Step  80  of  FIG. 9 , the player initiating the Pocket Bet can wager any amount of chips between two and 21 times the Table Bet. (21 times the table bet is also referred to as “Max Bet”.) The only time a player can wager more than the Max Bet is if the player decides to go “all in” with his remaining chips. 
         [0036]    As shown as Step  90  of  FIG. 9 , once the Pocket Bet has been initiated, play continues to the left sequentially. All players must match the Pocket Bet to continue in that round of play. If the initiating player decides to not make a bet, he can “check” to the next player, who then has the option to initiate a bet. Each player also has an option to raise the initiated bet in the same range as previously defined. If a player does not want to match the initiated bet, that player can elect to fold by turning in all of his cards to the dealer with no additional bet required. The round will continue with the remaining players. 
         [0037]    As shown as Step  100  of  FIG. 9 , once all players have been given an opportunity to match the bet, raise, or fold, the player with the best remaining set of Face Up cards will begin the game with whichever Pocket card they choose. 
         [0038]    As shown as Step  110  of  FIG. 9 , the game now enters a new phase in which players take turns building a pile in the play area middle.  FIG. 6  shows the Center Pile Pad  15 , on which the pile is built. 
         [0039]    The general rule of play during this phase is that a player must play a card from his Pocket Cards onto the pile, positioned face-up, which must outrank the card previously played and sitting on the top of the pile. 
         [0040]    The two and ten cards are special cards and can be played on top of the pile at any time with particular effects. Playing a two resets the pile to a “low” status, so the next player can play any card on top of a two. Playing a ten on the pile “kills” the pile, killing all previously played cards in the pile so they are discarded. As shown as Step  140  of  FIG. 9 , a player playing a ten receives an additional play after the previous pile is discarded. This is referred to as a “clear”. 
         [0041]    A player playing a fourth consecutive card which completes a four-of-a-kind on top of the pile also initiates a Clear, just as through a ten is played. The player initiating the Clear gets an additional play, starting a new pile with whichever card they choose to play, and beginning with their Pocket cards. 
         [0042]    As shown as Step  160  of  FIG. 9 , if a player does not have a Pocket card with an equal or greater rank than the card on top of the pile (and does not have a two or ten Pocket card), then that player must pick up the entire pile where it becomes part of the player&#39;s Pocket cards. Once a player picks up a pile, the next player starts a new pile with whichever card he chooses to play, beginning with his Pocket cards. 
         [0043]    As shown as Step  170  of  FIG. 9 , play continues until one player has played all of his Pocket cards, at which point that player initiates the Face Up Bet, which is a second round of betting conducted in the same manner as shown in ¶¶35-37. 
         [0044]    As shown as Step  180  of  FIG. 9 , a player who has used all his Pocket cards, will begin playing his Face Up cards one at a time in whichever order he chooses. Players may play pairs and three-of-a-kind combinations, but such actions are not mandatory. 
         [0045]    A player who fails to play a Face Up card equal to or greater than the card on the top of the pile must pick up the entire pile, plus the Face Up card selected. These cards must then be played as Pocket cards. All new Pocket cards must be played before a player can select their next Face-Up card. 
         [0046]    As shown as Step  200  of  FIG. 9 , the first player to play all of his Face Up cards, and have no Pocket cards remaining initiates the Face Down Bet. 
         [0047]    Once the Face Down Bet has been initiated and as in all previous betting rounds, play moves sequentially to the left, with each player having the opportunity to call, raise the bet, or fold. The round continues with the remaining players. 
         [0048]    Once all players have been given an opportunity to call the bet or fold, the round will continue where it left off prior to the round of betting. 
         [0049]    As shown as Step  210  of  FIG. 9 , once a player uses all of his Face Up cards, and has no remaining Pocket cards, he must then begin playing his Face Down cards when his turn comes to play a card. He may play them in whichever order he chooses. 
         [0050]    A player playing a Face Down card that is not equal to or greater than the pile card must pick up the entire pile and also keep the Face Down card he selected. These cards must then be played as Pocket cards. All new Pocket cards must be played before a player can select his next Face Down card. 
         [0051]    As shown in Step  220  of  FIG. 9 , the first player to play all of his cards—Pocket, Face Up, and Face Down, wins the round, and chips wagered during the round. Players may continue rounds as desired. Players may join or leave the game between rounds. 
         [0052]    As described, the players may be in different stages of the game, with one player still working on playing all his Pocket cards, while another is working on his Face Up cards, and yet a third is attempting to play his Face Down cards. Players can go backwards in the game even at the very end by failing to select a satisfactorily ranked Face Down card, and forced to add a substantial pile of cards to his Pocket Cards. 
         [0053]    Players may use optional game parts to assist in keeping their cards in place, including: the Player Pad  11 ; Quick Instructions  13  ( FIG. 5 ) as a handy reminder of game play; Center Pile Pad  15  ( FIG. 6 ); Optional Face Down Bet Indication Chip  31  ( FIG. 7 ); Optional Face Up Bet Indication Chip  33  ( FIG. 8 ). 
         [0054]    For more formal play, players can use a poker table that has seven stations for players and one for the dealer ( FIG. 2 ), or a ten-player table that has no station for the dealer. ( FIG. 3 ).  FIGS. 2 and 3  are mere examples of the many configurations possible.  FIG. 4  shows the faces of the modified two Card Decks  35  used during the game.